Plus, MLS kicks off, Canada’s new era, and AFC Toronto

There are four teams left from Serie A in European competitions this year. The Italian league started with eight back in the fall.

A disastrous Champions League campaign by Bologna saw them eliminated at the league stage. Three more teams – all with glorious opportunities to advance – were eliminated this week in the playoff round.

AC Milan, Juventus, and Atlanta were all favoured to advance. Not a one succeeded. Thankfully, Inter Milan had already advanced directly to the round-of-16.

The Nerazzurri have a real shot at winning the title this year, like they do every year. I would love to see them ignore the domestic league and focus on a European trophy.

Other teams that had advanced directly to the round-of-16 in their respective competitions were Lazio (Europa League) and Fiorentina (Conference League).

After the Champions League debacle, that left Roma needing to advance past Porto after a 1-1 draw in Portugal in the Europe League playoffs. At home, in Rome, on a European night – that was almost a certainty.

That’s not hyperbole. AS Roma’s home record in Europe – all three competitions – is stunning. They almost never lose or even draw at home. Backed by 80,000 strong singing, chanting, cheering all match long, the Giallorossi power through all manner of opposition.

AS Roma indeed won the match against Porto, 3-2, but it really wasn’t that close. The visitors got a very late goal (six minutes into second half injury time) as a consolation.

It was a bit of a reprieve for Serie A after embarrassing displays on Tuesday and Wednesday.

But this is what AS Roma has done in recent years in Europe. They advance and go deep in competitions on the continental stage.

Last year they went to Europa League semi-finals, the year before they fell in penalty kicks in the final of the same competition. Three years ago, they won the inaugural Conference League. And before that it was another Europa semi-final appearance.

In fact, the pattern of relatively successful European campaigns since the 2017-18 Champions League season, where Roma made a stellar run to the semi-finals (which included the historic comeback against Messi’s Barcelona in the quarter-finals) before falling 7-6 on aggregate to Liverpool.

The following season they were knocked out in the Champions League Round-of-16, then in a weird pandemic altered 2019-2020 Europa League season Roma fell to eventual champions Sevilla in a one-game round-of-16 knockout.

Because of AS Roma’s success over this eight-year span, Serie A has been able to stay among the top four leagues in terms of UEFA coefficients. That means the league has kept its four Champions League bids, two Europa League spots, and the sole Conference league berth.

Last year, with Roma and Europa League Champions Atalanta leading the way, Serie A earned an extra Champions League berth this year.

As well, Roma rank sixth in the UEFA coefficient rankings, the top Italian team, and one above Inter Milan.

They continue to carry the Serie A torch in Europe and hopefully this year, they carry it all the way to a Europa League title.

MLS Opening Weekend

Major League Soccer kicks-off this weekend with Toronto FC away to DC United (7:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass, Apple TV).

I’ve provided my thoughts on the upcoming season to my friend Frank’s weekly SFD Newsletter – so check them out there.

But, for a brief summary: I’m cautiously optimistic and I feel like this team will be exciting to watch this year. There is potential for a return to the playoffs if the right bounces go TFC’s way this season.

I’ll have more thoughts next week after we see what happens in D.C. Plus, there appears to be one or more new players on the way.

Other matches of note in our time zone include on Saturday include Atlanta vs. Montreal, Columbus vs. Chicago, and Inter Miami hosting New York City (all start at 7:30 p.m.).

Miami is grooving to start the year with Lionel Messi potting a midweek match winner in freezing temperatures at Kansas City in the Concacaf Champions League.

On Sunday, the defending champion LA Galaxy’s title defence begins against expansion side San Diego. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.

Canadian Women’s New Era

The Canadian National Team got off to a solid start, though not a winning one, with a 1-1 draw against China on Wednesday in the Pinatar Cup, an invitational women’s tournament being hosted in Spain.

It was new head coach Casey Stoney’s debut and Julia Grosso scored for Canada. Grosso didn’t get as much opportunity under the old coaching staff as many feel she should.

Hopefully, this effort will spur on more match time.

Canada plays Mexico at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Chinese Taipei on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Matches will be shown on One Soccer and Fubo TV Canada.

AFC Toronto

AFC Toronto, the women’s professional team starting play this year, is set to make their season and home debut at BMO Field on Saturday, April 19 at 4 p.m. against Montreal.

As part of the new professional league in Canada, the Northern Super League, AFC Toronto will play most of their games at York Lions Stadium.

However, for the special occasion of the first professional women’s team in Toronto kicking-off, they will be showcasing their skills at the other professional soccer team’s home stadium.

Season tickets to AFC Toronto have been on sale for a while now, with single match tickets not being released just yet.

For the home opener, Toronto FC members received a code for advance ticket sales, with the general public being able to purchase tickets to that event this coming week.

The Northern Super League is beginning as a six-team competition with each team playing 25 matches. The top four make the two-legged, aggregate result semi-finals. The winners play in the November 15 final.

Some names of note on AFC Toronto include Canadian national team midfielders Emma Regan and Victoria Pickett, South Korea national team defender Hong Hye-Ji, and Nikayla
Small, former captain of Canada’s U-20 Women’s National Team.

We’ll have more on AFC Toronto and the Northern Super League as the season opener gets closer.

Matches of the Weekend

Okay, this column has been long enough, so a pair of easy pickings here.

EPL: Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Aston Villa vs. Chelsea; Sunday at 11:30 a.m., Man City vs. Liverpool.

Serie A: Saturday at noon, Torino vs. Milan; Monday at 2:45 p.m., AS Roma vs. Monza.

Bundesliga: Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Dortmund vs. Union Berlin; Sunday at 11:30 a.m., Bayern Munich vs. Frankfurt.

On that note, enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading!Ciao for Now!

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