Breakfast Links - October 16, 2023

(image via Houston Dash)

Good Morning! Hope y’all enjoyed the weekend and found things to do with the lack of soccer. Here are your links to keep you up with what took place over the weekend.

Houston

The Houston Dash were the only team in action this weekend, ending their season with another disappointing result. They traveled to Orlando needing a win and some lucky results to squeak into the playoffs. They ultimately lost the game 1-0 when, yet again, the offense looked completely flat. The Dash finished the season with only 16 goals scored, which is their lowest in their short history. They finished in tenth place and were closer to last than the playoffs. There is lots of work to be done in what should be a key offseason for the club.

MLS/NWSL/USL

There were only three games played this weekend as it was an international break. Both Colorado and the Galaxy did the Dynamo massive favors taking points from Dallas and Real Salt Lake. With these results, the Dynamo control their destiny on Saturday. Win and they have two home games or lose and they only get one guaranteed home game. Nashville also got their first win in a month, beating the New England Revolution 3-2. Their new Designated Player, Sam Surridge, scored his first two goals in MLS.

NWSL decision day came with some wild results and massive changes to the table. Angel City destroyed Portland 5-1 to secure their spot in the playoffs and put Portland in a bad spot going into the postseason off a horrid result. With Portland’s loss, San Diego were able to jump ahead of them and win the Shield after beating Louisville at home 2-0. With Alex Morgan back to scoring goals, San Diego are the team to beat in the playoffs.

Not only did NWSL have their decision day, the USL Championship also had their regular season come to a close. In the East, it was between Detroit City and Miami FC for that last playoff spot. Miami just needed to win, and they were in, but they ultimately lost 1-0 to Sacramento Republic, who sit top of the west. Detroit played the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who were top of the East, and managed to squeak out a scoreless draw. With that result, Detroit secured the final spot. Out west, New Mexico United looked all but out of the playoff race until they went on to win their last three games in a row to just make that final playoff spot. They managed to demolish Memphis 901 4-1 on the final day to secure their spot.

Around the World

International break means there was not a whole lot of exciting fixtures to discuss this weekend. The United States Men’s National were in action against Germany, who had Julian Nagelmann make his debut as head coach. The United States came with a strong lineup and managed to outplay Germany for large portions of the first half. Christian Pulisic scored one of the best goals of his career after dancing through Germany’s defense with ease. Coming out of halftime tied 1-1, Germany adjusted and completely turned the tides of the match to a point where the United States looked like a completely different side. Niclas Fullkrug and Jamal Musiala scored to give Germany a 3-1 win in a match that will be disappointing to USMNT fans with how well the first half went.