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So MLS did the thing where they let their teams decide if they wanted to play in the international break or not and it really took a toll on my fantasy team. It also took a toll on Vancouver vs. LA Galaxy with LA travelling with just 16 players including three keepers. That game ended 0-0 and somehow Vancouver will still end up finishing 3rd in the West. MLS wants to be a top 5 league, but it also wants to play games through the international break, I really doubt both of those things can happen at the same time.
Anyway, onto the Dirt...
Domestic
NWSL kicked off this weekend with four games. We covered the North Carolina Courage winning 1-0 against the Portland Thorns, but catch up on the rest of the results:
Seattle Reign beat the Washington Spirit 2-1.
The Utah Royals and Orlando Pride drew 1-1.
And the Houston Dash finished 1-1 versus the Chicago Red Stars.
Speaking of Houston, the Dynamo got some recognition for their secondary kits. Give GQ a Pulitzer for the description of the team though:
TIL the Houston Dynamo away jersey made GQ’s “Menswear to Buy” list. https://t.co/RYujpDIjcc pic.twitter.com/OVAHW052HQ
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) March 25, 2018
Cash was grabbed in San Jose as Landon Donovan managed to get a goal against the Earthquakes in Club Leon’s friendly win there on Saturday. Amazingly, Leon can think to sign Donovan, plot to play a friendly against his former club, and generally make a big deal about him being on the team - but this is what their website looks like.
Nashville SC drew nearly 20,000 for their first ever match. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, but it seems like there’s something special being built in Tennessee.
First ever walkout for Nashville SC been waiting for this moment for a long time! #OurTownOurClub pic.twitter.com/QPCWvFGG8I
— ⌬ Christian Candler (@Candlerbility) March 24, 2018
International
I want to be cynical and say there were a pile of meaningless friendlies this weekend, but the US plays on Tuesday so the games that happened will actually help teams to prepare for the World Cup. One eye-popping result was Colombia coming back from 2-0 to beat France 3-2. Yes it’s a friendly, but Jose Peckerman is a really underrated international manager and Colombia could be a surprising team in the World Cup in 2018.
Gibraltar beat Latvia for their second win in four years, look out Iceland!
After 23 defeats, 1 draw and 117 goals conceded, Gibraltar claim their 2nd win ever and their 1st since 4 June 2014, when they beat Malta 1-0 in a friendly in Faro. Their 1-0 win over Latvia is their 1st ever win at their own Victoria Stadium. @GibraltarFA
— Gracenote Live (@GracenoteLive) March 25, 2018
Thomas Tuchel is reportedly in line to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, well now we know why US Soccer is holding it’s search for a new manager until the summer.
Goals
Megan Rapinoe’s free kick was glorious.
Back for 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ and bending it like she never left. Goal, Rapinoe.#SEAvWAS | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/539ZRx39Jn
— NWSL (@NWSL) March 25, 2018
If Atlanta United was playing this weekend, they might actually lose a goal of the week vote - this is sheer beauty both on the pass from Alex Muyl and the finish from Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Outstanding ball from Muyl. Outstanding finish from BWP. RBNY up 3-0 and cruising. pic.twitter.com/Sk1KSbovsH
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) March 25, 2018
This is a pretty good piece of two goals in one gif
End-to-end action! @kingarturo23 smashes in the opener for @LaRoja but @OlaToivonen20 draws Sweden level almost immediately. pic.twitter.com/zPeB40M0ea
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 24, 2018
You should listen to...
UnCivil Podcast If you want a deeper, more complicated look at the Civil War and why what we think we know about it is wrong - it might be for you.