Michael Boxall – Minnesota United vs Tommy Smith & Deklan Wynne – Colorado Rapids (American Major League Soccer)

Something odd happened this week: the Colorado Rapids won a game. While it’s long overdue and good for Tommy Smith finally breaking through after having been involved in every minute of the eight consecutive games without victory… it would’ve been nice if they didn’t do it against Michael Boxall, another kiwi comrade. The Rapids have won only won seven games this season and three of them have come against other New Zealanders – wonder if Uncle Tony’s spotted the pattern. Not sure what to think about that, although Boxall’s lot have made a habit of losing to the MLS’s worst teams so can’t be too stunned in this case.

The signs were there early with some horribly static defending leading to a panicked goal-mouth scramble that somehow didn’t end in a goal for the Rapids, more than a couple pegs getting cleared off the line. Boxall got caught kinda watching a lot of it. And then nothing else really happened for ages until Darwin Quintero put Minnesota in front, sneaking in behind the defence and scooping it past the keeper… only for the video ref to bring it back for offside. Not sneaky enough, clearly. Ten minutes later, sixty-one minutes into the game, Marlon Hairston swung one in at the other end. Mike Boxall harried Yannick Boli as far over as he could but the dude’s flicked header still floated into the net and the Rapids were up 1-0.

This was an awful game between two average teams but we did at least get some late drama. Quintero again involved and Minny thought they had the equaliser in stoppage time through Ibson. Except that VAR really wasn’t their friend on this day. Another goal disallowed for offside. And because it took nearly three minutes to make that call there was time for Colorado to score a second on the break as Boxall was caught on half-way trying to defend an overloaded break, time up on the clock and therefore too scared to head it out of play and potentially end the game, so he tried to nod it all the way back to his keeper who was having none of it. Boli got there first and chipped the goalie for a 2-0 win. Probably want your keeper waiting outside the box in that situation to help the defence out (he was a backup keeper too, with regular Bobby Shuttleworth out with a back injury), although Boxall’s header was never going to work either so he can’t complain.

And then Tommy Smith got sent off. Old mate’s played every single minute for the Rapids this season but must not have been keen on the last 180 of them because he ran towards the crowd to celebrate the second goal, inciting the home fans and causing a few drinks to be thrown and a couple blokes from the MU bench to stroll over and shove him away. Here he is, taking a pop.

The shoving led to more shoving, a bit of finger pointing, and plenty of angry words. The ref had to get the red one out for both Tommy Smith and Harrison Heath once it had all been broken up. By which time we were like fifteen minutes into injury time (they went to VAR again for a look-see, of course). Crazy little game, this one.

Burgundy Wave: “Right after the goal, Tommy Smith went over in front of the Minnesota sideline and cheered at the crowd. A member of the MNUFC coaching staff pushed him back onto the field. An all-out brawl ensued with the Rapids field players, MNUFC coaching staff, and MNUFC bench players. After it finally got sorted out, Tommy Smith and Harrison Heath both earned reds in 90+14. There are surely more reds coming down for the MNUFC side after the Disciplinary Committee reviews it. I also think it’s the second mass confrontation for Colorado this season.”

For what it’s worth, Deklan Wynne got on for the second half after Edgar Castillo had taken a knock in the first. Always prefer the Rapids when Deklan’s playing. Both Wynne and Boxall were involved in the latter parts of the stoush but both seemed to be trying to break things up, Steven Adams-style. Smith, meanwhile, held a couple fingers and an empty fist up in a ‘2-0’ reminder as he walked towards the tunnel after getting sent off – in what’s probably not his classiest moment as a professional footballer, to be honest.

Zone Coverage Player Ratings: “CB Michael Boxall, 4 — It really wasn’t defensive frailty that cost United this ugly loss, however, Boxall was certainly complicit on the second tally.”

Up Next: Rapids are away to San Jose at 10am on Monday while Minnesota are home to LA Galaxy at the same exact time (NZT)

Hannah Wilkinson & CJ Bott – Vittsjö GIK (Swedish Damallsvenskan)

Ah yeah, not good. We’ve got enough injuries to deal with in Flying Kiwis as it is so devastating to see that Hannah Wilkinson’s gonna be spending an extended period on the sidelines now with another serious knee injury. Her second ACL tear after doing the same at college in the States.

The news on the pitch wasn’t great either, as Vittsjö lost 2-0 away to Djurgården and remain only goal difference out of the relegation zone. First half goals to Julia Spetsmark and Mia Jalkerud were the killers. CJ Bott played the entire game, as she tends to do, but then so did everyone for Vittsjö as the injuries mount up. They didn’t make a single sub. This was a game against a team in a similar predicament so one of the ol’ relegation six-pointers that they talk about and with two more games in the season, missing one of their best strike weapons, it’s gonna be a big ask to survive – of course they stayed up on the last day of last season thanks to a Hannah Wilkinson goal, won’t be such luxuries this time. Djurgården can to the Vitters a favour by beating eleventh-placed Djurgården in the final week though, that’d be nice.

Up Next: Vittsjö vs Eskilstuna United at 2am on Monday (NZT)

Chris Wood – Burnley (English Premier League)

Up Next: Man City vs Burnley, Sunday at 3am (NZT)

Erin Nayler – Girondins Bordeaux (French Division 1 Féminine)

At home to Guingamp, this was a game that Bordeaux probably coulda won. But it was also a game they could have lost but for moments like this from their kiwi keeper…

Nah, in the end it was a 0-0 draw. Which is fine, it keeps FCGB in third place with a game in hand. Incredibly that’s Erin Nayler’s third clean sheet in five games, all unbeaten, which is only two short of the tally she managed in all of the previous season. It’s about to get a lot harder with Erin’s old club up next (French champs Lyon) but it’s been a superb start to the new campaign from the undisputed Footy Ferns number one.

Bit more proof: how about second place on last week’s top saves video? Cheque please.

Up Next: Lyon vs Bordeaux, 2am on Monday (NZT)

Ali Riley – Chelsea FC (English Super League)

Got ‘em, club debut. But sure, as the tweet says, not in the best circumstances.

Put simply: Chelsea got thrashed. The defending champs still have title credentials but this was a wakeup call that the competition has strengthened and it ain’t only Man City. Arsenal rocked up to Chelsea and smoked them 5-0, shades of the Arsenal women’s team of old. Chelsea had chipped them 3-1 in the FA Cup final the last time they played and this was a very different vibe, Arsenal recovering from an average start to take the lead from the penalty spot, converted by Kim Little, before Vivianne Miedema doubled it with a deflected strike before the half.

It was still a fairly competitive game at that point. Chelsea might well have had a goal or two themselves in that first half. However three quick goals in the middle of the second half, two from Jordan Nobbs and another for Miedema, left them stunned and helpless. Riley was sent on in the 59th minute after the fourth goal was scored. Hopefully she forces her way into the starting team quickly now that she’s fit and fighting again and hopefully there aren’t any more games like this one.

Up Next: Birmingham vs Chelsea, 12.30am on Monday (NZT)

Ria Percival – West Ham United (English Super League)

You thought Chelsea’s humbling (their first home defeat in two years) was bad? Try being poor West Ham who lost 7-1 to Manchester City. It was 2-0 in the seventh minute and 3-0 after 17 minutes and it only got worse from there. Even when Esmee de Graaf pulled one back late on there was still time for City to score again and make it seven. Ria Percival played the whole thing and she played it in midfield but league powerhouses Man City were just a class above. Second goal game from a shanked Percy clearance though, don’t tell anybody.

Meanwhile Bristol City lost 1-0 to Birmingham and Katie Rood wasn’t in the squad. Also Olivia Chance’s Everton drew 3-3 with Brighton in an exciting but Livvy is still a while away from getting back on the field after her 2017-18 season ended with a knee injury.

Up Next: Hosting Liverpool on Monday at 3am (NZT)

Leon van den Hoven - RKC Waalwijk vs Michael den Heijer - NEC Nijmegen (Dutch Eerste Divisie)

Well now that’s pretty cool, right? Den Heijer missed the start of the campaign with a back injury but has returned now to take up his spot in the midfield for the U21s while van den Hoven is in his first season over in Holland and is trying to break into the reserves on his way up. NEC won this game 4-1.

Up Next: Depends which coaches were watching, tbh

Meikayla Moore – MSV Duisburg (German Frauen-Bundesliga)

Huge game for Duisburg away to Freiburg in one of those rough games against mid-table teams. Gotta win a few of these to avoid slumping into another relegation battle but Freiburg hadn’t conceded a goal in their first three games so it was never going to be simple. And yet it all started perfectly, that permanent clean sheet broken with a Lisa Marie Makas goal in the fifth minute to give Duisburg the lead.

Didn’t get to see Emma Rolston in this one however Meikayla Moore has gone straight into being a regular for this side, yet another ninety minutes at centre-back for Mouse. She and Pia Sophie Rybacki have started to forge a bit of a partnership at the back there and they withstood all that the home side had to offer. Dörthe Hoppius then added a second goal ten minutes into the second half and it was swell. Clean sheet secured. Victory sealed. Freiburg taste defeat for the first time this season while Duisburg get their second win in a row. Magnificent.

Up Next: 1am on Monday against Bayer Leverkusen (NZT)

Betsy Hassett - KR Reykjavik (Icelandic Úrvalsdeild kvenna)

Never did polish this one off so here we are. The season for KR finished a couple weeks ago with everything on the line in their last couple games. FH were going down in last place, that much was known, but there was still a right old battle to be had between KR and Grindavik for that second relegation spot. Two games to play each and KR were three points ahead… and what do you know they were playing each other.

Cut the suspense, Betsy Hassett’s team won. Katrin Ómarsdóttir scored in the first half then Ingunn Haraldsdóttir finished off a nervous game in the 89th minute. Rio Hardy pulled one back for the visitors in stoppage time but it was too late. KR then drew their final game and safety was secured (despite Grindavik winning theirs). Iceland isn’t quite up there with some of the leagues that Betsy’s played in previously (she’s played for Man City, Ajax and Werder Bremen) however KR offered her more opportunities to play and, sure enough, she started all 18 games this 2018 season, the only player in her team not to miss a minute of action. Sweet as.

Up Next: Chilling ‘til next season

Clayton Lewis – Scunthorpe United (English League One)

Scunthorpe United manager Stuart McCall: “100 per cent Dales and Lewis will start, as would little George Thomas and Kyle if they had been here. Butty (Lewis Butroid), Charlie and (James) Perch were the other subs on Saturday but we have got three players out on loan so haven’t got a strong squad in depth.”

There you go then. Just like he promised, McCall gave Clayton Lewis his first proper start of the season in a Checkatrade Trophy game against Lincoln City. The 21 year old has had to settle for friendly games and reserve digs so far but with international duty, outgoing loans and injuries getting in the way of preparation, here was his chance.

And he did okay. He played as an attacking midfielder and got involved in a few things, yet wasn’t able to net a goal for his efforts. Ryan Colclough did though, he scored in the 56th minute to give the Irons the lead. Lewis was subbed off with 73 mins gone and his side in the lead… but Harry Anderson levelled in the 84th and Lincoln took the thing on penalties. That’s a second draw in the group stages of this comp for Scunthorpe, last time winning the penalty shootout bonus point and this time losing it.

The Iron then hosted Peterborough in a league contest and lost 2-0 to a Matt Godden double. Clayton was an unused sub for that one but injuries to midfielders Jody Morris and Matthew Lund might quickly force him into contention again as healthy bodies in Scunthorpe seem to be something of a rarity at the moment.

Up Next: Wycombe vs Scunthorpe, Sunday at 3am (NZT)

The USL Crew

The final week of the USL regular season is all done and dusted, with a bunch of games crammed in to get everyone up to 34 played and now we’re set for the conference quarter-finals. A rotated Phoenix Rising team went down 5-2 to Las Vegas Lights on Thursday, giving up on winning the conference in favour of resting their best players – James Musa included, who is nursing a lower body injury. They were stronger against Portland in their final game (Didier Drogba played!) but couldn’t find the net from 22 shots, inexplicably just two on target, and they fell to a 1-0 defeat (Musa still absent, hoping that’s only precautionary). Fingers crossed those results won’t come back to bite them as Orange County put their feet up and lost their last game while Simon Elliot’s Sacramento Republic showed ‘em how it’s done by beating Las Vegas 1-0 and leapfrogging Phoenix in the process to finish second in the West.

Elsewhere Kyle Adams started his 24th game of the year as Rio Grande Valley drew 1-1 away at San Antonio. It’s been a season with a few roadbumps for him – not the least of which being the team’s terrible early form – but overall a really impressive one from a young kiwi centreback in his first season as a pro. Couldn’t really say the same for Monty Patterson who only played three times for OKC Energy. All off the bench. Did get a goal in the second one but that was back in August and it took two months before he got on the part again in the club’s final game, a 0-0 draw with Saint Louis. Not sure what was up there, might have been an injury or he might have had another Phoenix situation. At least he popped up again at the end for posterity. OKC missed the playoffs by two places and ten points.

Which is two places ahead of Fresno, who had Cory Brown in their ranks and, for the last month or two, Myer Bevan. Fresno lost 1-0 at home to Real Monarchs in their last game despite having way more chances to score. Bit of a bummer. Brown didn’t play but Bevan started and lasted until the 70th minute. Brown logged 1025 mins all up in 14 appearances while Bevan managed 448 minutes across seven apps, neither getting a goal.

Bill Tuiloma and Kip Colvey spent most of the season getting spare minutes in the MLS. Tui more than Colvey, who’s barely played anywhere in 2018 – a concussion for the Rapids putting him out for a spell. Each got a few starts with the USL affiliates though, Tui even scoring a goal for the Portland Timbers 2 side – coached by Auckland-born Cameron Knowles – and Portland’s reward for beating Phoenix in that last game (neither kiwi taking part) is a rematch in the quarters.

Then to round things off we’ve got Elliot Collier. Spent the last quarter of the 2018 season on loan with Indy Eleven, scoring one goal in 10 games as he’s become a regular. Only played off the bench in their last game, a 1-0 defeat against Louisville, but Indy still did enough to sneak into the quarters… and same as Portland they’ll be getting a rematch with the team they just played.

Here are the stats for kiwi lads in the USL for 2018:

• Kyle Adams (RGV Toros) – 25 games (24 starts) | 2176 mins |

• Myer Bevan (Fresno) – 7 games (5 starts) | 448 mins | 1 assist

• Cory Brown (Fresno) – 14 games (13 starts) | 1025 mins | 2 yellows

• Elliot Collier (Indy Eleven) – 10 games (5 starts) | 521 mins | 1 goal

• Kip Colvey (Colorado Springs) – 3 games (3 starts) | 270 mins | 1 yellow

• James Musa (Phoenix Rising) – 26 games (24 starts) | 2126 mins | 1 assist | 7 yellows

• Monty Patterson (OKC Energy) – 3 games (0 starts) | 53 mins | 1 goal

• Bill Tuiloma (Portland 2) – 6 games (6 starts) | 540 mins | 1 goal | 2 yellows

And here are the relevant playoff games this week (all NZT):

• Phoenix (Musa) vs Portland, Saturday at 3.30pm

• Louisville City vs Indy Eleven (Collier), Sunday at 12.30pm

• Sacramento Republic (Elliot (coach)) vs Swope Park, Sunday at 3.30pm

Rebekah Stott – Melbourne City (Australian W-League)

MelbourneCityFC.com.au: “Following successful seasons with City in the past, Japanese World Cup winner, Yukari Kinga and Kiwi international, Rebekah Stott have also re-signed with the Club, bringing significant W-League and international experience.”

At least one kiwi will be doing her thing in the W-League this upcoming season. Stotty’s not only a regular in this competition but a regular winner – including with Melly City last time out. The only other NZer in the W-League that time was Emma Rolston with Sydney but she’s now playing professionally in Germany, however fingers crossed for something else. The timing of the W-League makes it easy for stars from America to pop over for a few months in between those seasons, as Stott usually does.

Up Next: Season starts on October 28 away to Canberra United

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