Veracity Soccer Roundup: Real claims La Liga title, EFL Championship promotion still in contention
Another wild week of soccer is behind us. Once again, title races are finishing up, and while they have gone as predicted, we’re still seeing teams play some amazing soccer as games become more meaningful on a weekly basis.
But as the league winners are being solidified, it’s now time for us fans to shift our focus to the second best part of the season: Promotion and relegation. If you’re like me, then you spend way too much time plotting out each vulnerable team’s scenario of staying in the top flight or just falling short. And even though there may be immense odds against a team, as fans we still have great faith that they can pull off an incredible upset on the most meaningful day of the season.
Today’s roundup focuses on the events from the penultimate weeks of the La Liga and EFL Championship seasons. And of course I couldn’t leave out the crazy MLS is Back action. So without any further delay, let’s dive into the fourth edition of the Veracity Soccer Roundup.
Karim Benzema’s brace earns Real Madrid its 34th league title
Real Madrid’s 2–1 victory over Villarreal was enough to clinch La Liga’s top spot with just one game remaining. Real last won the league in 2017, conquering the title with a narrow three-point lead over FC Barcelona.
Real entered Thursday’s match four points ahead of Barcelona, which played simultaneously against 11th place Osasuna. All Real needed was a win and they would clinch first place. And once again they delivered a winning performance, having maintained a perfect 10–0–0 record since La Liga’s restart. Barcelona however, again showed signs of a downward trend as they fell 2–1 to 10-man Osasuna. Due to Antoine Griezmann’s injury and Luis Suarez’s start on the bench, Barcelona’s offense was unproductive. They were a man up for the last 20 minutes, and Roberto Torres’ game-winner came during that span in the 94th minute.
Given how Thursday’s fixtures panned out, Real Madrid are seven points ahead of Barca heading into the league’s final week. Barcelona takes on Alaves, and Real faces Leganes.
While Real has already secured the title, it will be Leganes who now has something to play for. Their spot in La Liga is in jeopardy as they find themselves in 18th place with 35 points, which is in the relegation zone. Of the three teams in a relegation spot (Mallorca and Espanyol occupy 19th and 20th place respectively), Leganes is the only side that can still escape. Leganes must defeat Real Madrid and hope that 17th place side Celta Vigo does not defeat Espanyol. Just one point separates Leganes and Celta. With Real’s recent spell of outstanding performances the odds are not in Leganes’ favor, despite recent victories over Villarreal and Valencia.
Cadiz and Huesca are the two La Liga SmartBank teams who will be promoted to the Liga Santander. The teams set to participate in the playoff tournament for the final promotion spot is still up for grabs with just one more week to go.
Young stars emerge, comebacks galore, and VAR controversies sum up Week 2 of MLS is Back
It’s certainly not the prettiest soccer being played in the Orlando heat, but it sure is enticing. You truly must watch each game until the absolute end. Anything can happen and believe me, anything will happen. The MLS is Back tournament has doubled the league’s unpredictability standards.
The tournament got off to a slow start. Goals seemed hard to come by and teams were still finding their top form, having to adjust to life in the MLS bubble as well as the fickle Florida summer weather. This second week of games has been different. We’re beginning to see the tournament’s top contenders and top performers. Late game slumps turned out to be a common theme so far in the group stage, where there have been eight second half-stoppage time goals, four of them being game winners.
The most unforgettable comeback so far has been the San Jose Earthquakes’ improbable victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Quakes were down 3–1 with just over 30 minutes to go and the Whitecaps seemed to be in control. The Whitecaps, who were missing four potential starters (including three strikers) struggled with depth and stamina as the game reached its later stages.
Chris Wondolowski, MLS’s all-time leading goalscorer, entered the game in the 63rd minute and scored nine minutes later. San Jose, which had more than 20 corner kicks, finally broke through with Oswaldo Alanis’ header to tie it up. But the Quakes still weren’t done as Shea Salinas took off on a solo run into the Whitecaps’ penalty area. He pushed through a series of defenders before finishing off the game-winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
The use of VAR has surged over the past week. Sporting Kansas City arguably both lost and won a game because of a VAR ruling, as they currently sit in third place of Group C.
They suffered from the sending off of goalkeeper Tim Melia against Minnesota United, which resulted in the Loons’ two second half stoppage time goals, earning them a 2–1 victory. However, Friday night’s matchup against the Colorado Rapids saw Kansas City in the opposite scenario. Sporting was down 1–0 when Rapids centerback Danny Wilson was ejected and tied the game four minutes later. KC then took the lead after VAR led to a questionable call in the penalty box on the Rapids’ Diego Rubio, and Alan Pulido scored the penalty.
Colorado’s Jonathan Lewis tied it up late after a Jack Price red card left them with nine men for the final 20 minutes. However, it was another Kansas City game that was decided in stoppage time, but this time in its favor, as Graham Zusi’s deflected shot floated over Rapids keeper William Yarborough. Still 10 more minutes of stoppage time needed to be played after the hydration and VAR breaks but Sporting held on, and their chances of advancing are still alive.
So far Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew, and the Portland Timbers have clinched a spot in the knockout round. Expect to see more wild finishes as the most meaningful Group Stage matches are set to be played this week.
Another positive takeaway is that many under the radar players have garnered much deserved attention. Especially the league’s North American players, who have so far delivered some of the most impactful performances and are raising some eyebrows as future USMNT or CanMNT stars. Namely, the performances of Chris Mueller, Richie Laryea, Ayo Akinola, and Mauricio Pineda have been some of the most intriguing so far.
Make sure to tune into MLS is Back as the action will only improve week by week. Games are broadcast daily on national television.
Leeds United clinches top EPL promotion spot, 3 teams in contention for the second
After a crushing defeat in the EFL Championship’s promotion playoff a year ago, Leeds United endured yet another successful season, this time finishing it off by earning a spot in next year’s Premier League. Leeds last played in the Prem in 2004.
West Bromwich Albion’s loss on Friday to Huddersfield United was all Leeds needed to clinch promotion. They sit eight points ahead of West Brom with a 27–9–9 record heading into the Championship’s final week. Led offensively by Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison, along with keeper Kiko Casilla’s 15 clean sheets, Leeds currently has 90 points.
West Brom, whose promotion to the Prem is not guaranteed, must defeat 14th-place Queens Park Rangers, to earn a Premier League berth. Behind them sit Brentford and Fulham with 81 and 80 points respectively. Fulham plays Wigan, another mid-table squad, while Brentford faces Barnsley who sit in 23rd place.
