Breakfast Links - September 22, 2023
(image via Billy Mears)
It’s the last Friday before the US Open Cup Final… I know, I can’t wait either. Here are your Breakfast Links to kick off the weekend.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo are a few days away from taking on Inter Miami in the US Open Cup Final. However, the team will first fly to Kansas City to take on Peter Vermes’ team. The match ups between these two teams have always been entertaining ones, no doubt. Saturday’s game might be even sweeter if Houston takes away some points from SKC at Children’s Mercy Park, because doing so will put Houston closer to clinching a playoff berth for the first time since the 2017 season. Let’s go Dynamo!
The Houston Dash are currently on break due to international callups for players around the world. The ladies will restart the final stretch of the season on October 1st when they take on Gotham FC. The math still has them chasing a playoff spot, but it will likely take them winning all 3 of their remaining games. DTFO!
Houston Dynamo 2 have come all the way down to the last game in search of a post season appearance. Kenny Bundy’s team got pummeled last weekend against intra state rivals, North Texas. Now the boys travel to LA and take on an already eliminated Galaxy II, a team that also beat down Houston at home not too long ago. Dos know that San Jose is fighting for the last playoff ticket left, therefore their last match is a must win. Vamos Dyna Dos!
Make sure you check out the latest episodes of the Bayou City Soccer Podcast, available everywhere you get your podcasts as well as our YouTube channel!
Major League Soccer
Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen, defender Griffin Dorsey, and captain Hector Herrera were named to the Team of the Matchday for Matchday 33 after Wednesday’s win over Vancouver.
FC Cincinnati have signed MVP candidate Luciano Acosta to a contract extension through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027. Acosta has 14 goals and 11 assists for the Supporters’ Shield leaders.
The Columbus Crew, when the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs begin next month, may stand among the favorites to be crowned champion in the December 9 final. Their league-leading 60 goals scored. Star striker Cucho Hernández mounting a late-season Landon Donovan MLS MVP push. Diego Rossi arriving mid-year to replace star playmaker Lucas Zelarayán. A breakout season for homegrown midfielder Aidan Morris. First-year head coach Wilfried Nancy implementing a bold, ambitious play style.
Billy Sharp might be 2023's best under-the-radar summer signing, earning Player of the Matchday presented by Continental Tire honors for Matchday 33 – the byproduct of a potentially season-saving hat trick against Minnesota United FC in just his second LA Galaxy start. The 37-year-old English striker, acquired last month as a free agent, scored three times as the Galaxy turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 victory iced by Diego Fagúndez's winner. The result keeps them within five points of the ninth-and-final Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs spot in the Western Conference with six games remaining.
The 2023 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi chase is well underway; the winner will be known on Decision Day (October 21). Hany Mukhtar heads the list with 15 goals, with Luciano Acosta, Denis Bouanga, and Giorgos Giakoumakis are right behind the German striker.
Around the World
Julie Ertz wore the captain's armband as she led the United States onto the field ahead of an easy 3-0 friendly win over South Africa in her final match for the national team. Before the game on Thursday night at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium, Ertz was honored by U.S. Soccer and presented with a commemorative jersey with the No. 123 on it, representing the number of caps the veteran midfielder earned in a U.S. jersey.
Germany have appointed Julian Nagelsmann as their new manager, the German football federation (DFB) announced on Friday, with the former Bayern Munich coach replacing the sacked Hansi Flick. Flick was dismissed by Germany following their 4-1 defeat to Japan on Sept. 9, leaving the Euro 2024 hosts with a sizable task to rediscover their top form ahead of next summer's tournament.
Erik ten Hag has played down suggestions of a split in the Manchester United dressing room following their poor start to the season and insisted "everyone is united" at Old Trafford. Speaking ahead of a crucial trip to Burnley on Saturday, Ten Hag addressed reports of a bust-up between players following the defeat to Brighton and that some players are still disappointed about the treatment of David De Gea, who is a free agent following his release over the summer.
Lionel Messi said he resents not having been recognised by Paris Saint-Germain for his World Cup triumph, especially as all of his Argentina teammates were honoured by their respective clubs. Messi scored twice in the final and also converted a penalty in the shootout as Argentina won 4-2 on penalties against France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
