Indy 11 on ESPN Desportes & TV 23 Today/Sunday at 5 pm vs Orange County SC
Indy Eleven extended its winning streak to two games and unbeaten streak to four tonight with a 2-1 win over Atlanta United 2 at IUPUI Carroll Stadium. The Blues were hot early and late, going ahead on a Nicky Law goal in the 12th minute before finishing the job in dramatic fashion in stoppage time on Aris Briggs’ 92nd minute game-winner. The first home win of 2022 kicked off a five-of-six game home stint for the Boys in Blue that will run through the end of May. That run continues TODAY against defending USL Championship title-winner Orange County SC on Faith & Family Night. The match-up at “The Mike” will mark Indy Eleven’s lone USL on ESPN appearance of 2022, with the 5:30 p.m. kickoff airing live on ESPN Desportes. Tix available starting at just $15 and can be purchased online at indyeleven.com/tickets. In other USL News former CFC GK Coach and former Indy 11 GK Jordan Farr was voted to the had the Save of the Week in all of US Soccer with this spectacular double save to help San Antonio beat MLS side Austin FC to advance to the next round of the US Open Cup where they face Houston.
LAW EARNS USLC TEAM OF THE WEEK NOD
Indy 11 wins again 2-1 vs Atlanta 2
Former GK Jordan Farr with Double Save
USMNT Hosts Morocco in Cincy June 5th
The US returns to The Queen City on Wed, June 5th as the US will host fellow World Cup team Morocco – these were the scenes last time Cincy hosted a US Game. The US GK discussion goes full alert mode after Zach Steffan’s howler vs Liverpool in the FA Cup last weekend. I still think Matt Turner is our #1 GK – he’s our top shot-stopper and in World Cup play that is what matters. Of course the news that Poland is looking to woo the the US GK of the future, the 17 year-old who leads the MLS in clean sheets, GAGA Gabriel Slonina of the Chicago Fire is alarming. If I am Berhalter – I have him on the roster for Nations League play this summer and get him some playing time against weaker foes. Pulisic’s late winner saves Chelsea
Starting a New Thing this week – I like to call AH REFFING
As as ref – I get to see some strange things on the field sometimes from idiots arguing their dogs sitting 3 feet from the field with U12 kids playing, to coaches questioning throw-ins like its life or death. I thought I would start this at least once a month AH REFFING Segment where I could feature some reffing around the world things. Lets start with this no no – Yellow Card followed by selfie , here the ref blows the call in the Arsenal vs Chelsea.
Champions League Final 4 Tues/Wed on CBS
The Champions League Semi-finals kickoff this week – with Man City hosting Real Madrid on Tues at 3 pm on CBS. Gotta love this celebration from Villareal now they host perhaps the hottest team in the World Liverpool on Wed at 3 pm on CBS. Preview. Read all about it below in the OBC.
Around the World
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo thanked Liverpool supporters for their display of support in Tuesday’s Premier League meeting between the teams, which he missed due to the death of his newborn son. Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, had announced in October they were expecting twins, but said on Monday that one of the two babies had died. Ronaldo was given a standing ovation by fans in the seventh minute of the match at Anfield, with Liverpool fans singing: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” while their United counterparts applauded. I TRULY LOVE THIS GAME – ESPECIALLY WHEN IT TRANSENDS SPORT! Look at this spectacular pass by Liverpool’s Mo Salah to Mane
Big Games to Watch
Gotta hate this double flop from last weekend but MLS will feature bigtime on Sunday with a triple header on National TV. Inter Miami hosts Atlanta United at 1 pm on ESPN, followed by Orlando vs NY Red bull at 3:30 pm. Finally Cincy hosts LAFC at 5 pm of FS1. The NWSL wraps up the final weekend of the Challenge Cup with Racing Louisville traveling to Houston on CBS Sports Network before Angel City hosts Portland at 9 pm on Paramount plus. Here the Family and I enjoyed our first NWSL game at the San Diego Wave stadium as Alex Morgan scored right in front of us. Monday gives us Leeds United and US coach Jesse Marsch trying to keep them up as they travel to Crystal Palace – currently they stand 3 pts clear of the last 3 Everton. Tuesday the CONCACAF Champions League has Seattle looking to become the first MLS team to win the competition as they travel to PUMAS. Seattle Sounders v Pumas Match Preview,
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BIG GAMES ON TV
(American’s in parenthesis)
Sun, Apr 24
1 pm ESPN Inter Miami vs Atlanta United
3:30 pm ESPN Orlando SF vs NY Red Bulls
5 pm FS1 Cincy vs LAFC
5 pm My TV 23 Indy 11 vs Orange Co. @ the Mike
6 pm CBSSN Racing Louisville vs Houston Dash NWSL
9 pm Para+ Angel City vs Portland Thorns
Mon, Apr 25
3 pm USA Crystal Palace vs Leeds United (Jesse Marsch)
Tue Apr 26 – Champs League
3 pm CBS Man City vs Real Madrid
Wed Apr 27 – Champs League
3 pm CBS Villareal vs Liverpool
7:30 pm FS1 Pumas vs Seattle Sounders
Thurs, Apr 28 – Europa League
8:45 am USA Man United vs Chelsea(Pulisic)
3 Para+ RB Leipzig (Adams) vs Rangers (Carter Vickers )
3 Para + West Ham United vs Frankfurt (Chandler)
3 pm Pata+ Leicester City vs Roma
USA
Pulisic’s late winner saves Chelsea
Pep Defends US GK Zack Steffan after howler
Zach Steffan the Discussion – Lalas
The US is Returning to Cincy June 5 vs Morroco
US has its Work Cut out for it – The 18
US Goalkeeper MLS Chicago Star being courted by Poland
Why can’t more American soccer coaches get hired in Europe? ESPN Noah Davis
US Ladies learn draw for WCQ this summer
Champions League
3 biggest keys to victory for Real Madrid vs. Manchester City in the first leg
Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction vs. Manchester City for Champions League semifinal first leg
Real Madrid Suffer Major Injury Blow Ahead of Manchester …
Preview: Manchester City vs. Real Madrid – Sports Mole
Villareal are demanding respect from ‘humble’ Liverpool ahead of European
Any smug Liverpool fans should read the small print on Unai Emery – he was born
Champions League talking points: Is Liverpool-Man City final inevitable?
Simeone proud after Atletico’s UCL exit to City
Reffing
Yellow Card followed by selfie
ref blows the call in the Arsenal vs Chelsea.
You make the call – Sporting KC vs Columbus Crew
World
Look at this spectacular pass by Liverpool’s Mo Salah to Mane – wow.
ESPN’s Watchability Rankings: Europe’s most fun teams, from Barcelona to Liverpool
Goalkeeping
Carmel FC Goalkeeper training up right – a little diving on Thursday afternoon at Badger Field ! The Oleballcoach and Coach Noelle Wolfson coaching up the GKs for Carmel FC each week.
Zach Steffan’s howler vs Liverpool
GAGA US 17 Year Old Sensation is MLS Clean Sheet leader for Chicago Fire
Best Premier League Saves March 2022
Aris Briggs’ Dramatic Winner in Stoppage Time Pushes Indy’s Unbeaten Run to Four Games, Win Streak to Two
INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, April 16, 2022) – Indy Eleven extended its winning streak to two games and unbeaten streak to four tonight with a 2-1 win over Atlanta United 2 at IUPUI Carroll Stadium. Indiana’s Team was hot early and late, going ahead on a Nicky Law goal in the 12th minute before finishing the job in dramatic fashion in stoppage time on Aris Briggs’ 92nd minute game-winner.The first home win of 2022 kicked off a five-of-six game home stint for the Boys in Blue that will run through the end of May. That run continues next Sunday, April 24, against defending USL Championship title-winner Orange County SC on Faith & Family Night, presented by He Gets Us.The Boys in Blue started the match firing on all cylinders, their first prime scoring chance coming in the 10th minute. Forward Stefano Pinho, who netted three of the team’s four goals leading up to the match, was fouled towards the top of the area by Atlanta’s Nelson Orji, who was awarded a yellow card for the act. It would be midfielder Law who took the free kick from roughly 20 yards away, knocking it into the right side of goal to put Indy up in the 12th minute. Atlanta generated its first scoring chance soon after, with midfielder Erik Centeno’s shot sailing wide left of the net. Indy kept its foot on the gas, with a slew of chances around the 20-minute mark that got the Brickyard Battalion on their feet, including a beautiful delivery from Bryam Rebellon to Pinho that sailed just right of the goal. Late chances by Pinho and Raul Aguilera would narrowly go over the crossbar, and the score remained 1-0 in favor of Indy heading into the halftime break.The Boys in Blue picked up right where they left off to start the second half, with Law delivering a pass to Pinho to create a chance and an ensuing corner kick. Atlanta responded with a chance of its own, as Centeno nearly caught Indy goaltender Elliot Panicco off-guard on a tough-angled shot that caught the wind and forced the netminder to spike the ball over the bar to keep it out of goal. Indy’s next chance came on a 50-yard dash down the field from Fjeldberg in the 60th minute, but his impressive run and central cut ended with a wide effort.Atlanta’s attack came to life in the middle of the second half, and the persistence soon paid off. Forward Jackson Conway scored the equalizing goal in the 68th minute on a feed from substitute Grant Howard, evening the score at 1-1. Indy responded strongly by generating several chances, including a pretty shot from Fjeldberg that Atlanta goaltender Justin Garces just got his fingertips on to make the save. Following a questionable penalty no-call when Rebellon went to ground under heavy contact in the area, head coach Mark Lowry made a slew of changes, inserting Ayoze, Manuel Arteaga, and Alex McQueen into the lineup in hopes of generating a late offensive push.Lowry’s substitutions did exactly that, as 11 of Indy’s 21 shots came after those 78th minute line change. In his first action at “The Mike” this season, Ayoze got things started by booting a corner kick towards the net in the 81st minute, with several shots resulting from his kick. It was Arteaga’s home debut as well, and he got the fans on their feet with two shots on goal in the 86th minute. The flurry of activity continued into the final minutes of regulation, with Pinho and Law both seeing shots ricochet off the post and out, while Arteaga’s fourth shot in just 12 minutes went awry. Five minutes of stoppage time would be added, and Indy quickly continued its offensive barrage. A give-and-go from Law and Arteaga in the 92nd minute gave Briggs an open lane, and he converted on Law’s pass from 10 yards out to give the Eleven a hard-earned lead. Briggs nearly put the nail in the coffin with a second two minutes later, only to see his 1-v-1 chance saved, but no insurance was necessary to allow the Boys in Blue a win in their second consecutive game. The first home win for Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry marked the first game of a three-game homestand, which continues with next Sunday’s 5:30 p.m. ET kickoff against Orange County SC. Tickets for all Indy Eleven regular season contests at IUPUI Carroll Stadium are available starting at just $15 and can be purchased online at indyeleven.com/tickets. Fans who cannot make it to The Mike can follow the action on ESPN Deportes, MyINDY-TV 23, Exitos Radio 94.3 FM/943exitos.com, and the @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers.
2022 USL Championship Regular Season – Matchday 6
Indy Eleven 2 : 1 Atlanta United 2
Saturday, April 16, 2022
IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Scoring Summary:
IND – Nicky Law (unassisted) 12’
ATL – Jackson Conway (Grant Howard) 68’
IND – Aris Briggs (Nicky Law) 90’+2’
Disciplinary Summary:
ATL – Nelson Orji (yellow card) 10’
IND – A.J. Cochran (yellow card) 14’
IND – Sam Brown (yellow card) 27’
IND – Jonas Fjeldberg (yellow card) 29’
ATL – Howard Grant (yellow card) 90’+5’
Indy Eleven lineup (4-4-2): Elliot Panicco; Jared Timmer, A.J. Cochran (captain), Mechack Jerome, Bryam Rebellon (Alex McQueen 78’); Sam Brown (Justin Ingram 45’), Raul Aguilera, Noah Powder (Ayoze 78’), Nicky Law; Jonas Fjeldberg (Miguel Arteaga 78’), Stefano Pinho (Aris Briggs 88’IND substitutes: Tim Trilk (GK), Karl Ouimette
USWNT Learns Its Group Stage Opponents For World Cup And Olympic Qualifying
IT’S MEXICO, JAMAICA AND HAITI FOR THE DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPIONS. The draw is complete and we now know the USWNT schedule for the 2022 Concacaf W Championship in Monterrey, Mexico, which serves as the qualifying tournament for both the 2023 World Cup in Australia/New Zealand and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
This will be the 10th edition of the competition with the USWNT winning it on eight occasions, including the last two. In 2018, the U.S. won all five of its matches by a combined scoreline of 26-0. Canada is the only nation to disrupt the American’s dominance, winning it in 1998 and 2010. The only other Concacaf nations to reach the final are Mexico and Costa Rica (Brazil and New Zealand previously made it as guests). As the reigning Olympic gold medalist, Canada again serves as the USWNT’s main rival. However, the U.S. heads Group A and Canada leads Group B, meaning the two nations couldn’t possibly meet until the knockout rounds with World Cup qualification already secure.
The top two finishers from each group qualify for the World Cup while the third-place teams advance to the inter-confederation playoffs. However, only the tournament winner qualifies directly for the Summer Olympics. The loser of the final faces the winner of the third place playoff for a spot in Paris, although that match won’t be contested until September.
USWNT Schedule 2022 Concacaf W Championship
The tournament will be played between July 4-18 at Estadio BBVA (home of Monterrey) and Estadio Universitario (home of Tigres). CBS Sports has the broadcast rights to the tournament, so expect a lot of these matches to be on Paramount+. Kickoff times are TBD.
Group A
USWNT (FIFA Ranking: 1st)
Mexico (FIFA Ranking: 27th)
Opponent Breakdown: Mexico is attempting to qualify for its fourth World Cup and first since 2015. La Tri was bounced at the group stage in 2018 after losing to the U.S. (6-0) and Panama (2-0). The side is captained by Real Madrid defender Kenti Robles.
Jamaica (FIFA Ranking: 51st)
Opponent Breakdown: Jamaica qualified for its first World Cup in 2019 after finishing third at the 2018 tournament. The Reggae Girlz beat Costa Rica and Cuba in the group stage and rebounded from a 6-0 loss to the USWNT in the semifinals by beating Panama in a dramatic penalty shootout in the third-place playoff. The team is captained by Manchester City forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.
Haiti (FIFA Ranking: 61st)
Opponent Breakdown: Haiti has never qualified for the World Cup and is back at the W Championship after failing to qualify for the 2018 tournament. Les Grenadières have never advanced beyond the group stage. The side is captained by Montpellier forward Nérilia Mondésir.
USWNT Concacaf W Championship Schedule
Monday, July 4: USWNT vs. Haiti (Estadio Universitario)
Thursday, July 7: USWNT vs. Jamaica (Estadio BBVA)
Monday, July 11: USWNT vs. Mexico (Estadio Universitario)
Thursday, July 14: Semifinals (Estadio Universitario)
Monday, July 18: Final and Third Place (Estadio BBVA)
USA GAMES COMING THIS SUMMER
- June 1: JUST ANNOUNCED: USMNT vs. Morocco in Cincy’s beautiful TQL Stadium. Expect ticket details soon. Another friendly (likely Sunday, June 5) may be announced soon, too.
- June 10: USMNT vs. Grenada in CONCACAF Nations League play. Home venue TBD.
- June 14: USMNT @ El Salvador in CONCACAF Nations League play.
- Late June: The USWNT will likely play two home friendlies ahead of the CONCACAF W Championship. We’ll keep you posted.
- July 4: USWNT vs. Haiti in Monterrey, Mexico (W Championship group stage)
- July 7: USWNT vs. Jamaica in Monterrey, Mexico (W Championship group stage)
- July 11: USWNT vs. Mexico in Monterrey, Mexico (W Championship group stage)
- July 14: W Championship semifinal
- July 18: W Championship final/third place match
Pulisic settles Chelsea’s top four nerves, Burnley out of relegation zone
London (AFP) – Christian Pulisic settled Chelsea’s top four nerves as his late goal sealed a dramatic 1-0 win against West Ham, while Burnley climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 1-0 victory against Wolves on Sunday.
With Liverpool looking to close the gap on leaders Manchester City to one point with a win against Merseyside rivals Everton later on Sunday, the focus in the early games was on the top four race and the relegation battle.
At Stamford Bridge, Thomas Tuchel’s side looked set to endure more angst on home turf when Jorginho’s penalty was saved by Lukasz Fabianski in the final minutes.
But Pulisic came off the bench to inspire third placed Chelsea, lifting them seven points clear of fifth placed Tottenham in the fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish.
A 4-2 defeat against Arsenal on Wednesday condemned Chelsea to three successive losses at the Bridge for the first time since 1993.
Tuchel admitted he had “no solution” for the “fragile” Chelsea defending that saw them concede 11 goals in their last three home games.
Concerned about Chelsea’s ability to hold onto their top four berth, Tuchel made three changes from the Arsenal game as Thiago Silva replaced Malang Sarr in that creaky defence.
Silva helped solidify Chelsea’s rearguard and Pulisic’s last-gasp strike should ensure they hold onto a top four place.
West Ham boss David Moyes left Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio on the bench as he prioritised the club’s first European semi-final since 1976, against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday.
Referencing the swathes of empty seats around the Bridge due to ticket restrictions imposed as part of the sanctions on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, West Ham fans chanted “just like the old days, there’s nobody here”.
– Pulisic late show –
Following a tepid first half, Chelsea were more dynamic after the break.
Fabianski clutched N’Golo Kante’s deflected effort and the West Ham keeper plunged to his left to turn away Trevoh Chalobah’s long-range rocket.
Timo Werner twice went close as he fired into the side-netting, then stretched to poke his shot straight at Fabianski.
In the 87th minute, Silva flicked a header towards Romelu Lukaku, prompting Craig Dawson to concede a penalty with a pull on the substitute.
Dawson was initially booked before being sent off after a VAR check, but West Ham avoided further punishment as Jorginho’s weak spot-kick was easily saved by Fabianski.
But Pulisic sparred Jorginho’s blushes in the 90th minute as the United States forward met Marcos Alonso’s cross with a clinical low finish from 10 yards.
Burnley boosted their bid for a remarkable escape act as they moved into 17th place thanks to Matej Vydra’s second half strike.
Since Sean Dyche’s surprise sacking after 10 years in charge, Burnley’s caretaker boss Mike Jackson has taken seven points from three games to revive their hopes of beating the drop.
Vydra had a second half goal disallowed for offside, but he didn’t have to wait long to celebrate as he netted in the 62nd minute with a composed close-range finish from Wout Weghorst’s cross.
Burnley moved two points above third bottom Everton, who have two games in hand as they look to avoid playing outside the top tier since 1954
James Ward-Prowse scored twice as Southampton came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Brighton.
Danny Welbeck put Brighton ahead with a close-range finish after just two minutes and Mohammed Salisu turned Leandro Trossard’s cross into his own net for a 44th minute own goal.
Ward-Prowse reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time with his 14th successful Premier League free-kick, just four behind David Beckham’s record of 18.
He struck again nine minutes later, this time producing a clinical finish from the edge of the area.
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