Breakfast Links - August 23, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
It is Open Cup Day! Here is your midweek update to get your morning going with our Breakfast Links.
Houston
Houston Dynamo FC are set to host Real Salt Lake in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal tonight at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dynamo now boast an 11-3-3 (WLD) record in all competitions at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 PM.
The Houston Dash will be back at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, August 26 to host the Kansas City Current for the penultimate home game of the regular season. Houston will celebrate Inspiring Women’s Night where players and staff will honor women who have impacted their lives.
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts!
Major League Soccer
MLS-leading FC Cincinnati hope to accomplish what nobody else has in MLS: stop Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. With club captain Luciano Acosta leading the way, and home-field advantage, the Orange & Blue are particularly equipped to do this while nearing their first MLS-era final.
The Portland Timbers parted ways with head coach Giovanni Savarese after Matchday 27 and installed assistant coach Miles Joseph as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season. The change came with Portland sitting 12th in the Western Conference table with 10 games to go.
After a three-day postponement due to inclement weather, LAFC squares off against Western Conference rival Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, August 23, at BMO Stadium.
Around the World
Arsenal will demand £50m to part ways with forward Folarin Balogun, amid interest from Chelsea, according to the London Evening Standard.
Pep Guardiola is set for a spell away from Manchester City after undergoing back surgery, the club have confirmed. Guardiola, 52, had an operation in Barcelona on Tuesday and will miss City's next two games, which are against Sheffield United and Fulham, while he recovers.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has become a shareholder in Real Mallorca, the LaLiga club said Tuesday. Mallorca reorganized its ownership structure last month, with president Andy Kohlberg becoming majority shareholder after acquiring the shares of former Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver.
