Breakfast Links - July 28, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
What a bummer, another Friday closer to the end of summer. Let’s go out there and make the best of it, but not before catching up on some Breakfast Links!
Houston
The Houston Dynamo do not have a game scheduled this weekend and are waiting for their Leagues Cup fate to be decided on Saturday. The result between Orlando and Santos Laguna would yield whether Houston would take on Inter Miami, Pachuca or face elimination from the tournament. Stay tuned for more on that tomorrow night. Oh, oh! Sebas Ferreira was loaned out to Vasco da Gama for the reminder of the season. Let’s go Dynamo!
The Houston Dash continue their NWSL Challenge Cup run, which might be all but done. The ladies take on Racing Louisville at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night. Buy your tickets for that match and watch the new signings get integrated into the team in preparations for the restart of the regular season. We will hear from Sam Laity later this morning and we will keep you updated on what the word is. DTFO!
Houston Dynamo 2 will be in action tonight, on what will be a late kickoff for us here in Houston, against Real Monarch in Utah. Kenny Bundy knows that winning the league is not what matters in MLS NEXT Pro, developing players is. However, making the playoffs is still a priority and the team can’t afford to continue dropping points this season. Vamos Dyna Dos!
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts.
Major League Soccer
D.C. United have acquired central midfielder Gabriel Pirani on loan from Brazilian Serie A powerhouse side Santos, the club announced Thursday. The 21-year-old arrives on loan through December 2023 with a purchase option. He has amassed eight goals and five assists in 111 professional appearances across time with Santos, Fluminense and Cuiabá in his native Brazil.
Austin FC have acquired center back Matt Hedges in a trade with Toronto FC, the clubs announced Wednesday. In exchange for Hedges, TFC will receive up to $475,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) – $375k of which is guaranteed next year and $100k of which is conditional for 2025. Additionally, Hedges has signed a new contract with the Verde & Black through the end of the 2024 MLS season with options for 2025-26.
LAFC have acquired Bulgarian international midfielder Filip Krastev on loan from Belgian second-division side Lommel SK, the club announced Wednesday. The 21-year-old’s deal with the Black & Gold runs through June 2024 with a purchase option.
Now will the Houston Dynamo bring in anyone before the transfer window closes on August 2nd? Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
Around the World
The Leagues Cup has been a fun filled tournament that is yet to disappoint. There will be a match at 1 PM today when Cincinnati and Chivas finish off the game that was postponed last night due to the weather.
Ryan Reynolds has personally intervened in the row between Manchester United and Wrexham to send goalkeeper Nathan Bishop a message of support after the challenge that left Paul Mullin in hospital. United goalkeeper Bishop collided with Mullin during Wrexham's 3-1 win over at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, leaving the striker with a punctured lung.
England midfielder Keira Walsh was stretchered off in the 35th minute of their Women's World Cup group-stage match against Denmark on Friday with a leg injury. The news will come as a huge blow if the injury is serious as Walsh is regarded as one of the world's best central midfielders and is integral to England.
Riyad Mahrez has become the latest football star to move to the Saudi Pro League after completing a move to Al Ahli from Manchester City, it was announced on Friday. Sources told ESPN that the Premier League champions agreed a £30 million ($38.7m) deal with Al Ahli for Mahrez, who was keen play in Saudi Arabia. The deal includes a guaranteed payment of £26m plus another £4m in add-ons.
