Scores
Emelec 0 – 0 Barcelona SC [F]
Las Electricas showed up to play in the Guyaquil Clasico. It was only their 5th point all campaign, but even sweeter for coming against their long time rivals.
Karela United 2 – 0 Legon Cities FC
The goodtimes ran out for the Royals as Karela continued to vie for a spot in the African Champion’s League. Despite the recent strong form, Legon is still just 6 points clear from relegation with ten games to play.
Stromsogodset 2 – 1 Rosenborg BK
Rasmus Wiedesheim Paul got the Trolls off to a great start by capitalizing on a defensive mistake. But it all came undone in the last half hour when our dreamboat Kristoffer Zachariassen ceded a penalty and then Stromsogodset continued their near ceaseless pressure to win it in the end.
News & Notes
International Affairs Update
Three matches is our low mark for the year, but let’s take a moment to recognize the other players in international duty.
Asian World Cup Qualifiers
Kiran Limbu Chempjong wrapped up Nepal’s campaign with a strong showing against Australia. (Nepal lost 3-0, but making 9 saves was a pretty good shift for Kiran.) We hope to see him again someday and wish him well as he leaves Punjab.
Chang Hoon Kwon had a short shift in the lopsided drubbing of Sri Lanka and another great outing in South Korea’s win over Lebanon to top their World Cup Qualifying group (next to our most favorite-est player right now: Hyung Min Son)…Chang Hoon is, like Kiran Limbu, headed back home to play for Suwon Bluewings in Korea. But may not stay there for long.
North American World Cup Qualifiers
Dayne St. Clair didn’t get another go in goal as Canada let top keeper (and Red Star Belgade’s choice man) Milan Borjan, complete the first step and help the side get all the way in to the final stage of qualifying.
South American CopaAmerica
Getting the start in the opener of the CopaAmerica, Pedro Ortiz was unlucky to give up the only goal of the match to Colombia, and unluckier still to get zero offensive support in the match.
European Euro Championships
The Euro Tournament is in full swing and so are some of our favorite players. Well..not Christian Gunter, who has has still yet to see the field for Jorgi “Love my Boogers” Low (though let it be a sign to you that you can pick your nose and still win a world cup). Rolland Sallai was vital to helping Hungary keep reigning champs Portugal scoreless (until he left the field and they ran up a 3-0 lead). Jan Gregus got a late run out to shore up the defense in Slovakia’s win over Poland. Meanwhile in two first ever tournament wins, Phillip Leinhart kept the defensive shape while David Alaba ran rampant for Austria, and Jakku Raitalta and Robin Lod stood side by side in their victory over Denmark (though that win was…awkward).
Major Tournament Moments
It’s worth noting that Finland’s victory came after Denmark’s most dynamic playmaker (and another of our favorites), Christian Eriksen suffered a mid-match heart attack. Eriksen’s teammates wanted to play on, and Finland made the most of it…but clearly there are a lot more important things than a game winner in that moment.
Speaking of more important things: Structural Racism! England has created a routine of kneeling in protest of said racism, and…because people will do stupid things when they don’t understand something…some are booing that (notably, supporters of anti-immigrant British politics, and hard right wing Slavic countries (looking at you Hungary)). Kneeling won’t end racism, but creating an antagonistic atmosphere against calling it out actively prolongs it. So, again, Screw You Systemic Racism.
Player of the Week
With very little to choose from in the club side, let’s shout out Chang Hoon Kwon coming into his own for South Korea this last week. Well done Kwon!!
Standings Update
An unimpressive week doesn’t drop anyone down the standings, but Legon is right to notice that their fourth place position is slipping ever closer to the mid table.
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| University of Montana–b | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 |
| Rosenborg BK | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 1.3 |
| Emelec | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Legon Cities | 10 | 5 | 8 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.8 |
| Grenoble Foot-b | 10 | 7 | 8 | 1.48 | 1.2 | 1.1 |
| Punjab FC–b | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1.47 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Freiburg–b | 12 | 4 | 13 | 1.38 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Ross County–b | 8 | 2 | 9 | 1.37 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Alebrijes-b | 4 | 7 | 6 | 1.12 | 1.4 | 2.1 |
| FK Vozdovac–b | 5 | 6 | 9 | 1.05 | 0.9 | 1.6 |
| Minnesota United | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1.00 | 0.9 | 1.6 |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, June 16th
Thursday, June 17th
Friday, June 18th
Saturday, June 19th
CS Emelec v. Guayaquil City FC [F]
Dallas v. Minnesota United
Sunday, June 20th
Rosenborg BK v. Sarpsborg 08 [M]
Monday, June 21th
Tuesday, June 22nd
Rosenborg BK v. Avaldsnes [F]
MacKenzie's Boot Room 