#-1: United FC (Last Week: -2). It looked as though they were going to lose at St. Louis City SC, one of the worst teams in The Western Conference, of not the whole of Major League Soccer. Like their home Loss to LAFC, they gave up a Penalty Kick Goal in the First Half, and they were having a devil of a time equalizing.
But equalize they did ... and then some. They came back to win, 2-1, with both of their Goals coming from the spot. Three PK Goals in the same Match? Never heard of that before. The Game-tying tally came when St. Louis' Chris Durkin was called for his second Yellow Card of the Match spinning a Loon down (sorta; there probably was some acting there) in the box. Kelvin Yeboah converted, and although the second Penalty came from a handball, I think St. Louis being down a man contributed to that, too. Yeboah scored that one as well, and MNUFC remains a Point behind Vancouver for second in the West and two Points behind San Diego for first as they now pause league play to participate in The Leagues Cup.
The format is different this Year; teams in one league play three Games only against teams from the other league. And Minnesota United seems to have gotten the good luck of the draw -- they host two of the least-heralded teams in Liga MX, Queretaro tonight/Wednesday night and San Luis next Wednesday. They travel to the southern United States to play one of the biggest clubs in Mexico, and "host," Club America Saturday night. Unfortunately, the format of the tournament is stacked against them; of the 18 MLS clubs participating, only the top four advance to the Knockout Round, which means they could conceivably run the table and still lose via Tie-Breakers. And of course, if they lose one Game in regulation, it's probably curtains for the Loons. Eesh.
#-2: Lynx (Last Week: -1). Crushed The Bastard Utah Starzz Friday but lost a close one to Atlanta Sunday. Both Games were at home. You know what? Even though they have the best record in the WNBA by four Games (over New York, who've righted their ship), I don't know if they're going to win the championship. They're an old team, in my opinion. Moreover, it feels as though this team goes as not Napheesa Collier but Courtney Williams goes. If Court is making her shots, the Lynx are unstoppable. If she doesn't, the Lynx are very beatable. And by the way, Kayla McBride isn't having a good season. She serves as the Robin to Phee's Batman. If she doesn't get right, I'm afraid the Lynx are toast.
Minnesota finishes a five-Game homestand hosting said Liberty tonight/Wednesday night. The club then heads west to play at Las Vegas Saturday afternoon and at Seattle Tuesday.
#-3: Twins (Last Week: -3). A 2-4 Week which began with Griffin Jax blowing a lead and the Game at The Bastard Brooklyn Dodgers last Wednesday, continued with losing a series at home to the last-place Bastard Montreal Expos, and, currently, a split with Boston, also at Target Field. That, along with Cleveland and Kansas City both playing better enough to move past Minnesota up the Division, means that the Twinks are sellers, and even though there are several more players that could (and probably should) go, the only one to be dealt before tomorrow's/Thursday's Trade Deadline as of now is Pitcher Chris Paddack, who went to AL Central-leading Detroit. Jhoan Duran was seen hugging people in the Bullpen during last/Tuesday night's 8-5 Loss to the Red Sox, but I have yet to hear that the Closer has been moved. It's sad that the team will probably be in the middle of a fire sale. It's also the logical thing to do. How ironic.
After finishing up their series with the BoSox this/Wednesday afternoon, they travel to Cleveland for a weekend series against the Guardians, then travel to Detroit to play a trio against the Tigers starting Monday.
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