Scores

Rosenborg BK 0 – 2 PSV Eindhoven [M-E]

It was always a long shot to beat the Dutch giants. While coming up one win short of European competition is hard, bowing out against a great side with a better performance than their last meeting is tolerable.

Jaibos 2 – 0 Alebrijes

Oaxaca’s slide continued. 272 minutes since their last goal, Alebrijes may be desperate to find the net as a suicidal tuna.

Dortmund 4 -0 Freiburg [M]

On a tipsy turvy year with two titans of the Teutonic table floating in the middle of the pac Freiburg could have laid claim to a top tier spot with a stunning road win. But they didn’t. Courtesy of Erling Braut Håaland, who first tormented Rosenborg…not cool Erling, not cool.

Macva Sabac 0 – 2 FK Vozdovac

In four minutes the Red Dragons laid waste to their host. Marko Putacanin provided both a devastating header and perfect through ball to Justas Lasickas. Meanwhile, keeper Miloje Prekovic pitched his third shutout in four tries since joining the team.

Grenoble 2 – 0 Valenciennes

Yoric Ravet turned in a man of the match performance with his first goal of the year on a PK. Meanwhile Brice Maubleu kept another clean sheet and Jordy Gaspar anchored the defense that made Ravet’s surge possible. The squad has yet to drop a point in Stade des Alpes.

Minnesota United 2 – 0 FC Cincinnati

A year ago the loons spanked Cincy, 7-1. There was no drubbing this year. But a pair of well worked chances created by Bébelo Reynoso, and more sterling saves from Dayne St Clair might help reclaim the team’s top of table form.

Freiburg 0 – 0 MSV Duisburg [W]

Well, that happened.

OGC Nice Côte d’Azur 0 – 0 Grenoble Foot [W]

So did that. Seriously, trying to find summaries of elite women’s matches is hard. 0-0 draws? No chance.

Rangers 2 – 0 Ross County

The Staggies played a fine and competitive match against the league leaders. An early penalty put them behind, but 70 scoreless minutes showed strength. They’ve slipped into the bottom half of the league again, but the signs are bright for the future.

Rosenborg BK 3 – 0 Lyn [W]

Julie Blakstad roared back with a vengeance scoring her first goal since August, and never looked troubled against Lyn. All eyes now turn to Oslo in two weeks when they play Vålerenga in a match that may well decide the league.

Rosenborg BK 4 – 1 Odd [M]

Åge’s boys bounced back emphatically against rivals for European berths Odd. A resounding 4-1 win led by Dino Islamovic’s double and Kristoffer Zacharissen sweet talking another goal.

Universidad Catholica 4 – 1 Emelec [M]

Across the ocean there was another resounding victory, but this one sent Los Bombillos reeling again. Having won only once since August, they certainly deserve their low ranking on the table. But hope is on the way (see News for more)

Nashville 0 – 0 Minnesota United

The grass grew a microscopic amount. Otherwise nothing really happened (after all, these teams are exhausted and playing on short rest in the middle of a pandemic)

News & Notes

Striker Swaps

The transfer window slowly winds down, but two of our favorite sides have swapped out striking talent in rather surprising ways.

Torgeir Børven, last years golden boot winner in Norway played well in Trondheim but manager Åge Hareide seemed to have other plans, working in everybody but Børven stop the attack. So he’s off to join Ankaragucu in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Minnesota, young, brash scorer Mason Toye said his goodbyes as well. The team’s top draft pick had enjoyed several runs of sterling form, but with three more veteran names on the roster, he was expendable. I don’t feel too bad either, he gets to learn from legendary goal scorer Thierry Henry.

At the same time, a few more striking talents made their way to teams we root for. Jermaine Hylton left Motherwell for Ross County, the exceedingly rare Staggies pick up that actually cost money. He brings with him some goal scoring boots to boost the defanged attack. And Rasmus Wiedesheim-Paul will swap Sweden’s second tier for Norway’s first as Borven’s replacement in the Rosenborg squad. He also has a scorer’s pedigree and, at a mere 21 years old, represents a long-term investment.

Emelec hits Reset

As poor as Emelec’s form has been the last few weeks, there is hope. The split season format, an alien concept to many, but a familiar favorite of anyone who watched Pioneer League baseball, is here.

The first half of the season crowned one champion, and now every one has the chance to start fresh and try again. Emelec may have finished a discouraging 12th of 16 for the first half, but if they win the second half, all is forgotten. Truthfully they’d have to do even worse to slide into relegation, so rather than play out the string and barely stay above water, this is a chance to start fresh and furious. We can hardly wait.

Player of the Week

Minnesota United has generally done a strong job of selecting talented players out of college. Hasani Dotson and Mason Toye earned call ups to the youth national team and Chase Gasper has been a reliable starter as well. But Dayne St. Clair has been an absolute savior after Tyler Miller’s injury and the injury struggles of stalwarts Ike Opara and Oswaldo Alonso. So to you St. Clair of Canada congrats on player of the week honors.

What’s Next

Wednesday, October 7th

10:00 Turbine Potsdam v. SC Freiburg [W]

Kolbotn v. Rosenborg BK [W-Cup]

1:45 Montrose v. Ross County [Cup]

Thursday, October 8th

7:00 Freiburg v. VfB Stuttgart [M]

7:00 Mineros v. Alebrijes de Oaxaca

Friday, October 9th

Saturday, October 10th

Sunday, October 11th

7:00 SC Freiburg v. VfL Wolfsburg [W]

4:00 Alebrijes v. Venados

7:30 Dallas v. Minnesota United

Monday, October 12th

Tuesday, October 13th

1:45 Ross County v. Arbroath [Cup]