Breakfast Links - February 17, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
It’s finally Friday, it only took 5 days. That’s my attempt at a dad joke. Let’s hit the Breakfast Links.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo are finishing up the preseason as next week the 2023 MLS season kicks off. The club tied in both matches played in Fort Lauderdale against Montreal and Columbus. The Dynamo will finish off the preseason at home against FC Dallas tomorrow in a closed door scrimmage with limited media in the building. Check out our social media for updates. The team also announced the permanent signing of Brazilian defender Micael and the addition of homegrown defender Mujeeb Murana. The club also announced the departure of goalkeeper Michael Nelson, as he was waived by the Dynamo. Thanks for the memories, Katy Kid! Let’s go Dynamo!
The Houston Dash are continuing to train at Houston Sports Park. The regular season schedule unveiled was not too long ago and yesterday they released the preseason plans. I would mark down the March 11 scrimmage against TCU because it might be open for the fans to attend. DTFO!
Houston Dynamo 2 has also been warming up its motor as the second season of MLS NEXT Pro is around the corner. Tomorrow, the boys will be playing Southern Methodist University at HSP, along with other games happening between the Dynamo and FC Dallas Academy. The Hustle Town supporters will be out there supporting the future generations of Houston Soccer players. Vamos Dyna Dos!
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts.
Major League Soccer
All around the league, teams continue to drop their new kits for the 2023 season. Some are hits and some are misses. I don’t want to mention any names, but Houston does have the best one in Texas. Wink wink. Ha!
Portland Timbers forward Dairon Asprilla will miss the start of the 2023 MLS season after undergoing right knee surgery, the club announced Thursday. The 30-year-old Colombian is expected back in four to six weeks after he underwent a successful arthroscopic debridement – helping to relieve pain.
Charlotte FC have acquired veteran defender Bill Tuiloma in a trade with the Portland Timbers, both clubs announced Thursday. For the 27-year-old New Zealand international, Charlotte sent Portland $800,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), which breaks down as follows: guaranteed $500k in 2023 GAM and guaranteed $300k in 2024 GAM. An additional $100k in 2025 GAM will be sent as well if certain performance metrics are met.
Major League Soccer has updated their website and mobile app. The new layouts will now feature streamlined MLS Season Pass integrations, full schedule access from the scoreboard section, and more.
Inter Miami CF have promoted MLS NEXT Pro player Shanyder Borgelin to the first team on a homegrown contract through the 2024 MLS season with options for 2025-26, the club announced Thursday. The 21-year-old striker was Inter Miami II’s top scorer in 2022 with 14 goals – tied for fourth-most in the league. Originally a member of the Philadelphia Union academy, Borgelin joined the Herons' MLS NEXT Pro side last year before the club purchased his homegrown rights in January.
Around the world
The U.S. women's national team opened the 2023 SheBelieves Cup with a solid 2-0 victory over reigning Olympic champions Canada. Winger Mallory Swanson scored twice in the first half, the first with a sharp finish and the second via a giveaway deep inside Canada's defensive third.
Former Spanish refereeing committee (CTA) vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira threatened to expose Barcelona in 2019 after the Catalan club stopped making payments to his company, according to a burofax document published by El Mundo newspaper on Friday. Negreira is being investigated by the Spanish prosecutor's office for receiving at least €1.6 million from Barca between 2016 and 2018 for consultancy work.
Erik ten Hag suggested that the "pressure" got to referee Maurizio Mariani after he failed to spot what the Manchester United manager believed was a clear red card offence committed by Barcelona defender Jules Kounde during the 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.
Mikel Arteta has called on the Premier League to scrap the scheduling that sees teams play on Wednesday and in the early fixture on Saturday. The early Saturday kick-off time -- created for television broadcasters -- has long been a source of frustration for managers with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp one of the most outspoken critics of having to play at that time after a Wednesday night match.
Liverpool and Everton have been charged by the Football Association following a "mass confrontation" between their players during Monday's Merseyside derby in the Premier League. The incident took place in the 86th minute of the match, which Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield.
