Scores

Vozdovac 3 – 2 Gráfica [Cup]

The Red Dragons fell behind early, but made a stirring second half comeback to tie the match. Then it was Milos Krunic playing hero with crucial penalty saves to push them on to the last 16 of the Serbian Cup.

Alebrijes 1 – 2 Celaya

Oaxaca held their own for much of the match. Keeping the score level through 45 minutes. But a second yellow to Victor Reyes opened things up for league leading Celaya, and Diego Chorena’s late red will only complicate things following another loss

Union Berlin 1 – 1 SC Freiburg [M]

In a very even contest, Vincent Grifo netted an opening goal from a tough angle that was promptly negated on the next sequence. It was the type of draw where it seemed like the best outcome. Both sides deserved something, and both sides got something.

Motherwell 4 – 0 Ross County

Young Ross Doohan did not shine on the day. A week after keeping Hibs off the board, the Celtic loanee mustered only one save against an imperious Motherwell.

Grenoble v. Nancy [M]

Postponed due to COVID

Emelec 0 – 0 CSD Macara [M]

That is a thing that happened.

Cincinnati 0 – 1 Minnesota United

The loons continued to struggle to regain their old form. Again there were moments of quality, tempered with moments of agonizing awkwardness. It took until 2 minutes into stoppage time for a break through, with Jan Gregus’ great corner kick meeting Michael Boxall’s head. While the post blocked Boxall, nothing stopped Aaron Schoenfeld’s winner.

Sarpsborg 08 1 – 2 Rosenborg BK [M]

Pa Konate scored his first goal since joining Rosenborg in September, and Dino Islamovic netted another penalty as Rosenborg kept up the race for Europe staying just one point behind Molde.

Proleter 1 – 1 FK Vozdovac

Though former Olympiakos starlet Leandro Pinto struck first for Proleter, Vozdovak came back with a second half equalizer to grab a vital point on the road. Dragan Stoisavljevic’s half-volley capped an excellent attacking streak from the Red Dragons. That’s the system needed to keep the race for top 3 tight in Serbia

Pumas Tabasco 0 – 2 Alebrijes de Oaxaca

Things got a little wild when Pumas’ goal keeper Jose Castillo executed a hefty challenge well outside his area on veteran striker Franco Arizala. After a Pumas complaint and a substitution, Oaxaca’s Rodolfo Vilchis absolutely cranked his free kick into the upper right corner to give Alebrijes a lead. Despite being a man up, Oaxaca still looked shaky at the back but Arizala continued to torment Pumas’ defenders setting up more chances for a security goal that finally came in stoppage time. It was certainly a fortunate and not terribly convincing win, but it was a win, and Alebrijes needs those.

News & Notes

Asamoah Gyan’s Homecoming?

One of the biggest players in Ghanaian soccer history may be on the verge of a return home.

Arguably the biggest striker in the Black Star’s golden generation, Gyan has bopped around the world with stops at big clubs in Italy, France, and England and big money moves to Qatar, China, and India.

Now at 34, he’s certainly nearing the end of a storied career and has pledged to cap his career back at home in the nascent Ghanaian Premier League. But…while the former Asante Kotoko fan has said he’d like to play in Kumasi, Legon Cities, our very own Royals, appears set to swoop in with big bucks and bring him on to their side.

Player of the Week

We’ve been recognizing a lot of defenders lately, so let’s take a moment to appreciate Franco Arizala of Oaxaca. Though he didn’t get his name on the score sheet he was integral to Oaxaca’s third win. From the penalty drawn on Tabasco’s keeper (which…on replay might have been a little…embellished) and providing the opening for the first goal, to the dipsy-dooo-drop-aroo moves that tormented the thinly stretched Pumas defense, to requiring a double team that opened the net for the second, Franco was critical.

What’s Next

Wednesday, October 28th

7:00 Minnesota United v. Colorado Rapids

Thursday, October 29th

Union v. Emelec [M–South American Cup]

Friday, October 30th

Saturday, October 31st

10:00 Dundee United v. Ross County

2:00 Niort v. Grenoble [M] Cancelled due to COVID 19

2:00 FK Vozdovac v. TSC Backa Topola

Sunday, November 1st

6:00 Rosenborg BK v. Avaldsnes [W]

8:30 SC Freiburg v. Bayern Leverkusen [M]

11:00 Rosenborg BK v. Start [M]

6:30 Sporting KC v. Minnesota United

Monday, November 2nd

Tuesday, November 3rd

*The most important contest of this year Biden (D) v. Trump (R)*