Hoops Home and Abroad: Chris Richards makes Bayern Munich debut

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.

A week after making his Bayern U19 debut, Richards makes his Bayern senior debut. Acosta also has a new home, and made his debut as well. Speaking of new homes, Castillo returns to North America, and much much more.

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Europe - Preseason

Weston McKennie (AP - Schalke 04/Bundesliga: Weston and Schalke 04 are currently in the midst of their preseason. That hasn’t kept Weeston from having a little fun:

Keaton Parks (DFW - Benfica/Primeira Liga): Benfica took on Borussia Dortmund in ICC action, which got everyone excited about a possible Parks vs. Pulisic matchup:

Sadly, the matchup never happened, as Keaton did not see any action in the 2-2 draw.

Emerson Hyndman (DFW - Bournemouth/Premier League): Emerson has been getting significant minutes with AFC Bournemouth this preseason. Still, Bournemouth would like to see Hyndman get more experience before he can become a serious part of the senior squad. The Sun, is reporting that Hyndman will be sent on a 6 month loan to Wigan Athletic (English 2nd Division):

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/6650528/bournemouth-emerson-hyndman-join-wigan-loan/

Ramiro Funes Mori (DFW - Villarreal FC/La Liga): Currently in preseason with Villareal, Ramiro recently scored his first goal:

Anton Nedyalkov (FCD - Ludogorets/Bulgaria): Anton did not feature for Ludogorets this week.

Chris Richards (AP/FCD - Bayern Munich/U19 Bundesliga): Chris continued his meteoric rise, as he made his Bayern Munich debut Saturday, in ICC action against French power PSG (France 1st Division).

Chris looked like he belonged. He was poised and confident, tasked with being the deepest defender while Bayern was on the attack. He played right centerback (#34). His passing was crisp and accurate, as he was involved in the passing-chain that lead to the 3rd goal.

Chris also showed good movement and foot speed. I don’t recall PSG challenging him once, which is good, considering PSG looked dangerous for the majority of the match.

But hey, don’t just take my word for it, have a look for yourself:

But wait, there’s more. Richards was on the bench against Juventus on Wednesday, and with Bayern Munich down 2-0 at the half, Richards came on to start the 2nd half. Bayern would lose 2-0, but Richards and the defense did not allow another goal while he was on the field. Here is every touch from the Juventus match, for Chris Richards:

Chris is rumored to be in line for a start this Saturday against Manchester United. The opportunity arises after an injury to on of the backline starters.

Next Match: Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United, Saturday, July 28, 6:05pm

Middle East - Preseason

Mauro Diaz (FCD - Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai FC/UAE): Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai FC is currently in a preseason tour of Spain. The team has been playing against Division 2 sides, in closed scrimmages.

Mexico

Fabian Castillo (FCD -Tijuano/Liga MX)): Fabian has joined Tijuana of Liga MX for a reported 2.7 million transfer fee:

Omar Gonzalez (DFW - Atlas FC/Liga MX): Omar has joined Atlas FC on loan from Pachuca. He started Friday night against Queretaro:

Omar also started Wednesday night, in Copa MX action against visiting Zacatepec. Atlas would go on to lose 1-2.

Rogelio Funes Mori (DFW - Monterrey/Liga MX): Rogelio has been practicing with the 1st team, and will be available to suit up for Monterey this weekend.

Alejandro Zendejas (AP/FCD - Guadalajara/Liga MX): Alex started for the Guadalajara U20s, in a 2-2 loss at Tijuana U20

Central America - Season Concluded

Blas Perez (FCD - CSD Municipal/Guatemala): Blas Perez has a new team:

Blas will join Arabe Unido (Panama 1st Division) next week. Arabe Unido will begin CONCACAF League play on July 31st, against Arnett Gardens (Jamaica).

South America

Anibal Chala (FCD - LDU Quito, Loan/Ecuador): Anibal started for LDU Quito on Saturday, in a 2-0 loss against Delfin.

Chala started Wednesday night, in Copa Sudamericana action against visiting Brazilian side Vasco Da Gama. LDU Quito would score a big 3-1 victory in the 1st leg encounter.

Next match: LDU Quito vs. Emelec, Sunday, July 29, 4:00pm

Major League Soccer

Kellyn Acosta (AP/FCD - Colorado Rapids): The Colorado Rapids played a friendly Tuesday night against Boca Juniors. Kellyn made his debut as a starter in a 4-4-2 diamond midfield.

Kellyn played the full first half, and was one of the players subbed off to start the second half.

Kellyn wore #10 and almost scored off a 40 yard free kick, putting some good curve on the ball, but hitting the crossbar:

Chris Seitz (FCD - Houston Dynamo): Chris suited up, but did not play in a 3-1 loss against visiting Philadelphia Union.

Lee Nguyen (DFW - Los Angeles FC): Lee started Thursday, in “El Trafico” versus cross town rivals LA Galaxy. Lee would finally get his first goal for LAFC:

LAFC would jump out to a 2-0 lead, but would allow an LAG rally, and the game would end in a 2-2 draw. Despite the result, Lee had a pretty good game:

Walker Zimmerman(FCD - Los Angeles FC): Walker started Thursday, in “El Trafico” versus cross town rivals LA Galaxy. The game would end in a 2-2 draw.

Brek Shea (DFW - Vancouver Whitecaps): Brek got the start Wednesday, in the 2nd Leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal against the visiting Montreal Impact. Brek had a solid game, and attempted 2 shots, in a 2-0 victory.

The win sees Vancouver advance to the Canadian Championship Final, against Toronto FC.

Richard Sanchez (AP/FCD - Chicago Fire): Richard started Saturday against Toronto FC, and had 4 saves in a 2-1 loss.

USL

Francis Atuahene (FCD/Loan) & Atiba Harris (FCD - Oklahoma City Energy FC): Atiba started Wednesday, and helped OKC Energy earn a clean sheet, in a 0-0 draw against visiting Fresno FC.

Walker Hume (FCD - Orange County SC): Walker started Saturday against Saint Louis FC. The match would end in a 2-2 draw.

Connor Presley (DFW - San Antonio FC): Connor started Saturday on the Left Wing in the 4-2-3-1 formation, against visiting 1st place Real Monarchs. Connor had a solid game, with 2 shot attempts, 2 tackles, and 84.7% passing accuracy, as San Antonio would earn a 4-2 victory.

The win sees SAFC jump to 10th place in the Western Conference, just 1 point out of the final playoff spot.

Aaron Guillen (AP/FCD - North Carolina FC): Aaron did not feature for NCFC this week.

Corben Bone (DFW - FC Cincinnati) - Corben started Saturday against visiting New York Red Bulls II. Corben struggled throughout the match finishing with 58.8% passing accuracy, but he did take 2 shots (not on goal), as Cincinnati won 2-1.

The win sees FC Cincinnati remain 1st place in the Eastern Conference.

Je-Vaughn Watson (FCD - Charlotte Independence): Je-Vaughn started Saturday, at Louisville City FC, in a 4-1 loss.

The loss sees the Charlotte Independence drop to 8th place in the Eastern Conference.

Adonijah Reid ( Loan - Ottawa Fury) - Adonijah suited up Saturday, and came off the bench in the 60th minute of a 2-0 win over visiting Nashville SC.

The win sees Ottawa jump up to 8th place in the Eastern Conference.

Adonijah was on the bench for Ottawa on Wednesday, in the second leg of their Canadian Championship series against Toronto FC. Adonijah would come off the bench in a 3-0 loss.

The loss sees Ottawa eliminated from the Canadian Championship.

Brandon Servania (Loan - Tulsa Roughnecks): Brandon did not feature for Tulsa this week.

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Christian Cappis goes on trial with Bayern Munich:

Cappis looked good in action with Bayern Munich U23s, as they defeated Arsenal U23 4-1.

Ronaldo Damus is currently with the Haiti U21s, in the Central American games:

Damus scored, and Haiti U21 eliminated tournament favorites Mexico U21.