Week 29: Terrific Day in Trondheim

Week 29: Terrific Day in Trondheim

Scores

Start 0 – 0 Rosenborg BK (M)

That was a thing that happened. Moving on.

Real Salt Lake 0 – 0 Minnesota United

Your curly haired “cousin”
(Minnesota United)

Both Salt Lake and Minnesota won their first games of the “MLS is Back” tournament (which I still prefer to call “July Jamboree”), so they naturally played a boring as hell cagey match with both teams taking a point and staying in position to advance. However, Minnesota got to see Thomas Chacon, who looks to be only a couple months older than you boys, so that was nice

Rosenborg BK 3 – 1 Kolbotn (W)

For the first time this year, RBK had both the ladies and the gentlemen playing at home on the same day. Unfortunately, also for the first time this year, the ladies of Rosenborg gave up a lead. Though Cesile Andreassen put them up in the first half amid a rampaging attack, Kolbotn struck quickly after half time to level the score.

Then Marit Clausen did a number of Marit Clausen-y things (you know dominating the air, causing havoc in front of goal) and Rosenborg ran out winners. None too shabby for an undefeated start to the season, and it should be said that their post match song is flame.

Rosenborg BK 2 – 1 Sandefjord (M)

The gentlemen of Rosenborg found a way to win and sweep the double header day thanks to Kristoffer Zachariassen whose presence on corner kicks was a major difference maker. Scoring one in the first half on a blooping cranial chip, and a second to seal the win

One concern for the now fourth place Rosenborg side is that during this six game unbeaten run their attacking crew has changed more often than filters in a home made Coronavirus mask.

Midfielder Zachariassen now has four goals, all from set pieces, while no other player has more than 1 (including big name signings Dino Islamovic and Torgeir Borven, as well as stalwart Pal Andre Helland, and starlet Emil Konradsen Ceide). Combine Sunday’s scrambles for goal with the paltry opportunities on offer in their midweek game at Start, and RBK has reason to start strategizing differently

News & Notes

Kvinning

Yes, Rosenborg is on top of the ToppSerien in Norway. Yes, this is the first time any of our teams has led any league during this (admittedly relatively recent project). Yes, this means they are awesome and we’re having a lot of fun. In particular, Marit Clausen and Julie Blakstad who are now tied for the ToppSerien golden boot watch! Can’t lie, this is fun.

Young Warriors walk away, Loons check in

This is not the offseason Punjab FC would have hoped for. First came the transfer ban, and this week two young stars left the club. According to the awesome Nehal from the Away End, first Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, headed to Odisha FC, and now Makan Chothe has left for top tier side FC Goa

Bebelo may be flying north soon
(Photo from ESPN)

Meanwhile, Minnesota United have their eyes set not on a departure but a massive acquisition: Emanuel “Bebelo” Reynoso a young star for Boca Juniors in Argentina. While Boca is stacked and playing time is thin, Reynoso still seems like a serious talent who could light a fire under the Loons offense while the defensive spine continues to blockade the goal.

Player of the Week

Marvelous Marit
(RBK.no)

Right now Marit Clausen’s game is so hot it makes a July day in Minnesota feel like a January day in Minnesota. Clausen is so on fire that she doesn’t drink water to cool down, she drinks flame retardant chemicals (Note: THAT WAS A JOKE, DON’T DRINK FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS EITHER IF YOU PLAY WELL, PLAY POORLY, OR NEVER PLAY AT ALL). Clausen has kicked so much butt, that Chuck Norris is asking her for pointers. Point is Marit Clausen rocks.

What’s Next

Wednesday, July 22

9:30 Colorado Rapids v Minnesota United

Thursday, July 23

Friday, July 24

Saturday, July 25

8:00 Arna Bjornar v. Rosenborg BK (W)

Sunday, July 26

1:30 FK Haugesund v Rosenborg BK (M)

Monday, July 27

Tuesday, July 28

Week 2 Recap: And the Band Played On

Week 2 Recap: And the Band Played On

Snowy practice field feels appropriate

Scores and recaps

Punjab FC 1 – Real Kashmir 1

The first game of a busy back-to-back weekend for the Warriors saw them pay a visit to one of the hottest regions in India on rather cold day.

Makan Winkle Chothe capitalized on an early attack that swirled around the Snow Leopards’ box. The young striker hammered a low cross home to give the Warriors the lead, but the team then sat back trying to keep Kashmir at bay. The persistence of Kashmir’s foriegn imports, particularly Englishman Kallum Higginbotham and Ivorian Ghnore Krizo eventually overcame Nepali keeper Kiran Kumar Limbu (who had an otherwise sterling performance)

North Indian Derby

SC Freiburg 1 – Borussia Munchengladbach 2 (in both friendlies)

Freiburg seeks to solve a problem like the defense

In gearing up for the second half of the Bundesliga season, Freiburg ran out two different squads to take on the 2nd place team in the table. The result was a pleasingly palindromic pair of matches, with Munchengladbach scoring the first two, Freiburg the next two, and Muchengladbach the last two of the day.

Sitting just 2 points off of the European league spots, Freiburg will be looking to steel their defense from a league worst 8.1 tackles per match, but Munchengladbach’s attack didn’t help them find any answers.

AC Ajaccio 3 – Grenoble Foot 38 1

As Ligue 2 returned to action, Grenoble was in dire need of an offensive jolt. There were a pair of lightning strikes, but they came from AC Ajaccio’s Gaetan Courtet who left fans reeling with a brace of beautifully struck goals.

Bright spots were few and far between for Grenoble though Jessy Benet’s first half corner was perfectly placed for a player making a run. (That it was AC Ajaccio’s Cyrille Bayala who made the run and scored the own goal is a minor note). Most frustrating was a trio of close range shots from Benet, Arsene Elogo, and Florian Raspentino that were deflected by Benjamin Leroy to stymie another attack.

Ajaccio Goals

Legon Cities FC 0 – Dreams FC 0

Another week, another wait for fans of the Royals. While there was strong support from fans in the stands, the team on the pitch couldn’t quite connect. Despite a strong showing from Sadick Sulley and a penalty cry from defend Ahmed Rahaman.

On the plus side this video is now my son Alex’s favorite song.

News and Notes

Grizzlies Don’t Brag, They Gasconade

The Lady Griz are back in training, including using squash courts to practice volleying (which is pretty clever use of resources given most Montanan winters). They’re also back in the classroom where, well, let’s just show the domination shall we?

Ps Gasconade means to boast from the French gasconner

Reunited and it Feels So Good

While a few teams are still in regular action, most others came back from their winter breaks this week with a little bonding and a lot of practice.

Aleksa Jankovic joins the Dragons

I know what you’re thinking: “I thought Aleksa Jankovic died in the 19th century after serving as prime minister before the start of the Kardordevic Dynasty, how is the reanimated corpse of that Serbian leader going to help the defense?!”

(You weren’t thinking that? Well…you should have been.)

This Alksa Jankovic is actually a 19 year old winger fresh from Belgrade rivals Partizan’s training grounds. He mostly figured in cup ties and is eager for some first team action.

Staggies Welcome 2 More

Seeking to shore up the defense, Ross County have brought in two more players including English Defensive Midfielder Jordan Tillson, and Scottish Center Back Coll Donaldson.

Tillson moves north after a series of loans out of League 2 Exeter Town, while Donaldson will switch sides in the Highland Derby, leaving Inverness CT for the boys in Dingwall.

What’s Next?

Tuesday, January 14th

2:30 AM Punjab FC v Mohun Bagan

Wednesday, January 15th

1:00 PM Legon Cities FC v Ashanti Gold

Saturday, January 18th

8:30 AM Mainz v Freiburg

9:00 AM Ayr United v Ross County (Scottish FA Cup)

Sunday, January 19th

10:00 AM Aduana Stars v Legon Cities FC