ASN: Sounders flex muscle, Chicago seems to be ahead, Slonina impresses within the cup

Tuesday was a busy day in American soccer with the Leagues Cup right here, the Carabao Cup over there, and an entire bunch of different stuff. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta supplies the information and his ideas. 

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Brian Sciaretta

Posted
August 13, 2024
5:05 PM

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Anyway, let’s simply get into it.

Sounders look sharp

After a tricky begin to the MLS season, the Seattle Sounders have been enjoying very properly in the summertime months. Earlier than Leagues Cup, they gained 5 out of their final six video games. Now at Leagues Cup, they’re into the quarterfinal after a dominant 4-0 win over Pumas.

The truth that Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnak had large video games isn’t stunning. Each have a historical past of delivering in large video games for the Sounders towards each MLS and Liga MX opponents. However Paul Rothrock grabbed all the eye. First, he scored the opening aim. Then he nutmegged rising Mexican worldwide star “Chino” Huerta. Pumas gamers didn’t take kindly to the rating, or getting embarrassed. In the direction of the top of the sport, Pumas’ Lisandro Magallán was given a purple card and a penalty for a tricky hit on Morris. Morris would then convert the penalty.

Seattle boss Brian Schmetzer spoke concerning the play from Rothrock afterward.

“They didn’t like that. Pumas is a proud team. Huerta’s one of their best players; he’s a $10 million player,” Schmetzer mentioned. “And here’s our kid from Seattle’s Capitol Hill putting the ball between his legs down in the corner. I know why the Pumas players were upset.”

Paul Rothrock took us via nutmeging “Chino” Huerta and his rising show of ball expertise over the previous couple of video games.

The #Sounders attacker commented on being appeared as extra of a sparkplug kind participant and never a lot as a technical participant.????:https://t.co/PpaH5bNvIT pic.twitter.com/k3QSEILWaO

— Niko Moreno (@ELROLONW) August 13, 2024

Seattle is figuring issues out now and is a harmful crew – as soon as once more. The win they’d over the LA Galaxy was convincing. The issue for them is that they’re nonetheless not so good as LAFC. Which means issues forward for them the remainder of the MLS season, and within the Leagues Cup the place they may possible face LAFC subsequent (LAFC faces San Jose on Tuesday).

If Seattle does tackle LAFC, it’s one other measuring stick for the Sounders as to the place they stand after their improved play started in June. Simply think about if Pedro de la Vega ever hits his stride (however simply enjoying commonly can be an enchancment).

Leagues Cup Spherical of 16

The matchups are getting higher in Leagues Cup, regardless of a few of the high Mexican groups having already been ousted.

Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami CF: The most important recreation on slate for Tuesday. The 2 finest groups within the league. Nobody ever thought Inter Miami can be this good with out Lionel Messi. However they’re, they usually get vital contributions from younger gamers too. In the meantime, Columbus seems to be nearly as good as all the time. Even with Aidan Morris gone, the midfield is excellent. Columbus got here out of the gates swinging with a 4-0 romp over Sporting KC.

FC Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia Union: It’s all the time enjoyable when these two groups meet up. Cincinnati turned across the dismal state of their membership solely when the started emulating the Union in hiring Chris Albright and Pat Noonan. Now Cincinnati is healthier, they usually spend more cash. Many are anticipated the Union to make large adjustments to their core group which were collectively for a very long time, however these days they’ve been on the upswing.

Cruz Azul vs. Mazatlán FC: An all-Liga MX matchup options one of many largest golf equipment in Liga MX towards a small crew having fun with a Cinderella run in Leagues Cup.

New York Metropolis FC vs. Tigres UNAL: A younger NYCFC crew taking up a veteran Tigres crew that may be very, very troublesome to beat in knockout type tournaments. It all the time takes an enormous effort to take down this Tigres group of gamers. Will probably be an excellent take a look at for a younger and upcoming NYCFC crew at Purple Bull Enviornment.

Membership America vs. St. Louis CITY: This may be an enormous upset if St. Louis can pull this off. Membership America is the perfect crew remaining on this match and St. Louis is in the course of a rocky season the place they’re looking for a identification.

Toluca vs. Colorado: Toluca is favored on this recreation. Colorado barely held on to beat FC Juarez at dwelling. Toluca is a a lot better crew than Juarez and Colorado appeared very drained are their of their final recreation. Colorado wants to boost their recreation.

Los Angeles FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Whereas San Jose is enjoying a lot better at Leagues Cup and is having a pleasant match, there isn’t a means they are often favored towards LAFC. Sure, San Jose defeated Necaxa 5-0 of their final recreation, however it could be beautiful if they will proceed that. Jeremey Ebobisse will likely be an issue for LAFC given his type. However LAFC are additionally going to be boosted with the possible debut of Olivier Giroud.

Chicago Fireplace shakeup

The Chicago Fireplace have been dangerous for a very long time. They’ve made it to the playoffs as soon as since 2013 (an that was a fast first spherical exit in 2017). They haven’t gained a playoff sequence since 2009.

It was very stunning when no teaching adjustments or entrance workplace adjustments have been made after final season. It appeared like one thing that needed to occur, so why wait?

Nicely, the Fireplace waited, till now. Georg Heitz introduced he was leaving the membership resulting from private causes.

Sporting Director Georg Heitz as we speak introduced that he’ll depart the Membership following the conclusion of the Fireplace’s 2024 MLS season for private causes. pic.twitter.com/LSZYXHcOj1

— Chicago Fireplace FC (@ChicagoFire) August 12, 2024

Unsurprisingly, the followers have been pleased. However this previous season simply looks as if such a waste. A lot work stays forward. They may have began it sooner.

Cappis and Rogers on the transfer

Two Individuals have been on the transfer as we speak with transfers or loans.

First, Christian Cappis was bought from Brondby in Denmark to Viking FK in Norway. That transfer will ship Cappis to the crew at the moment sitting second in Norway’s Eliteserien.

Second, Sam Rogers was loaned from Lillestrom to Aalesunds in Norway’s second tier. Aalesunds wants assist as they’re amid a relegation battle and Rogers ought to bolster their backline.

Carbao Cup: Slonina, Kelman, and Gooch stand out

The highest video games for Individuals overseas got here from the Carabao Cup matchups in England the place a number of of the Individuals within the high two tiers of England acquired to characteristic.

There have been loads of highlights.

Gaga Slonina is off to a robust begin in his mortgage to Barnsley as he save two penalties in a shootout to assist his membership edge previous Wigan after a 1-1 draw.

— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) August 13, 2024

Charlie Kelman performed the ultimate half-hour for Leyton Orient and scored the crew’s remaining aim of a 4-1 win over Newport County. Kelman, 22, is off to a really sturdy begin on his mortgage to Leyton Orient from QPR. He scored in Leyton Orient’s League One opener over the weekend.

Auston Trusty did not play in Sheffield United’s Championship opening win however he acquired the beginning towards Wrexham on Tuesday. He was liable for Wrexham’s opening aim when he poorly defended a nook. However he then scored the equalizer minutes later when headed dwelling a nook kick. Sheffield United ended up profitable 4-2.

AMERICAN AUSTON TRUSTY’S FIRST GOAL WITH THE CLUB LEVELS SHEFFIELD WITH WREXHAM ???????? pic.twitter.com/FwaFbOF3v0

— CBS Sports activities Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 13, 2024

Lynden Gooch got here off the bench within the 66th minute for Stoke Metropolis and assisted on the crew’s second aim of a 2-0 win over Carlisle United.

Haji Wright began and performed 65 minutes for Coventry in a 1-0 win over Bristol.

Duane Holmes did not play in Preston North Finish’s Championship opening loss on Saturday however he performed the ultimate 21 minutes of their 2-0 win over Sunderland on Tuesday.