Breakfast Links - July 10, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Good morning, everybody! Another disappointing weekend for the Houston teams, unfortunately. Hopefully we can start off this new week for y’all on a positive.
Houston
Let’s start off with the Dynamo who at least got a point this weekend. They hosted Sporting Kansas City to an entertaining 2-2 draw. The Dynamo started off really slow and gave away a poor ball in the midfield to gift Kansas City a lead. Like the Dynamo do at home, they battled back and got the equalizer right before the half. That was one of the best goals we have ever seen at that stadium! Artur gave away a really easy penalty in the second half that Alan Pulido tucked away easily. Like in the first half, the Dynamo did not give up until they found the stoppage time equalizer through Ivan Franco. Not the best performance, but they’ll take a point given the flow of the game.
While the Dynamo entertained and got a point, we can’t say the same for the Dash or Dos. The Dash lost at home 1-0 to the Chicago Red Stars in what is now their fifth straight scoreless game. There isn’t much to discuss with that game as it was more of the same for the Dash, lots of chances and no end product with an eventual lucky goal from the opposition. At least a 1-0 loss is somewhat respectable compared to Dynamo 2. Dynamo Dos went away to Austin and were demolished 3-0. The less we discuss that game the better.
MLS/NWSL
There were loads of tight games this weekend within MLS. 11 of the 14 games ended in either a tie or a one goal win. Out of the early games, the most entertaining had to have been Cincinnati traveling to Charlotte for a 2-2 draw. Two early goals from Polish striker Karol Swiderski gave Charlotte the advantage going into the half. Cincinnati found goals from Luciano Acosta and Alvaro Barreal to level the match. Cincinnati managed to hang on to the draw after going to ten men with Ian Murphy being sent off.
Out of the later games, we saw some dominant performances from Western Conference teams. We saw Real Salt Lake destroy Orlando at home 4-0 with Chicho Arango getting his first goal back in MLS. The LA Galaxy also upset the Philadelphia Union 3-1 off another impressive performance by Riqui Puig. Austin had one of their best performances of the season, beating Minnesota 4-1 on the road. Sebastian Driussi bagged himself a brace as he looked like he is finally back in form.
In NWSL we saw the two teams at the top of the table surprisingly drop points this weekend. While Portland are missing a lot of stars for the World Cup, them losing three games in a row is unexpected. They lost on the road to Gotham 2-1 in a game that had a lot more chances than the scoreline would suggest. North Carolina also lost this weekend on the road to Angel City. Savannah McCaskill gave an incredible performance for Angel City as they picked up a huge three points.
Around the World
Gold Cup action continued as Coco Carrasquilla’s Panama beat Qatar 4-0 to reach the semi-finals. Coco had a great game, getting himself an assist. His assist helped Ismael Diaz to a very impressive hat trick. Mexico also got the win over Costa Rica, winning 2-0. Orbelin Pineda scored from the spot to give Mexico the lead early in the second half. Erick Sanchez then found the second near the end to put the game out of reach for Costa Rica.
On Sunday, Guatemala and Jamaica played their quarterfinal match with Jamaica winning 1-0. It was a fairly eventful game with not many chances. Jamaica eventually found the breakthrough from Amari’i Bell and held on for the win. While that game was on the boring side, the United States against Canada was anything but boring if you were able to sit through the first 70 minutes. Neither team created much until the United States went up 1-0 in the 88th minute. Canada then equalized just minutes later from a Steven Vitoria penalty. Into extra time, Jacob Shaffelburg scored a great goal to put Canada in front. The United States then crushed their spirits with a goal of their own just minutes later. The game went into penalties where Matt Turner was the hero saving two penalties and winning the shootout.
The United States Women’s National Team played their final friendly in preparation for the World Cup. They played a Wales team that failed to qualify for this World Cup and beat them 2-0. Trinity Rodman scored both goals after coming on as a half time sub. The second goal was an incredible strike from outside the box and made her the youngest player to score a brace for this team. The US women are now less then two weeks away from kicking off their World Cup journey against Vietnam!
