Breakfast Links - June 30, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
And just like that June is the books. Don’t get too sad, here are your Friday edition Breakfast Links.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo will start the month of July far away from home against the Seattle Sounders. Ben Olsen’s team doesn’t have a good road record, and well, Seattle is always a tough place for Houston as the team has never won at Lumen Field. Anything is possible thought as the Sounders haven’t won at home in their last 5 games. Kick off is tomorrow night at 9:30 PM. Let’s go Dynamo!
The Houston Dash will also start July playing on the road. The ladies will take on NC Courage at 6:30 PM on Saturday night. The Dash will be without Canadians Allysha Chapman, Nichelle Prince, and Sophie Schmidt who will be part of the national team competing in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Also, joining them will be Havana Solaun and Michelle Alozie who will be joining Jqmaica and Nigeria, respectively. Alozie will be the only one available this weekend. DTFO!
Houston Dynamo 2 will be joining the first team in the Pacific Northwest this weekend as the boys will face off against Tacoma Defiance on Sunday at 9:00 PM. Kenny Bundy will hope his team can find ways to see out games and start stacking up positive results. 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
Sporting Kansas City forward Alan Pulido’s red-hot form has been rewarded with MLS Player of the Month honors for June 2023. Pulido was clinical in front of goal, scoring an MLS-best six goals across five matches. The Mexican forward added an assist as well, making his seven goal contributions the most in the league in June.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended Portland Timbers midfielder Evander for one match and fined him an undisclosed amount for violent conduct in the 92nd minute of Portland’s match against New York City FC on June 24. Evander will serve his one-match suspension during Portland’s match against Minnesota United FC on July 1.
Almost five years later, Tata Martino is back in the league hoping to recreate his magic with Inter Miami CF. “You remember those great moments,” Martino, still a cult-like figure for the Five Stripes, said Thursday during his introductory press conference as the Herons’ new head coach. “And so sometimes you have dreams of being able to replicate them in other places.” Martino, announced Wednesday afternoon as the third coach in Miami’s four-year history, returns to MLS with excitement and eagerness. That emanates from the Herons, who in early June parted ways with Phil Neville and appointed Javier Morales on an interim basis. Now, their vacancy is filled.
Around the World
Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier and his son have been detained as part of an investigation into racism allegations at one of his former clubs, Nice prosecutor Xavier Bonhomme told The Associated Press. Galtier and his son, John Valovic-Galtier, were placed in custody for questioning Friday morning, Bonhomme said.
Referees will explain VAR-influenced in-game decisions to stadium crowds and television audiences at the 2023 Women's World Cup, sources have told ESPN. IFAB announced a 12-month trial in international tournaments back in January having followed up on recommendations made in October 2022. After successful trials at the FIFA Club World Cup and men's Under-20 World Cup, decisions made by officials at this summer's tournament in Australia and New Zealand will be broadcast over the stadium's loudspeaker system.
Manchester United have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Mason Mount, sources told ESPN. United will pay an initial £55 million ($69.4m) with another £5m ($6.3m) in add-ons.
Gregg Berhalter's first matches in his return as United States men's national team coach will be exhibitions against Uzbekistan on Sept. 9 at St. Louis and Oman three days later at St. Paul, Minnesota. Oman is ranked 73rd and Uzbekistan 74th, while the U.S. is No. 13. Many nations are unavailable for friendlies because of 2024 European Championship qualifying and the start of 2026 World Cup qualifying in South America.
The Gold Cup is in full swing with most teams playing Match Day 2. Houston will be hosting a double header on Saturday night for Group D. Cuba and Guadeloupe will open up the night, while Guatemala and Canada will close out the evening. Bayou City Soccer will be there covering the matches. Holla at us!
