THOUGHTS ON THE FIRE: Once again, you have to question the subs made by Veljko Paunovic against DC United. Bringing in Yura Movsisyan for Nemanja Nikolic and then Nicolas Hasler on for Raheem Edwards was a clear indication that the Fire were going to play for a draw—which they didn’t get. A team who has already been eliminated from playoff contention should really be playing for a win and players (and coaches) should be playing belong on the 2019 roster. And this comes after a brilliant home performance against LAFC the previous week.
SPEAKING OF MOVSISYAN AND HASLER…: Both were called by their national teams for UEFA Nations League action. Movsisyan is part of the Armenian setup that will host Gibraltar on Saturday and then host FYR Macedonia on Tuesday (both 10:50am CT, ESPN+). Hasler and Liechtenstein will travel to FYR Macedonia on Saturday and then to Gibraltar on Tuesday (both 1:35pm CT, ESPN+).
FYR Macedonia currently lead League D, Group 4 on six points from two matches with both Liechtenstein and Armenia on three points. The winner of this group will be promoted to League C for the 2021 UEFA Nations League and will be entered into a playoff for a spot with the other League D group winners at Euro 2020 (assuming they do not qualify via the qualifiers).
RED STARS IN WWC QUALIFYING: Casey Short, Julie Ertz, and Morgan Brian all played 90 minutes in the USA’s 5-0 dismissal of Panama in the Concacaf Women’s Championship in Cary, NC. Former Red Stars accounted for four of the five goals. Carli Lloyd netted a hat trick while Christen Press added one of her own. The USA are assured of a semifinal spot and will conclude group play against Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday (6:30pm CT, FS2) needing just a point to finish top of the group.
