Hoops Home and Abroad: Kellyn Acosta scores in Colorado 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.

Acosta made his Colorado debut, Richards got the start for Bayern Munich, and much much more.

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Europe - Preseason

Weston McKennie (AP - Schalke 04/Bundesliga: Weston and Schalke 04 are currently in Austria for preseason training.

Keaton Parks (DFW - Benfica/Primeira Liga): Keaton has received very few minutes during the Benfica preseason, raising speculation that he is about to be sent on a loan stint. That all changed Friday, when Benfica announced their 25-man roster for the Champions League:

This all but guarantees that Keaton will not be sent out on loan, and will at least be given a chance to earn minutes with the senior team.

Anton Nedyalkov (FCD - Ludogorets/Bulgaria): Anton has yet to see playing time with Ludogorets.

Chris Richards (AP/FCD - Bayern Munich/U19 Bundesliga): Chris got the start for the Bayern Munich senior team on Saturday, in ICC preseason action against Manchester City. A youth heavy starting lineup, would go on to lose by a 3-2 score. Chris played the full match, and had a solid performance. Brian Sciaretta (American Soccer Now) reports that there is a buy clause on the Richards loan, and the following quote, has raised speculation that Richards may not be returning to FC Dallas:

Next Match: ICC Preseason, Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United, Sunday, August 5, 1:15 pm

Middle East - Preseason

Mexico

Omar Gonzalez (DFW - Atlas FC/Liga MX): Omar suited up, but did not play in a 3-0 loss to Pumas UNAM

Alejandro Zendejas (AP/FCD - Guadalajara/Liga MX): Alex suited up, but did not play in a 3-2 victory, Wednesday against visiting Morelia in Copa MX action.

Central America - Season Concluded

Blas Perez (FCD - Arabe Unido/Panama): Blas has joined his new team in Panama:

Blas will be available for this weekends game.

South America

Anibal Chala (FCD - LDU Quito, Loan/Ecuador): Anibal started his fourth game in a row, in a 2-1 win over visiting Emelec.

The Ecuador season is split into two half seasons, LDU Quito is currently 7th place in the 2nd Phase of the Primera A Table, after having finished 1st place in the 1st Phase.

Next match: El Nacional vs. LDU Quito, Saturday, August 4, 3:30pm

Major League Soccer

Kellyn Acosta (AP/FCD - Colorado Rapids): Kellyn got the start on Saturday, at DC United, in his official regular season debut for the Rapids. It didn’t take long for Acosta to give the Colorado faithful something to talk about:

It wasn’t the start everyone had hoped for, and Colorado soon found themselves down 1-0. With the Colorado attack struggling, and time running out, Acosta came to the rescue:

Acosta’s goal looked to have secured a point on the road for Colorado, but a 90th minute own goal, would lead to a 2-1 loss.

Kellyn would finish with a goal, a team-high six shot attempts (one shot on goal), a team high (amongst starters) 95.4% passing accuracy, drew three fouls, 1 aerial won, and had two interceptions on defense.

Next Match: Colorado Rapids vs. LA Galaxy, Saturday, August 4, 8:00pm

Lee Nguyen (DFW - Los Angeles FC) & Walker Zimmerman(FCD - Los Angeles FC): No game scheduled this week

Brek Shea (DFW - Vancouver Whitecaps): Brek suited up, and came on to help kill the game in the 77th minute of a 4-2 win over visiting Minnesota United FC.

Richard Sanchez (AP/FCD - Chicago Fire): Richard started Saturday, at Toronto FC. Richard finished with four saves, but allowed three goals in a 3-0 loss.

USL

Francis Atuahene (FCD/Loan) & Atiba Harris (FCD - Oklahoma City Energy FC): Atiba started for OKC Energy on Saturday, in a 2-1 loss against visiting San Antonio FC.

Walker Hume (FCD - Orange County SC): Walker started Wednesday, in a 2-2 draw against Portland Timbers II.

Adonijah Reid ( Loan - Ottawa Fury) - Adonijah started Friday, against the visiting Tampa Bay Rowdies. Reid had one shot on goal (two shot attempts), drew three fouls, and had 75 % passing accuracy. Reid would earn a yellow card at the end of the first half, and would be subbed off in the 67th minute of a 2-0 Ottawa victory.

The win sees Ottawa jump up to 7th place in the Eastern Conference.

Brandon Servania (Loan - Tulsa Roughnecks): Brandon got the start on Saturday, against visiting Fresno FC. Brandon had an up and down game, as he was unfortunate to have the ball deflect off him in the box, for an own goal in the 63rd minute. Still he played the entire match, and was on the field when Tulsa gained a last minute equalizer for a 1-1 draw.

Brandon finished with one shot attempt, one key pass, one tackle, drew two fouls, and had 75% passing accuracy.

Next Match: Tulsa Roughnecks vs. OKC Energy, Wednesday, August 8, 7:30pm

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