Flying Kiwis – December 13
Callum McCowatt - Silkeborg IF (Danish Superliga)
We’re coming into that time of the year when some seasons are ending and others are hitting their winter breaks. No more internationals for a couple of months but still a few more weeks before the funkiness of another European transfer window. Silkeborg IF are ready for their own winter break now so it won’t be until mid-February that we next get some proper Callum McCowatt action... though the bro made sure to leave us with a good one first...
Yessir, that’s how it’s done. Glancing it off the far post from outside the near post. Clever work and with that SIF took the lead against FC København in the first leg of their Danish Cup quarter-final. They’d been able to efficiently limit the defending league champions throughout that half then McCowatt delivered the goods soon before the break. Long way to go from that point but the first quarter of the tie had gone pretty much ideally. Although McCowatt did then pick up a yellow card in stoppage time.
The good thing is that Silkeborg didn’t sit back with the lead. They came back out in the second half and played like they deserved to be in front... which they did. McCowatt kept hustling (despite his yellow) in a physical game and had a couple of moments where he might have added an assist to his evening, dropping in as an option and then picking out the open man in the attacking third. But those subsequent shots weren’t always on target.
There’s always a worry about playing the top teams in cup competitions though and that they’re stacked for depth, usually having rotated things for these midweekers anyway, giving them weapons on the bench. Rasmus Falk, Roony Bardghji, and Denis Vavro had all been subbed on at the break. Mohamed Elyounoussi popped up after the hour... but before he could get amongst it, Silkeborg doubled the lead. 63 minutes gone. Quick move up the right edge then a switch to the left wing and Anders Klynge slotted home at the end of it. Not too dissimilar to CMC’s goal earlier. McCowatt was hanging deeper on the right as part of the initial phase – doing his job tracking back and then helping transition that into a goal-scoring attack. Five mins later he was subbed off to warm applause from the visiting fans. Choice.
Silkeborg managed to hold onto that 2-0 lead until the end of this away leg. Then a few days later they had to do it all over again in their last game of the year. A place in the cup semis on the line. Callum McCowatt was picked to start and he’d last 65 minutes before they subbed him off. Thing is, when they subbed him off the tie was very precariously balanced at 2-2 again after FCK scored twice late in the first half. An own goal after 36’, then a Christian Sørensen goal on 45+2‘. All level again. The champs were up for it (remember they won the Danish Cup last year with Marko Stamenic getting twenty minutes off the bench in the final).
There’s usually one way that goes: the favourites rally back and then continue on their merry way. Except that’s not what happened here. As FCK committed players forward in search of a goal to put them ahead they left themselves vulnerable at the back. Again, that meant Anders Klynge. Same fella who scored the second in the first leg got away on the break after 68 minutes and buried his 1v1 to tip the scales back towards Silkeborg. And that, friends, was how it ended. SIF survived the responding onslaught (including a goal disallowed for offside) to lose 2-1 on the day but win 3-2 on aggregate. Quiet from McCowatt in the second leg but his first leg influence was massive with that goal proving an essential part of the cupset.
As it would happen, Silkeborg’s first game after the break is against Copenhagen. And for context know that FCK just qualified for the knockout rounds of the Champions League, finishing second behind Bayern Munich in a group that also included Manchester United and Galatasaray.
That first leg match was the first time for 17 years that Silkeborg have won away against FCK. They’ve been drawn against second-tier Fredericia in the two-legged semis (to take place across March and April). It’s AGF vs Nordsjælland in the other semi-final. Those two teams are both slightly ahead of Silkeborg on the ladder but the top three teams, the big dogs, have all been eliminated and SIF have the most favourable semi-final draw. Exciting times.
Up Next: Nothing until Silkeborg vs Kobenhavn on 19 February in the Superliga... though there’ll be friendly games in the interim (NZT)
Katie Kitching - Sunderland (English Championship)
A few weeks ago none of us had probably even heard of Katie Kitching... but then a sneaky bit of parentage allowed her to get called up for the Football Ferns and she appeared off the bench in both recent games against Colombia. Now, in her first game back for Sunderland since becoming an international footballer, she’s scored twice in a 7-0 FA Cup win against Durham Cestria (two tiers below them on the pyramid). Nice and breezy to stride on into the fourth round which is when the WSL clubs join the competition.
To recap, Kitching is an English-born midfielder who spent a little bit of time in the Manchester City academy before moving to America to do five years at the University of South Florida. Following that she spent a season at London City Lionesses where she was a teammate of fellow England-born Ferns convert Grace Neville... but KK didn’t get many starts with LCL so she left for Sunderland this season. And at Sunderland she’s been superb. A key player orchestrating things through the midfield and earning heaps of plaudits. Here’s a bit more on how she’s fared at for the Black Cats this term, with two goals and an assist in WSL Championship action. Her mother was born in New Zealand, by the way, making her eligible for the Ferns.
Katie Kitching on making her international debut: “I was really proud. My mum cried every time I mentioned something about it, she had tears in her eyes! It was amazing. In the first game, there was lots of fans there, they were really loud and I’ve never experienced an atmosphere like that. I think there were like 17,000 fans or something. In the second game, to come on so early it was a bit surprising, and it took me a while to get into it but it was really good. I think I eventually found a good rhythm. We were unfortunate not to get a good result but I think we had a good performance and have something to continue building on. I think just hopefully getting another call-up is the first step and trying not to think too far into the future. I think my goal is to be a consistent player but right now I’m focusing on the next step first.”
The rest of the Championship clubs all had FA Cup ties too, of course. Southampton beat Portsmouth 2-1 though it appears that Ashleigh Ward isn’t with the club any longer. She was listed as a retained player at the start of things but is no longer part of the squad list on their club website. Sheffield United needed extra time to get past Rugby Borough, who are a tier beneath them. That game was a 3-2 win thanks to an Izzy Goodwin hat-trick which included an 87th minute equaliser. Kiwi teenager Olivia Page was on the bench but wasn’t one of the substitutes called upon.
We also had London City Lionesses with a comfortable 6-0 win against Billericay Town. Paige Satchell didn’t play so soon after international duty but Grace Neville was forced to miss that tour due to an illness (apparently something to do with her tooth, according to the club) so she was good to go... but only for the last dozen minutes off the bench. Of course there might well be more New Zealanders hanging around the English pyramid. There were definitely a few with teams that had already been knocked out of the FA Cup. But that info is almost impossible to find unless you know to look for it – so give a holler in the DMs if you know of any more kiwi women playing semi-professionally in England. There’s also that transfer window coming up so fingers-crossed for a few more additions.
The fourth round of the FA Cup takes place on 14 January 2024 and these are the relevant Flying Kiwis games (with the tier level of the clubs in brackets):
Derby County (3) vs Leicester City (1) – CJ Bott
Sunderland (2) vs Southampton (2) – Katie Kitching
London City Lionesses (2) vs Moneyfields (4) – Paige Satchell & Grace Neville
Tottenham Hotspur (1) vs Sheffield United (2) – Ria Percival vs Olivia Page
Aston Villa (1) vs Everton (1) – Anna Leat
Up Next: Blackburn Rovers vs Sunderland, 8am on Thursday in the WSL Cup; then Sunderland vs Birmingham in the Championship at 3am Monday (NZT)
Niko Kirwan – Calcio Padova (Italian Serie C)
Keeping the cup competition theme going, Niko Kirwan was part of a Calcio Padova team that won the Serie C League Cup two seasons ago and he’s in with a shot of winning it again after Padova made their way into the semis with a 1-0 win away against Pontedera and ah look who scored the winner...
If you’re wondering about the jersey he held up in his celebration, that was a dedication to teammate Simone Russini who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his knee – the same injury that kept Kirwan out for most of last season. A nice touch. Kirwan played ninety minutes as a wing-back, helping contribute not only with the goal but also for a valuable clean sheet that sends Padova into the final four.
This is turning out to be a pretty decent season for Padova, who were super close to promotion in that cup-winning year, missing out in the playoff final which Kirwan was unavailable for because he was busy missing out on the World Cup as well with that All Whites vs Costa Rica match. Last year wasn’t quite as prodictive but flip forward to nowadays and, nearing the midway stage of the league, they are just four points behind automatic promotion. Still undefeated after 17 games but with way too many draws (10 wins, 7 draws). Best defence in their conference though. Just need a few more goals. Kirwan has been in and out of the starting line-up but he’s had a role to play even with the bench stuff. Only two games in which he hasn’t appeared. He’s doing what he needs to do.
Up Next: Padova vs Fiorenzuola at 8.45am on Monday (NZT)
Marko Stamenic - FK Crvena Zvezda (Serbian SuperLiga)
Here’s another team on a cup run. Marko Stamenic’s spot with FCK has been a little dicey lately, alternating between starts and unused substitute stuff. The same was true this week as he had to watch the 3-1 Superliga win against Mladost from the sidelines. The fact that it was still 1-1 at half-time, leading to a trio of HT subs aimed around their attacking output, didn’t help his chances of getting out there.
However a few days earlier he’d done ninety in the Serbian Cup as Red Star cruised to a 5-0 win against Radnički Niš. A fellow top-flight side but a relegation-threatened one. Still, this was the type of comfortable win which Red Star have struggled to achieve this season so that’s progress. All five goals were scored in the first half despite the snowy conditions. Stamenic mostly just hung deep and kept things tidy in the midfield. No dramas.
This was the round of sixteen so they’re into the last eight now. Crvena zvezda have won the last three years in a row - heavy is the head that wears the crown, as the saying goes. They’re also back into first place in the league standings after that latest win. Partizan lost 2-1 to... Radnički Niš of all teams. That means Red Star and Partizan are level on 43 points with Red Star edging the goal difference split. The third placed team is ten points further back.
Up Next: Last game of the Champions League journey at home against Manchester City at 6.45am Thursday; then away to Spartak Subotica at 4am on Sunday (NZT)
Ria Percival – Tottenham Hotspur (English Super League)
Ria Percival has returned to the first eleven picture at Spurs thanks to a few injuries to those who’d been starting ahead of her. Take it how it comes... but this is a pesky time in the fixture list. Having lost 7-0 to Manchester City prior to the international window, a game that Percy only played ten mins off the bench in, this week it was Spurs vs Manchester United to complete the Manchester set. Bit of a different look for Robert Vilahamn’s side with a 4-4-2 formation that featured Percival and Angharad James in midfield. Set up for more defensive solidity and perhaps a bit of pace out wide on the counter attack.
Early doors that plan was working out nicely for them. Despite struggling to hold possession, they were able to get away on the run a few times with Beth England going close (in her return from injury) with a shot that was blocked by a defender in the six yard box... before ending up with Percival fizzing a first-time lefty shot on target from twenty yards, albeit without enough power to challenge Mary Earps in goal. Percival mostly sat deep and let others do the creative stuff although she did follow her passes forward a few times and there were a few attempted through balls. There was also a counter in which she might’ve been able to link with Jess Naz had she not been dragged back by a defender off the ball, a sneaky dose of foul play that the referee missed altogether.
But the encouragement of the start was busted up after 29 mins when Melvine Malard got the slightest of touches on a Hannah Blundell cross to give Man Utd the lead. That rattled the home team who were now finding themselves giving up more ball than ever. Errant passes. Vulnerable to the press. They withstood it until half-time, then a quickfire couple of goals from United soon took care of the doubt. Ella Toone on 51’. Malard again on 59’. Percival had been unable to make the necessary tackle prior to the third goal – not quite as emphatic as she always was prior to her injury, gotta say. Still trying to get back into match rhythm.
Anyway, Hayley Ladd later added another and Man United took it 4-0. So just a cheeky 11-0 aggregate deficit across the two Manchester games. And it’s only getting tougher with Arsenal on the cards next in the North London Derby... twice in a row. Once in the cup, once in the league. The same Arsenal that, right before Spurs vs Man Utd, smoked defending champs Chelsea 4-1 in another All-London clash.
Up Next: Arsenal vs Spurs on Thursday at 8am in the WSL Cup group stage; Spurs vs Arsenal on Sunday at 1am in the WSL (NZT)
CJ Bott - Leicester City (English Super League)
A bummer of a result for Ria Percival and Spurs... but the bummer was greater over here where CJ Bott only lasted a dozen minutes before being subbed off for Leicester City. That’s not good. There didn’t appear to be a specific moment of injury, but she did drop down off the ball for treatment immediately prior to walking off and being replaced by Aussie Courtney Nevin.
The news since then is that it’s a calf issue and that they’re awaiting scans. Bott does tend to get a couple of muscle injuries per season, probably down to the way that she plays, and it was a calf issue that hampered her late last season leading into World Cup preparation so hopefully this is precaution more than panic. All we know for sure so far is that she won’t be playing the midweek WSL Cup group game against Manchester United.
LCFC manager Willie Kirk: “CJ Bott will definitely miss the game, having come off early against Brighton. We know there's a bit of an issue with her calf, but we're just going through the more detailed reports from the scan to find out how long it will be. She will definitely miss Man Utd.”
Frustrating yarns. So to cleanse the soul here’s CJB as part of a Leicester City contingent that went and delivered Christmas presents to kids at the local children’s hospital...
As for the WSL game against Brighton which she started but didn’t finish... the Foxes were in a fantastic position up 2-0 after scoring just before and just after half-time. But they conceded twice in the last ten minutes to have to share the points with the Seagulls. 2-2 final score. In the other relevant game, Aston Villa were 1-0 up against Manchester City but lost 2-1 and Anna Leat was an unused sub like in all the others. Her chance will come in the League Cup on Thursday.
Up Next: Well since CJB isn’t playing let’s mention Aston Villa vs Durham in the Conti Cup group stages at 7am Thursday... so far Anna Leat has kept consecutive clean sheets in the competition (NZT)
Malia Steinmetz – FC Nordsjælland (Danish Kvindeliga)
If you were worried about Malia Steinmetz after she was subbed off only twenty minutes into the second Football Ferns game against Colombia then worry no longer because she was straight away back in there for ninety minutes for her club side upon return...
Alas, after back to back internationals without her team scoring a goal she can’t have been stoked to return for a nil-all draw. Worse still, Emilia Kiaer Asgeirsdottir missed a first half penalty that she fired wide of the target. Which, rudely, is the only highlight in the above package. Steinmetz was busy as a defensive midfielder where she stepped into tackle after tackle (although perhaps not winning as many as she normally would). Yet despite having the bulk of the shots and possession, FCN could not find a way to put that pesky ball in the pesky net. FC Thy 0-0 FC Nordsjælland.
At least they didn’t lose any ground on HB Køge who also drew 0-0, in their case away against Fortuna Hjørring. Two beautiful aspects to that game: one is that Daisy Cleverley started, two is that Claudia Bunge started. DC was ready to rock after Ferns duty, playing 74 mins working hard both on and off the ball. She had defensive stats to rival Steinmetz yet also swung in several crosses and had one big shooting chance of her own that she missed. Meanwhile Bunge did exactly what you’d expect on the way to another clean sheet but the more important point to make is that this was her return to the pitch after missing several games (and that latest Ferns tour) with a back injury.
The short-package highlights are more forthcoming for this game. Peep below for Bunge glancing a header from an attacking corner and also Cleverley nudging a clever pass into the area only for a teammate to shoot into the sidenetting...
This was only Cleverley’s third start from 11 Kvindeliga games this season – and in one of those she went off injured in the first half. Therefore this was the first league game in which the two kiwis at HBK played more than a half of football together.
Also gotta say that Ally Green had an excellent game for AGF in a 1-0 win over Aalborg. Ninety minutes played, also backing up from Ferns duty (adding two caps to her count), and winning a ridiculous 12 tackles at left wing-back. Lots of deliveries into the area too. Didn’t contribute to the winning goal, which came about from some high pressing against the oppo goalie, but she did plenty else in a swarming and energetic team performance.
All four NZers in Denmark getting starts in the same week? This is just the second time that’s happened this season and we’re 13 rounds into the competition. AGF are currently sixth, exactly where they need to be to avoid the relegation rounds this year. FCN and HBK are tied for second, four points behind Brøndby who took advantage of their closest rivals each drawing with a 1-0 win of their own, extending that lead to what it now is.
Up Next: One more round before the winter break... with AGF vs Fortuna, FCB vs Kolding, and HBK vs Aalborg all kicking off at 2am on Sunday (NZT)
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)
Not a lot to take from a 3-1 loss against NEC Nijmegen other than some lovely scenes before kickoff where the stadium lights were shut off and the crowd all turned their phone lights on and sang You’ll Never Walk Alone as part of a memorial for club comrades who’ve passed away during 2023. The Memorial Match, they called it. That was cool.
But the game itself was not. Six minutes in it seemed Zwolle had already gone behind after a short corner routine led to a wide open header from eight yards. Luckily for them an offside player had interfered with the closest defender and it was ruled out. Warning signs were there with how often Nijmegen were able to create chances although it might have been different had Zwolle not hit the crossbar after 38’. Huge chance that didn’t quite go their way... then they proceeded to concede a few minutes before the break and then again straight after it (despite making two HT substitutions).
Then, to make matters, worse, Ryan Thomas limped off after 52 minutes. There’s no further information to be found just yet and that’s annoying because with Thommo’s injury history any knock is something to worry about... but then also given his injury history there’s a tendency to be very cautious with him. So this could be something or it could be nothing. We’ll find out in due course, s’pose. There’s a month off soon for the winter break, thus chances are he sits out the next game and can have a rest from there.
This was his manager speaking prior to the NEC Nijmegen game...
Jonny Jansen: “I look back on the first half of the season with satisfaction. Without discounting results and players, I would like to highlight Sam Kersten and Ryan Thomas. I think it is admirable how Sam has managed to fight back after a long-term injury and is now a strongman in the defense. What is also great is that Ryan is growing step by step towards 100% competition fitness. We can really use his experience.”
Meanwhile there was no Matt Garbett this week as he was suspended for yellow card accumulation. Thus he missed the 2-0 win against TOP Oss. Breda still have two more games before the break so he’ll get a chance to add to his excellent performance last time out, carry on some momentum.
Also in the Netherlands... young Canterbury goalkeeper Dublin Boon was spotted on the bench for Roda JC in a 2-1 win against PSV II. The 18yo gloveman (who turns 19 on Christmas Day) had made the bench once in the cup competition a few weeks back but this was his first matchday squad for a league game. He only signed a couple of months ago. They did have two keepers on the bench so this doesn’t mean he’s any closer to playing, necessarily, but exciting stuff all the same.
Up Next: Last game before the winter break is PEC Zwolle away to Ajax on Monday at 4,45am (NZT)
Katie Bowen - Inter Milan (Italian Serie A)
Doubt it even needs saying that Katie Bowen was also amongst the Footy Ferns who were straight back into club duties without a pause to catch their breath. Bowen has played every Serie A minute for Inter so far and that did not change in the 1-1 draw against Sampdoria. A game in which they went behind in just the sixth minute, Eva Schatzer with a curling low free kick that probably should’ve been saved. Then Inter spent most of the rest of the game pushing for a response.
Bowen herself had three shots on target. One a back-post stretch from a corner kick that she didn’t get much contact on. Another was an effort from outside the area after stepping forward with a little more freedom as Inter tried out a back three, that shot forcing a very good leaping save. Then early second half there was one that combined those two situations, still hanging forward after a corner and getting a shot away on the turn. Too close to the keeper. But heavy attacking involvement from KB all the same.
In the end it took Agnese Bonfantini to finally give Inter their reward as she bundled one in from a corner kick situation in the 78th minute. Probably a game they should have won but they ran out of time to find a second goal having spent so much of it looking for the first. Inter remain fourth in the standings.
Up Next: Away to Fiorentina at 6am on Tuesday (NZT)
Michael Woud – Ventforet Kofu (Japanese J-League 2)
The good news is that VF won 3-2 against Buriram United of Thailand in their last group stage match in the Asian Champions League. That sends them through to the next round in first place... and threatens to eliminate Melbourne City who conceded a very, very late equaliser against Zhejiang and left them sweating on other results to see whether they progress as a second-place finisher. Looking unlikely as things stand.
The bad news is that Michael Woud didn’t play. He started the first four ACL games after being brought in on loan as cover for injured regular Kohei Kawata (who has played more than 250 times for the club). Only now Kawata is back fit again, making his return in this Buriram game (a different GK played the fifth match, Woud seems to have been injured/sick for that one).
The J2-League season has already finished and Woud’s loan was only until the end of this year anyway... meaning that’s pretty much him done. He got to play four times in the Asian Champions League and also made one lone J2-League game. Can’t complain, can’t complain. But given that he’s now going back to the crowded situation at Kyoto Sanga his might be a name to put on the watchlist for that January transfer window. He has one more year on his parent club contract hence now is the time to sell if they think there’s a transfer fee in it for him.
Up Next: That’s the big question, ain’t it?
Max Crocombe - Burton Albion (English League One)
It’s been such a solid, assured season of performances from Max Crocombe since winning the starting gig at Burton Albion that it’s easy to overlook that the team has actually struggled around him. In fact a 2-1 loss to Stevenage on the weekend was the last straw for the management. Dino Maamria got sacked as gaffer and Gary Mills has stepped up as his interim replacement. Crocombe’s spot should be safe but it’s still a shame since the whole reason this Burton Albion opportunity arose was that he’d worked with Maamria a few years back at Southport where Crocs spent some time on loan.
The same issue could soon be true for Chris Wood at Nottingham Forest too. After their 5-0 loss to Fulham midweek (in which Woodsy played half an hour off the bench) it was reported that Steve Cooper was on his last legs as boss. They’ve since drawn 1-1 with Wolves (Wood only introduced in the 84th minute – he had been dealing with a wee knock though) and so far the gaffer survived the swinging axe. But with only three wins from 16 Premier League matches it ain’t looking good... and the Woodsman is definitely someone who could get shafted with a different style of manager turns up.
Whoever those guys have coaching them in a few weeks, it won’t be former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith because he’s just been hired as the new head coach at Charlotte FC where hopefully he’ll start picking Bill Tuiloma and let him take free kicks again.
And since we’re talking about managers here, Des Buckingham is still awaiting his first league win in charge of Oxford United after a 1-1 draw against Tyler Bindon’s Reading FC. Buck’s had four games, losing two and drawing two. He has won in both the League and FA Cup though.
Up Next: To bring this around in a tidy circle, Burton Albion’s next game is away to Oxford United at 4am on Sunday (NZT)
Henry Gray - Ipswich Town (English Championship)
These are fantastic times to be involved with Ipswich Town as the Tractor Boys continue to charge onwards in the English Championship, currently sitting top of the pops after another win midweek. It’s looking very much like they’ll be playing Premier League next season. Yup, NZ U20s goalie and former Wellington Phoenix/Waterside Karori prospect Henry Gray has found himself in a pretty sweet spot there.
But football clubs run deep and while Gray has been staying busy with the Ipswich U21s since joining the club earlier in the year you don’t go turning down a chance to play first team football at 18 years of age. So for the next wee while he’s going to be a Chelmsford City player, joining the National League South club (sixth tier) on an emergency loan after a long-term injury to their regular starter left them short on numbers.
Chelmsford City manager Robbie Simpson: “Obviously with the unfortunate injury to Josh Oluwayemi, in which it seems that he will be out for some time, we wanted to act pretty quickly ahead of the festive period and wanted to have 2 keepers in. Jacob has stepped in and done ever so well but we have had Henry training with us a couple of times now and we really like him as a person, obviously knowing Finley Barbrook very well, and he looks to have all the attributes to be a top, top keeper. He is highly regarded at Ipswich and Carl Pentney, who we know very, very well, said that he is ready for this next stage in his development and playing men’s football. Carl thinks that he will be more than capable at being a very good keeper at this level. We are very happy to get Henry added to the side and look forward to seeing him between the sticks!”
Love that. Particularly the “highly regarded at Ipswich” line. For the record, Finley Barbrook is the captain of the Ipswich U21s and has been on load at CC for a month already. Carl Pentney is the Ipswich Academy goalkeeping coach and he had multiple spells at Chelmsford City during his career.
It sounds like Gray had already been with the squad for a few sessions before the loan was confirmed – Chelmsford is less than an hour’s drive from Ipswich – and in fact he’s already made his debut since this move happened. Got the start in an Essex Senior Cup fourth round fixture against Redbridge, a game in which they drew 2-2 after regular time with Redbridge converting a penalty equaliser deep into stoppage time. Then Redbridge won 4-3 in the shootout to advance. Gray did save one of the kicks in the shootout but his teammates couldn't capitalise.
This was an alternative non-league cup so we’ll see if this is a hint that he’ll be playing league games as well or whether he’s being seen more as a backup. Be aware that they did make ten changes for this match. Chelmsford City are eighth out of 24 teams in the National League South so a promotion playoff is absolutely within their realms.
Up Next: Sunday at 4am away to St Albans City (NZT)
Kyle Adams - Louisville City (American USL Championship)
Further to last week’s yarns on kiwis in North America, here’s a fresh re-signing...
This one was always likely to happen after Adams had such a positive impact after his mid-season trade to Louisville. On top of that he’s now gotta be thought of as a veteran presence at the USL level. Deserves a shot at the MLS at some stage but for now he’s got himself a multi-year deal with LouCity where he’ll try and add a USL Championship trophy to his resume.
LC head coach Danny Cruz: “We are happy to be able to re-sign Kyle to a new contract. We were happy with his progress after coming to Louisville midseason and feel that with a full preseason under his belt, he is going to play an important role for us next year. I am looking forward to getting back to work with him as we look to compete for another USL Championship title.”
Kyle Adams: “This club has a reputation for winning, and I want to be part of the legacy that has been created before me. I’ve never won anything in my career as a pro player. I want to be part of lifting a trophy for this city. The way last season ended, it makes you hungry to take that next step to make the final and the next step after that to win the final. It’s been a long time since Louisville got over that line and won the USL Championship. I think a lot of the guys are working really hard in the offseason to get there.”
Sweet as. Adams started 15 of his 16 games for Louisville in 2023 and scored their lone goal in a 2-1 Conference Final defeat against Charleston Battery. His first goal for the club in the ninetieth minute of their final game. They made it to the final four but it didn’t quite happen for them. Maybe next year. Adams is 27 years old and has played 157 times in the USL. Earned his first All Whites cap earlier this year too.
Also it must be told that the Moose will not be on the loose because James Musa has re-signed with Colorado Switchbacks for another season…
Musa’s old team Phoenix Rising won the USL Championship while he had himself an injury-riddled time with his new club. But towards the end of the year he started to get some rhythm going, making the league Team of the Week in round 27. He made 17 appearances all up and seems to have impressed the right people along the way.
Switchbacks Technical Director & Assistant Coach James Chambers: “Musa had a terrific end to the season and showed the quality we all know he possesses. His attributes are that of a top-level defender and we are happy to have him within our group. Having Musa back in 2024 will help us to push on collectively to achieve our goals.”
Meanwhile north of the border there’s been confirmation that both Finn Linder and Jay Herdman have been retained by the Vancouver Whitecaps system heading into next year. Both are in the picture for the Olympics next year, while Herdman was also a standout for the NZ U20s at their World Cup a few months back. Unfortunately an extended injury has prevented him from kicking on towards an MLS or senior international debut quite yet. But this is good news for both. Both are currently 19 years old.
Up Next: That’s for 2024 to decide
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