Recaps
Forward Madison 0 – 2 Minnesota United [Cup]
The Midwestern Bird Derby was a welcome sight on Wednesday as the Loons sent some talented players down I-94 to play in Wisconsin’s capital. It might have been a bit of a surprise for players like Adrien Hunou and Bongokuhle Hlongwane to go from Champions League to Madison, Wisconsin, but the win moves them along in the US Open Cup. Special mention to Joseph Rosales and his pair of sterling corner kicks to set up both goals.
FK Vozdovac 2 – 1 Vojvodina
The Red Dragons struck again to boost their standing in the SuperLiga Championship Group. Despite a shaky start to the game defensively they responded well after a penalty conceded and made the most of their home turf. (The second goal from Marko Mijailovic was a particularly nice piece of teamwork) A trip to Europe is likely still out of reach for the stars of the Mall Stadium, but fourth place would still be one of their best finishes in years.
Cumbaya 1 – 1 Emelec [M]
Los bombillos endured a pretty dour match until all heck-fire broke out in the last ten minutes. After some shoddy defending gave Cumbaya the lead, Alexis Zapata seemed to be fouled in the box by a three inch tall pink pixie that only the referee could see (even Zapata doesn’t feel anything until after the whistle is blown). So Cumbaya got a red card for allowing pixies on the field, and Jose Cevallos knocked home the penalty to draw a point from the game. (Seriously, watch the foul and have a laugh at the absurdity of that penalty…we cheer for Emelec…but c’mon…)
Le Havre 0 – 1 Grenoble [M]
It’s not over yet but Vincent Hognon’s work boosting Grenoble is close to paying off in spades. As usual Grenoble goes best when it’s defense is on point, and we’re glad to see Loic Nestor and Adrian Monfry back in good form. (Kudos too to oft omitted defender Bart Straalman and to Jordy Gaspar, who has done well in a more advanced position)
Emelec 0 – 3 Deportivo Espuce [F]
Ooof…getting a three goal whooping at home is a tough way to start your weekend. But hey it was more fun than most of the men’s match.
Golukam 2 – 0 Punjab FC
Since starting crazy strong, Punjab’s been stymied consistently. Unsurprisingly, it seems to come down to Kurtis Guthrie. When he doesn’t score, the warriors have one win, one draw and all four of their losses.
Freiburg 3 – 3 Borussia Munchengladbach [M]
‘Gladbach started quite well and things looked dark, but Freiburg came back with a vengeance in the second half. Goals from Vincenzo Grifo, Christian Günter, and Phillip Leinhart gave Freiburg a boost that seemed like it might complete an epic comeback…until a very late header split the points.
Minnesota United 3 – 0 Chicago Fire
The Loons kept the good times rolling against more of our fellow midwesterners in a game that was a lot more physical than you’d expect from the Midwest’s “passive agressive” reputation. Emmanuel Reynoso started to click after a surprisingly poor run of play and South African winger Bongokuhle Hlongwane notched two assists to push past Chicago after leaning on Dayne St. Clair to start the match..
Rosenborg BK 4 – 1 Arna-Bjornar [F]
Rosenborg may have a loss to blemish their record earlier than ever before, but they continue to click along with terrifying consistency. This time Emile Nautnes took charge in midfield and ripped two goals en route to a big win.
Ross County 0 – 2 Celtic
The Stags rarely expect to take points off the Glaswegian duopoly of Celtic and Rangers, so losing by two feels like a moral victory. Ditto Connor Randall for helping bottle up at least one side of the park.
Asante Kotoko 1 – 3 Legon Cities
The porcupines of Kotoko seem to be running away with the league, but for 90 fabulous minutes in Kumasi the Royals held their own. Hans Kwofie and Jonah Attuquaye connected on two strong crosses, to boost Legon past one of Ghana’s legendary sides.
SC Freiburg 7 – 1 SC Sand [F]
Every once in a while Hasret Kayicki reminds you that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Passing, blasting in goals, dominating the passing lanes. Sorry Sand, but this was fun.
Rosenborg 0 – 0 Molde [M]
That happened.
Emelec 1 – 0 Aucas [M]
Thank goodness Bryan Carabali scored so early. After Anibal Leguizmon was sent off shortly after the game’s only goal, Emelec had to hunker down and endure heaps of pressure. They did and kept themselves in the top tier of the league in front of the fullest stadium I’ve seen for our team since the pandemic.
Rodez 3 – 0 Grenoble [F]
It was a less than sterling performance for the ladies of the Alps on Sunday. But Rodez seems to be on a glide path to winning their section of the league, so a loss to them on the road doesn’t sting quite so much.
Mohammaden SC 2 – 2 Punjab FC
Again it came down to Kurtis Guthrie. He had multiple gilt-edged opportunities to start the match, but couldn’t seem to get past the keeper. Mohammaden’s Markus Joseph plagued the Punjabi defense, but finally Kurtiss nodded down a header to equalize (even if he missed a late breakaway tap in to win it).
News & Notes
To everything there is a season.
When calendars turn to May, leagues start to wrap up shop for the year. Trophies have already been claimed in a few major leagues, including Germany and France. But by this time next month seven leagues will wrap up. Among the story lines to watch: whether or not Ross County and Freiburg might snatch spots in European league qualification; if Freiburg can take home the national Cup competition; if Vozdovac can be the best non-top 3 team in Serbia; if both Grenobles can hold on to their spots in Ligue 2; can Punjab pull off a miracle and pip Gokulam Kerala for a spot in the Asian Cup (probably not but still); and how much space can Freiburg make for themselves in the of the Frauen Bundesliga (9 points behind 5th, 6 points ahead of 7th…truly in a league of their own).
Switching up on the Sub-Continent
Punjab has had a solid start to their campaign, but a month ago (at the start of my surreally busy schedule) they made a change in leadership with manager Ashley Westwood leaving by mutual agreement (which I always assumes means “disagreed about spice level in the curry”). In his place comes Dutch coach Ed Engelkes who had spent some time helping to organize the club’s youth teams and has a history with the best women’s teams in Holland. Worth wondering though how Engelkes is getting on with team talisman Kurtis Guthrie (who seems to determine whether Punjab is unbeatable, or merely present).
The Straw that Stirs the Scottish Soup!
Regan Charles Cook has garnered plenty of awards, but it was especially nice to see him recognized as one of the best eleven players in all of the Scottish Premier League (all the more impressive when you see that he’s the only one who doesn’t play in Glasgow or Edinburgh to get the honor). Can he be player of the year against keeper Craig Gordon and a pair of Celtic playmakers? (I mean, we vote yes, but we’re a weird guy in Minnesota and his two kids)
Player of the Week
Again, it’s hard to choose, Bongokuhle was a major asset in a pair of wins, Hasret Kayici was dominant, and Legon Cities’ attacking tandem was incredible. While it’s tempting to give it to Bongokuhle and grab a bunch of South African retweets, I’m going to tip the cap to the Ghanaian duo in particularly Jonah Attuquaye who has become exactly the leader that Legon needs as they aim to avoid a third straight relegation scrap.
Standings Update
That middle of the table gets more and more crowded, as Punjab and the Staggies slip, Legon and Rosenborg make up the slack. Meanwhile, Emelec and Grenoble ought to get their women’s teams in order to climb the ranks. Maybe Hasret Kayrici fancies a double or triple life?
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| Alebrijes de Oaxaca | 9 | 4 | 3 | 1.94 | 1.3 | 0.7 |
| Minnesota | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1.89 | 1.4 | 0.7 |
| Freiburg | 13 | 7 | 5 | 1.84 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Rosenborg | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1.64 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Legon Cities | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1.63 | 1.4 | 0.7 |
| Punjab | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1.62 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Ross County | 6 | 4 | 5 | 1.47 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| Emelec | 5 | 6 | 4 | 1.40 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| FK Vozdovac | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1.36 | 1.3 | 1.0 |
| Grenoble | 8 | 2 | 12 | 1.18 | 1.1 | 1.5 |
| University of Montana–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, April 27th
Røa v Rosenborg [F]
FK Vozdovac v. Napredak
Cimarrones v Alebrijes
Emelec v Palmeiras [Continental-M]
Thursday, April 28th
Friday, April 29th
Independents Del Valle v Emelec [F]
Saturday, April 30th
Punjab FC v Rajasthan United
Hearts v Ross County
Hoffenheim v Freiburg [M]
Grenoble v Amiens [M]
Sunday, May 1st
Rosenborg BK v. Lyn Football [F]
Legon Cities v Elmira Sharks
TSC Backa Topola v. Vozdovac
LAFC v Minnesota United
Monday, May 2nd
Tuesday, May 3rd
Churchill Brothers v. Punjab FC
Deportiva Tachira v Emelec [Continental-M]
MacKenzie's Boot Room 