Results & Recaps
Alebrijes 0 – 1 Tapatio
Even at home Oaxaca can’t seem to buy a goal. They’ve had 3 in 5 September matches.
DC United 3 – 1 Minnesota United
The Loons had put together a nice little run just in time for a ping ponging road trip. First a trip to the capitol where their reliance on Emanuel Reynoso, as a team that usually expects a goal or two (based on advanced statistics) barely managed enough to expect .25 of a goal. (Thanks to the oft overlooked Bakye Dibassy for laughing in the face of that math.)
University of Montana Grizzlies 1 – 0 Sacramento State Hornets
Rack up another text book Griz shutout. Get the one goal you need and trust your keeper to do the job (Camilla Xu clearly is targeting a new Clean Sheet Record).
SC Freiburg 2 -2 VfL Wolfsburg [F]
A point-free campaign lady Griffins got a lot better with a draw against Champions League regulars Wolfsburg. Hasret Kayicki did what she does with another goal, and welcome Mia Büchele to the party with her first of the campaign. Best of all, we actually have highlights!!
Hertha BSC 1 – 2 Freiburg [M]
Meanwhile, the men folk of Freiburg continued their fine form. Christian Gunter delivered a couple of great corner kicks to set up both the opener and the winner. They are now the only unbeaten side left in the Bundesliga and sit one point back of legendary leaders Bayern Munich.
Dundee United 1 – 0 Ross County
On the other end, County has still yet to get a win this season and this was only the third game where they limited their opponents to one goal.
FK Spartak Subotica 0 – 4 Vozdovac
True story, I was helping Alex on the potty as my phone blew up with goals from Subotica.
Me: Wow the dragons are scoring a lot of goals!
Alex: well…they are dragons.
So, congrats Nikola Vujnovic and company. You’re magical beasts in fine form.
Grenoble 2 – 0 Pau [M]
The Alpiners are on a roll at the moment: unbeaten in 3 and coalescing around Yoric Ravet to spur a solid attack. Mamodou Diallo scored a stunning volley, but Ravet’s been a creative force and challenged the defense with every set piece. The right side of the midfield still looks dubious. If only there was an answer? Maybe one that starts with a J- and ends with an -essy Bennet?
Dallas 0 – 0 Minnesota United
Reynoso was back but when no one puts the biscuit in the basket against the most porous team in the Western conference … well all the creativity in the world can’t replace accuracy.
Thonon Evian 1 – 1 Grenoble Foot [F]
It was another late goal that saved the day for Grenoble, this time an 88th minute equalizer from Claudia Fabre to compensate for a first half defensive miscue.
Kristiansund 1 – 0 Rosenborg [M]
After three big wins RBK couldn’t grab another in trying circumstances. Normally reliable Adam Anderson’s first minute [FIRST MINUTE!!] red card for pulling an opposing striker to the ground. Forced the trolls to play down a man for the whole match. Kristiansund got their goal quickly and only a great game by goalie Julian Lund kept it close. So moral victories it is!
Tecnico Universitario 1 – 0 Emelec [M]
Now winless in three straight, Emelec is slipping far from their chances to sweep the seasons. They’re guaranteed a playoff spot, but they’d much rather play like Emelec 6 months ago than Emelec now…shame time travel doesn’t work.
Montana Grizzlies 0 – 0 Portland State Vikings
The Griz lost their winning streak but Camilla Xu made it 7 straight shutouts during Sunday’s game at South Campus Stadium.
Venados 1 – 1 Alebrijes
It took a last second Josue Gomez equalizer to save the Oaxacans from another defeat. Well, the last second equalizer and a whole bunch of good fortune on some too close for comfort Venados attacks. But however you save the day, we’re glad that the day is saved.
News & Notes
Hey! More World Cup Qualifiers!
The cancelling of all matches for six months has put an extra bit of pressure on World Cup qualification, so we’ve got a ton of teams racing to qualify for the tournament in Qatar next winter. So, what could have been a little distraction is instead an all hands on deck situation.
Pay. The. Refs.
A weekly reminder that Ecuador should pay their referees.
Vaccine Cards Up, Volume Down
I’ve been conflicted all year about attending soccer matches. In my dream, I can take one of you guys, laugh, play, eat something fried and/or cheesy and come home with a bonding experience. In reality, the stupid virus is still out there and the absence of masks in the stands makes me wary and your mom terrified.
To this purpose, a lot of programs have started requiring vaccine proof or a recent negative test. But our local team is not.
So, some of our fellow Minnesotans have decided to stop attending matches. Especially those that lead the chants, the cheers, and build the atmosphere. The team hasn’t really listened to prior requests, so this may be a good demonstration for you in how to make change, or at least, try to.
Player of the Week
I’m torn this week. On the one hand, Grenoble’s surge in form owes a lot to Yoric Ravet. On the other, Montana’s increasing dominance owes a lot to Camilla Xu. On a suddenly growing third hand, Nikola Vujnovic’s goals are a big help to Vozdovac’s season goals. With a couple recent shout outs to Grenoble, we’ll spread the wealth around and applaud the Freshman keeper, Camilla Xu. Congrats!
Standings Update
Rosenborg and Emelec losses dropped them farther off the pace set by the Griz. But Minnesota’s lost road trip hurts the most, dropping them from fourth to seventh. And at the foot of the table Alebrijes has slipped below 1 point per game.
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| University of Montana | 16 | 1 | 6 | 2.13 | 1.6 | 0.7 |
| Rosenborg BK | 31 | 4 | 12 | 2.06 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Emelec | 22 | 10 | 12 | 1.73 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
| Punjab FC–b | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1.47 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Grenoble | 16 | 9 | 14 | 1.46 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Freiburg | 17 | 8 | 16 | 1.44 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Minnesota United | 10 | 8 | 9 | 1.41 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Legon Cities–b | 11 | 6 | 11 | 1.39 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| FK Vozdovac | 10 | 7 | 16 | 1.23 | 1.1 | 1.5 |
| Ross County | 10 | 5 | 15 | 1.13 | 1.2 | 1.5 |
| Alebrijes | 5 | 12 | 11 | 0.96 | 1.1 | 1.7 |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, October 6th
Thursday, October 7th
Friday, October 8th
Saturday, October 9th
Rosenborg BK v Arna Bjornar [F]
Sunday, October 10th
Grenoble Foot v. Nimes Metropole Gard [F]
FC Carl Zeiss Jena v. SC Freiburg [F]
Minnesota United v. Colorado
Northern Colorado v. Montana Grizzlies
Monday, October 11th
Tuesday, October 12th
Alebrijes v. Jaibos
MacKenzie's Boot Room 