Angels Links: Real Madrid’s bad season continues by crashing out of Copa Del Rey

Real Madrid continue to struggle, bounced out of Copa Del Rey by Leganes

Despite scoring seven goals on the weekend, Real Madrid were unable to use that result to get back on track, as they lost 2-1 in the second leg of their Copa Del Rey match, and were eliminated on away goals. As bad as Real have been this year, losing 2-1 at home to Leganes was almost unthinkable, especially after their weekend display. Real Madrid have now lost three of their last five home games in all competitions, which is stunning. Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale missed out, but Madrid should still have had more than enough to win the tie. Now their only real chance at silverware this season is in the Champions League, and they are faced off against PSG, who will want to avenge their collapse last year against Barcelona. A year after winning basically everything, Real Madrid are heading in the complete opposite direction.

Arsenal defeat Chelsea 2-1 to advance to the Carabao Cup Final

Speaking of defending champions that are struggling, Chelsea lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal. Arsenal were without both the recently sold Alexis Sanchez, and his replacement Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but the Gunners still found a way to get the victory. Chelsea started off the better team, and took the lead through Eden Hazard within the first 10 mins. But Arsenal hit back, on a truly bizarre goal, a corner kick that was headed on and pinballed off two Chelsea players heads before going into the net. The teams were pretty even in the second half, but Arsenal made the breakthrough in the 60th minute through Granit Xhaka, and were able to hold on after that. Though Arsene Wenger has had a long and storied career at Arsenal, if Arsenal defeat Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final it would be Arsene Wenger’s first ever League Cup title.

Colorado Rapids hire Ena Patel as their new director of player personnel

As part of their front office shake up, the Colorado Rapids have hired Ena Patel to be their new director of player personnel. Patel is now the highest ranking woman’s executive in MLS. Almost two months ago, Sporting KC hired Megan Cameron as assistant director of player personnel, the first woman to be hired on to an MLS technical staff. Despite the fact that soccer is one of the most popular sports for girls and women in this country, MLS (like the other major sports leagues) has been far behind when it comes to women getting opportunities as coaches and executives in the league. Here’s hoping these moves lead to more opportunities for women across the MLS coaching and executive ranks

Worst badges in all of club soccer

As part of their attempt to climb back to the top levels of English soccer, Leeds United have attempted a rebrand. This includes a new club crest which has gotten reviews that are, well, not great so far. FourFourTwo has a list of the 20 worst club crests out there. These clubs could definitely use some new ideas in the design department.

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