Hoops Home and Abroad: Weston McKennie earns second USMNT call up

Welcome to another week of Big D Soccer’s coverage of your favorite players with ties to FC Dallas, the FCD Academy, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Weston looks to solidify himself within the USMNT, Keaton has a great game that is followed by great news, and Ramiro wants out of Everton FC.

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Europe

Weston McKennie (AP - Schalke 04/Bundesliga): Weston did not feature for Schalke 04, in their 1-0 victory at Wolfsburg.

McKennie received some good news this past week:

Weston has one senior team cap under his belt, and having established himself in the Bundesliga this season, is now looking to establish himself in the USMNT. He actually spent last week training with the USMNT.

Next Match: USA vs. Paraguay, Tuesday, March 27, 6:30pm

Keaton Parks (DFW - Benfica/Primeira Liga): Keaton started Wednesday (March 14) for Benfica II at Uniao Madeira. It only took 15 minutes for Keaton to put the visitors ahead:

Keaton would add the second goal in the 90th minute, and Benfica II would go on to win 4-0.

Keaton started for Benfica II on Sunday, against visiting Gil Vicente. Keaton played 85 minutes as Benfica II lost 2-1.

The win and loss, combine to keep Benfica II in 10th place, on the Segunda Liga Table.

With the season nearing its end, Keaton received some very welcome news, earlier in the week:

Next Match: Santa Clara vs. Benfica II, Saturday, March 31, 10:00am

Ramiro Funes Mori (DFW - Everton/Premier League): Ramiro has not featured for Everton FC, since his return from injury, and is currently training with the Argentina National team.

Of course, all everyone is talking about is this:

This is drawing mixed emotions from Everton FC fans, who have been mostly sympathetic to Ramiro’s issues in Everton.

Next Match: Argentina vs. Italy, Friday, March 23

Mexico - Clausura Torneo

Rogelio Funes Mori (DFW - Monterrey/Liga MX): Rogelio started Saturday against visiting Queretaro, and played 79 minutes in the 3-1 Monterrey win.

The win moves Los Rayados, to 6th place in the Liga MX Clausura Table.

Next Match: pachuca vs. Monterrey, Saturday, March 31, 8:06pm

Alejandro Zendejas (FCD/AP - Atletico Zacatepec/Ascenso MX): Alex suited up on Saturday, at Universidad Guadalajara. Alex came on in the 56th minute with both teams tied at 1 a piece. It was not to be, as Universidad Guadalajara scored 2 minutes into added time, and Zacatepec lost 2-1.

The loss drops Zacatepec to 9th place in the Ascenso MX Clausura Table.

Next Match: Atletico Zacatepec vs. Alebrijes De Oaxaca, Saturday, March 24, 6:00pm

Atiba Harris (FCD - Murcielagos FC/Ascenso MX): Atiba did not feature this week for Murcielagos.

Next Match: Murcielagos vs. Tampico Madero, Friday, March 23, 11:00pm

Central America & South America

Nicholas Hagen (AP - Municipal/Guatemala), Blas Perez (FCD - Municipal/Guatemala): Nick and Blas both started, with Nick gaining his 7th clean sheet of the Clausura, in a 1-0 win at Comunicaciones.

The win sees Municipal climb to 3rd place in the Liga Nacional Table.

Next Match: Municipal vs. Siquinala, Saturday, March 24, 4:00pm

Moises Hernandez (FCD/AP - Comunicaciones/Guatemala): Moises started Saturday, in the 1-0 loss against visiting Municipal.

The loss drops Los Cremas to 7th place in the Liga Nacional Table.

Next Match: Suchitepequez vs. Comunicaciones, Sunday, March 25, 12:00pm

Anibal Chala (FCD - LDU Quito, Loan/Ecuador): Anibal did not feature for LDU Quito this past week.

Next Match: Emelec vs. LDU Quito, Sunday, March 25, 4:30pm

Major League Soccer

Chris Seitz (FCD - Houston Dynamo): Chris started Saturday, at DC United. Chris and the Dynamo got off to a good start, taking a 2-0 lead into halftime, but they would allow DCU back into the match in the 50th minute, when DCU scored to make it 2-1. Houston was on its way to three points on the road, but seven minutes into added time, this happened:

The match ended in a 2-2 draw. Seitz had four saves in the match.

The draw sees the Houston Dynamo to 5th place in the Western Conference.

Next Match: Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution, Saturday, March 31, 7:30pm

Lee Nguyen (DFW - New England): No match scheduled last week

Brek Shea (DFW - Vancouver Whitecaps): Brek suited up Saturday, at Atlanta United FC. Brek came on to start the second half, with his team trailing 1-0. Things would only get worse, as Vancouver got soundly beaten by a 4-1 score.

Next Match: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, Saturday, March 24, 9:00pm

Richard Sanchez (AP/FCD - Chicago Fire): Richard started Saturday, as Chicago visited Minnesota United FC. Richard made 3 saves, but it wasn’t enough, as Chicago lost 2-1.

The loss drops the Chicago Fire to 10th place in the Eastern Conference.

Next Match: Chicago Fire vs. Portland Timbers, Saturday, March 31, 5:00pm

USL

USL Players will be added next week.