US Ladies host Nigeria Sat 1 pm on Fox, Tues 6 pm on ESPN2
So the US Ladies return to play this weekend and next week –as they face African powerhouse Nigeria Sat at 1 pm on Fox. Trinity Rodman has been ruled out for family reasons for the games which features the below stars for NWSL.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (6): Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC); Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
FORWARDS (7): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC)
Games to Watch
Saturday we move overseas as Brighton hosting Leeds United States of America at 10 am on USA Network takes center stage again this time vs Brentford at home. The 10 am Peacock game also features American’s as Fulham (Tim Ream, Jedi Robinson) host Tottenham.. Other big games Sat Everton hosting Liverpool – who needed a last second goal to win on Wed. The Milan Derby is the featured game of the week with AC Milan hosting Inter at noon Saturday on CBSSN & Para+ and of course The US Ladies hosting Nigeria at 1 pm on big FOX. Sunday its Man United hosting league leading and undefeated Arsenal at 11:30 am on USA.
Champions League group stage fixtures (all kick off times ET)
Matchday 1
Tuesday, 6 September
Dinamo Zagreb vs Chelsea (Pulisic) (12:45)
Dortmund (Reyna) vs Copenhagen (12:45)
Salzburg vs AC Milan (Dest) (3:00)
Celtic (Vickers) vs Real Madrid (3:00)
Leipzig vs Shakhtar (3:00)
Sevilla vs Man City (3:00)
Paris vs Juventus (McKinney) (3:00)
Benfica vs Maccabi Haifa (3:00)
Wednesday, 7 September
Ajax vs Rangers (Sands) (12:45)
Frankfurt vs Sporting CP (12:45)
Napoli vs Liverpool (3:00)
Atletico vs Porto (3:00)
Club Brugge vs Leverkusen (3:00)
Barcelona vs Plzen (3:00)
Inter vs Bayern (3:00)
Tottenham vs Marseille (3:00)
EPL Wk 4 – Fulham America in top 6
Fulham America stands at 6th with 2 wins and 2 draws and one of the stingiest d’s in the EPL with the left side of defense manned by American’s Jedi Robinson and Tim Ream. It leads some to believe Tim Reem might get a call up to the USMNT for their September set of 2 games 9/23 & 9/27.
Of course we should have know Leeds was going to come back to earth on the road at a solid Brighton team and they did with a tough 1-o loss on the road. That was followed by an even tougher 1-1 tie at home as Everton dominated the first half before Leeds dominated the 2nd and should have won it – but couldn’t find the last goal despite 75% possession. Finally Chelsea is evidently blocking the move for Christian Pulisic – because the new American owner doesn’t want to give up the #1 American. Of course the Manager Tuchel refused to play the American. Frustration city.
High School Local – CHS Girls host tourney Sat @ Murray
Carmel Girls rise to 3rd in the rankings after a pair of wins in their tourney this weekend against Avon and 3-1 over Fishers 2-0. The Boys stay at #6 with 2 wins this past week as well including the 1-0 over Brebeuf. Former Carmel FC academy player Sofia Shepard assists on a goal by Megan Hamm in the CHS girls 2-1 win over Fisher Sat night during the ladies Pink kick Breast Cancer Celebration. Latest State Rankings . A reminder the CHS Ladies will host Pack the House Night, next Monday 9/12 at 7 pm at Murray Stadium. Free admission for all Carmel FC and Carmel Dad’s Club players with their uniforms on. Bring a canned food item to benefit the Carmel Backpack Program. Carmel High School Girls & Boys Varsity Schedules
JPW’s Champions League predictions – Matchday 1
Tuesday, 6 September
Dinamo Zagreb 1-2 Chelsea
Dortmund 3-1 Copenhagen
Salzburg 1-2 AC Milan
Celtic 1-3 Real Madrid
Leipzig 2-1 Shakhtar
Sevilla 1-2 Man City
PSG 2-1 Juventus
Benfica 2-0 Maccabi Haifa
Wednesday, 7 September
Ajax 1-2 Rangers
Frankfurt 2-1 Sporting CP
Napoli 2-1 Liverpool
Atletico 2-1 Porto
Club Brugge 1-3 Leverkusen
Barcelona 3-0 Plzen
Inter 1-3 Bayern
Tottenham 3-1 Marseille
BIG GAMES ON TV
Thur, Sept 1
3 pm USA Leicister City vs Man United
Fri, Sept 2
3 pm ESPN+ Dortmund (reyna) vs Hoffenheim
Sat, Sept 3
7:30 am USA Everton vs Liverpool
9:30 am ESPN Dortmund (reyna) vs Hertha
9:30 am ESPN+ Union Berlin (PefoK vs Bayern Munich
9 am Para+ Forentina vs Juventus (Mckinney)
10 am USA Leads United (Adams, Aaronson) @ Brentford
10 am Peacock Fulham (Reem, Jedi) @ Tottenham
12 noon para+ AC Milan vs Inter
12:30 pm NBC Aston Villa vs Man City
1 pm FOX US Women vs Nigeria @ KC
3 pm ESPN+ Sevilla vs Barcelona
3 pm beIN Sport PSG vs Nantes
7:30 pm ESPN+ Detroit vs Indy 11
Sun, Sept 4
11:30 am USA Man United vs Arsenal
5 pm Para+ NY Gothem FC vs NC Courage NWSL
Tues, Sept 6
12:45 pm Para+ Dinamo Zagreb vs Chelsea (Pulisic) (12:45)
12:45 pm Para+ Dortmund (Reyna) vs Copenhagen (12:45)
3 pm Para+. TUDN Champions League
3 pm PSG vs Juventus Mckinney
6 pm ESPN2 US Women vs Nigeria @ DC
Weds, Sept 7
3 pm Para+ Ajax vs Rangers (Sands) (12:45)Frankfurt vs Sporting CP (12:45)
3 pm Para+. TUDN Champions League
3 pm Para_ Napoli vs Liverpool
Fri, Sept 23
8:25 am ESPN USMNT vs Japan in Germany
Tues, Sept 27
2 pm ESPN USMNT vs Saudi Arabia in Spain
Fri, Oct 7
3 pm FOX US Women vs England in London
Sat, Oct 29
8 pm CBS NWSL Championship Game
Soccer Saturday’s are every Sat 9-10 am on 93.5 and 107.5 FM with Greg Rakestraw
US Men
Berhalter backs Pulisic to regain Chelsea place
Christian Pulisic stumbling as Chelsea ‘holding him against his wishes,’ per source
Transfer News: A new club for John Brooks, a Sergino Dest rumor, and Christian Pulisic stays put
Report: AC Milan in talks to acquire Sergiño Dest
Official: Ricardo Pepi headed to FC Groningen on loanWright, Sargent, and Pefok remain hot in very busy weekend for Americans abroad
US women
USWNT vs Nigeria – Weekend series with African Powerhouse _ AO
Roster USA vs Nigeria
SAVANNAH DEMELO TO THE USWNT: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE NEWEST U.S. PLAYER
Expansion Wave top the table with stout defense, Alex Morgan
STARS TO WATCH IN THE NWSL AS THE PLAYOFFS NEAR
NWSL TRANSFER WINDOW: EACH TEAM’S BIGGEST MOVE OF THE SUMMER
Champions League draw has 10 Americans in the 22-23 Competition
Group A: Ajax, Liverpool FC, Napoli, Rangers FC (James Sands, Malik Tilman
Group B: Porto, Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Club Brugge (Owen Otasowie)
Group C: Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona (Dest), Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzeň
Group D: Eintracht Frankfurt (Chandler), Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting Lisbon, Marseille
Group E: AC Milan, Chelsea FC (Pulisic), Red Bull Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb
Group F: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic FC (Carter-Vickers)
Group G: Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, FC Copenhagen
Group H: Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus (McKinney), Benfica, Maccabi Haifa (Josh Cowen GK)
UEFA Champions League group stage draw: Predictions, must-see games and more
UCL draw: Lewandowski, Barca to face Bayern
Indy 11
EPL
Liverpool score very late in stoppage time to defeat Newcastle
Fulham vs Brighton: Mitrovic, Cottagers spoil Brighton’s unbeaten start
Extended highlights: Leeds United 1, Everton 1
Erling Haaland delivers hat trick as Manchester City rout Nottingham Forest
Gabriels deliver for Arsenal, who remain unbeaten with win over Aston Villa
Ten Hag insists Ronaldo is staying at Manchester United
US investment fund RedBird completes 1.2 billion euro AC Milan takeover
Klopp labels Parker sacking as ‘unbelievable’
WORLD
Mexico lose pre-World Cup friendly to Paraguay
MLS
ANALYZING THE PHILADELPHIA UNION’S RECORD-BREAKING ATTACK
CCL WINNERS MISSING THE PLAYOFFS? WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Goalkeeping
Saves of the Week in Week 3 Europe
Horrible Mistakes Europe So Far
Reffing
NWSL Fans left Baffled at bad reffing
Soccer Dad Assaults Ref in Arizona while son threatens to kill official
Removing ‘camouflage,’ Brazil football referee comes out
MLS Instant Replay Seattle Quick Start?
USWNT vs. Nigeria, 2022 friendly: USWNT prepare for weekend series against African powerhouse
Kansas City and DC will host the two World Cup qualifiers for a pair of friendly matches.
By khilton and Donald Wine II Aug 31, 2022, 3:32pm PDT
After clinching their spot in the 2023 Women’s World Cup by winning the CONCACAF W Championship, it’s time for the United States Women’s National Team to get ready for the September international window. Nigeria will be their opponent in two friendlies to take place this weekend.Nigeria is the first opponent for the USWNT as they begin preparations for the Women’s World Cup next summer, where they will vie for an unprecedented third straight World Cup title. The Labor Day weekend series of friendlies begin Saturday in Kansas City, one of the best supporting cities in the United States for women’s soccer. Then, both teams will travel to Washington, D.C., for a second friendly on Tuesday.”Of course, we’re looking forward to bringing the team back to one of the best soccer cities and best soccer stadiums in the United States in Kansas City,” Vlatko Andonovski said about the upcoming match between Nigeria in Children’s Mercy Park Stadium, home of the Kansas City Current and Sporting Kansas City.The Super Falcons landed in Kansas City on Wednesday. Nigeria remains Africa’s most successful women’s team, with 11 African Cup of Nations titles, and they are also the only country to advance to the knockout round in the World Cup and Olympics. They suffered a tough loss to Morocco in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semifinals in a 5-4 victory on penalties. However, the bleeding didn’t end there, as they were defeated in the 3rd place game 1-0 to Zambia. It was only the second time Nigeria didn’t leave the WAFCON with a medal.This is the first friendly for both teams since their confederation tournaments last month. The USWNT have already announced they will head to Wembley Stadium for a heavyweight match against Euro champs England on October 7th. First, they must prepare for Nigeria, who could come into these friendlies with some motivation due to their lackluster performance in the WAFCON.
The USWNT will see some new faces in camp
When the 23-player roster was announced for the window, it included some changes for the World Cup qualifying USWNT. The most notable change is the addition of Crystal Dunn, who is back in camp after returning from maternity leave. Dunn will only be a part of camp to get back into form, but will not be on the roster for the matches.Savannah DeMelo replaces Trinity Rodman, who left the squad due to a family commitment. DeMelo is looking to earn her first senior team cap after a positive career on both youth squads. Hallie Mace also joined the squad, replacing Kelley O’Hara, who is nursing a hip injury. Mace gets her first call-up since 2018, looking for her 4th international cap in her career.
Randy Waldrum needs a great Nigerian performance
Randy Waldrum is on the hot seat as Nigeria coach after the WAFCON letdown. The Nigerian media and fan base has been critical of Waldrum due to his poor talent management , putting many players in unnatural positions on the field. Nigerian federation president Amaju Pinnick came to Waldrum’s defense, saying they have to honor his contract despite the calls for his job. A solid performance from the Super Falcons against one of the best teams in the world could change the trajectory.
Vlatko Andonovski goes for preparation over evaluation
With the USWNT having qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, normally the fall friendlies would focus on evaluating players who could potentially make the final roster next summer. However, for these friendlies, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski opted to bring in essentially the same roster that he had for the Concacaf W Championship. There are a couple of recent additions due to injuries (and Trinity Rodman’s family commitment), but it’s clear he’s opting to start preparations for the World Cup now with the group he considers his most solid.There’s still a long time before the World Cup begins, and the coaching staff will have plenty of time to evaluate players. However, Andonovski has decided it’s more important to continue molding this group of players, save for a few, into the world beating machine that will be needed to win a 5th star.What are you most looking for against Nigeria this weekend from the USWNT? Hit the comments and discuss.
Borussia Dortmund really isn’t taking any chances with Gio Reyna
August 28, 2022 3:40 pm ET
Borussia Dortmund is doing everything possible to ensure that Giovanni Reyna doesn’t suffer a repeat of last season.
Reyna suffered multiple serious muscle injuries in 2021-22, resulting in a mostly lost season that saw him make just 12 total appearances.
After a full offseason of rehab, Reyna is being introduced back into the fold in an extremely deliberate fashion.
The 19-year-old has been in the squad for just two of the club’s five total games so far this season, and progress has not been linear.
One week after making his season debut off the bench for Dortmund, Reyna was again left out of the squad for Saturday’s 1-0 win at Hertha Berlin. According to coach Edin Terzic, Reyna was omitted after aa minor complaint before the match.
“With Gio, it’s a special situation,” Terzic said after the game. “Gio has been struggling with injuries for almost a year now. He kept fighting back and was then quickly disappointed again when the injuries kept returning.
“He actually trained very well this week. We have a very specific program tailored to him. But he didn’t feel good before the game. And when he feels that, then there’s no point in risking the next setback.
“But we will continue to build him up carefully in the hope that he will fully join in training from next week. We’d rather give up one or two appearances than risk having to do without someone for months.”
With the World Cup coming up, USMNT fans won’t be too upset about Dortmund’s extreme caution. But at some point in the near future, seeing Reyna back healthy for an extended period would also be nice.
The Ole BallCoach 