Scores
Minnesota United v. Chicago Fire
Seriously, did they think it would take them four days to beat COVID? Who do they think they are? A bunch of obese 70 something reality stars turned politicians with access to obscenely expensive health care?
Emelec 1 – 0 Orense [M]
Emelec started their second half in a high grabbing a valuable win to restart their campaign with a good chance to compete. Dixon Arroyo’s 2nd half goal was a fortunate combination of positioning and sloppy defense.
Correcaminos 3 – 2 Alebrijes
A week after final breaking through with a goal, Oaxaca got two more to lead then tie a solid Correcaminos side. Sadly a third goal ceded made it moot, and left us all hopping for moral victories before the last month of the year.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0 – 1 SC Freiburg [W]
Lina Burger opened the match with a solid finish from a well worked team goal and from then on it was just a matter of holding on. The lady griffins did manage a few more strong forays into the Frankfurt area, but even though they came away goalless, they got what they needed.
SC Freiburg 1 -1 Werder Bremen [M]
Christian Streich’s side started out hot with a pair of goals inside 20 minutes from Phillip Leinhart (on a deflection) and Jonathan Schmid. Sadly, Schmid’s was negated by VAR and after a sloppy tackle from Lucas Holer gifted Bremen a penalty, it was all Christian Günter and company could do to salvage the draw.
Ross County 0 – 0 Hibernian
Connor Randall’s second half red card meant there was a very tense last ten minutes, with Staggies left grateful and aggrieved when a late tackle of Ross Stewart didn’t lead to a penalty.
FK Vozdovac 2 – 1 FK Spartak Subotica
The Red Dragons got their first win against a top six side in their ongoing push to be part of the third place race (behind Partizan and Red Star’s Duopoly). Nikolai Vujnovic netted a screaming winner as Keeper Miloje Prekovic was again crucial to the points.
Amiens 1 – 0 Grenoble [M]
On paper, this was a clear opportunity for Grenoble to grab some points away from home. But things were a lot less clear on the field, where Grenoble’s previously potent attack ground to a halt, and one slip was all it took for Amiens to capitalize and win it.
Emelec 0 – 2 Barcelona SC [F]
It was another hard derby for las electricas with Barcelona’s non-international Ecuadorian equivalents painted Guayaquil yellow again
Valerenga 1 – 1 Rosenborg BK [W]
The match of the weekend was as thrilling as advertised. Despite an early goof of a goal from a Valerenga cross, Rosenborg didn’t bend. Most surprising was the last moment equalizer from Sara Kanutte Fornes to keep RBK unbeaten. Ultimately the quest for an Invincible season, might be a distraction. The Trolljenta will be vying for the title in a final four playoff, but an unbeaten year would just feel so sweet.
Kristiansund 0 – 0 Rosenborg BK [M]
Not for the first time we wished the men’s team was playing at the level of the women’s side.
Merignac 0 – 1 Grenoble [F]
Jade Decilap made the difference on the road as the ladies of Grenoble got a valuable win. Side bar: hat tip to Merignac for rocking the chipmunk crest!
Minnesota United 2 – 2 Houston Dynamo
In an act of snatching a stalemate from the jaws of victory, the Loons gave up a pair of second half goals. For a team that’s past it’s injury woes (as seen by a brilliant return by Ethan Finlay) and has said goodbye to young prospects to bring in “proven winners” this collapse (both on field and in standings) is…frustrating.
Guayaquil City 1 – 0 Emelec [M]
The blue side of Guayaquil came out pale after dropping the second derby of the week. After a bright start to the second half of the campaign, some fans may feel hope dimming that los bombillos can shine any morethan they did before. (Did you like that plethora of lightbulb allusions?)
News & Notes
Grenoble Grippe
Minnesota United got some company in their infectious disease section of our standings this week as Grenoble Foot’s coach, plus 18 other players and staff members, tested positive for Corona-Virus.
This is part of a bigger local trend. French President, Emmanuel Macron (aka the Economist’s biggest crush), instituted a stricter curfew on nine cities, including Grenoble.
Player of the Week
So many sides needed sterling defensive showings to hold on to their points, it only makes sense to honor the defensive side of the game this week. We’ll acknowledge Miloje Prekovic, who, despite giving up a goal and looking a bit lucky has been so critical to Vozdovac’s surge up the standings that he’s well over due for some recognition.
What’s Next
Wednesday, October 21st
Vozdovac v Graficar [Cup]
Thursday, October 22nd
7:00 Alebries v. Celaya
Friday, October 23rd
Saturday, October 24th
8:30 Union Berlin v. SC Freiburg [M]
9:00 Motherwell v. Ross County
12:00 Grenoble v. Nancy [M]
6:30 Cincinnati v. Minnesota United
Sunday, October 25th
12:00 Sarpsborg 08 v. Rosenborg BK [M]
2:00 Proleter v. FK Vozdovac
Monday, October 26th
Tuesday, October 27th
8:05 Pumas Tabasco v. Alebrijes de Oaxaca
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