Flying Kiwis – August 18
Bill Tuiloma – Portland Timbers (American Major League Soccer)
Welcome to the MLS Is Back Tournament grand final, it’s Portland Timbers versus Orlando City and Bill Tuiloma, as has been the case through all the knockouts, is amongst the substitutes on the bench. Nothing out of the ordinary there. We just needed Portland to get themselves a nice but vulnerable lead late on so they’d feel the need to sub him on.
This game felt like a final with both teams beginning a bit too tight. Portland were happy to sit in and try attack on the break while Orlando kept trying to stretch the field with long ball switches and neither team really did anything for the first 25 mins or so, all pretty sloppy. That changed when Portland won a free kick about forty metres out for a block-off in midfield. Diego Valeri swung in a gorgeous cross which Larrys Mabiala got on the end of and his header into the ground rose back up with enough zip that Orlando keeper (Peruvian Pedro Gallese) couldn’t stop it. 1-0 to Portland thanks to a centre back goal. Sweet as.
Orlando City equalised in the 39th minute. For the Timbers defence it was all about doing what Minnesota Utd had been unable to in the semis and containing Nani. For the most part they did a good job of keeping him out wide on the left, not letting him cut in past defenders... but then they lapse one time and he creates just enough room to smack one low to the edge of the six yard box from his wing and Mauricio Pereyra was able to stay with it to score, making it 1-1 at the half.
But Portland came back out confident in what they were doing and were looking the more likely team to bust it open again. Midway through the second half they finally threw more at Orlando than the unofficial tournament hosts could handle. A dangerous free kick was awarded as Marvin Loría was barged over on the edge of the area. Diego Valeri’s low shot was tipped wide, leading to a corner. Jeremy Ebobisse had a crack off the back of that corner which was brilliantly saved. Cue another corner. This one finds Eryk Williamson at the far post and his shot was deflected by Ebobisse and turned in by Dario Župarić. So... both centre backs that had kept Billy T out of the lineup ended up on the scoresheet, can’t complain about that one.
That meant Portland had 25 minutes left to protect (or add to) a 2-1 lead. Immediately they made a couple subs (alas not Tuiloma – Andy Polo and Niezgoda coming on instead) not so much to change things to be more defensive but just to freshen up their existing shape. Which was all they needed to do, they were handling Orlando’s best efforts comfortably. As for the threat of Nani... Jorge Villafaña probably took it a bit far when he tried to milk a red card for the fella after an inconsequential head clash. Nani stepped into it but Villafaña straight up leaned into him them collapsed. It was hilarious. Nani was wisely only booked by the ref.
Honestly, it was long shots or nothing for Orlando who just couldn’t find a way through. Diego Valeri had the best remaining chance but Portland’s counter attack was a bit off-rhythm and his shot was saved. Then, finally, came the moment we were waiting for. Bill Tuiloma subbed on for Diego Valeri. He’d sit in a defensive midfield role shutting down the channels and also providing an extra aerial presence against set pieces.
Having said that, it was from a set piece that Orlando had their last good chance as some header tennis led to the ball falling for Kyle Smith unmarked on the corner of the six yard box but his side-foot volley ballooned over. Portland held on for the 2-1 victory. The Covid Cup is all theirs.
Celebration time...
This was the first bit of silverware the Timbers have won since they lifted the MLS Cup back in 2015 – a victory that also had a kiwi connection as Jake Gleeson was on the bench that day (shout out to Jake Gleeson, hope he’s doing well and hope he wins the hell outta his lawsuit), although Gavin Wilkinson has been the club’s GM since they got to MLS so there’s a kiwi connection regardless. Cam Knowles has coached the reserve team since 2018 too. The Timbers were MLS Cup runners up in 2018, Tuiloma an unused sub as they lost 2-0 to Atlanta.
Obviously the MLS Is Back Tournament championship doesn’t rate as highly as an MLS Cup title but it’s a trophy they might not ever have to defend, plus it gives them, for the third time in their history, a pass into the CONCACAF Champions League. They’ll compete in that bad boy in 2021. As for the rest of the season... well it’s straight back into normal transmission from next week as the MLS regular season resumes. Portland are currently third in the Western Conference with 10 points from five games (two before the break plus the three group stage games in Orlando).
Up Next: Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders, Monday 24 August at 2pm (NZT)
Michael Boxall, James Musa & Noah Billingsley – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
MNUFC.com: “Minnesota United announced today that the club will loan defender Noah Billingsley to Las Vegas Lights FC of the USL Championship for the remainder 2020 season with the right to recall Billingsley at any time throughout the duration of the loan.”
We’ve been wondering what’s up with Billingsley and now we know. Having not featured in any of Minnesota’s matchday squads during the MLS Is Back Tournament, he’s been offered the chance for some regular footy a step down the divisions which would make a lot of sense on the surface. Dude’s not quite ready for MLS footy in his first season out of college, this way he can play more often whilst Minnesota still retain the right to recall him if injuries happen and they need him. No coincidence that this has happened soon after the Loons were knocked out in the semis of that tournament – Kyle Adams is in a similar situation at Houston Dynamo and has gone straight to their USL affiliate since the club left the MLS bubble (which, as an affiliate, means it’s more like a reserve team situation so doesn’t require a loan).
Also relevant is that this clears an international roster spot for Minnesota, a team that’ll have serious title aspirations after a strong showing at the Disneyfest in Orlando. Coincidentally they signed French/Malian defender Bakaye Dibassy at the start of the month so whaddayaknow? Billingsley is a fella they’ve got big raps on based on the chat coming out of the draft but he’s got time on his side. A couple other international players in the team are in the process of getting green cards so this doesn’t mean Billingsley is left on the outer or anything. In the meantime, viva Las Vegas (whose mascot is an evil Elvis, how about that?).
Elsewhere, Michael Boxall’s always good for a yarn...
Michael Boxall actually made the longlist of candidates for the Covid Cup Team of the Tournament too. Didn’t make the final cut but the fact he was in contention says plenty. And, to complete the trio, here’s James Musa looking good for the cameras...
Up Next: Minnesota vs Sporting KC, Saturday 22 August at 11.30am (NZT)
Erin Nayler – Reading FC (English Super League)
Been waiting on this one for a while and here it is. Erin Nayler has signed with WSL club Reading for the upcoming season in England, following on from three years with Girondins Bordeaux in France. A very good signing who’ll hopefully get plenty of game time with the gloves on for Reading... who had a solid season last time around finishing fifth in that covid-truncated season, though financial dramas and a big turnover of players since then makes them a tricky proposition to judge. But they’ve got value here by signing Nayler. The kiwi keeper joins Ria Percival (Spurs) in the Flying Kiwis x WSL ranks for the upcoming campaign... still time for a couple more perhaps?
Kelly Chambers, Reading manager: “It is great to bring Erin to the club. She is an experienced goalkeeper who will add yet more strength to our goalkeeper group. She has played in major international tournaments and has experience of playing top club level, so to add those experiences and qualities to our group will bring great benefit.”
Up Next: WSL 2020-21 opener away to Arsenal on September 7 at 1am (NZT)
Andre De Jong – AmaZulu FC (South African Premier Soccer League)
Mate, what an ordeal it’s been for ADJ. Breaks his foot on All Whites duty, then just as he’s about to return a global pandemic strikes (his first game back was gonna be the first game that got cancelled) and now after nine months without an official match he’s finally made his return, coming off the bench to play the last seventeen minutes of AmaZulu’s 0-0 draw against Baroka.
ADJ: “Yeah, I’m obviously absolutely raring to go again after what's been a long injury layoff that's dated back to November. So and including the lockdown, it's been about eight or nine months and since I last played. So I can't wait to get back out there on the field. The Saturday, and especially in these last six games, would be really nice to contribute to the to the team moving up the table as an attacking unit. Obviously, all of us are working really hard to get on the scoresheet and assist Bongi has had and obviously an incredible season. So, yeah. And these in these last six games, obviously, I love to love to contribute in an attacking sense to the team.”
That could end up being a crucial point for AmaZulu, as it lifted them one spot up the ladder and out of the relegation playoff position. And Baroka are level on points with AmaZulu and a slightly better goal difference so they won’t be moaning about this result either. Not a game with too many chances to talk about, AmaZulu were the more aggressive team in the closing stages with ADJ out there but they didn’t create much to show for it. A draw ain’t a terrible way to resume though... and for De Jong it woulda just been nice to be playing at all.
(Stinker news elsewhere as Dan Morgan was an unused sub for Maritzburg as they lost 3-2 away to bottom-placed Black Leopards, which is a blow in their own hopes of finishing in the top three and qualifying for continental footy and also a blow for AmaZulu who might be clear of the drop zone for now but they’re also only one point off last – the bottom five teams are now separated by only three points).
Up Next: Bidvest Wits away on Saturday at 1.30am (NZT)
Sarpreet Singh - Nürnberg (German Liga 2)
That’s life for Saddy these days, talking it up with the Nurnies while his buddies at Bayern Munich handed down a legendary thrashing of Barcelona in the Champions League quarters. Singh probably won’t get a winners’ medal if Bayern go on and win that thing – the way it works is UEFA give out a flat sum of 40 medals to the triumphant team to disperse at their will and seeing as Singh never even made a matchday squad in the UCL chances are once you go through those who did and chuck in a few key staff he won’t get there and tbh nor should he. But he’s having a good old time at Nürnberg for now, playing in two friendlies already for the club.
Here’s a colourful bit of writing from Nord Bayern: “The number eight, rotated by 90 degrees, the symbol of infinity, stands in football for technical elegance, for wit and creativity, for light-footedness. Lothar Matthäus once wore it, Andres Iniesta too. And in Nuremberg? From now on that number adorns the jersey of a gifted person. Underneath the red and black striped home shirt, the name "Singh" is emblazoned in white letters.”
Not much point to that other than the flowery language. That article came up on a google search is all, though it does explain the role that the club are wanting from him – basically he’s needed to supply the killer ball. Not necessarily the goal or even the assist but the pass which maybe leads to the assist by hitting the overlapping runner or feeding the striker’s feet or whatever. We got a few glimpses of that in these first two friendlies. He played the pass that led to the assist in a 1-0 win over SSV Jahn Regensburg in the first one, nearly set up a goal winning the ball high up in the second. Looked like a playmaking role as an advanced central midfielder... which all suggests he should be a key player for these fellas this season. Exciting.
Up Next: More friendly football
Joe Bell – Viking FK (Norwegian Eliteserien)
2-0 down after half an hour, 3-2 up after an hour, 3-3 at full time. Nothing seems to come easy for Viking this season. They actually had the first couple relevant chances but then twice they got carved up through the right side of their defence, the first time Magnus Strandman Lundal slotted and the second the keeper dragged a bugger down and Emil Bohinen scored from the rebound after his penalty was saved. Veton Berisha got Viking back in it with a goal before the break and they were close to a second before the whistle gave everyone a break. They’d get that second goal through Zymer Bytyqi’s punt from distance and then Berisha put them up in the 58th minute from the penalty spot but Kosuke Kinoshita levelled it up in the 81st minute with a shot that looked like it might have caught a slight deflection to beat the keeper at the near post. Ninety minutes for Joe Bell, that’s pretty much a given at this point. But more dropped points for Viking... who if the season finished today would have to play a relegation playoff.
Up Next: Sunday at 4am away vs Strømsgodset (NZT)
Vic Esson – Avaldsnes IL (Norwegian Toppserien)
Second win in a row for Avaldsnes, second clean sheet in a row for Vic Esson too. They beat LSK Kvinner 1-0 with substitute Ylinn Tennebø getting the only goal in the 62nd minute (not long after Avaldsnes had already hit the crossbar). Climbing up that table into fifth now and just three points off second, as you do.
Up Next: Avaldsnes vs Rosenborg on Sunday at 1am (NZT)
Tommy Smith – Unattached
Been wondering what Smithy’s been up to? You’re not alone. Since leaving the MLS he trained for a while with his old club Ipswich then signed with Sunderland on a short term deal but never played a game as the pandemic got in the way of that. Now it seems he’s making mates at Colchester United.
Colchester, who partake in League Two footy, played their opening preseason friendly on the weekend. A 2-0 loss to Gillingham in which new manager Steve Ball used two distinct lineups in the first and second halves. Amongst that first half eleven was a fella listed as: Trialist. That fella was Tommy Smith.
You’d have to think by virtue of training with the first XI that he’s a very high prospect to be signed. League Two’s a drop from the Championship footy he used to get all the time with Ipswich but you take what’s available and Colchester are an upwardly mobile team, who were sixth in the division last season and lost 3-2 to Exeter City in the promotion playoff semi-finals. Funny thing about that is their next friendly game is on Wednesday AM in kiwi time and it’s against Ipswich. That’ll bring back a few memories, no doubt. Old mate played 267 times for Ipswich in over a decade at the club.
Up Next: Say g’day to whoever’s left at the old stomping ground
Hannah Wilkinson – Djurgården IF vs Ali Riley – FC Rosengård (Swedish Damallsvenskan)
Djurgården versus Rosengård. Wilkinson versus Riley. Except that when the game came around neither of them were in the starting teams and in fact Ali Riley wasn’t even in the squad at all. The match would end up as a bit of a tame 0-0 draw which is a great result for the Gardens since the Rosies had won 7-1 the week before against Linköping who had twice as many points on the board as they did – that draw edges them up to ninth and out of the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference. So that’s nice even if Hannah Wilkinson was an unused substitute. Here are the highlights if you’re still keen.
This comes as the Orlando Pride made an announcement that they’re getting back into organised training sessions, which might have sparked a bit of interest had they not also added that they were planning to continue doing so indefinitely as they await guidance about any further NWSL football. Remember the Orlando Pride didn’t compete in the Challenge Cup because of some internal covid cases. They also add that:
“However, a number of players will be joining foreign teams on loan in order to secure competitive match minutes. Previously announced loans include Ali Riley to FC Rosengard, Camila to Palmeiras and Erin McLeod to Ungmennafélag Stjarnan, with additional announcements expected in the near future.”
So nothing really happening there and it sounds like Riley will be in Sweden for a while yet. Which doesn’t explain why she missed this game... presumably just an injury. By the way, note that her Pride teammate Erin McLeod there has gone on loan to Stjarnan in Iceland – same club that Betsy Hassett plays for. They drew 1-1 this week with Thór/KA, with the Canadian McLeod conceding the equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time. Also Aussie international Alanna Kennedy’s going on loan to Spurs where she’ll play with Ria Percival. Surely not a coincidence!?
Up Next: Djurgården are away to Kristianstad on Monday at 1am while Rosengård hosts Göteborg at 4am on the same day (NZT)
Matt Garbett – Falkenbergs FF (Swedish Allsvenskan)
A first ever start for Matty Garbs in the Allsvenskan, yeah you’d better believe it. Comes after nine appearances off the bench in all comps. Garbett chucked in to start in an away game versus Elfsborg on Friday morning in another milestone in the teenager’s career.
Umm, slight problem there though... they were 4-0 down after twenty minutes. Not even joking, some of those goals were absolute shambles to and to give you an indication what a railroading it was the fourth goal came from a rabona cross. 19th minute of the match and Elfsborg were so confident the rabonas were coming out.
In a situation like that something’s gotta give and you half expect the teenage winger making his first start to be sacrificed for an extra defensive midfielder or something but nah they let it play out until half-time (where upon they made three subs and Elfsborg made four) and Garbett would last until the 71st minute when he was finally subbed off as his team’s fourth change. The reason he lasted as long as that was because after going 4-0 down he was actually one of their more effective players. In the 36th minute he had a double chance to pull one back, his first shot saved by the keeper and the second blocked...
After all the changes at the half it was a bit of a different game and soon after the break FFF did pull one back, Kalle Söderström heading in from a curling free kick cross. Then Tobias Englund slammed one in after 67 minutes to make it 4-2 and that was a wake-up call for the hosts for sure. Garbett was replaced soon after and Elfsborg saw it out for a 4-2 final score.
Falkenbergs then played again a few days later, a 1-1 draw with AIK. Garbett was back to the bench and would be an unused substitute in that one though. So it goes.
Up Next: Malmö vs FFF, Monday at 12.30am (NZT)
Joel Stevens & Francis De Vries – IFK Värnamo (Swedish Ettan Södra)
Another big win for the Varnies. They beat Skövde AIK 3-0 to keep themselves four points clear at the top of the South side of the division and with a game in hand no less. They hit the crossbar in a first half which was far from one-sided, Francis De Vries having to earn his paycheque a couple times. But late in the first half they broke it open as Joel Stevens strode forward through the middle and slipped it wide for Edvin Becirovic and his low cross was deflected past the goalie for an own goal. 43 minutes gone. They then scored again before the break in stoppage time as Freddy Winsth headed in from a corner and bingo, Värnamo in control.
And they made it three in the 58th minute through Benjamin Lindblad. Almost through Joel Stevens as the ball came his way on the left but a heavy touch and a very aggressive goalkeeper saw his attempt saved however it bounced away towards Lindblad who popped it in. Not sure if you’d count that as an assist or not but either way Joel Stevens, coming off his first goal of the season last week, was involved in two of the goals while FDV got himself yet another clean sheet. Highlights available here.
Then they maintained that fantastic form with a 4-0 win away at Linköping City this very morning. Twelve games into the season they’re already seven points clear with a +24 goal difference. Once again there were starts for both kiwi lads, FDV getting a full game in the backline while Stevens was subbed off with a dozen minutes remaining and the result already wrapped up.
The first goal came from a corner kick routine in the 12th minute which found Joel Stevens open in the box for a side-footed strike that came back off the post... but was eventually put in by Johan Lassagård. Another one of those not-quite-assists for the dude. They then had to wait until midway through the second half before they could break Linköping down again, although they were the better team for most of that time and even hit the post again at one point. Eventually Michael Kargbo got them that comforting second goal with a bit of a solo effort, then Abdussalam Magashy thought he’d scored a third in the 69th min following up after another Joel Stevens shot was blocked but a fella was ruled offside. No dramas, four minutes later Magashy got his goal and once more it was on the follow-up from a Stevens shot. This one was parried much more gently for him to tap in afterwards. One way or another JS keeps being involved in the goals, aye? Linköping got a red card soon after and Värnamo ran the subs, scoring a fourth late on for kicks. Here are your non-embeddable highlights.
Up Next: Värnamo vs Torns, Monday at 3am (NZT)
Jesse Edge & Matthew Conroy – IFK Berga (Swedish Ettan Norra)
A debut and a yellow card for Jesse Edge at IFK Berga. They scored first through Dan Barrow early in the second half, entirely against the run of play considering by then opponents Gefle had already hit the crossbar, had a couple shots blocked in front of goal, and missed on pretty simple one on one. At times that Berga defence looked completely shot but it was a defensive mishap at the other end that gifted them a goal when the keeper more or less gave the ball to Barrow on a silver platter to score.
Yet Gefle responded swiftly to level eight minutes later through Jacob Hjelte at the back post and then a further three minutes after that they were in front. A free kick (presumably conceded by Edge since he was booked around that time) was smacked into the wall and strangely it seemed to get stuck, like nobody knew where it was, and striker Tshutshu Tshakasua Wa Tshakasua helped himself to the winning goal. No Matt Conroy in this game, he’s still yet to feature for the club after both these fellas signed a week ago. Berga remain last in the Northern conference. Get on those highlights, friend.
Up Next: Berga vs Karlstad, Sunday at midnight (NZT)
Nikko Boxall – SJK (Finnish Veikkausliiga)
Couple more match highlight packages for ya. Boxall played all of both, both 0-0 draws so at least his defence can say they’re doing their jobs. SJK haven’t won since the first game of the season but they’re currently on a four game streak of consecutive draws.
Up Next: SJK vs Honka, 3.30am on Saturday (NZT)
Ryan De Vries – Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division)
Lovely. RDV got ninety minutes this week too away to Cork City... but they lost 3-0 so never mind.
Up Next: Sligo vs Waterford, Wednesday at 4.45am (NZT)
Matthew Gould – Altrincham (English National League)
Love that. Gould spent the last two years with Spennymoor Town (English lower league club names are undefeated) where he played 78 league games in National League North division, where he’d have played a few times against Altrincham... in fact they were the last team he played against prior to lockdown. A 4-1 Altrincham win – although he saved a penalty against them the previous time. Spennymoor finished eighth and Altrincham fifth in the NL North after the league table was determined on a points per game basis, with Alty going on to win the playoffs and earn promotion. At Altrincham he’ll have his work cut out to play with Tony Thompson still at the club having started 30 games last season though they’ve not got much on the books below him so Gouldy at the very least should be challenging Thommo off the bench. The National League isn’t gonna start until supporters are cleared to attend games (gotta get those gate returns at this level to be sustainable) so no idea on when that’ll be.
Up Next: Wait and see
Ellis Hare-Reid - Ayr United (Scottish Championship)
Buried at the end of this article on Daily Record chatting with the Ayr Utd gaffer Mark Kerr about the state of the squad as they head back into training ahead of the new Scottish second tier season...
“Keeper Ellis Hare-Reid has penned a new deal with the club.”
Good-o. The 21 year old goalie has played just the once for the first team in a cup competition, having done most of his work for the club he signed for back in 2017 at academy level, although he’s found himself on the bench a whopping 84 times in all competitions over his time there. The point was made in that article that they’re looking to sign a new goalie since as it stands the only other GK on the senior books is even younger and less experienced than EHR, but he’s been re-signed so it’s all progress either way for the fella. Ayr United were in fourth place and in line for a promotion playoff when last season came to a sudden pandemic-related halt, though the playoffs weren’t contested in the end with only the league champs given promotion. Heaps to build off though.
Up Next: Scottish champo set to kick off in October as it stands
Ryan Thomas – PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie)
Steady rolling towards the new season. Also his missus is expected their second child, another daughter. Shout out to the Thomas clan. He played the first half hour of a preseason friendly against Vitesse (which ended in a 1-1 draw), lining up in central midfield. Dude missed the first two practice games with a minor injury which we covered a week ago but all’s well now.
Up Next: Eredivisie season begins in four weeks
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