Scores
Minnesota United 3 – 2 FC Dallas
The Loons certainly know how to score now. Getting to watch half the game (a lengthy viewing session given your bed times), I was thrilled to see Bebelo dominate the midfield. It was great to see Kevin Molino and crew darting in and out of traffic to challenge the goal. It was difficult to watch Michael Boxall carry the entire defense on his back…but other than that, this is fun to see.
Alebrijes 2 – 2 Tlaxcala FC
It was a much needed first point in three matches for Oaxaca, but could have been an even more needed second win. A late equalizer keep last years fall champions far from their best, but not comfortable…yet.
Rosenborg 2 – 0 Roa ( W )
At the risk of tedium: the women were great, Marit Clausen was especially great, and the prospects for glory truly feel real. Still, over the next month, they’ll play only twice. Keeping this momentum will be tricky.
Ross County 0 – 5 Celtic
Celtic continues to suck the competitive joy out of Scotland like Boris Johnson sucks hope in governmental competence from England.
Chambly 1 – 2 Grenoble
Will wonders never cease! Les grenoblois gave up an early goal, played from behind for most of the game (per usual) BUT they also had a great defensive performance and came back to win in the last 20 minutes behind Jerome Mombris’ excellent stop and pin point assist.
FK Vozdovac 4 – 0 FK Metalac
I legitimately can not recall Vozdovac pulling this complete a victory together in the time we’ve watched them. (Editors note: because they haven’t.) The game plan seemed to be, set up with a thick midfield, and let ‘er rip outside the area. It worked for Milos Pnatovic, Edin Adjinovic, and Jovan Nisic. Let’s go ahead and let this Splash Brothers mentality take over the rest of the season
Olmedo 1 – 1 Emelec [M]
When you’re getting draws against opponents this far down the table something is amiss. The first round of games in this bizarre season is almost over and it can’t come too soon for Emelec.
Emelec 3 – 1 Guayaquil City [W]
Las eléctricas are back! The local southern league kicked off with a great win. (I’d say more but there is little else on the web for me to draw from)
Grenoble Foot 38 0 – 1 St Etienne [W]
Grand Geneva 1 – 3 Grenoble Foot 38 [W]
The women of Grenoble have actually been back in action for two weeks (sorry I missed last week y’all) and after a hard fought defeat to regional power St Etienne, they dominated Geneva.
SC Sand 0 – 3 SC Freiburg [W]
The lady griffins came out fast and never looked back in another stellar win for the women. (Noting a pattern here?) No Klara Buhl no problem as Freiburg held on thorughout
Stromsgodset 3 – 3 Rosenborg [M]
With 10 minutes to go things looked dire, having trailed since early in the first half, there seemed little chance of a comeback. It could have been a grossly disappointing defeat to a relegation area side. Then: Per and Dino rose to the occasion with a stellar showing to snatch a stalemate from the jaws of defeat.
Waldof Mannheim 1 – 2 Freiburg (M-C)
In the first cup match of our blog (seriously…most teams were out and others got cancelled) the tiny league 3 side almost pulled a stunner, until right back Jonathan Schmidt struck a winner. (The match also saw the first starting tandem for Korean kids Woo-Yeong Jeong and Chang-Hoon Kwon…the latter even got the first goal)
Sporting KC 1 – 0 Minnesota
Remember what I said about the Loons knowing how to score. I maintain that the team does, but when coach Adrian Heath opts for a whole sale line shift it doesn’t do anybody much good. Still, they kept it close and only a late bobble by Dayne St. Clair left the Loons in second place in the West.
News & Notes
Don’t send men to do a woman’s job
It is awfully nice to have all our female sides back in action this week. As las electricas and les Grenobloises join the Trolljenta and the Glamorous Griffins to take to the field. Even better, every ladies team recorded a win this week…can’t say that for the men folk.
Mahama’s Make it Rain Moment
I talk a lot about US politics, but I also notice Ghanaian politics (especially given that their presidential election is just four weeks after ours). NDC (Socialist) candidate John Mahama made an intriguing campaign promise to help every player in the Ghanaian League (including our own Legon Cities FC) to make 1500 cedis a month (or $250 bucks). Just for the sake of comparison: that would be 18,000 cedis in a year (or less than the median Ghanaian makes in the year). Still it would be a big boost to solvency in a league that has been hampered for decades, thereby winning the coveted: Soc’adamfo (Soccer friend) vote. (Also, I should note that it’s unclear if this would supplement existing salaries or replace them.)
Player of the Week
Again it was a pretty even mix of players with no one person turning in a superlative performance. (Unless you have access to game film of the ladies playing in Ecuador/Germany/France…in which case, please show me the dominance. I’d love to see it). In the meantime, we can’t title this with praise for the ladies and then hand it off to Jerome Mombis or Dino Islamovic (sorry guys, you’re worthy runners up). So let’s just say it again: Marit Clausen come on down you’re our favorite (again)!
What’s Next
Wednesday, September 16th
Thursday, September 17th
7:15 Ventspils v. Rosenborg BK (M-E)
Friday, September 18th
Saturday, September 19th
8:30 VfB Stuttgart v. Freiburg (M)
9:00 St. Johnstone v. Ross County
12:00 Grenoble v. AC Ajaccio
1:00 Red Star Belgrade v. FK Vozdovac
6:00 Emelec v LDU de Quito
Sunday, September 20th
11:00 Rosenborg BK v. FK Haugesund
9:00 Tapatio v. Alebrijes
MacKenzie's Boot Room 