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

Back at it straight out of All Whites duty and for Logan Rogerson was immediately on the scoresheet, channelling that World Cup frustration into a tidy first-time finish for FC Haka. Good enough to equalise after they’d conceded a sloppy one form a corner in the eighth minute against IFK Mariehamn.

Rogerson went straight back into the team after the international break. Ollie Whyte never left. Whyte and Rogerson almost combined after 20 mins as OW drew an overlap and fed the ball wide to LR whose shot was sliced into the goal stanchion. But Whyte learned a lesson from that move, producing the same trick five mins later for a sharp assist going to his left winger instead. Picked up the ball from a midfield win, drew in the defence around him, and slid the ball out for Stavros Zarokostas to score. Zaro had set up Rogerson’s goal so even if his finish was a bit miss-timed he still earned that banger.

Haka’s keeper made a great leaping/diving stop to keep his team in the lead going into the half... then they extended that lead through a Lee Erwin penalty on 53’ (won by Zarokostas cutting in from the left). And they might have extended it further on the hour as Rogerson got in behind but chose to square the ball rather than shoot and Zarokostas couldn’t quite get there in time. Then when he did shoot after the second phase cross met him at the back stick his effort was blocked by a superb sliding challenge.

Haka would not score again. They didn’t need to. Mariehamn on the other hand did pull one back but it was three minutes into stoppage time, too late to make a difference. 3-2 the final score as FC Haka snapped a frisky little winless streak that they’d had going on. Full games for both Rogerson and Whyte, each playing a large role in the victory. That’s what we wanna see.

Plus earlier in the week FC Haka continued their Suomen Cup run with a 1-0 win away to HJS Akatemia. Ollie Whyte started and played 78 mins though he wasn’t out there as Janne-Pekka Laine scored a thrilling winner with only five mins left on the clock. Hell of a way to do it. Haka are now into the quarter-finals and will face KuPS (who are leading the Veikkausliiga) the Thursday after next NZT. Good times.

Up Next: Thursday at 3am, SJK vs Haka (NZT)

Abby Erceg – North Carolina Courage (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Abby Erceg and the Courage finally bagged that first win of the NWSL season two weeks ago and chased that with a second win last time out... but there’s still plenty of work to do to make up for the ground they lost early on. Gotta make winning the regular thing it once was for this club to get back up that table. This week they hosted Houston Dash.

And things began beautifully. Denise O’Sullivan scored a blinder of a goal in just the sixth minute and the Courage were up and running. Smashed it in, striking the ball on the bounce from outside the area. Erceg was the first player she celebrated with as she peeled off running. However the lead would only last ten minutes before Diana Sanchez slammed in a leveller. Carson Pickett had given the ball away cheaply at left back. Kaleigh Kurtz rushed out but couldn’t get to the ball. Sanchez pounced on the opportunity.

There were no more goals in the first half... but things went bonkers as soon as the second half kicked off. And not in a good way.

Less than two minutes into the half, Elizabeth Eddy pumped in a goal for Houston after a deep free kick had bounced around in the area. NCC got a little discombobulated and it was to their detriment. Then three mins after that, Houston scored for the third time. NCC had players in position but their right fullback rushed up and allowed a ball in behind her to reach Eddy who then chipped the keeper from inside the area. Another strange goal to concede. But we weren’t done. Right on 51 mins, Nichelle Prince got 1v1 with Kurtz and was able to get a shot away off her right foot... which curled perfectly inside the far post. Great finish. Three goals in six minutes. Houston up 4-1 all of a sudden.

The Courage struck back swiftly. In the 57th minute Diana Ordoñez turned her marker in the area and then megged the keeper for the rookie’s third goal of the year. Then within two minutes of that, some lovely play up the left wing between Carson Pickett, Kerolin, then O’Sullivan, back to Kerolin, and finally Debinha with the turn and shot in the area... made it 4-3. Great feet by Debinha to even get to a shot away at all. Courage back in it again.

Alas the game did finally calm down again after that goal which was a bit too soon for North Carolina who were still on the comeback trail. They certainly had the bulk of the chances the rest of the way. Erceg and Kurtz restricted the Dash forwards and the NCC midfield controlled most of the ball. A few combinations between the Brazilian forwards. A couple corners that Erceg was able to get up for. A penalty shout for a claimed push in the 89th.

But that fourth goal proved a step too far. That awful start to the second half ultimately doomed them despite the valiant attempted comeback. 4-3 to Houston was the final score and the Courage will have to sit with that one over the international break as they don’t play again until next month.

Up Next: OL Reign vs NC Courage on Saturday 2 July at 2pm (NZT)

Ali Riley - Angel City FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)

The form book made it tough to predict what’d happen as Angel City travelled up the coastline to face OL Reign. Their hosts have been a bit up and down lately, not scoring the goals they’re used to, while ACFC just lost their best player, Christen Press, to an ACL injury last week. Anyone’s game.

The initial phases proved to be pretty open. Both teams getting out and running a fair bit. OLR with a few long range attempts at goal. Then the Reign began to get comfortable after a while and despite missing what looked like a simple 1v1 finish for Veronica Latsko, they soon took the lead anyway. Some poor defending on the right edge of the Angel City defence forgetting the old maxim of playing to the whistle, then as Ali Riley stepped in to hack away the ensuing cross her clearance pretty much landed right in the stride of Bethany Balcer and then rebounded back into the net. Very weird goal scoring circumstances.

OLR hit the post again before the half was done though Savannah McCaskill helped spark a few things for Angel City in the second stanza. Then Megan Rapinoe got a red card (second yellow) with quarter of an hour to go which seemingly gave ACFC even more of a pathway back into the match. They went close... but in the end weren’t able to find that response. 1-0 win for OL Reign. Stink.

Up Next: Saturday 2 July at 2.30pm against Portland Thorns (NZT)

Stefan Marinovic - Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israeli Premier League)

New colours for Big Stef. Following a year in Israel for Hapoel Nof HaGalil in which he made a lot of saves and also conceded a lot of goals for a team that ended up being relegated, he’s landed on his feet with a transfer to Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Good gig too. While Nof HaGalil just finished dead last (fourteenth), Hapoel Tel Aviv are coming off a sixth placed finish after the regular season which rose up to a fifth placed finish following the championship rounds. They were only two points off making the Europa Conference League qualifiers which happened despite conceding 47 goals from 36 games – only three IPL teams conceded more. Thus the need for a flash new goalie.

One of the teams that conceded more was Marinovich’s Nof HaGalil team, in fairness... yet you never quite know with goalkeepers for bad teams. Are makings lots of saves because they’re good or because they face so many shots? Are they conceding so many goals because they’re bad or because their defence sucks? Hence this is a pretty handy vindication for Marinovic as he’s earned himself a significant leap up the ladder with this transfer.

Lithuanian keeper Ernestas Šetkus was the main man for Hapoel Tel Aviv last term. He started 31 out of 36 matches but he’s 37 years old now and they weren’t able to come to terms on a new deal. It sounds like Šetkus wanted a pay raise to stay on. HTA also negotiated with a couple of local goalies who demanded hefty wages. Marinovic, on the other hand, was more accomodating with his terms... plus as an import player there’s apparently a lower tax on his salary as well.

Time.news: “We brought in a goalkeeper no less good than Israelis who were interested, like Ariel Harush and Boris Kleiman, but at about half the costs they demanded. We did not lose an import spot because from the beginning the goal was to be with five foreigners, so now we will be with six and will be fine.”

Up Next: Here we go...

Jamie Searle – Barnsley (English League One)

Didn’t take long for Jamie Searle to find a new club after being released by Swansea City. He’s signed a two-year contract with Barnsley to play in the third tier of English football. Funny thing about that is he’s moved one tier down the divisions with each move since heading to England. Initially joined Premier League club Aston Villa, then Championship club Swansea, now League One Barnsley. But the trajectory of his career has moved on the inverse path to that pattern, from being in the academy teams at Villa to playing much more regularly for Swansea’s U23 team to now seemingly being a part of the first team picture with the Reds.

Barnsley have had a tough time of it lately. Relegated in last place of the Championship, as such you can probably expect a bit of a clean out of the squad. Searle is the first incoming transfer... though not before they confirmed a new manager: Irishman Michael Duff hired to try get them back into the Champo. Still a few other goalies on the books as it stands but we’ll see how that goes over the transfer window.

Jamie Searle: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a while coming. To really go out there and show what I can do is really what I’m looking forward to. I want to make my debut, play as many games as I can and do as well as I can for the club. For the club, it’s to get back to the Championship. That’s everyone’s goal.”

Barnsley CEO, Khaled El-Ahmad: “We are happy that Jamie has decided that Barnsley is the best place for him to take the next step in his career and will bolster our already excellent options in the goalkeeper position.”

Judging by that it doesn’t sound like we’re talking number one jersey quite yet. No surprises there for a 21yo goalie whose only senior professional start so far was his All Whites debut in the recent Oceania qualifying tournament.

Searle’s professional journey began when he left Melville United to trial with Aston Villa as a 19yo, a move that worked out well enough for him to join the club for a year – making two appearances for their U23 team (against Salford & Tranmere Rovers in EFL Trophy group stage games). He was released at the end of that year but then spent two relatively impressive seasons with Swansea City featuring more regularly for their U23s. However the Swans chose not to activate the third-year option in his contract so now here he is at Barnsley.

Up Next: Crack a few matchday squads, see what’s up

Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)

A Sunday NZT matchup came too soon for Bill Tuiloma to partake in as the Portland Timbers drew 1-1 away to LA Galaxy. Useful point on the road. Minnesota United meanwhile played a day later, plus Michael Boxall didn’t feature for the All Whites against Costa Rica. Combine those two factors and he was good to go for the first game back out of the international break.

Tricky matchup against New England Revolution. Boxall wasn’t even back five minutes before he got gratuitously waxed by Gustavo Bou turning him inside and out and putting him on his arse in his own penalty area. Luckily Bou’s square cross missed everyone and rolled away to safety. We’ll put that one down to jet lag on Boxy’s account.

Other than that, the first half was sharp. Emanuel Reynoso and Robin Lod were looking dangerous for the Loons and a breakthrough had already begun to look inevitable when Reynoso was chopped down in the area for a penalty after 35 mins. Reynoso took it himself and scored. 1-0 to Minnesota. Boxall had a great view.

The first half was dominant for the Loons, the second half was not. The Revs began to work their way back into the game and were level in the 53rd minute thanks to... well, a bit of luck. The shot from Dylan Borrero was definitely on target but a deflection off the heel of Michael Boxall was what made it slippery. Even still, Dayne St Clair should have saved it ten times out of ten but the ball snuck under his grasp with a little backspin and there ya go.

The Revolution went on to win it in the 69th min. This time it was pure class as Gustavo Bou scored a wonderful direct free kick. So good you might’ve thought it was Bill Tuiloma who’d hit it. Minnesota United going down 2-1 in a good old fashioned game of two halves in which the Revs were that little bit more clinical in their half of ascendency. Clinical and also fortunate... but that combination will win you more footy games than it won’t.

Up Next: Inter Miami vs Minnesota, Sunday at midday (NZT)

Ally Green - Vålerenga (Norwegian Toppserien)

Always love a bit of cup footy when you’re working your way into a new squad. As Vålerenga took on lower tier Amazon Grimstad in the Norwegian Cup during the midweek they took the opportunity to mix things up a bit with a bunch of changes. Amongst those changes we got a starting debut for Ally Green. Right on.

Despite the gulf between the two sides, and despite Ally Green nearly setting up a goal for Elise Thorsnes early on, this game proved to be a struggle. Green would last an hour before she was replaced with the score still at zeroes when she took her seat on the bench. Eventually VIF would win it thanks to 73rd minute Stine Brekken goal. Not the most convincing win you’ve ever seen but 1-0 was enough to advance to the fourth round.

After which Vålerenga had another big match on the subsequent weekend. Five changes were made to the starting line-up there with Ally Green amongst those dropping to the bench. Not unexpected. This was a huge title race match-up against Rosenborg away... but unfortunately the Varnies just didn’t have it. On a cold and wet afternoon, a messy giveaway of possession led to Cesilie Andreassen smashing one in off the post after ten mins. Then in the 39th min Selma Sol Magnusdottir crunched in a similarly excellent strike from a similar distance.

VIF were much better in the second half, hitting the post at one stage and creating a few other good sights at goal, but nothing that they converted. Ally Green came on at left wing-back for the last seven mins. Right at the end the desperation got a bit much as Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir slid in trying to charge down a keeper’s clearance but left her foot dangling in the follow through. Red card. 2-0 to Rosenborg the final score. VIF drop to third on the ladder, though their goal difference and game in hand keeps them in range of the opponents here. Brann meanwhile, under new Sporting Director Olli Harder, are two points clear in first with a game in hand themselves.

Meanwhile it’s been a gruelling time for Emma Rolston and Avaldsnes losing eight straight league games to dip down into the relegation spots (goal difference of 4-30 in those eight games, yikes). Those fortunes are gonna need to shift pretty soon if they’re to solve things... but they are embarking on a tidy cup run and a sudden 7-0 win over second tier Klepp should fuel some confidence. This despite losing their goalie to injury in the very early stages. No goals for Rollo amongst that lot, she didn’t play as she nurses a back injury. Was still named in the Footy Ferns squad though so shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

Up Next: VIF are away to Häcken on Friday 1 July at 1am (NZT)

Erin Nayler - Umeå IK (Swedish Damallsvenskan)

Obviously Umeå were gonna struggle coming up against Linköping away. They’d lost 3-0 to them at home last week in what was actually a decent effort, all things considered. But, as covered last week, the short turnaround then caught them short in a 5-2 loss to another of the Swedish Champions League contenders in Rosengård – scoring twice in the last few mins to at least make the score look sharper.

Umeå are deep in a relegation battle and are going to have to churn out some big results over the remaining weeks of the season but clearly having to play three times in ten days against the two best teams in the land was not when those wins were gonna be expected. They’ve now lost seven games in a row but it will get better. They don’t have to play either of those teams again.

All of which is a roundabout way of saying that Umeå lost 7-0 to Linköping this weekend. For the first 25 mins it looked like Erin Nayler might turn in an absolutely heroic performance as her saves kept the Links at bay... but then a super shot in off the post by Olha Ahtinen from distance busted things open. It was 3-0 at half-time. Four more followed over the remainder of the match. Nayler got a good hand to the fourth goal and will feel she could have stopped it though other than that it was either a clinic of perfectly framed finishes or close range unstoppable efforts. And, like, Nayler did make some quality saves. Could have been even worse otherwise. At least they’ve gotten that rotten run of fixtures out done with now. Highlights here.

Up Next: Bit of a midseason break before the Damallsvenskan resumes in August

Betsy Hassett - Stjarnan (Icelandic Úrvalsdeild Kvenna)

The winning streak came to an end for Stjarnan in the midweek as they fell 1-0 to Keflavík. Close game for most of the match yet one poorly defended corner kick cost them in the end as Elin Helena Karlsdottir was able to squeeze the ball gently over the line in the 47th minute. Full game for Betsy Hassett in midfield. See the goal here.

Snapped a six game win streak in all competitions for the Stars but the good thing about midweek games is that there’s often a quick turnaround chance to make amends and that’s exactly what Stjarnan did as they took revenge on the poor saps of IBV to the tune of a 4-0 win. No goals for Betsy Hassett who played 77 mins, subbed off just before the fourth strike, but no dramas there. You can see a couple of the goals in this vid.

With the win Stjarnan move back up to third place after ten rounds. Second place would mean Champions League qualifiers. This is quite a fantastic season that they’re having. Gotta put it on hold for a month though as the Icelandic league takes a break to fit around the upcoming international window and then the European Championships that follow – for which Iceland have qualified (it’s the same deal with Sweden and the Swedish league, plus Norway and the Norwegian league).

Up Next: Valur vs Stjarnan on 29 July at 7.15am (NZT)

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

First match back after the break, Max Mata in the starters after scoring in a friendly last week on return from injury, Nando Pijnaker on the bench following his All Whites exploits. And, mate, there’s nothing better than starting a game off with a couple early goals and being able to run the show from there.

Sligo Rovers scored twice inside seven minutes thanks to Aidan Keena and Karl O’Sullivan. From there you’ve just gotta manage the game and try put away another of your own as the opposition takes risks and makes mistakes. Sligo weren’t amazing at that. Gave the ball away a bit cheaply at times... but they defended well enough.

Nando Pijnaker was brought on at half-time as captain Garry Buckley manages an existing injury. Max Mata was denied a 1v1 by a great last-ditch tackle early second half, then he nearly set up a goal on 67’ as he flicked one on for Keena but Keena bollocksed his shot. Mata was replaced straight afterwards. Keena would eventually score again with five to play and that booked a 3-0 win. Good yarns.

We’re also not far away from the Europa Conference League first round qualifiers which Sligo won a spot in thanks to their 2021 season. The draw was done last week and it’s not too much of a trip: Rovers face Bala Town of Wales over two legs with the first to be played on July 15 NZT. It’ll be a first taste of continental footy for Nando Pijnaker though not for Max Mata who once played a Champions League qualifier against Celtic when he was on loan at Nomme Kalju of Estonia.

Up Next: Drogheda vs Sligo Rovers, Saturday at 6.45am (NZT)

Liberato Cacace – Empoli (Italian Serie A)

It was only a matter of time before this was confirmed. Libby Cacace is officially a permanent Empoli player. He initially joined the club on an initial loan from St Truiden but that was merely a formality as the deal was always set to become permanent as long as Empoli didn’t get relegated. Spoiler alert: they didn’t get relegated. Now he’s his contract’s become permanent. 100% azzurri. Sweet as.

Word is that Empoli will pay a €3 million transfer fee for Cacace’s permanent services. That’s a decent profit made by STVV who themselves paid around €1.2 million for him a year and a half earlier – although those figures are from the Belgian side of things and may be disputed. Agent fees, add-ons, signing bonuses, exchange rates... it’s easy for transfer fee quantities to get inflated. Regardless it’s good cash filtering back to the Wellington Phoenix who should get a small percentage in the mail from that €3m (which is a little under NZ$5m).

Up Next: Same as before

Katie Rood - Southampton (English National League Southern Premier)

Roodie: “A short-lived chapter but a very sweet one thanks to the amazing fans, determined teammates and a whole bunch of wholesome people I encountered throughout my time as a Saint. I’m proud to have played a part in getting promoted to the Championship, winning the League & League Cup, & to have helped set up the Halo Effect Player Ambassador Role. It involves using the player voice to engage the community on sustainability & the impact football can have. Finally, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who encouraged me this season, especially to the brilliant fans who would sing my name everywhere we went! Your support will spur me on in my next adventure. Peace, love & football, Roodie Roo.”

Ah well, so it goes. Katie Rood’s name has unfortunately popped up on the release list as Southampton did their end of season housekeeping. One of seven players let loose at the conclusion of their contracts.

Rood missed a bit of time throughout the season with injuries and did play a lot of the bench but she provided plenty of value when she did feature. Particularly across their cup campaigns. Three goals in 15 league games according to the club website. Six goals across all competitions. Won a couple trophies. Earned promotion. Won’t get to hang about with the Saints at Championship level next term but no doubt she’ll end up somewhere decent.

Up Next: One the phone with the agent, same as a lot of the Flying Kiwis crew

Grace Neville - London City Lionesses (England Championship)

Before there was Ally Green, there was Grace Neville. English fullback playing second tier with London City Lionesses, who joined the Football Ferns as a train-on player for their South Korea tour a wee while back. Haven’t seen her back again since although she did miss a lot of time with injury so a permanent switch to Aotearoa allegiance could still be on the cards.

Anyway, Neville’s signed a new contract with LCL which will keep her at the club for a fourth season. Following a second placed finish (behind promoted Liverpool – with Meikalya Moore on the books), the Lionesses will be pretty confident of challenging for promotion to the Women’s Super League in the upcoming campaign and hopefully a fit Grace Neville will get to be a large part of that run. She only got to play seven times last term but her return in the final few fixtures coincided with a run of clean sheets which is obviously a good sign.

Grace Neville: “I am extremely pleased to sign for a further year at London City Lionesses. I’ve been a part of this club from its inception and I’m extremely excited for the season ahead which will make my 4th season at the club. The club has gone from strength to strength and it has been a pleasure to have been a part of its journey. I know that under Mel and the coaches I can continue to develop as a player and I cannot wait to be reunited with my teammates and London City family. I’m excited for the season ahead and look forward to seeing you all at Princes Park.”

Head Coach Melissa Phillips said: “Grace has been part of London City since inception and we are excited to continue the journey with her. She has demonstrated her competitive drive as she helped shore up our back line and finish off our past season strong. Grace has natural ability as a defender and after a tough start to the season for her with injuries and Covid she really found her stride again. We look forward to having Grace back and help elevate her game in line with our ambitions.”

Up Next: Excitement, apparently

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