The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Ryan Feltner and transferred left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber (pars defect) to the 60-day injured list. Right-handed pitcher Antonio Santos was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque following last night’s game.
Feltner will wear #18 and make his Major League debut in a start against the Atlanta Braves this afternoon.
Three Lions score as Chris Mueller breaks Club’s all-time appearance record
ORLANDO, Fla. – Behind goals from three different scorers, Orlando City SC (10-4-8, 38 points) defeated the visiting Columbus Crew (7-10-6, 27 points) by a 3-2 scoreline on Saturday night at Exploria Stadium. With the win, the 23rd of his tenure, head coach Oscar Pareja became the Club’s leader in all-time wins. Pareja, who coached his 52nd game on Saturday, surpassed Jason Kreis who coached 65 matches during his stint in Orlando.
The win also extended the Lions’ current unbeaten run to seven-straight games, dating back to a 3-2 victory over Atlanta United on July 30.
Forward Daryl Dike alongside forward Silvester van der Water and midfielder Júnior Urso netted the Lions’ three goals on the evening, with Urso’s second-half screamer proving to be the game-winner. Dike, as well as captain Nani, earned assists on the night.
With the start on Saturday evening, forward Chris Mueller recorded his 104th regular-season appearance for the Lions to become the Club’s all-time appearance leader in the category. Adam Grinwis also earned his first start of the season between the pipes, the goalkeeper’s first in a Lions’ kit since August 6, 2019.
Scoring Recap:
26’ Daryl Dike (Nani) – ORL 1, CLB 0
The Lions opened the scoring on a strong individual effort from Daryl Dike, who collected a long clearance from captain Nani, before carrying the ball down the field. The forward fought off a Columbus defender before dancing in the box and firing home a roofed-shot for the game’s opening goal.
29’ Silvester van der Water – ORL 2, CLB 0
Just minutes after Dike’s goal, forward Silvester van der Water added to the tally with a long-range, left-footed shot that dipped over the Columbus backline and past Eloy Room.
52’ Antonio Carlos (Own Goal) – ORL 2, CLB 1
The visitors pulled one back early into the second half after an own goal from Lions’ defender Antonio Carlos.
54’ Miguel Berry (Derrick Etienne Jr., Lucas Zelarayán) – ORL 2, CLB 2
Columbus leveled things two minutes later after a quick passing sequence broke through the Lions’ backline, with Miguel Berry eventually slotting it beyond Adam Grinwis.
69’ Júnior Urso (Daryl Dike) – ORL 3, CLB 2
The Lions tallied what would prove to be the game-winner in the 69th minute on a distance shot through traffic from Urso. With the ball bouncing at the top of the box, Daryl Dike played a quick flick to Urso nearby, who needed only one strike to send a low, driven volley into the bottom corner for the three points.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“It was a good effort by the players today. Once again they took us over many hurdles today, the game was like a rollercoaster of emotions for us. Dominating, not just the score but dominating the game in the first half and then coming back in the second half to a [Columbus] team that created trouble for us initially. Then we conceded two goals that put us in a difficult situation emotionally. It was a tough moment for the team and that’s when the character, the togetherness and the glue that this team has came out again and took us over that hurdle. It was a great third goal. It was a period in that second half where we were dominating on top of them [Columbus] and then the victory just magnified that effort at the end. There are things we need to be better, of course, we would like to keep being solid defensively but scoring three goals today is great. We were talking all week about how we could get back to scoring more and, today, we did.”
Match Notes:
Oscar Pareja became the Club’s all-time winningest coach on Saturday night, earning his 23rd victory in 52 matches at the helm. Pareja passes former coach Jason Kreis for the lead, who coached 65 games from 2016-18.
The win extended the Lions’ current unbeaten run to seven-straight games, dating back to July 30, a record of 3-0-4 over that span.
With 87 minutes played on Saturday night, forward Chris Mueller became the Club’s all-time regular season appearance leader, recording his 104th game to surpass former Lion Cristian Higuita.
Goalkeeper Adam Grinwis earned his first start of the 2021 season for the Lions and his first in MLS since Aug. 6, 2019 with Orlando in the US Open Cup.
Daryl Dike debuted in Oscar Pareja’s starting lineup for the first time since July 3, a 2-1 loss at the New York Red Bulls.
Coming in as a second-half substitute, Maurico Pereyra made his return to the field after missing the Lions previous three matches due to injury.
After being added as a pool goalkeeper on Friday, Greg Ranjitsingh was available for the Lions on the bench, his first time in an Orlando kit since he was a member of the team in 2019.
Silvester van der Water scored his third goal of the season with his 29th-minute strike.
With the assist on Daryl Dike’s opener, Nani added to his team-lead in assists, now with seven on the year.
Next Match: The Lions will look to keep their current run of form going, traveling a state north to face Atlanta United on Friday, Sept. 10 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff for the match is slated for 7 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
ORL – Daryl Dike (Nani) 26’
ORL – Silvester van der Water 29’
CLB – Antonio Carlos (Own Goal) 52’
CLB – Miguel Berry (Derrick Etienne Jr., Lucas Zelarayán) 54’
ORL – Júnior Urso (Daryl Dike) 69’
Misconduct Summary:
ORL – Júnior Urso (Yellow Card) 42’
ORL – Joey DeZart (Yellow Card) 51’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Adam Grinwis; D João Moutinho, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos, Ruan (Kyle Smith 77’); M Chris Mueller (Rodrigo Schlegel 87’), Júnior Urso, Joey DeZart, Silvester van der Water (Benji Michel 57’); F Nani © (Mauricio Pereyra 57’), Daryl Dike (Tesho Akindele 78’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Greg Ranjitsingh; D Emmanuel Mas; M Andrés Perea, Uri Rosell
Columbus Crew – GK Eloy Room; D Vito Wormgoor, Waylon Francis, Harrison Afful, Aboubacar Keita (Josh Williams 53’); M Darlington Nagbe, Pedro Santos, Lucas Zelarayán ©, Alexandru Matan (Erik Hurtado 65’); F Derrick Etienne Jr. (Isaiah Parente 72’), Miguel Berry (Bradley Wright-Phillips 72’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Evan Bush; D Saad Abdul-Salaam
Details of the Game:
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: Sept. 4, 2021
Attendance: 15,366
Stats:
Possession:
ORL – 48.0%
CLB – 52.0%
Shots:
ORL – 13
CLB – 12
Saves:
ORL – 1
CLB – 3
Fouls:
ORL – 10
CLB – 11
Corners:
ORL – 2
CLB – 5
Heineken Man of the Match: Daryl Dike
Quakes’ unbeaten streak snapped at 10
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Colorado Rapids 1-0 at PayPal Park on Saturday night. The result snaps San Jose’s unbeaten streak at 10 matches.
Both teams were forced to make early substitutions when Rapids defender Lalas Abubakar collided with Quakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse on an aerial challenge.
After more than 88 scoreless minutes, Colorado took the lead when Dominique Badji finished off a quick counterattack. San Jose nearly found the equalizer moments later, but Paul Marie’s close-range header was saved off the line.
The Earthquakes will now hit the road to face FC Dallas on Saturday, Sept. 11. The match kicks off from Toyota Stadium at 5:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes now hold a 6-8-8 record (26 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference.
The Quakes saw their unbeaten streak snapped at 10 matches (3-0-7). It marked the club’s first unbeaten stretch of 10+ matches in a single season since July-Oct. 2005 (11-0-3). The 10-match unbeaten streak was the third longest in Quakes history (2005 – 14; 2001 – 12).
San Jose is now 30-24-18 all-time against the Colorado Rapids, including 17-9-9 record at home and 4-1-2 record at PayPal Park.
The Quakes have now allowed one or fewer goals in 10 consecutive matches, conceding a total of eight goals in that span.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 1 Colorado Rapids
Sept. 4, 2021 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 14,142
Scoring Summary: COL – Dominique Badji (Nicolas Mezquida, Jonathan Lewis) 89.
Misconduct Summary: COL – Lalas Abubakar (caution) 4; SJ – Eric Remedi (caution) 61; COL – Nicolas Mezquida (caution) 81; SJ – Oswaldo Alanis (caution) 84; COL – Jack Price (caution) 85.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Tanner Beason (Chris Wondolowski 62), Oswaldo Alanis, Nathan, Luciano Abecasis (Cristian Espinoza 46); Judson, Eric Remedi; Shea Salinas (Paul Marie 63), Jackson Yueill, Chofis (Carlos Fierro 72); Jeremy Ebobisse (Cade Cowell 6, Andy Rios 78).
Substitutes not used: Jack Skahan, Tommy Thompson, Daniel Vega.
SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: 3
COLORADO RAPIDS: William Yarbrough; Danny Wilson, Lalas Abubakar (Drew Moor 6), Lucas Esteves (Steven Beitashour 90+3), Jack Price, Keegan Rosenberry, Collen Warner (Nicolas Mezquida 72), Braian Galvan, Michael Barrios (Dominique Badji 89), Cole Bassett, Andre Shinyashiki (Jonathan Lewis 63).
Substitutes not used: Clint Irwin.
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 2
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On the result:
“The game itself was even and we played it well. It’s clear that you win football matches by scoring goals. In the first half we had a clear chance, and in some other plays, we just needed to sharpen up the final pass. Everything that we planned and explained was happening in the match. It’s difficult when you’re not putting away your goals. At halftime and even before the match, I told the players that they only had one way to hurt us, which was on the counter and if we’re not marking while attacking. It’s clear that we forgave them, and Colorado did not forgive us.”
On the impact from the substitutions:
“I think the subs played well. The match was even, and it was controlled, but that moment in the 89th minute was unfortunate, and they took advantage of it. They had a one-on-one, and they scored. We had a clear one-on-one and we hit the ball out.”
On the importance of upcoming matches:
“All games are must wins. Today we played to win. It was reflected in the subs we made that we wanted to win. We didn’t want to tie.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER SHEA SALINAS
On the game plan:
“Yeah, it’s tough. The game changes a ton when Jeremy [Ebobisse] goes out. He’s a very different player than Cade [Cowell] and so the game plan changes. Jeremy’s a hold-up player, lays it off, and then wide guys can get up the field and get in behind. Cade’s more of a runner, more of the type to run in behind. The game plan changes when Cade comes in. We had a difficult time holding the ball up, which would allow us to transition and get into their final third. So, it ended up becoming more of a back-and-forth game and unfortunately they got us on the counter there at the end.”
On the mood in the locker room:
“There’s two feelings. There’s a feeling of frustration knowing this is a big game. Looking at the table, three points would have helped us a ton, and a point would have been a little better. There’s a feeling of frustration and disappointment, but we know there’s 12 games left. We have a big game against Dallas next week. A lot of these games are head-to-head West Coast games, so we have to put another run together.”
Procedure performed at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City SC goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar has undergone successful surgery to repair a left knee meniscus tear, the Club announced today. The surgery was performed by Dr. Craig Mintzer, the Club’s chief medical officer and orthopedic surgeon, at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute in downtown Orlando.
The timeline for Stajduhar’s recovery is not yet available.
“Mason has worked incredibly hard to reach this point in his career but if there’s one thing that we know about him, he will come back from this even stronger,” Orlando City SC EVP Luiz Muzzi said. “Until that point, we’re happy to be here to support him, provide him with the best environment to rehab and recover, and then work him back into the team when he’s ready.”
“Mason’s surgery went as planned with no further damage to his knee identified at the time of surgery,” Dr. Mintzer said following the procedure. “We expect a full recovery and return to play under the careful guidance of the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute medical staff and Orlando City training staff.”
Stajduhar earned his Major League Soccer debut on July 25, starting and earning a win against rival Atlanta United. Since then, Stajduhar has gone on to make five additional starts between the pipes, remaining undefeated in league play. The 23-year-old earned his first professional shutout on Aug. 21, a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire where he was named Heineken Man of the Match.
Montreal declines to match offer sheet, receives first- and third-round picks
RALEIGH, N.C. – Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Last Saturday, Kotkaniemi signed a one-year contract with Carolina, which pays a salary of $6,100,015 for the 2021-22 season and carries a $20 signing bonus. The Montreal Canadiens declined to match the offer and will receive a first-round pick and a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft as compensation from the Hurricanes.
“Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a player who has been on our radar since before his draft year,” said Waddell. “We believe he will flourish in Rod Brind’Amour’s system and culture, and he will be an important piece of what we are building in Carolina for years to come.”
Kotkaniemi, 21, registered 20 points (5g, 15a) in 56 games with Montreal in 2020-21. During the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he posted eight points (5g, 3a) in 19 games. The 6’2″, 201-pound forward has tallied 62 points (22g, 40a) in 171 career NHL regular-season games, all with the Canadiens. Kotkaniemi also skated in 13 AHL games with Laval in 2019-20, recording 13 points (1g, 12a). He recorded 37 points (12g, 25a) in 67 Liiga (Finland) games over two seasons with Assat. Kotkaniemi represented Finland at both the 2017 and 2018 IIHF Under-18 World Championships, winning silver in 2017 and gold in 2018. The Pori, Finland, native was selected in the first round, third overall, of the 2018 NHL Draft by Montreal.
The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) registered its biggest win of the 2021 season with a convincing 4-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on Friday night at Banc of California Stadium. Central defender Mamadou Fall headed in a goal on either side of halftime, while Colombians Cristian Arango and Eduard Atuesta each added goals in the final 20 minutes to give LAFC the win. The win ended LAFC’s eight-game winless streak, and was the club’s first win since July 17 and was first clean sheet since June 7. LAFC is now 7-9-6 on the season for 27 points, leaving it tied with Real Salt Lake for seventh place in the Western Conference.
Despite having to make five changes to the starting lineup due to injury and national team call-ups from last weekend’s 3-3 draw with the Galaxy, a short-handed LAFC side was able to take a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute when Fall, an 18-year-old defender making just his seventh appearance and fourth start of the season, headed in an Eduard Atuesta corner kick for the first goal of his MLS career, giving LAFC a 1-0 advantage that they took into the halftime break.
In the second half, Sporting Kansas City was reduced to 10-men when midfielder Roger Espinoza was shown a red card in the 58th minute following video review for a foul on Cristian Arango. Just three minutes later, Atuesta and Fall teamed up again to double the LAFC lead. Atuesta’s freekick found Fall, who headed the ball back across the face of goal and just inside the post, giving LAFC a 2-0 advantage. With the goal, Fall became the youngest player in club history to score twice in a game, and the first defender to do so since Walker Zimmerman scored both goals in a 2-0 home win over San Jose on Sept. 22, 2018.
Before last weekend’s 3-3 draw with the LA Galaxy, LAFC had not scored more than two goals in a game all season. But in the 71st minute, the club exceeded that tally for the second straight game as Arango, who scored in his home debut on Saturday, made it two goals in as many games at Banc of California Stadium. Capitalizing on a Kansas City turnover, Danny Musovski raced onto a pass from Bryce Duke before centering for Arango, who hit a right-footed shot past Sporting goalkeeper Tim Melia, making the score 3-0.
Eduard Atuesta added a fourth in the 87th minute, converting a penalty kick after Musovski had been taken down inside the area to round out the victory.
At the other end of the field, LAFC goalkeeper Tomas Romero made four saves for his fourth clean sheet of the season.
LAFC returns to action on Sunday, September 11 when it hosts Real Salt Lake at Banc of California Stadium. That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live locally in English on My13 KCOP and in Spanish on Estrella TV.
WHAT: Mamadou Fall scores twice as LAFC snaps eight-game winless streak with emphatic 4-0 home win over Sporting Kansas City.
NEED TO KNOW:
The Dynamo generated 19 shots to Portland’s 9
GK Michael Nelson made his second appearance
Dynamo host Austin FC for the first time on Saturday, Sept. 11
HOUSTON – Houston Dynamo FC lost to the Portland Timbers 2-0 this evening at BBVA Stadium.
The Timbers took the lead in the 15th minute after forward Felipe Mora headed a pass from inside the six-yard box directly at the hands of Dynamo goalkeeper Michael Nelson. The ball then ricocheted off Nelson to the waiting foot of Portland forward Yimmi Chará, who tapped it into the back of the net. Nelson, a native of Katy, Texas, was making his second MLS start for his hometown club.
The Timbers doubled their lead five minutes later after referee Rubiel Vasquez used video review to award Portland a penalty kick due to a foul inside the box by Nelson. Mora converted the penalty to increase the Timbers’ lead to 2-0.
The first chance for the Dynamo came in the 23rd minute, when defender Teenage Hadebe found forward Fafa Picault for a header that went just wide of the goal. Hadebe also led the team in possessions gained in this match with nine recoveries.
The Dynamo had a flurry of late scoring chances at the end of the first half. In the 45th minute, forward Tyler Pasher generated a corner kick off a deflected shot. The Canadian international swung the ball into the box and the ball once again found the head of Picault for a shot, but it fell into the arms of the Portland keeper.
The second half saw a continuation of the Houston advantage in generating chances on goal, but the Dynamo were unable to break through. The first chance of the half came when midfielder Memo Rodriguez put a direct free kick on goal from just outside of the penalty area. He struck the ball with pace to the bottom left corner of the goal, but Clark was able to push it wide.
Urruti generated another close call in the 67th minute when he received a pass from midfielder Darwin Quintero inside the 18-yard-line and fired a first-touch shot which narrowly missed the edge of the goal. Houston had a final chance to pull a goal back late when defender Sam Junqua rose above the Portland defense to put a headed shot on frame, but Clark was able to parry it over the crossbar.
The Dynamo will conclude their four-game home stretch next Saturday night when they welcome Austin FC into town for a match presented by Lexus. Kickoff for that match is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT and tickets are available at HoustonDynamoFC.com/Tickets.
Houston Dynamo FC (3-10-10; 19 pts.) 0-2 Portland Timbers (9-10-3; 30 pts.)
MLS Regular Season – Week 23
BBVA Stadium – Houston, Texas
Attendance: 9,872
SCORING SUMMARY
POR: Yimmi Chará 3 (Unassisted) 17′
POR: Felipe Mora 9 (Penalty) 20′
LINEUPS:
Houston Dynamo FC: Michael Nelson; Adam Lundkvist (Matteo Bajamich 75), Teenage Hadebe, Tim Parker (C), Zarek Valentin; Derrick Jones (Griffin Dorsey 46), Matías Vera, Memo Rodriguez (Joe Corona 79); Tyler Pasher (Darwin Quintero 49), Maxi Urruti, Fafà Picault (Sam Junqua 79)
Unused substitutes: Kyle Morton, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Ethan Bartlow, Ian Hoffmann
Total shots: 19 (Maxi Urruti 6); Shots on goal: 6 (Darwin Quintero 2); Fouls: 13 (Time Parker, Matías Vera 3); Offside: 2; Corner kicks: 9; Saves: 2 (Michael Nelson 2)
Portland Timbers: Steve Clark; Claudio Bravo, Dario Zuparic, Larrys Mabiala, Pablo Bonilla (Bill Tuiloma 69); Diego Chara, George Fochive (Renzo Zambrano 69); Darion Asprilla (Marvin Loría 63), Sebastian Blanco (Diego Valeri 83), Yimmi Chará (Santiago Moreno 83); Felipe Mora
Unused substitutes: Aljaz Ivacic, Blake Bodily, Zac McGraw, Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Total shots: 9 (Felipe Mora 5); Shots on goal: 4 (Felipe Mora 2); Fouls: 12 (Claudio Bravo, Diego Chara 3); Offside: 0; Corner kicks: 3; Saves: 6 (Steve Clark 6)
DISCIPLINE:
HOU: Tim Parker (yellow card, foul) 50
POR: Claudio Bravo (yellow card, foul) 51
POR: Renzo Zambrano (yellow card, foul) 86
POR: Larrys Mabiala (yellow card, foul) 90+1
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Rubiel Vasquez
Assistant Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt
Assistant Referee: Peter Balciunas
Fourth Official: Rosendo Mendoza
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero
Weather: 87 degrees, clear skies
Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos
(on today’s game and the team’s performance) “I think in the first half, obviously, we didn’t play as well as we wanted to. We weren’t good enough in the big moments and Portland took advantage of that. I think they have really good quality and they did a good job. The chances they had, they put them away and we struggled with that. We had 10 shots by halftime with no goals, and I think we had almost 20 by the end of the game with no goals. It’s hard to say, because I am not satisfied with anything and the fans are waiting for anything. I feel bad for the fans because they are cheering us on and they are doing all they can, that’s for sure. But in the second half, the team tried and unfortunately we are not good in front of the goal right now.”
(on being close to breaking the winless streak) “I do feel that way. I think it’s moments of the game. If you look at today’s game, they scored the first goal on the rebound. It’s a good cross to the far post but the rebound, we should get there first and that’s one of those moments we need to be good. Last week we had a goal that was very similar on the rebound, we have to do better there. I think the rest of the game we managed it fairly well, we had the ball a lot and we had possession for better part of the game. Unfortunately, like I said, Sam’s (Junqua) header at the end went straight to the goalkeeper. Darwin’s (Quintero) shot that the keeper lets go, but then we don’t get there for the rebound. There are chances where other teams are making plays when we aren’t. I think you guys know me by now, we just stunk it up but that wasn’t the case today. The team did a lot, they worked hard, created opportunities. We just aren’t good in the big moments right now.”
(on the hardest part of streak) “All of it. When you win games sometimes even when you don’t deserve to win it, that gives everyone confidence in working every day and that has been the biggest challenge; lifting everyone’s spirit after not winning on the weekend. And that has been a challenge every week and something I have not lived through before. The group has done a good job at bouncing back and being ready for it. Unfortunately, we just haven’t been catching the breaks at the right time.”
(on set pieces today) “We’ve been working on this a lot and actually we worked on finishing yesterday. We added another session yesterday because we felt like we were going to create chances and get goals. We felt it coming. The set pieces, I feel like in any corner, particularly in attack; I said this to the team this week Fafa (Picault) has really been the one winning headers. And maybe the only one who can win the ball in the air. We have to step up and know the other guys can do it as well.”
(on talking about making changes in second half) “Every game develops differently. I think we started the game the right way. In the second half, there was no need to have (Derrick) Jones on the field right away and we felt we needed to go more in attack. So, we went with two forwards in the middle. We felt they were going to change some point to go five in the back but they did not do that. But that still benefitted us because having Maxi (Urruti) and Darwin (Quintero) in front of us, that helped us. Unfortunately, I don’t know what’s going on with Tyler (Pasher) now I’m going to have to find out. Again, that is another injury and they are hard to take.”
(on Darwin Quintero playing more minutes) “That’s difficult to say. I did say that in the press conference the other day. We feel like we have to start giving him more minutes because he’s ready for the. But now it is really a desperate need of the team to give him more minutes. And not worry as much as falling apart early in the game. I thought overall, he played well in the second half, even though the game was limited to only a half field and that’s when he’s at his best. I thought he did well.”
(on what the team can salvage this season) “If we talk about the season that means we’re throwing the season away. I’m not throwing the season away, that’s not how I feel and I think the team went through a lot this year. We made the team a lot younger. We brought in some players for what we could do. We made the team good, and obviously we got Tyler (Pasher) from USL and Griffin (Dorsey) from Toronto. Toronto released him and I knew him, and those are a couple guys we brought in. Basically, for nothing. We’ve created a better foundation for the team but again what matters is results. Anything else we talk about is too much talking.”
Director técnico del Houston Dynamo FC Tab Ramos
(sobre si cree que la situación que se vive se debe a mala suerte, falta de talento o ambos) “No me voy a quejar ahora. Creamos ocasiones. Lo que pasa es que delante de la portería no somos efectivos. Ayer practicamos más el ataque, fue un entrenamiento más largo pensando en tener hoy muchas oportunidades, en crear muchas ocasiones. Y lo hicimos, las creamos, pero no definimos. Portland no nos tuvo contra las cuerdas. Eso no fue lo que pasó en el partido”.
(sobre cuál frustrante es esta situación para usted como entrenador) “No puedo decir que los jugadores no responden. Los jugadores hicieron un gran esfuerzo. Desafortunadamente no hemos estado finos. Eso nos ha pasado las últimas semanas. Así es el fútbol. Lo más difícil es levantar los ánimos todas las semanas. El equipo viene bien para cada partido, pero por una razón u otra no se logra la victoria. Lo único que se puede hacer es seguir dándole confianza a los jugadores”.
(sobre qué rescata de este partido) “No hay mucho que rescatar. Esperaba que hiciéramos lo que hicimos en cuanto a ocasiones creadas. Todos sabemos la calidad de Portland. No es sorpresa. Ellos tuvieron dos oportunidades y las aprovecharon muy bien. Hoy en esos momentos fueron mejores que nosotros”.
(sobre cómo enmendar el camino y soñar con avanzar a la siguiente fase) “Lo único que podemos hacer es pensar en un juego a la vez. No se pudo ganar este hay que pensar en el próximo. Si pensamos en la temporada completa nos preocuparemos más porque ya no podemos recuperar lo que hemos perdido esta temporada. Hay que trabajar cada día para lo que viene. Trabajar un día más”.
(sobre qué hacer en el plano emocional) “Es un momento muy difícil, porque no se viven muchos momentos en el fútbol de tanta sequía, pero no me asusta, vine a este país como un inmigrante, no me asustan los retos. Siempre voy a seguir luchando Así lo asumieron mis padres cuando vinieron acá. El equipo debe asumir esa misma actitud, mirando el segundo tiempo hay que decir que el equipo tuvo una buena actitud”
(sobre cuál es la situación física de Tyler Pasher) “No conozco el parte médico aún. Salí del vestuario rápidamente para venir a la conferencia de prensa. Sabíamos que no iba a poder seguir para el inicio del segundo tiempo. Por eso coloqué a Griffin Dorsey como delantero y después tuve que moverlo a la banda y traer a otro delantero que fue Darwin Quintero. Quería usar a Darwin (Quintero) pero con el juego más avanzado, pero entró antes y lo hizo bien”.
Dynamo DF Adam Lundkvist
(on today’s game) “Yeah, you summed it up pretty good. We were running, we were fighting, but we can’t get a break. I feel like we lack the little extra quality in the offensive end in order to get us over that hump and towards the goal to score some goals and for once in a while give us a comfortable lead that we can maybe take advantage of but I guess the work is there everyone is making an effort. It’s all about individually raising the quality. I think that’s what we have to do and in order to change this. We are struggling so it’s all up to each one of us to get us all out of this and because we know we can do it and the city deserves more.”
(on the most difficult part of the winless streak for him) “I think it’s been a lot of stuff— like you said the lack of quality from everyone was like the small moments that we can’t just get a break like sometimes we are playing very well. I think a lot of guys are doing a great job and then the smallest little error and we just get punished. That’s been the most frustrating part for me and also just never being able to see a game out—like never being able to put 90 minutes together. We have good moments and we have bad moments and we always end up competing or something like that in that moment. To put in a 90-minute effort that’s good from the start to the finish and then can give us the three points I feel that has been the worst part in this streak.”
(on what happened in the five minutes after conceding the first goal) “I think to be honest that the first 25 minutes we weren’t really there. I mean that has been consistent throughout the year that we are very slow out of the gate and that can’t happen. It’s all up to us you can talk about whatever but it’s all up to us players that we have to start the game on the front foot. That’s what we’ve been saying all year and we can’t just allow teams to get a head start and we always kind of react instead of act like instead of just playing the game on our terms we have to come from behind every time and it’s just very tough. It’s like we have to always concede in order to start playing and being more aggressive. So, I mean it’s just tough.”
(on if he was surprised that the team started slow considering their record) “I mean yeah I was I felt like the week leading up to this game everyone has been really determined to turn this around. I mean we had this home stretch we been really looking forward to being at home playing in front of our fans for a long while and then just I mean I’m surprised that’s one way of putting it. I think I was more disappointed. I think we all want to do better, it’s just not working out right now but we have to just keep going. There is no other way of putting it. We have to just look ourselves in the mirror and just pull ourself together. That’s what you have to do in moments like this.”
(on if a belief in a win is far away) “Like I said I think all of us feel that the win is there within reach almost every game. I feel like there is nothing really wrong with the effort and the work that everyone is putting in. It’s just that little but of quality and we believe almost every game we play it’s just we have to get over the hump and I feel like we always believe this is the game we are going to turn it around but then it just ends up I don’t know something happens and it just doesn’t go our way. It’s always with the crossbar—something happens and I mean we just have to like I said before put 90 solid minutes together and I think that will get us over the hump. I’m convinced because I know the players are here. The quality is here. The work effort is here. Everything is here we just have to pull ourselves together and get the job done.”
(on if he believes if they get over the hump if the teams will start coming) “I mean I wish hopefully I mean what has been missing is the little you know that the ball bounces our way and if we can get that momentum it will be so important and just try to ride the wave. I mean we have been so close with so many games it’s getting so frustrating and like I say I hope that’s the thing that’s going to happen and I believe in it. We are working everyday towards that and we know it’s not too late to turn this around. We have to keep fighting.”
(on what the team has learned about its character during this winless streak) “I think what I’ve seen is that is what’s been lacking is not the work effort. Like I said like I’ve been here for a long time and this is probably the first time I feel like we have a whole team I’m not just going to say 11 a whole team every day in training it’s guys that are putting in honest work every day and are just I mean there is nothing wrong with that. What we have to do is get more quality and get I mean I don’t know we have to get some kind of lucky bounce because the effort is there and that’s what I found out even though we’ve been on this losing streak and there has been stuff that has not been going our way. I mean everyone is working so hard every day in training. People are running everywhere like on the field. It’s not that no one ever gives up it’s just that we have to get better I mean there is no other way of putting it but what I’ve learned is that it’s a resilient group of guys that never give up like when it comes to working and we want to improve. There is no other way of putting it. We just have to get better.”
(on what his reaction was on the first goal) “I felt like we were talking about getting some pressure on them and trying to not let (FW) (Sebastian) Blanco have so much time on the ball and then also I was around there I was in the situation and I could have cleared the ball. I could of headed away the ball. It could have been closer to my markings. It was a lot of frustration from my own and what I did and also like what we did as a team the first 15 minutes was not okay. We have to do better and just not be so passive be more aggressive and it was a combination of all that. I mean it was just trying to get up and I don’t know it was just emotions and I want this win more that anyone right now so I was just pissed that it didn’t happen.”
Dynamo MF Matias Vera (translated from Spanish)
(on today’s game) “They put themselves ahead very quickly, it was difficult for us to equalize and their players created opportunities and obviously they made us pay, they have good players. Unfortunately, those initial 20 minutes made the game very tough. Unfortunately, we are in a very difficult situation. We can only try to keep improving.”
(on whether if one victory will change everything for the team) “Bad streaks always end. We are doing everything we can to break the streak and do our part to get over the hurdle. An emotional victory would be very good. Since I came to the club, we have never experienced anything like this. In these difficult times, you need everyone to stay together. Those who play and those who don’t. It is the only way to get over this winless streak.”
Mediocampista del Houston Dynamo FC Matias Vera
(sobre qué opina sobre este partido) “Ellos se pusieron muy rápido en ventaja, nos costó dominar a los jugadores de ellos que creaban y obviamente ese es un equipo que lastima, que tiene buenos jugadores. Lamentablemente esos 20 minutos iniciales nos pusieron el juego muy cuesta arriba. Lamentablemente estamos en una situación muy complicada. Sólo nos queda intentar seguir mejorando”.
(sobre qué te dice tu experiencia sobre qué hacer cuando las cosas no se dan como uno las espera) “Siempre estamos agradecidos con la gente que nos apoya en este momento tan difícil para el equipo y para toda la institución. En estos momentos no hay otra que poner la cara, asumir las responsabilidades y seguir trabajando. Quedan 11 o 10 fechas por delante. Nuestra responsabilidad es cambiar la imagen que estamos dando de la institución. Ningún jugador está por encima del escudo, del equipo Houston Dynamo”.
(sobre qué esperan para buscar soluciones como equipo con actividades extra cancha, ya sean festivas o de reuniones a puertas cerradas) “Obviamente ya hemos tenido esos momentos de decirnos las cosas. El equipo intenta lastimar y no lo hace, también nos está costando mantener el arco en cero. Así es muy difícil, atacar sin concretar y defensivamente no mantener el arco en cero. La única manera de revertir esto es dar la cara, asumir las responsabilidades y trabajar”.
(sobre si cuando el equipo gana todo cambiará) “Las malas rachas siempre se acaban. Intentamos cortarla en cada partido, Una victoria anímicamente sería muy buena. Desde que llegué al club nunca habíamos vivido algo así. Todo se hace cuesta arriba. En estos momentos difíciles es cuando necesitamos de todos. Los que juegan y los que no. Es la única manera de revertir esta situación”.
(sobre qué opinas de Darwin Quintero? ¿Crees que debería jugar más) “Todos sabemos de la calidad de Darwin. Tab (Ramos) es quien toma las decisiones. Entrena, trabaja a la par de todos, pero son decisiones del técnico. Darwin es un jugador importante. Pero es una labor de todos. Los titulares tienen que dar más porque no está alcanzando lo que se brinda hoy y a los que les toca venir de la banca también”.
(sobre quiénes pueden asumir la tarea de levantar los ánimos dentro del vestuario) “En este momento es difícil marcar a uno o dos jugadores. Obviamente los jugadores grandes, los de más experiencia son los llamados a marcar el camino. Pero en este momento no alcanza lo que puedan hacer dos o tres jugadores. Todos tenemos, todo el plantel, que halar hacia el mismo lado. Un resultado positivo puede cambiar todo. A pesar de todo siempre creamos situaciones, vamos hacia delante. Trabajaremos para en el próximo partido brindar una alegría a todos”.
(sobre su mensaje envías a la afición) “Es importante que nos acompañen. Es lindo escuchar el apoyo. Saber que están ahí, apoyándonos. Nosotros dentro de la cancha tenemos que hacer entonces nuestra parte para responderles con la alegría de una victoria”.
OTTAWA — There was plenty of scoring on Friday night as Mark’s Labour Day Weekend kicked off with excitement in the nation’s capital.
A strong showing from the Montreal Alouettes on offence and defence helped them to a 51-29 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS at TD Place.
Vernon Adams Jr. threw for four touchdowns and 288 yards while two of his receivers, Jake Wieneke and Eugene Lewis, both scored twice and hauled in over 100 yards each. Running back William Stanback also got in on the offensive attack, rushing for 112 yards in his team’s win.
On defence, linebacker Patrick Levels took a pick-six to the house for a touchdown while defensive backs Greg Reid and Jermaine Grace also each had an interception. Defensive linemen David Menard and Woody Baron each had a QB sack in the contest and defensive tackle Almondo Sewell scored a rushing touchdown as well.
For the REDBLACKS, Matt Nichols finished his night completed two of five passes for 23 yards and an interception before being replaced by Dominique Davis in the second quarter. Davis completed 23 of 33 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions to go along with his rushing touchdown.
Daniel Petermann scored two touchdowns to go along with 77 yards while linebacker Don Unamba led the REDBLACKS in tackles with six.
Just when it had looked like the REDBLACKS defence held the Als to a two-and-out on the game’s first drive, a 20-yard defensive pass interference penalty kept things going for the visitors. Adams Jr. and co, moved down the field, a drive that included an eight-yard catch from B.J. Cunningham and back-to-back runs by William Stanback of eight yards followed by a 14-yard gain.
It led to the first points of the ball game as rookie kicker David Cote was good on his 27-yard field goal attempt to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.
On the next drive, Montreal’s defence did their offence a favour, forcing the REDBLACKS to punt and allowing Adams Jr. and the offence back onto the field. The Alouettes moved the sticks into field goal range once again but Cote missed his 50-yard attempt and Montreal still held a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Things continued to go in the visiting team’s favour, as the REDBLACKS first turnover of the game was committed on the next possession. Nichols threw a pass to Nate Behar, who had the ball deflect off his finger tips and right into the hands of defensive back Greg Reid.
Montreal made the REDBLACKS pay for the interception, as Adams Jr. threw a touchdown pass to Eugene Lewis on the first play of the team’s ensuing drive. The 34-yard major score, along with the completed convert, gave the Als a 10-0 lead.
DeVonte Dedmon had a massive 74-yard return on the kickoff, giving Nichols and co. excellent field position to start their next attempt to score. They had to settle for three points, however, with Lewis Ward connecting on his 31-yard attempt to cut the Als lead to 10-3 as the first quarter came to a close.
Cote added another field goal for the Alouettes to start the second frame, a 37-yarder, extending Montreal’s lead to 13-3.
Dominique Davis was given the nod at QB for the REDBLACKS on the team’s next possession, taking over for Nichols. Once again the Als defence stood tall, holding Ottawa to a two-and-out.
Montreal kept rolling, moving the sticks (aided by a defensive pass interference penalty that brought them down to the REDBLACKS’ 12-yard line) and scored their second touchdown of the night. Jake Wieneke hauled in the TD in the back of the end zone, and with the convert, Montreal took a 20-3 lead.
Dominique Davis began to settle in behind centre, stringing together a few first downs including a 17-yard catch, the biggest from scrimmage for the REDBLACKS to that point, to Ryan Davis. An unnecessary roughness penalty on Money Hunter brought Ottawa down to the Montreal 10-yard line and led to their first passing touchdown of the season.
Daniel Petermann was on the receiving end of Dominique Davis’ pass, capping the nine-play, 68-yard drive. Dominique went five for five for 50 yards on the drive that cut Montreal’s lead to 20-10.
With just over two minutes left in the first half, Montreal wasn’t finished scoring just yet. It only took 38 seconds and three plays for Adams Jr. to move 80 yards and found Lewis in the end zone for the receiver’s second touchdown of the night. Along with the completed convert, the Als extended their lead to 27-10.
Ottawa responded with three points of their own as Ward hit his second field goal of the evening, a 40-yard attempt, to cut Montreal’s lead to 27-13 at the half.
Highlighted by a spectacular 44-yard grab from Wieneke, Montreal moved into field goal range on their first possession of the second half. But unfortunately for the visitors, Cote missed his second try of the evening, this one from 41-yards out.
Wieneke scored his second touchdown of the contest as the third quarter was coming to a close. The Als receiver had three catches on the drive, including eight and 21-yard gains to go along with his 13-yard score. The drive covered 72-yards on eight plays and including the completed convert, extended Montreal’s lead to 34-13.
Things kept going right for the Alouettes as Davis threw an interception. Patrick Levels picked off the QB and took it all the way to the house for the pick-six to extend Montreal’s lead to 41-13.
With a commanding lead, Khari Jones decided to put in Matthew Shiltz in place of Adams Jr. who would give up a safety (41-15).
On the next drive, Dominique Davis moved the sticks that included a 44-yard gain from Dedmon, and called his own number on the goal line for his team’s second touchdown of the evening. After an incomplete two-point convert attempt, the REDBLACKS cut Montreal’s lead to 41-21.
Despite Shiltz taking over the offence, Adams Jr. was back behind centre for the team’s next possession.
The Als pivot moved the chains down the field and a defensive pass interference penalty called on Don Unamba, who was covering Lewis in the end zone, brought his offence down to the one-yard line. That set the stage for defensive tackle Almondo Sewell to plunge in for the major score, extending his team’s lead to 48-21.
Ottawa wasn’t ready to give up yet, however, as Davis found Petermann once again for the Canadian pass-catcher’s second touchdown of the night. R.J. Harris hauled in the two-point convert and the REDBLACKS cut Montreal’s lead to 48-29.
Jermaine Grace picked off the REDBLACKS pivot Davis to add another turnover to the stats sheet as the clock was ticking down setting up for a 16-yard field goal to extend Montreal’s lead to 51-29.
Next up for the Montreal Alouettes is a bye week while the Ottawa REDBLACKS head to BC to take on the Lions next Saturday.
Club recalls catcher Connor Wong from Triple-A Worcester
BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today placed outfielder Jarren Duran on the COVID-19 Related Injured list. To fill Duran’s spot on the active roster, the club recalled catcher Connor Wong from Triple-A Worcester.
Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.
Duran, 24, has hit .215 (23-for-107) with three doubles, two triples, two home runs, and 10 RBI in 33 games for Boston this season. The left-handed hitter, who made his major league debut on July 17, has made 25 starts in center field and one in left field.
Wong, 25, is batting .308 (4-for-13) with one double, one triple, and one RBI in six games for Boston this season, his major league debut. In 21 games for Worcester since the beginning of July, the right-handed hitter has batted .313 (26-for-83) with an .887 OPS, seven doubles, four home runs, and 14 RBI.
The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed UTIL Jake Lamb off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Connor Overton has been designated for assignment.
Additionally, LHP Kirby Snead has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and he will be active for tonight’s game.
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