Liberato Cacace – Empoli (Italian Serie A)

Once upon a time Juventus wanted to sign Liberato Cacace all for themselves. They liked what they’d seen from him in the Belgian Pro League and were keen to hoard him up for their under-23s squad. However Cacace stared them down and said: nah bro. First team footy was what was best for his development so he stayed put. A year later, he found himself making his first Serie A start against Juventus, at home for Empoli. After two appearances (from three games) he was promoted to the walk-on eleven against the dominant force in Italian football over the last decade. Go. On. My. Son.

Weird old game this because Juve were far from at their best. Empoli came in with a cautious intent yet found themselves able to move the ball pretty comfortably. It was only when they were stretched that they looked vulnerable, at least to start with. One great bit of play from Cacace working a one-two up the left wing ended with Empoli losing the ball with LC out of place and from that move Dusan Vlahovic ended up going close with a shot drilled across goal. But equally Zurkowski caused some trouble with a chance at the near post for Empoli which saw old mate Leonardo Bonucci getting in an important block.

But despite Empoli’s competitiveness, Juventus took the lead on 32 mins. They’d already peppered away with Danilo heading over from a corner, Denis Zakaria denied by the goalie from a useful angle, and Dusan Vlahovic smacking one wide. Finally Andre Rabiot fired in a cross from the right side which Moise Kean pumped home off is head. Kean found space between CB Sebastiano Luperto and LB Cacace and his header was just too good.

Yet six minutes later Empoli tied things back up again. Corner kick from the left, little flick-on at the near post. Ardian Ismajli tried to hold it up with his back to goal about six yards out, there were defenders everywhere trying to hack at the ball, somehow it ended up in the range of Szymon Zurkowski... who stabbed it over the line. An ugly goal but a potentially consequential one.

It was pretty nuts. Empoli were leading in possession with more total shots and everything. But alas they committed the cardinal sin of conceding just before the break to ruin all that great work. Cacace had been caught out of position after rushing out, Kristjan Asllani attempted a terrible pass which turned over possession and exposed his own team, and Juan Cuadrado therefore found space down that Cacace’s side. Cuadrado made a genius little reverse pass in for Dusan Vlahovic and Juve’s big money new signing striker sent both goalkeeper and a defender sliding with a dummy that allowed him to stroke in yet another goal this season and make it 2-1 at HT.

There was always a threat from Juventus on the break, in fairness. And those transitional situations were Cacace’s biggest worry, trying to recover when the ball was turned over with him pressing forward. That’s where we were on 66 mins as Vlahovic made it 3-1, Cacace almost getting back there to challenge him as Alvaro Morata slipped DV through but the first touch from Vlahovic was quite honestly perfect. Could not have been better. That touch kept Cacace at arm’s length and thus Vlahovic was able to dink it in for his 20th of the season (and third Serie A goal for Juve).

Empoli boss Aurelio Andreazzoli responded with a triple sub that included Libby Cacace swapping out for Fabiano Parisi. The opposite way to how they usually make that swap. Cacace’s first start thus came to an end with twenty to play. Bit quiet overall, didn’t always receive the passes he was open for, but by no means was he swimming out of his depth here. Impressively solid against a Champions League knockout stage team. Yes, he did get trapped out of position for a couple of the goals... though that was more down to teammates losing the ball leading to transitional attacks rather than him being naive. Bit more on his specific performance in our latest Substack, by the way.

Parisi got himself booked for jumping in on Cuadrado less than three mins after coming on. However he also put the initial cross into the area which ended up with fellow substitute Andrea La Mantia driving at a loose ball, two hands on it from Wojciech Szczesny, to make it 3-2 with quarter of an hour still to go. This was soon after Leonardo Bonucci had diverted a deflected free kick onto his own crossbar, probably saving a goal. Empoli really going for it with a boost from those subs... but in the end they wouldn’t find a third goal. 3-2 to Juventus was the final score. Promising performance from Empoli yet the bottom line is that they’ve now gone ten games without a league win. Nine points clear of the drop zone though, no dramas there.

Up Next: Genoa vs Empoli on Monday at 12.30am (NZT)

Joe Bell – Brøndby IF (Danish Superliga)

Second game for the new club but his first at home in front of their legendary fanbase. Brøndby versus SønderjyskE, the one-time home of Marco Rojas if you recall (and their keeper here was Rojas’s ex-Melbourne Victory teammate Lawrence Thomas). Joe Bell retained what’ll soon be his familiar role in the BIF midfield and off we went. After an introduction for the new signings, of course...

The three-man midfield of Brøndby offers a bit of roaming potential for Bellinho. He’s ostensibly the defensive mid but a relatively flat trio means that there’s always someone there to cover if he wants to drift forward. Not that he did a heap of that. Most of his work here was just classic CDM stuff, breaking up the play when the other team had the ball and then distributing it around, controlling the tempo of the match. Brøndby were heavy favourites here and sure enough that meant Bell and the rest of his mates were very much dominating those central areas.

However it did take a wee while for them to turn that possession into chances. Bell had a shot from outside the box, an ambitious chest-and-volley after a clearance landed his way. That one went comfortably wide. He also swung in a dangerous looking corner that was nodded off target, as well as a very decent cross that was cleared away. Most of BIF’s work was in trying to get the ball to their wingers, who were kinda wasteful. But eventually they did take a deserved lead as Sigurd Rosted flicked on a corner kick at the near post and Henrik Heggheim finished it off at the back post. Lovely routine stuff. 25 mins gone.

SønderjyskE were resorting to professional fouls to try and stop the counters. 38 mins into the match that caught up with them as Nikolaj Thomsen slid in from the wrong angle on Carl Björk and earned himself a second yellow card, off ya go son. BIF well and truly running the show now.

Although, to be fair, Sonders were arguably better with ten men. Kept it clean the rest of the way into the half, seemingly offering more of a threat, and they even had the ball in the net early seconds... only for the offside flag to go up as BIF’s defensive line did just enough from the deep free kick. That scare settled things down again and Brøndby resumed their show-running duties, however they also resumed not creating good enough chances. A few times they got a winger around the edge and they were good from set pieces but they should have done a whole lot more than a mere two shots on target here.

Luckily they had an enforcer in the midfield...

And between Bellinho and the rest of them they never really looked like conceding again. The cleanliness of that sheet was in no further doubt. Their best chance to score again came right at the very end on the runaway. They messed that up too but a 1-0 win was enough to keep the pressure on the jerries at the top, in fact they go level on points with FC Midtjylland whose dry spell continued as they needed an injury time equaliser to draw 2-2 with OB. FC Copenhagen won again so they’re three points clear in first. 19 games played by all. Joe Bell looking classy as hell already.

Up Next: 6am on Monday away to Silkeborg (NZT)

Katie Rood - Southampton (English National League Southern Premier)

The beautiful game giveth and the beautiful game taketh away. It was FA Cup weekend in England which meant no game for Ria Percival or Meikayla Moore whose teams have already been eliminated... but third-tier Southampton were still in the pot and what’s more they drew divisional rivals Ipswich, making for a great opportunity to qualify for the quarters.

Katie Rood was on the bench to start with (same as she was in the last round when she came on to assist an extra time winner against Bristol City). Sweet as, that’s fine, wasn’t a lot going on between two teams that know each other very well anyway... although things did fire up in the second half. Substitute Eloise King thought she’d given Ipswich the lead but it was ruled out for offside. Soon after that the Saints made a triple change which included Katie Rood coming on – Rood with one good chance to win it late on but she was closed down on the end of a Millie Mott cross.

That meant extra time where the earlier fog of caution returned... right up until the 110th minute when Anna Grey scored a screamer of a volley for Ipswich to seemingly clinch it. Southampton needed something special now. They tried what they could but time was ticking out. One last corner kick to salvage a miracle. Last few seconds of the tie. Nothing to lose, up came the goalkeeper. And would you believe it: she scored. From a header, no less. Goalie Kayla Rendell converting from Lucia Kendall’s delivery and we were off to penalties...

And that’s where the giveth and taketh swapped around. Ipswich were perfect from the penalty spot, not giving Rendall a chance to add to her heroics, whereas Kendall missed first up for the Saints who were therefore shooting from a deficit the whole way. Rosie Parnell and Leeta Rutherford both scored but at 4-2 down when Katie Rood stepped up, Southampton were on the brink. Even if Roodie scored then Ipswich only needed to convert their next one to go through. Rood missed. Southampton’s FA Cup run comes to an end.

Guts. Though they might’ve had trouble fitting in an FA Cup quarter-final anyway. They’ve got no more free weekends before the end of the season and last week had to withdraw from the Hampshire FA Senior Cup final after being denied a request to reschedule it due to a league fixture conflict. They were gonna face Portsmouth there but instead have had to cede the title to their local rivals. Weren’t even allowed to pick academy players as they weren’t eligible under the competition rules. Southampton reluctantly left with no choice but to prioritise their promotion campaign – although they are still in the National League Cup having made the semis thanks to an 88th minute Katie Rood winner in a 1-0 win over Hashtag United a couple weeks back.

Up Next: Natty League Cup semi, against Crawley Wasps on Monday at 3am (NZT)

Anna Leat – West Ham United (English Super League)

Staying within FA Cup realms for a bit longer, there was hope that Anna Leat might start West Ham’s tie away to Reading having featured in the previous round (a 4-1 win over Sheffield United). That game arrived in the middle of Mackenzie Arnold’s Asian Cup excursion but Leat also played in all four Continental Cup fixtures. Leat had been the cup keeper. Arnold had not played a non-WSL fixture this season... until now.

Yeah, FA Cup quarter-final on the line, probably gotta revert to your most experienced keeper. Fair enough. Anna Leat had to watch from her spot on the bench. However there will be another opportunity because in a fun and competitive match-up it was the Hammers who came out on top with a 1-0 extra-time victory. Dagny Brynjarsdóttir with the winner in stoppage time of the first period of extras (105+1’), fresh from scoring against the Football Ferns for Iceland recently.

This was the start of a run of four games in 18 days for West Ham so Leat could well get another match in amongst all that fixture carnage.

Up Next: Friday at 8.45am against Chelsea, then Monday at 3am away to Birmingham (NZT)

Logan Rogerson & Ollie Whyte - FC Haka (Finnish Veikkausliiga)

Oh hell yes, that’s what we’re talking about. When Ollie Whyte joined Logan Rogerson at FC Haka, two kiwis combining forces within Icelandic football, the thought of one setting up the other for an injury time winner in a knockout cup game was pretty much the ideal scenario. And look what just happened.

This was in the League Cup quarters. FC Haka had qualified for this stage thanks to a 2-0 win against FC Lahti on Thursday NZT in which both Whyte and Rogerson started, being subbed off together with twenty mins remaining. The first goal was an own goal in the second minute, the second came after they were off the park. Needed to win that one to advance after two earlier draws and that’s exactly what they did.

Bringing us to the quarter-final against Ilves. These two had drawn 1-1 in the group stage of this competition but this time there’d have to be a winner. Despite a positive start, FCH fell behind on 12 minutes as Patrick Loa Loa turned in a cross from the left wing, a really nice goal, though Haka restored parity just before the half with a stoppage time equaliser as Atte Sihvonen put the goods on a free kick sent into the area.

The first half had been quite open, the second half much less so. Burden of the occasion and all that. The closest anyone came to breaking the deadlock again (prior to the late, late winner) was Logan Rogerson with twenty remaining. Managed to beat the keeper but couldn’t convert from a tight angle. All goods because eventually Rog went and set things up for Ollie Whyte to head in the winner in the third minute of stoppage time and everyone was stoked. 2-1 to FC Haka whose semi-final will be scheduled for later in the season. In the meantime they get a month off before the league season begins so the lads will get to savour this one for quite a while to come.

Up Next: Would you believe it, it’s Haka vs Ilves to open the Veikkausliiga on 3 April at 2am (NZT)

Nando Pijnaker & Max Mata – Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division)

Sligo’s first round game was postponed due to some biblical weather conditions which meant their trip to St Patrick’s Athletic was the first chance to see where their new kiwi signings sit in the pecking order... and despite some cautious words about earning his place and all that at the time of his loan deal, Nando Pijnaker was immediately thrust in there to start at centre-back.

A welcome change for Nando, who is yet to debut for the senior team at Rio Ave and who only ever got nine minutes off the bench in league action for Helsingør. What that means is that this was only the second senior league start for him in his entire career – after a 45 minute appearance for Grasshoppers away to Aarau back in July 2020. Also don’t forget Max Mata, who was named on the bench.

St Pat’s and Sligo both qualified for European competition last season. They’re two of the stronger teams in the league and despite Rovers losing a few key players to offseason transfers, they still looked the more incisive team to begin with. Aidan Keena, who was booked for diving inside two mins of his debut, was putting in the work up top for Sligo and nine minutes in he almost scored a blinder, collecting the ball in the pocket and pumping it off the crossbar from range. A minute and a half later Sligo missed an amazing chance as Adam McDonnell flipped a lovely low square ball across the six yard box but Karl O’Sullivan wasn’t able to turn it in.

Pijanker lined up at LCB. His ideal spot so no dramas there. Initially looked a little nervous and indecisive but he quickly settled and his composed passing out of the backline was a feature of his performance (not yet on the same page as his teammates with the long balls forward though). As was his strength at the back. Less so his finishing – at one stage he lined up a turning volley on the edge of the box in the chaos after a corner kick but he shanked it miles over the top.

Sligo took a deserved lead on 39 mins. McDonnell with the ball in transition looking for the overlap run of his left-back but he couldn’t quite get the timing so instead he chipped deep towards the back post where right-back Colm Horgan was making a run... Horgan getting his knee to the ball which allowed it to loop up over the goalie and go in off the post, narrowly crossing the line before it was hacked away. Bit fortunate but Sligo Rovers were well worth the lead.

Couldn’t say that in the second half. St Pat’s came roaring back and put them under a decent chunk of pressure, testing Nando and the lads out, and in all honesty Rovers were lucky to hold on more than once. But they maintained a threat up front and although Keena wasn’t able to score when caused his marker to slip over with a feint only for the keeper to pull of a superb one-handed save, the next time he got in that position he took a crack which caught a convenient deflection to take the keeper out of the situation entirely and make it 2-0 in the 78th min.

That should have been enough but they went and conceded straight away. Tunde Owolabi in the 82nd minute. Pijnaker was drawn out of position stepping up and therefore wasn’t able to stop St Pat’s passing around him. Owolabu slammed in a great finish off the bar and it was game on all of a sudden. That was when this game went absolutely bonkers.

Quick pause now to mention that amongst all the carnage that followed, this also happened...

Mata’s job was to try and be an outlet for the ten other folks behind the ball trying to cling on to a lead. Didn’t really get a chance to do much though as St Pat’s were all over them. There had already been a volley blasted over. Another volley drew a stunning low stop from the goalie. There was also an effort blocked in the area. Plus they hit the crossbar with a header. St Pat’s created enough in the last ten mins that they probably should’ve won it, let alone found an equaliser. However they didn’t do either. Somehow Sligo Rovers held on for a 2-1 victory.

Good craic, to be sure. The lads then snuck in a 0-0 draw away to Derry City just before deadline on this article, same yarns as last time with Pijnaker starting at CB and Mata coming off the bench late on. Derry were in good form coming into this one but in a game of very few chances the Sligo Rovers defence bossed it. Nando Pijnaker looking extremely solid alongside Gerry Buckley at the back, already beginning to form a formidable partnership. Get that into ya. Too soon to link the highlights, sadly.

Up Next: Sligo Rovers vs Dundalk on Sunday at 8.45am (NZT)

Erin Nayler - Umeå IK (Swedish Damallsvenskan)

Useful areas first up from Umeå IK. A decade ago this was one of the top clubs in all of Europe. They haven’t been able to hang around in that company more recently but hey maybe Erin Nayler will help them regather the glory days. A 9-0 win in their initial Swedish League Cup group stage match is a nice way to start... although for Nayler it was annoyingly familiar territory as she was left on the bench. Probably because she’d only just returned from international duty so no need to read too much into that. Nayler hasn’t played a competitive club fixture since November 2020 so there’s a desperate milestone awaiting her very soon.

Up Next: Monday at 3am against Brommapojkarna in Svenska Cupen matchday two (NZT)

Chris Wood - Newcastle United (English Premier League)

Game six for The Woodsman with Newcastle. Looking to stay undefeated with his new club away against Brentford, with the prospect of overtaking them on the table if they could source another victory. Still looking for that first Magpies goal but Brentford are one of the teams he’d already scored against this season and he has a quality record against promoted teams.

8:32 into the match we had a major moment. Jonjo Shelvey was about to smash a loose ball on the perimeter of the box but a defensive touch took it away from him and Josh Dasilva and Matt Targett both leapt in on the loosie. Dasilva was initially given the free kick but when VAR took a peek they noticed that Dasilva had gone in with his sprigs off the ground and crunched Targett on the shin. Red card. That escalated quickly. Newcastle up against ten men for eighty-odd minutes. Could they capitalise?

Wood’s first attacking touch came on 15 mins as a deep cross from Matty Targett – almost Burnley-esque in strategy – was curled smartly into the path of Woodsy but he was about a dozen or so yards out and couldn’t place it on the right side of the near post. There was another soon after, Ryan Fraser chipping one in behind Wood who still managed to flick a header reaching back that hit his marker and went out for a corner. One or two other attempted crosses that didn’t manifest as intended. Pleasing to see them trying to integrate Wood more (note that Allan Saint-Maximin was out injured again), culminating in this excellent save from Raya, so close to that first goal...

Six mins later he got a lesson in how to put one away as Joelinton leapt high to power in a header off a deep Ryan Fraser cross, thumping it back across the keeper who was left helpless. Joelinton then made like an 80 metre sprint to celebrate in front of the travelling fans at the other end, talk about keen beans. 1-0 to Newcastle and fair reward for what was turning out to be a very dominant display. And in fairness it’s worth having a peek at the goal and recognising that Wood did kinda draw two defenders towards himself allowing Joelinton that extra space.

Wood tried to loop one over the keeper after a nod across on 39’, unable to deceive Raya who plucked it out of the air. Should point out that plenty others were having chances too, it wasn’t only him. Such as in the 44th min when Newcastle repelled a defensive corner kick and defender Fabian Schär found himself up front in the Chris Wood role, holding off his marker and sliding a ball over to Joe Willock who faced down the keeper and made it 2-0. Schär also did a less-flattering Wood impression early second half when he bumped a header over the top from a corner.

With a two goal lead, Newcastle eased off a tad which coincided with Christian Eriksen coming on for Brentford to make his return to football after his cardiac arrest at the European Championships playing for Denmark. Lovely moment there... and fair play to the bloke because he offered a touch of class to the Brentford midfield which gave them their biggest threat of the afternoon. Ex-Newcastle fella Ivan Toney also came on a bit later after missing three games with injury. Could’ve made it funky with a goal. They didn’t though, Newcastle able to cruise towards a fourth win in six games, taking it 2-0.

Of course it did mean another goalless game for Woodsy. Hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since 20 November when he netted for Burnley in a 3-3 draw. He did score for the All Whites against Jordan in late January but it’s been notably barren at club level lately.

Chronicle Live: “Although his all-round impact has been excellent, the New Zealand international hasn't found the net in his last 11 top-flight games after failing to score in his final five outings for former club Burnley. In actual fact, this is Wood's longest drought since the 2014/15 season when he went 16 matches without a goal at Leicester City (6), Ipswich Town (8) and Leeds United (2).”

It’d be nice if he scored a few goals, kept that double digit streak going, worked up a little more confidence in front of goal. But the most important thing is that Newcastle have taken 14 points from a possible 18 since Chris Wood was signed and that’s not happened accidentally.

Up Next: Newcastle vs Brighton, Sunday at 4am (NZT)

Olivia Chance - Celtic FC (Scottish Premier League)

Back from the international break, immediately back into the starting midfield, up against the old time rivals of Rangers... but this game was a wreck for Celtic. They may have beaten this lot in the cup recently but Rangers have only dropped points on one occasion this SWPL term and with a 3-0 win here they extended their lead at the top and probably ended Celtic’s chances of competing not only for the title but also for second place and a Champions League qualifying spot. They’re seven points behind Rangers who have two games in hand. They’re five points behind Glasgow City who have one game in hand. Not looking flash (16 points clear of fourth place though).

Celtic didn’t play poorly at all. Clarissa Larisey had a great chance inside two minutes to put them in the lead, before Chloe Craig went close with a header. But on ten minutes they weren’t able to deal with a ball into the area and Jane Ross put Rangers in front. Celtic got back on the horse. They continued to press away. Almost got level via an own goal. Larisey and Charlie Wellings both had chances early second half. Then on 52’ they conceded again. Brogan Hay this time. And, true to the pattern of the game, Rangers killed it off with a smooth team move culminating in a Jane Ross header on 72’ for 3-0. Liv Chance was subbed off soon after as the Hoops rang the changes. So it goes.

Up Next: 5am on Monday away to Aberdeen (NZT)

Alex Greive - St Mirren (Scottish Premiership)

It’s always a bit of a nervous one when a new manager comes in but nothing really changed for St Mirren as former Morecambe boss Stephen Robinson took charge of his first match. Alex Greive retained his starting spot up front in a typical looking line-up. Regular formation as St Mirren took on Hearts. Only thing that changed was the result as the Buddies went down 2-0 to break an eight-game unbeaten streak in all comps. This was the first time that Greive had experienced defeat in Scotland – that unbeaten streak began with his debut for the club.

Easy to pinpoint where it went awry. St Mirren had already been under pressure against third-placed Hearts with keeper Jack Alnwick called into action a couple of times. But it was the 23rd minute red card for Connor Ronan that wrecked them. A heavy touch in possession around the halfway line and he lunged in high to try and recover it, succeeding in leaving six sprigs on Beni Baningime’s shin pad and reducing his team to ten men. Even still, this game might have been different had Alex Greive been awarded what looked like a stonewall penalty later in the half...

There was also a penalty shout for an apparent handball in the nascent stages of the second half but that one wasn’t as clear (and also Hearts had a decent handball shout of their own later on). Not like AG getting rugby tackled when he’d otherwise have easily retrieved the ball in the area. Ah well. Eventually Hearts got what they were after when Ellis Simms converted at the second opportunity in the 64th min. Poor goal to concede for St Mirren who were stretched at the back, weren’t able to clear the cross when they had the chance, then couldn’t keep Sims from having a second crack after Alnwick had blocked the first.

Three minutes later, one-time Wellington Phoenix favourite Cammy Devlin did a bit of this...

Needless to say, Devlin also won the initial tackle to begin the move. Greive was subbed off just before the first goal so for what it’s worth the damage was done with him off the park.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: “The whole game was dictated by decisions today unfortunately. I haven't seen [the red card] back, but I didn't think there was any malice in the tackle. The next decision is a penalty against Alex Greive where the boy's on a yellow card. And then at the second goal, Jak Alnwick has the ball in his hands before [Simms] tackles him.”

The red card was a definite red even if it was accidental. The second goal had nothing wrong with it, Alnwick just spilled it, although he might have a point about the follow through from Simms before Devlin slotted home. Regardless, it ended 2-0 and St Mirren drop to eighth... but remain only two points off fourth which has surely gotta be the target now (there are five points between fourth and tenth). Next up on the fixture list is Greivesy’s first taste of an auld firm club.

Up Next: A fun one away to Celtic on Thursday at 8.45am, then it’s a more convenient one away to Ross County at 4am on Sunday (NZT)

Callum McCowatt & Elijah Just - FC Helsingør (Danish Division 1)

It was a long winter break. Two and a half months without a proper game, stretching all the way back to early December... but it didn’t seem to do FCH any harm. They returned with a home game against Nykøbing and after feeling things out for the first few minutes they quickly took control, and the lead, with some slick direct footy.

The opening goal came via Philip Rejnhold Olsen who picked up the ball on the right edge of the area, took a great first touch to shift inside onto his left, and curled in a beauty of a finish on 16 mins for 1-0. Soon afterwards, right back Olsen combined nicely with Eli Just – Just playing on the right wing – with a one-two that sent EJ into the box but he was off balance as he shot and it was an easy save. There was no saving Tony Adamsen’s shot soon after. A similar curler to Olsen’s goal except lower and harder... but the ball cannoned back off the post and away to safety despite a couple blokes celebrating prematurely.

Callum McCowatt had to begin this one from the bench but he didn’t have to wait too long to get out there, brought on late in the first half as Jacob Schoop picked up an ankle injury in the process of lashing a shot into the side-netting. Very good chance for a second goal to be fair. McCowatt barely got the blood flowing before the half-time whistle blew with FCH leading 1-0 at the break seeking to extend (at least temporarily) their lead at the top of the first division table.

Nykøbing didn’t have a shot on target all match but two mins into the second they came as close as it gets. Quick cross into the area and a header onto the crossbar that left the FCH keeper grounded. Could easily have been 1-1. Instead it was a wake-up call for the home side who promptly resumed the surge. McCowatt lit one up from the edge of the box which went straight at the keeper. Just was involved in a heap of give-and-go around the box. New signing Kristoffer Munksgaard got in behind but the keeper put a hand out as he tried to get around him and broke it all up. Captain Nikolaj Hansen smacked one off the bar. Just had a couple more attempts that were blocked or deflected.

Just also got absolutely clattered for a pair of fouls, both times staying down for a few secs afterwards to gather himself again. Both times McCowatt also jogged over to check on him – shout out to camaraderie. Just also managed to get booked himself later on so no surprises that he was subbed off with eight mins left.

FCH did eventually get that second goal. Literally the last kick of the game, fourth min of stoppage time. McCowatt threaded a lovely ball in for 32 who drew the keeper out and then slipped it wide to Oliver Drost who buried it with ease. A 2-0 means they pick up right where they left off. No kiwi goals or assists but they both played their part in a comprehensive performance and a win that extends their lead at the top to five points thanks to Lyngby and Hvidovre both slipping up. Good place to be.

Worth a mention that, elsewhere in the division, Marko Stamenic was straight back into Daniel Agger’s starting eleven for HB Koge as they won 2-1 against 10-man Jammerbugt. Good strong performance and result. Stamenic ninety minutes. Lifts them up into the top half of the table with only three games to go until the championship/relegation round cut-off.

Up Next: Helsingør vs Horsens, Saturday at 7am (NZT)

Bill Tuiloma – Portland Timbers (American Major League Soccer)

On the eve of a new season, some wonderful news...

That right there is a four-year contract extension with a club option on the final year. Keeps Bill Tuiloma at the Portland Timbers through until 2025. So that’s all good. He’s also likely to get a solid run of starts in the short term because the two central defenders who kept him on the bench throughout their playoff run in 2021 – Dario Zuparic and Larrys Mabiala – are both out with significant injuries at the moment.

Hence he and Zac McGraw were the CBs for the season opener against New England Revolution... and that new partnership went nicely. Not quite good enough for the three points as they were twice forced to find equalisers against New England Revolution. But in an entertaining slugfest they were able to do exactly that.

Brandon Bye fave NE the lead soon before the half scoring from a corner kick. Then Dairon Asprilla scored on a gorgeous in the 60th for Portland, sneaking in behind with a great run on the end of Santiago Moreno’s splitting pass. Parity only lasted three minutes before NE debutant Sebastian Lletget sagged off Tuiloma’s marking to convert a square cross. But Yimmi Chara ensured the points were shared on 78’ with a remarkable overhead kick. You’re gonna wanna seek that one out on the highlights.

Both keepers made fine saves throughout. New England looked more likely to win it in the closing stages, although Portland had been applying heavy pressure prior to Chara’s goal. Good fun. MLS is back. Tuiloma picked up an early in the second half for arguing a penalty shout too vibrantly. Decent shout to be fair, one of his teammates clipped as he lined up a shot. Tui took his complaints to the fourth official and everything but to no avail.

Up Next: LAFC vs Portland on Monday at 4pm (NZT)

Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)

New season, same old Boxy. The Loons took a valuable point from a tricky away opener against Philadelphia Union in which Michael Boxall had plenty of defending to do in an open contest. This despite injuries to at least two or three would-be starters – new Honduran signing Kervin Arriaga’s paperwork didn’t get approval until they were already in the air on the way to the Philly, that’s the sitch they were in.

But striker Luis Amarilla was a threat from the outset and when Robin Lod finished off the cut-back from Franco Frangapane on 23’ the only complaint was that they probably could have already scored more. However the goal got the home team going and on 35’ it was even again. A great cross towards the back post, the curl dragging the keeper out to no avail where he unsighted Michael Boxall, and Cory Burke headed in smoothly over Boxy’s back shoulder.

Hassani Dotson hit the crossbar for MNU soon afterwards. The second half was then even more open and extravagant than the first although there weren’t any more goals. Minnesota came closest, really pestering the Union’s goal in the last ten minutes or so. Not before Michael Boxall got his first yellow card of 2022, that is, after flattening a bloke down by the corner flag via superior strength. That arguably shouldn’t have even been a free kick... but he shoved another guy and nudged the ball away in the aftermath which was the cause of the carding. Pretty funny, tbh.

Anyway Adrien Hunou nearly won it in the 92nd minute, seemingly getting in behind the defensive line only he didn’t back his pace, pulling up to shoot 1v1 from outside the area, and lifted it over the top. Nothing wrong with a 1-1 draw away from home to get the ball rolling for the new year.

Here’s another bit of news: “Wil Trapp will succeed Ozzie Alonso as Minnesota United’s captain for the 2022 season. Trapp, a defensive midfielder in his second year with the Loons, will wear the armband in games he plays in this season, while center back Michael Boxall will serve as primary vice captain and likely wear the armband when Trapp is out.”

Boxall actually captained the team more often than Trapp did last season – 12 games versus seven. But Ozzie Alonso was also a midfielder so maybe there’s more continuity that way. Doesn’t really matter. Quality teams always have several leaders within the squad and Boxy’s on that level regardless.

Up Next: Minny Utd vs Nashville, Midday on Sunday (NZT)

Trevor Zwetsloot – New England Revolution II (American MLS NEXT Pro)

Here’s a curious one, not only because it’s Trevor Zwetsloot but also because of the league. We’ve got five NZers on USL Championship rosters for this year but Zwetsloot is the first to join the new MLS NEXT Pro comp which has just been introduced to offer more of a developmental league for the reserve teams of MLS clubs. Twenty of them have joined for this inaugural season with indie battlers Rochester New York FC also competing in the division. In terms of levels, it’s considered below the USL Champo, albeit with a more direct link to MLS call-ups for the players.

Good-o. Hopefully Zwetsloot can get himself a New England Revolution scoop at some stage – it’s not entirely clear whether NEXT Pro players can be called up for MLS teams as with regular reserve teams or whether they’d have to sign a new MLS deal, but there are at least club protections on contracts.

Also it’s just great to see Zwetsloot on the rise again. He was a highly touted kiwi midfield prospect back when he was in the Werder Bremen academy but a serious injury sustained at the U20 World Cup really set him back. The 22 year old most recently featured for Melbourne Knight (a regular hoarder of NZ players) in the Victorian NPL comp in Australia.

Up Next: Still a month away from the season’s start

Francis De Vries – IFK Värnamo (Swedish Allsvenskan)

1-0 win over GAIS to make it two outta two in the Svenska Cupen group stage. Marcus Antonsson with the decisive goal on 48’, popping up where he needed to be, with Francis De Vries playing 62 minutes before he was replaced. Happy signs as Värnamo prepare for the Swedish top flight after back to back promotions.

Up Next: Muuuuuch tougher match to finish up their group stage yarns away to Malmö on Sunday at 5.30am (NZT)

Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League One)

Did AFC Wimbledon win this week? Nope. They didn’t lose either though. A 0-0 draw with Gillingham gave Tzanev his eighth clean sheet of the season – and fifth in League One – but they weren’t able to put anything away against a team in the relegation zone there. Then on the weekend they scrapped out a 2-2 draw at home to Doncaster Rovers having been 2-0 up soon after half-time. They’re now only two points clear of the relegation zone which is quite a worry considering the Dons last won in early December. Sixteen games and counting in all competitions since then. Fifteen winless on the trot in League One.

Up Next: Sunday at 4am away to Wigan (NZT)

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