One of my favorite things about writing recaps of blow out games is that I don’t have to be professional so…I don’t have to do it.
Moving on.
Guingamp 0 – 0 Grenoble [M]
Guingamp had the better showing for much of this match as Grenoble continued to struggle in the offensive third. The back line remained stout (Nestor, Monfry and Gaspar–Les Avocats Alpines…The Alpine Lawfirm) and Brice Mableu’s best outing since October.
LePuy v. Grenoble [F]
Hey a cancellation…but for NON-COVID REASONS!! I’m actually pleased! I mean, I hope that whatever is going on at Le Puy’s pitch that made it not passable last weekend is sorted out, but please let there be more of these and fewer Omicron cases in weeks ahead.
Legon Cities FC 0 – 0 Bechem United
Legon was lucky to get out of town with a draw against a more dynamic Bechem United. Wait….they were at home?!? Ooh boy. Home field advantage doesn’t mean much does it?
Ross County 3 – 1 Motherwell
I’ll admit. I did not feel good about this. I didn’t feel good about it when the early goal the Stags got came from a Motherwell miscue. I didn’t feel good when Motherwell equalized, and even worse when a red card reduced County to 10 men. More the fool I…
The come back came almost entirely from the bolt in blue: Regan Charles Cook. Whose cross was deflected in for the first goal, scored the second, and both won and converted a penalty for the third. It was a heckuva showing by the winger, and it boosts County much closer to safety.
It’s Danladi, you can cry if you want to…
News & Notes
Comings and Goings
The transfer sagas continue, though a little bit more quietly in this bleak midwinter.
The Loons welcomed back Abu Danladi, a striker who had been a vaunted draft pick and is now insurance for other strikers. Meanwhile, Ross County brought in another loan player with Right Back Kayne Ramsay coming north from Premier League team Southampton.
African Cup of Nations/Corrections
As AFCON carried on this week, I realized that I was very, very wrong about Grenoble’s role in the competition. It wasn’t three players from the Alps in the contest, it’s just one. Still, Mamadou Diallo played for one half against Zimbabwe and secured a spot in the next round for Guinea.
(Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)
Player of the Week
Defenders might have gone two for two this year had Regan Charles Cook not had a tremendous showing to bring County back from trouble to a a hard fought win. For that, we have to name him player of the week.
Standings Update
The Staggies big win vaults them to the top of our standings while Grenoble finally gets some points in 2021
I truly believe that routine is a valuable asset in learning how to build your skill. Running a marathon is easier after running twenty miles a week for several months. Teaching is better when you show up and study hard for your craft. My writing felt stronger when I wrote a little bit for these posts each week.
However, Thanksgiving…Covering for a Co-teacher with COVID…Holiday run-up…end of semester…the holidays themselves…and even the best routines are shot.
Here’s a brief recap of how our favorite eleven fared during the last 5 (good lord) weeks of not writing.
As is their habit, the Dragons had both an offensive outburst and a complete defensive collapse. Nikola Vujnovic continues to lead the attack when it works, but until the defense gets back in shape, they’re going to be stuck in the middle of the table.
Freiburg came careening back towards earth after their stay atop the Bundesliga after some Icarus-ish performances. A newish right side has been torn up with Lukas Kübler and Kevin Schade getting chewed up and spat out. Fortunately, Svenja Fölmli found some great form for the ladies, to even out the men’s lackluster showing.
The Royals have been predictably underwhelming in their efforts this season, pinging around the bottom half of the league table, including a week long stint in the cellar. Another predictable outcome, none of this comes back on ever reliable Jonah Attaquye, but instead on the boggling inconsistencies that manage to help them squander whatever part of the team is running well at the moment. (This time they went 400 minutes without a goal, squandering stout defensive performances by Isaaka Mohammed, Joseph Adjei and company).
Merci a dieu pour Adama Tamba! (From Correa Tumblr)
On the surface, this record doesn’t look to shabby, but the numbers don’t really tell how rocky it’s been for Grenoble of late. Most of the goals came from the ladies in their 7-0 Cup drubbing of Heillecourt, and most of those from Adama Tamba (the Gambian whose hat trick was marvelous). However the men have been completely lost, and while some of the familiar faces (Yoric Ravet, Loic Nestor) have done well, the offense has been neutered and keeper Brice Mableu may be feeling the heat on his keeper seat.
Our side lost, but the best team won. (From ActionPush)
Los Bombillos finished with three lackluster showings against the fall, and year long champions of Ecuador: Independiente del Valle. (They took 1 point from three matches against them during this stretch, losing by a total of 7-4). In all, a deeply disappointing end to a fine year for Emelec, but hey, disappointments happen.
It was a rough finish in Trondheim as well. Rosenborg had been close if not confident in a shot at Europe all year. But Viking’s strong finished coupled with the Troll’s struggles was enough to keep them in Norway full time next year. The defense struggled to keep up and the offense seemed discombobulated (maybe playing Carlo Holse every where from Right back to Left Wing will do that).
Peace out (from Oregon Live)
Minnesota United (Lost 1; 1 Goal scored, 3 Conceded)
The Loons only had one match, a playoff tilt in Portland. They took an early lead on a textbook Metanire to Frangapane goal, but lost their way at the end (it was unfortunate that Dayne St. Clair only found out he would be starting shortly before hand when Tyler Miller was scratched due to COVID exposure). The Timbers went on to the Cup Final, so it wasn’t a bad loss, but it was a step back for a team with loftier ambitions.
We love the Rosses, but Aussie Ashley is doing work. (From Ross-Shire Journal)
Ross County (Won 3, Drew 4, Lost 1; 9 scored, 7 conceded)
The Staggies found a fabulous run of form to wrap up the year. They tripled their win total after winning one of their first twelve with 3 of their next 8). They have officially climbed off the bottom, and are hopefully headed in the right direction come the new year. Winger Joseph Hungbo has been outstanding, with strong showings from old favorites Regan Charles-Cook, Harry Paton, and new keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer
Punjab FC (Won 1; 2 scored, 0 conceded)
See, wait long enough and you even get a comeback. Roundglass Punjab is back in action as of Boxing Day, with a 2-0 win over Rajasthan. The goals came from new man Kurtis Guthrie and youngster (17) Ashangbam Aphaoba Singh. The also capped the end of the year with that most 2021 of results: a postponement due to a COVID outbreak.
News & Notes
A Few Goodbyes
With the end of the year at hand, several teams have wrapped for a while, and along with that come quite a few personnel changes. Some of our favorite Loons have headed for warmer pastures: with Ethan Finlay bound for Austin and Ozzie Alonso headed for Atlanta. Meanwhile, after falling out of the starting lineup in Freiburg, Dominique Heintz will look for new opportunities in Union Berlin. And the usually reliable Even Hoveland has left Rosenborg for Swedish side Hacken.
We wish them all the best (even if we hope that Atlanta continues to struggle despite Ozzie being awesome).
Ozzie Libre!
Lots of Namskars
While many teams are saying goodbye, this week Roundglass Punjab took the pitch looking quite different from the team we last saw in March. New manager Ashley Westwood has made a habit of circling around subcontinent sides and has brought in a team full of players who are familiar with the upper tiers of Indian football. 13 players from last year’s side have moved on and 20 new faces have come to wear the orange and gold. Most notably, a revamped veteran back line filled with players who had been in India’s top division: Lalchuwanmawia, John Johnson, and Gurtej Singh. Turnover is the norm in Indian soccer, here’s hoping the newest round of recruits does well.
Players of the Weeks
Joseph Hungbo led the charge (sorry we were so far behind in following)
With five weeks to cover, we’ll toss these out regardless of actual week, but with consideration for those whose great form helped their teams. So here’s some player of the week honors to bestow on Kurtis Guthrie of Punjab, Joseph Hungbo of Ross County, Ashley Maynard Brewer of Ross County, Isaaka Mohammed of Legon Cities, Adama Tamba of Grenoble, and Nikola Vujnovic of Vozdovac,
Standings Update
And now…the final standings for 2021
Team
W
D
L
PPG
GFA
GAA
University of Montana–b
22
1
8
2.16
1.5
0.7
Rosenborg BK–b
41
9
15
2.03
2.3
1.2
Emelec–b
27
11
14
1.77
1.6
1.2
Punjab FC
8
4
6
1.56
1.2
0.9
Freiburg
26
11
23
1.48
1.7
1.5
Grenoble
22
10
22
1.41
1.2
1.2
Minnesota United–b
13
10
12
1.40
1.2
1.3
Legon Cities
13
10
15
1.29
1.1
1.0
FK Vozdovac
13
11
16
1.25
1.1
1.4
Ross County
14
9
20
1.19
1.3
1.5
Alebrijes–b
7
14
12
1.06
1.2
1.6
Table Updated 12/31/21 b–Team is between seasons
Congratulations to The Montana Griz on adding a fourth trophy to the case this season (well, first sippy cup to go along with three conference titles). And best wishes to Alebrijes de Oaxaca, next year is your year: I can feel lit.
What’s Next
Most teams have a break for the New Year, which really is the way it ought to be. Hoping everyone rests up to start 2022 strong.
Great day in the morning Oaxaca won a game without the need for late heroics. Just a very, very, very fortunate bounce on an otherwise irrelevant free kick. [Sorry fortunate bounces, you can’t win player of the week.]
Montana Grizzlies 1 – 0 Sacramento State Hornets
The Griz kicked off conference tournament play with a stout defensive effort. Camila Xu stood tall, the back line shut down the hornets and all it took was one quality ball for Charley Boone to play the hero and get her first goal in “like ten years”. The (admittedly, late) win took the Griz one step closer to a second title of the year (more on that in a bit)
The game-winner, from Larsen's foot to Stoeger's head to Boone's finish. And the Grizzlies are championship-bound! pic.twitter.com/Odgl4Qf0qt
Cukaricki continues to lead the “Best team not named Partizan/Red Star” competition, so a draw for the dragons feels like a solid showing. All the more because Milos Milosovic scored the equalizer as part of an organized second half comeback following a first half that saw the defense split open like pumpkin on Halloween and amid an utter downpour.
Emelec 2 – 0 Mushuc Runa [M]
Los bombillos came through again to keep up the pressure on Independuente del Valle with Alexis Zapata crushing a gorgeous goal to put them ahead, and Pedro Ortiz standing tall in goal to keep it that way. The top two teams will meet in two weeks with trophies likely on the line.
Bayern Munich 2 – 1 Freiburg [M]
To be honest, we knew that Freiberg’s and beaten the streak would end. We had plenty of reason to suspect it would happen here. And hey we were right.
Freiburg likely won’t be standing atop the league in May, but their effective showings against both Bayern and Dortmund suggests that Europe really is within reach.
Legon Cities 3 – 2 Real Tamale
For the first time in their current incarnation, Legon led the league! (On goal difference…for a couple hours…because most teams had yet to play twice) Still it was great to see Jonah Attuquaye’s penalty seal the deal (and Nathaniel Akwah’s free kick blast just because, well, it’s freaking awesome).
Erland Dahl Reitan set up both the opening goal, an invaluable second half equalizer, and some strong defensive squeezing as Rosenborg had surprising difficulty with relegation bound Brann.
Grenoble 1 – 0 Dunkerke [M]
Loïc Nestor remains an indefatigable Mr Grenoble. While many long term teammates have left, Loïc stays strong. While a dozen other players tried Dunkerke’s defense and blasted away at goal, Loic was the one who made the difference. In addition to shuttling back on the wing to stymie attacks and, in this case, streaking forward to score the match winner in stoppage time.
Kolbotn 1 – 2 Rosenborg [F]
After a few weeks in hiding Julie Blakstad struck back with a vengeance Sunday. She scored both goals in Rosenborg’s last road game this year. At times it seemed like Kolbotn’s defense was more of a help than any sterling offense, but we’ll take every win we can get
Nice 4 – 1 Grenoble Foot [F]
To put it mildly, this wasn’t Grenoble’s day. The match report from my preferred Grenoble soccer blog highlighted an assault on goal by players with first division experience. So the loss was very much sensed. Sherly Jeudy got another late goal (this one, very much a consolation)
Rangers 4 – 2 Ross County
The Stags weren’t terribly likely to get two wins in a row when they had to face reigning Scottish champs Rangers. Still Joseph Hungbo showed his class, Regan Charles Cook reaffirmed his, and Harry Paton got a solid assist as well.
Turbine Potsdam 2 – 1 SC Freiburg
Despite an opening goal from (who else) Hasret Kayicki, Freiburg’s Frauen couldn’t keep up with Potsdam and continued their inconsistent form.
The Griz were a little fortunate that Weber State knocked out hosts, regular season champs and the only big sky squad to Best them Northern Colorado. But that’s how tournaments go, you get some good luck and some bad.
The best luck for the team came on a couple of loose balls. Just like in the semi-finals Camilla Xu’s long ball worked well to set up an attack, and the quick overlap from Zoe Transtrum to Jaden Griggs did all the work.
Best of all you boys got to watch it together, and celebrate with one voice.
LA Galaxy 3 – 3 Minnesota United
It was a wild one in Southern California on Sunday night as the Loons managed to get a vital point to seal their spot in the MLS playoffs. Adrien Hunou and Robin Lod put the Loons in control early on, but the Galaxy made all the adjustments necessary to come back and take the lead. Luck was on the Loons’ side as an own goal gave them the last boost to keep a spot in the playoffs (and send both LA teams home for the winter)
Cancun FC 1 – 2 Alebrijes de Oaxaca
Alebrijes can head into the offseason with their heads held high, finishing with a pair of their best performances all season. Andre Alcaraz had to withstand a bevy of shots and did so with grace despite the back line giving him precious little cover. The goals had a flavor that had been lacking in the season that was with Miguel Vallejo’s free kick and Lizandro Echeverria’s excellent positioning doing the duty for the team’s goals. Getting 9 points off their last six matches, boosted Oaxaca’s final standings (but they still need a lot of help/losing from other teams) to avoid a wooden spoon award.
News & Notes
Boys 2 – 0 Uncle Simon
At Owen’s birthday party you guys dominated your Uncle Simon, pelting him with leaves every chance you got. Well played to both of you. And still he and Auntie E got you a very noisy, very fun, combination soccer goal and basketball hoop…so you may have beaten him, but be still gets the better of me.
Tournament Time Again
The NCAA tournament is one of the most magical times of the year, and to have two in one year is extra fun. This time, the Griz won’t be jetting across the country to face one of the toughest teams in the country, they’ll just head over the Rockies. The Griz get another power conference team in the Washington State Cougars, one that’s in the top 20 in the country. But the Griz have also notched their highest winning total in 20 years, why not repeat that 20 year cycle with a repeat win in the tournament (a win that came, conveniently enough, against Washington State).
Another International Weekend
Teams around the world are inching ever closer to the final rounds of World Cup qualification. This week should see the end of group play in Africa and Europe, with several teams inking their spots in Qatar next year, and several more heading back to the drawing board. We’ll be keeping an extra close eye on players plying their trade for country and perhaps if Nico Schlotterbeck and Christian Gunter can become part of a German team that’s already punched their ticket for the biggest stage of them all.
Player of the Week
Having already heaped the praise on Camilla Xu, lets make a little room for Erland Dahl Reitan. Who not only supported the attack this week but has been a vital component in one of Norway’s best defenses all year. (Sloppy results this last week not withstanding, Reitan deserves a bit of recognition here.
Standings Update
It is officially academic. Even if both Rosenborg sides win all of their games and the Griz crash out in Pullman, Washington, the Griz have enough points to hold on to the top spot in our league. We’ll bestow the trophy officially in a few weeks, but it’s all over now but the crying. Speaking of crying, Alebrijes’ hopes for avoiding the bottom of our league officially rest on a further collapse by Ross County now that their 2021 is wrapped up.
Age Hareide fielded a strong side for the cup but they never got out of first gear, and Rosenborg made an exit far earlier than their dominant performances suggested they would.
Red Star Belgrade v. FK Vozdovac
Postponed. See News Below
Atletico Morelia 1 – 0 Alebrijes
Man, Oaxaca can’t build on their momentum can they? Their longest unbeaten run of the year has been two games….a pair of draws…so it was back to the struggle bus here.
Rodez 1 – 1 Grenoble [M]
Speaking of teams without an ounce of momentum, Grenoble’s defense seems just too tired to hold on at the end of games, giving up another stoppage time goal. This one came off a late foul deep in their area, and resulted in dropped points in a game they coulda shoulda won. One silver lining, it is their first road point of the campaign so…thank heaven for small mercies.
You wouldn’t know it from my incessant praising of the Griz, but there are those who felt they were a soft Conference Champion, as their final opponent in the tournament (these same Lumberjacks) were disqualified due to COVID rather than truly beaten. But Caitlin Rogers’ long distance free kick and Camilla Xu’s growing confidence in goal were enough to silence those doubters and put the Griz back atop the Big Sky again.
Avaldsnes 0 – 1 Rosenborg [F]
The Troll Ladies were a little slow to shake off the rust, but Sarah Kanutte Fornes did the job as an 81st minute substitute driving in an 87th minute goal on a textbook spin in the box. With 5 matches left, Rosenborg remain favorites for European qualification again this year…knock on all the wood.
Motherwell 2 – 1 Ross County
County’s hopes for a turn in fortunes were doused with another lightning fast goal, with Motherwell’s Callum Slattery netting a goal in the 2nd minute. Regan Charles Cook continued his strong form with an equalizer, but couldn’t get the defense to do the job.
Minnesota 2 – 0 Houston Dynamo
Again, the Loon’s attack was impressive right off the bat. Ethan Finlay scored his second in as many games, and Robin Lod made up for Emanuel Reynoso’s unusually underwhelming performance. But the midfield and defense ran out of gas in the second half, and only a great showing by Tyler Miller kept the score line comfortable.
Freiburg 3 – 0 Augsburg
The Griffins turned out the light on their old grounds in style. Lukas Kübler had a great showing after moving up to midfield from his usual right back role, but Lucas Höler was similarly strong and the whole squad played superlatively.
Grenoble 0 – 1 Olympique Marseille [F]
Les Grenobloises dropped their first points of the year…but I have no highlights so…that’s all I know.
Rosenborg 3- 1 Mondalen[M]
Stefano Holmquist’s ridonkulous form continues. In his past 5 Eliteserien games he has 7 goals, including two more at home this weekend. It’s a nice bounce back after being bumped out of the cup earlier in the week.
The Griz are back to bossing around the big sky conference. Even on a road trip with a redshirt freshman in goal, they’ve pulled off a pair of clean sheets to open conference play. This time it was Bella O’Brien knocking in a pass during your standard crash the box corner kick.
Emelec 2 – 2 Universidad Catolica
It took a late equalizer from Jose Cevallos trundling the ball in for Emelec to dodge two defeats in a row. The dropped points of the past few weeks makes a season sweep far less likely for Los Bombillos, but the team spirit should give hope that they’ll be well suited to claim the title at the end of the year.
FK Vozdovac 1 – 1 Mladost Lucani
The Dragons should be rightfully downhearted about only scraping a point against bottom of the table Lucani. But as it’s only their first draw of the season, and it was buoyed by a brilliant Milos Pantovic run, maybe there should be some pride in coming back at least a little?
News & Notes
Welcome to the Community Owen
We celebrated Owen’s baptism while your uncle Simon and I surreptitiously checked our phones for news of the North London derby. Spoiler alert: the baptism went better. And that’s even when the pastor’s “you are blessed by the water” was met with a firm “NO! I AM NOT!” (To be fair you were pretty sick Owen, nobody was getting a smile from you.)
Whatever Red Star wants….Red Star gets
This time it was a postponement for the match against Vozdovac. It was definitely because of COVID tests (among injured players) and not at all about needing a break from a schedule that called for six games in 14 days. (Narrator voice: it might have been, but they’re the dominant team in Serbia so…)
Sweet Dreams Dreisamstadion
For almost 70 years, the best of Freiburg fußball has had one home, one the banks of the Dreisam River. But the last match is now in the books, and in 20 days a new era will start at the new Europa Stadion. New is nice, and tradition is powerful. Here’s to the past and the future in Freiburg!
Player of the Week
I tried hard to spread around the awards, recognizing teams that didn’t dominate the summer lull. But we can’t pretend like Rosenborg’s best isn’t also the best in our world this week, or even the last month: Stefano Holmquist come on down!
Standings Update
The Griz got back to the top of the heap this week after their two strong road wins to kick off conference play. Meanwhile the middle of the pack got thoroughly shuffled With Minnesota climbing, Grenoble falling, and the Staggies and Dragons starting to split hairs
Team
W
D
L
PPG
GFA
GAA
University of Montana
15
0
6
2.14
1.7
0.7
Rosenborg BK
31
4
11
2.11
2.3
1.2
Emelec
22
10
11
1.77
1.7
1.2
Minnesota United
10
7
8
1.48
1.2
1.2
Punjab FC–b
7
4
6
1.47
1.2
0.9
Grenoble
15
9
14
1.42
1.1
1.2
Freiburg
16
7
16
1.41
1.5
1.5
Legon Cities–b
11
6
11
1.39
1.2
1.0
FK Vozdovac
9
7
13
1.172
1.0
1.5
Ross County
10
5
15
1.167
1.2
1.5
Alebrijes
5
11
10
1.00
1.2
1.7
Table Updated 9/29/21 b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, September 29th
Alebrijes v. Tapatio
DC United v. Minnesota United
Thursday, September 30th
Friday, October 1st
University of Montana Grizzlies v. Sacramento State Hornets
There’s ugly and then there’s this. A bare-bottomed spanking (something you boys know nothing about) gave the Loons a lot to think about before their next match against another top opponent.
California State Long Beach 0 – 1 Montana Grizzlies
This is the game plan of Chris Citowicki at work. Knowing your strength in defense, frustrate the opponent for most of the match and hit them quick before it ends. Camilla Xu continues to show up like Claire Howard between the sticks, and her long ball to start the attack gave the Griz just what they needed to knock off another top opponent.
Remember when Grenoble was close enough to Toulouse that this was a marquee match up? It was 4 months ago. Aka a long long time. This ain’t your spring time Grenoble. So we’ll do what we can.
Kevin Schade shields the draw
Mainz 0 – 0 Freiburg [M]
Mainz had the better of the match against Freiburg. To be fair, Freiburg was running a little behind without some of their most in form players (Vincenzo Grifo and Woo-Yeong Jeong), so the draw still feels worth it.
Ross County 2 – 2 Hearts
Who’d have thought that finally playing Regan Charles Cook up in the attack would pay off (for the record: all the Staggies fans for two years…all of them…the whole time). He buoyed Blair Spittal in the midfield, helping him to a first half brace. Also Ashley Maynard-Brewer made his first appearance in goal and despite the late equalizer, acquitted himself well.
Vozdovac 1 – 2 FK Radnicki 1923
While Milos Milovic netted a strong equalizer, it was a short lived draw. Radnicki got the lead back within another minute and thus the Dragons continued to slip.
Minnesota 3 – 0 LA Galaxy
I helped get you two to bed and raced over to catch the second half of the game with 19,000 close friends (and a double layered mask). It did not disappoint. I missed Emanuel Reynoso’s superb first half goals, but I did see a special appearance by Ethan Finlay who made every run more dangerous, scored a solid goal, and stopped another attack dead in its tracks, more on that later.
Sarpsborg 08 1 – 3 Rosenborg [M]
Stefano Holmquist Vecchio continued to be in great form, as Rosenborg continued to battle towards the top. Meanwhile the back line continued to control the area and refused to let Sarpsborg near the goal. So tip the cap and say a “tusen takk” to Even Hovland and Erland Dahl Reitan.
LDU Quito 3- 2 Emelec [M]
The replay of last week’s postponed game was a barnburner, the down side being that the loss dropped Emelec out of fist place. It was an impressive piece of story telling as Andersson Ordonez finished a game winning penalty after giving up an own goal in the first three minutes.
Grenoble 4 – 1 Nancy [M]
Apparently it’s also not Friday’s Grenoble, as they absolutely dominated Nancy throughout the field. (To be fair, Nancy has a scant three points in the year, so…really shoulda won it). While the back line was make shift, Loic Nestor made the most of his player of the week honors with a goal, Yoric Ravet (our first two favorite team player) got a goal, an assist and a man of the match honors.
News & Notes
Conveniently COVID
Naturally, you boys celebrated your first week back at school with that school’s first ever positive COVID test. The school was shuttered on Monday, and your mom and I made sure that you had somebody to be with (ie. us rather than your grandparents.) It’s just a little hard that this thing that has shifted all our expectations for your life and world is still complicating life 18 months after it started.
Lerkendal’s Legend Grows
With Stefano Holmquist Vecchia’s brace Rosenborg hit the Century mark for goals scored this year between both the Menner og Kvinner. So cheers to everyone who made it happen: especially Julie Blackstad, Lisa Marie Utland, and Kristoffer Zacharaissen (yes…I used this as an excuse to bring up my three favorite Norwegians).
Player of the Week
I can admit that I’m biased, but since I saw him, and I was in such a good mood watching his performance that Ethan Finlay made my night. So Ethan gets the shout out.
Standings Update
Despite a split in the week, Grenoble got the points they needed to move one thousandth of a point ahead of Punjab FC into fourth place, while the Grizzlies continue to keep Rosenborg in their sights for the top spot.
The last glimmers of Rosenborg’s quest for Europe vanished with their loss at home to the French side. Both the men and women faltered in the past two weeks, but both came closer than any other European side.
Cal Poly Mustangs 2 – 1 Montana Grizzlies
The Griz got their first lead of the season on Sydney Haustein’s first goal (a banger too). But a late defensive miscue led to their third loss of the season (more defeats than the entirety of the spring campaign)
Hasret Kayicki got Freiburg off the mark quickly and on top of the league for 11 glorious minutes. Then the second half started with a Hoffenheim equalizer and hope faded fast.
Stuttgart 2 – 3 Freiburg [M]
Woo-Yong Jeong racked up a brace within 10 minutes to send Freiburg flying past former goalie Florian Muller. Fellow striker Carlo Holse made it three before the trouble started. Stuttgart made a good comeback before the first half ended but Freiburg shut the door in the second half to grab the win.
Sochaux 1 – 0 Grenoble [M]
Grenoble got a win last week but slid right back to losing ways this week. Loic Nestor and Adrien Monfry did well to frustrate Sochaux’s attack…but couldn’t beat back the tide.
Houston 1 – 2 Minnesota United
Adrien Honou found his scoring boots and not a moment to soon as an injury ravaged Loons team got a valuable win to end their dry spell. He didn’t knock in any beauties, but he did what needed to be done with the strong service from Ethan Finlay that made it all possible.
[Rosenborg 0 – 3 Barcelona–F Friendly]
This won’t count in our standings as a victory would have been meaningless, but it’s worth noting that this was the first time one of our teams faced one of the game’s 12 behemoths…it didn’t go well, but now RBK can reset and build up to this level.
Emelec 4 – 0 Olmedo [M]
Beating up on the bottom side put Emelec in first place for the moment, closer to claiming the league title outright. Though with 9 games to go, it’s too early to pop champagne corks in Guayaquil. Joao Rojas remains on fire, as the offense shows no sign of slowing down [they’ve scored two in 5 of the 6 games since the start of phase 2]. Emelec’s performance was about as superlative as it’s possible to be…just enjoy the highlights.
Aberdeen 1 – 1 Ross County
Regan Charles Cook hasn’t gotten his name on here nearly often enough (spotty playing time and teammates’ inconsistent finishing on his key passes hasn’t helped). A solid goal following up on a gilded opportunity gave County hope, but he was unable to haul the staggies over the line. But, frankly, we’re ok with that. (Former Minnesota United player Christian Ramirez struck the equalizer in his enthusiastic door busting style. So this is a time when everybody wins even when no one does)
Viking 2 – 1 Rosenborg [M]
Young midfielder Olaus Jaír Skansen gave a strong showing in the new transfer’s first real runout with Rosenborg. Being tasked with providing the replacement creativity for man crush Cristopher Zachariassen isn’t easy, but he showed good promise… fellow midfield newcomer Pavle Vagic…not so much.
UDG 1 – 1 Alebrijes
So…flipping…close!!!
Oaxaca had a man advantage. They got the lead from Lizandro Echeverria’s solid header with just six minutes to play….and yet…
An 88th minute hand ball from (I think) Adrian Vasquez gave the black lions a valuable penalty that turned into the equalizer and left Alebrijes on 3 points in five matches. [Insert heavy sigh]
Montana Grizzlies 4 – 0 Montana State University-Billings Yellow Jackets
The Griz got their first win of the fall. Yes, it came against a lower Division side. No, it doesn’t outweigh the frustrating narrow losses to tougher opponents. But a Jaden Griggs hat trick, and the defense’s first clean sheet, did the job. So let’s root for positive momentum heading in to next week.
The Red Dragons got a few extra days off and delivered a win over the newly promoted Kolubara to push them into a three game winning streak. The newly promoted Green-Blacks never looked terribly dangerous in attack and often appeared wrong footed in defense. Milos Pantovic carved them up with Nikola Vujnovic and Justas Lasickas providing the goals. Before you could blink Vozdovac is in 5th place
News & Notes
Taking a[n International] break
This week most men’s leagues are taking a break to squeeze in a rapid round of World Cup Qualifiers. Simultaneously, we’ll be trekking to and from Montana for farewells to some extended family. So expect few details and more family time.
The Devil’s Candy
Ronaldo’s mirror likeness
When I was a kid, the first European kit I had that most people recognized was Manchester United. An English team with a chunk of championships, a masterful manager, and ubiquitously famous players. They were easy to dislike.
The last decade has been less kind as managers burn out, famous stars flame out, and champs become chumps (especially as their cross town rivals became a dominant side) . But in the span of a few hours this week they relearned all the disgust and loathing from around the world.
How? By re-signing former star, frequent candidate for worlds best, and maddeningly perfect Physical specimen: Cristiano Ronaldo. Thanks for doing what you always do and making it easy to dislike you Man U.
Player of the Week
There were lots of scoring stars we don’t talk about much this week: Woo-Yong Jeong, Adrien Honou, Jaden Griggs. But we can’t deny that we’ve probably owed a nod to Nikola Vujnovic whose excellent form has hoisted the Red Dragons from the depths of Serbia’s league to the outskirts of the European chase.
Standings Update
Rosenborg’s grasp on the top spot slipped after a rough week and the Griz were there to claw their way back to a tie (only goal differential separates them). The same is true for Punjab and Freiburg where Chencho Gyeltshen’s offense helps keep the goal advantage
MacKenzie's Boot Room 