Photo credit: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
Borek Dockal logged two assists in the Czech Republic’s 2-1 victory over Slovakia in UEFA Nations League.
Local
Thanks to an early goal from Michee Ngalina and solid defense all around, Bethlehem beat Tampa 1-0, securing their place in the USL Playoffs.
With rumors swirling owner Eric Pettis publicly addressed fans of Penn FC, confirming that yes the team would miss the 2019 USL season, but maintaining that the team would be a presence in central PA for the 2020 season.
Temple Women’s Soccer went out to Ohio and the Owls earned a respectable 2-2 draw against the Cincinnati Bearcats. Meanwhile the men went down to face the University of South Florida and fell 2-3 in overtime.
Penn went up to New Hampshire to play Dartmouth, with the women’s 1-0 victory showcasing how the strength of their defense is key to them having the best record in the Ivy League. The men did not have a great night defensively, losing 3-1.
Drexel scored in overtime to out co-op Northeastern 1-0.
MLS
At last something good is coming out of Ohio. The Cleveland Browns ownership are currently in discussion with MLS to buy the Columbus Crew. Maybe they’ll be better at running a soccer team. #SaveTheCrew
Peter Vermes has been fined for stating the obvious.
An old midfielder and a new stadium have DC United on “a hell of a run”.
Presumably due to his experience with home games in empty stadiums, Thierry Henry has been named head coach of AS Monaco.
Grass could be legal in Portland.
Colorado bad, or Minnesota good? Either way both teams responded to Colorado’s second goal in a totally mature, well behaved way.
Against all odds, Chris Wondolowski could become the greatest goalscorer in MLS history.
US Soccer
With a 6-0 defeat of Jamaica, the USWNT moved on to the final of the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament and ensured they would be competing in the 2019 World Cup next summer in France.
Apparently something had to go wrong for a team of up-and-comers to lose to a very good team.
Bremen’s other other American (Isaiah Young) made the bench for a friendly against VfL Osnabrück.
Zack Steffen leaves USMNT Camp with hamstring tightness.
The U17 Boys came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Brazil 3-2 in the U17 Youth International Tournament.
World
Reminder: Qatar is still hosting the next World Cup.
The archetype of everything right and wrong with Argentinian soccer on Messi.
“Furar aos esportes.” Google Translate.
For the first time in the island’s history, Gibraltar has won a game. Possibly because they thought they were Lichtenstein.
Congrats to USWNT. Hopefully the can defend the cup next summer.
With the possibility of the Crew being saved and Austin also being part of the deal, how long before MLS announces expanding beyond 28 teams? One of the cities that MLS coveted is Saint Louis, which now has a group made of a majority of woman and is willing to privately fund the stadium. I can’t imagine if that all come together MLS passing on that that combination.
Meanwhile Sacramento…..
I think Sacramento hoisted themselves on their own petard when they had the ownership/branding brouhaha a few years ago.
To me the “how are they not already in the league” cities are Phoenix and Charlotte. Both have the right demographics for soccer, and could be huge for the league if they got it right.
I like Phoenix and the West could use the expansion teams with Cincinnati, Miami and Nashville confirmed. Still I find it hard that Detroit with all that market has to offer won’t somehow get in. Follow the money and…..the expansion fee just went up.
I don’t know why, but playing the wrong anthem is always funny to me.
Dear Diego,
.
Ben Hogan was a known squirrel stomach shitter too. Often times literally washing his hands as the starter called his name to the first tee during a big tournament. Choke artist that he was.
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BTW… remember the World Cup and being so SHIT FACED people had to hold you up? Now that’s leadership.
.
Sincerely,
A fan.
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Erm, Gibraltar is not an island.