I know a week without FC Dallas isn't a week worth getting out of bed for, but there's still soccer as the lower leagues and lesser MLS teams all operate while the big names take the week off by playing mailmen and hotel workers in international games.

Let's get the bad stuff out the way first. Romelu Lukaku was subjected to monkey noises after scoring for Inter Milan against Cagliari. Not acceptable. The Italian authorities decided to set up a player focus group to solve it. Not acceptable. Oh, this was the third year in a row that Cagliari fans have been called out after racially abusing Moise Kean last year as well as both Blaise Matuidi and Sully Muntari the year before. Also not acceptable. The Italian authorities called the Cagliari fans' behavior reprehensible but the only punishment dished out was two yellow cards to Muntari for protesting their behavior. That sure makes them sound just as guilty. Plus, a judge says it isn't clear while refusing to label the allegation as racist. Remember when former AC Milan owner/Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi complimented President Barack Obama on his 'tan'? There's a pattern emerging.

The latest part deserves the biggest eye roll of all. A group of Inter Milan fans came out in support of Cagliari, by claiming that they aren't racist, but are showing respect by using racist behavior to try to get in Lukaku's head. Way to support your player.

On an unrelated note, whoever wrote that statement is now in charge of dishing out excuses for why New York City FC still play at Yankee Stadium on a field that's below regulation size.

Tat's your lot

On to something more positive. The Carabao Cup isn't usually something to get excited for, unless you're playing your biggest rivals. Nottingham Forest fan Luke Webster joked that he'd get Forest goalie Brice Samba's name tattooed if he kept a clean sheet against Derby County. When Samba noticed and responded, the joke became a bet, and when Samba kept a clean sheet as Forest won 3-0, the bet became a reality.

It's spelled "S A M B A" 😉😂 https://t.co/NIn3uiXafq — Samba brice (@samba_brice) August 27, 2019

After Webster got his backside inked, Samba promised him his shirt along with five tickets to the next round against Arsenal. Which player are you making a similar bet with?

Oh mannn 😂😂😂 thats terrible but I love it at the same time (the tattoo, not your arse) 🤣 see you soon hopefully, we're linked for ever 😅🔴 https://t.co/miUrNYMYqi — Samba brice (@samba_brice) August 29, 2019

Here's hoping Samba doesn't sign for Derby or Notts County!

Wonder goal

Now how about this for a goal, as Rochdale turn in to Barcelona for a moment. (Excuse the language in the Tweet!)

Right so fucking ROCHDALE scored this goal and you’re telling me Pep Guardiola isn’t having an influence on English football?? pic.twitter.com/5guBbZpnYE — Colin (@colgcra) September 1, 2019

The funny thing is people will praise that because it happened in Europe, then label FC Dallas' similar Luchiball as boring.

Here today, gone tomorrow

Speaking of vague English-Spanish links we'll throw a Japanese forward in for good measure. Malaga signed Premier League winner Shinji Okazaki last month, but had to let their star signing go due to financial constraints.

The club is owned by Sheikh Abdullah ben Nasser Al Thani, making them one of the smaller Qatari playthings. They did go for broke one season, securing Manuel Pellegrini to manage the likes of Santi Carzorla, Martin Demichelis, and Isco, but only finished fourth. Since then it's been a sad state of affairs for the Spanish club as their second division standing shows. To make matters worse, now Malaga have had to let Okazaki go after yet more mismanagement. The fans continued to show their disappointment in the ownership after the Japanese attacker's parting message to fans.

Is it better to have a financially conservative team that never signs a big name, or signs a big name then immediately has to cut them? Asking for a friend in Frisco.

Russian hero of the week

Last week it was Evgeniy Evnevich for bravery in the face of a sprinkler, this week it's Rostov's Evgeni Chernov for this double-save against Lokomotiv Moscow to help keep Rostov joint-top of the Russian league. Поздравляем!

Oh my god the play of the day in sports came from the Russian Premier League pic.twitter.com/yAfzSpKSoB — Eagle-Eyed Social Media User Dan Why-Ner (@DanWeiner) August 31, 2019

Half-time surprise

You've seen gender reveals in soccer, when the player kicks a ball and emerges from a pink or blue cloud, but how does that work for a coach?

Fairmont State assistant coach Cristian Materazzi found out last weekend as he was surprised to be shown a pink card by the referee, then showered in pink confetti by his players and wife Courtney.

Here’s a better view pic.twitter.com/LySjUwjYq9 — Cristian materazzi (@CmatzCristian) September 2, 2019

That's some good wholesome soccering right there!

No pay, no play

Whatever you think of the USWNT's equal pay situation, it could always be worse. We witnessed a new dawning of the Jamaican women's national team right here in Frisco as the Reggae Girlz qualified for the World Cup. The team have now gone on strike after the Jamaican federation failed to pay players as part of their contracts.

What's on this week

Happy international break AKA the weekend you actually sleep in late. There are a couple of real gems hidden away. If you thought you saw hatred in last week's derbies, check out the MK Dons v AFC Wimbledon game on Saturday morning. There's nothing quite like your team being moved to another place to spur a rivalry. We also have a good old fashioned Germany v Netherlands game, where there's nothing quite like a war to spur a rivalry. We also have the two USMNT games featuring FCD products Weston McKennie, Paxton Pomykal, Reggie Cannon, and Jesse Gonzalez.

If that's still not local enough, there's a couple of North Texas SC games, and a lot of MLS action as everyone plays their game(s) in hand over FC Dallas.

Thursday, September 5:

1:45PM - Romania v Spain (Euro 2020 Qual.) - TUDN/ESPN+

1:45PM - Ireland v Switzerland (Euro 2020 Qual.) - ESPNews

5:00PM - Bermuda v Panama (Concacaf Nations League) - TUDN

8:00PM - Honduras v Puerto Rico (Friendly) - FOX Deportes

9:00PM - Chile v Argentina (Friendly) - ESPN Deportes

Friday, September 6:

1:45PM - Germany v Netherlands (Euro 2020 Qual.) - ESPN2/TUDN

6:30PM - Orlando City B v North Texas SC (USL-1) - ESPN+

7:30PM - USA v Mexico (Friendly) - FS1/Univision

Saturday, September 7:

6:00AM - MK Dons v AFC Wimbledon (EFL-1) - ESPN+

11:00AM - England v Bulgaria (Euro 2020 Qual.) - TUDN/ESPN+

1:45PM - Serbia v Portugal (Euro 2020 Qual.) - TUDN/ESPN+

2:30PM - NYCFC v New England Revolution (MLS) - Univision

6:30PM - Orlando City v Los Angeles FC (MLS) - ESPN+

7:00PM - Colorado Springs Switchbacks v Austin Bold (USL-C) - ESPN+

8:00PM - Colorado Rapids v Seattle Sounders (MLS) - ESPN+

9:30PM - Portland Timbers v Sporting KC (MLS) - ESPN+

Sunday, September 8:

6:00PM - OKC Energy v New Mexico United (USL-C) - ESPN+

6:00PM - Club America v Chivas (Friendly) - TUDN

5:00PM - Bermuda v Panama (Concacaf Nations League) - TUDN

8:00PM - Honduras v Puerto Rico (Friendly) - FOX Deportes

9:00PM - Chile v Argentina (Friendly) - ESPN Deportes

Monday, September 9:

1:45PM - Northern Ireland v Germany (Euro 2020 Qual.) - TUDN/ESPN+

6:00PM - Guyana v Jamaica (Concacaf Nations League) - TUDN

Tuesday, September 10:

1:45PM - France v Andorra (Euro 2020 Qual.) - ESPN+

1:45PM - England v Kosovo (Euro 2020 Qual.) - ESPN2

7:00PM - North Texas SC v Richmond Kickers (USL-1) - ESPN+

9:00PM - USA v Uruguay (Friendly) - FS1/TUDN

Wednesday, September 11:

6:00PM - Orlando Pride v Chicago Red Stars (NWSL) - ESPNews

7:30PM - Houston Dynamo v Minnesota Utd (MLS) - ESPN+

8:00PM - Colorado Rapids v LA Galaxy (MLS) - ESPN+

8:30PM - Real Salt Lake v SJ Earthquakes (MLS) - ESPN+

3rd Degree. Independent North Texas soccer news with a focus on FC dallas. (Buzz Carrick / 3rd Degree)

9:30PM - Las Vegas Lights v Phoenix Rising (USL-C) - ESPN3