US Ladies Win Women’s Gold Cup over Brazil 1-0
The USWNT definitely righted the ship in capturing the first ever Women’s Gold Cup Trophy on Sunday night in San Diego. After losing to Mexico in the group stage, they recovered to blast Colombia before surviving swamp like conditions to outlast Canada in the rain in a shootout 2-2. Finally against Brazil – Horan’s first half header was enough to give the US the championship. I thought the games were good in that a lot of players including youngster and 19 year-old Golden Boot winner Jaedyn Shaw got to show their wares. Veterans like Alex Morgan, GK Alyssa Naeher and others however showed they might still belong on the team that goes to the Olympics this summer. The She Believe’s Cup coming up the first week in April should be exciting as Canada & Brazil will be looking to avenge their Gold Cup losses along with top 10 ranked Japan. Who the US brings should be telling as these are the last competitive games before the Olympics. Tix are available in Columbus for the Finals Tuesday, Apr 9th.
Indy 11 loses season opener, back home 3/23
Indy Eleven fell, 2-1, to USL Championship Western Conference opponent Oakland Roots SC to open the season on the road. The Boys in Blue registered 20 shots in the match, equaling their single-match high in 2023. Blake had a match-high six, while Augi Williams added four. Indy continues its road swing next Saturday at Memphis 901 FC at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+ before returning home March 23 for its home opener against Sacramento Republic FC. Single-game tickets are available now for all matches via Ticketmaster. Season Ticket Packages can also be purchased, as well as tickets for groups and hospitality areas. For more information on these options click here. The Defending USL WLeague Champion Indy 11 Women announced their summer schedule this week with 5 matches at Grand Park. Cool segment on former Indy 11 GK and Carmel FC GK Coach Jordan Farr, you can watch him play for Tampa Bay this Sat at 7:30 pm for Free on CBS Golazo Network. USL Season Previews and Power Rankings below.
Coaches – Can you please help one of our CFC GK’s Kevin Russo with a Senior class project. He is investigating injuries for soccer players U14-U18. Here’s the link if you wouldn’t mind sharing with your team’s players before this Friday it would be really helpful.
Man I love Champions League – Tues Arsenal goes thru on PKs over Porto and Wed both games down to the last second – with my Atletico winning at home on PKs, while Dortmund knocked out our only American’s left at PSV – in the 94th minute. (Dest, & Tilman started and played a good 94 minutes while Pepi came on in the last 20 minutes leaving a perfect ball for DeJong that went over to lose it.) Going thru to the round of 8 – Spain’s Real & Atletico Madrid & Barcelona, England’s Man City & Arsenal, Germany’s Bayern Munich & Dortmund & PSG of France. (see PK & Great saves & Stories below). Pulisic, Musah starting for AC Milan on CBS Golazo Network wrap-around show for Free- Europa League Thurs 2 pm or on para+ subscription. Pulisic scores
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Tues, Mar 12
4 pm Para+ Arsenal 0 vs Porto 1 UCL
4 pm Para+ Barelona 1 vs Napoli 1 UCL
6 pm Fox Sport 2 Columbus Crew vs Houston CCL
8 pm FS1 Pachuca vs Philly CCL
10:30 pm FS1 Tigres vs Orlando City CCL
Weds, Mar 13
3 pm Para+ Atletico Madrid 0 vs Inter Milan 1 UCL
3 pm Para+ Dortmund vs PSV UCL
8 pm FS2 Inter Miami vs Nashville CCL
Thur, Mar 14
1:45 pm Para+, CBS Golazo Slavia Praha 2 vs 4 AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah)
1:45 pm Para+ West Ham United vs Freiburg
1:45 pm Para+ Benefica vs Rangers (Carter Vickers)
4 pm Para+ Liverpool vs Sparta Praha
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8 pm FS2 Alajuenlense vs New England Revs
10:15 pm FS2 Cincy vs Monterrey
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8 pm Amazon NY/NJ Gothem vs San Diego Wave
Sat, Mar16
8:15 am ESPN+ Wolverhampton vs Coventry City (League Cup)
10:30 am ESPN+ Heidienheim vs Borrusia Mgladbach (Scally, )
10 am Peacock Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Luton Town
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7:30 pm CBS Galazo Tampa Bay Rowdies (Jordan Farr) vs San Antonio
7:30 pm Apple MLS Columbus Crew vs NY Red Bulls
8:30 pm Apple MLS Nashville vs Charlotte
Sun, Mar 17
7:30 am CBSSSN Juventus (Mckinney) vs Genoa
8:15 am ESPN+ Chelsea vs Leicester City (FA Cup)
10 am CBS Galazo Hellas Verona vs AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah)
10 am USA West Ham vs Aston Villa
10:30 am ESPN+ Freiburg vs Bayer Leverkusen
11:30 am ESPN+ Man United vs Liverpool (FA Cup)
2 pm Apple Cincy vs New England
4 pm ESPN+ Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
7 pm FS1 Atlanta United vs Orlando City
Thurs, Mar 21
7 pm FS1 US Men vs Jamaica — Nations League Semis
9 pm FS1? Mexico vs Canada – Nations League Semis
Apr 6 -9 She Believes Cup USWNT
(American’s in Parenthesis)
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USWNT ‘just getting started’ after Gold Cup win over Brazil
- Cesar Hernandez
Mar 11, 2024, 12:53 AM ETShareLikeOpen Extended Reactions362
United States interim coach Twila Kilgore said the women’s national soccer team is “just getting started” after winning the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup with a 1-0 decision over Brazil in Sunday’s final.”This is a group that’s moving forward together, that still wants more time together. It’s time to go back to club [seasons] for them and do those things, but we genuinely enjoy being together and feel like we’re just getting started,” Kilgore said after clinching the title at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.”This is a group that’s just getting started.”Played in front of a crowd 31,528 — a record for a Concacaf women’s game — the U.S. squad was able to sneak past Brazil thanks to a 46th-minute winner from captain Lindsey Horan.With the trophy in hand, the Americans have bounced back after an underwhelming round-of-16 finish in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Following last summer’s early exit by the four-time World Cup champions, former coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned from his position, thereby leaving Kilgore as interim coach.”This is a team and a program that will always have attention and expectations on it, and we say that pressure is a privilege,” Kilgore said. “We’ve regrouped, we’ve set new goals, we’ve set a new style of play. We’re working towards something together, and it’s a very public process, and that’s just not easy. I’m just so proud of them, and I’m just so happy.” Regarding Sunday’s final, she noted the impact of Horan’s goal. “We were pinned in for quite a bit of the first half, and it took us some time to work our way out of that,” Kilgore said. “Then the timing of our goal was really critical, just before half, [it] means we come back with a slightly different strategy in the second half.”
Brazil coach Arthur Elias highlighted how well his roster had done in outshooting the Americans 12 to 7. “I believe that we had a great performance during the game, we had chances to score goals today,” Elias said. “They were very well prepared, as well, to play our team today, but we had more chances to score goals than the U.S.” With the U.S. side going through a transition of talent, Horan brought up the influence that up-and-coming players are beginning to have. “The team makes it a lot easier for me because you see on the field there’s a lot of leaders on there,” Horan told CBS Sports. “Even some of the younger ones, they stepped up in this tournament, and they showed their leadership. “Whatever I can do to help the team and get the best out of everyone, but also be a role model in what I do on the field, as well.” Of those young U.S. players, 19-year-old San Diego Wave forward Jaedyn Shaw was given the tournament’s Golden Ball award. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher clinched the Golden Glove award. The Americans have now won every Concacaf tournament they have participated in, providing them with a total of 15 titles from the region. Looking ahead, the U.S. will take part in two She Believes Cup matches in April. Chelsea women’s manager Emma Hayes will soon take over as permanent coach for the U.S. team after the end of the Women’s Super League season.
Gold Cup gave USWNT chance to find answers, CONCACAF left with questions
Tamerra Griffin Mar 11, 2024 The CONCACAF W Gold Cup concluded Sunday evening with the U.S. women’s national team hoisting their rose-tinted trophy to the San Diego sky after defeating an imposing yet offensively subdued Brazilian side. The tournament provided clarity for the USWNT in a time of transition amongst a team still waiting for its head coach, Emma Hayes, to take charge. But the competition itself was multidimensional, demanding similarly urgent questions and answers from the confederation about the region it oversees, and the place it wants to occupy globally as women’s soccer continues to grow.
Multilayered competition, Olympic-like experience
Alex Morgan earned her first national team cap on March 31, 2010. There’s not much the veteran striker hasn’t experienced with the squad in nearly 14 years since, but on the eve of the final, she found herself navigating the first edition of a regional competition that she’d always yearned for.
“I definitely get jealous sometimes of the Euros and all the European tournaments that go on,” Morgan said. “We don’t get the opportunity to have as many tournaments as them, so having the first women’s Gold Cup is a great opportunity to do so and have two confederations (CONCACAF and CONMEBOL) come together to play for a trophy, and all we wanna do is play for a trophy.” The chance to compete for hardware was just part of the Gold Cup’s appeal. The tournament’s simulation of a grueling Olympic schedule — with a game every three days during the group stage, six days’ interim, and then a quarter, semi, and final within a week — provided a near-perfect atmosphere for players to make a case for a spot on the 18-player roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, with kickoff just four months away. In that sense, the timing of the W Gold Cup was advantageous for players like Morgan and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, veterans attuned to the physical and mental demands of an intense tournament schedule who could anchor the team with their experience. Morgan had not initially been named to the tournament roster but was brought in to replace forward Mia Fishel, who suffered an ACL injury in national team camp on Feb. 19. The efficacy with which Morgan settled into her new role on the team proved critical to the U.S.’s success, particularly in its decisive quarterfinal victory over Colombia. It provided a pretty convincing answer to questions about her place on the team heading into this tournament. When asked whether she was actively vying for a ticket to Paris, she joked, “I hope so. I hope I’m fighting for a spot with my play.” Naeher knows that song well, too.
“I think this tournament has asked a lot of questions of this team,” said Naeher before the final. “I think it’s obviously a time of transition and a time of new coaches, new players, and I think there is this balance on the group right now, of the team, of: still we have a number of great veteran players, and we have a number of young players coming in as well and I think there’s a lot of questions coming in, and I think it’s our job as players to make it hard for coaches to make decisions.”
Alyssa Naeher made crucial saves against Colombia and Canada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato, Getty Images)Even if that evaluation rested solely on Naeher’s contributions to the U.S.’s extraordinary rain-soaked semifinal victory over Canada, in which she saved three penalties and converted one of her own, it would have been enough to afford her several more rounds of the benefit of the doubt. Now, there is hardly any doubt at all. She ended her W Gold Cup run with a golden glove.And for the players with fewer caps — not necessarily the younger ones, as interim head coach Twila Kilgore consistently points out, since several young players have years of national team experience at this point — it’s difficult to imagine a more comprehensive diagnostic of a tournament than this one. From adjusting to diverse competition to learning how to bounce back from a disappointing result to powering through unimaginable weather conditions, it was the kind of gauntlet that spurs a player’s maturity and whets their appetite for pressure and chaos.
It’s one of the key lessons Jaedyn Shaw will take with her from this tournament. The 19-year-old made a commanding statement, starting three games, netting four goals, and capping that off with a Best Player award. Shaw has said many times that she craves high-pressure moments — and her track record appears to back that up — but admitted after the final that the experience of playing for a title was a new one to adjust to.
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“I’m not gonna say it was like the other games because it absolutely was not,” said Shaw, who did not start the match and subbed on for Sam Coffey in the 71st minute. “Brazil really brought it and it was a real battle, and I mean, watching it from the sideline, like, I was literally shaking for the girls out there. But we ultimately did all that we could to get this result, and it really paid off.”
Journeying across the peaks and valleys of a tournament can teach those still gaining experience a lot, though. The team’s loss to Mexico in the group stage finale might have been the most important lesson of the cup.
“I don’t think a lot of teams could lose the way we did against Mexico, which was super disappointing and unacceptable from us, but respond the way that we did,” Coffey said after the final. Firmly in the hunt for more minutes in big games, it was Coffey’s initiative to pluck a stray ball from the middle of the park and release it to Trinity Rodman that led to Lindsey Horan scoring the U.S. go-ahead, game-winning goal in the final.
“I’m not sure we get here without that loss,” Coffey continued, her arms full with a miniature can of Coke, another iced beverage, a Squishmallow, and her confetti-crusted cleats. “I think we’re a team that just takes all the good, all the bad, all the things we’re proud of, all the things we’re not, and use it together for our good and turn it into fuel and things we can learn from and so I just couldn’t be prouder of the team, I think we went through so many ups and downs and we came out on top, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Mexico (and Puerto Rico, and Argentina, and Costa Rica) would like a word
Victors and their deserved flowers aside, the Gold Cup also supplied vital tournament experience for teams on the come-up. In the ever-changing world of women’s soccer, it is less a matter of skill and more one of repetition, or lack thereof.
On the heels of a heartbreaking and short-lived quest to the 2023 World Cup, Mexico’s women’s national team is in the midst of a beautiful rebirth. Though their W Gold Cup ended at the hands of Brazil, their performances were filled with catharsis and determined joy, raising the ceiling even higher on what they can accomplish in the near future. This tournament’s success only adds to the talent spilling out of Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil, the cohesion of that talent on La Tri, and the team’s ability to churn out consistent victories and qualify for major tournaments.
Mexico shocked the USWNT, winning the final group stage game. (Photo by Jessica Alcheh, USA TODAY Sports)
“I believe that it has been a great idea to join the teams from CONCACAF and CONMEBOL,” said Mexico head coach Pedro López Ramos ahead of their semifinal game. “A lot of future soccer players, they’re seeing very incredible games, not just for men or women. It’s attractive soccer, and I believe it’s going to make soccer grow in each one of the countries.
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“I can only be grateful for this tournament because it’s going to make soccer grow in all aspects.”
Mexico winger Maria Sánchez echoed those thoughts, underscoring the visibility a CONCACAF tournament affords local leagues and the quality soccer found there.
“A lot of teams around the world, a lot of coaches around the world, can turn and see the product that has been coming out of a league like the Mexican league that maybe before weren’t rated as high,” said Sánchez, who plays for the Houston Dash in the NWSL. “Being part of this and having that visibility really helps countries like Mexico, where we weren’t able to represent in the World Cup, but we can do it in a tournament like this, and a lot of my teammates and myself are able to have different eyes on us.”
But it’s not just the larger nations in the region who benefit. Though their Gold Cup run was short-lived, there’s much to be said about the attention Puerto Rico, who knocked Haiti out of the tournament in a play-in game and held Brazil to just one goal in the group stage; Argentina, who continued the momentum of their World Cup campaign with a hearty draw with high-flying Mexico and a sound defeat of the Dominican Republic; and Costa Rica, who arguably earned the respect of every Canadian after forcing them to extra time in their eventual 1-0 win.
CONCACAF’s decision to implement a re-seeding mechanism to determine the quarterfinal matchups, instead of set paths, led to back-to-back games between Canada and Costa Rica. The Olympic champions won their first meeting handily, 3-0, but the pressure (and, surely, some sharp answers from Costa Rica) made the second meeting an entirely different game.
And that’s to say nothing of Colombia and Brazil, whose successes don’t require qualification. These teams have shown they have no desire to fade into the background, only emerging into the discourse during big tournament years. They’re here to stay, and the more opportunities they have to showcase their talent by going up against the best in the world, the greater their chances of growing the game domestically and stepping into even greater potential.
Now, CONCACAF must compete with the world
Regional tournaments will only expand from here as the level of competition in women’s soccer spreads more evenly around the world — and if CONCACAF wishes to remain on par with the likes of Europe with its precedential Euros in 2022, or Africa, which organized one of the best African Women’s Cup of Nations tournaments to date the same year, it will need to continue raising the bar or risk getting eclipsed and quickly left in the shadows.
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That means giving each match the respect it deserves: minimizing (if not eliminating) weeknight matches to ensure higher attendance numbers, investing in sophisticated marketing for proper promotion of matches and other events surrounding them and perhaps most importantly, prioritizing players’ safety (and thus preserving the quality of competition) during unprecedented weather conditions.
Especially because others likely — and rightly — took notes from this tournament.
That Brazil, a CONMEBOL team, reached the finals of a CONCACAF tournament, begs the question of whether the South American soccer governing body might one day return the favor and host a few CONCACAF teams at the Copa America Feminina, similar to what CONCACAF has done in the Gold Cup. Brazil head coach Arthur Elias wouldn’t rule it out, given the strides he believes the confederation has made to advance women’s soccer in the region.
Brazil dominated the group stage and cruised to the final. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez, USA TODAY Sports)
“I didn’t participate in Copa América, but Copa Libertadores,” said Elias, who was the manager of the women’s team at Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, a legacy club in Brazil. Before the top job at Seleçãeo, Elias had won five league titles with Corinthians, plus two Copa Libertadores.
“I have always said that it is important for us to have Copa Libertadores in different venues, and that goes for Copa América, so they can bring more people, more fans to the stadiums,” Elias continued Sunday night following Brazil’s loss in the final. “This exchange is very positive for us to have more references. The U.S. has a great tradition for women’s soccer with great stadiums, pitches, great organization that contributed to us participating in this Gold Cup, and CONMEBOL is (also) in the right way to promote women’s soccer.”
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Champions League quarterfinals or bust
PSV trio have a do-or-die game in Dortmund; Pulisic and Musah look to advance past Slavia Prague in Europa League.
By Justin Moran@kickswish Mar 11, 2024, 11:57am PDT
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Midweek USMNT action is here. Let’s get into it!
Tuesday
- Saarbrücken vs Monchengladbach, 3:30p on ESPN+ (free trial): Jordan Pefok, Joe Scally, and Gladbach will be heavy favorites as they visit third-tier Saarbrücken in this DFB Pokal quarterfinal.
- Tigres vs Orlando City, 10:30p on FS1, TUDN USA, FuboTV, Sling: Duncan McGuire and Orlando face a major test on the road against Tigres in Monterrey in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup tie. The score is 0-0 on aggregate.
Also in action:
- Columbus Crew vs Houston Dynamo, 6p on FS2, FuboTV, Sling: Aidan Morris, Patrick Schulte, and the Crew are trailing Houston 0-1 after the first leg in Concacaf Champions Cup.
- Pachuca vs Philadelphia Union, 8:15p on FS1, FuboTV, Sling: Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan, and the Union are tied 0-0 with Pachuca after the first leg in Concacaf Champions Cup.
Wednesday
- Borussia Dortmund vs PSV, 4p on Paramount+, TUDN USA, Univision USA, FuboTV (free trial), ViX: Sergiño Dest, Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi, and PSV are tied 1-1 with Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16.
- Inter Miami vs Nashville SC, 8:15p on FS2, FuboTV, Sling, ViX: Drake Callender, Julian Gressel, Noah Allen, and Inter Miami are tied 2-2 with Walker Zimmerman, Shaq Moore, and Nashville SC in Concacaf Champions Cup.
Also in action:
- Bournemouth vs Luton, 3:30p: Tyler Adams was a surprise inclusion on Bournemouth’s bench this weekend, but didn’t play. The 13th-place Cherries host Luton, who are 18th in the Premier League.
- El Paso Locomotive vs Monterey Bay FC, 9p on ESPN+: US U20 defender Brandan Craig played 90 minutes for El Paso in their 0-1 loss to Hartford Athletic on Saturday to begin the USL Championship season. Craig is on loan from the Philadelphia Union.
- América vs Chivas, 10:30p on FS2, FuboTV, Sling: Alejandro Zendejas and América have a 3-0 lead over Cade Cowell and Chivas in Concacaf Champions Cup.
Thursday
- Slavia Prague vs AC Milan, 1:45p on Paramount+, ViX: Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and Milan hold a 4-2 lead over Slavia Prague in the Europa League round of 16.
- Monterrey vs FC Cincinnati, 8:15p on FS2, FuboTV, Sling, ViX: Brandon Vázquez and Rayados host Miles Robinson, Lucho Acosta, Matt Miazga, Roman Celentano, new arrival DeAndre Yedlin, and FC CIncinnati in Concacaf Champions Cup. Monterrey lead 1-0 from the first leg.
Also in action:
- Alajuelense vs New England Revolution, 6p on FS2, FuboTV, Sling: Esmir Bajraktarevic, DeJuan Jones, Noel Buck, and the Revs carry a 4-0 lead into the second leg as they travel to Costa Rica in Concacaf Champions Cup.
Friday
- Köln vs RB Leipzig, 3:30p on ESPN+: 19-year-old German-American forward Damion Downs scored his first Bundesliga goal for Köln last weekend. 16th-place Köln (in the relegation zone) host Leipzig, who are 5th in the Bundesliga.
- Palermo vs Venezia, 3:30p: It’s an American showdown in Serie B! Kristoffer Lund and 5th-place Palermo meet Tanner Tessmann, Gianluca Busio, and 3rd-place Venezia.
Also in action:
- SC Paderborn vs Braunschweig, 1:30p: Johan Gómez and 17th-place Braunschweig host 6th-place Paderborn in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Rapid Wien vs LASK Linz, 2:30p: George Bello and 3rd-place LASK host 6th-place Rapid Vienna in Austria’s top tier.
- Telstar vs ADO Den Haag, 3p: Justin Che and 3rd-place Den Haag visit 17th-place Telstar (Sebastian Soto’s old club, remember?) in the Eerste Divisie.
USWNT’s Sophia Smith, Alyssa Naeher vanquished World Cup demons en route to Gold Cup final
Jeff Rueter Mar 8, 2024 the Athletic
If Sophia Smith sounded especially reflective after the U.S. women’s national team’s penalty shootout win against Canada in the W Gold Cup semifinal on Wednesday, it was with good reason. Her interim coach Twila Kilgore shared that the striker teared up at the end of the game, which saw her score a goal in extra time and bury a penalty kick in the shootout.“It was an emotional goal,” Smith said. “I haven’t scored in a while and have just been kind of on an emotional rollercoaster since the World Cup, so that was a big relief and it just felt really good.”
Seven months prior and an ocean away, the USWNT was on the other end of penalty kick fortunes, exiting the 2023 World Cup in the round of 16 against Sweden. The United States had advanced from Group E by the narrowest of margins, with Smith’s struggles in front of goal a major talking point.
The knockout round provided little respite, with Smith sending her shootout attempt sailing over the crossbar.
“To miss a PK in the World Cup takes a toll on you mentally and then I feel like since then I’ve just been trying to work my way back,” Smith said. “So I think that goal was just a relief of a lot of emotions. “
Smith’s goal in extra time looked like it would be the winner (Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)
In the same shootout, Alyssa Naeher had tried her best to keep her team in contention for a third consecutive title. The goalkeeper managed one big save, a diving stop to her right to give the United States a chance to take control. So, too, did she dive to her right on the final kick of the sequence, tapping the ball off the bar before goal-line technology ruled it a conversion to seal the United States’ fate.On Wednesday, Naeher was again between the posts to face an opponent’s spot-kick shooters. Again, she was particularly tough to beat to her right, as Canada learned the hard way. As she had last summer, she converted a chance of her own, to boot.
Why did the USWNT-Canada match continue? Explaining the rules around postponing games
The culmination of the sequence was a far cry from Smith’s painful tears that fell last year. For a goalkeeper who’s often emotionless, Naeher’s wry celebratory smile was equally powerful.So often, a team’s tournament performance is remembered for the performances of their striker and goalkeeper. In this Gold Cup, the U.S. women’s national team program is no exception.
(Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports)
The inaugural W Gold Cup, a regional competition between women’s teams from federations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, is notably less ballyhooed than a World Cup, or the impending Olympics this summer, but a continental tournament is still a high-stakes situation — especially in the business end, when foes range from spirited upstart Colombia, regional rival Canada, or world powers Brazil – the United States’ opponent in Sunday’s final. Quite a few USWNT players have had Gold Cups to remember. Among them is Jaedyn Shaw, another young attacker with precocious spatial reading, tenacity around goal and a keen sense of when to pass and when to shoot. On Wednesday, the 19-year-old scored for the fourth time in as many games.But one player who wouldn’t be satisfied with their showings through the quarterfinal was Smith. For the better part of a year, something seemed off when you watched her play. She was effective, no doubt, but the infectious verve that she carried in every section of her bubble braid wasn’t there. She appeared to be a striker playing against her thoughts, rather than one playing free of them. Smith entered the Gold Cup as the projected starter up top, but a failure to score in the group stage saw Morgan start as the striker in the quarterfinal and semifinal despite only being on the squad as an injury replacement for Mia Fishel.
USWNT fought ridiculous conditions, history in win on PKs vs. Canada
When Smith finally did take the field against Canada, the game being played did not resemble soccer in any conventional sense. “It’s just hard to even call it a game of soccer tonight, especially the first half,” Morgan said afterward. “Your instincts are to dribble, and then you can’t dribble, you’ll lose the ball.”With Smith on the field, another of CONCACAF’s young star strikers, Jordyn Huitema, broke her own post-World Cup malaise with a goal to draw Canada level eight minutes from full time. She fell on her back with a smile wide enough to light the San Diegan night. It was the exact kind of relief that Smith – and the United States – needed.Smith finally got her chance off of a Rose Lavelle header from 25 yards out in the ninth minute of extra time, with the ball looped over Canada defender Vanessa Gilles and into Smith’s stride. From there, it looked like the Smith we’d expected to see in Australia and New Zealand. She created a step of separation from her nearest defender, had her head up to assess what the goalkeeper was offering her, and placed a cool finish in the side of the net. Usually one to run to the corner flag for her celebrations, the striker instead fell to her knees.
(Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports)
As the fourth official raised her board, it appeared that the task was complete: just one more minute atop the previous 120 to go. Just then, however, Canada went back to the aerial route, and Naeher started to step into the spotlight. The U.S. goalkeeper met Gilles in a battle for an aerial ball, catching Gilles in the head in an attempt to punch the ball away. VAR determined it was enough contact to warrant a last-second penalty kick, which tournament top scorer Adrianna Leon converted. Once again, the United States would have its tournament fate decided from the spot. Of the three U.S. players to miss spot kicks against Sweden last summer, only Smith remained on the team for the Gold Cup. Against Canada, she stepped up first, and coolly placed her shot to the bottom-left corner past a diving Kailen Sheridan.
(Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports)
Now, it was Naeher’s turn to live up to the moment.The hero just ten minutes prior, Leon’s shootout attempt veered just left of Naeher’s base position, giving the USWNT goalkeeper a (relatively) easy save at torso level. Huitema placed a penalty in the exact same spot as Leon’s, another easy save for the United States goalkeeper. Not content with stymying Canada, Naeher then took to the spot herself, powering a shot to her right to give the U.S. a 3-1 advantage.tAt 4-2, Canada captain Jessie Fleming needed a conversion to save Canada’s hopes. Rather than rippling the net, however, she fired another shot just to Naeher’s right, giving her a third save in four attempts and spelling an end to Canada’s hopes of winning the inaugural W Gold Cup.Naeher is one of the program’s most stoic members. She seldom smiles for the pre-game team photo, barely mustering even a nod when interacting with opponents in the handshake line before kickoff. At 35 and having come off a poor season with the Chicago Red Stars, she’s been rotated in and out of the lineup at this tournament with Casey Murphy, eight years her junior.
Against Colombia and (especially) Canada, however, she reminded everyone why she has a firm grip on the No. 1 shirt heading into this summer’s Olympics. In the biggest international moments, she seldom lets her team down. “Honestly when Alyssa saved that first one I was just like, okay, she is in the zone,” Morgan said after the game. “We got this. Then she stepped up. She scored her penalty and then did not celebrate and then got back on the line and then continued to save that penalty and the next one. It’s…I have never witnessed something so remarkable as I did tonight with Alyssa. “I don’t even know why you guys are talking to me. You probably just want to talk to Alyssa.”
(Carmen Mandato/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
In a game that was more a series of stand-alone moments than actual soccer, it was a rare match fitting of the skills-challenge nature of penalties. Even in miserable conditions, the night ended in undeniable drama that saw the U.S. book its place in the Gold Cup final. But this isn’t a tournament played in bygone years when a USWNT first-place finish was the expectation. Brazil easily dispatched a Mexico team that had shocked the United States in the group stage and boasts as deep a pool of dangerous attackers as any nation in the world. This United States team, meanwhile, is still under interim management, with their upcoming boss unable to watch the late-night games live from her current residence in London. This is a team playing for each other. Through a statement win over Colombia and fending off a determined Canada side — not once, but twice, and from the same shootout scenario that sunk them last summer — they’ve exorcized many of their demons .They might win it all on Sunday. They also might lose to a deserving opponent. One thing is for certain, though: this is a team that’s no longer sleepwalking in their post-elimination nightmare.(Top photos: Carmen Mandato/USSF/Getty Images for USSF; Ben Nichols/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
HAYWARD, Calif. (Saturday, March 9, 2024) – Indy Eleven fell, 2-1, to USL Championship Western Conference opponent Oakland Roots SC to open the season on the road. It was the lone matchup of the 2024 season for the clubs.
It was Oakland that got on the board first in the match as Jeciel Cedeno found the back of the net in just the third minute of action for the early lead.
The remainder of the first half saw offensive dominance by Indy Eleven with a 13-2 edge in shots, including 4-1 in shots on target, and the equalizer form Indy’s preseason goal leader Jack Blake in the 43rd minute, by way of a cross in from Younes Boudadi.
Oakland scored early again in the second frame as Bryan Tamacas found himself alone inside the 18 with an opportunity in front of goal in what would be the match winner.
The Boys in Blue registered 20 shots in the match, equaling their single-match high in 2023. Blake had a match-high six, while Augi Williams added four.
With the loss, the Boys in Blue fall to 3-3-1 in USL Championship season openers, with all matches coming on the road.
Indy continues its road swing next Saturday at Memphis 901 FC at 4 p.m. ET before returning home March 23 for its home opener against Sacramento Republic FC.
USL Championship Regular Season
Oakland Roots SC 2:1 Indy Eleven
Saturday, March 9, 2024 – 10 p.m. ET
Pioneer Stadium – Hayward, Calif.
2024 USL Championship Records
Indy Eleven: 0-1-0 (-1)
Oakland Roots SC: 1-0-0 (+1)
Scoring Summary
OAK – Jeciel Cedeno 3’
IND – Jack Blake (Younes Boudadi) 43’
OAK – Bryan Tamacas (Irakoze Donasiyano) 51’
Discipline Summary
IND – Jack Blake (caution) 24’
IND – Sebastian Guenzatti (caution) 24′
IND – Karsen Henderlong (caution) 25’
IND – Callum Chapman-Page (caution) 41’
IND – Elliot Collier (caution) 70’
OAK – Baboucarr Njie (caution) 89’
IND – Cam Lindley (caution) 90+8’
OAK – Irakoze Donasiyano (caution) 90+8’
Indy Eleven line-up (4-3-3): Yannik Oettl, Aedan Stanley, Adrian Diz Pe, Callum Chapman-Page, Younes Boudadi (Josh O’Brien 75’), Jack Blake, Tyler Gibson (Captain) (Roberto Molina 86’), Cam Lindley, Sebastian Guenzatti, Augi Williams, Karsen Henderlong (Elliot Collier 66’)
Indy Subs: Hunter Sulte, Ethan O’Brien, Diego Sanchez
Oakland line-up: Paul Blanchette, Niall Logue, Gagi Margvelashvili, Camden Riley, Irakoze Donasiyano, Neveal Hackshaw (Napo Matsoso 71’), Baboucarr Njie (Justin Rasmussen 90+1’), Bryan Tamacas, Johnny Rodriguez, Miche-Naider Chery (Daniel Gomez 45’), Jeciel Cedeno
Oakland Subs: Ilya Alekseev, Javier Bedolla-Vera, Thomas Camier, Etsgar Cruz, Trayvone Reid, Timothy Syrel
8 Key Storylines from the opening weekend of the USL Championship season
By NICHOLAS MURRAY – nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/11/24, 10:30AM EDT https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1303622
HARTFORD ATHLETIC DELIVERS ON THE ROAD TO START ITS NEW ERA; AMANN LOOKS AT HOME IN SACRAMENTO, NEW MEXICO DELIGHTS BUZZING CROWD
Hartford Athletic’s players celebrate Romario Williams’ first-half penalty kick in their victory against El Paso Locomotive FC at Southwest University Park. | Photo courtesy Ivan Pierre Aguirre / El Paso Locomotive FC
The opening weekend of the 2024 USL Championship season delivered some expected results, some surprises, and a fair amount of late drama capped off by Orange County SC’s Colin Shutler becoming only the third goalkeeper to score in the league’s history.
Here are eight key storylines we took away from the action, and some other thoughts on what transpired.
1. HARTFORD DELIVERS ON DEBUT
As much optimism as Hartford Athletic had that this season would be different with Head Coach Brendan Burke at the helm and an almost-entirely new squad at his disposal, you could never quite be certain how it might come together until the season kicked off.
At first glance, Hartford is ready, and looks very similar to what we were expecting.
Romario Williams was impressive as the central striker, Michee Ngalina, Marcus Epps and Deshane Beckford provided the attacking support, and the visitors were able to ride out an early penalty kick by Williams to earn a 1-0 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC at Southwest University Park.
Hartford imposed itself early in the game as Williams drew the penalty he converted against Jamaica teammate Jahmali Waite, and the speed the side possesses arguably should have led to a second inside the opening 15 minutes when Ngalina’s half-volleyed finish went over the crossbar.
At the other end of the field, as much as El Paso pushed, Hartford’s defense led by veterans Joe Farrell and Thomas Vancaeyezeele held firm. While Locomotive had chances, they were often placed under defensive pressure, resulting in only two of the 10 second-half shots the hosts produced landing on target.
As debuts go, Hartford likely couldn’t be happier.
2. SACRAMENTO’S AMANN LIVES UP TO BILLING
In a squad as strong on paper as Sacramento Republic FC’s appears, there was a little bit of pressure on newcomer and 2023 USL League One Player of the Year Trevor Amann to quickly prove he belonged.
And while Republic FC’s home opener was spoiled in stoppage time by Orange County SC goalkeeper Colin Shutler scoring a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer to earn the visitors a 2-2 draw at a sold-out Heart Health Park, Amann’s performance was the biggest takeaway of the night’s proceedings. Scoring both goals for the hosts in contrasting manners, the 25-year-old showed off why Sacramento had made him a key target to sign last offseason.
“He’s a goalscorer. He’s a striker,” said Sacramento Head Coach Mark Briggs. “I think you saw his desire with the first goal to sprint into the box, to get on the end of the cross. And then his second goal – what can you say? It’s just a top goal. And he’s going to score lots and lots of those goals this year, but to do it on his debut, we’re just really pleased for him and really pleased that we’ve got him on our team.”
Amann’s fit in the Republic FC lineup was evident, as was his nose for goal. His five shots were a game-high – which matched his total of completed passes – and gave Sacramento a central point to build its attacks around. With Russell Cicerone set to be available after his one-game suspension next weekend against Miami FC, how the two team up could be a treat to watch.
3. NEW MEXICO’S NEW ERA BEGINS ON FRONT FOOT
There’s been a history of positive home openers for New Mexico United, and in front of a buzzing crowd of 11,347 fans at Isotopes Park on Saturday afternoon the new-look hosts delivered against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC with a rousing first-half performance that paved the way to a 1-0 win.
With Marco Micaletto serving as a deep-lying playmaker, there was a confidence to the passing and movement for United that allowed them to dictate play to the reigning Championship Players’ Shield title holders. New Mexico Head Coach Eric Quill said in the first half he felt like the Hounds were chasing shadows, and after some near-misses – including a brilliantly-denied close-range chance for Harry Swartz, the pressure United was able to build paid off in a nicely take goal by Greg Hurst just before halftime.
The second half produced similar for United in terms of possession, but not in terms of chances, and that’s where Quill sees the potential for improvement in the coming weeks. Defensively, New Mexico held firm at the end, but as we saw elsewhere this weekend, that’s not always guaranteed.
“We’re so good with the ball when we want to be,” said Quill. “We’ve got to make sure that we commit to it, because the philosophy of the game for us is that we want to dominate the ball. We want to move the opponent around. We want to wear them out. But we need to be killers in front of goal and not let teams hang around. Because we’ve seen in this league a lot where if you let them hang around long enough, you get punished in the end, and they may grab a goal.”
4. VANOEKEL SHINES IN LEGION FC VICTORY
There’s a reason why Birmingham Legion FC’s shutouts are sponsored by Hero Donuts – on the next day of training, goalkeeper Matt VanOekel treats his teammates.
After claiming victory against defending Championship title-holder Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night, those might taste a little bit sweeter than normal, but VanOekel is likely the player who deserves the most credit. The veteran’s eight-save performance helped Birmingham to a 1-0 victory on the road, keeping a good performance by the hosts at bay at Phoenix Rising Stadium.
“It was a very important match for us as the first one of the season, away at the defending champions, and we wanted to see progression in our shape and style and we felt that was the case this evening,” said VanOekel. “Everyone put in a ton of hard work, and we can be proud on the evening.”
VanOekel is one of Legion’s originals and is now tied for third in league history overall with 43 shutouts alongside Brandon Miller. With key saves to deny Edgardo Rito in the first half and Remi Cabral late on between Diba Nwegbo’s deflected shot putting the visitors ahead, he looked ready for a Birmingham side aiming for more consistency defensively this campaign.
5. NEW-LOOK SAN ANTONIO IMPRESSES, FALLS SHORT
San Antonio FC was clear about its change in philosophy this offseason and in its season-opener was true to its word. Against Loudoun United FC on Saturday night at Toyota Field, it attempted (623) and completed (519) more passes in a single game, and Mitchell Taintor (99), Kendall Burks (95), and Carter Manley (91) attempted more passes in a single game by a San Antonio player since the USL Championship partnered with Opta in 2017.
What that manifested into was a showcase for Jorge Hernández as the reigning Golden Playmaker showed off his chemistry with the club’s new arrivals in Lucas Silva and Juan Agudelo, providing each assists on their goals in their SAFC debuts.
“Since I’ve been here in preseason, he’s impressed me,” said Agudelo of Hernández. “I’ve played with very good 10s. Jorge’s left foot is actually a dream to play with actually as a 9 and as soon as I scored, I said, “First of many, bro,” because I know he’s going to put it in. I’m very hopeful he stays healthy because when he’s on the field, I’m going to get chances, or whoever’s up there is going to get chances.”
And yet, in a throwback to a season ago, San Antonio wasn’t able to seal the deal. Despite playing for an hour with a man-advantage after Christiano Francois’ red card for Loudoun and holding the lead for most of the second half, SAFC didn’t press home its advantage. That kept United in the game, and when Florian Valot got a second-chance opportunity off a late clearance 25 yards from goal, his powerful low shot caromed in off a defender and earned the visitors a 2-2 draw.
San Antonio dropped 10 points from winning positions a season ago, having been almost watertight in their title-winning 2022 campaign. On a night of dramatic changes on the field this was a throwback that spoiled the night.
6. MIAMI SHOWS CHANGE IN MENTALITY
Early on, there was the danger that Miami FC could get overwhelmed by visiting Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – the visitors went close on multiple occasions, including Jairo Henriquez hitting the post inside the opening 10 minutes – and even after Miami took the lead in the 16th minute through a fine second-effort finish by Andrew Booth the visitors remained on top.
Miami saw out a 2-0 victory after Manuel Botta added a late penalty kick, however, and felt like a side for which the offseason of change led by new Head Coach Antonio Nocerino had created the desired environment. Miami had to defend stoutly throughout – only 15.4 percent of the play was in Colorado Springs’ defensive third, compared to 40.9 percent in Miami’s – but it battled through.
Will Miami need to improve to keep securing results? Probably – the majority of its big chances came after the Switchbacks through caution to the wind in the last 20 minutes in search of an equalizer – but the enthusiasm and togetherness the side showed can go a long way.
“I am very happy for the players because tonight was an incredible performance,” said Nocerino. “I like the mentality, the physicality, the personality, because for me, it’s important. This, today, playing against a good team, with the good players, the good quality, so I’m very happy for my players. My players tonight played very well. I am happy for the players, because players, this is your moment. If my players are happy, I’m happy.”
7. MEMPHIS BREAKS OPENING DAY JINX
Memphis 901 FC hasn’t had the best history in its opening games of the season – you need only look back to last year’s home defeat to Loudoun United FC for evidence of that – so when Las Vegas Lights FC scored on its first shot on Saturday afternoon at AutoZone Park there could have been a sinking feeling of déjà vu sinking in.
But 901 FC responded in ideal fashion. A 10-minute spell of attacking pressure resulted in a close-range equalizer from Samuel Careaga, and then moments before halftime 19-year-old U.S. youth international Nighte Pickering delivered a piledriver of a finish from 25 yards that dipped under the crossbar and set the side on the way to its first opening-day victory in club history.
“I think we were mostly in control of the game,” said 901 FC Head Coach Stephen Glass. “We ended up falling behind with one break up the field. The more important thing was the response from the group of lads to come back and get in front before halftime. It’s a difficult thing to do and be able to hang on. First game is never easy. I don’t think the club has won one at home so it’s nice to get that monkey off our back and push on.”
Memphis was comfortably good value for its win. Aside from Valentin Nöel’s opening goal for Las Vegas the hosts allowed only one other shot inside the penalty area. With another home opportunity up next against Indy Eleven, there’s something to build on here.
8. OAKLAND’S MIDFIELD ADJUSTMENT TURNS TIDE
Oakland Roots SC scored the fastest goal of any side in the Championship on Saturday night as Jeciel Cedeño struck in just the third minute against Indy Eleven, but then the hosts were pinned back for much of the first half by Indy Eleven’s midfield trio of Cam Lindley, Tyler Gibson and Jack Blake.
The visitors at Pioneer Stadium might have considered themselves unlucky to not have been rewarded with more than Blake’s goal late in the first half to level on a sharp move and finish, but having got to the break level, Oakland took advantage of the chance to reset and introduced Daniel Gomez in favor of forward Miche-Naider Chéry, and it paid major dividends.
“We talked at halftime, we made some tactical changes, and obviously a sub at half,” said Roots Head Coach Noah Delgado. “We got another player [Gomez] into the midfield and more of a possession base forward with Jesse [Cedeno] as a 9. So, [Gomez] coming in there and finding some gaps and giving good pressure, because I had four in the midfield, that tactical change I think worked out.”
Did it ever.
After quickly regaining the lead early in the second half on an enterprising piece of play by El Salvador international Bryan Tamacas, Oakland’s overload of the center of the park helped stifle Indy’s attacking threat. The visitors only recorded four shots in the second half, none of which tested Roots goalkeeper Paul Blanchette, to see out an impressive opening victory.
And now some other thoughts on what we saw this weekend…
– As if there was any doubt as to how Aaron Molloy is going to get the chance to cook for the Charleston Battery this season, his role as the central pivot all over the field in his debut against North Carolina FC on Saturday drove that home.
– Shoutout to North Carolina FC’s Rafael Mentzingen, who might be known better for his attacking play but did sterling work defensively against the Battery to help NCFC earn a point in its return to the Championship.
– Las Vegas Lights FC had a clear identity in their playing style, and it should get more refined as they get more time together. The commitment to being in possession should pay off, and Valentin Nöel looked a shrewd pickup with his play in midfield.
– Opening day setbacks are never fun, but there was a lot to like about the way Phoenix Rising FC, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Indy Eleven set up and played. Stick with the process and it should turn into results soon enough.
– Orange County SC’s two goals and three best chances against Sacramento came off corner kicks. There’s talent here, but it’s going to need to be more incisive in open play.
– Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Head Coach Bob Lilley wasn’t happy with his team’s application in the first half against New Mexico United. “With any technical team, if you can’t disrupt them, they’re going to run you,” he said. “When we got players around the ball, they were able to escape with the dribble, and there should be cover.”
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| Welcome to The Rondo, our weekly look around the USL Championship and beyond. I’m Nicholas Murray.This Rondo sounds like: Now I’m Here by Queen |
| 1. One Big Thing – A hard-earned path to glory |
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| When Trevor Amann’s college soccer career came to an end at Midwestern State University in 2021, a career in the professional game was not front of mind.Fast forward two-and-a-half years to this past Saturday night, and the 6-foot-1 forward was lapping up the applause from a sellout 11,569 crowd at Heart Health Park after scoring twice on his Sacramento Republic FC debut in the USL Championship.So, what happened?Well, let’s start with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC and Head Coach Éamon Zayed.Building a squad in Windsor, Colo. for the club’s inaugural League One season in 2022, the Irish coach – and former prolific goalscorer in the professional ranks himself – found out about a kid from the Denver suburbs he should look up.“When I first was contacted about it, it was kind of surprising,” said Amann this preseason. “I didn’t expect it. I was kind of shocked, but at the same time I’m very, very grateful and thankful to Éamon and that whole organization for giving me that opportunity.”Amann’s growth accelerated rapidly.EARLY PROGRESS: Zayed was a regular for the Hailstorm in their inaugural season, and with better luck could have scored more than the five goals he bagged in 25 games. His 8.93 percent shot conversion rate indicated a little bit of bad luck in his 1,497 minutes of action. BREAKOUT CAMPAIGN: His fortunes changed dramatically for the better in the 2023 season. With shot conversion rate at 22.4 percent and a larger workload alongside playmaking ace Arthur Rogers, Amann set a League One record with 23 regular season goals and the first postseason hat trick in Hailstorm history. HIGHER LEVEL: That brought Sacramento into the picture. Head Coach Mark Briggs and his staff tracked Amann from early in the 2023 season, liked what they saw, and signed him as a free agent this offseason. Amann’s brace against Orange County SC was just the second two-goal debut for a Republic FC player in club history after Thomas Enevoldsen in 2019.The qualities Amann had shown at Hailstorm were once again on display in Sacramento. His first goal was the result of a smart piece of connecting play in midfield and purposeful run to the top of the penalty area, where Cristian Parano’s cross was met by a powerful header. His second was a beautiful piece of individual creation, creating enough shape away from his defender to roof a shot in at the near post.HE SAID IT: “He’s a goalscorer. He’s a striker. I think you saw his desire with the first goal to sprint into the box, to get on the end of the cross. And then his second goal – what can you say? It’s just a top goal. And he’s going to score lots and lots of those goals this year, but to do it on his debut, we’re just really pleased for him and really pleased that we’ve got him on our team.” – Briggs after Saturday night’s game.Amann was already being tipped to be a contender for the Championship’s Golden Boot in preseason by Backheeled.com and USLTactics.com’s John Morrissey (a noted friend of The Rondo). Given the service he’ll receive – let alone the potential he’ll have to combine with Russell Cicerone, who was absent on Saturday due to a one-game suspension – there’s no question that could be in sight.But Amann’s story is also one that shows how important USL League One and its clubs, like the Hailstorm, are in offering opportunity to players who might otherwise not get their shot at the professional ranks.Last month, Conner Antley completed a remarkable rise from USL League Two with South Georgia Tormenta FC – with which he moved into the professional ranks in League One in 2019 – to make his MLS debut for D.C. United after a transfer from the Tampa Bay Rowdies.This offseason, we’ve seen more players make the jump from League One to the Championship than ever before. On Saturday, players like Miami FC’s Allen Gavilanes – formerly of Greenville Triumph SC – were integral in their club’s opening night victories. It all goes to show how the USL’s pathway is growing, not only bringing clubs to fans that they can get behind in their own communities but offering players the chance to achieve their professional aspirations. |
| QUOTE OF THE WEEK |
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| “I laid in bed last night just wanting so badly to just send these fans away happy. We knew it was going to be a big crowd. We want them to come back, and we want them to enjoy the product on the field. We hope they did. They were electric all day long.”New Mexico United Head Coach Eric Quill after his side’s 1-0 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Isotopes Park. The home opener crowd of 11,347 was the second-highest in the USL Championship’s opening weekend. |
| 2. San Antonio’s got a brand new bag |
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| This offseason, San Antonio FC Head Coach Alen Marcina said his side was going to be making a major change in its stylistic approach.On Saturday night, his side was true to his word.KNOCK IT AROUND: San Antonio’s 619 passes and 514 successful passes were the most the club had recorded in a USL Championship season since the league partnered with Opta prior to the 2017 season. BUILD FROM THE BACK: Center backs Mitchell Taintor (99) and Kendall Burks (95) recorded the two highest individual passing totals for the club over the same span. COMPARE AND CONTRAST: In the club’s 2022 USL Championship title-winning season, the most passes the side made in a single game was 373 – incidentally, also against Loudoun United FC – and the fewest was 183. It’s a new direction for the side that had been the most direct in the Championship in recent years. There will be bumps in the road – SAFC was held to a 2-2 draw by Loudoun United FC on Saturday, with United’s opening goal coming directly off a turnover of possession in the hosts’ defensive third – but while a point at home wasn’t the desired result, the way the team performed had far more positives than negatives.PLAYMAKERS UNLOCKED: In becoming more possession-heavy, San Antonio is likely to offer more opportunities for its talented midfield and forward group to pull opponents apart with their skill. Last year’s Golden Playmaker Jorge Hernández (pictured) notched assists on both goals against Loudoun as his close control and vision set up premium opportunities for Lucas Silva and Juan Agudelo. AGUDELO AT THE POINT: We had wondered how Agudelo, a former United States international that joined SAFC this offseason, would fit into the side’s former aggressive style. Well, turns out he’s the ideal fit for the new philosophy Marcina and new SAFC Sporting Director Marco Ferruzzi are aiming for. He had one goal, three shots and two chances created while leading the line. HE SAID IT: “I’ve played with very good 10s. Jorge’s left foot is actually a dream to play with as a 9 and soon as I scored, I said, “First of many, bro,” because I know he’s going to put it in. I’m very hopeful he stays healthy because when he’s on the field, I’m going to get chances, or whoever’s up there is going to get chances.” – Agudelo on HernándezSan Antonio will get a great test of its new philosophy this Saturday night when it visits the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Golazo Network). With the Rowdies’ commitment to pressing high defensively – as evidenced in preseason against Club de Foot Montreal – the contrast should make for a fascinating battle between two sides expected to be in title contention this season.Make no mistake, however, this new model of San Antonio is here to stay. |
| 3. MEME OF THE WEEK |
| Orange County SC’s Colin Shutler became only the third goalkeeper to score in a USL Championship game as he bagged the equalizer in the fifth minute of stoppage time against Sacramento Republic FC. |
| Former San Antonio FC star Jose Gallegos delivered a game-winning performance for current club Sonderjyske on Saturday, bagging a tremendous opening goal in a 4-1 win against AC Horsens. Sonderjyske is closing in on promotion to Denmark’s top flight with 11 games to go in the season. More young talent can be found in the USL Championship than ever before as more clubs invest in their academies and bring aboard players aiming for a path to Europe. Soccer America’s Paul Kennedy took a deeper look at the trend. Orange County SC has built a loyal fanbase in the region, and this offseason offered fans the chance to buy into the club. Forbes’ James Nalton has more on how OCSC has ingrained itself in America’s second-largest media market. Rhode Island FC President Brett Luy joined NESN’s Sophia Jurksztowicz on Monday night to preview the club’s inaugural season, with Saturday’s home opener at Beirne Stadium already sold out. Fans of USL League One club Spokane Velocity FC packed into Brick West Brewing on Saturday afternoon to watch the first game in club history. This weekend’s inaugural home opener is set to be a sellout at ONE Spokane Stadium. #KitSZN around the USL Championship is underway and has once again delivered some of the most distinctive designs in North American soccer. CBS Sports’ Chuck Booth and Pardeep Cattry have their ranking of the best, and you can check out all the released fits so far here. USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort has been appointed as a Pro Council representative on U.S. Soccer’s Board of Directors. The Super League launches this August. This year more clubs in the USL Championship and League One will air on local television networks than ever before in the leagues’ history. Beyond the 90’s Kartik Krishnaiyer looked at the trend and why it can fuel the USL’s growth. Oakland Roots and Soul SC Co-Founder and CEO Edreece Arghandiwal was a guest on The FootballCo Business Podcast this week, discussing the Roots and Soul’s journey as purpose-driven clubs. Memphis 901 FC broke its opening day jinx with a 2-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC at AutoZone Park, the first victory for the side in its season-opener at the sixth time of asking. Miami FC delivered one of the notable results of Week 1, taking a 2-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC as its new-look squad found a way to deliver.EL Paso Locomotive FC fans welcomed their club back to Southwest University Park on Saturday night, and while they didn’t see Locomotive earn a victory, the El Paso Times’ Bret Bloomquist found the passion for the club remains high among the fanbase. |
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