Breakfast Links - February 3, 2023
(image via Club America/Twitter)
Well, yesterday one groundhog said that winter would be another 6 weeks and another just died during the event. Not sure what the latter one means. True story, look it up. Anyways, it is still cold in Houston and I’m over it. Bring the 100 degree weather back! Blah, here are you Breakfast Links for Friday.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo have started their preseason scrimmages in Mexico City. Club America put out on their social media that they beat Houston, 6-1. That’s pretty much all the information we got an a few pictures and videos. Don’t stress to much about it, growing pains are going to happen with so much turnover that the squad saw this off-season. The guys will be taking on Tlaxcala FC on Saturday. We will keep you updated on our social media accounts as information becomes available. Let’s go Dynamo!
The Houston Dash are back training and preparing for the NWSL season, which hasn’t released it’s 2023 schedule. Really odd? How can fans get excited about the season and get tickets with no schedules? Anyways, the ladies will have a press conference today and we will have the sound on our podcast feed when we have it. The team will also be doing intra-squad scrimmages on Saturday morning. DTFO!
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts.
Major League Soccer
Atlanta United have loaned winger Edwin Mosquera to Argentine Primera División side Defensa y Justicia for 2023, the club announced Thursday. Mosquera’s exit comes roughly six months after he signed with Atlanta from Deportivo Independiente Medellín in his native Colombia. Last season, the 21-year-old attacker had two assists in 12 games (one start) for the Five Stripes.
With less than 48 hours before their 2022 FIFA Club World Cup debut, the enormity of the situation is starting to sink in for Seattle Sounders FC. The Rave Green, Major League Soccer's first-ever representative at the tournament by way of their 2022 Concacaf Champions League victory, are entering uncharted territory for both club and region. As far as head coach Brian Schmetzer is concerned, he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
LAFC have signed Spanish right back Sergi Palencia through the 2024 MLS season with a 2025 option, the club announced Thursday. The 26-year-old defender was last at Ligue 2 side Saint-Étienne, the same French club DP forward Dénis Bouanga played for before joining the Black & Gold last summer. However, Palencia spent the last several seasons on loan at Leganés, a club in Spain’s second division.
Portland Timbers midfielder David Ayala is out for approximately two months after undergoing successful surgery on his right knee (arthroscopic debridement), the club announced Thursday. The 20-year-old Argentine is heading into his second MLS season after logging 738 minutes (21 games; eight starts) during his debut campaign. He joined Portland ahead of 2022 from Argentine Primera División side Estudiantes, signing a long-term U22 Initiative deal.
Around the world
Lionel Messi is not ruling out playing for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, but admitted age will make it difficult to compete in the tournament. Messi, who will turn 39 during the next World Cup, had said last year that the 2022 tournament in Qatar would be his last. However, with Argentina going on to lift the trophy in December, Messi has now suggested he is open to competing in the United States, Canada and Mexico in three years' time.
Thibaut Courtois said Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior needs more protection after the forward was the victim of a wild tackle from Valencia's Gabriel Paulista in their 2-0 LaLiga win on Thursday. Defender Gabriel was shown a straight red card for the challenge, which came in the 72nd minute at the Santiago Bernabeu with Valencia already 2-0 down to goals from Marco Asensio and Vinicius.
Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that Kylian Mbappe will be out for around three weeks because of the injury he suffered against Montpellier on Wednesday, making him a doubt for the Champions League round-of-16 first-leg game against Bayern Munich. Mbappe picked up a knee and thigh injury on a tackle by Montpellier midfielder Leo Leroy and had to be substituted in the 21st minute of PSG's 3-1 win.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has been named Premier League Player of the Month for January. Rashord continued his hot form with goals in 3 of United’s 4 matches. It’s the third time Rashford has won the award in his career. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Month. It’s the second straight month the Spaniard has taken home the award. Arteta led Arsenal to 7 points from 3 matches and has the Gunners at the top of the PL table.
