MAGAZINE WWW.LMDMAG.COM DEC. 8 2018 DECEMBER 2018 WEEK 49 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
WWW.LMDMAG.COM Atlanta United vs Portland Timbers: MLS Cup Final all you need to know Atlanta United will look to win their maiden MLS Cup title when they take on Portland Timbers at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Having won the Eastern Conference play-offs with a 3-1 aggregate victory over New York Red Bulls, United come into the game on the back of a run of one defeat in their last five games. The Timbers, meanwhile, are targeting a second MLS Cup triumph to add to their success in 2015 which came by way of a 2-1 defeat of Columbus Crew. They progressed to the final, which kicks off at 1am Sunday, in dramatic fashion after Diego Valeri scored in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage-time to seal a 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City. That triumph was disrupted when Kansas fans threw objects at the Portland players, forcing referee Mark Gieger to briefly bring the game to a halt and take both sets of players off the field. Who to watch Josef Martinez has been in flying form in front of goal this year. Not even the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been able to keep up with Josef Martinez this term, with the Atlanta forward scoring 31 times over the course of the regular season and play-offs. The Venezuelan's form has been devastating but he has been far from alone in firing United to the cusp of MLS glory. For many, Miguel Almiron has been the man to watch and he has provided the ammunition for Martinez from his midfield berth. His form has attracted admiring glances from the Premier League and Arsenal have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old. The Timbers will rely heavily on their play-off hero Valeri - an MLS Cup winner in 2015 - in Atlanta and the midfielder leads the way in goals (10) and assists (12). He's been ably supported by Sebastian Blanco, who also boasts 10 goals to add to a haul of 11 assists. Who will win The firepower of Martinez and creative class of Almiron means United will fancy their chances of claiming a first title. An easier run to the final, which saw them take a 3-0 lead into their second leg with Red Bulls, could also work in their favour. Portland finished fifth in the Western Conference so won't mind the idea of being underdogs. Atlanta United: 1/4 with Sky Bet. Form Atlanta lost just seven games across the regular season to finish second in the Eastern Conference and made easy work of their route through the play-offs. The Timbers, by contrast, have provided the entertainment and required penalties to beat Seattle Sounders ahead of their dramatic defeat of Sporting. They have, though, developed a resilience which has seen them lose just one of their nine games. 3 CREDIT: Harry Gray https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12096/11570946/atlanta-united-vs-portland-timbers-mls-cup-finalall-you-need-to-know
Rosie White, New Zealand Qualify for FIFA Women s World Cup The field for next summer s 2019 FIFA Women s World Cup is set after Chicago Red Stars midfielder Rosie White led New Zealand to a win in the OFC Women s Nations Cup Final over Fiji. White and New Zealand were dominant throughout the tournament, opening their campaign with a 11-0 route of Tonga. White scored the opening goal in the 8th minute before adding another seven minutes later. New Zealand would go on to win the group with a 6-0 win over the Cook Islands and a 10-0 victory over Fiji. In the semi-final White once again scored a brace, helping her team reach the finals in a comfortable 8-0 triumph over New Caledonia. That victory set up a rematch with Fiji in the final. Similar to their first matchup, New Zealand s quality was too much for their opponents to overcome and the Football Ferns punched their ticket to the Women s World Cup with an 8-0 victory. White opened the scoring in the 2nd minute of the game and completed her brace in the 90th minute. She finished the tournament with six goals, bagging a brace in three games. Rosie White joins her Chicago Red Stars teammates Sam Kerr (Australia), Julie Ertz, Casey Short, Morgan Brian and Alyssa Naeher (USA) in the tournament taking place next year. With all 24 teams qualified the Women s World Cup Draw is set to take place on Saturday, December 8. CREDIT: CHICAGO RED STARS SOCCER
WWW.LMDMAG.COM Chicago Fire Soccer Club Re-Signs Designated Player Bastian Schweinsteiger The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today (Wednesday) that the team has re-signed Bastian Schweinsteiger as a Designated Player for the 2019 MLS season. Let s raise a trophy. I believe in this Club and I believe that we can be champions, said Schweinsteiger. This American journey has been very special for me and my family. I love being a part of the Chicago Fire and we appreciate how the city has embraced us with open arms. To the Fire fans, from my family to yours, I wish you a happy and safe holiday season and I will see you in Chicago next year. In two seasons with the Fire, Schweinsteiger has made 55 regular season appearances (53 starts), posting seven goals, 12 assists and a team-leading 77 chances created. In 2018, Schweinsteiger scored four goals and had a club-high six assists. In a lot of ways Basti has come to embody our Club, the prototypical Fire player and the spirit of Chicago: industrious, intelligent, enthusiastic, talented and world-class, said Chicago Fire Soccer Club President and General Manager Nelson Rodríguez. His return demonstrates our continuing effort to build a championship program, both on and off the field. On Aug. 28, 2018, the Chicago Fire played reigning German Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich in Schweinsteiger's FC Bayern Munich testimonial match at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Schweinsteiger captained the Fire for the first half and represented his former side in the second half. On a night celebrating his career, Schweinsteiger capped off scoring in the 83rd minute to give Bayern the win. Originally joining the Fire on March 21, 2017, Schweinsteiger made an immediate impact in his debut season in MLS, helping the Fire to the league s third-highest regular season points total and earning a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Additionally, Schweinsteiger was named captain of the 2017 MLS All-Star Team in a match against Real Madrid at Soldier Field in Chicago on Aug. 2, 2017. A FIFA World Cup champion with Germany in 2014, Schweinsteiger s decorated international career includes appearances in three FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014) and four UEFA European Championships (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016). Schweinsteiger, who also served as captain of his national team, recorded 24 goals in 121 career appearances for Germany. At the club level, Schweinsteiger helped FC Bayern Munich to the UEFA Champions League crown in 2012-13, a year in which he also earned Bundesliga Player of the Year honors. Schweinsteiger won eight Bundesliga titles during his time with FC Bayern Munich, while also winning seven DFB-Pokal (German Cup) championships. Overall, Schweinsteiger has been a part of 23 major domestic and international cups during his playing career. Schweinsteiger has amassed 77 goals and 115 assists in 590 first team games during his 17-year club career. He signed his first professional contract in December of 2002, joining FC Bayern Munich after four years in their youth system. Schweinsteiger remained with the Bavarian side for 13 years before his move to Manchester United in July of 2015. Transaction: Chicago Fire Soccer Club re-signs Bastian Schweinsteiger as a Designated Player on Nov. 28, 2018. CREDIT: CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB 5