Flying Kiwis – June 12

Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)

It was cup week over in the States, which meant a potentially tricky away clash with FC Cincinnati for Captain Boxall and his troops. FC Cincy are a USL team making Minnesota the favourites but they’re a USL team that’s been granted an MLS expansion spot beginning in 2019 so certainly not a team to take lightly. And the Loons didn’t, starting their best available defence - Boxall included.

Having said that, Minnesota were far from their best. Cincinnati defended compactly and managed to limit the chances for the likes of Ibarra and Danladi. Minnesota weren’t able to find much space to unleash their speedy forwards and then Cincy didn’t quite have it in them to break down the Loons defence. Plenty of shots for them despite limited possession but few on target and few from decent goal-scoring areas. The first half kinda cancelled itself out and then the second half dragged on a bit too. There was still no score after ninety so it was off to extra time… where again there was no break in the deadlock.

No dramas for Minnesota Utd. Mike Boxall did his thing and won the coin toss and Minny scored the first kick, thanks to Ramirez, while Cincy’s bloke smacked the crossbar. Immediate advantage to the Loons. Keeper Bobby Shuttleworth went on to save two kicks and it was a comfortable 3-1 win in the shootout… as comfortable as shootouts can be, that is.

Boxall’s biggest contribution, outside of a solid defensive performance, was when a Cincy player caught him in the mouth with a swinging arm while Mike was defending a corner, leading to a bit of claret leaking from the smacker. Boxall had a right go at the lack of a whistle and for his outburst he found himself booed for the rest of the game by the home fans, as it tends to go.

Quick hits from Five Fifty-One: “Brent Kallman and Michael Boxall have been decent together, but not an obvious improvement over the Calvo pairing. Last year, the Boxall-Kallman pairing was not great in their few starts together.”

The next couple MLS weeks are spread out a bit more than usual to limit the damage done by players away on World Cup duty so Minnesota had no game on the weekend and thanks to their cup success they won’t play a league game for two more weeks until they travel to Colorado (yes!) on June 24.

Up Next: Away to Houston Dynamo, US Open Cup, Tuesday 19 June at 12.30pm (NZT)

Tommy Smith, Kip Colvey & Deklan Wynne – Colorado Rapids (American Major League Soccer)

Mate, better hope so.

Things just keep going from bad to worse for Anthony Hudson’s Colorado Rapids and unfortunately there is a trio of kiwi players tied up in all of that. On the back of seven straight defeats the Rapids travelled to Tennessee to take on Nashville FC, a team in its first season of existence, and somehow managed to lose 2-0 despite the lower league opposition.

What’s even worse is that they had just three shots, with none on target, in the whole game. It was atrocious stuff and the criticism has not been shy. Deklan Wynne and Tommy Smith played full games and it wasn’t even a weakened team, other than Tim Howard resting. The only possible excuse is that they did have to play on a gridiron field, as occasionally happens in America. Take a look at this travesty of a pitch!

This might have been rock bottom for Hudson… but he still managed to chase it with a 2-0 defeat against Houston Dynamo. In which they got another red card. Yannick Boli was sent off in first half injury time for a dirty elbow although they were already trailing 2-0 with Tomas Martinez scoring one and then Mauro Manotas converting the second from the penalty spot. Wynne got nutmegged in the lead up to the first (albeit not cleanly), though thankfully none of the kiwis were involved in the second as Danny Wilson passed the ball straight to an attacker and Johan Blomberg hacked down the striker. Wynne picked up a yellow in the second half. Colvey was an unused sub after not making the bench for the previous game. Tim Howard and his goal frame were all that kept this one from being more.

So, Huddo, nine losses in a row including a cup exit to a team from a lower division… what you reckon?

This is getting horrific.

Up Next: Colorado vs Chicago, Thursday at 1pm (NZT)

Abby Erceg – North Carolina Courage (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Only the one game in the NWSL recently and it was Rebekah Stott’s Sky Blue getting their second point of the season with a 0-0 draw against Washington Spirit, the second bottom team. Stotty was in Aotearoa though, so obviously she didn’t play. Otherwise the international break was respected.

All the Football Ferns were with the team in Wellington for whatever you want to call that spectacle on Sunday arvo. Well, to be fair, the occasion was a wonderful one. Record crowd and a great celebration. Just a shame about the game and a certain person’s comments afterwards. Flying Kiwis keeps it positive but have a peek at this and check out Abby leaving six sprigs up on a bugger with her comments. Might need to pass the collection plate around for the fine that’s coming but full respect. These are the words of a leader.

Up Next: NCC vs Utah Royals, Sunday at 11.00am (NZT)

Stefan Marinovic – Vancouver Whitecaps (American Major League Soccer)

There’s your update on Big Stef. Along with the win over Colorado a week ago, they’ve also gone and beaten Orlando City 5-2 and, if all goes well, Marinovic should be available for their next game. In the meantime he’s made the most of his time off. He took control of the team’s Instagram story for some hijinks a few weeks ago then for the Colorado game he did some colour commentary before getting into the midst of it with the diehards in the stand against Orlando. He’ll be a fan favourite in no time at this rate.

By the way, the Caps don’t compete in the US Open Cup on account of they’re a Canadian team. They do have a Canadian Championship semi-final coming up in a month’s time against Montreal Impact though.

Up Next: Philadelphia vs Vancouver, Sunday 24 June at 9am (NZT)

Jake Gleeson & Bill Tuiloma – Portland Timbers (American Major League Soccer)

Cup time in Portland meant a home game against San Jose and it also meant a number of Timbers 2 players being called up to the top squad for experience. A couple of proper first teamers remained but clearly the manager was looking to stretch some rusty legs. Tuiloma included, who was named at centre-back and along with Diego Chara was the only starter from the previous MLS game to hold their place. Only issue with that is Jake Gleeson was nowhere to be seen, third-stringer Kendall McIntosh getting a rare opportunity instead.

But despite the changes a goal in the first half by Jeremy Ebobisse and one in the second half from Dairon Asprilla gave the Timbers a 2-0 win. How about it? This was a game which the Timbers were the better side in although if San Jose had been better with their chances you never know. Good game from Tui. Been a good season from him so far too.

They then drew 0-0 with Sporting KC but both kiwis were unused substitutes so never mind.

Up Next: Home to LA Galaxy on Saturday at 3pm in the US Open Cup (NZT)

Elliot Collier – Chicago Fire (American Major League Soccer)

Still out with that ‘left gastroc injury’. Collier played no part in Chicago’s penalty shootout win over Columbus Crew or their 1-1 MLS draw with New England Revolution a few days later. But the good news is that he has been updated from OUT to QUESTIONABLE on the injury report, which means he’s a chance for a game he shouldn’t want to miss in a few days… away to Colorado Rapids. That’s an easy win at this rate.

Up Next: Colorado vs Chicago, 1pm on Thursday (NZT)

Greg Draper – The New Saints (Welsh Premier League)

Up Next: Probably shopping for a bigger trophy cabinet

Joel Stevens – Husqvarna FF (Swedish Division 1 Södra)

Evidence of Joel Stevens having a shot off target. Not the most glamourous highlight but she’s slim pickings with both national teams on international duty. Stevens didn’t get to join his teammate Myer Bevan with the All Whites but he’s been getting plenty of minutes for Husqvarna, starting the last ten games in a row since joining the club. He’s scored twice along the way and played his part as Husqvarna recently won three games in a row to climb out of the relegation zone, although a 3-1 loss to Kristianstad on the weekend ended that run. Myer Bevan, meanwhile, has started five times and come off the bench once, also with two goals, though, yeah, he’s been away in Mumbai recently and didn’t get to cash in on the three wins. Back at it soon, though.

While we’re at it, gotta spare some love for Tyler Lissette who was a doesn’t seem to be on the radar too much but is actually playing a division above Stevens and Bevan in the Superettan with IFK Värnamo. They’re not doing too great, sitting last on the ladder, but Tyler’s one of three players at the club to have started all eleven games so far.

Up Next: Tvååker vs Husqvarna at midnight on Sunday (NZT)

Kyle Adams – Rio Grande Valley (American United Soccer League)

There’s a bit of Kyle, having a chat with the team’s media. He’s been a regular for the Toros in the USL this season, playing in 12 of their 13 games. It’s been a difficult season so far for RGV who have only won once in those 13 games but with only 17 goals conceded it hasn’t been their defence that’s let them down. Adams is one to be aware of down the line. Solid prospect.

Up Next: Away to OKC Energy on Sunday, 13.30pm (NZT)

James Musa – Phoenix Rising (American United Soccer League)

Continuing on the USL trend, The Moose’s Phoenix Rising were knocked out of the US Open Cup a month ago in the second round, going down 5-4 on penalties against Sporting Arizona after a 1-1 draw. Musa didn’t play. But after spending the start of the season injured he’s settled in as a regular holding midfielder for PR. 748 minutes in nine games, eight of them starts. He was at it again in a 0-0 draw against Sacramento Republic on Sunday which helps Phoenix Rising keep up there near the top, currently in third place on gaol difference in the Western Conference. Well inside the playoff spots at this early-ish stage.

Up Next: PRFC vs Las Vegas Lights, Thursday at 2.30pm (NZT)

Cory Brown – Fresno FC (American United Soccer League)

And finally we’ve got Nelson hero Cory Brown, who has been in and out for Fresno this season, only playing the four games in USL action, but he did the double-header this week, beginning with a spot in the middle of a back four in the US Open Cup against none other than Los Angeles FC.

The cup upset didn’t happen. Fresno held in there valiantly for the first half but then two quick goals in the ten minutes after the resumption, Diego Rossi and Latif Blessing scoring them, meant LAFC advanced with a 2-0 win. Bit of a shame but an expected result. And Browny had one of his best games of the season up against the higher-division opponents. Two blocked shots, three tackles and seven interceptions and the Fresno website gave him their Man of the Match. Need proof? Here’s a pretty picture…

Then he backed up a few days later in a back three as Fresno drew 1-1 away at Reno 1868. Jose Cuevas gave them the lead in the first half but then Brian Brown equalised straight after the break and it ended 1-1. Fresno are sitting midtable in the West, needing a run of wins to get up into those playoff spots.

Up Next: Fresno vs Sac Republic, Thursday at 2pm (NZT)

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Written by Nick Robinson On Tagged