THE SOCCER REPORT
River-Boca on tap, Houston Dynamo playoff hopes end
Oct 1, 2019, 8:25 am
River Plate product Tomas Martinez has been a staple of Dynamo lineups in 2019. Credit: Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo are officially eliminated from playoff contention, sentencing their absence from the MLS Cup Playoffs in five of the past six seasons. The Dash are off this week but will be heading down to Monterrey, Mexico for a friendly with Liga MX side Tigres on Saturday night.
On the global scale, one of the most heated rivalries in the sport takes place on Tuesday night as Argentina's River Plate and Boca Juniors face off in the Copa Libertadores semifinals. The matchup is a rematch of the Libertadores finals from last year, a series that had to be finished in Spain because it was not deemed safe to conclude in Argentina.
Here is a review of the past week in soccer:
Major League Soccer
Last Wednesday, LAFC demolished the Houston Dynamo by a scoreline of 3-1 to clinch the best record in MLS and home field throughout the playoffs. The Supporters Shield is the two-year club's first major trophy. Four other Western Conference teams clinched a playoff spot, leaving only two to be decided for the final day of the regular season.
In the East, NYCFC clinched the top spot and a bye in the first round. New England defeated NYCFC on Sunday to secure the final playoff spot in the conference.
Every match will be played simultaneously on Sunday in MLS' "Decision Day." Aside from the final two playoff berths, seeding in the playoffs is also to be decided. Spots 2-4 in each conference host in the first round.
With two goals this week, Carlos Vela tied the single-season scoring record (31) set by Atlata's Josef Martinez in 2018. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not far behind in the Golden Boot race with 29 as the Galaxy come to Houston on Sunday.
East top seven: 1. y - NYCFC (61), 2. x - Atlanta (55), 3. x - Philadelphia (55), 4. x - D.C. United (49), 5. x - NY Red Bulls (48), 6. x - Toronto (47), 7. x - New England (45)
West top seven (and playoff hopefuls): 1. s - LAFC (69), 2. x - Minnesota (53), 3. x - Seattle (53), 4. x - LA Galaxy (51), 5. x - Real Salt Lake (50), 6. Portland (46), 7. Dallas (45), 8. San Jose (44), 9. Colorado (42)
Scoring leader: 31 - Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Assists leader: 20 - Maxi Morales (NYCFC)
National Women's Soccer League
The four teams in the NWSL playoffs have been decided with only the semifinal matchups to be decided as the league enters it's final two weeks. The Houston Dash will miss out on the postseason once more, a feat never accomplished in club history.
Standings: 1. s - North Carolina Courage (46), 2. x - Chicago Red Stars (44), 3. x - Portland Thorns (39), 4. x - Reign FC (37), 5. Utah Royals (31), 6. Washington Spirit (30), 7. Houston Dash (26), 8. Sky Blue FC (20), 9. Orlando Pride (15)
Scoring leader: 18 - Sam Kerr (Chicago)
Assists leader: 8 - Yuki Nagasato (Chicago)
English Premier League
Matchday 7 Results
- Sheffield Utd 0-1 Liverpool
- Crystal Palace 2-0 Norwich City
- Aston Villa 2-2 Burnley
- Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham
- Wolves 2-0 Watford
- Tottenham 2-1 Southampton
- Chelsea 1-0 Brighton
- Everton 1-3 Manchester City
- Leicester City 5-0 Newcastle
- Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
Top six: Liverpool (21), Man City (16), Leicester City (14), Arsenal (12), West Ham (12), Tottenham (11)
Scoring leader: 8 - Sergio Aguero (Man City)
Assists leader: 8 - Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
Spanish La Liga
Matchday 6 Results
- Valladolid 1-1 Granada
- Real Betis 3-1 Levante
- FC Barcelona 2-1 Villareal
- RCD Mallorca 0-2 Atletico Madrid
- Leganes 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
- Valencia 3-3 Getafe
- Real Madrid 2-0 Osasuna
- Eibar 3-2 Sevilla
- Celta Vigo 1-1 Espanyol
- Real Sociedad 3-0 Alaves
Matchday 7 Results
- Villareal 5-1 Real Betis
- Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Valencia
- Getafe 0-2 FC Barcelona
- Granada 1-0 Leganes
- Atletico Madrid 0-0 Real Madrid
- Espanyol 0-2 Valladolid
- Eibar 2-0 Celta Vigo
- Alaves 2-0 RCD Mallorca
- Levante 1-1 Osasuna
- Sevilla 3-2 Real Sociedad
Top six: Real Madrid (15), Granada (14), Atletico Madrid (14), FC Barcelona (13), Real Sociedad (13), Sevilla (13)
Scoring leader: 6 - Gerard Moreno (Villareal)
Assists leader: 3 - Five players tied
German Bundesliga
Matchday 6 Results
- Union Berlin 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
- Hoffenheim 0-3 Monchengladbach
- Mainz 0-1 Wolfsburg
- Augsburg 0-3 Bayer Leverkusen
- Paderborn 2-3 Bayern Munich
- RB Leipzig 1-3 Schalke 04
- Dortmund 2-2 Werder Bremen
- Fortuna 1-2 Freiburg
- Cologne 0-4 Hertha Berlin
Top six: Bayern Munich (14), RB Leipzig (13), Freiburg (13), Schalke 04 (13), Monchengladbach (13), Bayer Leverkusen (13)
Scoring leader: 10 - Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Italian Serie A
Matchday 5 Results
- Hellas Verona 0-0 Udinese
- Brescia 1-2 Juventus
- Roma 0-2 Atalanta
- SPAL 1-3 Lecce
- Napoli 0-1 Cagliari
- Genoa 0-0 Bologna
- Fiorentina 2-1 Sampdoria
- Parma 1-0 Sassuolo
- Inter Milan 1-0 Lazio
- Torino 2-1 AC Milan
Matchday 6 Results
- Juventus 2-0 SPAL
- Sampdoria 1-3 Inter Milan
- Sassuolo 1-4 Atalanta
- Napoli 2-1 Brescia
- Lazio 4-0 Genoa
- Udinese 1-0 Bolognia
- Lecce 0-1 Roma
- Cagliari 1-1 Hellas Verona
- AC Milan 1-3 Fiorentina
- Parma 3-2 Torino
Top six: Inter Milan (18), Juventus (16), Atalanta (13), Napoli (12), Roma (11), Lazio (10)
Scoring leader: 5 - Four players tied
French Ligue 1
Matchday 7 Results
- Dijon 0-0 Marseille
- Monaco 3-1 Nice
- Brest 2-2 Lyon
- St-Etienne 0-1 Metz
- Amiens 1-3 Bordeaux
- Nantes 1-0 Rennes
- Montpellier 1-0 Nimes
- Toulouse 0-2 Angers
- Lille 2-0 Strasbourg
- PSG 0-2 Stade Reims
Matchday 8 Results
- Lyon 0-1 Nantes
- Bordeaux 0-1 PSG
- Stade Reims 1-2 Dijon
- Metz 2-2 Toulouse
- Monaco 4-1 Brest
- Angers 1-1 Amiens
- Nice 1-1 Lille
- Strasbourg 1-0 Montpellier
- Nimes 0-1 St-Etienne
- Marseille 1-1 Rennes
Top six: PSG (18), Angers (16), Nantes (16), Lille (14), Marseille (13), Nice (13)
Scoring leader: 6 - Three players tied
Netherlands Eredivisie
Matchday 8 - Top Results
- Ajax 2-0 Groningen
- Waalwijk 1-2 Vitesse
- Zwolle 0-2 PSV
- AZ Alkmaar 2-0 Heracles
- Feyenoord 5-1 Twente
Top four: Ajax (20), PSV (20), AZ Alkmaar (19), Vitesse (17)
Scoring leader: 8 - Donyell Malen (PSV Eindhoven)
Assists leader: 8 - Dusan Tadic (Ajax)
Portuguese Primeira Liga
Matchday 7 - Top Results
- Benfica 1-0 Setubal
- Famalicao 3-1 Belenenses
- Vitoria 1-0 Pacos Ferreira
- Rio Ave 0-1 Porto
- Aves 0-1 Sporting CP
Top four: Famalicao(19), Benfica (18), Porto (18), Vitoria (12)
Scoring leader: 6 - Pizzi (Benfica) / Ze Luis (Porto)
Assists leader: 4 - Bruno Fernandes (Sporting)
Scottish Premiership
Matchday 7 - Top Results
- Hibernian 1-1 Celtic
- Rangers 5-0 Aberdeen
- St. Johnstone 0-1 Motherwell
Top four: Celtic (19), Rangers (18), Motherwell (13), Aberdeen (11)
Scoring leader: 6 - Jermain Defoe (Rangers) / Ryan Christie (Celtic)
Assists leader: 4 - James Forrest (Celtic)
Mexican Liga MX
Matchday 11 Results
- Queretaro 1-2 Necaxa
- Tigres 0-1 Puebla
- Leon 1-1 Atlas
- Guadalajara 2-4 Pachuca
- Santos 5-0 Veracruz
- Juarez 1-1 Club America
- Cruz Azul 1-1 Monterrey
- Tijuana 3-2 Monarcas
- Toluca 3-1 Atletico San Luis
Matchday 12 Results
- Puebla 2-1 Leon
- Atlas 2-0 Queretaro
- Pachuca 2-0 Cruz Azul
- Necaxa 0-0 Juarez
- Monterrey 0-2 Tigres
- Club America 4-1 Guadalajara
- Pumas 2-0 Santos
- Atletico San Luis 2-3 Tijuana
- Veracruz 1-1 Toluca
Top Eight: 1. Santos Laguna (23), 2. Necaxa (21), 3. Club America (21), 4. Leon (19), 5. Pachuca (18), 6. Queretaro (18), 7. Tigres (17), 8. Pumas (17)
Scoring leader: 8 - Julio Furch (Santos)
Assists leader: 8 - Miller Bolanos (Tijuana)
Liga MX clubs Tigres UANL and Santos will face off in a club friendly in Houston during the October FIFA International window. Tickets on sale at BBVAStadium.com
Liga MX Femenil
Matchday 13 Results
- Necaxa 0-1 Queretaro
- Juarez 1-2 UANL
- Atlas 2-2 Cruz Azul
- UNAM 1-1 Monarcas
- Veracruz 1-1 Guadalajara
- America 2-1 Pachuca
- Santos 0-0 Puebla
- Atletico San Luis 1-2 Leon
- Tijuana 2-1 Toluca
Top Eight: 1. Monterrey (30), 2. Pachuca (26), 3. Tigres (25), 4. Guadalajara (23), 5. Atlas (21), 6. America (21), 7. Tijuana (21), 8. Monarcas (18)
Scoring leader: 13 - Mónica Monsiváis (Monterrey)
Argentina Superliga
Matchday 8 Results
- Aldosivi 1-2 Union
- Patronato 1-1 Lanus
- Arsenal 3-0 Estudiantes
- Gimnasia 0-2 River Plate
- Boca 1-1 Newells
- Banfield 0-1 San Lorenzo
- Huracan 0-0 Atletico Tucuman
- Velez 0-1 Defensa y Justicia
- Rosario Central 1-1 Racing Club
- Independiente 3-2 Talleres Cordoba
- Cordoba 1-0 Godoy Cruz
- Colon 1-0 Argentinos Juniors
Top four: Boca (18), San Lorenzo (16), Talleres Cordoba (16), Arsenal Sarandi (15)
Scoring leader: 4 - Bruno Pitton (San Lorenzo) / Nicolas Dominguez (Velez)
Assists leader: 3 - Mathias Abero Villan (Patronato)
Argentina Female
The first matchday in Argentina's female football featured the first Boca vs. River matchup of the professional era.
Matchday 1 Results
- Villa 1-5 Rosario Central
- Gimnasia 2-0 Huracan
- Platense 1-5 Racing Club
- Estudiantes 3-1 Belgrano
- SAT 1-0 El Porvenir
- Boca Juniors 5-0 River Plate
- Lanus 1-3 San Lorenzo
- Urquiza 2-1 Independiente
Top four: SAT (3), Boca Juniors (3) Racing Club (3), Rosario Central (3)
TV listings (All Times CT):
Tuesday, October 1
12:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Real Madrid vs. Club Brugge (TNT, UniMas, TUDN)
1:45 p.m. - [English Championship] Leeds vs. West Bromwich (ESPN+)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Tottenham vs. Bayern Munich (TNT, Galavision)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Juventus vs. Bayer Leverkusen (UniMas, TUDN)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Galatasaray vs. PSG (B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Lokomotiv Moscow vs. Atletico Madrid (B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Manchester City vs. Dinamo Zagreb (B/R Live)
7:30 p.m. - [Copa Libertadores] River Plate vs. Boca Juniors (beIN SPORTS)
Wednesday, October 2
12:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Slavia Prague vs. Borussia Dortmund (TNT, Galavision)
12:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Genk vs. Napoli (UniMas, TUDN)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] FC Barcelona vs. Inter Milan (TNT, UniMas, TUDN)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Liverpool vs. Salzburg (Galavision, B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] RB Leipzig vs. Lyon (B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Valencia vs. Ajax (B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Champions League] Lille vs. Chelsea (B/R Live)
7:30 p.m. - [Copa Libertadores] Gremio vs. Flamengo (beIN SPORTS)
Thursday, October 3
12:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] AZ Alkmaar vs. Manchester United (TUDN, B/R Live)
12:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] Feyenoord vs. Porto (Galavision, B/R Live)
12:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] Wolfsburg vs. Roma (B/R Live)
12:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] Besiktas vs. Wolves (UniMas, B/R Live)
12:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] Young Boys vs. Rangers (B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] Sevilla vs. APOEL (UniMas, B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] Sporting CP vs. LASK (Galavision, B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] Arsenal vs. Standard Liege (TUDN, B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] Rosenborg vs. PSV Eindhoven (B/R Live)
2:00 p.m. - [UEFA Europa League] Celtic vs. Cluj (B/R Live)
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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