by Jason Longshore
1- Atlanta United 2 notched their first win in over a month last night in Kennesaw over the MLS Next Pro leaders Crown Legacy 3-1. Nick Firmino moved to the top of the league's Golden Boot race once again with his 13th goal of the season on a header from Toni Tiente's cross.
2- All three goals were scored from corner kicks and Steve Cooke told us after the match it was due to great work from assistant coach Lewis Sharpe to spot a weakness in Crown Legacy's zonal marking system and to create a plan to exploit it. The execution was perfect, but the preparation was key in the win.
3- Noah Cobb bounced back from a mistake and turnover that led to Crown Legacy's opening goal to score his first professional goal to level the score at 1-1 in the first half. We found out after the match that Cobb was battling a stomach bug, he told us how he was worried going into the second half and telling Efrain Morales and Kofi Twumasi that he might need their help as the game went on.
4- Atlanta picked up a point in the MLS Next Pro playoff race. They are 5 points behind 7th place Huntsville with six games to play. We'll have their next match, on the road in New England, live on the SDH Network at 6:45pm on Sunday evening. Join us right here at soccerdownhere.net or on the SDH app. Check out the entire highlights from last night.
5- Sources in Germany indicate that Tottenham has finally accepted Bayern's offer for Harry Kane, which reportedly has gone up to $110 million. It is now down to Kane to either accept the transfer or stay with Spurs. He has a new manager in Ange Postecoglu and only has 12 months left on his current contract. If he stays at Tottenham, will he sign a new deal? Or will he play out his contract and leave on a free at the end of the season? So much still left to play out in this one...
6- Injuries on the eve of the new seasons in Europe will wreak havoc on a few clubs. Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibault Courtois will need surgery to repair a knee ligament which could take him out of the majority of the season. The injury happened in training according to local media. Aston Villa's midfielder Emiliano Buendia has also suffered a knee ligament injury and will miss the bulk of the season.
7- West Ham has signed their Declan Rice replacement in the midfield and it's Mexican midfielder Edson Álvarez. He'll join the Hammers from Ajax for a reported $40+ million. (AP)
8- England's Lauren James will be suspended for two matches following her red card for a stomp on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie in the Round of 16 earlier this week at the World Cup. She would be able to return for the final if England advances past Colombia in the quarterfinals and then wins their semifinal against either France or Australia. (Reuters)
9- The quarterfinals start tonight with an incredible matchup between the Netherlands and Spain, kickoff will be at 10pm Atlanta time. The Dutch are confident of their scouting ahead of the match and with their performances at the tournament. However, Spain is considered the favorite going into the match. (Reuters)
10- On this date in 1973, the Atlanta Apollos played their final match as they folded after the end of the season. They drew 2-2 with the Toronto Metros at Grant Field behind goals from Paul Child and Freddie Mwila in front of 2,147 fans.
11- For no particular reason other than it's awesome, here's your song of the day. Bob Mould's "See a Little Light" live from 1994.
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