There was a heaping helping of soccer action this weekend. Let's fill you in on some of the big stories, with a special emphasis on local connections,
There was a heaping helping of soccer action this weekend. Let’s fill you in on some of the big stories, with a special emphasis on local connections, in this week’s 3 Things.
Golazoooooooo from Benny
Benny Feilhaber spent some of his formative years in Southern California, including a stint at UCLA. Now firmly entrenched as Sporting Kansas City’s playmaker, Feilhaber finally, finally opened his team’s scoring for the 2017 MLS season with an absolute bomb in a 2-1 win.
Surely a ? for #SCtop10 (cc: @SportsCenter @b_feilhaber22) pic.twitter.com/OhkRcjluCp
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) March 19, 2017
There were a several good goals in MLS this weekend, so Feilhaber is not a shoo-in for Goal of the Week, and that video doesn’t include the patient build-up, of which he played a vital role. But if nothing else, it’s the kind of strike that’s got a definite place on the career highlight reel.
Good weekend for Sueño
Jorge Villafaña returned home, almost, on Friday as he started in Santos Laguna’s 1-1 draw with Club Tijuana at the Estadio Caliente. The defender, thought to be out of favor at the Liga MX side not long ago, made his first appearance in league play in the 2017 Clausura, perhaps showing that he’ll see more minutes in the weeks to come.
There’s also the other notable news for Villafaña. The Orange County native was called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Honduras and Panama this month. Villafaña spoke to our own Nate Abaurrea after Friday’s game, but worth noting again — from winning soccer’s equivalent to “American Idol” back in 2007 to a soccer career abroad and becoming a full international — Villafaña is truly living the dream.
405 Derby ahead of USL season
The 2017 USL season starts this coming weekend, and the local clubs played on Saturday in their final tune-ups before the games start to count. It may have been on the LA Galaxy II’s home turf of StubHub Center, but Orange County SC rolled out 4-0 winners. Is it a sign of things to come, either for the season overall or for the 405 Derby? We won’t know until we get into the thick of it, but it should be another good USL campaign in Southern California.
Gooooooooooooal!! @orangecountysc 1-0. Referee calls half time. pic.twitter.com/vlHj4QCUqg
— CountyLineCoalition (@CountyCoalition) March 18, 2017
What did we miss? Tell us in the comments!
