Results
Alebrijes 2 – 0 Cancun FC
It sure looks like Alebrijes got off to a stronger start this year than in previous campaigns we’ve watched (it might help that Cancun was the rare team that had a worst fall than Oaxaca did). Newly permanent member of the team Juan Antonio Portales kicked off a full season of captaincy with an ironclad defense and two strong goals. Ernesto Reyes led the way with a beautiful blast from well outside the box early on and Miguel Vallejo dropped another on a break away during stoppage time to seal it. Here’s hoping this is a sign of a better season to come.
Freiburg 2 – 2 Arminia Bielefeld [M]
For most of the first half Freiburg looked the better side, but Arminia Bielefeld made a competent comeback against reserve keeper Benjamin Uphoff (in place of COVID positive Mark Flekken)
Grenoble 0 – 1 Auxerre [M]
Grenoble’s return to the field was a lot like their last four outings. It was a loss, and the offense could not hit the target. Over those 5 losses they’ve only scored twice…..
Grenoble 2 – 3 [Pen] Rodez [F-Cup]
The Women’s Coupe de France is a big battle bringing together teams from every corner of the Francophone world. The ladies of Grenoble seemed to be in good shape after a 7-0 dominant showing against Hellicourt. They showed up well against Rodez the top team in their division, despite losing Tiphaine Brissonet to a red card early in the match. Ultimately they were undone at the penalty spot and out of the competition.
Dreams FC 0 – 1 Legon Cities FC
Legon Cities got another road win, this time against a scuffling Dreams side who may well have deserved better. Obour Adu was everywhere on his debut for the Royals getting both the winning goal, and staggering the side post with a near miss. In between events, the team even stood up to a penalty kick for their hosts and walked away with all three points.
Tampico Madiero 1 – 1 Alebrijes
Oaxaca got off to another great start against Tampico (the previously named Jaibos). Left back Edson Santos sent in a great cross that was met by a surprising header from Josue Gomez to put them up. But from then on the team had to bunker down and absorb another attack every few minutes while getting nothing going the other way. Ernesto Reyes in particular had some great stops, but also a terrible bout of positioning that allowed the equalizer.
News & Notes
Extra Accolades
The Griz Soccer team already has a bundle of awards from the last year, so let’s add a couple more on to the pile!
The Griz were one of only 13 teams in the top tier of college soccer given the Team Ethics and Sportsmanship award, in no small part because they managed to dominate the league while having a paltry 13 cards against them. As this is a teachable-moment, parent focused website, we are impressed with this award and say, as we always do: GO GRIZ!
As if that weren’t enough, there was also an extra nod given to Griz keeper, Camellia Xu (Whose name I’ve been botching all year…sorry!). The British Columbia Native was invited to the Canadian Under 20 International Team training camp. It’s the first step on the long road to the senior national team …like Dayne St Clair! Basically we love Canadian goalies.
Comings and Goings
The big new addition this week was Minnesota United bringing in South African international Bongokuhle Hlongwane (nicknamed Sanisa). His signing was greeted with cheers by desperate Loons fans looking for another striker, and with cheers from South African fans who are equally thrilled to have a promising young player in line to show his skill in an international league.
Also on board this week: the Loons drafted St. Johns University product Tani Oluwaseyi, and Gustavo Canto, the Argentine Center Back on his way to Emelec. Meanwhile, Ross County brought in a loanee Declan Drysdale, and Vozdovac brought on striker Aleksandar Cirkovic who is still just 20 but has already played in Austria and Spain.
But with everyone coming there are some going as well, Ross County said goodbye to loanee Harry Clark, but they’ll see him again soon enough when the face Hibernian in Edinburgh. Rosenborg also said some farewells to their bench depth, Besim Serbecic and Gjermund Åsen.
African Cup of Nations
There’s always a thrill competing for your country. Usually it happens during the summer when the leagues are quiet, but Africa’s biggest contest happens in the winter. Grenoble has three players on different squads in Cameroon: Joseph Mendes (Guinea Bissau), Mamadou Diallo (Guinea), and Willy Semedo (Cape Verde).
Player of the Week
Getting points from two matches has finally broken the PoW drought for Alebrijes de Oaxaca. While Ernesto Reyes had the most appearances on the highlight reel, we’re going to look at the captain who helped organize the defense and set up a strong showing for the southern Mexico side. We’re happy to name Juan Antonio Portales, the new captain of the squad and stalwart defender as this week’s Player of the Week.
Standings Update
After languishing at the bottom of the table last year, Alebrijes tops the 2022 Edition two weeks into the year.
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| Alebrijes de Oaxaca | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Legon Cities | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Freiburg | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Grenoble | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| University of Montana–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rosenborg BK–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Minnesota United–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| FK Vozdovac | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ross County | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Emelec–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Punjab FC–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, January 12th
Thursday, January 13th
Friday, January 14th
Dortmund v. Freiburg [M]
Saturday, January 15th
Guingamp v. Grenoble [M]
Sunday, January 16th
LePuy v. Grenoble [F]
Monday, January 17th
Legon Cities FC v. Bechem United
Tuesday, January 18th
Ross County v. Motherwell
MacKenzie's Boot Room 