Breakfast Links - August 7, 2023
(image via Houston Dash)
Good morning, everybody! Hope everyone had an incredible weekend. Here are your links to get you started this Monday.
Houston
The Dash kicked off the weekend Saturday night with yet another stinker. They lost 3-0 on the road to the Chicago Red Stars. It was just another all over the place performance from the Dash where nothing seems to go right. Penelope Hocking scored against the Dash once again, having just scored against them last month. The Dash now have two whole weeks to regroup and get the World Cup players back in the fold before playing Washington Spirit on the 19th. Hopefully we can see some improvement!
While the Dash were poor again, Dynamo 2 just keep impressing with a win over fourth place Sporting Kansas City II. This is now their fourth game in a row without a loss in regulation. Dos have scored 11 goals in their last four games, seven of those goals were scored by winger Papa Ndoye. This was his second game in a row scoring a hat trick to put his total to 11 on the season. Ndoye is now the second top goal scorer in MLS NEXT Pro. Houston is still only two points above the playoff line, so they’re going to have to keep up the wins for the last eight games.
The Dynamo are back at Shell Energy Stadium tonight for a match up with Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup Round of 16. Houston have won back to back penalty shootouts and will look to keep their momentum and success in tournaments going. A win tonight would set up a meeting with Inter Miami in the quarterfinals.
Leagues Cup
Friday night brought us some incredible matches in Leagues Cup. Both Ohio teams were eliminated on the night with Columbus losing to Minnesota in a wild game and Cincinnati losing to Nashville. Even without Zelaryan the Crew offense continues to score goals for fun with them putting three past Minnesota. Unfortunately for them, the defense could not hold on as Minnesota also scored three and won in the shootout. Bongokuhle has now scored a brace in three straight games for Minesotta. He is developing into a real star within MLS.
Sunday night, FC Dallas hosted Miami for one of the wildest games of the year. Miami started the game thinking it was going to be business as usual with Lionel Messi scoring six minutes into the game. After the goal, Dallas began to grow into the match until Facundo Quignon scored a clever goal to level the game. Alan Velasco then unleashed Jesus Ferreira and Bernard Kamungo on a quick counterattack that led to an incredible goal from Kamungo. Dallas then made it 3-1 with a weird set piece moment that led to a strange goal. Miami answered back immediately through Benjamin Cremaschi, only for Dallas to score again just minutes later from an own goal. Just when Miami looked out, Marco Farfan gifted Miami a free goal. Then Messi did what Messi does best and scored an outrageous free kick goal to level the game. Miami were perfect from the spot and Paxton Pomykal missed for Dallas to see Miami advance.
Around the World
The English Community Shield took place between treble winners Manchester City and last season’s runner up Arsenal. The game was incredibly close with chances rarely coming for either team. This was the first time in years Arsenal have looked like they can hang with Man City in a head-to-head matchup. City scored late on through Cole Palmer, but Arsenal never gave up and scored a super late equalizer through Leandro Trossard. Arsenal dominated in the penalty shootout to lift their 17th Community Shield. This now makes Arsenal second all time for Community Shields behind only Manchester United.
The Women’s World Cup continued with Spain dominating Switzerland 5-1 on Friday. Barcelona star, Aitana Bonmati, scored two goals and added two assists in this game in what might have been the best individual performance in this tournament so far. Spain looks to continue their run against the Netherlands on Thursday in what should be an incredible matchup.
The United States, who were the favorites entering this tournament, played Sunday and went out on penalties to Sweden. The United States absolutely dominated this match with 58% possession and 22 shots. Chance after chance came for them and they could just not put it in the net. It was incredibly disappointing for everyone involved, as the staff and players failed to step up in what is usually their tournament to win. This was very eye-opening as to who is cut out to be part of this group going forward.
