THE SOCCER REPORT
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid rock Houston, James Harden invests in Dynamo/Dash
Jul 23, 2019, 7:10 am
THE SOCCER REPORT
There were plenty of great goals scored over the weekend and plenty of sellouts too as European club friendlies continue. In MLS, the playoff race begins to take shape with urgency setting in on recent results.
African Cup of Nations
Senegal v Algeria Highlights - Total AFCON 2019 - FINALwww.youtube.com
The final international cup of the summer concluded as Algeria defeated Senegal 1-0 to crown themselves the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Champions. Nigeria defeated Tunisia by the same margin earlier in the week to take 3rd place.
International Champions Cup
Full Match | FC Bayern vs. Real Madrid 3-1 | International Champions Cup 2019www.youtube.com
Houston was in worldwide spotlight as two European giants faced off in front of 60,314 attendees at NRG Stadium on Saturday night. FC Bayern Munich fans left with the bragging rights as their team picked up a 3-1 victory of Real Madrid. Madrid fans did leave with joy after seeing the debut of the club's major summer signing Eden Hazard.
Major League Soccer
LA Galaxy vs. Los Angeles Football Club | HIGHLIGHTS - July 19, 2019www.youtube.com
Zlatan Ibrahimovic took the spotlight and the glory this week in Major League Soccer with a hat-trick performance in LA Galaxy's 3-2 win over rivals, and league leaders, LAFC. Brian Fernandez, arguably the best signing of the year, also showcased himself with two goals in the 2-1 Portland Timbers win over rivals Seattle.
Toronto FC vs. Houston Dynamo | HIGHLIGHTS - July 20, 2019www.youtube.com
The Houston Dynamo had a roller coaster week after losing 0-5 at Atlanta United on Wednesday before picking up a rare road win with a 3-1 result at Toronto FC. Forward Mauro Manotas was a topic of conversation after taking on five TFC defenders in the win.
Off the field, the Dynamo made noise with the announcement of James Harden as a 5% owner of the Dynamo, Dash organization. The Rockets star is an active soccer fan and was part of adidas uniform unveiling of Premier League side Arsenal just last week.
James Harden now an owner of Houston Dynamo and Dashwww.youtube.com
East top seven: 1. Philadelphia (39), 2. Atlanta (36), 3. D.C. United (35), 4. NY Red Bulls (34), 5. NYCFC (32), 6. Montreal (30), 7. New England (30)
West top seven: 1. LAFC (46), 2. LA Galaxy (37), 3. Seattle (35), 4. Minnesota (34), 5. San Jose (34), 6. Dallas (32), 7. Real Salt Lake (30)
Scoring leader: 21 - Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Assists leader: 13 - Maxi Moralez (NYCFC)
Liga MX
Goles Jornada 1 | Liga BBVA MXwww.youtube.com
The Apertura 2019 season kicked off in Mexico over the weekend with some of the usual suspects going straight to the top of the standings in week 1.
Top eight: 1. Santos Laguna (3), 2. Tigres UANL (3), 3. Club America (3), 4. Leon (3), 5. Tijuana (3), 6. Pumas UNAM (3), 7. Queretaro (3), 8. Atlas (3)
Scoring leader: 2 - Javier Aquino (Tigres UANL), Nicolas Castillo (Club America)
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National Women's Soccer League
The post FIFA Women's World Cup tour begins in the NWSL as many of the U.S. women return to their clubs. The Houston Dash picked up their first win since May with a road win at Washington.
Houston Dash 2-1 Washington Spirit | Highlightswww.youtube.com
Standings: 1. Portland Thorns (23), 2. North Carolina Courage (22), 3. Chicago Red Stars (20), 4. Reign FC (20), 5. Washington Spirit (18), 6. Utah Royals (18), 7. Houston Dash (16), 8. Orlando Pride (11), 9. Sky Blue FC (8)
Scoring leader: 10 - Sam Kerr (Chicago)
Assists leader: 4 - 5 players tied
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Tuesday, July 23
4:00 a.m. - [Friendly] - FC Barcelona vs. Chelsea (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)
5:15 p.m. - [Copa Libertadores] River Plate vs. Cruzeiro (beIN SPORTS)
6:00 p.m. - [International Champions Cup] Real Madrid vs. Arsenal (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
7:30 p.m. - [Copa Libertadores] Penarol vs. Fluminense (beIN SPORTS Connect)
7:30 p.m. - [Leagues Cup] Chicago Fire vs. Cruz Azul (ESPN+)
8:00 p.m. - [International Champions Cup] Chivas vs. Atletico Madrid (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
8:00 p.m. - [International Champions Cup] FC Bayern Munich vs. AC Milan (ESPN+)
10:00 p.m. - [Leagues Cup] LA Galaxy vs. Tijuana (ESPN, TUDN)
Wednesday, July 24
6:30 a.m. - [International Champions Cup] - Juventus vs. Inter Milan (ESPN+)
7:00 p.m. - [International Champions Cup] - Fiorentina vs. Benfica (ESPN+)
7:00 p.m. - [Friendly] Liverpool vs. Sporting CP (TNT)
7:30 p.m. - [Copa Libertadores] Atletico PR vs. Boca Juniors (beIN SPORTS en Español)
7:30 p.m. - [Leagues Cup] Houston Dynamo vs. Club America (ESPN+, TUDN)
9:30 p.m. - [Leagues Cup] Real Salt Lake vs. Tigres UANL (ESPN+, TUDN)
Thursday, July 25
6:30 a.m. - [International Champions Cup] - Manchester United vs. Tottenham (ESPN+)
7:30 p.m. - [Copa Libertadores] Gremio vs. Libertad (beIN SPORTS)
Friday, July 26
6:30 p.m. - [MLS] NYCFC vs. Sporting KC (ESPN+)
7:30 p.m. - [International Champions Cup] Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
9:00 p.m. - [MLS] LAFC vs. Atlanta United (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
Saturday, July 27
7:00 p.m. - [MLS] Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders FC (KUBE57)
9:30 p.m. - [MLS] Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy (FS1)
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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