THE SOCCER REPORT
Dynamo trio score in international competition; Maradona returns to coaching
Sep 11, 2019, 7:10 am
Credit: Houston Dynamo
The September FIFA break brought a pause to league matches all around the world for international competitions and friendlies. Here are the top stories from the week, followed by a schedule of some of the more compelling upcoming matches.
Dynamo fall in the standings in bye week, three players score in international play
đđŸ @alberthelis17 https://t.co/6xMdnIIO19â Houston Dynamo (@Houston Dynamo) 1568172102.0
Houston Dynamo fell to 11th (out of 12) in the Western Conference despite not playing this weekend thanks to the Colorado Rapids win over Seattle Sounders. The Dynamo have two matches this week and, depending on results, could still fall to last place in the Western Conference.
Not everything was bad news for the Dynamo as five of their players featured for their national teams during the international break.
Defender Aljaz "Kiki" Struna scored for Slovenia in a 2-0 win against Poland last Friday. Struna started in the 3-2 win over Israel on Monday but was subbed off in the second half due to injury. Slovenia is currently second in their group and is well positioned to qualify for next summer's EURO 2020.
Darwin Ceren scored off a penalty in El Salvador's 3-0 win over Saint Lucia in Concacaf Nations League. He also featured in the 0-1 loss at the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.
Alberth Elis and Maynor Figueroa saw action in Honduras' 2-1 home win in a friendly against Jose Bizama's Chile. Elis scored the tying goal for Honduras while Bizama, a summer signing for the Dynamo, came off the bench in the 75th minute.
The Dynamo are back home on Wednesday against Minnesota Untied (7:30 p.m. CT, KUBE 57)
Houston Dash lose 0-3 at Chicago Red Stars, virtually ending playoff hopes
The Houston Dash fell to 7th place (out of 9 teams) in the National Women's Soccer League standings with a road loss against likely playoff-bound Chicago Red Stars. The loss puts Houston nine points behind fourth place Utah, who the Dash will host on Friday night.
U.S. Men's National Team lose to Mexico, draw with Uruguay
A rematch of this summer's Concacaf Gold Cup final, just over a month after that encounter, ended in a 0-3 loss for the United States in front of a pro-Mexico crowd at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey last Friday.
The USMNT recovered from that heavily scrutinized match with a 1-1 draw against an alternate Uruguay squad at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo has a four-goal performance in Euro 2020 qualifiers
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to wreck it at the international stage at the age of 34, getting a "poker" against Lithuania in EURO 2020 qualifiers. His four-goal performance extends his mark of international goals to 93 with Portugal.
Diego Maradona is presented as head coach of Argentina Superliga club Gimnasia
There's one word that can never be used when Diego Maradona is in the news - boring. The legendary FIFA World Cup winner, regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the game, has returned to his native land as the Manager of Argentina top division team Gimnasia La Plata.
Maradona was unveiled over the weekend at the club's 33,500-seat stadium to a capacity crowd of supporters and worldwide media.
Gimnasia's first match with Maradona at the helm comes Sunday 9:00 a.m. CT in league action against defending champions Racing Club.
Upcoming Matches (All Times CT):
Wednesday, September 11
7:30 p.m. - [MLS] Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United (KUBE 57)
Friday, September 13
1:30 p.m. - [Bundesliga] Dusseldorf vs. Wolfsburg (FS2, FOX Deportes)
2:00 p.m. - [La Liga] Mallorca vs. Athletic Bilbao (beIN Sports)
6:30 p.m. - [Liga MX] Puebla vs. Atletico San Luis (TUDN, ESPN Deportes)
7:30 p.m. - [NWSL] Houston Dash vs. Utah Royals
9:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Club Tijuana vs. Tigres (FOX Deportes)
Saturday, September 14
6:00 a.m. - [La Liga] Real Madrid vs. Levante (beIN Sports)
6:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Liverpool vs. Newcastle (NBC Sports)
8:00 a.m. - [Serie A] Fiorentina vs. Juventus (ESPN+)
8:30 a.m. - [Bundesliga] Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayer Leverkusen (FS1, FOX Deportes)
8:30 a.m. - [Bundesliga] Cologne vs Borussia Monchengladbach (FS2, TUDN)
9:00 a.m. - [Premier League] Spurs vs. Crystal Palace (NBC Sports)
9:00 a.m. - [La Liga] Leganes vs. Villarreal (beIN Sports en Español)
11:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Norwich vs. Manchester City (NBC)
11:30 a.m. - [La Liga] Real Sociedad vs. Atletico Madrid (beIN Sports en Español)
11:30 a.m. - [Bundesliga] RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich (FS2, UniMas)
1:30 p.m. - [La Liga] FC Barcelona vs. Valencia (beIN Sports)
9:00 p.m. - [MLS] Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Houston Dynamo (KUBE 57)
Sunday, September 15
8:00 a.m. - [Premier League] Bournemouth vs. Everton (NBC Sports)
10:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Watford vs. Arsenal (NBC Sports)
2:30 p.m. - [MLS] Portland Timbers vs. D.C. United (ESPN)
9:00 p.m. - [MLS] LA Galaxy vs. Sporting KC (FS1)
Monday, September 16
2:00 p.m. - [Premier League] Aston Villa vs. West Ham (NBC Sports)
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The Houston Texans enter the 2025 season with momentum, expectations, and no shortage of spotlight games. A 9.5-win total in Vegas reflects growing national respectâbut also pressure to deliver.
Hot start, big stage
Houston opens with a tough but marquee road test in Los Angeles against the Rams before returning to NRG for a Monday Night Football showdown against the Buccaneers.
Division duels define the path
As always, the AFC South is crucial. Houston faces five division games from Week 3 to Week 13, including a big Jaguars rematch in Week 10. If Trevor Lawrence takes the leap, and his top targets Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter live up to the hype, Jacksonville could be Houstonâs biggest in-division threat. Still, with win totals sitting at 7.5 for both the Colts and Jaguars (and 5.5 for the Titans), the Texans have a clear path to control the South.
Midseason grind, late-season edge
The Week 6 bye comes at a smart spot, especially with brutal road games on the horizon: at Seahawks (MNF), home for the 49ers, and a revenge date in Baltimoreâall within Weeks 5â8. The stretch from Week 12 to Week 14 (Bills, at Colts, at Chiefs) could define the Texansâ playoff seedingâor whether they make it at all.
But thereâs hope in the home stretch. Three of their last four games are at NRG, where Houston has played its best football. If the teamâs still in the hunt, hosting the Cardinals, Raiders, and potentially playing for the division title in Week 18 vs. the Colts is a favorable setup.
Key questions ahead
- Can Houston shake off last yearâs road struggles? The trip to Kansas City, as well as cross-country flights to L.A., Seattle, and Baltimore, will test their resolve.
- Will they flip the script against NFC teams? Houston struggled in interconference matchups in 2024, and the 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks arenât soft spots.
- Is C.J. Stroud ready for primetime pressure? Four national gamesâincluding two Mondays and a huge Sunday night at Arrowheadâgive the Texans the stage. Now itâs about the performance.
Bottom Line:
The Texansâ 2025 schedule is packed with statement opportunities and divisional tests. Thereâs enough home cooking in December to fuel a playoff pushâbut Houston will have to prove it can handle the road, the spotlight, and the rising competition in its own backyard.
Offseason observations
The Texans made some calculated and intriguing moves this offseason, especially on offense. They added dynamic weapons in WRs Christian Kirk, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, along with RB Woody Marks, who profiles as the best receiving back in the draftâlikely influenced by the Patriotsâ historical use of third-down specialists like James White and Shane Vereen. OC Nick Caley, OL Coach Cole Popovich, and GM Nick Caserio all have a history with the Pats.
Protecting C.J. Stroud remains a clear priority too, as the Texans added OT Aireontae Ursery in the draft and created a true open competition on the offensive line through free agency, featuring a deep group.
One of the most notable moves recently was Higginsâ fully guaranteed four-year, $11.7 million dealâa rarity for non-first-rounders. That level of commitment from Caserio signals strong conviction in both Higginsâ talent and character. It also hints that Houston may have considered him with their original 25th overall pick before trading back. With Patriots alumni like Caley and Popovich now on staff, and Caserio pulling the strings, itâs clear the Texans are building a system that blends New England and Rams discipline with Houstonâs new-wave of offensive firepower.
We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
*ChatGPT assisted.
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