Breakfast Links - April 14, 2023
(image via St. Louis CITY 2)
I love Fridays! That is all. That’s the intro. Here are the Breakfast Links.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo are back on the road this weekend. This time they will be taking on the New York Red Bulls, who are in the spotlight due to controversy with their DP striker. Houston is looking for their first away points of the season and hope to get this done in New Jersey without their captain Hector Herrera. He picked up a suspension after being sent off last Saturday against LA Galaxy. Let’s go Dynamo!
The Houston Dash are back in action after an international break. The ladies had a learning experience midweek as they played against the Mexican National team and lost 5-1. Now the challenge is set in the Pacific Northwest against powerhouse Portland Thorns. The match takes place tonight at 9:30 PM CT and it can be seen on CBS Sports Newtork. Follow our social medias and stay updated. DTFO!
Houston Dynamo 2 got their first win of the season after having no points to start the season. The boys are back at SaberCats Stadium on Sunday as they host LAFC 2. Kenny Bundy’s team will look to post back to back wins. Get your tickets and support the future Dynamo players. Vamos Dyna Dos!
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts.
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer has suspended New York Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir for six MLS regular-season games for the use of racist language during the New York Red Bulls match against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 8, 2023. Vanzeir is prohibited from participating in the US Open Cup, MLS NEXT Pro games and exhibition matches until the suspension is completed.
The LA Galaxy have parted ways with Chase Gasper, announcing Thursday they waived the veteran MLS defender. This is just a few days because the Galaxy take on their city rival, LAFC in the first El Trafico of the season. Galaxy haven’t won a match, while LAFC haven’t lost a game. Clearly a case of David against Goliath, but derby matches don’t care about current forms. We will see who wants it more.
FC Cincinnati and Serie A side Udinese have reached an agreement over the transfer of star forward Brenner, sources tell MLSsoccer.com. The deal is being finalized but is not done yet. When complete, it will become a club-record transfer for Cincy and stand among the top 10 most expensive outbound transfers in league history. The agreement was first reported by CBS's Roger Gonzalez.
Pádraig Smith has been elevated to president of the Colorado Rapids after previously serving as their executive vice president and general manager, the club announced Thursday. Further, Smith has signed an extension with Colorado through the 2026 MLS season as his purview increases for the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment-owned club.
Around the World
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has likened talk of big-money signings to a five-year-old asking for a Ferrari for Christmas, after the Merseyside club pulled out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Manchester United were left stunned by two late own goals as Sevilla rescued a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday. Marcel Sabitzer scored twice, seven minutes apart, in the first half after through balls from Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial to put United in control of the match and seemingly the tie ahead of next week's second leg in Spain.
Chelsea are expected to make a final push to convince Mason Mount to sign a new contract otherwise the midfielder is set to leave the club this summer, sources have told ESPN. Sources told ESPN in February that talks had stalled over a new deal, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United among the clubs monitoring the situation. There has been no tangible progress in the two months since with the 24-year-old's contract expiring in summer next year.
Premier League assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis will face no disciplinary action by the English Football Association and is free to return to officiating after apologising to Liverpool's Andy Robertson for appearing to elbow the player during last Sunday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield. Television footage showed a confrontation between Hatzidakis and Robertson as the teams left the field at the half-time interval with the Scotland left-back seeming to touch the arm of the official, who responded by moving his elbow in the direction of Robertson's face.
