Happy Thursday everyone. I’ve been up since 2:30am watching the first two matches of the Women’s World Cup, so let’s start right there!
Co-hosts New Zealand stun Norway in Women’s World Cup opener (ESPN)
New Zealand wins its first World Cup match ever – men or women – when they stun Norway 1-0 in the opener of the Women’s World Cup. A tremendous moment for the team.
Three dead in Auckland shooting ahead of Women’s World Cup (ESPN)
Everyone associated with the teams in the World Cup appear to be okay after a shooting in Auckland’s CBD claims 2 lives, plus the gunman.
Sam Kerr: Australia captain ruled out of first two Women’s World Cup games with calf injury (BBC)
Australia wins their opener 1-0, but captain Sam Kerr will miss the first two matches of the tournament with a calf injury.
MLS All-Stars fall to Premier League powerhouse Arsenal FC (MLS)
It was a magical night at Audi Field last night for the 2023 MLS All-Star Game, but not on the scoreboard for the league. Arsenal smokes the All-Stars 5-0 in the match.
Nashville SC apparently received a huge $7 million bid from a Qatari club for Hany Mukhtar, but it was rejected. The reigning MLS MVP stays in the league.
Lionel Messi’s MLS arrival can herald seismic changes on and off the pitch (The Guardian)
Lionel Messi’s arrival in MLS is going to mean a ton of changes for the league and everyone who is associated with it.
That’s it for now…time to grab some coffee.
I keep going back and forth on whether to sell Palsson, if those rumors were true. I think at the moment, I’m leaning towards “We’ve peaked at what this iteration of the team can do, and even if we make the playoffs, it’s likely one and done.” So, best to get something for him and begin the rebuild. Maybe even don’t fill that roster spot until a new coach (and GM?) can come in and pick a player they’d want.
But Palsson’s probably going to have to fill in for O’Brien, so…
According to MLSmultiplex (not sure how reliable of a source they are), Santos have announced the loan of Garbriel Pirani to DC. He should slot into O’Brien’s spot.
As to whether or not we sell Palsson, I think he’s done a really good job this season as a CB. If the price is right I wouldn’t be too crushed to see him go, but I don’t necessarily want DC to give him away for nothing. DC has Akinmboni and Sargis waiting in the wings as adequate depth.
I think the answer on Palsson is this: he’s done a terrific job this year. But has he done a $900,000 job? I don’t think so. If you’re going to plunk down that kind of change, that’s DP money. He’s not a DP in a DP position (RCB).
I’d like to see Palsson given a couple games at CDM to see what he can do there. He didn’t do great in midfield last season, but that was playing as part of a two man center midfield and he just isn’t able to cover enough ground to make that work (very few players are, part of why that formation has fallen from favor). With Klich and Canouse/Durkin ahead of him doing all of the running, I think he might be able to do decent. At the very least give him a run out and see what happens.
Good job for New Zealand! Will they make it out of their group? Having beaten the presumed group winners, it feels like they have a chance.
I remember back in ’98 the US men had their pre-World Cup sendoff game at RFK. It was part of a 2-game bill with the first being the Mia Hamm era US women playing the Kiwis. The US women had their way and, I think, won 4-0.
The 2nd game I believe was the US men versus Scotland. It was a completely listless scoreless draw which presaged the US’ lame efforts at the 1998 World Cup. So my brother and I mocked both Men’s teams with improvised and mocking “Kiwi, Kiwi!” chants as that game reached its later stages. This was before the Ryan Nelsen Era.
At least that’s what I remember. But it WAS in another millenium.
Good on the Kiwis for their improvement and big win at home last night!
If we win our group, I believe we’d be on a trajectory to meet NZ… if they make the Semifinals. Which, I think unlikely, but damn, a NZ side that could do that would be quite a nut to crack
I was happy to see Australia (without Sam Kerr) beat Ireland 1-0 and hope that the Matildas make it out of group and that Sam Kerr mends in time to play in this World Cup.
But I am unhappy that it was the Spirit’s Marissa Sheva that committed the foul that led to Australia’s winning penalty kick.
Americas Rugby News provides their 2023 MLR Dream Team and 3 Old Glory players make the cut: Jack Iscaro, Kyle Ballie, and Lautaro Bavaro: https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2023/07/19/2023-major-league-rugby-dream-team/