Footy Digest: Why aren’t USMNT fans celebrating?

Footy Digest Weekly is a roundup of the headlines, stories, and games you should follow.

US Soccer

• Banners, schmanners: The USMNT lost in Costa Rica last night but advanced to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Why aren't we celebrating? —Stars and Stripes FC

• Fact is, qualifying ain’t easy. How did we make it? Here are The Atheltic’s Sam Stejskal and Paul Tenorio with the long read. —The Athletic

• U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Vlatko Andonovski announced the 23-player roster for the April friendlies against Uzbekistan, and Megan Rapinoe, Crystal Dunn, Christen Press, Tobin Heath and Alex Morgan didn’t get the call. —All for XI

• Three Gotham FC players did make the cut, including star-in-the-making “Midge” Purce. —Hudson River Blue

International

• Was the Polish national team misled by Charlotte FC’s medical staff about the fitness of striker Karol Swiderski? Reportedly “an official of the Polish men’s national soccer team published a private email” from Charlotte suggesting that Swiderski was injured, and the national team canceled his call up. But then Swiderski played 89 minutes over the weekend and scored a brace. —Charlotte Observer

• Oh, Canada! Hopefully the new darlings of CONCACAF can prove their merit in this coming world cup after they became the first team in North America to clinch a spot at Qatar —Walking the Red

• Sadio Mané’s Senegal are going to the FIFA World Cup, Mohamed Salah’s Egypt are not. Are little green lasers to blame? —The Guardian

• Italy might have crashed out of World Cup Qualifying in a spectacularly embarrassing fashion, but Robert Mancini wants to stay. — 90min

• First Denmark fans held their breath for what felt like an eternity, now get to cheer their hearts out as Christian Ericksen’s return was marked by an absolute stunner of a goal — Marca

New York

• Gotham FC goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris is good at Twitter.

• NYCFC II took the field for the first in club history and were drawn by New England Revolution II—per MLS NEXT Pro rules the game went straight to penalties for the first time in league history. —Hudson River Blue

• The NYCFC Academy teams didn’t do so well against the New Jersey Red Bulls Academy teams in the Hudson River Derby Jr. —Hudson River Blue

Europe

• In need of defensive reinforcements, and with their second transfer embargo in five years, Chelsea are pulling out all the stops to secure a gold-standard skipper for the next season —90min

• Everton are bleeding money. —The Athletic

• What is Roman Abramovich doing at the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations in Istanbul? —New York Times

MLS

• The USMNT team that qualified for the FIFA World Cup last night is packed with world-class players who just happen to play for MLS. —The Sporting News

• Didja know there were three MLS league games over the international break? —Hudson River Blue

NWSL

• Michele Kang is the new majority owner of current NWSL champs Washington Spirit. According to The Athletic, it “officially ends a months-long tug-of-war for control” of the team between the DC-area businesswoman and the unpopular Steve Baldwin. —The Athletic

• Let’s take a minute to admire the 80s-tastic crest of San Diego Wave FC. —Beyond Women’s Sports

Games to watch

Saturday, April 2

Dortmund vs RB Leipzig (Bundesliga), 12:30 pm ET — ESPN+

Toronto FC vs NYCFC (MLS), 4:00 pm ET — ESPN+, YES, YES App

Sunday, April 3

West Ham United vs Everton (EPL), 9:00 am ET — Telemundo Television Network, USA Network

Juventus vs Inter Milan (Serie A), 2:45 pm ET — CBS Sports Network, Paramount+

Barcelona vs Sevilla (La Liga), 3:00 pm ET — ESPN+

Gotham FC vs North Carolina Courage (NWSL Challenge Cup), 3:00 pm ET — Paramount+

Tuesday, April 5

Benfica vs Liverpool (Champions League), 3:00 pm ET — Paramount+, TUDN

Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid (Champions League), 3:00 pm ET — Paramount+, TUDN

Wednesday, April 6

Chelsea vs Real Madrid (Champions League), 3:00 pm ET — Paramount+, TUDN

Villarreal vs Bayern (Champions League), 3:00 pm ET — Paramount+, TUDN

Seattle Sounders vs NYCFC (CONCACAF Champions League), 9:00 pm ET — FS2, TUDN

Thursday, April 7

Braga vs Rangers (Europa League), 3:00 pm ET — Paramount+, TUDN

Frankfurt vs Barcelona (Europa League), 3:00 pm ET — Paramount+, TUDN

West Ham United vs Lyon (Europa League), 3:00 pm ET — Paramount+, TUDN

Know of other articles NYCFC fans should read? Games they shouldn’t miss? Post a short description and a link in the comments below.