Some Soccer News for Oct 31, 2017

It's Day 304 of 2017.


USMNT roster for Portugal friendly is not expected until next Monday.

Friendly Schedule:
-Tue Nov 14
Portugal v USA - 12:45pm CT on FS1
Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa, Leiria

US Soccer still planning on annual USMNT January camp at Stub Hub center training facilities in LA. Plus more tid bits. By Steven Goff for the Washington Post.

There are rumors of a game against Mexico in San Antonio.

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Italy's legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has announced that he will retire at the end of this season.

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MLS PLAYOFFS

Toronto won at Red Bulls last night, but just as big a story was the constant booing of Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley by NYRB fans. To be expected, right. But they it went to the next level with a loud chant of "Fuck You Jozy." Altidore was not amused:

Here's Jozy Altidore after tonight's game on being booed (which he was fine with) and cursed at (which he wasn't fine with) by RBNY fans: pic.twitter.com/bhSWqOb5kD

— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) October 31, 2017

Diego Chara of Portland broke a bone in his foot last night. They haven't won a game without him this season. Not good.

Quarterfinals Schedule/Results:
1st Leg
-Sun Oct 29
Vancouver 0-0 Seattle
-Mon Oct 30
NYRB 1-2 Toronto - Giovinco. Who else? His 14th free kick goal of 2017.
Houston 0-0 Portland - did the brutal field lead to brutal injuries?
-Tue Oct 31
Columbus v NYCFC - 7:00pm CT

Previews:

• Columbus - The game might be more interesting in the stands than on the field. By for the Columbus Dispatch.
• New York - Are the heavy favorites actually ready? By Kyle Schnitzer for the New York Post.

2nd Leg
-Thu Nov 2
Seattle v Vancouver - 9:30pm CT
-Sun Nov 5
Toronto v NYRB - 2:00pm CT
-Mon Nov 6
NYCFC v Columbus - TBA CT
Portland v Houston - TBA CT

Last season due to a heart thingy Clint Dempsey was not a part of Seattle's playoff and MLS Cup win. He gets another one this year, and he probably won't get a lot more chances. By Jeff Carlisle for ESPNFC.

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Rest In Peace Dennis Banks.

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MINNESOTA UNITED

Abu Danladi is officially one of three finalists for MLS Rookie of the Year. The other two are Jack Elliot of Philadelphia and Julian Gressel of Atlanta.

MNUFC Academy teams have their first derby matches!
-Sun Nov 5
Minnesota Thunder v Minnesota United
U-13 - 1:00 PM
U-14 - 3:00 PM
LOCATION CHANGE:Kuhlman Stadium (Upper Field) - Edina Community Center
5701 Normandale Road, Edina
Hwy 100 + Benton Ave - just north of Hwy 62

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NASL PLAYOFFS

The top NASL players who should be on MLS teams are....? By Jeff Rueter for Four Four Two.

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US SOCCER

Some news on the inner-workings of US Soccer and the future. By Grant Wahl for Sports Illustrated.

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AMERICANS ABROAD

Yesterday I linked to an article with Bobby Wood's coach having hope Wood could pick up the goal scoring again. Today? Totally the opposite - Wood is going down the shitter. By Stephan Uersfeld for ESPNFC.

• "He's descended into a negative spiral from which he has to free himself. He has the potential to be a good forward, but he is not in any sort of form right now. He might give it his all, but things are not going well for him somehow."

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COPA LIBERTADORES

Semifinal Schedule:
(no TV in America)
2nd Leg
-Oct 31
Lanus v River Plate (0-1)
-Nov 1
Gremio v Barcelona (3-0)

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MEXICO - COPA MX

Quarterfinals Schedule:
-Oct 31
Guadalajara v Atlante
Pachuca v Tijuana
America v Queretaro
Monterry v Santos Laguna

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EUROPEAN NEWS

The top 5 teams in Italy (Napoli, Inter, Juventus, Lazio and Roma) are so far ahead of the pack, in terms of wins and quality, already that they might has well have their own league this season. By Paolo Bandini for the Guardian.

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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - GROUP STAGE

Matchday 4 game schedule

Highlighted matchups:
-Tue Oct 31
Roma v Chelsea
-Wed Nov 1
Napoli v Manchester City
Tottenham v Real Madrid

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Boo! You dirty little weasels!



The Bird Is The Word