KC Current Debuts CPKC Stadium, Shocking FA Cup Quarter Finals, Courtois and Neuer Injured, Kobbie Mainoo, and Matches of the Week. Get it all here.
Keep up with the latest happenings of world football.
KC Current open first NSWL Stadium
NWSL side Kansas City Current played their first match at CPKC Stadium, the first stadium specifically built for NWSL. CPKC Stadium holds 11,500 and will be a great size for the Current, who averaged about 11,300 fans per match last season. Playing space is an ongoing problem for women’s sports teams, who are often forced to rent space and build their schedule around the owner of the space. CPKC Stadium sets an important benchmark for women’s sports around America and is a step in the right direction for the growing fandom of women’s sports. The Current won their first match in the new stadium 5-4 against the Portland Thorns. 16-year-old St. Louis native Alex Pfeiffer became the youngest goalscorer in NWSL history on her debut.
FA Cup Quarter Finals’ Dramatic Endings
The FA Cup Quarter Finals had their fair share of drama in classic FA Cup fashion. Manchester City and Chelsea took care of business en route to the Semi Finals, but Coventry City and Manchester United both went through with late goals. The Wolverhampton Wolves looked to be through at the 90th minute up 2-1, but Coventry pushed hard to level the scores and did so in the 97th minute. The match looked sure to be going to extra time, but Coventry scored a goal in the 100th minute of play thanks to a curled finish from U.S. international Haji Wright that sent the Molineux Stadium away-end into pandemonium.
Manchester United and Liverpool had an equally thrilling ending in extra time in a back and forth slugfest between two of English soccer’s oldest rivals. Antony scored an 87th minute equalizer to send the 2-2 game to extra time. Harvey Elliot scored for Liverpool and then Marcus Rashford answered back just minutes later. During the last seconds before penalties, Amad Diallo received a through ball from Alejandro Garnacho on the counter attack and beat Liverpool defender Conor Bradley, then put in a tidy finish in the lower right corner. 75,000 fans at Old Trafford erupted as Diallo held his shirt up in celebration of the late winner. Manchester United and Coventry City will face off in the Semi Finals on April 20th.
Neuer and Courtois Suffer Injury Setbacks
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered a torn meniscus in training this week. Courtois has been rehabbing a tear to his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) since last August. He hoped to make a quick return to match play and shorten the typical ACL rehab down to around 7 months. His meniscus injury will sideline the Belgian net-minder for another 7 weeks as he must undergo surgery. In Courtois’ absence, Ukranian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has played very well, including some standout performances in the Champions League. A lot of concern has been raised lately about players returning too quickly from injuries as pros are hurried to get back into the team. Courtois’ injury is the latest example of a potential return before the athlete is truly ready to play at the speed the game demands.
Manuel Neuer has suffered a small tear in his adductor in training with the German national team. It is confirmed Neuer will miss the upcoming friendly matches against France and the Netherlands to recover. He returned to Munich to get treatment for the injury in hopes to play for Bayern Munich as soon as the national break is over. The 37-year-old goalkeeper has been healthy all season after returning from a leg fracture he suffered in a skiing incident in December 2022. Sven Ulreich will play in Neuer’s absence if he is forced to miss matches due to the injury.
Kobbie Mainoo called up to England Senior Squad
17-year-old English midfielder has been called up to England’s Senior Squad after initially being placed on the U21 roster. Mainoo has been in brilliant form for Manchester United after making his debut in November. His relentless work rate and composure on the ball has earned him high praise from football’s top scouts. Mainoo follows in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney and Jadon Sancho going straight from England’s U19’s to senior squad before playing a match for the U21’s. He is likely to make his debut against Brazil as a substitute for Declan Rice or Jordan Henderson.
Matches of the week
Fri, Mar 22
Netherlands vs. Scotland
Nigeria vs. Ghana
Spain vs. Colombia
Sat, Mar 23
Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Saint Louis City SC vs. DC United (MLS)
England vs. Brazil
France vs. Germany
Denmark vs. Switzerland
Sun, Mar 24
Italy vs. Ecuador
Mon, Mar 25
Sweden vs. Albania
Tue, Mar 26
England vs. Belgium
Spain vs. Brazil
Slovenia vs. Portugal
Norway vs. Slovakia
Thank you for reading this week’s edition of The Footy Beat. Stay posted for another release next week and subscribe to get each week’s edition in your inbox!
-Written and edited by Cal L’Hommedieu