Breakfast Links - June 19, 2023
(image via Houston Dash)
This was a bit of a slow weekend for Houston soccer. We hope you all spent that time having an incredible Father’s Day! Here are your links to kickoff this new week.
Houston
The only team in action this weekend was the Dash where they hosted OL Reign to a 0-0 draw. After a back and forth first half, Natalie Jacobs picked up a controversial red card for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The Dash played incredibly well with only ten players and managed to be the better team in the second half. What has been the theme of the Dash this season has been not capitalizing on goal scoring opportunities, and that continued as the Dash failed to find a goal and win this game. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell broke the club record for most regular season appearances by a player, appearing in her 115th game for the Dash. Now winless in the last three games, Sam Laity’s team will travel to LA to play Angel City FC on Sunday and look to get back to winning ways.
For the two men’s teams, neither had a game this weekend. However, they did have two players representing their countries. Coco Carrasquilla started in the second consecutive game for Panama as they lost 1-0 to Mexico to finish fourth in the Nations League. Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Nelson Valdez made his senior debut for the Dominican Republic. He started on the road again Chile and made five saves. He did, however, also concede five goals. Disappointing, but it was against a tough team.
MLS/NWSL
Loads of teams had off this weekend in MLS, with only six matches being played. The biggest headline of the weekend came when Pablo Ruiz scored one of the greatest goals in league history. Ruiz struck the ball from 68 yards, out which is within his own half, with pace into the top corner. One of the only times you will see a half field goal scored where you can’t make fun of the goalkeeper. This was the first of two goals Real Salt Lake scored to beat DC United on the road 2-1.
Other games this weekend saw New England dominate Orlando at home with Carles Gil and Gustavo Bou linking up like they did in their Supporters Shield winning season. Hany Muhktar scored himself another hat trick as Nashville dominated St Louis at home. This was the second hat trick of the season for Muhktar as he firmly holds the top spot in the golden boot race. LAFC finally recovered from their nightmare week against Houston. They found a win on the road against Kansas City off a Carlos Vela stoppage time winner.
In NWSL it is getting extremely tight at the top with only six points separating the Dash in seventh with the Washington Spirit in first. Sunday night saw loads of goals scored with Chicago losing to Portland 2-3 and Kansas City also losing 2-3 to Washington. Portland saw Sophia Smith continue her incredible season finding another goal. For Washington, rookie Paige Metayer found herself on the scoresheet for an impressive third time this season.
Around the World
This weekend saw the conclusion of the Nations League within Europe and North America. In Europe, the third-place game took place between Italy and the Netherlands. Italy won the match 3-2 led by Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi. The final between Croatia and Spain was a stale draw that went the entire 120 minutes without seeing a goal. Unai Simon came up massive making two saves as Spain won the shootout 5-4. This was Spain’s first trophy since the European Championship in 2012.
In Concacaf, the third-place game took place between Panama and Mexico. Mexico was able to hold onto the shutout and win the match 1-0 off a Jesus Gallardo goal. The final saw the United States dominate Canada winning 2-0. Goals came from Chris Richards and new American striker Folarin Balogun. Gio Reyna dominated the midfield as he set up both goals. This is the third Concacaf title in a row won by the United States as they have become the new top dog on the continent.
