Breakfast Links - April 17, 2023
(image via USA TODAY)
Good morning, everyone! Hope you all enjoy draws, because that’s what we got this weekend. Here are your links to recap the weekend!
Houston
The Houston Dash kicked off the weekend of HDFC games getting a 1-1 draw on the road to the Portland Thorns. Portland, coming off two wins out of their first two games, looked like a tough game to get any points on the road. Within the first ten minutes it looked like it could get ugly with Crystal Dunn scoring an incredible goal. The Dash answered back through a solo run from Maria Sanchez. This was an incredibly open game with plenty of chances for both teams. The Dash managed to hold on to the 1-1 score line to earn a very good road point. The Dash return home for a Challenge Cup match with the Kansas City Current Wednesday and then will be on the road once again next weekend in league play to take on the Washington Spirit.
The Dynamo also managed to earn a positive point this weekend traveling to New Jersey to play the Red Bulls. The Dynamo struggled for most of this game heavily relying on great saves from Steve Clark. Against the run of play, the Dynamo were able to score a quick goal through Coco Carrasquilla. The Dynamo tried to hold on for all three points, but disappointingly let up the tying goal in the 89th minute to Omir Fernandez with the match ending 1-1. Conceding so late is disappointing, but a road point in MLS is always a solid result. The Dynamo also added defender Chase Gasper off waivers. Chase was released by the LA Galaxy this past week. The left back was a mainstay in some solid Minnesota playoff teams. The Dynamo return home next weekend to host Inter Miami.
Houston Dynamo 2 hosted LAFC II to a 0-0 tie on Sunday night. This was a dull game where the Dynamo needed Andrew Tarbell to earn them a draw. Because this is MLS NEXT Pro, the game did go to a shootout that the Dynamo won 4-1. It was a disappointing performance, but getting two points is always a positive. Dynamo 2 will host the Tacoma Defiance next Sunday.
MLS/NWSL
This week in MLS we saw the two biggest rivalries in MLS play out. The first game was The Portland Timbers hosting the Seattle Sounders. While Seattle has been in great form and Portland has not, Seattle has struggled to play Portland lately, losing their last three meetings. The game was scoreless until the 58th minute where Raul Ruidiaz found the breakthrough for Seattle. Portland answered back ten minutes later after an incredible athletic finish from Dairon Asprilla. Portland then started piling on the goals, scoring three more within the next fifteen minutes. This win should jump start Portland’s season going forward with them now sitting in 9th place in the west.
The second massive rivalry in MLS this weekend was the highly anticipated El Traffico. As usual, this game delivered in an exciting way. The game started off with the Galaxy playing well, creating a few half chances, but all it took was one small chance for Carlos Vela to put LAFC up 1-0. The Galaxy then equalized with a potential goal of the year winner from Tyler Boyd. LAFC opened the second half really dominating until they earned a penalty and Vela put them up 2-1. Ryan Hollingshead then scored off a corner to put LAFC up 3-1 and have them in full control. The game died down a bit until Chicharito had multiple chances to get back into the game. The Galaxy continued knocking until Marco Delgado pulled one back. The Galaxy pushed forward continuously, forcing some great saves out of John McCarthy. LAFC ended up holding on to the 3-2 lead to keep them as the last unbeaten team.
In NWSL the most exciting game of the came with Angel City FC hosting Racing Louisville. The game opened with a Savannah DeMelo penalty goal just three minutes in. Louisville then doubled the advantage through Kirsten Davis. Just as it looked like Louisville were going to cruise to their first win of the season, Katlyn Johnson pulled a goal back for Angel City. Angel City continued knocking on the door until they found the late equalizer through Savannah McCaskill. This is now Racing Louisville’s third draw in a row. Elsewhere, the Washington Spirit got an important road win in North Carolina and the Chicago Red Stars got their first win putting four past Kansas City.
Around the World
Once again, the Bundesliga title race had another crazy turn of events. Bayern München hosted Hoffenheim to a dull 1-1 draw giving Dortmund a great opportunity to gain some points over them. Dortmund looked like they were going to do just that after going up 2-0 over Stuttgart in just the first half. Dortmund then gave up two goals late in the game to blow the game. They were saved by a dramatic 93rd minute Gio Reyna goal to give Dortmund fans hope. This hope was then shattered as Silas Mvumpa equalized with the final kick of the game to break Dortmund fans’ hearts. Bayern still sit two points clear with six games to go.
In Portugal, Benfica looked like they were walking away with the title but they went and lost their second game in a row. They lost off a 94th minute winner from Issah Abass to give midtable Chaves all three points. Porto then took care of their business with a comfortable 2-1 win over Santa Clara. Benfica now only sits four points clear at the top with six games remaining.
