Soccer Monday: Decision Day verdicts, NWSL playoffs and remembering Charlton
Kick off your week with all the action from this past weekend
This week’s newsletter takes on an American focus with a look at the final day of the MLS season and the NWSL quarterfinals.
In addition, Bobby Charlton — one of the game’s biggest legends — died at the age of 86. I’d be remiss if we didn’t take the chance to pay homage to the Manchester United and England great.
Here’s a look at what’s making news from this past weekend:
3. Dramatic Decision Day renders verdicts
Following Saturday’s regular-season finale known as Decision Day, 18 teams (nine apiece from both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference) qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The journey will culminate with the MLS Cup Final scheduled for Dec. 9.
The single-elimination Wild Card games (No. 8 versus No. 9) are set for Wednesday, followed by the Round One (a best-of-three series) starting this Saturday.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Red Bulls returned to the postseason for a record-breaking 14th-consecutive season after downing host Nashville SC 1-0. The goal came in dramatic fashion when John Tolkin converted a stoppage-time penalty kick. The win gave RBNY the No. 8 seed. They host Charlotte FC on Wednesday.
Over in the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City, who had started the season with a 10-game winless streak, sneaked into the playoffs following a 3-1 home win against Minnesota United FC to snatch the No. 8 seed. They host the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday.
2. NWSL quarterfinals sees Gotham and OL Reign advance
NJ/NY Gotham FC picked up their first-ever NWSL playoff win on Sunday, downing the North Carolina Courage 2-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park. Midfielder Delanie Sheehan scored at the stroke of halftime, while Yazmeen Ryan tallied in the 91st minute to put the game away for the visitors.
Gotham return to action on Nov. 5, when they face the Portland Thorns for a spot in the NWSL Championship.
On Friday night, Veronica Latsko scored in the 87th minute to give OL Reign a 1-0 victory over Angel City.
Phoebe McClernon whipped a cross into the box and Latsko beat her defender to score from close range at Seattle’s Lumen Field, giving the Reign its first playoff victory since 2015.
The Reign will head to San Diego to take on the Wave in the semifinals on Nov. 5.
1. Former England star Bobby Charlton dies at 86
Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton died Saturday at the age of 86,. Charlton was part of England's World Cup-winning team in 1966. Two years later, he scored twice as Manchester United lifted the European Cup at Wembley Stadium.
Charlton won the Ballon d’Or in 1966, one of only four Englishmen to have claimed the award, and was also part of the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cup squads. He won 106 caps for England and scored 49 international goals.
After joining Man United in 1953, Charlton was a member of the famed academy under manager Sir Matt Busby — with the players affectionately known as the “Busby Babes” — and won three successive FA Youth Cups from 1954 to 1956.
Charlton made his pro debut that same year and won his first league title in the 1956-57 season, scoring 10 goals in 14 appearances. On Feb. 6, 1958, the club was rocked by the Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight United players. Charlton suffered minor injuries but survived the crash. He helped the club reach that year’s FA Cup final, only to lose 2-0 against Bolton.
Charlton was integral in the rebuilding process following the tragedy. Man United won the FA Cup in 1963, their first major trophy post-Munich, before winning the league two years later. In 1966-67, Manchester United reclaimed the title and became England's first European champions a year later when Charlton captained the club to a 4-1 win against Benfica.
Charlton retired in 1980 following spells at Preston, at Waterford and in Australia with Newcastle KB United, Perth Azzurri and Blacktown City. He was awarded a knighthood in 1994.
In other news: Manchester City remained first in the Premier League following Saturday’s 2-1 win at the Etihad. The victory put Man City at 21 points, tied with for first alongside Arsenal. The Gunners, down 2-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, scored twice in the second half to salvage a 2-2 draw. Liverpool, at 20 points, surged to third following a 2-0 win over lowly Everton in the Merseyside derby. Mohamed Salah scored a brace. … Bayer Leverkusen defeated hosts Wolfsburg 2-1 on Saturday to take first place in the Bundesliga with 22 points. Unbeaten Leverkusen are one point ahead of second-placed VfB Stuttgart, 3-0 winners at Union Berlin, and two ahead of defending champions Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. … In Italy, Juventus boosted its title hopes on Sunday with a 1-0 win at AC Milan, which played the entire second half of the Serie A game with 10 men. Former AC Milan midfielder Manuel Locatelli scored the only goal in the 63rd minute after Rossoneri defender Malick Thiaw was sent off shortly before halftime.