Breakfast Links -July 26, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Hope everyone is having a good week and if you’re not, it’s okay because we are halfway to the weekend! Here is your midweek update to get your morning going with our Breakfast Links.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo won a penalty shootout over Santos Lagun to stay alive in Leagues Cup play. The Dynamo now have three points from two games. Their easiest way of advancing will be for Orlando to beat Santos on Saturday. With this result they would be facing Liga MX side Pachuca. If the Dynamo were to advance as group winner, they would take on Inter Miami’s Messi.
The Houston Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium to host Racing Louisville FC in Challenge Cup group play on Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 PM CT. Be there and show your support! The Dash’s trio of Canadians picked up their first win at the World Cup, beating Ireland 2-1 this morning. Sophie Schmidt came off the bench and assisted the game-winning goal. Allysha Chapman came on at the end of the match as well.
Houston Dynamo 2 will travel to Zions Bank Stadium to take on Real Monarchs on Friday, July 28 at 9:00 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast through Apple TV - MLS Season Pass.
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts!
Major League Soccer
Lionel Messi brace. It's just what he does. Inter Miami CF's superstar signing pulled off the spectacular in Tuesday night's 4-0 victory at DRV PNK Stadium, scoring twice inside 22 minutes of their Leagues Cup showdown with Atlanta United to book a knockout-round spot.
CF Montréal have signed forward Kwadwo “Mahala” Opoku to a new contract through the 2026 MLS season with an option for 2027. The deal comes less than three weeks after the Canadian club acquired Opoku from LAFC for $1.75 million in General Allocation Money (GAM).
The San Jose Earthquakes have signed forward Cristian Espinoza to a new contract that keeps him as a Designated Player through the 2025 MLS season with an option for 2026. The Argentine winger has been in the Landon Donovan MLS MVP conversation this year, posting 11 goals and seven assists in 23 regular-season games. That led to Espinoza earning a 2023 MLS All-Star nod, representing the Earthquakes in last week’s midsummer spectacle vs. Premier League side Arsenal FC.
Around the World
After opening their Women's World Cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Vietnam, the U.S. women's national team aim to take control of Group E with a strong performance against the Netherlands. The match is scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, July 26 at 8 PM CT.
Mexico international forward Raúl Jiménez has officially joined Fulham after completing a transfer from fellow Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, the clubs announced Tuesday.
Manchester United have taken the lead in the race for Fiorentina defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, according to Mundo Deportivo. The 26-year-old is reported to be losing patience with Atletico Madrid, who have shown interest in his signature this summer, and he is now looking towards a potential switch to Old Trafford.
