’10 to Track’ soccer matches for Sunday (8/5) – a quick-and-dirty version

Today is a full-travel day for Noob, returning home from Howey-in-the-Hills, FL.  So, today’s is just a q and d post of the days top matches.

1. New York Red Bulls vs. LAFC – Major League Soccer

#3 in the East hosts #2 out West.  NYRB had their three had their three-match winning streak halted at Columbus.  LAFC earned a draw with the crosstown rival Galaxy in their last match, one after getting ambushed and routed by likely non-playoff bound Minnesota Utd.

RESULT:   NYRB   2-0     A pair of goals for Daniel Royer

B.  North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns- National Women’s Soccer League

Carolina just beat Europe’s best in the women’s International Champions Cup, so now it’s back to league business.  And business for them is gooooood.   They’re running away with the league regular season title.  Portland is tied for 3^rd.  Whichever club finishes in 4^th has to face NCC in the first round of the Playoffs.

RESULT:   NC   2-1

3. Santos vs. Puebla – Liga MX

After finishing 4^th in the 2017-18 Clausura (second half-season), Santos went on to win the Liguilla (postseason tournament.  Puebla tied for 9^th, just missing out on those playoffs.  if they’ve shored up their defense just a bit, they’d find themselves there though.

RESULT:   Santos   2-0

4. Chelsea vs. Manchester City – Community Shield

Community Shield = Super Cup!   City had an historic 2017-18 league season.  Chelsea finished 5^th in trying to defend that title, coming up short on the offensive side of the ball.  They play this at Wembley.

RESULT:   Man City   0-2

5. Galatasaray vs. Akhisaspor – Turkey Super Cup

Galatasaray won UEFA’s 10^th-ranked league last year, in one of the wildest finishes of a four-team race.  Akhisaspor finished just 11^th, yet won the FA Cup.

RESULT:   Akhi   1-1  /  4-5  pk

6. Zeljeznicar Sarajevo vs. Zrinjski Mostar – Bosnia and Herzegovina Premier

Much further down the UEFA league rankings (39), we find B&H.  These two were the runaway best.  Before the Championship Round portion of the season, they were tied in the table, separated only by a single goal in differential.

RESULT:   Zel   2-0

7. FC Tokyo vs. Vissel Kobe – Japan J1 League

The season is just over half over in Japan.  Tokyo is #B, Kobe 5^th.  The top three will make the AFC Champions League.  Normally, this match might not quite make Noob’s radar – Kobe’s not going to catch the league’s best – but The Management must be appeased!   Goofy Japanophile.

RESULT:   Tokyo   1-0

8. Beijing Gouan vs. Shandong Lueng – Chinese Super League

These are the top two in China, for now.  Noob thinks that will change.  The perennial powerhouses are just behind them in the table.  Shandong doesn’t appear to have nearly the goal-scoring firepower to keep up all season.

RESULT:   1-1

9. Jeonbuk vs. Gyeongnam – South Korea K-League 1

Jeonbuk is 14 points up on the G-men.  But Noob’s a soccer for 1-2 matchups!

RESULT:   Gyeo   0-1

10. Port FC vs. Buriram United – Thai League 1

Buriram isn’t quite as far up as this league’s #B club as the hosts in Track #9 above, but their title is still approaching done-deal status.  Port FC are in a dogfight with Muang Thong for 3^rd, a slot that could receive but is not guaranteed an AFC CL berth.  Noob thinks Port will earn the draw today, but they really need three points, not one.

RESULT:   2-2