Breakfast Links - February 20, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Hope you all enjoyed your weekend as much as I did. Dynamo soccer is back and about to be in full swing. Just five more days until we get back into MLS action! Here is your Breakfast Links to open up this new week.
HOUSTON
The Dynamo kicked off the weekend making trialist Tate Schmitt a permanent signing after his impressive preseason performances. Dynamo soccer was back and available for everyone to watch with Apple streaming the final preseason game against FC Dallas. The Dynamo played an incredible game while missing loads of important players, against a full strength Dallas team, winning 2-0. The first goal was scored off a genius one-two play between Coco Carrasquilla and Corey Baird, with Coco’s strike creeping in off the post. The second goal was scored off a penalty from Baird. That was one of the most confident penalties we have seen from a Dynamo player in some time. The defense and midfield bossed the game for most of the night, and Dallas did not look anywhere near the level you would expect of them. Just five more days until the Dynamo kickoff the season away to FC Cincinnati. This Dallas result has brought a new level of confidence going into this game.
Busy weekend for Dash news! It started off with Diana Ordóñez signing a new contract, keeping her at the club for three more years. Defender Julia Ashley was waived on Sunday, after only appearing eight times for the Dash. We wish her the best of luck wherever she lands next. In international play, newly acquired midfielder Havana Solaun got the start for Jamaica in a 3-2 loss to the Czech Republic. Ebony Salmon came off the bench for England against Italy in a 2-1 win. Allysha Chapman started against Brazil in a 2-0 Canada win, with Sophie Schmidt also involved off the bench. Love to see the ladies represent the Dash on the international stage!
Major League Soccer
Apple TV finally kicked off their live game coverage, showing multiple preseason games on Saturday night. This was a great test run to show off what these games are going to look like. The product so far has been solid, showing great picture quality, pre-game discussion, and neutral commentary. Looking forward to what opening day is going to look like!
Charlotte FC are signing center back Joao Guilherme from Portimonense in Portugal, per Tom Bogert. The 20 year old is a product of Gremio’s academy in Brazil but struggled to break through into Portimonense’s first team. Guilherme looks like he will feature for Charlotte’s MLS Next Pro team, joining the other two young Brazilians Charlotte has already signed.
The Galaxy have already gone and replaced Julian Araujo by reaching an agreement for right back Lucas Calegari from Fluminense, per Bogert. Calegari is a 20 year old right back who was shining in Brazil as one of the best passing fullbacks statistically in the division. The 20-year-old will come on a loan with an option to buy and will possibly be a U-22 initiative signing.
Around the World
It was another incredible weekend of games within the world of soccer. The Bundesliga had the pick of the bunch with Bayern München having another stinker, losing to Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-2, putting them in a position where they could end the weekend out of first place. They ended up luckily holding onto first place because Union Berlin struggled to find a breakthrough against last place Schalke putting Berlin behind Bayern on goal difference. Borusia Dortmund however took care of business beating Hertha Berlin 4-1 putting them also level on points with Union Berlin and Bayern.
In Spain we saw 18 year old Alvaro Rodriguez make his league debut for Real Madrid, assisting the dagger goal to give Madrid a 2-0 win. Mallorca continued their impressive season putting four goals past Villareal, putting Mallorca pretty close to a European spot.
The Premier League was exciting as always, with the game of the week being Arsenal’s tight win over Aston Villa to restore their lead at the top of the table. Arsenal scored the winner in a wild fashion with Jorginho’s missile hitting off the back of goalkeeper Emi Martinez, creating an own goal in stoppage time. Manchester City had a devastating draw against Nottingham Forest where they just could not finish their chances.
The Eredivisie saw one of the most dramatic finishes of the weekend with Feyenoord scoring the winning goal against title rival AZ Alkmaar in the 90th minute through an incredible bending strike off right back Marcus Pedersen’s weaker left foot. This was the goal of the week by far and further cements Feyenoord’s position in first place in the Eredivisie table. We also saw American Ricardo Pepi score a brilliant goal off a turn to get Groningen a much needed point against FC Emmen as they fight to stay in the division.
