Stefan Marinovic & Myer Bevan – Vancouver Whitecaps (American Major League Soccer)

Some funky news here as Myer Bevan has been let out on loan and not to the USL either. He’ll play for Husqvarna FF in Sweden’s third tier, the Division 1 Södra, until at least July 10 with the Whitecaps holding the right to recall him if things need be. They can also extend that through until the end of the year if they want. Bevan’s MLS promotion came pretty quick but he wasn’t much of a factor in preseason so no shocker that he’s been let out on loan. Kinda surprising that he’s off to Sweden though, especially a club that’s not even in the top two divisions.

Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson: “This is a great opportunity for Myer to pick up some important minutes on the pitch. He’s shown that hunger you’re looking for at training, and putting him in this environment will further push him in his development. We’re looking forward to following his progress.”

Hopefully this means mass goals for the dude as well as regular playing minutes which he obviously needs at this stage of his career. There aren’t a lot of chances for American-based players going out on loan anyway, most seasons are wrapping up soon but in Scandinavia and America the seasons are in synch starting around now and going through until late in the year. Plus there’s a Flying Kiwis angle here because Husqvarna FF is also the club that Joel Steven recently signed with. Somebody there has a kiwi fetish, apparently. From one NZ teammate to another.

As for the guy he left behind, Marinovic made a mistake in the Whitecaps latest one. May be hard to believe but he did. A bad one too. Cost them a goal. A long distance shot from Pedro Santos finally broke open a tepid game in the 29th minute against Columbus Crew but only because Marinovic spilled it at the feet of Gyasi Zardes for a simple tap in. Whoops.

But then a fantastic second half from the Caps saw Brek Shea and Kei Kamara each score on the way to a 2-1 win. Alphonso Davies also had one disallowed by VAR. Ended up being a game in which Stefan had bugger all to do, which tends not to be a bad thing when your keeper isn’t too busy.

EightySixForever Player Grades: “Stefan Marinovic (6) - I felt that Marinovic was solid, but unspectacular. He really should not have let that ball spill that led to Gyasi Zardes goal in the 29th minute. I am a bit nervous as he has had a few shaky moments already this season. Remember the goal against Montreal. However, I give him a bit above average as I felt that he commanded his box well and had good judgement on when to come out and challenge for balls. He snuffed out several crosses or balls into the box because he was strong in attacking the play. If he sits back on a few of those, the Columbus attackers might have had an opportunity to put one past him.”

Yet Stef might have been largely absent during the game but he was all over this April Fool’s Day prank. Absolutely ruthless. Australia? Wouldn’t have blamed him if he had walked out…

Up Next: Away to Real Salt Lake on Sunday at 1.30pm (NZT)

Jake Gleeson & Bill Tuiloma – Portland Timbers vs Elliot Collier – Chicago Fire (American Major League Soccer)

Flash back to last week and Tui’s impressive debut, how about this for some recognition 90 minutes into his MLS career… Team of the Week honours!

PT manager Gio Savarese: “Bill has been training very well since preseason. He had an opportunity to step in and play and he did a good job. Good for him because I had no doubt he was going to do well.”

(he looks absolutely freezing there, aye?)

The dude was getting no shortage of hype after his introduction to the top flight went so well so it almost wasn’t even a shock when club captain Liam Ridgewell was left out of the team for a second straight game, allowing Bill Tuiloma to make his second MLS appearance. Jake Gleeson’s place is equally as questionable with Jeff Atinella back from injury now and having starred for the T2 side in his first game back. Word was that he might have been available to play Chicago, although in the end Gleeson kept the gloves for at least one more week.

Wait… Chicago? That’s Elliot Collier’s team! And despite Bastian Schweinsteiger coming back into the side, Veljko Paunović persisted with Collier in an attacking midfield role, named to start on the right of a 4-2-3-1 (although, like last game, that wasn’t strictly how it turned out). The impact that he’s making in this team is insane… granted he might not have started last week had Bastian Schweinsteiger been available and the same goes this time with a quad strain for Argentine winger Luis Solignac likely to keep him out up to two months and clearing room for Collier to continue in the XI.

Mostly the Timbers were able to press high and dominate the midfield early on which tends to move the focal point of the game away from the three players at the other end whose fates we’re trying to follow here. So it didn’t matter a whole lot when Diego Valeri slipped in to give Portland a sixth minute lead. They might have made it 2-0 but for a Schweiny block and a well-painted crossbar.

Chicago mixed things up after conceding with Bastian Schweinsteiger playing deeper than expected and Collier getting more of a go through the middle. Like, extremely deep. It looked like the German legend was playing sweeper for long periods. But nothing really helped as they managed just a single shot at goal and Colly couldn’t force a save out of his compatriot with it. Although he did spill some joker’s beer in the crowd, which is always a laugh. Pay attention, chief.

But Chicago equalised soon into the second half. Some jinky stuff from Schweinsteiger playing on the edge of the box got Brandon Vincent wide and his cross was finished off by 2017 Golden Boot Nemanja Nikolic. Not a lot to do with any of the kiwis. Portland were back on top pretty rapidly as Sebastian Blanco got up to nod in a cross from impressive new lad Andres Flores. Portland seemed on their way to three points but that was before Schweinsteiger set up Vincent for the 84th minute leveller. The game ended 2-2 and both teams are still awaiting their first wins of the season.

Jake Gleeson took some heat for the final goal from fans but that was a little harsh. It was one that he’d back himself to save but Schweinsteiger’s swung in a lovely cross there which Zarek Valentin barely challenged and Brandon Vincent’s header was textbook low and powerful. They always say to head it downwards. Jake got a hand to it but from that range you can never really blame the goalie. Still, it’s probably fair to say he hasn’t quite done enough to lock that gig down after Atinella becomes available again.

Stumptown Footy: “Gleeson has done little to prove he’s better than a league-average goalkeeper over the course of the last year-plus, and there’s a lot to support an argument that he’s less than average. Moreover, the stain of Gleeson’s late-2016 DUII doubtlessly lingers for many fans for understandable reasons. To focus on Gleeson for the Timbers’ dropped result on Saturday, though, is simply unfair. While there is some culpability to go around for the Timbers, by far the biggest factors on the play were Schweinsteiger’s excellent ball and a clinical finish from Vincent.”

Some context on Elliot Collier’s status…

Pro Soccer USA: “Rookie Elliot Collier had his moments in his second straight start and fellow rookie Diego Campos made an impact off the bench, but the fact that the Fire are relying on two later round draft picks to play key minutes in attacking positions says it all. Solignac and Johnson will compete for starting minutes when healthy and their returns will help, but touted offseason signing Aleksandar Katai was subbed off at halftime and it wasn’t injury related. Nemanja Nikolic managed to score again, but he is not getting consistent quality service.”

Elliot Collier: “Not a lot of people expect a lot from a third-round pick, but when you’re on the field and you’re playing, none of that matters. It doesn’t matter if you were drafted first in the first round. It just matters what’s on the field. I try to keep focused in practice and keep working hard and learning from my teammates and just doing what I can going forward.”

More Elliot Collier: “I just knew I was going to come in and work hard and do what I can to make an impact and do what I can to help the team. I didn’t expect this, but I’m happy with how everything’s going and just got to do what I can to help the team. Scoring goals is a big part and I want to be getting assists and I just want to be getting minutes and basically making the most of this first year and getting experience and use that going -forward.”

Up Next: Orlando City vs PT, 8.00am on Monday (NZT)

Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)

What’s up, Thommo? Tell us about your role this season and how you influence a game. A bit about your family life as well. Chuck in some personality. Sweet as, cheers. Good chat.

Times have been tough for the PECers who had gone six games without a win since they beat Marco Rojas’ sc Heerenveen (Rojas was an unused sub this week). So it came as a massive relief that they were able to coast past Sparta Rotterdam in a game they dominated from start to finish. Youness Mokhtar gave the team the lead with just 98 seconds played. Sparta had their chances to equalise but Zwolle were largely in control, dominating possession and shots. Ryan Thomas hit the crossbar as he looked to correct the one aspect of his game that hasn’t taken off this season – he’s only scored one goal in 27 league games in 2017-18! - but eventually Piotr Parzyszek picked off a bad pass at the back and finished it for a 2-0 win. Needed that.

This is quite cool as well…

Up Next: Roda JC vs PEC Zwolle, Sunday 5.45am (NZT)

Chris Wood – Burnley (English Premier League)

Oh you want your Chris Wood update? Better stay tuned then because he’s so damn good he gets his own article. Keep them eyes peeled to TNC and maybe pledge a few bucks our way on Patreon if the wait’s too long. Us indie battlers gotta stay on the grind, baby.

Say, here it is…

Up Next: Watford vs Burnley, 2.00am on Sunday (NZT)

Abby Erceg – North Carolina Courage vs Rebekah Stott – Sky Blue FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Well now here we go. North Carolina Courage vs Sky Blue, Abby Erceg vs Rebekah Stott. A couple defenders so they weren’t gonna go head to head specifically but if you love a bit of defence then this was the game to watch. Carli Lloyd made her debut for Sky Blue but couldn’t get a break. Abby Erceg’s side were too strong, too good at the back. They began things with a 1-0 win over the defending champs Portland Thorns and looked a decent bet to do the same here as Lynn Williams got running at Stott and her lot.

Rebekah was in at centre-back, same as she plays for New Zealand. She had to be at her best a couple times to deny NCC but more than that they needed some luck. The Courage had 23 shots compared to just three for Sky Blue – who didn’t have a single one on target. Williams missed one she should’ve scored and Kristen Hamilton hit the post. Sky Blue were fortunate to hang on although they did so until the 92nd minute when Jessica McDonald’s pace was too much for Stott and she rounded the keeper and side-footed it in before the kiwi could get across to cover it. 1-0 to the Courage who are looking imperious once again. Stott was also booked with five minutes or so left.

NCCourage.com: “Sky Blue did not record a single shot on target, a testament to the job done by the Courage’s back four of Hinkle, right back Merritt Mathias, center back Abby Erceg and center back Abby Dahlkemper.”

Up Next: International break before playing Washington Spirit on Sunday 15 April at 11.00am (NZT)

Katie Bowen – Utah Royals (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Rosie White’s long term injury means that Katie Bowen was the only other New Zealander to get on the field in the NWSL this week. Her Utah Royals were up against Houston Dash down in Texas and the two teams kinda cancelled each other out for a 0-0 draw. Gunny Jonsdottir went close with a free kick and Houston keeper Jane Campbell was in fine form. A first ever clean sheet for Utah though. Katie Bowen started in midfield again and played an hour before she was replaced by Lo’eau LaBonta.

Up Next: Utah vs Chicago, Sunday 15th at 7.30am (NZT)

Jeremy Brockie – Mamelodi Sundowns (South African Premier Soccer League)

Has Jeremy Brockie scored for the Sundowns yet? Nope. But he’s into the Nedbank Cup semis. And he got there without having to do anything, Brockie was an unused sub while Percy Tau and Hlompho Kekana each scored in a 2-1 win away to Cape Town City. They’ve got a couple games coming up before the next Flying Kiwis, so he’s well rested for those two.

Up Next: MS vs Chippa, Thursday at 5.30am (NZT)

Katie Rood – Juventus (Italian Serie A)

No game for Juve this week, nor is there one next week with an international break coming, allowing Juve to prepare for the upcoming game against Brescia which could well decide the title. Juve are three points clear having beaten Brescia away earlier in things but a loss here would open the race right back up (even if Juve have the superior goal difference).

The break means there’s been time for a bit of this too…

And a bit of this…

Up Next: Sunday 15 April, Juventus vs Brescia at 1.00am (NZT)

Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)

Last week’s Minnesota game was a cop-out defeat as they missed their entire backline through injury and international duty. But Boxall and Calvo were back for an absolutely freezing game against Atlanta United – where it turns out there’s actually a massive football community, who knew? Atlanta have been doing great things this season and getting enormous crowds in the process. Not that they needed those buggers all in the stands when they took a third minute lead away against Boxall’s crowd. Dammit. Swirling corner and a slappy save from Matt Lampson, which was shot back into the crossbar and then came down into Francisco Calvo and it dribbled in for an own goal. Weird one to concede, that’s for sure.

Both teams attacked pretty rapidly and the Loons relied on a good save rushing out from Lampson after Boxall had pushed up on halfway and gotten beaten. Then this game took a swing late in the first half. For no discernible reason, González Pirez pushed Sam Nicholson into the advertising hoardings with the ball already out and he got a second yellow. On your bike, son.

Despite that, Minnesota had trouble finding a creak in the Atlanta defence. It wasn’t until the last ten minutes that they really got it going as they went the direct route. Several chances, several good shots. But they still lost 1-0. 50 crosses attempted and nothing to show for it, oh well. The fixtures get better after this and they’ve signed a new attacking midfielder however not much else to say about Boxall, who had a very quiet one watching his guys lump the ball into the box over and over.

Up Next: Ooh look, away to Portland on Sunday 15 April at 2.30pm (NZT)

Amber Hearn & Meikayla Moore – FC Köln / C.J. Bott - USV Jena (German Frauen-Bundesliga)

Life is difficult for USV Jena, who remain dead last on the ladder and in serious trouble of failing to avoid relegation after another defeat this weekend. They went down 1-0 at home to mid-table SGS Essen. With Sandra Žigić back from suspension, CJ Bott didn’t get on the park in this one and maybe that’s why they couldn’t hold on to a valuable point, conceding in the 85th minute to a Turid Knaak goal. Gutted.

But it’s much rosier elsewhere in the country with FC Köln. Meikayla Moore was picked at fullback and played 70 minutes before getting subbed off with the game still scoreless away to 1899 Hoffenheim. The Hoffers were certainly beatable but Köln came into this game under an equal amount of relegation threat to Jena, they desperately needed a win. To do that they’d need to score a goal or two and goals have been tough to come by for Köln… although Amber Hearn went close with a brilliant lobbed volley that was only just tipped wide in the first minute of action.

Hearn & Moore’s lot had some tricky escapes in this one, a shot cleared off the line and a couple fine saves as well keeping them in it. Then Hearn shot wide in the 72nd minute, nipping the side-netting after picking off a bad pass from the defence. But within a minute Meike Messmer was there on the end of a cross to put Köln into a rare lead. It was one they managed to hold on to, making for only their third win of the season. Their goal difference is -58 but they’re only one point away from getting out of that drop zone.

Up Next: Bit of a break before Köln hosts SC Sand at 9.00pm on Sunday 22 and Jena travel to Bayern Munich at midnight on Monday 23 (NZT)

Ria Percival – FC Basel (Swiss Nationalliga A)

Ria Percival’s a dead-set regular for the Footy Ferns but she doesn’t get much of a mention in this column, to be honest. That’s mostly down to the fact that women’s football in Switzerland, with the language difference and not of lot of social media presence, is incredibly tough to keep track of. So let’s give it the big round-up because Ria deserves better, as you’ll soon see.

It looks like the Swiss title is gone from Basel’s grasps. They were locked in a heated battle with Zürich but lost to their rivals 2-0 back in late February (and also got knocked out of the Swiss Cup by the same opposition too). However since then they’ve kept hope alive with a run of four straight league wins to keep them only four points behind with eight games left. Amidst those games was a 5-0 win over Lugano in which Percival scored twice and she added another goal this weekend in a 2-0 win over Luzern. Three in three games and that’s eight overall for the season. Percival’s not known as a goal scorer for the national team but bloody hell she’s banging them away at club level. Even getting a taste of that captain’s armband too by the looks.

Up Next: Away to Grasshopper at 4.00am on Sunday 15th (NZT)

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

Colorado Rapids must have been playing an Oceania team because Anthony Hudson got his first win with the club this week and it was a 3-0 triumph. They were actually playing Philadelphia Union and it appears Dominique Badji is gonna be Huddo’s new Chris Wood because he bagged a hatty, all in the second half, to boss this thing.

The first half didn’t lead to much. The Union had the ball in some dangerous areas but nothing came of it while Tommy Smith went close with a late header that was cleared away. 0-0 at the break then, Deklan Wynne and Smithy enjoying the makings of another clean sheet even if they needed some extra help along the way. Danny Wilson was injured and replaced by Axel Sjoberg (whom many thought would be starting in Wynne’s place preseason). Then right wingback Marlon Hairston went off injured on a stretcher as well.

But by then Badji had already done the damage after Jack Price swung in another corner and up went Smithy yet again. Eventually he’s gonna score a few of these, he always did at Ipswich, but the assists will do for now. He couldn’t get enough on the header but it glanced towards Badji at the far post who popped it in. His second, in the 61st minute, was even easier. Johan Blomberg’s shot was deflected right to him with the keeper already committed the other way and he could hardly miss from six yards with an open goal. The third came late after the Rapids had taken control with those two quick ones. Wynne helped win the ball back deep and Colorado countered with Badji given the ball on the run from Blomberg. He could’ve passed but, sitting on a hat-trick, he shot instead and he made it count. 3-0, quite the bloody result, that one.

Guess whose birthday it was too? Not a bad way to celebrate.

Smithy’s settled into MLS like a fish in water which is no surprise given he’s been battling away in the English Championship for most of a decade. He’s a proven talent and seems to be enjoying a less physical style of play in America. What’s really surprising is how well Deklan Wynne is settling in. You don’t hear much about him but that’s because of how few mistakes he’s making. Winning headers and reading the play nicely, passing the ball well from the back, winning tackles… all this while playing in a new position at a new level too. He’s a centre-back for Hudson now. Shout out to Wynnebags. 

In fact, double shout outs becuase take a peek at this!

Hey remember how Kip Colvey won the Rapids’ preseason beep test? We’ve got footage to prove it in the second episode of Colorado’s Elevate doco series. There’s also plenty of Huddo in here too (and a glimpse at Darren Bazeley) plus some peeping at Tommy Smith getting lunch in town. Riveting stuff.

Up Next: FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids, Sunday 12.00pm (NZT)

Tyler Boyd – CD Tondela (Portuguese Primeira Liga)

Log another ninety for Boyd, who had an influential game as Tondela drew 1-1 away to Boavista. Leonardo Acevedo’s 31st minute goal gave the home side the lead, following up his own shot after it was blocked on the line, but Tómané pulled one back before half-time. Great header from a corner which went in off the crossbar… Boyd was hovering there for the rebound if it didn’t find its way over the line.

The lad was all sorts of a handful in the second half too but not enough to grab a winner. He probably should have scored much earlier from a smart run to the far post at a corner but couldn’t get a foot on it after a flicked header while Boavista had already hit the post before they scored their goal. Anyway, Boyd’s pace down the right was a massive weapon and he used it to cut inside and shoot for a 59th min chance only his shot was blocked wide. A draw’s not so bad for a mid-table team trying to tick those points over.

Up Next: Home to Portimonense at 3.00am on Sunday (NZT)

Olivia Chance – Everton (English Super League)

It was back on the bench for Chancey this week with Everton travelling to Sunderland in league action. Everton nudged a fairly tight first half, enjoying the presence of recent England call-up Gabby George at the back, and would take the lead soon after the resumption through Dan Turner after Chloe Kelly had set her up. Sunderland then levelled it back up within quarter of an hour as Lucy Staniforth scored a wild one directly from a swirling corner kick.

Manager Andy Spence reacted quickly and on came Livvy Chance and Jodie Brett for some extra attacking push from the midfield and the Toffees almost did grab a winner through Courtney Sweetman-Kirk but CSK’s shot went narrowly wide. 1-1 the final score. Probably woulda backed themselves to win after Sunderland went 120 minutes in the FA Cup against Man City three days earlier but a draw keeps Everton’s WSL total ticking over. 10 points from 11 games and a seventh or eighth finish would be pretty commendable in their first season in the new top flight.

Up Next: Get pumped for the FA Cup semi against Arsenal, 11.30pm on Sunday 15th (NZT)

Anna Green – Reading (English Super League)

Greenie was likewise only a sub in the Super League this week. She got out there for Reading in the 86th minute, replacing forward Brooke Chaplen to add another defensive presence on the field for the closing stages against Manchester City. For a good reason too, with goals from Remi Allen and Kirsty McGee, one in each half, giving them a 2-0 win against arguably the top team in the country.

It wasn’t the best of City, who had played three days earlier away in Sweden, beating Linköping 5-3 in the Champions League quarters to book a tie with Olympique Lyon (Erin Nayler’s old team) in the semis. Wolfsburg play Chelsea in the other semi (Chelsea knocked out Ali Riley’s Rosengård in the R16). Not to mention the 120 minutes against Sunderland three days before that. Surprisingly City didn’t make a single change to their starting XI and tiredness was surely a factor in what was only their second league defeat of the campaign. Heck of a result for Greenie’s crew though, who held on despite Jo Potter’s red card in the 81st minute. All good, they had cover on the bench.

This was the second game of the week for Reading, who also beat the bottom team Yeovil Town 3-0 in a comfortable game in which Anna Green played the whole 90 minutes. Remi Allen, Lauren Bruton and Kirsty Linnett got the goals. Plus they drew with league leaders Chelsea a week ago so that’s 7 points in eight days, launching them within three points of third place as the WSL bends towards its final third of fixtures.

Up Next: Arsenal vs Reading at 6.30am on Thursday 19 (NZT)

Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League One)

Fresh from being called into the All Whites squad that played against Canada (Tzanev was an unused sub), Nik had a chat with AFC Wimbledon’s website about that experience and about his club status right now. He’s not been a name that’s gotten much recognition in Flying Kiwis since he signed with Wimbledon and that’s because he’s spent his time logging minutes for the club’s development side. However the 21 year old is hovering around and getting in his training reps with the first-team glovemen George Long and Joe McDonnell.

Nik Tzanev: “It’s really good with ‘Bayzo’ [Wimbledon GK coach Ashey Bayes]. The tempo we have in training is excellent. I’m pushing ‘Macca’, ‘Macca’ is pushing ‘Longy’ – we’ve got a really good morale and mentality in the group. I’ve just got to keep that going until the end of the season now and hope for the best. The aim is to get on the bench for the first-team again this season and play as many games as I can, showcase what I can do and prove it on the field of play.”

He also talks about hoping to live up to the legacy of another famous kiwi footy player to have done his thing for the Dons… Shane Smeltz. As for All Whites duty, here’s what was spoken…

Nik Tzanev: “It was an amazing experience to go away with the national team; it filled me with tremendous pride and honour. I really want to thank everyone at Wimbledon - especially Ashley Bayes and Neal Ardley for letting me go away and helping to shape me into international standard. It had been a while since I’d been away representing New Zealand at under-20 level, two and a half years ago, so it was a good experience for me and it will stay with me.

“We were out in Spain where the facilities where top notch. I think Newcastle were there before us. It was really good to get in that professional environment and be there 24/7, with all new coaches and see all the boys I haven’t seen in a while. I think I’ve managed to impress them, so I’ll do my best in training now in upcoming games to get another call-up.”

Up Next: Keep on truckin’

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