Breakfast Links - May 24, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Houston soccer fans, if you don’t have a pep in your step this morning after last night’s US Open Cup game, then I don’t know what will. On that and more, here are your breakfast links!
Houston
Houston Dynamo did not just survive and advance in the US Open Cup tournament, they demolished Minnesota United 4-0 in their Round of 16 match. Yes, there was a red card early in the game shown to Kervin Arriaga, but even before that the Dynamo looked sharp and hungry. Corey Baird ended his scoring draught by posting a hat trick, something we hadn’t seen from a Dynamo player since Cubo Torres in 2017. Newcomer Aliyu Ibrahim also scored last night, opening his account with Houston. Now the focus shifts back to league play as the team will host Austin FC this weekend at Shell Energy Stadium. Let’s go Dynamo!
Houston Dash is hard at work trying to learn from the mistakes made during the embarrassing home defeat against San Diego Wave last week. The ladies will be taking on KC Current on Friday night. Sam Laity needs his team to be more consistent and for his key players to start finding chemistry. Ryan Gareis and Shea Groom are now available for the coach, after suffering injuries earlier in the season. DTFO!
Houston Dynamo 2 will be taking on another Texas rival this weekend, this time against Austin FC II on Sunday night at SaberCats Stadium. The boys must be feeling good after the penalty shootout win against North Texas last weekend and seeing a few teammates like Mujeeb Murana and Talen Maples getting minutes for the first team. Get your tickets and come support the next generation of Dynamo players. Vamos Dyna Dos!
Major League Soccer
LAFC may be in the Concacaf Champions League final, but hopes of advancing in the US Open Cup were dashed Tuesday evening by El Trafico rival LA Galaxy. Inter Miami CF, Houston Dynamo FC and FC Cincinnati are also quarterfinal-bound after booking their tickets with Round-of-16 victories against MLS opposition. Houston’s quarterfinal opponent will come out of tonight's match between Austin FC and Chicago Fire. No matter what the outcome, the Dynamo will not be hosting that match, stay tuned for that result.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has found Atlanta United winger Luiz Araújo guilty of failing to leave the field in a timely and orderly manner in the 71st minute of their 3-3 draw at Chicago Fire FC. The Brazilian, who saw a straight red card from referee Rosendo Mendoza, has been issued an undisclosed fine for his actions.
FIFA has approved a one-time change of association for LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman, making him eligible to represent the United States in international competition. The 24-year-old, who joined the reigning MLS Cup-Supporters’ Shield double winners this winter, previously represented Germany in official competition at the youth level.
Around the World
Raheem Sterling has been left out of England's 25-man squad for next month's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia while Eberechi Eze and Lewis Dunk have earned call-ups. Sterling has struggled for form and fitness this season after moving from Manchester City to Chelsea in a £47.5 million deal last summer, registering nine goals and four assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.
Vinicius Junior will not be suspended after receiving a red card in Sunday's LaLiga match at Valencia and the club will have to close the stand where the Real Madrid forward was racially abused for five games after a ruling by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Tuesday.
U.S. women's national team forward Catarina Macario has announced that she will not recover in time from an ACL injury to play in this summer's Women's World Cup. Macario, 23, has not played since suffering the injury in French club Lyon's final game of last season almost a year ago.
Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Saudi Pro League he joined this season could in time become one of the top five leagues in the world. The Portugal captain joined Al Nassr in January on a contract estimated by some media reports to be worth more than €200 million ($220.16 million).
