Breakfast Links - July 17, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
No losses this weekend for the Houston teams! Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. Here are your links to get you started on this great Monday.
Houston
This was the first weekend in some time where none of the teams lost. Let’s start with the Dynamo who got a 0-0 draw on the road to the Colorado Rapids. It wasn’t a very offensive game for either team as there was only 15 shots between both teams. Not a great performance, but you should always be happy with a point on the road. The first clean sheet in a month is also great to see with how poor the defense has been of late. The Dynamo now go into the Leagues Cup break sitting in a playoff spot.
Dynamo 2 have finally gotten their first win in the last four games. They played rivals North Texas SC and beat them 2-1. Goals came from Diego Gonzalez and Isiah LeFlore. Joyner Castillo got sent off late in this game, but the team held on to the result. You have to be proud of the team for playing as well as they did to end the losing streak and beat a rival. The Dash did not play this weekend and the players are all enjoying nice vacations.
Major League Soccer
(image via USA Today Sports - Rich Storry)
Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were officially announced and unveiled as new Inter Miami players. An event was held at DRV PNK Stadium to show off the two new players. They will debut for Miami on Friday in Leagues Cup.
A massive matchup at the top of the Eastern Conference saw Cincinnati hosting Nashville SC. Nashville scored the opening goal through center back Walker Zimmerman. Cincinnati came roaring back with three unanswered goals to beat them 3-1. New signing Aaron Boupendza got on the score sheet in his Cincinnati debut. The other top team in the east, New England, blew out DC United 4-0. Two goals came from new signing Ian Harkes.
In the Western Conference, playoff hopefuls Austin and Sporting Kansas City played an intense game that saw Austin win 2-1. Veterans Gyasi Zardes and Ethan Finlay got on the score sheet early to give Austin a two-goal advantage. Kansas City struck back through defender Daniel Rosero to make it a close game. Despite lots of chances for both teams, no goals were scored in the second half and the game ended 2-1 in favor of Austin. Portland got themselves a huge win against the Columbus Crew. Dairon Asprilla bagged a brace to earn Portland their first win in five games.
Around the World
The Concacaf Gold Cup came to an end with Mexico and Panama playing the final on Sunday night. The game was very intense with both teams struggling to create chances. It took until the 88th minute of the game for substitute Santiago Gimenez to find the late winner for Mexico. This was Mexico’s record ninth Gold Cup and gives Jaime Lozano a great chance at getting the permanent coaching job. Houston’s Coco Carrasquilla was given the Golden Ball for the best player in the whole tournament.
On Saturday Arsenal announced the biggest signing of the window so far. They paid $130 million to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. This is a massive signing for a team that will look to be fighting for the title once again.
In Mexico, goals were flying, and we saw some very one-sided results. On Friday night Monterrey played away to Mazatlan and demolished them 3-0. Joao Rojas came off the bench at half time to score a brace for them. Club America also won their match 3-0 against Puebla. Julian Quinones put in an impressive display with a goal and an assist. Atletico San Luis won their game 4-1 over Queretaro with all four of their defenders contributing a goal involvement.
