MLS Cup Final set, Fiorentina's Bove in ICU and a Cyber Monday deal
Kick your Monday off with all the news from this past weekend
The long Thanksgiving weekend brought with it lots of football — and not just the pigskin kind.
The MLS Cup Playoffs, Europe’s top leagues and even the U.S. women’s national team were all in action.
It was also a weekend marked by heartache following Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove being placed in a medically induced coma after suddenly collapsing on the field against Inter in Florence.
Here’s a look at the biggest storylines you may have missed:
MLS: Red Bulls to play the Galaxy in the final
Western Conference champions Los Angeles Galaxy will host Eastern Conference champions New York Red Bulls this coming Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in this year’s MLS Cup Final.
The Galaxy, a No. 2 seed, downed Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 thanks to Dejan Joveljic’s 86th minute goals on Saturday, while New York reached their first MLS Cup since 2008 thanks to Andres Reyes’ strike in the 47th minute.
The Red Bulls are the first No. 7 seed to play for the championship after joining the 1998 Chicago Fire as the only teams to win three straight playoff matches on the road.
“Maybe for a lot of people, it’s the biggest surprise now that we are in the MLS Cup final,” Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz told reporters. “To be honest, for me, it’s a very good feeling. But it’s not the biggest surprise.”
For the Galaxy, the final marks a record 10th MLS Cup appearance. The Galaxy have won five MLS titles.
Serie A: Bove in ICU after falling ill during match
The Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is being treated in intensive care after collapsing during the team’s Serie A game on Sunday against Inter Milan.
In a statement, the club said: “ACF Fiorentina and the Careggi University Hospital have announced that footballer Edoardo Bove, who was treated on the pitch following a loss of consciousness during the Fiorentina v. Inter match, is currently under sedation and is hospitalized in intensive care.”
The statement added: “The Viola player arrived at the emergency department in stable haemodynamic conditions and initial cardiological and neurological tests have ruled out acute damage to the central nervous system and the cardiorespiratory system. Bove will be re-evaluated in the next 24 hours.”
The incident happened in the 16th minute, with play stopped following a VAR check.
Bove, 22, fell to the ground, causing a stoppage in play with both sets of players immediately calling for the medical staff to enter the field. Bove was taken away on a stretcher and put into a waiting ambulance after the referee asked both set of players to leave the field. The game will be rescheduled.
Cyber Monday: A deal for readers
The holidays are almost here. That means there are lots of deals out there.
Now through Dec. 31, a year-long subscription to Planet Soccer will only cost $30. That’s $50 off the usual rate.
Why not treat yourself — or the soccer fan in your life — with a subscription in time for Christmas!
In other news: Botafogo overcame playing with 10 men to win its first Copa Libertadores title after beating fellow Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro 3-1 in the final at Monumental de Nunez Stadium on Saturday. Luiz Henrique opened the scoring in the 35th minute from close range and was fouled for the penalty shot converted by Alex Telles in the 44th. Eduardo Vargas headed Mineiro’s only goal in the 46th while Junior Santos, the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals, capped Botafogo’s historic night with the third in stoppage time. … In a matchup of the two best women’s teams in the world, the U.S. and England played to a 0-0 draw at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday. The USWNT — without its injured attacking trio of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson — closes out the year with a friendly on Tuesday against the Netherlands. … A 2-0 win against Manchester City on Sunday moved Liverpool nine points clear at the top of the Premier League standings. Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah led to the win and exposed the growing gap between the title rivals. Man City — without a win in seven games across all competitions — dropped to fifth.