Recap
Tecnico Universitaro 0 – 0 Emelec (M)
Honestly, at this point I want to know how long Emelec can go with 0 – 0 draws?
Hearts 3 – 1 Rosenborg (M–Europa Conference)
Isak Thorvaldsson scored early to build the hopes of a Rosenborg romp, but Hearts two goals in the second half gave Hearts a decisive edge in the game, in the two-way tie, and in the race to stay alive in the European competition.
North Dakota 0 – 1 Montana Grizzlies
Delaney Lou Schorr picked up exactly where she left off as the Griz’s leading scorer netted the winner against the Eagles!
Hoffenheim 1 – 2 Freiburg (M)
The Bundesliga kicked off with a familiar feeling as Freiburg brought their best game to the table. We actually watched a bit as a family with Alex insisting that the boys from Breigsau were wearing stripes, while Owen thought they were wearing a giraffe print. Whatever he wears, Roland Sallai makes a great threat and his goal was the difference as Freiburg came away with three road points.
Airdrieonens 3 – 4 Ross County (Cup)
The Staggies are still going in the ViaPlay league Cup, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Holding a 3-1 lead after Kyle Turner scored and assisted within 90 seconds, The Stags defense proceeded to give away the store in the last ten minutes with a penalty and a late equalizer for the lower level opponents. Fortunately, Eamonn Brophy came through with a winner in additional time to move the Stags to the last 8.
Zeleznicar Pancevo 0 – 1 Vozdovac
The Dragons got their first win of the season with a quick long ball finding Niska Vujanovic who dribbled and slashed enough to find the net for the game’s only goal.
Grenoble 0 – 0 Troyes (M)
Grenoble didn’t win but they did remain unbeaten for this campaign.
HamKam 3 – 0 Rosenborg (M)
Before the game I was fantasizing that a continued run of good form could help Rosenborg back into European places, but they were too burnt out from the game in scotland to keep up with HamKam
North Dakota State 1 – 3 Montana Grizzlies
The Griz got their second win in the Peace Garden State (all the more impressive because it tripled their win total from 7 previous games there). Within 15 minutes the Griz got three goals off of four shots, as Skyleigh Thompson, Riley Carolan and Eliza Bentler all found the net.
NYCFC 0 – 2 Minnesota (M)
We were able to watch a little of this as a family too…you know, when you weren’t dive bombing your mom or playing drink coaster tricks, but we didn’t get to see a goal. While you were falling asleep Jan Gregus struck back, and then I could see Miguel Tapias and Dayne St. Clair contort their frames to avoid giving up a penalty and save an own goal before Mender Garcia got a final goal to pull away.
Cimarrones 4 – 2 Alebrijes
Julio Cesar Cruz got the first goal, but Cimarrones stormed right back and the Alebrijes dropped another.
News & Notes
We Have a Champion!
Spain became the second country to win both a Men’s and Women’s World cup. Unfortunately it seemed to validate the widely disliked and player loathed coach Jorge Vilda.
It’s an unfortunate story-line to hear developed. But, honestly, coaches don’t play the games, and their effect is often over estimated. I’m going to choose to celebrate Olga’s winning goal, Aitana Bonmati’s golden boot, and Salma Paralluelo instead of Vilda (or the louche of a leader the team is also dealing with).
Other Cup-Dates
Rosenborg’s hopes of moving on to the next round of European competition were dashed with Hearts having a great showing in Edinburgh…but again, it’s Edinburgh, hard not to have a good time there.
Meanwhile, Ross County will stand with their fellow premier leaguers in their cup quarter finals. Next up will be Aberdeen on September 27th, four days after they play Aberdeen in the league…so familiarity will breed…something.
The Loons might not like their quarterfinal flame out against Nashville, but since the Music City Men made it to the final there’s some solace (also a little solace in the fact that Lionel Messi dominated literally EVERYONE)
The Gang’s All Here!
With the Griz back in action we can fully appreciate the game from Mount Sentinel to the Punjab plain, from the Black Forest, to the Gold Coast’s brightest star.
Player of the Week
One of the many things I love about team sports is how substitutes can make as much of a difference for a team as the stars. When that sub helps win a game, it’s great. When he goes out and helps win another…that’s flipping awesome. So Kyle Turner’s gumption stepping up as Ross County’s midfielder merits this week’s award.
Standings
For the first time in Months a team not named Punjab is at the top of our standings (though with the wonkiness of my internet connection the bottom of the standings may not be as accurate)
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| Montana | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3.00 | 2.00 | 0.50 |
| Punjab | 12 | 3 | 5 | 1.95 | 1.95 | 0.95 |
| Minnesota | 24 | 9 | 11 | 1.84 | 2.39 | 1.20 |
| Rosenborg | 23 | 7 | 15 | 1.69 | 1.69 | 1.09 |
| Legon Cities–b | 9 | 7 | 8 | 1.42 | 1.25 | 1.29 |
| Grenoble | 17 | 7 | 17 | 1.41 | 1.15 | 1.05 |
| Emelec | 8 | 12 | 9 | 1.24 | 1.72 | 0.97 |
| Ross County | 10 | 5 | 13 | 1.25 | 1.57 | 1.54 |
| Freiburg | 13 | 7 | 19 | 1.18 | 1.26 | 1.62 |
| Alebrijes | 6 | 7 | 9 | 1.14 | 1.27 | 1.45 |
| Vozdovac | 4 | 6 | 11 | 0.86 | 0.71 | 1.57 |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Thursday, August 24th
Montana Grizzlies v. MSU Billings (the Grandma Di Derby)
Friday, August 25th
Saturday, August 26th
Freiburg v. Werder Bremen(M)
Ross County v. Rangers
Vozdovac v. Red Star Belgrade
Auxerre v. Grenoble (M)
Sunday, August 27th
Rosenborg v. Aalesund (M)
Montana Grizzlies v. THE Ohio State University
Minnesota v. Seattle (M)
Emelec v. Delfin (M)
Monday, August 28th
Tuesday, August 29th
Correcaminos v. Alebrijes
Wednesday, August 30th
Minnesota v. Colorado (M)
MacKenzie's Boot Room 