Some Soccer News for Aug 18, 2016

It's Day 231 of 2016.


Giveaway Sweepstakes Time:

• I have been asking some soccer questions and compiling answers from you the reader throughout the week in order to give away a customized @ESPNDeportes soccer jersey with "du Nord" on the back. Today is the last day of questions.

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

• Final Question: What is that one stadium in the world where you want to go see a game?

dN

Fellow Dark Clouds,
This is what its all about.
Support your club at every corner.
By any name.
In any league.
Stand up and be proudly counted.
This is a huge moment for Minnesota soccer.
Just think back to all the times (and there have been many) when we
didn't even know if we would have a team again.
For the past 3 seasons we have had that peace of mind, and its about
to get a lot bigger and way better.
Not to mention the new stadium that's on the way.
Oh Yeah!
Be Here Now.
Fri Aug 19

dN

Minnesota got a home win last night on goals by Ben Speas and Christian Ramirez.

• Game highlights [VIDEO]

• On the first goal we saw a classic blunder from TBR defense and Speas made them pay.

• That was the most ordinary TBR team I have ever seen. Almost toothless.

dN

NASL Week 18 - mid-week matches:
-Wed Aug 17
Minnesota 2-0 Tampa Bay
Jacksonville 1-1 Fort Lauderdale


NASL Week 18 - Coming up:
-Sat Aug 20
Jacksonville v Minnesota
Fort Lauderdale v Ottawa
Carolina v Indy
Puerto Rico v Cosmos
Tampa Bay v Edmonton
OKC v Miami

dN

Minnesota-American goalkeeper Cody Cropper has signed with New England Revolution. He was with MK Dons last season, and Southampton for a few years before that. In the offseason he had shoulder surgery (I believe) and did his rehab with the Minnesota United medical/training team.

dN

Meet the 1981 Minnesota Kicks:

Today's #NASLKitoftheDay the 1981 #MinnesotaKicks Away Kit. #MinnesotaSoccer #NASL pic.twitter.com/r8FRBkhqpJ

— Classic NASL (@ClassicNASL) August 18, 2016

dN

In Copa MX on Wed night we saw several Americans in action and inaction:

• For Leon it was a 1-1 tie at Celaya with William Yarbrough on the bench, and NO sign of Miguel Ibarra whatsoever.

• Tijuana was flying the Stars + Stripes as usual with 20 year old Amando Moreno getting the start and scoring in a 1-1 tie v Lobos BUAP. Paul Arriola and John Requejo both went the full 90, while 17 year old Brandon Vazquez came on in the 60th as a sub for Moreno.

dN

Big Matches in MLS Week 24
-Sat Aug 20
New York City v LA Galaxy
Philadelphia Union v Toronto
Real Salt Lake v Dallas
-Sun Aug 21
Seattle Sounders v Portland Timbers

dN

Some atrocious TV ratings for MLS lately. There are no excuses. By Collin Werner of World Soccer Talk.

dN

CONCACAF Champions League group stage Matchday 2 schedule:

• Monterrey was stunned at home, losing 2-3 to Arabe Unido of Panama!

• Whereas Tigres went on the road and rolled to a 1-3 win in Costa Rica.

• Pumas is the last big team to play this week, tonight in Honduras.

• Viewing options: Univision Deportes and Facebook.

-Wed Aug 17
Monterrey (MEX) 2-3 Arabe Unido (PAN)
Herediano (CR) 1-3 Tigres UANL (MEX)
-Thu Aug 18
Suchitepequez (GUA) v Real Esteli (NIC)
Pumas UNAM (MEX) v Progreso (HON)
Saprissa (CR) v Dragon (SAL)

• Matchday 3 is coming next week with Vancouver hosting Kansas City and many more.

dN

Bob Bradley + Le Havre Tracker:
Up Next - Fri Aug 19 v Troyes

dN

The new La Liga season begins on Fri Aug 19, but the main action starts on Sat Aug 20 with Barcelona v Real Betis. And then on Sun Aug 21 its Real Sociedad v Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid v Deportivo Alaves.

dN

The new Serie A season begins this weekend with defending champions Juventus hosting Fiorentina on Sat Aug 20 in the weekends biggest match.

• A season preview, but is there anything anything to discuss beyond total Juve domination? by Paolo Bandini of the Guardian.

dN

Olympic Tournament Finals:

Women's
-Fri Aug 19
Sweden v Germany

Men's
-Sat Aug 20
Brazil v Germany



The Bird Is The Word