Plus, Leeds A Win Away, TFC vs. Cincy, Muskoka United FC, Huntsville Women’s League and Men’s Team updates, and Celebrating Our Friend

This is such a wonderful time of year in European football with league titles being won, promotion playoffs on the go, and of course all the domestic and continental cups one can handle.

On Friday, the AS Roma women’s team completed a domestic double, winning the Coppa Italia over Fiorentina in penalty kicks after a thrilling 3-3 regulation time draw. Canadian Content bonus: Canadian striker Evelyne Viens scored the match-tying goal in the 90^th minute and has been a huge part of the Italian champion’s campaign.

Earlier in the week, Serie A fifth-place side Atalanta ended German Champion Bayer Leverkusen’s record-setting unbeaten run in the Europa League final. And it wasn’t even close: the Bergamo outfit were full value for their 3-0 dismantling of Leverkusen and deserved their first ever European trophy.

Now if they can do the world a favour and only take two points or less in their last two Serie A matches, there will be six Italian sides in the Champions League last season (with sixth place AS Roma joining Inter Milan, AC Milan, Bologna, Juventus, and Atalanta).

Looking ahead, there are several interesting cup finals this weekend and one that we loath writing about.

Let’s get the bad out of the way first: the FA Cup is a Manchester derby on Saturday at 10 a.m. on Sportsnet Ontario (and affiliates).

At noon, the UEFA Women’s Champions League final takes place with Barcelona going for back-to-back wins over Lyon. Check out what promises to be a fantastic final on DAZN Canada or YouTube (yes, free on DAZN Women’s Soccer YouTube channel).

The DFB Pokal (aka German Cup) final sees the team who no one wanted in the final, Bundesliga 2 club Kaiserslautern vs the aforementioned Leverkusen at 2 p.m. (live on DAZN Canada). The German champs will likely make mince meat out of their opponent as they seek redemption from the Europa League final loss.

Oh, and the reason no one wanted Kaiserslautern in the final is because they were facing third division Cinderella side Saarbruken in the semis – the team who every football purist was pulling for. Just for that, I hope Leverkusen wins 6-0.

Last, but not least, the Coupe de France final sees Paris Saint Germain vs. Lyon at 3 p.m. (FuboTV Canada should have it on one of its channels). Whether or not you are a fan of PSG, this is an interesting match simply because Kylian Mbappe is playing his last match for the French champions. In that vein, PSG is starting a very strong line-up as they attempt to win another domestic trophy this season.

Also Saturday, the Scottish Cup final is another Glasgow Derby, and the Greek Cup final sees Panathinaikos take on Aris.

Leeds a win away

One win from going right back up to the Premier League. One more win. Though it’s much easier said than done.

With all due respect to Leeds opponents in the promotion playoff final on Sunday (Southampton is also trying to go right back up), they deserve another shot just a wee bit more.

As ardent Leeds supporter Glen Duffield and I were chatting about this week, the newly minted Canadian National team manager was the main culprit behind Leeds being sent down in the first place. He’s also a Bob Bradley former assistant, which is not something that screams “winner” to anyone.

Jesse Marsch’s tactics and team selection as the Leeds gaffer were all wrong. He greatly misused Willy Gnonto (whenever he did play him, which was rare and definitely not enough) as well as shunning strong European talent for less skilled Americans (oh, by the way, Marsch is a Yank as well).

So, yeah, I hope Leeds gets another shot at the EPL because they have enough talent and a manager who knows how to use it in Daniel Farke. If they go up, I would bet they stay up this time.

Toronto FC faces stern test

Another week, another couple of wins – and another week I’ll be missing out on the live event (it’s okay, I’m pretty spoiled when it comes to TFC games).

This week, the Reds host reigning Supporters Shield champions Cincinnati in a top of the Eastern Conference table tilt . . . didn’t think we’d be writing those words after last year.

Toronto kicked off their redemption season with a spirited 0-0 draw away to Cincy on Feb. 25. Since then, both teams have done pretty well with TFC finding their scoring boots in recent weeks and Cincy climbing up to second place in the East – only one point back of Miami with a game in hand.

This will be a great test of TFC’s mettle, and being without Federico Bernadeschi (yellow card accumulation suspension), we’ll see how the squad handles a top MLS side and Cup contender.

Should be fantastic. Though I won’t be there, I’ll be watching. The match goes at 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on Apple TV with a MLS Season Pass subscription.

Hoyas win MPS Girls Title

The Huntsville Hoyas girls’ soccer team are heading to the GBSAA finals this week with a shot to return to OFSAA after a pair of wins this week in the Muskoka-Parry Sound Champions.

The Hoyas defeated Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes in the semi-finals 4-0 before edging Almaguin in the final 2-1 with Abbey Wood scoring the decisive goal.

Muskoka United FC Round-up

The U16 Boys kicked off their HDSL season in fine fashion on Thursday night, posting a 4-1 win over Orillia at Gostick Park in Bracebridge. Goals for Muskoka were scored by Theo Briand, Dante Occhiuzzi, Al Wilson, and Oscar Juszczak.

The U18 girls, playing in a U21 division, fell 1-0 on Thursday night at Gostick Park in their season opener.

The U18 boys won their opener on Tuesday, 2-1 over Collingwood at McCulley Robertson South Fields in Huntsville. Andreas Alfaro and Rowan Simpson scored for MUFC.

Huntsville Women’s League

The Huntsville Women’s League season started on Victoria Day at Conroy Park in Huntsville.

Sponsored by locally owned and operated businesses, the league continues to provide fast-paced action week in and out.

Monday saw Muskoka Marshmallo Company overcame the SportLab by a score of 4-1, while Muskoka Tea Company doubled-up On The Docks Pub 6-3. 

Player of the Match awards were given to Emily Hill, Maryah Robinson-Jackson, Chloe Campbell and Natalie Juszczak. 

In a new twist, a weekly draw gives the lucky winner a complimentary pan of Annie’s Lasagna courtesy of That Little Place By The Lights. This week the delicious dish was won by Chelsea Babb. 

Huntsville United FC Men’s Team

The Huntsville men’s team inched ever so close to their first win of their existence this week, but eventually fell 2-0 to the Barrie Blazers. A change of shape led to better possession on the ball, but a missed penalty and some other opportunities wasted means they’re still looking for that elusive win. Still, it was a much-improved performance, and that win is coming!

Celebration of Life – May 25

Don’t forget to come by Conroy Park today (Saturday, May 25, 2024) from 2 p.m. to celebrate the life of our wonderful friend Graham Pollington.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and our community. The event runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and there will be a fun kickaround on the pitch in his honour.

Learn more at: You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Also, don’t forget to vote “yes” to the town survey to commemoratively rename the North Fields at McCulley Robertson to Pollington Fields. Learn more about it (including a link to the survey) at: Honouring Local Legends.

That’s it for this week. Stay tuned for more local happenings, Toronto FC commentary, thoughts on both Euro 2024 and the Copa America, and more next week. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to subscribe below.

Ciao for Now!