Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos
It looks like a change of scenery was a good thing for Brek Shea. The U.S Men’s National Team pool player notched an assist in his debut with Birmingham City on Saturday. The 24-year-old had left Stoke City in search of more minutes and moved to Birmingham last week on an emergency three-month loan.
Meanwhile, the playoffs race is heating up in Major League Soccer. The Los Angeles Galaxy went into their matchup against San Jose looking strong, but came away with a disappointing draw, giving the Seattle Sounders more room atop the West. A questionable late call allowed the Philadelphia Union to equalize and draw to the New York Red Bulls. And with a points split, the Colorado Rapids snapped a dismal seven-game losing streak as the Portland Timbers inched closer to playoff position.
And it seems like it’s back to business as usual for the U.S. Women’s National Team these days. They slaughtered Mexico on Saturday, scoring eight unanswered goals and giving Hope Solo the new all-time shutout record for the USWNT.
Here is a rundown of all the stories featured on SBI this weekend:
AMERICANS ABROAD
Shea notches assist in Birmingham City debut
Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind
U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
USWNT demolishes Mexico with 8 unanswered goals
2012 video suggests Kyle’s support for fake turf isn’t artificial
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Galaxy stumble again, tie Earthquakes in San Jose
Timbers edge closer to Whitecaps after tying Rapids
Late Le Toux penalty earns Union draw with Red Bulls
Revolution down Impact for third straight comeback win
Quick fire second half goals give Crew point at Dynamo
Disallowed Gilberto goal forces TFC to settle for draw with Fire
Perez winner leads FC Dallas to victory over Whitecaps
INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
Saturday European Rewind: Atletico top Real Madrid; Arsenal draw with Man City; and more
Soccer Sunday: Your Running Commentary
OTHER SOCCER
Friday College Rewind: UNLV upsets UMBC, Furman tops Coastal, and more
Johnson steps down as lead FOX soccer broadcaster
Haven’t seen a replay on the Philly penalty, but could it possibly have been any worse than the penalty on Luyindula? I was more animated than Ethan White when I saw that one.
That last penalty was a questionable call? The author is trolling. He had his legs cut out from under him after the defender failed at pulling him down by his arm, as he was trying to shoot. Should have been a red card.
The first penalty was cynical but it was a penalty. The defender should have known better than to let the Pink Cow put his arm in a place where it could be pulled.
The kick to Ray Gaddis’ head at the half whistle will hopefully get noticed by the DC as it should have been a straight red. I was 20 yards away from it and the offender kicked out back and away from where he was looking and where the ball was…only Ray was in that direction, and Ray was on the ground already.
I mean put his hand in a place where the diver could pull it down with him. Stupid fat hands…
RBNY supporter here and I think both penalties were justified. Apparently Joe from Philly thinks RBNY should have had about six red cards but I think the ref got things pretty much right. Unlike the people who built PPL park, who apparently forgot to install a modern drainage system. Even after starting an hour and a half late, the pitch was still an unplayable bog and it completely ruined the match.
MLS playoffs are so predictable and that’s not good. In the nfl, mlb, nba we know who will win in the playoffs but in soccer anything can happen but in MLS, is not the same.
MLS and garber need to go see champions type of playoff soccer or even ligaMX, which don’t have parity or kiddy rules.
So here we go, in the west sounders looks serious and galaxy want to give Landon his last cup, so it’s between them two in the west and I believe galaxy will make it to MLS cup.
In the east, very weird predictable because the east sucks, but I’m taking dc or revolution. Red bull and skc don’t look like real contenders this late.
What?
Makes no sense.
Ok, let me have another drink and see if I can make any sense of it.
I think this shows that Shea can’t prove himself at Stoke. They are past him, and not looking. He knows he can prove himself at BCFC.
Also, I like how he celebrated with his new teammate. He’s a good guy.
Shea was actually voted MOM by the Birmingham fans – impressive start. Surprised but hope he can keep it up – for both him and the Blues!