We’re back with another edition of the Weekend Recap. Every Monday, we make it easier for you to keep up with the most interesting and important things in American soccer.
Today, we’re taking you through some of the past weekend’s key storylines, including rants in MLS, players to watch in the NWSL during all of these international games, and El Paso’s life without young star Diego Luna.
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MLS
Lowery: Rants, debuts, and more from a crazy weekend of MLS action
This weekend was wild. Like, one of the craziest MLS weekends that I can remember. Massive blowouts? Check. Big debuts? Check. Insanely late equalizers? Check. Rants? Check.
I’m here to help fill you in on what you missed over the last few days. Vamos.
Josef Martinez isn’t happy
To be fair, he shouldn’t be. Atlanta United dropped three points at home to Austin FC on Saturday in a 3-0 loss. Atlanta has only won one MLS game since May 8 and over the last few years, they’ve done a woeful job of winning games against good teams. After that loss to Austin, Martinez had clearly had enough. He dropped a legendary rant in his postgame media availability that touched on his contract status, the team failing to work together, and roster construction... [Subscribe]
NWSL
Cascone: Players to watch while stars are away on international duty
Despite all 12 teams losing at least one player to international duty, the 2022 NWSL season marches on. Players across the league have stepped up and filled in for their teammates, putting on impressive showings that have kept things interesting in the NWSL.
Who should we continue to keep an eye on this month?
Savannah DeMelo, CDM, Racing Louisville FC
DeMelo was a standout midfielder at the University of Southern California before she was selected fourth overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft. She’s been making a case for the Rookie of the Year title since moving to Kentucky… [Subscribe]
USL
Morrissey: How is El Paso doing without young star Diego Luna?
The El Paso Locomotive sold U.S. youth international Diego Luna to Real Salt Lake on June 2. Luna, who was lighting things up in the USL Championship, has since made his MLS debut and starred at the Concacaf U-20 Championship for the United States. Dealing with Luna’s absence was always going to be difficult for El Paso…and yet, they haven’t lost a single game since he moved to RSL.
The Locomotive’s four wins and three draws in seven games have boosted their playoff odds from 37% to 67% by my statistical modeling, and the eye test matches the data.
What have the Locomotive done to stay undefeated… [Subscribe]
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