We live in strange times.
There are skirmishes in the shadows of nuclear reactors, an infectious disease that appears to be biding its time in preparation for a fresh onslaught, and a trio of billionaires racing to space while people on the ground go hungry.
In times of great uncertainty I have been struggling to hold on to the little joys and victories of the day. I often feel so overwhelmed that it’s hard to appreciate what we do have.
In the past four weeks I’ve had minimal to no time to watch, write, or think about soccer. I have been pulled this way and that by an incessant barrage of obligations, necessities, and anxieties.
It would be easy at this moment to close up shop, acknowledge that life is best spent in living moment by moment rather than plopping 121 footballers’ 90 minutes of gameplay under a microscope in a search for meaning.
But the truth is that these are the little joys and victories that can inspire more than putting your head down and trudging on with the work. These games probably don’t matter that much. This blog about the games certainly matters less. But by god, if we can find a moment of joy, let’s do it.
News & Notes
Gaspar & Lawrence
Minnesota United brought in a new defender, albeit under some different circumstances.
Regular Left Back Chase Gaspar left the team to deal with substance abuse. Addiction is a plague, and there is no simple cure. The person Chase Gaspar is far more important than the soccer player. And we’re so grateful that he sought and received help.
In the meantime, Kemar Lawrence of Jamaica arrived to play the game in Gaspar’s stead. And when Gaspar returned this last week, he was welcomed back warmly.
World Cup Comes Closer
The single greatest celebration of the beautiful game happens every four years. Last time, Alex you were 9 months old and being strolled to various viewing parties in a car seat during a few glorious summer months. You sipped on a milk bottle as I drank beer and shouted at the French national team.
This time, there will be two of you, it will be in November and December and the tournament will be in Qatar. There’s plenty of awkward details around that particular decision (ones I wrote about years ago on a different blog). As I’ll be working and you’ll be in school, there will be far less revelry this time…with a few exceptions.
On Thanksgiving Day, Ghana will play Portugal, and I will be fighting your Grandpa Mark for the controller. On the next day, the USA (who missed the last world cup) will face England in a good ol’ fashioned super-power battle (the English hate when they don’t beat us…it’s great). Alex’s birthday will see great stars of France and Argentina in action (though not against eachother). And it will all come to an end on December 18th a week before Christmas…whew…
Staggies Assure Survival
Scotland has a different style than most other leagues. Rather than have every team face each other from the beginning to the end of the year, Scotland splits the league in two so that the best teams face the best teams for the title, while the worst teams face the worst teams for the chance to survive. For the first time in three years, the Stags will be among the best teams in Scotland, and be certain to play in the top division again next season. (They still won’t win because they aren’t the unstoppable duo of Rangers and Celtic…but this counts as a win on Scotland’s sliding scale)
Dope Threads, Bro
The fine folks at Minnesota Aurora dropped their new jersey and it looks as beautiful as you would expect. Or maybe you wouldn’t. You boys mostly like the bird on the Loons’ jersey, so…we’ll take what we can get.
Freiburg Flies On
One quick celebration among the mostly non-specific results: Freiburg did win their semi-final cup tie against Hamburg which means that in Mid-May they will be playing for a big fancy trophy for the first time in their most recent Bundesliga run.
Player of the Week
We’ll take a beat to acknowledge some strong play throughout the last month, so here’s a chance to tip our cap to Dayne St. Clair’s keeping, Romario Caicedo’s defense, Vincenzo Grifo’s playmaking, and Harry Paton’s finishing. That’s a strong quartet And yes, that’s double the dose of Canadians!
Standings Update
So many updates! Let’s start at the top where Alebrijes has rocketed to the top of the table after spending so much of the past few years mired in the bottom. Freiburg and Punjab aren’t far behind, and there’s a similar horde trailing behind. Minnesota is above Ross County due solely to goal difference. Emelec’s strong start has faded and so has their standing, but they can still make a comeback. After all, look at Grenoble who is a strong 9th and ready to capitalize on any missteps
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| Alebrijes de Oaxaca | 9 | 4 | 3 | 1.94 | 1.3 | 0.7 |
| Freiburg | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1.83 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Punjab | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1.82 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| Minnesota | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1.57 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Ross County | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1.57 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Rosenborg | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1.56 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Legon | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1.53 | 1.3 | 0.7 |
| Emelec | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1.42 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| FK Vozdovac | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1.20 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Grenoble | 7 | 2 | 11 | 1.15 | 1.2 | 1.5 |
| University of Montana–b | — | — | — | — | — | — |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, April 20th
Forward Madison v. Minnesota United [Cup]
Thursday, April 21st
FK Vozdovac v. Vojvodina
Cumbaya v. Emelec [M]
Friday, April 22nd
Le Havre v. Grenoble [M]
Emelec v. Deportivo Espuce [F]
Saturday, April 23rd
Golukam v. Punjab FC
Freiburg v. Borussia Munchengladbach [M]
Minnesota United v. Chicago
Sunday, April 24th
Rosenborg BK v. Arna-Bjornar [F]
Ross County v. Celtic
Asante Kotoko v. Legon Cities
SC Freiburg v. SC Sand [F]
Rosenborg v. Molde [M]
Emelec v. Aucas [M]
Rodez v. Grenoble [F]
Monday, April 25th
Tuesday, April 26th
Mohammaden SC v. Punjab FC
MacKenzie's Boot Room 