Recaps
Rangers 4 – 1 Ross County
Raise your hand if you’re surprised by that result…good news, I’m not writing some creepy blog that watches you through your camera so I have no idea if you raised your hand or not, but rest assured, it’s not at all surprising.
Barcelona SC 1 – 1 Emelec
This was a biggie. The stadium was the most crowded one I’ve seen for any of our highlights and the mood was tense. The biggest match in Guyaquil ended in shared points…but Barcelona and Emelec hate sharing as much as two brothers with a Paw Patrol brand squirt pack. This match was almost as testy with Emelec using a lot of physicality to hold off Barcelona’s attacks, and capitalizing on occasional miscues (as with Alexis Zapata’s goal).
Minnesota 2 – 1 Colorado [Cup]
In a game played over 18 hours (with a tornado warning in between), the Loons managed to pull off a solid win despite losing the lead and playing the last ten minutes without center back Brent Kallman. Credit goes to Emmanuel Reynoso who again proved that asking him to play the hero isn’t a bad strategy when he has his hero boots on.
Punjab FC 3 – 3 Neroca FC
It was hard to watch the Warriors squander a lead like they did…fortunately I didn’t find any clips of it so I didn’t have to watch it happen. Still, it’s a rough ending to what started out to be a promising campaign for Punjab. Clearly Kurtis Guthrie can’t do it all the same way Emmanuel Reynoso can (please don’t take that as a suggestion anyone)
Bayern Leverkusen 2 – 1 Freiburg [M]
While Freiburg started great guns this year they didn’t finish that way. Leverkusen showed their endurance all year and did it again by winning in stoppage time here. Still, no need to cry for Freiburg there’s still European competition next year and a trophy to play for next weekend.
Ross County 1 – 2 Dundee
The Tangerines denied County any comfort of coming close to European soccer by beating them at home, and also throwing stuff on the field. (Granted it was an inflatable palm tree and beach ball…but who brings that stuff to a match? Other than Dundee people for some reason.)
Paris FC 2 -0 Grenoble [M]
A year ago, Grenoble and Paris were in a pitched battle for playoff survival. This year, Grenoble just gave them a game to warm up for the playoffs. Sigh…I still miss Jessy Bennet.
Nanas 2 – 0 Emelec [F]
Something may need to change for las Electricas. 1 point per match isn’t dreadful (they’re still solidly mid-table) but it seems like they’re being passed up by other sides
FC Koln 0 – 0 SC Freiburg [F]
Freiburg wrapped their women’s season too. There were great scorers emerging this year, here’s hoping they stay. (Looking at you Hasret!)
Seattle Sounders 3 – 1 Minnesota United
The Loons seem to turn in their worst performances in Seattle. Maybe because Seattle is the best team in North America, or maybe because the Loons are secretly 11 pumpkins who revert to gourd form when they get too close to Starbucks: come back to Caribou boys!!
Orense 2 – 0 Emelec
In a rarity los Bombillos never looked a threat in this one. Rarer still they were outclassed despite Orense being a significantly softer side. Perhaps thoughts of Palmeiras mid-week were overwhelming
Rosenborg 3 – 0 Sandefjord [M]
Stefano Holmquist Vecchia came thorugh big time for Rosenborg. The front of the troll’s attack hasn’t been awe inspiring this season, but abrace from Vecchia and some good interplay with Noah Holm up top was good enough to get Rosenborg their first win in 4 tries. (Not a bad way to kick off Syttende Mai/Norwegian Independence Day)
Vozdovac 0 – 3 Partizan Belgrade
Vozdovac definitely got the fuzzy lollipop from the schedule makers. Their last two matches come against Partizan and Red Star, the Serbian duopoly, and teams they have only scored two goals against in the 7 combined matches since the pandemic started. Worse, with European leagues expanding, Vozdovac is hitting the hardest stretch just before they had a spot clinched.
News & Notes
Aurora On Board
The newest team in our galaxy of stars took the field to begin practicing this week. Minnesota Aurora has started to prepare for the upcoming season. It won’t be long, but it should be fun, and in the end. That’s what matters.
Trophy Alert!
There’s a big opportunity awaiting Freiburg this weekend, but it’s one that most folks have written off. The DFB Pokal is one of the most prestigious and longest running tournaments in Europe, and Freiburg has looked good in the run up to the final. However, in the final they’ll meet RB Liepzig, the highly funded squad with several stars and a history of coming close. The season saw a pair of 1-1 draws with Phillip Leinhart and Nico Schlotterbeck stopping the Liepzig attack before it could get going. They’ll need to do it again on a bigger stage this weekend if they’re going to grab Freiburg’s first trophy as a top division team.
Entertainment!
The recent surge in COVID cases, and the vicious bout of cold I came down with did come with a small consolation: I was able to get a treat of a lunch with spicy Nashville Coop Chicken and watch two matches simultaneously! You didn’t get to…but I promise if there’s a point where I can get you a treat like this, I absolutely will.
Player of the Week
Maybe Norwegian Independence has me in a mood, maybe absolutely no one else distinguished themselves, but this week’s honors will go to Stefano Holmquist Vecchia. And I’m ok with that.
Standings Update
That was not exactly a thrilling week. Outside of the Guyaquil derby, my fun day at home and Rosenborg’s Syttende Mai celebration, there was a whole lot of losing going on. It’s a bitter way for several teams to start their summer break, here’s hoping that Grenoble’s ladies and Freiburg can end their seasons with a win.
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| Alebrijes de Oaxaca–b | 10 | 5 | 3 | 1.94 | 1.3 | 0.7 |
| Freiburg | 15 | 8 | 7 | 1.77 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Rosenborg | 9 | 4 | 6 | 1.63 | 1.5 | 0.9 |
| Legon Cities | 8 | 5 | 5 | 1.61 | 1.3 | 0.7 |
| Minnesota | 6 | 2 | 5 | 1.54 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Punjab–b | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1.47 | 1.8 | 1.7 |
| Emelec | 8 | 7 | 8 | 1.35 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| FK Vozdovac | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.33 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Ross County–b | 6 | 5 | 8 | 1.21 | 1.1 | 1.4 |
| Grenoble | 9 | 4 | 13 | 1.19 | 1.1 | 1.4 |
| University of Montana–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, May 18th
Legon Cities v. Dreams FC
Minnesota v. LA Galaxy
Palmeiras v. Emelec [M- Continental]
Thursday, May 19th
Verdal v. Rosenborg [Cup]
Friday, May 20th
Saturday, May 21st
Red Star Belgrade v. Vozdovac
Freiburg v. RB Leipzig [M–Cup Final!]
Emelec v. Universidad Catolica
Sunday, May 22nd
Quito FC v. Emelec [F]
Avaldsnes v. Rosenborg BK [F]
Bechem United v. Legon Cities FC
HamKam v. Rosenborg [M]
Dallas v. Minnesota United
ASPTT Albi v. Grenoble [F]
Monday, May 23rd
Tuesday, May 24th
Independiente Petrolero v. Emelec [M-Continental]
MacKenzie's Boot Room 