Breakfast Links - August 30, 2023
(image via Houston Dash)
It’s Match Day in H-Town! Let’s Go Dynamo! Here is your midweek update to get your morning going with our Breakfast Links.
Houston
Houston Dynamo FC return to Shell Energy Stadium tonight to host the Columbus Crew in the final home match prior to the September FIFA window. The team will close the week in Southern California when they face the LA Galaxy on Saturday evening.
The Houston Dash will be travelling to San Diego this weekend to face the San Diego Wave. The Dash need to grab some points to keep their playoffs hope alive. The match is scheduled for Sunday, September 3rd at 7 PM CT.
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts!
Major League Soccer
Matchday 29 is here. The Western Conference race remains tight, as only five points separate third place from 10th place. In the Eastern Conference there's a bit more separation (both in points and possibly roster talent) between the top seven and the rest. But the race for the final Wild Card spots (eighth and ninth place) is hot.
It’s all about Messi now and after an unusual but memorable appearance off the bench last weekend at Red Bull Arena, Lionel Messi is set to return to Inter Miami CF’s starting lineup for Wednesday’s (6:30 PM | Apple TV - Free) home clash with Nashville SC.
Toronto FC have their new head coach. John Herdman will formally take over on Oct. 1 after departing his current post as Canada men's national team head coach. Herdman will be charged with steering TFC beyond their tumultuous 2023 campaign, where they're currently last in the Eastern Conference table with eight games to go (19 points; 3W-13L-10D record).
Inter Miami CF have begun construction on Miami Freedom Park, the club announced Monday, putting them on track to change home venues in 2025.
Around the World
Fulham beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 on penalties to reach the third round of the League Cup after they drew 1-1 at Craven Cottage on Tuesday, while second-tier Leeds United also suffered shootout misery as they were dumped out by Salford City.
Mexico announced the 24-man roster on Tuesday that will take part in U.S.-based friendlies against Australia on Sept. 9 in Dallas and Uzbekistan three days later in Atlanta. The first-ever roster selection for new manager Jaime "Jimmy" Lozano is highlighted by the return of veteran Houston Dynamo midfielder Héctor Herrera and Fulham forward Raúl Jiménez, both of whom were recently left out of the Mexico squad that won the Gold Cup this summer.
Libertadores are heating up! After a closely contested match last week, Racing Club and Boca Juniors will meet for the all-important second leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals at Estadio Presidente Juan Domingo Peron tonight.
