Some Soccer News for Aug 15, 2016

It's Day 228 of 2016.


Giveaway Sweepstakes Time:
I am going to be asking some soccer questions and compiling answers throughout the week to give away a customized ESPN Deportes soccer jersey with "du Nord" on the back.

• One winner will be drawn from all the entries posted on the du Nord Futbol blog, and my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

• Today's question: Do you watch Mexican soccer? Who is your team?

dN

The USA Women have never been knocked out of the Olympics this early before. What does this mean about the program, and what comes next? By Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated.

dN

A trip through the first ever use of the Video Assistant Referee! Happened during a USL game between New York Red Bulls II and Orlando City B. By Dave Martinez of the Guardian.

• I did not know the ref would walk off the field and look at a video screen. I assumed an additional referee would review and make the call. What happens in blistering heat, brutal cold, pouring rain or snow? How do they check the screen then?

dN

My MLS Notes:

• Vancouver was my pick to win MLS Cup this year, I know I know, and they are in a total tailspin. Actually the season has been out of whack since the start. 5 in a row now without a win and 3 losses in a row. Not to mention in 8th place with 9 games to play. The job of head coach Carl Robinson has to be in jeopardy.

• In the Dallas v KC match all 4 goals were scored between minutes 66 and 76.

• Nigel De Jong has become such a menace on the field that this week he crushed his own goal keeper, recklessly going after a ball and kneeing Brian Perk in the head, busting Perk wide open and probably concussing him. Get him outta here.

• Huge road win for Philly, 0-4 at the Revs, with Bedoya getting his first start. Up, up and away?

• New England is really struggling in the league, nearing Columbus and Chicago's level.

• NYC scored on a PK two minutes into stoppage time and thought they had beat Columbus, but the Crew scored 2 minutes later to claw back a tie.

• Bradley Wright Phillips scored 2 more goals for RBNY who are getting hot at the right time.

• The Houston v Toronto game was delayed 24 hours due to lighting. It ended in a 1-1 tie.

• Frank Lampard has scored 9 goals in 10 games. Remember earlier this summer when he was terrible?!?!

dN

Entertaining expert analysis of Week 23. By Matt Doyle of MLSSoccer.

dN

MLS Week 23
Big Matches:
-Sat Aug 13
Dallas 2-2 Sporting Kansas City
LA Galaxy 1-1 Colorado Rapids

dN

MLS must-see goals of the week:

• Shkelzen Gashi

• Joao Plata (for Stefan Frei blunder)

• Nicolas Lodeiro

• Christian Maidana

• Jozy Altidore

• Roland Alberg (for pathetic TV commentator)

• Ignacio Piatti

• Sean Davis (for Mike Grella assist)

dN

Diego Valeri is having another great season in Portland, and he loves being there. Its a story other teams should look to emulate. By Brian Straus of Sports Illustrated.

dN

How much fun is it watching Usain Bolt run? Its just incredible to watch humans move that fast.

dN

Buzzfeed: "Twitter is a Honeypot for Assholes.” Strong sentiment.

• (I have very little clue what Buzzfeed is all about. I have heard it referred to as a honeypot for the dimwitted.)

• Sure, Twitter can be a drag, but that is what the BLOCK function is for. I love Twitter. But if its not for you, then its not for you.

dN

20 year old American midfielder Lynden Gooch made his Premier League debut on Saturday starting for Sunderland in a 2-1 loss at Manchester City. He played 65 minutes.

dN

Brad Guzan finds himself in a back up role at Middlesbrough behind Victor Valdez. He is going to have to work very hard to become the starter.

dN

NASL Week 17
Big Matches:
-Sat Aug 13
Indy Eleven 2-1 Rayo OKC
-Sun Aug 14
Edmonton 1-0 Minnesota United

dN

Yes, of course Indy won again with a goal after the 80th minute. It is etched in stone from an ancient text that this is how the 2016 season must be performed.

dN

Jacksonville fired their head coach and immediately wins a game. That is the desired effect.

dN

Edmonton pulled a heist to start the 2nd half, bum rushing the Minn goal until the wall broke and the goal went it. Then they barred the door in front of their own goal. Well done. Minnesota came out of the locker room after the break without a change of plan and were totally outplayed. Sad to watch.

dN

Minnesota plays at home on Wed Aug 17 against Tampa Bay beginning a run of 4 straight games against Florida teams, with the last 3 all on the road at Jacksonville (20th), Miami (27th), and Fort Lauderdale (31st). Last time Tampa came to Minnesota they won 0-2 in late May.

• MU has collected 8 points in last 7 games, with 6 coming in 2 home wins. And only 2 points from the last 4 games.

dN

CONCACAF Champions League group stage Matchday 2 schedule:

• Kansas City, Red Bulls, Monterrey, Tigres and Pumas are up this week.

• Univision Deportes + Facebook (CONCACAF Champions League page)

-Tue Aug 16
Central (T+T) v Sporting Kansas City (USA)
Olimpia (HON) v Police United (BEL)
Alianza (SAL) v New York Red Bulls (USA)
-Wed Aug 17
Monterrey (MEX) v Arabe Unido (PAN)
Herediano (CR) v Tigres UANL (MEX)
-Thu Aug 18
Suchitepequez (GUA) v Real Esteli (NIC)
Pumas UNAM (MEX) v Progreso (HON)
Saprissa (CR) v Dragon (SAL)

dN

Olympic Tournament Semifinals Match Schedule:
Women's
-Tue Aug 16
Brazil v Sweden
Germany v Canada
Men's
-Wed Aug 17
Brazil v Honduras
Nigeria v Germany

dN

10 unknown young players in the English Premier League to watch for this season. By Ben Lyttleton of Sports Illustrated.

dN

Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend's action. From the Guardian.



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