Breakfast Links - December 11, 2023
(image via Houston Dash)
Good Morning everyone! MLS came to a close this weekend, but it is already time to get excited for next year! Here are your links to recap this past weekend and get you excited for what is to come.
Houston
The Dynamo began their offseason this past week announcing their end of year roster decisions. As of today, the MLS trade window has officially opened. Just when you thought the season was over, the new one is just beginning. The Dynamo have a busy few weeks coming up with trades available and re-entry draft on Thursday.
The Dash also have a busy schedule upcoming with the NWSL Expansion Draft taking place on Friday. The protected lists will be released tomorrow for all NWSL teams. Now would be a lovely time for the Dash to hire a coach!
Major League Soccer
The MLS season came to a close this weekend with the Columbus Crew dominating LAFC to win MLS Cup. It was all Columbus to start the game with LAFC looking lost throughout the first half. Columbus was awarded a penalty after 30 minutes that Cucho Hernandez tucked away with ease. Just minutes later, Malte Amundsen made one of the best passes all season to find Yaw Yeboah for goal number two. Columbus never took their foot off the gas in the second half until LAFC found a way back into the game through Denis Bouanga. After the goal, Columbus continued to control the game and never really looked like conceding the equalizer. A big congratulations to Columbus on a great season! Also, a big congratulations to former Dynamo striker Christian Ramirez for having his hard work pay off with a trophy.
Around the World
It was a strange weekend in Germany that saw Bayern Munchen, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen all drop points. Bayern did not just lose, they got demolished by Frankfurt 5-1. Dortmund lost to RB Leipzig 3-2 in a wild game with tons of goals and a red card for Mats Hummels. Leverkusen at least pulled out a draw in a tough matchup away to Stuttgart. Leverkusen still sit top of the table even if Bayern win their game in hand.
In Italy, the only two teams who have been able to find any sort of consistency have been Inter Milan and Juventus. Both teams won yet again to keep the gap between them to two points. The gap between them and the rest of the pack continues to grow as both AC Milan, Roma, and Napoli dropped points again. Lazio are sitting mid table still as they failed to breakthrough Hellas Verona who were down to ten men. With Inter dominating every week now, how long can Juventus keep up with them while only finding these narrow wins every week.
The title race in Portugal is starting to get really interesting with Sporting CP, Porto, Braga, and Benfica all within two points of each other at the top. This was a huge weekend for both Porto and Braga as Sporting and Benfica dropped points. Braga beat Vizela 3-1 on Friday as Simon Banza continues his incredible campaign. Canadian international, Stephen Eustaquio, led Porto to a 3-1 win over Casa Pia AC by chipping in two assists. Next weekend, Braga host Benfica and Sporting CP host Porto in what should be the most exciting matchups in Europe.
