Flying Kiwis – June 11
Malia Steinmetz – FC Nordsjælland (Danish Kvindeliga)
A 2-0 win over Kolding and FCN are on the verge of lifting the Kvindeliga for the first time in the club’s history. Whether they do so or not will all come down to the final round where they face Brøndby away, the only team left that can catch them. Then one week afterwards they’ll meet them again in the Danish Cup final. It’s all or nothing over the course of two more fixtures, these are the games that everyone dreams of playing in, which Malia Steinmetz will have been aiming for from the moment she signed with FCN.
International break fatigue be damned, Steinmetz was back to play her standard ninety minutes in midfield for Nordsjælland against Kolding. It was only in the latter stages that they finally made this game comfortable with a second goal, though they’d been leading since the 37th minute when a messy clearance allowed Josefine Funch to score with a lovely finish. Got a little nervous for a while there but eventually Anna Walter did slip through in stoppage time to make it 2-0 and now it all comes down to next week against BIF. Title on the line.
Nordsjælland have the superior goal difference but that’s irrelevant. The important thing is that they’re two points clear of Brøndby so a win or a draw in that match will claim the trophy. Even if they do lose, they’ll still qualify for Champions League... although that would come at the expense of HB Køge whose three-year championship streak is over but they could still get second and earn UCL qualifiers if they win next week and Nordsjælland beat Brøndby (a draw and BIF get second). And that’s only even a possibility after a remarkable comeback win from HBK. Let’s do that one now.
Up Next: 0000 hours on Sunday is the big one, Brøndby vs Nordsjælland for the Kvindeliga title (NZT)
Daisy Cleverley - HB Køge (Danish Kvindeliga)
Did someone say remarkable comeback? Yep, HBK were down 3-0 at half-time of their match away to AGF. Any remaining hopes of a top-two finish were fading into the distance... and then it all flipped when Cornelia Kramer was subbed on. Now, Kramer did replaced Daisy Cleverley so that’s not quite how we’d have preferred it... but it’s better than losing. Claudia Bunge was an unused substitute for HBK same as Ally Green was for AGF. Neither of them can buy a minute at the moment despite having been playing well prior to the break. So it goes. Cleverley’s at least broken into the Køge starting eleven lately, even if all the fun stuff happened after she’d been replaced.
To put it succinctly, Cornelia Kramer scored a hat-trick. She swapped in for Cleverley at half-time and clawed a goal back within five minutes of the restart. Then on 71’ she made it 3-2 and with ten minutes left she tied it all up. Even though Emma Regan missed a penalty with five minutes remaining that would have won it, it didn’t matter because HBK kept going and Cecilie Fløe scored a couple minutes later instead. 3-0 down at half-time. 4-3 victors as the final whistle blew.
Already explained what this means. HBK need to beat Fortuna next week and hope that FCN are also triumphant against Brøndby in order for HBK to finish in the top two. But FCN only need a draw so that could be frisky. It also could be Claudia Bunge or Daisy Cleverley’s last game for the club, since you never quite know how these things will go. Bunge in particular would surely have interest from clubs that would actually play her.
Up Next: Midnight as Saturday becomes Sunday, HBK vs Fortuna (NZT)
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
Business as usual for Boxy and the Loons. Minnesota Utd were missing eight players due to international duty (and another three due to injuries) but the captain wasn’t one of them. No All Whites games in this window, and while they do have Nations Cup next week that’s with a squad that’s been picked in preparation for the Olympics U23s so Boxall doesn’t have to skip out any club stuff. He and most of the other senior players have been allowed a rest for that tournament. He could potentially be one of the overage dudes for the actual Olympics but that’s doubtful since centre-back is already a strong position... unless Boxall really just wants to go to the Olympics after injury prevented him from doing so last time.
Back on focus, it was a weakened Loons side for the visit from FC Dallas but not so drastically that they couldn’t compete. Still with a familiar shape and approach. This one began with the kickoff going straight back to Boxall who lumped it forward, setting Minnesota up in attacking territory where they remained for most of the early minutes before Hassani Dotson punted in a low shot after the FCD defence came unstuck against the press. Eight minutes gone and Minny were 1-0 up.
However they were soon hauled back on 15’ when a short corner routine ended with a superb curling finish from Liam Fraser. And from there they never quite regathered their initial impetus. Didn’t have the same firepower on the bench as they usually do due to the absences. There was a flurry of corner kicks early second half that looked promising but nowhere near enough cutting edge during open play. Two excellent saves from the MNUFC reserve keeper Clint Irwin at least ensured that they walked outta there with a 1-1 draw. Only one loss from the past nine games for Minnesota United. Strong from Boxy at the back although you don’t really need to be told that. Goes without saying.
Michael Boxall: “Yeah, I mean coming into this game I thought that through the spine we had enough to play a bit more assertive than we did. Then obviously as the game unfolded... it doesn’t look like a bad result. Some big performances. Clint, obviously. Some debuts from some of the young boys was good to see. Not how we want to play at home but hopefully down the road that point will help us.”
Up Next: Seattle vs Minnesota at 2.30pm on Sunday (NZT)
Macey Fraser - Utah Royals (American National Women’s Soccer League)
That chat was from about a fortnight ago but Fraser talks a lot about settling into Utah, her transfer, and what she hopes to bring to the team so it’s still very relevant. A few days after those words, she made her first NWSL appearance in a 1-0 loss to Kansas City Currents. She then skipped out on the Football Ferns squad, understandably given how she’d only been in the USA for maybe two weeks tops at that stage trying to assimilate, meaning she was fresh for the Utah’s game vs Washington Spirit. Fraser got a dozen minutes plus stoppages against KCC. She got more than twice that against WS...
On for Dana Foederer in the 57th minute as part of a double swap (Hannah Bedfort was also introduced). Problem was, just like last week, the Royals were already 1-0 down and struggling to create. Fraser did what she could but her team simply didn’t have the possession or the territory to threaten. She didn’t quite catch up to a through ball at the byline. Tried a first-time miracle shot near the end but ballooned it. Not even half-chances on either count. Otherwise there was lots of running, lots of trying unsuccessfully to win the ball, and ultimately another defeat for the Royals of Utah.
That’s three straight 1-0 losses for Utah, six losses in a row overall, and now zero wins from their past ten fixtures. The good news is that they are yet to concede with Fraser on the pitch. The bad news... there’s a lot of it, but for one thing they’ve only scored six times in twelve matches and have been blanked three weeks in a row. They do seem to be getting more competitive since Fraser, Ana Tejada, and Armandine Henry all turned up but there was a lot of distance to cover there and they haven’t done it yet. A Macey Fraser start next time could be the solution?
Up Next: Bay FC vs Utah Royals at 2pm on Monday (NZT)
Abby Erceg & Milly Clegg – Racing Louisville (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Meanwhile we’re still waiting for that Milly Clegg debut after another match came and went with her sitting on the bench unused. Obviously the Lou folks weren’t paying close enough attention to the goal she scored against Japan during the international break. We’ve also got some sad news to report: Abby Erceg’s goal from a few weeks ago was quietly changed to an own goal while nobody was looking. To be fair, that was the right call. But it does mean she’s back to searching for her first of 2024 with a seven-season scoring streak to uphold/extend.
Racing Louisville vs Houston Dash was a game of few chances until the final half hour. Then suddenly Houston flicked the crossbar... before RL took the lead a minute later as Savannah DeMelo finished off a move created by a brilliant Emma Sears run. Sears is one of the Rookie of the Year candidates in the NWSL... and she’s five years older than teammate Milly Clegg (one of them went to college, one of them didn’t need to).
That goal came in the 62nd minute. Fast-forward to the 85th minute and Parker Goins made it twos after an assist from DeMelo. With that, Racing Louisville had themselves a valuable 2-0 victory. Erceg was excellent with six clearances, two shots blocked, two interceptions, two tackles, and 89% pass completion. Not as many touches as usual since Houston edged the possession and Louisville played a more directly in transition. It worked for them though.
That’s consecutive clean sheet wins for Racing Lou. They’re up to 15 points from 11 matches and into the top half of the table with intentions of rising much further. Elsewhere there was no Ali Riley for Angel City’s 2-1 loss away to Gotham. She picked up a wee injury during the Footy Ferns tour so that was to be expected. Having said that, Riley hasn’t gotten any NWSL minutes since the end of April so that’s something to track as we move towards the Olympics.
Up Next: Racing Louisville vs Gotham FC at 5am on Sunday (NZT)
Sarpreet Singh - Unattached
The games are limited at this stage of the year, with only a few relevant leagues ongoing, but the transfer yarns are scorchingly hot. And praises wherever praises are due because Sarpreet Singh will be amongst them. When he signed for Hansa Rostock, it was hoped he’d be able to launch himself back into relevance in German football with regular games and probably also regular goals and assists in a league which he has dominated in the past. Fit and healthy again. No longer a loanee but a permanent player for a new club which was therefore as committed to him as he was to it. But woah boy did that not work out as hoped.
Instead he had a couple of slight injuries and struggled for game-time within a losing team. During the winter break they switched managers, hiring a bloke who’d previously coached Singh at Jahn Regensburg... which seemed to be a positive turning point until Singh soon found himself playing less than ever. The team kept losing. Singh suddenly popped back up in the starting team for the penultimate round and promptly scored a goal. Then he got sent off and missed the final game entirely, a game which confirmed Hansa Rostock’s relegation to the third tier.
That turns out to have been the best thing for him. As it happens, many players in this squad had relegation clauses in their contracts which voided those deals in such an outcome. Singh was one of them. Instead of having a couple more years to go at a club that don’t seem to want him in a division that is clearly below what he’s capable of... he’s now a free agent and can do whatever he wants.
Amir Shapourzadeh, Hansa Rostock’s Director of Football: “We would like to thank all players who leave the F.C. Hansa during this summer break and wish them all the best for the future. After descending to the 3rd division a major change in personnel was inevitable. Therefore there may even be further departures, beyond what we’ve already announced. We are currently working intensely on our squad for the new season and are having many conversations. We want to set up a hungry team of young and experienced players in a timely manner that wants to convince the fans with passion and honest football.”
That’s all well and good but it’s no longer our problem. Now we pray that the unluckiest bloke in the Flying Kiwis realm finally finds himself a stable club situation where his ability is recognised and nurtured. Surely that’s not too much to ask.
Up Next: If you’re a top division club scout in Europe then give the man’s agent a buzz
Ria Percival – Unattached
Here’s another convenient release, though this one was easier to foretell. Ria Percival re-signed with Tottenham Hotspur while she was still recovering from her ACL injury (January 2023) and she did so on a two-year deal. That should have run until June 2025. However, after spending the first half of last season outside the first choice eleven and the second half of last season on loan with Crystal Palace helping them win the Championship and earn promotion... it didn’t make much sense to return for that last season. Percy herself even said that her preference was to stay with Crystal Palace.
Now she’ll have the option to do exactly that, after Spurs included her name in the list of players departing “following the conclusion of their contracts”. We know that Percival had one more year on her contract. Maybe they’ve agreed to release her early. Maybe it was a club option year that was not taken up (which would make sense considering they gave her that deal during a major injury lay-off). The announcement related to seven players all at once so whatever the specifics were, they didn’t bother to go through all the individual clarifications. Doesn’t matter. Ria’s a free agent and it’s probably a safe bet she’ll soon be unveiled as a permanent Crystal Palace player – where her WSL experience and dependable presence will come in very handy for a newly-promoted side.
Up Next: Wait on that next announcement...
Owen Parker-Price, Dom Woolridge, Harry Moss-Edge & Sean Bright – Torslanda IK (Swedish Ettan Södra)
Despite the international stuff and the league calendars, there is still a little bit of football going on in Europe right now. For example, the Swedish lower league stuff will keep churning along until the end of the month.
Not for Otto Ingham at Eskilstuna, it seems. He started their first four games and even scored in the season opener... but has since been absent from eight consecutive matchday squads so gonna go ahead and assume an injury has occurred. But things are brighter in the southern side of the division. Like Cameron Hogg with Tröllhattan. He’s played every minute in goal as they’ve overcome a slow start to win five of their last seven matches. Three clean sheets for Hogg in there. Most recent was a 1-1 draw against Ängelholms FF.
Then there’s the Torslanda crew. In particular Owen Parker-Price who does things like this...
OPP has scored three goals in 12 games from midfield, making him the team’s tied top goal-scorer. He and Harry Edge have played every minute. Dominic Woolridge has started all but one game. Sean Bright is in and out of the starting eleven but usually features (nine apps so far). Good from the lads. This latest OPP goal was supposed to be a stoppage time equaliser... until his team conceded an even later one to lose 2-1 to Ljungskile (Kees Sims’ old club). Equalised in the 90+2nd minute. Conceded in the 90+5th minute. That loss drops them down into the relegation zone, albeit we’re not even halfway through the season.
Up Next: Wednesday at 5am in the Svenska Cup prelims against Onsala (NZT)
Moses Dyer - Vancouver FC (Canadian Premier League)
Moses Dyer didn’t play last week due to yellow card accumulation. His team lost 2-0 without him. A week later he was back with his hair dyed blonde and was money from the penalty spot to earn his team a 2-2 draw away to York United.
They were down 2-1 at the break. Dyer’s pen slipped through the goalie’s grasp in the 77th minute. He didn’t really have any other chances but that lone goal was good enough to keep Vancouver in second place on the ladder (though Forge do have a game in hand). Dyer has scored four goals in eight games with one assist. Yeah, he’s settled back into Canada beautifully, thank you very much.
Up Next: Vancouver vs Cavalry at 9am on Monday (NZT)
Michael Fitzgerald – Albirex Niigata (Japanese J-League)
It’s a relatively quiet week so might as well throw an overdue peek at Michael Fitzgerald (aka: #舞行龍ジェームズ) who, at the age of 35, continues to play regularly for Albirex Niigata in the top flight of Japanese football. Most recently he did a tough ninety minutes away to Nagasaki as AN were able to hang on for the 1-1 draw that takes them into the next round of the J-League Cup. They’d won 2-1 in the home leg a few days earlier, though Fitzy didn’t participate in that particular football match.
Albirex Niigata are a middling team in J1 so their first expectation is to make sure they avoid relegation. So far so good as they’ve taken 19 points from 17 matches to six 15th out of 20 teams. Fitzgerald has started 13 of those 17 matches... and even has a couple of assists. It’s true, see for yourself...
That’s the way to do it. Both of those goals made it 3-2 in the respective fixtures, each time Niigata pulling a goal back late to try and mount a comeback. They still lost both of them but at least they gave themselves a chance.
Fitzgerald’s current contract runs until next January so fingers crossed this ain’t his last campaign. He’s made 129 appearances in J1 over the years, mostly with Albirex Niigata though he did have those injury-plagued years with Kawasaki Frontale (during which time he also made six Asian Champions League appearances). Only ever made three appearances for the All Whites because he had to renounce his citizenship in order to qualify as a local player and secure his club future over there. Fair enough. He’s definitely made a career out of it.
Up Next: Kashima Antlers vs Niigata on Sunday at 9pm (NZT)
Max Crocombe - Burton Albion (English League One)
Saves for days. Some sweet long distribution too. That’s Burton Albion’s Player of the Year highlights package for ya.
Up Next: Oceania Nations Cup
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