Breakfast Links - June 23, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
It’s late June and we keep getting hit with heat waves, but at least it’s Friday! Here are your Breakfast Links.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo are in full stride with four straight wins under their belt. After a fantastic win over the San José Earthquakes midweek, Ben Olsen and his team will travel up highway 290 to take on Austin FC tomorrow night. A road win at Q2 could make a big statement and add some respect for Houston nationally. Safe travels to everyone making the trip to the state’s capital. Let’s go Dynamo!
The Houston Dash will be in action Sunday night against Angel City FC. Sam Laity will hope to find some consistency in his team in the final matches for the women heading to the World Cup. The match will take place Sunday night at BMO Stadium in Los Ángeles, California at 7:00 PM. DTFO!
Houston Dynamo 2 are hoping to bounce back after their unbeaten streak was put to rest last week at home against Timbers 2. Now Kenny Bundy and his boys will host Earthquakes II on Sunday night at SaberCats Stadium. Get your tickets and support Dynamo Dos. 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
One of the best tournaments to showcase the young American talent is MLS NEXT Cup. Fans will be able to watch the a good amount of MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase matches on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Orlando City SC have extended Iván Angulo's loan through the end of the 2023 MLS season, the club announced Thursday. The 24-year-old Colombian winger, acquired last summer from Brazilian Serie A powerhouse Palmeiras on a 12-month loan, has become a key piece for the Lions in his nearly year-long stint in Central Florida. In addition to contributing 3g/6a over 27 league appearances (21 starts), Angulo proved equally essential for Orlando in their 2022 US Open Cup-winning campaign.
Charlotte FC have signed midfielder Scott Arfield after he departed Scottish giants Rangers FC, the club announced Thursday. Arfield, 34, is under contract through the 2024 MLS season with an option for 2025. He’ll be available for roster selection once the league’s Secondary Transfer Window opens on July 5.
Around the World
The 2023 ESPYS presented by Capital One are finally here. It's time to decide which of your favorite athletes will win the show's biggest awards. The nominees for Best Soccer Player: Aitana Bonmatí, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Sophia Smith. Your selections help determine the ESPYS winners! Vote now and tune in to the ESPYS on ABC on July 12 at 8 p.m. ET.
United States men's national team star Christian Pulisic has hit back at critics of newly rehired U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter. "I just have to give credit where credit's due and it does frustrate me a little bit, and just seeing just all the negative press towards him that people tell me about, and I can't fully understand it exactly," Pulisic told ESPN's Herculez Gomez in an interview for Futbol Americas.
Manchester United are preparing a third and potentially final offer for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, sources have told ESPN. Their new bid is yet to be finalised but sources suggest it is expected to be between £55 million ($69.9m) and £60m ($76.2m).
Negotiations for Sergio Busquets to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami are progressing well, with one source telling ESPN that there is now a "70% chance" the Barcelona midfielder joins the MLS side. Busquets, 34, is out of contract with Barca at the end of June and, after announcing he will not extend his deal, has been considering offers from around the world.
The 2023 Gold Cup begins June 24 and leads up to a July 16 final at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. As always, Major League Soccer teams are well-represented among the 16 teams competing. Check out the list of who will be in action.
