#0: Gopher soccer (Re-Entry!). I have no idea how good this squad is supposed to be this Year (although not receiving any votes in one preseason poll should be a good indication). But I'm going to be generous and lift the U. "footballers" above negative numbers after witnessing them start off the 2021 season with a 1-0 victory over Baylor last/Thursday night. The U. had the run of play early in the Match, and they cashed in with an open rebound by Sophia Boman off a breakaway. The Game tightened up after that; the Bears outshot the Gophers, 7-6 (even though the U. had four Shots On Goal while Baylor had only two), but that Sixth Minute punch-in stood, giving new Head Coach Erin Chastain (One Of Us! And sister-in-law to Brandi Chastain!) her first win in maroon and gold.
I always look forward to U. teams playing non-conference foes, so I'll be at Robbie Stadium at least once more. That includes Illinois-Chicago, who come to Cleveland Avenue for a Game Sunday afternoon. Then, the Gophs head down to Des Moines to play Drake on Thursday.
#-1: Twins (Last Week: 0). The screening Week was spoiled last/Thursday night with an all-too-predictable 7-5 loss to the fucking Yankees in the Bronx; goddamn dom/sub relationship working again. With that exception, this ballclub is playing very well right now. Their 4-3 record includes series wins over Tampa Bay and Cleveland, which runs that streak of series wins to four. Also, by taking two-of-three at home vs. the Bay Rays completed a streak of series wins over the teams leading the American League West (Houston), the A. L. Central (the Chicago White Sox), and the A. L. East (Tampa).
And we have to note the incredible hot streak of Jorge Polanco. The Twins' last three Games were won on the last at-bat by Hip-Hip Jorge. Here's the one that won the contest against Cleveland on Wednesday, Polanco's fifth Game-ender (I hate the term "walkoff"):
We could have used this production back in April and May. But it's good to see a veteran play like we have seen him play before.
After completing the four-Game series against the Yanks, they'll play in Boston beginning on Tuesday.
#-2: Lynx (Re-Entry!). And now we go to two squads that had their long successful streaks come to an end this Week. Let us start with the team that did win this Week, the Lynx. They (and the WNBA) returned from a five-Week break for the Olympics with an 88-78 win over New York Sunday, extending their winning streak to eight. But that streak has been utterly vaporized with a two-Game road sweep in Connecticut, a team that seems to be dialed in and now tie Las Vegas for the best record in the league. People who follow the team and the league knew Minnesota was not a favorite to be champs. I don't know if the casual Minnesota sports fan knows that, however, and would thus be disappointed once the club falls short of the title again this Year.
Two tough Games this screening Week: At Chicago Saturday night, hosting Seattle Tuesday evening.
#-3: United FC (Last Week: Positive Numbers). The Loons' five-Match unbeaten streak (three wins, two ties) was snapped with a 1-0 home loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday (glad I didn't go to this Game, although I still have some enduring loyalty because the Galaxy was my team when Major League Soccer started), which was then followed up Tuesday with a 1-all road draw versus San Jose, a side whose number MNUFC usually has, where the Earthquakes had one man sent off in the 21st Minute and, after Will Trapp tied up the Match one Minute later, wasn't (at least according to those who watched and/or listened to the whole Game) even close to getting the Match-winning Goal.
This shows, somehow, the gaping hole that erupts with the loss of ... Robin Lod? Yes, apparently his finishing skill has become indispensable to United FC's attack. With, say, Adrien Hunou's candle burning out fast, it has become apparent that Lod as a False 9 is now this XI's solid tip of the spear. With Lod injured, how are these guys going to score? And if they're not, when is Lod coming back?
They host Sporting Kansas City Saturday afternoon, broadcast on ESPN.
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