Daily news roundups

News roundup: Zack Steffen fires Columbus upset over Atlanta, Garber on Columbus move

Philadelphia Union

Still no stateside confirmation regarding Roland Alberg and transfer rumors, just this from Bulgaria. 

Ilsinho was named to the EA Sports FIFA Team of the Week following his two goals and an assist during last Saturday’s victory.

Rumors have begun swirling regarding Ilsinho returning next season with a reduced salary – good idea considering his enormous $500+k salary (currently third highest paid player on team.)

Major League Soccer

Atlanta United FC lost against Columbus Crew in PKs to crash out of the playoffs in a wildly entertaining match. 

Former Union youth player Zack Steffen had the game of his life. Watch the full highlights, because the kid from Downingtown was just outrageously good.

Watch the full shootout here.

West Chester native and MLS veteran Jeff Larentowicz missed his PK opportunity, striking the post with his attempt. 

#SavetheCrew continues.

Atlanta-Columbus drew 67,221 fans, which set a new MLS playoff attendance record

Houston Dynamo defeated Kansas City FC 1-0 in a match that needed 120+ minutes to find a winner. Alberth Elis buried home the game’s first and only goal in the 94th minute of the extra time period.

The Conference Semifinals begin with a heavy duty showdown out West on Sunday at 8:30PM ET on ESPN as Seattle Sounders FC take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Vancouver. View the updated playoff bracket here.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber publicly addressed the Columbus Crew situation for the first time on Wednesday calling the move “traumatic.”

Orlando City SC striker Cyle Larin has publicly expressed his desire and plans for a European transfer. The 22-year-old Canadian has been productive throughout his three seasons with Orlando (43 goals, 87 appearances) and has attracted attention from European clubs since his college days.

Mexican national team striker Oribe Peralta has reportedly attracted the interest of multiple MLS teams. Peralta has been with Liga MX squad Club América since 2014 (52 goals, 124 appearances). Peralta has tallied 25 goals and 62 appearances for Mexico.

United Soccer League (USL) playoffs

Only eight teams remain in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs. The conference semifinals begin tonight at 5 PM. Check out this semifinal preview video.

Cincinnati FC began a significant roster overhaul in order to prepare for the off-season and 2018 season. Perhaps to become more competitive for MLS?

Local

Three Union Academy grads will be in action tonight when No. 1 ranked Wake Forest plays their season finale against unranked Syracuse tonight at 7PM ET as they look to achieve the first undefeated and untied conference record in ACC history since 2001. The Demon Deacons are on a 12 game win streak. Justin McMaster (13 games played, 2 goals, 3 assists), a Philadelphia Union YSC Academy grad ‘17 and Jamaican youth international, has earned some useful minutes lately. McMaster contributed a goal during Wake Forest’s last win against Boston College. Fellow YSC Academy grad ‘17 Mark McKenzie also plays for Wake Forest (9 games played, 0 goals, 0 assists) as well as Joey Dezart (14 games played, 0 goals, 1 assist, 8 shots).

Around the globe

Scottish powerhouse Rangers FC (5-3-2, 18 points, 4th place) have sacked manager Pedro Caixinha after only seven months. Caixinha originally signed a three-year contract back in March.

U.S Soccer brings in Tom Byer, “youth soccer guru,” to begin a new grassroots development program.

Some important storylines heading into Week 10 in English Premier League campaign.

24 Comments

  1. Garber must be pissed that Atlanta lost that game. One he doesn’t get to promote a wildly successful Atlanta franchise. Two the longs Columbus hangs around in the playoffs the longer the relocation debate stays in the forefront of peoples mind.
    Its really a lose/lose situation for him.
    .
    Also next year Atlanta are gonna take that extra TAM money and be terrifying.

    • A angry Columbus crowd on Halloween night baying for their owner’s blood while playing one of the league’s marquee franchises. Why would Garber hate that?

      Anything that gets non-MLS fans to either notice or pay attention to MLS is a very good thing.

  2. That Atlanta Columbus game was marvelous. Highlights/scoreline don’t do it justice. Huge props to the Crew, Ohioans must be proud. There are no words for Steffen’s performance.

    • thoroughly enjoyed it myself. the drama with the goal line clearance, the PKs… the absolute silence after losing. the only time i heard it quiet when i was there (union match) was the thunder clap. eerie.

  3. el Pachyderm says:

    .
    Steffen. An amazing shot stopper with guess what?
    .
    Go on take a guess.

  4. Matt McClain says:

    Steffen’s first PK save was ridiculous. Best save of the season in my book.

  5. Lots of woodwork smacked in that match last night. All I have to say is: Go Columbus!

  6. Union really really blew it by not signing Steffen; instead they signed Pfeffer! Steffen will soon become THE USMNT goalie; he is just awesome!

  7. Last night the HS play-offs started and I went to the Radnor vs. Harriton one under the lights. When I could not find parking and had to park across the street in the Penn Medicine parking lot I knew something special was about to happen. When I played in the 70’s we maybe had 20 watch our special games; last night there were circa 250 and someone told me this morning it felt like being at a TX Football game on a Friday night under the lights.
    .
    Harriton passed the ball really well, and the skills and hustle of most players were superb. The majority of the crowd were students of both schools who really got behind their team and the Harriton ones stormed the field after Harriton scored the winner in the 2nd OT. Wish I could post a picture of the pile of players and students! But there were also many parents and alumni at the game. The kid who got the winner just committed to Penn.
    .
    The $5 spent on the entrance fee were one of the best $5 I ever spent; great entertainment! So if your local HS or alma mantra is playing in the playoffs, go and check it out! Harriton will be playing Holly Ghost on Monday; can’t wait to see that game since Holly Ghost seems to have a great team.
    .
    A kid who plays DA and does not get many minutes and does not play HS soccer is missing out on something really special and should really consider quitting DA! I know quite a few of the Harriton players did.

  8. OneManWolfpack says:

    Since my team has ZERO ability to even challenge for a playoff spot, let alone MLS Cup… PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET COLUMBUS WIN IT THIS YEAR!!! The awkwardness would be astounding!

    • Can’t wait to see all of the Crew players on stage, confetti cannons waiting on baited breath, Don Garber walks up with the MLS Cup….then both him and Precourt get run out of town by players and fans alike.
      .
      #SaveTheCrew

  9. 67,221. Good job Atlanta! Seattle, your response?

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