Soccer Monday: Ligue 1 surprises, MLS playoff spots and Rapinoe's last USWNT game
Kick off your week with all the action from this past weekend
This week we take a trip to France and look at two teams that are lighting up Ligue 1, then we stop by and check up on the MLS playoff hunt and which teams are in.
Finally, the USWNT played another friendly against South Africa, a game that marked the last time Megan Rapinoe suited up for the national team following a stellar career.
Here’s a look at this past weekend’s biggest stories:
3. Brest and Nice stun in Ligue 1
A week after defeating Ligue 1 champions PSG, Nice claimed the three points again when Jeremie Boga slalomed through the Monaco defense in stoppage time to score for the 1-0 road win on Friday to continue its undefeated start to the season.
Monaco could have won the game after U.S. striker Folarin Balogun missed two penalties for Monaco. As a result, Nice leapfrogged previously-unbeaten Monaco to temporarily take first place with 12 points after six games.
The following day, Brest downed Lyon 1-0 at home when substitute Steve Mounie scored a header in three minutes from time.
Brest now has 13 points. It was the first time since the 2010-11 season that the club from the Brittany region has taken the top spot.
2. Atlanta and New England make playoffs
Seven teams have clinched a berth to MLS Cup Playoffs. They include Atlanta United and the New England Revolution, both of whom did so this past weekend. In all, six teams in the Eastern Conference have punched their ticket to the postseason, including FC Cincinnati, Orlando City SC, Columbus Crew and the Philadelphia Union.
St. Louis City SC, meanwhile, is the only Western Conference team to have clinched a playoff berth. The race is very tight as 12 teams battle for the eight remaining spots.
Atlanta United, as mentioned, clinched a postseason berth following Saturday’s 4-1 rout of CF Montreal after last season’s 11th-place finish. At the same time, the New York Red Bulls downed DC United 5-3. In doing so, the New England Revolution clinched a playoff berth. The Revs played to a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire.
In what may have been the biggest MLS game this weekend, Inter Miami and Orlando City SC played to a 1-1 draw in the all-Florida contest at Exploria Stadium. Lionel Messi did not play after suffering an injury in last Wednesday’s 4-0 against Toronto FC. Inter Miami remains five points out of the final playoff spot with five games left to play.
1. USWNT beats South Africa in Rapinoe’s final game
Three days after defeating South Africa, the U.S. played them for a second time on Sunday. Again, the Americans proved superior in a 2-0 won at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett scored — but the game marked Rapinoe’s final match for the USWNT. She captained the U.S. in her 203rd and final cap. She plans to officially retire at the end of the current NWSL season.
Rapinoe, who was subbed out in the 52nd minute, retires from the USWNT a two-time World Cup champion and winner of an Olympic gold medal.
She leaves behind a strong legacy off the field as well. Throughout her career, Rapinoe has stood up for many issues, including racial equality and pay parity. Last year, Rapinoe was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her efforts.
Rapinoe, however, had her critics and could be deemed a controversial figure. Whether you agree with her or not, there’s no denying Rapinoe has cemented herself as one of the USWNT’s finest players ever.
In other news: Days after shining in the Champions League, Bayern Munich remains first in the Bundesliga following Saturday’s 7-0 rout of VfL Bochum. Harry Kane scored a hat trick. … In the Premier League, Manchester City remains a perfect 6-0 after defeating Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Saturday. Erling Haaland scored his eighth goal of the season to remain the league’s top scorer. … In La Liga action, Atletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid 3-1 at home on Sunday thanks to an Alvaro Morata brace.