Breakfast Links - September 1, 2023
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Is it too early to sing “Wake Me Up When September Ends”? Either way, happy Friday as we hit a 3-day weekend! Here is your Friday, Breakfast Links.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo are hot, hot, hot! The team will hope that the positive streak continues as the team pushes for the playoffs. The Dynamo will fly out west to take on the LA Galaxy, who have recently shown signs of life. The team from Los Angeles has won their last 2 matches, including a California Clasico against San Jose. The match is set for 9:30 PM tomorrow night. Let’s go Dynamo!
The Houston Dash begin their 3 game road trip on Sunday as they take on Alex Morgan and the San Diego Wave. The ladies will have an uphill battle if they want to make a second straight postseason appearance. The Dash haven’t won a match since mid-June and need to start picking up points in threes. Kickoff will be at 7:00 PM Snapdragon Stadium, Sunday night. DTFO!
Houston Dynamo 2 have been on a downward decline since the last time we spoke nicely about them, ha! Kenny Bundy’s boys enter the last month of the regular season taking on St. Louis CITY 2 at home on Sunday. St. Louis is right there with them, trying to clinch a playoff spot, therefore it will be an intense game. We have also seen Teenage Hadebe get some minutes for Dos and will likely see him again this weekend. We have tickets to giveaway, so check out our social media accounts for that. Vamos Dyna Dos!
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts as well as our YouTube Channel!
Major League Soccer
The September international window looms, leaving this weekend's jam-packed Matchday 30 slate as prime picking to build momentum for the stretch run. Western Conference: Four teams are just five points or fewer beneath the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs line with roughly eight games to go, and only 12 points separate second place from 13th place. Everything from playoff qualification to seeding is on the line. Eastern Conference: The race for the final playoff spots is tighter than ever, as three points separate ninth-place Chicago Fire FC from 13th-place New York City FC. Inter Miami CF, with games in hand, remain a threat as well. Toronto FC are the lone team on a bye.
When Emanuel Reynoso is in a groove, Minnesota United FC tends to flourish. That fact bore out in Matchday 29 of the 2023 MLS season, making the Argentine playmaker the latest Player of the Matchday presented by Continental Tire. Who will take the award this weekend?
The September 2023 international window will include dozens of players from various Major League Soccer clubs. Who was called up with 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Nations League games and friendlies around the corner? Check the list here.
Around the World
Liverpool have rejected an offer worth up to £150 million ($190m) for Mohamed Salah from Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad, sources have told ESPN. Salah, 31, has been the subject of intense speculation linking him with a move to the Saudi champions in recent weeks, despite the insistence of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp that the player would not be allowed to leave Anfield.
Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal with Fiorentina for Sofyan Amrabat, sources have told ESPN. The midfielder is set to move to Old Trafford on loan with the agreement including an obligation to make the deal permanent next summer.
Barcelona youngster Ansu Fati has completed a season-long loan deal to join Brighton, both clubs announced ahead of Friday's transfer deadline. ESPN reported on Wednesday that Brighton were working on an ambitious loan deal for the Spain international.
Chelsea have signed England under-21 forward Cole Palmer from Manchester City, the club announced on Friday ahead of the transfer deadline. Palmer, who joins on a seven-year contract with the option of an eighth year, becomes the 11th arrival at Chelsea during a summer of upheaval at Stamford Bridge and sees their spending this window exceed £350 million ($443m).
