Also: I love falling asleep and waking up to World Cup matches, Messi’s Miami Magic, Huntsville and Muskoka updates, etcetera

Monday morning will provide either a fantastic start to the week or a giant letdown as our Canadian Women’s National Team faces co-host Australia in a do-or-die match at the World Cup down under.

Technically just a single point from a draw is needed by Canada after they defeated Ireland 2-1 on Wednesday and Nigeria shocked the Aussies 3-2 in a thrilling match on Thursday. And a draw could even be enough for the hosts if Ireland beat Nigeria by two-plus goals.

In another scenario, a two-plus goal victory by Ireland and a one-goal loss by Canada would see them finish second on goal differential with the Aussies winning the group.

While I would have preferred Australia getting a win or draw against Nigeria because it would have greatly favoured Canada – as my friend Graham Pollington texted me on Thurdsay morning – there is no denying how much fun the drama is going to be on Monday.

I predict a pair of close matches, but I’m not choosing the results as my heart is obviously for Les Rouges.

Both matches will be played at 6 a.m. EST on Monday, July 31.

Late Evening and Morning World Cup Matches are awesome

Every time a World Cup match begins at a decent hour (basically 5 a.m. or later) I know I’m going to get to watch at minimum the second half or the whole match as I’m a relatively early riser.

On the flip side, those evening matches that begin between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. are great too!

From Argentina’s comeback from two goals down to draw South Africa 2-2 on Thursday night to England’s exciting 1-0 win over Denmark (where the Danes hit a post late in the match), and many more, there have been some great moments.

It’s also been nice to see the awesome crowds, energetic plays, and great vibes around the tournament.

My only gripe is Italia only has matches that begin at or overlap with the witching hour. But, if they keep winning, they’ll eventually be in a better time slot.

Visit FIFA Women’s World Cup for the full schedule, result and groups.

All Matches are available on TSN channels and apps.

MESsi’s miami magic

My wife couldn’t care less about matches that don’t involve her children, the Canadian natinoal team or even Toronto FC (but only when we’re there live).

But, even she was intrigued by Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut in the Leagues Cup. We had been at a family gathering and got home just in team to see world football’s GOAT confidently jogging onto the field as a second half substitution.

Around 30 minutes later he is lining up to take a free kick to win the match for Inter Miami over Liga MX side Cruz Azul.

“You know he’s going to score,” I say to Kandis.

She just watches and sure enough he scores. It was amazing to see how the diminutive dynamo can create interest and viewers amongst even the most casual fans.

Messi scored twice more against fellow MLS side Atlanta United in his second match, a 4-0 Miami win, as they have booked their place into the Leagues Cup knockout rounds.

And with his friend and longtime Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets pulling the strings in the midfield with vision and panache, Miami is poised for a deep run in the Leagues Cup.

Things to Know about the Leagues Cup

The Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX teams is a month long, World Cup-style tournament.

There are 15 groups with the top two from each group joining LAFC and Pachuca (who received byes into the round of 32) in the knockout rounds.

We’ll update and evaluate the Canadian teams’ results after the Group stage.

There are no ties in Leagues Cup 2023. In the group stage, each team receives one point if the game is tied after 90 minutes. The winner of the subsequent penalty shootout will earn an additional point. Regulation wins count as three points.

The knockout rounds will be single elimination and results will matter as the third place match winner plus both finalists quality for the CONCACAF Champions League. Meanwhile, the champion gets a direct qualification into the Champions League round of 16.

MLS Season Pass on Apple TV will have all the Leagues Cup matches.

HUNTSVILLE STRIKERS ROUND-UP

On the Strikers rep development side of things, the U10 girls won their first game of the year against Barrie at an HDSL festival in North Bay last weekend. Juliet Occhiuzzi, Paulina Jusczak and Lily Boyes scored for Huntsville in the win.

Unfortunately, later that day the lost 2-0 to South Simcoe United, and fell to North Bay on Monday when league play resumed. But, with more home games than away matches on the schedule for August, they’ll be aiming for a very strong finish to the season.

The U12 Boys played Bracebridge on Thursday. Result will be updated once available.

The U10 Boys played Orillia on Monday. Result will be updated once available.

MUFC ROUND-UP

The Muskoka United U13 Girls won 2-1 against Whitby on Saturday in I-model C2 division play. Andi Stevenson and Olivea O’Halloran score for MUFC. They followed that up with a 6-1 loss to Darlington on Monday with O’Halloran scoring their lone goal.

The U17 Girls finished up their I-Model qualifying campaign with a positive effort in a 1-1 draw against Newmarket. Elsie Moore scored for MUFC. The team now awaits their C2 division schedule.

The U15 Girls won 2-0 over North Bay with Chase MacKinnon and Maisy Moore scoring.

The U17 Boys won handily over Barrie in HDSL play. MUFC got goals from Callahan Alexander (2), Johnny Fiorini, Rowan Simpson, Andrew Maduri, and Jacob Oliver in their 6-0 win.

The U15 Boys lost 10-0 to DFC and now have a small break to regroup ahead of their August 10 match against Jarvis.

HUNTSVILLE SOCCER CLUB ROUND-UP

Muskoka Tea Company were crowned the inaugural Global Pet Foods Cup champions of the Huntsville Women’s Soccer League on Monday night after defeating Kim O’Grady Chestnut Park Real Estate 4-1 in the final.

Prior to that the Muskoka Tea Company beat Cottage Country Flowers 3-0, and Kim O’Grady Chestnut Park Real Estate edged by The SportLab 2-1 in the semi-finals.

The third place match was won 2-0 by Cottage Country Flowers.

This year’s MVP’s, as voted by their peers, were Maryah Robinson-Jackson, Anne McNally, Paola Escobar, and Heather Gibbons.

Kudos to league director Mike Hill, the referees and all the awesome players!

Toronto fc

No comment on the ever degrading situation at this time.

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