Qualification for next November’s World Cup in Qatar resumed this past weekend, delivering a number of exciting international matchups. Eight nations secured their trip to Qatar between Thursday and Sunday for the 2022 tournament.
In the midst of international play, USL and NWSL playoff competitions continued over the weekend, moving each competition closer to crowning a 2021 champions.
USL Championship
The Conference Semifinal round went on without a hitch over the weekend, delivering yet another round of great postseason competition.
Saturday’s festivities saw Orange County SC advance with a penalty shootout win over division rival Oakland in the two squads’ fifth meeting of the season. The Southern California side will take on San Antonio FC, who emerged victorious over Rio Grande Valley, for the Western Conference title and a berth in the USL Championship final for the first time.
In the East, Tampa Bay took a 1-0 victory over Birmingham, securing their spot in the semifinal round for the second straight year. They’ll battle with Louisville, who advanced past Charlotte on an 89th minute score from Cameron Lancaster, for the Eastern Conference Crown.
World Cup Qualifying
The weekend delivered some fantastic international competition worldwide. Here in the U.S., a 2-0 victory for the USMNT over its southern rival in Mexico took center stage. After a scoreless first half, Greg Berhalter’s squad took the lead on a Christian Pulisic tiebreaker in the 74th minute before doubling their advantage in the 85th for their third win over Mexico this year- a feat unaccomplished by either side since 1937.
Abroad, eight nations claimed a spot in next year’s festivities. Brazil continued their streak of appearances in every tournament, clinching a top-4 finish in CONMEBOL play on Thursday. In Europe, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, and Switzerland all took victories to claim the top spot in their respective groups, and a berth to next year’s tournament in Qatar.
National Women’s Soccer League
The matchup for the 2021 NWSL Final is set.
The semifinal round came to a close in the Pacific Northwest after two upset results. First and second place Portland and OL Reign each were outdone by Chicago and Washington, setting the stage for the league’s eighth champion to be crowned on November 20 in Louisville.
Saturday’s final will be the fourth meeting between the two squads this season- and both are entering on a win streak of at least five. Red Stars had the best of the season’s series throughout the summer, claiming seven points in three matches against their D.C. opponents.
