Photo: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
Marco Fabián is back at full health.
New episode of It’s Always Soccer in Philadelphia should drop any minute now. Oh, and ICYMI: some sources of Kevin Kinkead’s say Cory Burke is having visa problems because he failed a drug test.
Going back to Monteiro:
I won't be surprised if Metz demands a ransom, and you all shouldn't be either. There's a price worth paying, and I'm not sure if Metz goes to, say, $5 million, I'd pay it.
Monteiro's really good, but not over-paying to excess is smart business.
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) May 7, 2019
Jack Elliott and Jamiro Monteiro made it on this Fantasy Football.
Local
In men’s university news, Temple added seven players, and Villanova added an assistant coach.
Open Cup
First round went down last night:
- Richmond Kickers 6-2 Virginia United
- New York Red Bulls U-23 4-4 (5-3) FC Motown
- FC Baltimore Christos 1-1 (4-5) West Chester United
- Lakeland Tropics 1-1 (7-8) The Villages SC
- South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 3-0 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
- Bavarian SC 0-2 Forward Madison FC
- Laredo Heat SC 1-0 Brazos Valley Cavalry FC
- Academica SC 1-2 El Farolito
- Cal FC 5-1 FC Mulhouse Portland
- Orange County FC 2-0 FC Golden State Force
Here’s a piece that U.S. Soccer posted earlier in the week on West Chester United.
MLS
FC Cincinnati sacks Coach Koch after 11 games.
The L.A. Times says Zlatan is too good for MLS, and ESPN wonders if the league has a double standard problem with Ibra and other stars. The latter article has “Additional reporting by Chris Wondoloski.” — that’s Wondoloski not Wondolowski.
Atlanta United acquired Justin Meram from Columbus Crew. Hopefully it’s not a disaster trade like when he went to Orlando.
Portland Timbers signed Necaxa star Brian Fernandez to a Designated Player deal.
Chicago Fire now have five goalkeepers. I’m guessing the front office said, “Yo, bro, we can’t be like the Union and be caught unawares.”
NWSL
Sky Blue signs Gina Lewandowski after Lehigh Valley native leaves Bayern Munich.
Left out of the World Cup, McCall Zerboni focuses on her day job at NC Courage.
Around the globe
U.S. Soccer files response to USWNT lawsuit.
Former Montana women’s soccer coach sues after firing.
Soccer America commentary: “Pro soccer’s pernicious influence on the amateur game.”
Univision Deportes have renewed the U.S. TV rights to the Mexican national team through 2022.
Highlight of the day
Liverpool had one of the greatest comebacks ever to beat Lionel Messi’s Barcelona. This corner kick is bloody bananas!
This actually worked. What a shrewd move from Trent Alexander-Arnold!
(via @brlive) https://t.co/6COjLLrAKi
— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 7, 2019
Someone direct messaged Burke and he replied confused, saying he doesn’t do drugs, so that is likely not the case.
Watched that Liverpool match expecting Liverpool to fight but not to comeback in that way. If you would have bet that Liverpool would top a full-strength Barca without Salah and Firmino, and that they’d win with braces from Wijnaldum and Origi, you’d be a trillionaire. What a game. TAA’s corner was a stroke of pure genius. I’m still buzzing from it. They’re tough games to take in, but there is no better competition in this sport than Champions League these last four, five years. So many remarkable matches.
How does it work with New York Red Bulls U-23 being in the Open Cup? What if they advance far enough to play their MLS side? Could they? I had no idea this was a possibility.
Yeah, didn’t the USSF ban affiliate teams from the Open Cup a few years ago?
I was wondering the same thing when I saw that…
USSF banned USL Championship teams owned by MLS clubs from the USOC (like the Steel and RBNY2), but not U-23 sides playing in the lower levels of the USL, like RBNY U23 team. Makes no sense to me, but those are the rules.
My only assumption is: like MLS – USSF gonna USSF
Liverpool outplayed Barcelona over 190 minutes.
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I am actually not at all surprised by yesterdays result.
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Amazed, yes.
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Surprised. No.
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That two ‘bench players’ combined for 4 goals and Barcelona was so exposed on the flanks is remarkable to me. One of the greatest sporting events I’ve ever seen.
I’m becoming a subscriber to the theory that these top teams — particularly in Spain and France (PSG) — are not tested enough in their respective leagues. They just aren’t used to playing at high intensity or even of having to defend high level pressing. Luck is certainly involved, but Liverpool demonstrated the validity of that old sporting cliche — they wanted it more.
For those who didn’t see it, Accam is now a member of the Crew.
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Don’t let it be said that Ernst’s tenure is boring…
Now THAT is some news.
$500,000 in MLS funny money and an international roster spot…. That sounds like a great deal.
I thought these loan to buy things had a predetermined amount for purchase?
I thought so too, but I guess everything is negotiable.