Breakfast Links - April 26, 2023
(image via USA TODAY)
Hope everyone is having a nice week as we are half way to the weekend! Here is your midweek update to get your morning going with our Breakfast Links.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo begin play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tonight, when they travel to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 6:30 PM CT. The Dynamo signed attacker Ibrahim Aliyu on a full transfer from NK Lokomotiva Zagreb in Croatia, both clubs announced Tuesday. Defender Daniel Steres was named to the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday for Matchday 9.
The Houston Dash are set to host the North Carolina Courage Friday night at 7:30 PM CT at Shell Energy Stadium. Come out and support your Houston Dash!
Houston Dynamo 2 begin a two-game road trip this Sunday when they visit Sporting Kansas City II. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT and the match will stream live on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts!
Major League Soccer
The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup round of 64 is underway as Minnesota United avoided the Cupset with three goals in a span of six minutes in the second half, Charlotte FC cruised past 10-man South Georgia Tormenta and the New England Revolution got a late winner in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night. The San Jose Earthquakes fell victim to the Cupset, losing to Monterey Bay FC 1-0. Twelve more MLS teams enter the fray today, looking to avoid the dreaded Cupset against lower-division competition, including a Miami derby between Inter Miami CF and USL Championship side Miami FC
A repeat of last years MLS Cup Final between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union will take place in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League semifinals, starting with Wednesday's first leg at Philly's Subaru Park (9 pm ET | FS1 and TUDN). The second leg is set for next Tuesday at LAFC's BMO Stadium, where aggregate score is the first decider and penalty kicks may be required.
The Columbus Crew have acquired left back Malte Amundsen in exchange for up to $500,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), both clubs announced Tuesday. Amundsen, an MLS Cup 2021 winner, had fallen down the depth chart at NYCFC.
Around the World
The most anticipated EPL match of the week, maybe the year, is finally here! Following a big-time wobble, current Premier League leaders Arsenal pretty much have to beat Manchester City tonight at the home of the two-time defending champions to have a chance of winning the title.
Tigres grabbed a first leg edge on Leon in the CCL semifinals last night. Luis Quinones delivered an assist and a goal just before halftime, leading host Tigres UANL to a 2-1 win over Leon on Tuesday in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series at San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico.
Taty Castellanos makes history! The on-loan NYCFC star scored four goals against Real Madrid for Girona yesterday. Now La Liga seems to be out of reach for Los Blancos. Barcelona will hope to take one step closer to La Liga glory when they travel to face Rayo Vallecano today.
