Breakfast Links - February 27, 2023
(image via Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports)
MLS is back! I hope all of you enjoyed the opening weekend to this highly anticipated season. There were some great games and a lot to be excited for going forward, even with the Dynamo disappointing. Here are your links to kick off the week.
Houston
Guys, I know the result was not positive, but it is week one there was a lot the Dynamo did well and some clear things to work on. The Dynamo unfortunately fell short, losing on the road to Cincinnati 2-1. The game started off with constant pressure from Cincinnati until they eventually scored through Sergio Santos. The goal ended up being a massive wakeup call and the Dynamo quickly improved, especially in midfield shortly after. Houston eventually found the equalizer in first half stoppage time off a wonderful set piece delivery form Hector Herrera to debutant Tate Schmitt scoring his first Dynamo goal. The second half opened with the Dynamo playing just as sloppy as the first half started with Obinna Nwobodo scoring the winner right away. The Dynamo had plenty of chances to equalize but it was not to be after a strong showing from Roman Celentano in net for Cincinnati. As disappointing as this result was, you have to remember it is the first time most of these players are playing together while also missing Amine Bassi. The defense needs to work on distribution out of the back, while the offense needs to work on getting Sebas Ferreira the ball in dangerous areas. The biggest positive for sure was how active Herrera was, even when his final ball was not always perfect. The number of times he was getting on the ball and trying to play forward is extremely important and will only improve as the weeks progress. The Dynamo now look to New England on Saturday, who just beat Charlotte 1-0 on the road. Hopefully Houston can get their first win!
Unfortunately, there was not much Dash news this weekend with the Dynamo taking center stage. The Dash continued preseason training after media day on Thursday. Rookie Sophie Hirst celebrated her birthday on Saturday. We all wish her a happy birthday and best of luck in her first year!
MLS
There was lots and lots to talk about within MLS this weekend, with multiple great games taking place. Let’s start with the opening game between Nashville and NYCFC. Nashville setup to play a very physical game that NYC were just not prepared for. Walker Zimmerman, Anibal Godoy, and Sean Davis continuously bullied NYC for the entire game with Jacob Shaffelburg and Fafa Picualt having dominant performances out wide. Nashville ended up wining 2-0 through a Zimmerman goal and a Shaffelburg goal coming off some individual magic from Hany Muhktar.
Atlanta United had the most dramatic comeback I have seen in quite some time. San Jose lead early through Jeremy Ebobisse off a great play by Christian Espinoza. It took Atlanta until stoppage time to come up with the equalizer through an incredible long shot by World Cup Winner Thiago Almada. Almada then came up with the winner with a beautiful direct free kick in the 99th minute to complete the comeback.
St. Louis managed to win their very first MLS game in surprising fashion against Austin FC. This was something that has not been done since LAFC won their first ever game against Seattle in 2018. Both results happened to have been on the road as well. Former Dynamo defender Tim Parker opened the scoring 24 minutes into the game. Sebastian Driussi then equalized right before half time. Jon Gallagher scored in the 72nd minute off a great team goal. When it looked like Austin was going to start pulling away Kipp Keller handed Jared Stroud a free goal off a disgusting back pass to bring St louis level. Joao Klauss then scored the winner almost ten minutes later with a world class finish to bury Austin. All three Texas teams falling short on day one was definitely not something I expected.
Around the World
The Bundesliga continues to have the most exciting title race in the top European leagues with Bayern München and Union Berlin facing off to take the lead. In typical Bundesliga fashion Bayern dominated the game winning 3-0 with Berlin barely getting a sniff of a goal. Dortmund continues to keep the pressure on, winning 1-0 comfortably over Hoffenheim.
La Liga were hosts for the biggest game of the weekend with the Madrid Derby. Both teams were kept scoreless until a Jose Gimenez header beat Thihbault Courtois to give Atletico the late lead. After the assist last week, Alvaro Rodriguez came off the bench again to score the late equalizer to keep Real Madrid in the title race. After Real Madrid tied, Barcelona failed to extend their lead with a shocking 1-0 loss to Almeria.
In Ligue 1 we got first vs second with PSG playing Marseille. PSG of course dominated on the road with impressive performances from Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to win 3-0. PSG are now running away with the title again by eight points. Elsewhere in France, Auxerre pulled out a tough win over Lorient to pull themselves out of the relegation zone. The goal was scored by former Galaxy player Rayan Raveloson. While the top of the table is getting boring in France, the relegation battle is heating up with some exciting games to come.
In England, Erik ten Hag won his first trophy at Manchester United and the club’s first since 2017, beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the Carabao Cup Final. Casemiro and the red-hot Marcus Rashford got the goals for the Red Devils at Wembley to get the club a long-awaited piece of silverware.
