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by Jason Longshore
1- I'm heading shortly to Atlanta United's training session as the team prepares for Decision Day and a trip to Cincinnati. Atlanta can finish anywhere from fifth to seventh in the Eastern Conference, and they have the opportunity to face Orlando, Philadelphia, Columbus, or New England in the first round of the playoffs. Lots of potential movement in Saturday's Decision Day matches...
2- Miles Robinson is with the USMNT in Nashville as they prepare to face Ghana tonight. The US looked good for 30 minutes on Saturday against Germany, looked bad for the next 30, and the match was pretty much gone in the last 30 and it fizzled out. After not playing on Saturday, expecting to see Robinson in the lineup tonight and hoping to see the team play up to its potential for a longer period of time tonight.
3- In other friendlies today, Mexico faces Germany in Philadelphia and France hosts Scotland. England hosts Italy in Euro 2024 qualification with both teams looking over their shoulder as Ukraine should pick up three points in Malta today as well. There's also two very interesting games in South American World Cup qualifying as Uruguay hosts Brazil and Ecuador hosts Colombia.
4- ESPN takes time during the international break to rank goalkeeper kits of the 1990's on a weirdness scale. In terms of weirdness, nothing beats the Carlos Navarro Montoya designed kit. In terms of greatness, I loved those 1990 adidas jerseys with the triangles that they associate with Rene Higuita here. I also think of Sergio Goycochea's penalty saving heroics for Argentina when I see that shirt.
5- Jon Arnold's Getting CONCACAFed newsletter is always a great read and worth your subscription. Today, he takes a look at the rise of the Caribbean nations in this year's Nations League.
6- Yesterday's Belgium and Sweden game was suspended at halftime as three miles away a gunman murdered two Swedes and was still at large. Fans were kept inside the stadium for two and a half hours after the match was stopped. Belgian police are still searching for the gunman.
7- Napoli's Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has picked up a hamstring injury on international duty, the club said yesterday. He came off injured around the hour mark in Nigeria's 2-2 friendly draw with Saudi Arabia on Friday. He is at risk of missing several matches, including Napoli's visit to Hellas Verona on Saturday, the Champions League group game at Union Berlin on Oct. 24 and the clash with Serie A leaders AC Milan five days later.
8- Rangers have hired former Monaco and Club Bruges head coach Philippe Clement as their new manager. They are seven points behind Celtic in the league table and they have to try to fight their way up the standings in their Europa League group.
9- Clayton State's Carrie Consolino and Daniela Gularte were named the Peach Belt Conference Players of the Week for their performances for the Lakers last week. Gularte was named the Defensive Player of the Week for her contributions in a clean sheet against Auburn-Montgomery over the weekend. Consolino was named Player of the Week for scoring three goals in two games and adding an assist.
10- On this date in 1908, teams representing Atlanta and Lithonia played one of the earliest recorded soccer matches in the area at the State Fair. The game was played "in the paddock in front of the grand stand" in Piedmont Park, which hosted the Georgia State Fair. Pat Harland scored twice for Atlanta as they defeated Lithonia 6-2. His brother Tom was also in the Atlanta lineup and both were key members of the early Atlanta soccer community and worked hard to grow the game in the city. (Photo of Pat Harland circa 1915 courtesy of Robin Harland, www.harlanddiaspora.net)
11- We'll continue with the state fair motif for your Song of the Day. On this day in 1987, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam scored their second US #1 hit as "Lost in Emotion" went to the top of the pop charts. The video was one of the most played in 1987 on MTV (remember how they used to play music videos?). Enjoy your Song of the Day: