Scores
Legon Cities 2 – 1 Liberty Professionals
Both sides levvied a barrage of shots but brought the on target drama when it counted most. Liberty took the lead with 10 minutes to go, gave it back on an own goal 5 minutes later and lost it when Jonah Attaquye came through just before the final whistle through the goalie’s legs.
Ross County 2 – 1 Hamilton Academical
With the Accies in a win or else situation, they came out and took the lead on a well placed free kick. As soon as the Staggies had their backs against the wall, they fought to get it back. Jordan White led the charge, notching both assists on clever back passes. With that County gave themselves a fighting chance before the final game on Sunday.
Minnesota United 1 – 0 Vancouver Whitecaps
The wait is over, the Loons have their first points. Much was made of the team’s choice to bench young keeper Dayne St Clair, who had been fine while the offense sputtered. Tyler Miller was equally effective, while the attack (Lod, Reynoso, Dotson, and Abila) finally looked dangerous. So, naturally the coach gave the credit to Miller because correlation equals causation.
Rosenborg 5 – 0 Viking [M]
Trondheims top side looked the part at home in Lerkendal. Markus Henriksen’s early departure after scoring the opening goal seemed ominous. But Carlo Holse’s arrival led to the Dane contributing two assists and Kristoffer Zachariassen ran the show in the center. Half the league has yet to play, but Rosenborg looks well equipped for the season to come.
Freiburg 2 – 2 Bayern Munich [M]
Munich already have their 31st title (9th straight) in hand, but Freiburg held their own regardless. After an ugly foul in the box set up Robert Lewandowski for a record tying penalty (his 40th of the campaign). Mark Flekken has turned up to stake a claim to the goal (and deny Lewandowski a record setter), and Christian Gunter delivered a scintillating run to level the match before time. With one game to go the Griffins remain mathematically (but not really logically) in the hunt for Europe.
Partizan Belgrade 3 – 0 FK Vozdovac
For a little while it looked like the Red Dragons could keep up and get a vital point. But Aleksander Bogdanjovic’s own goal ensured that Vozdovac’s last game would be the decider (the extra goals by Partizan made goals even more important).
WAFA 1 – 0 Legon Cities FC
While Asamoah Gyan finally saw the field for LCFC, it didn’t make a difference. The Royals still haven’t had consecutive points since February, or consecutive wins since January. (Good news, those opponents are coming up in a couple weeks so…fingers crossed)
Grenoble 1 – 0 Rodez [M]
The Alpiners were held in a scoreless draw for most of the match. Long enough to feel Auxerre breathing down their neck and feel the frustration of every scuffed shot. Then a wide cross from Anthony Belmonte missed Marcellin Anani who took a (admittedly exaggerated) tumble. But that set up Jessy Benet for the penalty, the win, and the guaranteed home field for the first round of promotion playoffs.
Emelec 1 – 0 Guayquil City [M]
It took a while but Emelec got what they needed when a late penalty gave Sebastian Rodriguez the winner at home. Emelec now tops Ecuador (though not our little league).
Minnesota United 1 – 0 FC Dallas
It took the Loons even longer to get their winner but flying Fin Robin Lod notched the game’s only goal with a vital poke in stoppage time. The Loons have some polarizing data. First hand accounts report their haplessness. Stats suggest they could be 4-0-2 instead of 2-0-4. At this stage that’s the difference between second and eleventh in the league. One non-stat to bear in mind: Emmanuel Reynoso shoots the ball so hard factory machines who assembled it wince.
Motherwell 1 – 2 Ross County
When Owen woke up the Staggies were taking the pitch. When Alex joined us, doom surrounded us (an early deficit and Kilmarnock leading their match). As I popped cinnamon rolls in the oven, I implored you to say “cmon you Staggies!!”. Moments later Ian Vigurs grabbed the equalizer with one of the most beautiful bits of footwork and placement you’ll ever see to shift the momentum. Michael Gardyne’s winner was a delightful bit of icing on the saved season.
Bodo/Glimt 2 – 2 Rosenborg BK [M]
Facing the title holders had Rosenborg a bit behind the ball. Though they had to come back twice, they did the needful as Carlo Holse notched another goal.
Carneras UPS 2 – 0 Emelec [F]
I’ve said before, I will say again: my kingdom for highlights.
Grenoble 2 – 0 Paris FC [M]
The first of three stages to reach the promised land of Ligue 1 got off to a great start with Marcellin Anani delivering both a solid header and a vicious rebound to grab the lead. From then on in fell to Brice Mableu and his defense (especially Adrien Monfray and Haruna Demba) to stymie the attack. But when they were finally able to launch a counterattack late in the game, the fresh legs of Willy Semedo sped all the way to the box to deliver the clincher.
News & Notes
Royals Rouser
Few things are quite as fun as seeing Legon Cities’ celebration in just coming to the stadium (also, Asamoah Gyan, it’s the nicest bus in Ghana…why are you riding your fancy car just to sit around and watch…?)
Quo Vadis?
That’s latin for “What’s Next” (a favorite phrase around our family). Ross County is now safe, though unfortunately soon to be without the services of some very strong loanee players (looking at you Leo Hjelde of Norway).
But Grenoble marches on to face Toulouse in their second round on Friday. The Alpiners are definite underdogs against the third place side that was so close to automatic qualification. But surprises do happen, and with an awesome hashtag on Grenoble’s account right now, I really hope they continue to happen. (Together we will reach the peaks)
Serbia’s Swan Song
Vozdovac’s season ends this weekend. Their situation is marvelously simple: beat Javor and they stay up. Drop points and they have to hope results go their way.
Freiburg’s Farewell
With one match left in the Bundesliga, the Griffins are still in the hunt for a spot in European competitions. They’d need to beat Frankfurt (themselves fighting for a spot in the Champion’s league). They’d also need Stuttgart, Munchengladbach, and Union Berlin to lose (all of them are playing sides battling for Europe or a place in the league). So there’s plenty to watch for.
Player of the Week
It’s hard to choose between superlative moments and surpassing support, luckily this week’s player of the week was supportive throughout the season’s final stages and had an absolute golden moment on the weekend: Ian Vigurs was every bit the captain you want to see for Ross County and his thunderous shot that saved the Staggies season was an absolute beauty. Thank you Ian Vigurs.
Photo Credit (The Herald)
Standings Update
Ross County heads into their break on a high while Grenoble has a few more matches to go to determine their league status next campaign. The Loons finally notched some points on the board, but remain stuck at the bottom of the table (for now)
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| University of Montana–b | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 |
| Emelec | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.0 |
| Rosenborg BK | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 1.0 |
| Grenoble Foot | 10 | 7 | 7 | 1.54 | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Punjab FC–b | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1.47 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Freiburg | 11 | 4 | 11 | 1.42 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Ross County–b | 8 | 2 | 9 | 1.37 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Legon Cities FC | 6 | 5 | 7 | 1.28 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Alebrijes-b | 4 | 7 | 6 | 1.12 | 1.4 | 2.1 |
| FK Vozdovac | 5 | 5 | 9 | 1.05 | 0.9 | 1.6 |
| Minnesota United | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1.00 | 0.8 | 1.7 |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, May 19th
Vozdovac v. Javor
Emelec v. Tolima [M–Copa Sudamerica]
Thursday, May 20th
Rosenborg v. Brann
Friday, May 21st
Tolouse v. Grenoble [M–Playoffs]
Saturday, May 22nd
Rosenborg v. Staebek [F]
Frankfurt v. Freiburg [M]
Tecnico Universario v. Emelec [F]
Mushuc Runa v. Emelec [M]
Sunday, May 23rd
Hoffenheim v. Freiburg [F]
Legon Cities FC v. Aduana Stars
Monday, May 24th
Rosenborg v. Molde [M]
Tuesday, May 25th
Emelec v. Talleres [M–Copa Sudamerica]
MacKenzie's Boot Room 