Soccer Recap 17: History Repeats Itself, Double-Game Week, A Look Around MLS, and the USMNT
Minnesota Soccer Spot
Tuesday, June 18th
History Repeats Itself, Double-Game Week, A Look Around MLS, and the USMNT
*Disclaimer: My takes are not thoughtful, and they are NOT based in knowledge.*
History Repeats Itself:
Once again, Seattle has the Loons’ number. This past Saturday, Minnesota United traveled to Seattle, Washington to take on the Seattle Sounders. The Sounders, who currently sit at ninth in the Western Conference, snatched all three points in what would be one of Minnesota’s most bland showings of the season.
Here’s how both teams lined up:
MNUFC Lineup
Seattle Sounders Lineup
With many international absences for Minnesota, Eric Ramsay had to get creative. He put forward a 5-3-2 lineup, something relatively new for the Loons. The five-back included mainstays Kervin Arriaga, Michael Boxall, and Mickey Tapias. Caden Clark steps in for the injured DJ Taylor, and Devin Padelford takes the place of the suspended Joseph Rosales. The midfield features Hassani Dotson, Franco Fragapane, and a returning Robin Lod. Sang Bin and Bongi get the start together up top. As far as Seattle is concerned Brian Schmetzer put forward a 4-2-3-1. Jordan Morris starts up top, forcing Raul Ruidiaz to start on the bench. Other than that, it’s an expected lineup from Seattle.
The match didn’t start well for either team. Just ten seconds into the match, Minnesota United’s Devin Padelford would clash heads with Alex Roldan, forcing a substitution for both sides. Adebayo-Smith comes on for the injured Devin Padelford, forcing Sang Bin into more of a left back position. Seattle is forced to make a similar move with Rothrock taking CHRISTIAN Roldan’s spot, forcing him to play defensively for his injured brother.
The first twenty-five minutes were uneventful for both sides. The commentary had been painting Jordan Morris as this pain in Minnesota’s side, but I did not notice him until his goal: Tapias comes in late on Rothrock, giving up a set piece opportunity. Rusnak serves a ball in, Morris gets a head to it, and the Sounders are up 1-0. It’s poor from Arriaga on the end, but that takes nothing away from the success of the set piece.
Real ones remember when that fraud got more minutes at the World Cup than Gio Reyna
Seattle would continue to dominate until the end of the first half: Obed Vargas gets the better of Caden Clark, but his shot hits the side netting. Right before the end of the half, a perfectly chipped ball finds the foot of Jordan Morris, who is kept onside by a Minnesota defender. His one-on-one attempt forces a huge save from Clint Irwin, who has done well when called upon. The half would end 1-0.
The Sounders would come out of the gate flying: just twenty seconds into the second half, a perfectly crossed ball finds the foot of Rothrock who scuffs the shot wide 6 yards out. Minnesota would have a few half-chances, but nothing would pan out. Seattle would strike again in the fifty-sixth minute. A well-worked ball on Seattle’s right-hand side. Leo Chu megs Arriaga with his cross, and Rothrock gets on the end of it. He redeems himself from his previous miss, and the Sounders are up 2-0.
The match would go from bad to worse for the Loons. Eric Ramsay brought on a couple of MNUFC2 players, one of which was Moses Nyeman. Unfortunately for him, he would be sent off for a reckless tackle toward the end of the match. With that, the match would end 2-0.
Overall, it was poor from the Loons. Clint Irwin kept Minnesota in the match, but attack-wise, they looked lost. Bongi Hlongwane has been struggling this season, and Saturday night was no different. With rumors of him going to Turkey, we’ll see what the front office does. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Hlongwane go this summer. The best-case scenario would be that he stays and finds his groove, but nothing in this sport can be predicted.
History Repeats Itself:
Once again, Seattle has the Loons’ number. This past Saturday, Minnesota United traveled to Seattle, Washington to take on the Seattle Sounders. The Sounders, who currently sit at ninth in the Western Conference, snatched all three points in what would be one of Minnesota’s most bland showings of the season.
Here’s how both teams lined up:
 |
| MNUFC Lineup |
 |
| Seattle Sounders Lineup |
With many international absences for Minnesota, Eric Ramsay had to get creative. He put forward a 5-3-2 lineup, something relatively new for the Loons. The five-back included mainstays Kervin Arriaga, Michael Boxall, and Mickey Tapias. Caden Clark steps in for the injured DJ Taylor, and Devin Padelford takes the place of the suspended Joseph Rosales. The midfield features Hassani Dotson, Franco Fragapane, and a returning Robin Lod. Sang Bin and Bongi get the start together up top. As far as Seattle is concerned Brian Schmetzer put forward a 4-2-3-1. Jordan Morris starts up top, forcing Raul Ruidiaz to start on the bench. Other than that, it’s an expected lineup from Seattle.
The match didn’t start well for either team. Just ten seconds into the match, Minnesota United’s Devin Padelford would clash heads with Alex Roldan, forcing a substitution for both sides. Adebayo-Smith comes on for the injured Devin Padelford, forcing Sang Bin into more of a left back position. Seattle is forced to make a similar move with Rothrock taking CHRISTIAN Roldan’s spot, forcing him to play defensively for his injured brother.
The first twenty-five minutes were uneventful for both sides. The commentary had been painting Jordan Morris as this pain in Minnesota’s side, but I did not notice him until his goal: Tapias comes in late on Rothrock, giving up a set piece opportunity. Rusnak serves a ball in, Morris gets a head to it, and the Sounders are up 1-0. It’s poor from Arriaga on the end, but that takes nothing away from the success of the set piece.
 |
| Real ones remember when that fraud got more minutes at the World Cup than Gio Reyna |
Seattle would continue to dominate until the end of the first half: Obed Vargas gets the better of Caden Clark, but his shot hits the side netting. Right before the end of the half, a perfectly chipped ball finds the foot of Jordan Morris, who is kept onside by a Minnesota defender. His one-on-one attempt forces a huge save from Clint Irwin, who has done well when called upon. The half would end 1-0.
The Sounders would come out of the gate flying: just twenty seconds into the second half, a perfectly crossed ball finds the foot of Rothrock who scuffs the shot wide 6 yards out. Minnesota would have a few half-chances, but nothing would pan out. Seattle would strike again in the fifty-sixth minute. A well-worked ball on Seattle’s right-hand side. Leo Chu megs Arriaga with his cross, and Rothrock gets on the end of it. He redeems himself from his previous miss, and the Sounders are up 2-0.
The match would go from bad to worse for the Loons. Eric Ramsay brought on a couple of MNUFC2 players, one of which was Moses Nyeman. Unfortunately for him, he would be sent off for a reckless tackle toward the end of the match. With that, the match would end 2-0.
Overall, it was poor from the Loons. Clint Irwin kept Minnesota in the match, but attack-wise, they looked lost. Bongi Hlongwane has been struggling this season, and Saturday night was no different. With rumors of him going to Turkey, we’ll see what the front office does. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Hlongwane go this summer. The best-case scenario would be that he stays and finds his groove, but nothing in this sport can be predicted.
Double-Game Week:
Minnesota will take on two Texas teams this coming week: Dallas on Wednesday and Austin at home on Saturday. Minnesota will once again have key players missing in Tani Oluwaseyi and Dayne St. Clair. Along with Arriaga, who did not travel with the team to Dallas (potentially trade-related), and DJ Taylor (injury).
With that in mind, here is a mock lineup with the players we do have:
Minnesota will look to get some results and maintain their dominating spot in the Western Conference.
Minnesota will take on two Texas teams this coming week: Dallas on Wednesday and Austin at home on Saturday. Minnesota will once again have key players missing in Tani Oluwaseyi and Dayne St. Clair. Along with Arriaga, who did not travel with the team to Dallas (potentially trade-related), and DJ Taylor (injury).
With that in mind, here is a mock lineup with the players we do have:
Minnesota will look to get some results and maintain their dominating spot in the Western Conference.
A Look Around MLS:
This was a busy week for MLSers. Here are some highlights!
NYCFC V Columbus: I forced my parents to watch this one. It was a win-win situation: Leif got to drink his white claw, and I got to watch Friday night MLS. This game is peak Major League Soccer: Red cards, five goals, VAR doing its thing. The best part of this one was watching ten-man NYCFC take the lead just before halftime. Columbus would come back to score three goals in the second half, but NYCFC kept themselves in the match. I was rooting for them to at least come back to tie it, but sadly, Columbus would hold on. It was a Friday night well spent.
Orlando City V LAFC: Since Minnesota didn’t play until later, I forced my boyfriend to watch this match with me. Unfortunately for Minnesota and other Western Conference-based fans, LAFC was once again able to showcase why they are as hyped as they are. It was the Bounaga-Bogusz show. Orlando City would walk away from this one feeling like they should’ve had more. The scoring chances they didn’t put away would come back to bite them in the end. This match would end 3-1.
Goals/Highlights:
Kubo Hat Trick: The Cincinnati substitute scored a hat trick after just nine minutes on the field! What a moment for him and FC Cincinnati!
Cole Bassett BANGER: The title speaks for itself. This would be one of two goals in Colorado's 2-0 victory over Austin FC.
Maarten Paes COOKING: I don't have a video for this one, but I would encourage you to check out FC Dallas' highlights from this past weekend. In a much needed victory over St. Louis, Maarten Paes once again made a solid case for a spot on the MLS All-Star Team this coming July. If he is not on this roster, I will throw a temper tantrum.
Xande Silva goal (feat. crazy angle): This angle is absolutely insane. The audacity this man had to shoot from there. With that being said, someone pray for Atlanta United. Even crazy moments like this don't give this team enough spark to get it together.
Inter Miami Winning with NINE MEN: I feel like I say this every week, but THIS is the most MLS thing I've ever seen. With just nine men on the field, Inter Miami was able to find a game-winner against the Philidelphia Union.
Julian Gressel With The BANGER: Cannot move on from Miami without mentioning this dime of a goal. What a finish.
Mauricio Pineda COOKING: In Chicago's 4-1 away victory against Toronto FC, this banger was born. This was a much-needed victory for the Fire who have been struggling this season. This may be the spark they needed. We shall see.
Noel Buck Banger: This angle is odd, but shoutout to MLS channels that actually post individual goals.
Ryan Gauld Consolation Prize: Although it's just a consolation, this is a crazy goal for Scotsman.
USMNT VS Brazil:
Last week, The USMNT took on Brazil in an international friendly. Coming off of a 5-1 loss from the previous Saturday, the golden generation looked to redeem themselves against the fifth-best team in the world. Either team could've won this match: Both the United States and Brazil had legitimate chances. Matt Turner and Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker kept their teams in the match with incredible saves. Pulisic's free-kick will go down in history as an iconic goal for the United States. Overall, it was a much stronger performance from the United States and a decent result. This result will make fans feel better about Copa America this coming week.
The United States will take on Bolivia in the group stage this coming Sunday at 5 PM central time.
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| The moment Chris Richards CONCACAF'd a whole nation |
That's all for this week!
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