The Soccer Report

Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid Houston clash part of weekend summer friendlies

Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid Houston clash part of weekend summer friendlies
Tickets still remain for FC Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid. Credit: ICC2019

The Africa Cup of Nations remains as the only major international championship left to decide this summer as the focus turns to preseason in European soccer. This week's schedule has plenty of friendlies with one of those taking place in Houston.

AFC Africa Cup of Nations

The Africa Cup of Nations is down to the final two teams. Manchester CIty's Riyad Mahrez and Algeria will vie for the trophy against Senegal and Liverpool's Sadio Mane. The final will take place on Friday while Tunisia and NIgeria fight for third place on Wednesday.

International Champions Cup

European clubs are advancing their preseason preparations all over the world and some of them are coming to the states to do so. The slate of U.S. Tour games has kicked off with Premier League club Arsenal defeating sister club Colorado Rapids (MLS) 3-0 on Monday night.

Two of the bigger clubs in Europe face off when 28-time Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich take on 33-time Spanish Champions Real Madrid on Saturday night at NRG Stadium. The two have faced off on several occasions in the UEFA Champions League, a rivalry that is considered a European Classic.

Major League Soccer

East top seven: 1. Philadelphia (36), 2. D.C. United (32), 3. NY Red Bulls (31), 4. Atlanta (30), 5. Montreal (30), 6.NYCFC (29), 7. Toronto (26)

West top seven: 1. LAFC (46), 2. Seattle (35), 3. LA Galaxy (34), 4. Minnesota (33), 5. San Jose (31), 6. Real Salt Lake (29), 7. Dallas (29)

Scoring leader: 19 - Carlos Vela (LAFC)

Assists leader: 12 - Carlos Vela (LAFC) / Maxi Moralez (NYCFC)

National Women's Soccer League

Standings: 1. North Carolina Courage (22), 2. Portland Thorns (22), 3. Reign FC (20), 4. Washington Spirit (18), 5. Utah Royals (17), 6. Chicago Red Stars (17), 7. Houston Dash (13), 8. Orlando Pride (8), 9. Sky Blue FC (8)

Scoring leader: 9 - Sam Kerr (Chicago)

Assists leader: 4 - 5 players tied

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Upcoming Matches (All Times CT):

Tuesday, July 16

1:30 p.m. - [Friendly] Dynamo Dresden vs. PSG (beIN SPORTS)

8:00 p.m. - [International Champions Cup] Fiorentina vs. Chivas (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Wednesday, July 17

12:00 p.m. - [Friendly] PSV vs. Wolfsburg (ESPN3)

2:00 p.m. - [Africa Cup of Nations 3rd place] Tunisia vs. Nigeria (beIN SPORTS)

6:00 p.m. - [MLS] Atlanta United vs. Houston Dynamo (KUBE57/Telexitos 47.2)

8:00 p.m. - [International Champions Cup] Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Thursday, July 18

11:00 a.m. - [Friendly] - Ajax vs. Watford (ESPN3)

7:00 p.m. - [MLS] Cincinnati vs. DC United (ESPN)

9:00 p.m. - [MLS] Portland vs. Orlando (ESPN)

Friday, July 19

11:00 a.m. - [Friendly] - Everton vs. Monaco (ESPN3)

2:00 p.m. - [Africa Cup of Nations Final] Algeria vs. Senegal (beIN SPORTS)

7:00 p.m. - [Friendly] Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund (TNT)

7:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Puebla vs. Tijuana (Univision Deportes)

9:00 p.m. - [MLS] LA Galaxy vs. LAFC (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

Saturday, July 20

1:30 a.m. - [Friendly] Vissel Kobe vs. Barcelona (ESPN2)

6:30 p.m. - [MLS] Toronto FC vs. Houston Dynamo (KUBE57/Telexitos 47.2)

7:00 p.m. - [International Champions Cup] Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

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The Astros beat the Phillies, 2-1. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.

Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.

The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.

Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.

Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.

Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!

Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.

Key moment

Smith’s RBI.

Key stat

Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.

Up next

The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.

The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).

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