The Daily Dirt, August 18: Atomic Dog

Hector Villalba played 69 minutes for Xolos last night in their Copa MX 1-1 draw with Lobos BUAP. Xolos, like many of the top clubs in this tournament, fielded a mostly reserve lineup. Most of the players were young and have limited first division experience. As a new player just fitting into the lineup, it was an opportunity for Villalba to earn some minutes.

He played on the left side primarily, which is not his best position, and struggled to find any rhythm in the game. It was a physical game, as Xolos manager Miguel Herrera told the media:

“It’s difficult when one team wants to play and the other one doesn’t. It doesn’t play soccer, it kicks people and wastes time.

Our guys reacted well on a team with maybe only two veteran players.”

Xolos are in action next on Saturday night when they travel to face Necaxa at 10:00 p.m.

In other Atlanta United related news:

• Owner Arthur Blank spoke to the Atlanta Press Club yesterday about a number of topics and had some updates on the club
• Kenwyne Jones spoke to Trinidad and Tobago Newsday about his national team’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, and also spoke about his decision to join Atlanta United
• Andrew Carleton is at U.S. Youth National Team training camp in Utah and is giving fans some behind the scenes footage on Snapchat

Domestic

A look at how teams are positioned for the MLS playoff race (Mount Royal Soccer)

Nicolas Lodeiro is named the SB Nation MLS Player of the Week (SB Nation)

How do MLS clubs add players from their partner clubs overseas? (FourFourTwo)

Jozy Altidore is back and scoring goals again (MLS)

Los Angeles FC schedule a groundbreaking for their new stadium on August 23 (LAFC)

It’s Throwback Thursday, take a look back at how MLS used to decide tied games in the shootout (MLS)

Projecting the USL playoffs (Indomitable City Soccer)

International

Arabe Unido of Panama stuns Mexico’s Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League (ESPN)

Riyad Mahrez signs a new deal at Leicester that will end his transfer speculation (Fosse Posse)

Brendan Rodgers says Celtic are “full of character” (BBC)

4 big stories from the Champions League playoffs in Europe (SB Nation)

Germany defeats Nigeria in the Olympic semifinal, setting up an epic showdown with Brazil for the Gold Medal (SB Nation)

Local

Which Falcons players have the most to gain, or the most to lose, tonight against Cleveland? (The Falcoholic)

Braves bullpen collapse mars Dansby Swanson’s debut (Talking Chop)

Can rookie Taurean Prince be the second coming of DeMarre Carroll for the Hawks? (Peachtree Hoops)

Georgia swimmer Gunnar Bentz mixed up in Ryan Lochte Olympics drama, pulled from his plane and not allowed to leave Rio (Dawg Sports)

A look at the top talent on the Georgia Tech football roster and how it compares to recent years (From the Rumble Seat)