Happy Monday, football fans! The US men’s national team is in the Gold Cup semi-finals against Panama after winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw in Cincinnati on Sunday night in Cincinnati.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner was in heroic form as he was Trinity Rodman scored twice to send the US women’s national team to the Women’s World Cup with a highlight. The European pre-season kicks off this week with a number of top clubs checking back in after their summer break, but that hasn’t stopped the transfer window from moving forward and gaining momentum as some major steps are taken.
Jonathan Johnson here to get you ready for another week in the world of football with our newsletter Golazo Starting XI.
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📺 Footy fix
All times US/East
Monday
🇦🇷 Argentina: Boca Juniors vs. Huracan, 6:30 p.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Golazo Network
Tuesday
🇪🇺 UCL Qualifiers: Hamrun Spartans vs. Maccabi Haifa, 2 p.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Golazo Network
🇦🇷 Argentina: Independiente vs. Newell’s Old Boys, 7 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
Wednesday
🇪🇺 UCL Qualifiers: Astana vs. Dinamo Tbilisi, 10 am ➡️ Paramount+
🇪🇺 UCL Qualifiers: Farul vs. Sheriff, 1:30 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
🇪🇺 UCL Qualifiers: Slovan Bratislava vs. Swift Hesperange, 2.30 pm ➡️ CBS Sports Golazo Network
🌎 Gold Cup: USMNT vs. Panama, 7:30 PM ➡️ FS1
🇺🇸 MLS: Nashville SC vs. Philadelphia Union, 8:30 p.m. ➡️ AppleTV+
🌎 Gold Cup: Jamaica vs. Mexico, 10 p.m. ➡️ FS1
Turner saves USMNT in wild penalty kicks
Getty Images
The USMNT are in the semi-finals of the Gold Cup after beating Canada 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 extra time tie in Cincinnati on Sunday. Turner made two saves to underline his status as a penalty kick specialist, helping to secure Wednesday’s showdown with Panama in San Diego for a place in the final against either Jamaica or Mexico. Brandon Vazquez thought he had stolen victory with a header in the 88th minute in front of his home fans, then Steven Vitoria equalized from the penalty spot in the third minute. Canada took the lead through Jacob Shaffelburg’s virtuoso solo effort before a Scott Kennedy own goal tied things up and set the stage for Turner.
Chuck Booth on the Arsenal man’s exploits:
- Position: Turner made two saves in the shootout to continue his dominance in penalty scenarios for the USMNT. The USA pressed on and found their extra time in the 114th minute to force penalties. This came via a Kennedy own goal, but it was a team effort to force it in. It started with Turner playing the ball from midfield into the penalty area to a Matt Miazga header and ended with a shot from Gianluca Busio to force a save from Dayne St. Clair His clearance went from Kennedy’s back to lead to the own goal Turner took the lead in the shootout by showing that even when the USMNT struggle during a game they still have enough quality to get results when that is needed. “
Turner’s exploits were not just confined to the field: The 29-year-old wore an “RIP Malia” message under his sweater in tribute to the late Malia Jusczyk, a teenage supporter of the New England Revolution who recently tragically died of cancer at just 14 years old.
Now there is a brief turnaround for the USMNT and interim boss BJ Callaghan has some fitness issues to watch out for with Jesus Ferreira playing 120 minutes after starting each match in the group stage and Miles Robinson only able to play 90 minutes before he comes off. Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris could be considered by Callaghan for starting spots as the US looks to play a possible final game with El Tri.
Turner joined our Morning Footy crew on Monday to talk about the wild game and more.
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Rodman ends USWNT’s World Cup preparation on a high
The USWNT are tied with New Zealand after a 2-0 win over Wales in the pair’s first international meeting and head into the Women’s World Cup this summer boosted by a positive result from their last friendly. Trinity Rodman scored twice late to secure the win as the retiring Megan Rapinoe failed to appear in what could have been her last international appearance on American soil. Vlatko Andonovski expects Rapinoe to play a bank role that uses her vast experience in certain game situations that require her varied skills without knocking her to the ground at age 38.
Sandra Herrera on Rodman and the American women’s bench-inspired result:
- herrera: “A slow start is old news for new faces on this team. Although the opening goal only came in the 76th minute, it was brought to life by players who were substituted in the second half. Both goals were wanted by the audacity of the USWNT’s deep 21-year-old Rodman was substituted into play for striker Alex Morgan at half-time and helped turn the game around in the second half with her relentless effort on the ball. The winger is on his way to her first World Cup and has made an intriguing plea for a starting role, and the coaching staff will hope she packed scoring in her carry-on to New Zealand Rodman also wrote her name in USWNT history as the youngest player – at 21 years and 50 days old – to win multiple score goals in a match.”
There were no appearances for Julie Ertz and Rose Lavelle and the latter has been out of competitive play since mid-April, while Andonovski admitted the former would have started if it was a World Cup match. Lavelle and Rapinoe are ready to go, but need to build up their tournament fitness as Naomi Girma, Alana Cook, Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox defend together for the first time. The USWNT will now head to New Zealand to launch their final World Cup preparations ahead of their opener against Vietnam on July 21 at Auckland’s Eden Park.
Time now for some links:
🔗 Herrera on USWNT legend Rapinoe retires and how she will be remembered.
🔗 James Benge on the USMNTs Brenden Aaronson leaves Leeds United for Union Berlin.
🔗Benge reports on Al Hilal’s gigantic offer to try and seduce Bernardo Silva.
🔗 Francesco Porzio explains how The England under-21 side defeated Spain in a dramatic UEFA Euro final.
🔗 Benge is watching the England under-21 stars who could be ready soon to move up to the senior team.
🔗 David De Gea is now confirmed he will be leaving Manchester United on a free transfer.
🔗 The Morning Footy crew discuss their USMNT Gold Cup highlights.
🔗 A friendly reminder of that Morning Footy is now available as a podcast.
🔗 In football we trust: A closer look at the nail-biting victory over Canada.
🔗 Third attacks: Impressions of victory over Wales as the World Cup approaches.
💵 Best bets
All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook and all times US/Eastern. SportsLine has got you covered with all your football betting needs right here.
- Argentina: Boca Juniors vs. Huracan, Monday, 6:30 p.m
💰 THE CHOICE: Boca wins and both score (+500) — The hosts are far from their best and face a side desperate for points. While Boca should have enough to win, don’t be surprised if both teams score, which could be a decent win. - UCL Qualifiers: Hamrun Spartans vs. Maccabi Haifa, Tuesday, 2 p.m
💰 THE CHOICE: Sign (+400) — The qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League often produce surprising results and the Israeli away champions could find themselves in a tough spot in Malta against a side who often do well at home in their European qualifiers. Maccabi should advance over two legs, but a draw would come as no great surprise in this opener.