Some Soccer News for Aug 16, 2016

It's Day 229 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: Did you go to or watch any International Champions Cup games this Summer? #ICCxESPN

dN

Some of the blanks are finally being filled in on the future of Minnesota United. By Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press.

• Team will switch leagues in 2017 to MLS.

• Their WILL be a MLS expansion draft. Lots of talk over the last year said this was NOT going to happen.

• No confirmation of name change.

• No confirmation of games being played at TCF Bank Stadium next season.

• But both name and stadium updates are expected.

• Big event coming up Friday evening in St Paul with the club.

dN

[LINK FIXED]
How did Minnesota United end up with a plan to build a stadium in St Paul when the initial location was in Minneapolis? (Part 1 of 3) By Brian Quarstad of Fifty Five.

dN

Queretaro campaigning for Jonathan Bornstein to be included in the next USMNT squad for World Cup Qualifying games on Sep 2 and 6:

|@JonnyBornstein mandó mensaje a @ussoccer y @J_Klinsmann: está listo para volver a la selección. #SiempreGallos pic.twitter.com/AOrfg5H54t

— Gallos de Querétaro (@Club_Queretaro) August 12, 2016

• Thanks to Brian Sciaretta for the heads up.

dN

Orlando City under new head coach Jason Kreis - 4 points:

• Jul 31 - W 3-1 v New England

• Aug 7 - L 1-3 at Seattle

• Aug 14 - D 2-2 at Chicago

dN

Seattle Sounders under interim head coach Brian Schmetzer - 7 points:

• Jul 31 - D 1-1 v LA

• Aug 7 - W 1-3 at Orlando

• Aug 14 - W 2-1 v Salt Lake

dN

FC Dallas is literally battling on 3 fronts at the same time. MLS Supporters Shield, US Open Cup, and CONCACAF Champions League. And doing so with a very small roster and tiny payroll, and lots of inexperienced homegrown players. If they don't crack at some point along the way it will be remarkable.

dN

Sacha Kljestan is having another strong season for Red Bull New York, but is he the best at his position in the league? Paul Tenorio of Four Four Two makes that case.

• I would think that Diego Valeri, Mauro Diaz, Kaka, Javier Morales, and on really good days 1 or 2 more might have something to say about that.

• We can all argue about what we think a real #10 player is. To me its an attacking/play-making midfielder that plays behind the forward(s).

dN

Bradley Wright-Phillips of New York Red Bulls named MLS Player of the Week

Alhassane Keita of Jacksonville named NASL Player of the Week

Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla of FC Montreal named USL Player of the Week

dN

NASL Week 18 - mid-week matches:
-Wed Aug 17
Jacksonville v Fort Lauderdale
Minnesota v Tampa Bay

dN

The word on the streets of San Francisco is that Marc Dos Santos will be the first head coach of SF Deltas, who begin play in NASL next year. Two Saints is currently coach of Swope Park Rangers in USL and previously the head man in Ottawa and Montreal in the NASL.

dN

Fort Lauderdale's big Summer signing Amauri scored on his debut. That's how its done.

• By the way, how in the world does Miami go from crushing Minnesota 0-4 on the road last week to getting beat at home 0-2 by the bums from Ft L?

dN

Edmonton won for the 9th consecutive time at home. Only loss was in Week 2 to Minnesota.

dN

Most Overrated Movies Power Rankings:

• 5. Platoon

• 4. Back To The Future

• 3. Avatar

• 2. Shawshank Redemption

• 1. Lord Of The Rings

dN

CONCACAF Champions League group stage Matchday 2 schedule:

• Sporting KC has to travel all the way to the island nation of Trinidad + Tobago (just off the coast of Venezuela) for tonight's game, while RBNY has to go way down to Central America to El Salvador.

• Viewing options: 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 0-0 Sweden - SWE advanced 4-3 in Penalty Kick Shootout.
Germany v Canada
Men's
-Wed Aug 17
Brazil v Honduras
Nigeria v Germany

dN

William Yarbrough, Miguel Ibarra and Leon are off to a horrendous start in the Liga MX Apertura season: 0 Wins - 1 Draw - 4 Losses - 1 Point - 1 Goal For - 11 Goals Allowed - Last Place. Oof.

dN

On Tue Aug 16th Fabian Johnson + Monchengladbach travel to Young Boys in Bern Switzerland for the UEFA Champions League Playoff Round - 1st Leg.

• 2nd Leg matches next week.

• Group Stage draw will be held on Thu Aug 25.

dN

La Liga and Serie A both open their new seasons this coming weekend.

dN

I have an odd feeling that Leicester City will struggle to avoid a relegation battle in the English Premier League this season. They lost some key players and NO ONE will take them lightly.

dN

Brazilian Joao Havelange who took the business of world football from backwater to the front page, filling his pockets and teaching Sepp Blatter every crooked trick he knew, has died at age 100. RIP.



The Bird Is The Word