In this week’s recap of Minnesotans playing professionally: Akale makes an easy transition to Villarreal C, Kallman extends an impressive streak, and Miller helps Colorado break one.
Mukwelle Akale has not slowed his progress after moving up to Villarreal C this season. Akale was in the starting eleven Saturday in a 2-1 win against Torre Levante and gave his side an early lead. In the 18th minute a teammate won the ball in Levante’s half and drove into the box. He sent a ball into the center of the box where Akale slotted his shot past the diving keeper. In his first two games this season Akale has one goal and three assists.
After this past weekend, Kassey Kallman has played 3,690 straight minutes in the NWSL. It is the longest current streak in the league and began when she started in FC Kansas City’s semifinal game in 2014. Unfortunately that was the only positive result from the Boston Breaker’s 4-1 loss to the Houston Dash. Kallman did her best to anchor the defense, but without the play of Whitney Engan and Julie King the Breakers struggled to track the runs from Houston’s forwards.
With his one game suspension for earning a red card in the Montreal Impact’s last game overturned Calum Mallace was slotted into the starting line-up against Orlando City SC. However, his night would be over at half time as the Impact tried to overcome a 2-1 scoreline. During his 45 minutes of play Mallace had a 75% passing accuracy and notched a tackle, a recovery, and a clearance. Things did not improve for Montreal after Mallace’s departure and they eventually lost 4-1.
Eric Miller earned his 6th straight start for the Colorado Rapids in a 1-0 win against FC Dallas. The result gave Dallas their first home loss in over a year. While Miller struggled with his passing this game, he continues to embrace the role of an attacking outside back and in the 17th minute appeared to have earned the Rapids a PK when he was clipped from behind by Aubrey David, but a foul was not given. On the other side of the ball Miller finished the game with two tackles, two interceptions, two clearances, and a recovery.
A foot injury kept Teal Bunbury off the field for the New England Revolution’s win against the Colorado Rapids, but he appears to be on the mend and came in for the final eight minutes in the Rev’s 3-1 win over New York City FC. In his brief cameo Bunbury managed to take three shots. Bunbury also made a 21-minute appearance at the end of the Revs’ 4-2 defeat to FC Dallas in the US Open Cup Final.
It was also a short shift for Tyler David in Saint Louis FC’s win over San Antonio FC. St. Louis went with a more offensive starting line-up as they fight for enough points to earn them a spot in the playoffs. With the score 3-1 in STLFC’s favor David came on for the final 16 minutes of the game to help his team earn their first win in eight games. With only two games remaining only one team out of 16 have been eliminated from the playoffs. A lot of things need to go right for Saint Louis to get above the line, but there is still a chance.
Cat Parkhill was an unused substitute in FC Kansas City’s scoreless draw with the Chicago Red Stars
Cody Cropper appears to have taken over the role of back-up for the New England Revolution as he was once again on the bench against NYCFC.
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