San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
GOLD CUP, MAN U ARE SNAPDRAGON BOUND
Snapdragon Stadium continues to establish itself as a premier international soccer venue, with plans to host a semifinal of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on July 12 and Manchester United in a preseason exhibition two weeks later.
The Gold Cup officially announced Sofi Stadium in Inglewood last fall as site for the July 16 final of the biennial championship for men’s national teams in the CONCACAF region, which encompasses North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Multiple sources told the Union-tribune that one of the semis four days earlier will be at Snapdragon, although we’ll probably have to wait until the April 14 draw to learn whether it will be the U.S. or Mexico side of the bracket.
Man United’s visit is part of its return to North America for a preseason tour after a five-year absence. It is the eighth time in the last two decades that the storied British club has come to the States for preseason, although not all have been on the West Coast. Last summer it went to Thailand and Australia.
The opponent for the late July match (Wednesday, July 26, is the most likely date): Wrexham FC of Wales.
Considered the third oldest pro soccer club in the world, Wrexham plays in the Britain’s fifth division but carries outsized popularity after Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney bought it two years ago and agreed to film a docuseries chronicling their ownership. Wrexham reached the fourth round of the F.A. Cup this year before being knocked out by Sheffield United and trying to gain promotion to League Two, the fourth division.
Given Wrexham’s lower level, it is unclear whether Man United will play its stars in the Snapdragon game or a B team of youngsters. The matchup was reported by several media outlets Saturday, and an official announcement with details about ticket availability is expected in the coming weeks. MARK ZEIGLER
MLS opening highlights
Walker Zimmerman and Jacob Shaffelburg scored and host Nashville SC defeated New York City FC 2-0 in the first game of the Major Soccer League season.
• Joao Klauss scored in the 86th minute to give expansion St. Louis City SC a shocking 3-2 win at Austin FC.
• Thiago Almada scored two stoppage-time goals and host Atlanta United beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1.
• Henry Kessler scored in the 89th minute and Djordje Petrovic made four saves to lead the visiting New England Revolution to a 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC. Kessler’s game-winner was unassisted. • Theodore Ku-dipietro scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to rally DC United to a 3-2 victory over Toronto at home.
• Obinna Nwobodo scored his first MLS goal to help host Cincinnati beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1.
• Facundo Torres scored a penalty-kick goal and
Pedro Gallese made five saves to lead Orlando City to a 1-0 victory over visitintg New York Red Bulls.
Elsewhere
Erling Haaland has already taken one of Sergio Aguero’s scoring records for Manchester City and surely more will fall at this rate. Haaland made it 27 goals for the season in the English Premier League with one of City’s strikes in a routine 4-1 win at Bournemouth. That’s more than any player has scored in a single campaign for City since the league started in 1992. Aguero had the previous highest total of 26 in 2014-15. The win kept City on the shoulder of Arsenal in the title race. Arsenal won 1-0 at Leicester and leads by two points from City. Victories for Leeds and West Ham lifted both teams out of the relegation zone.
• Real Madrid needed a late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw against 10-man Atletico Madrid at home in the Spanish league.
• Julian Brandt scored with his back and Borussia Dortmund held on to move to the top of the Bundesliga after beating Hoffenheim 1-0.