I was going to put this up earlier, but then... ya know... I noticed my bike was gone. Better late than never, we have the first Atlante goal of Sonny Guadarrama (play of the foul leading to the goal play starts at 1:18).
And yes, that damn Lady Gaga song is ruthlessly stuck in my head today. Bad Monday is more like it.
- Greg Seltzer
Monday, November 7, 2011
An open letter to the guy who stole my bike this morning
Dear "person",
Super-mega-duper congratulations on being an adult who steals bikes for a living. Your family must be so proud. Feel free at any time to get hit by a bus. Asshole.
Love, Greg
Super-mega-duper congratulations on being an adult who steals bikes for a living. Your family must be so proud. Feel free at any time to get hit by a bus. Asshole.
Love, Greg
The MLS Grinder: An Orange Creamsicle Galaxy
First off, big ups this week to J-Klinger, who correctly predicted Houston drowning out KC 2-0 - even had a set piece goal right - and was only a goal off but hit the result dead on in LA's 3-1 triumph over RSL. Dude came quick with it in our Friday Five. I'll getcha next time, bud.
Face it. The Galaxy are supposed to be here. They have the pedigree, the spendthrift backing ownership and The Donovan. That cheshire cat grin Landon is flashing in the above picture is one he's been practicing in front of mirrors without an outlet since 2005, amazingly the last time he's won anything of any substance in the league. It has been a puzzling drought, one made especially more confusing considering the roll call of talent around him at times. But there is Beckham, there is Keano, there is Arena and there are expectations. This is LA after all, and FC Hollywood can't take a step without being dogged by echoing refrains of their big dog role as MLS Cup favorites. So the Galaxy riding Donovan, Keane and Magee goals to a final that they host is one of the least surprising results these MLS playoffs could've dished out.
But across the way, wind of a different ilk blew. The sharp whip of the MLS pendulum brings us nose-to-nose with Houston, a stepchild in this final if ever one existed. Even in a weakened Eastern Conference, Houston did little to stand out as title contenders for much of 2011. It was five games into the season before Houston won its first game. In the dog-day months of June, July and August, a period that defines seasons, the Dynamo were an appropriately average 5-5-5. But something happened to this group after an embarrassing 1-0 loss to Vancouver on Aug. 27, something tangible and immensely positive. In all competitions, including a 3-0 win over defending CL champs Monterrey in a friendly, Houston closed the regular season 5-2-1 in the months of September and October, and only results elsewhere conspired to keep the Dynamo from the East's No. 1 seed. Not to be overlooked in that span was a 1-0 win at Pizza Hut Park and a 2-0 win at daunting Jeld-Wen.
Until Sept. 24, nearly a month before the close of the regular season, Houston hadn't won a road game. They shared that honor at the time with Vancouver, which became historically one of the worst road teams in league history this year. How could Houston be expected to make the MLS Cup contenders lists if they couldn't win away from Robertson? They finished that streak by beating rival FCD in their home, planting the orange flag in Portland, firing past Philly in Philly and then kicking SKC to the curb at the StrongBox. Houston began the year 0-6-9 on the road. They are 4-0-0 in their last four. Two of those were high-pressure playoff games. Perhaps we should have reevaluated SKC's chances on Sunday, or lack thereof I should say.
It's not that SKC played particularly poorly on Sunday, and certainly Sporting's record-breaking crowd couldn't have been expected to play a bigger part. Further, force-of-nature Brad Davis hit the ground writhing while Graham Zusi spit some venom toward Davis after what he viewed as a weak challenge. Instead, Davis stayed down. Dom Kinnear paced nervously. Houston essentially got to this point on Davis' set piece setups, and his league-leading 16 assists illuminated his irreplaceable quality as the league's most accurate left foot. Davis might even have a better claim to the league MVP award than anyone else. And now you're saying he's gone? In a scoreless game in the midst of the conference championship? Of course I'm picking KC. So go figure that it was a set piece that changed the game. Adam Moffat, with his Brad Davis beard and all, calmly stepped over a free kick and found Andre Hainault at the far post. Pandemonium.
The next one, a matter of time with SKC emptying the basket to pour forward, put the finishing flourish on a game decided without Davis. Unreal.
The game was over by the time LA and RSL kicked off. The Galaxy had their own fight to reclaim a spot in the final, but it always felt preordained to me. Even when Alvaro Saborio did this to level terms, I never felt the Galaxy panicked. They merely did what they always do at home; dropped their head and leveled the boom. The second half was chance after Galaxy chance until Beckham popped up in that shoulder area around the box where he's so deadly, leaving Mike Magee with a training ground header.
This, then, only confirmed what we already knew. We preordained them kings. Now they are only inches away from the crown. Although, John Harkes, I don't think Keano was ever knocking on the doorstep. That might smart.
So it comes to this. A ludicrously long two-week break - an idea borrowed from the NFL's Super Bowl run-up for reasons unknown - before we sort out this Creamsicle Galaxy situation. You know my pick. Even though this is supposed to be a "neutral venue" event, the Galaxy are still undefeated at home this year. Until then, we'll have plenty to look forward, including another Friday Five this week. After another long year, only (about) 90 minutes left.
- Will Parchman
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Just when you thought it was safe to bag on him again... (updated)
AZ forward Jozy Altidore has applied the 83rd minute capper on a 3-0 win over ADO Den Haag. Celebrating his birthday, the (now) 22-year old hypnotized two defenders and danced around the keeper. I'll get the clip up as quickly as I can, you're gonna love it.
And if you're keeping score, that's four Eredivisie goals and eight overall as we near the 1/3 marker on the season.
- Greg Seltzer
And if you're keeping score, that's four Eredivisie goals and eight overall as we near the 1/3 marker on the season.
- Greg Seltzer
Your friendly neighborhood UEFA NextGen report
If one is the loneliest number, what does that make zero? After Ajax drew away to Fenerbahce they joined the imperfect mass that constitutes this year's NextGen field. Sporting and Tottenham remain unbeaten, but perfection is now a thing of the past for all 16 tournament teams. Yet if anyone can claim to have truly attained perfection it is Barcelona.
The only blemish for Barcelona to date came at Marseille and they came determined to avenge the defeat against now-entirely eliminated Manchester City. The Mancunians had held onto a mathematical prayer of advancement heading into their match at the Mini Estadi , but by halftime on Thursday it was fading fast as a brace from Sandra Ramirez put the hosts in the driver's seat. Ramirez, who was only recently promoted from the youth second team, made the most of his opportunity as he hammered home Bakoyoc's 30th minute cross to start the scoring. In the second half it was more of the beautiful same from Barca as substitute Miguel Angel's freekick found the back of the net with just over 20 minutes to play. City's Eirik Johansen had already done plenty to stop the bleeding at this point, but he was again helpless as Gustavo Ledes was played through for Barcelona's fourth. The visitors snagged a late consolation, but "too little, too late" was very much an understatement for in this game as the Barcelona victory sealed their place in the quarterfinals.
Before Aston Villa visited Fenerbahce if you had told them they'd bag all three of the game's goals they would have been undoubtedly delighted, but only if they failed to read the fine print. As fate would have it, it was Derrick Williams's header that looped away from the charging Benjamin Siegrist to give the hosts the lead. Unfortunately for Williams, his header was meant to clear the ball rather than avoid his own keeper. Nonetheless, his teammates were quick to cover up his embarrassment as Daniel Johnson finished off a darting move that he himself had started. The goal was well-deserved considering Villa had had the better of possession. Not to be satisfied with a draw, the visitors pressed for a winner. Their efforts were to be rewarded as Lewis Kinsella's shot from distance took a Lampard-esque deflection goal-wards to give his team the win.
With no points and two games to play the Yellow Canaries - gotta love these nicknames - could not have been thrilled to host then-perfect Ajax. You may recall that Ajax shellacked Fener 5-1 at home. The Amsterdammers looked likely to sweep the home and home as they dominated the first half. They went in at halftime scoreless however, and in a game that saw six bookings, play slowed slightly in the second half. Ajax looked most likely when Yener Arica's chip was only kept out by Berkay Oztuvan's bicycle. Fifteen minutes later, the whistle blew, Fenerbahce had earned their first point, and Ajax's record was permanently flawed.
In the other Group 3 game, Aston Villa looked to continue their rise up the table against Rosenborg. The youth clubs got to play at the senior side's Villa Park, but the visitors struck first through Mushaga Bakenga in the 8thminute. Bakenga's goal gives him a share of the top spot in the goal scoring table with Barcelona's Dongou. Unfortunately Bakenga's four in the tournament only equal the four that Villa hung on The Troll Kids - seriously, that's their nickname - in Birmingham. If the Under the Bridge Gang is to have any true chance of advancing they will have to do so with a win against Villa in next week's return leg.
In the ever-entagled Group 2, Wolfsburg hosted American Sean Cunningham's Molde. With this being Wolfsburg's last game, they went in knowing they had to take all three point to have any chance of holding off Liverpool. Due to the asymmetric arrangement of the competition, Liverpool will wrap up group play on the 16th. Molde too were very much in the hunt for a spot in the quarters, but also needed a win to keep serious hopes alive. It was not to be a day for the defense as the 3-3 scoreline reflected both teams' desperation. Molde triumphed in the group opener and looked to do the same when Zlatko Tripic opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Late in the half however, the hosts stormed back as Murat Bilderici's brace was followed by an Andac Güleryuz goal. Wolfsburg seemed sure to get the three points until Tripic returned to the scoresheet. Simon Markeng gave the hosts some lasting misery as he headed home in the 93rd to end the Germans' campaign.
Surprise Group 4 cellar-dwellers PSV Eindhoven welcome FC Basel with revenge clearly on the mind. Basel upset PSV in Switzerland back in August, but this time the Dutch side struck first with Menno Koch rising up to head in a 15th minute corner. The visitors equalized less than ten minutes later, but it was to be the end of the fun for Basel as PSV tacked on an another three before it was all said and done. Don't take my word for it though. The goods:
Aside from City and Fenerbahce, 14 teams still harbor hopes of advancing. Barcelona and Sporting have clinched, but Celtic and Molde fight to stay alive to keep Marseille and Liverpool respectively from clinching. Check in on the next edition as teenage dreams are fulfilled and others come crashing down.
- Jacob Klinger
The only blemish for Barcelona to date came at Marseille and they came determined to avenge the defeat against now-entirely eliminated Manchester City. The Mancunians had held onto a mathematical prayer of advancement heading into their match at the Mini Estadi , but by halftime on Thursday it was fading fast as a brace from Sandra Ramirez put the hosts in the driver's seat. Ramirez, who was only recently promoted from the youth second team, made the most of his opportunity as he hammered home Bakoyoc's 30th minute cross to start the scoring. In the second half it was more of the beautiful same from Barca as substitute Miguel Angel's freekick found the back of the net with just over 20 minutes to play. City's Eirik Johansen had already done plenty to stop the bleeding at this point, but he was again helpless as Gustavo Ledes was played through for Barcelona's fourth. The visitors snagged a late consolation, but "too little, too late" was very much an understatement for in this game as the Barcelona victory sealed their place in the quarterfinals.
Before Aston Villa visited Fenerbahce if you had told them they'd bag all three of the game's goals they would have been undoubtedly delighted, but only if they failed to read the fine print. As fate would have it, it was Derrick Williams's header that looped away from the charging Benjamin Siegrist to give the hosts the lead. Unfortunately for Williams, his header was meant to clear the ball rather than avoid his own keeper. Nonetheless, his teammates were quick to cover up his embarrassment as Daniel Johnson finished off a darting move that he himself had started. The goal was well-deserved considering Villa had had the better of possession. Not to be satisfied with a draw, the visitors pressed for a winner. Their efforts were to be rewarded as Lewis Kinsella's shot from distance took a Lampard-esque deflection goal-wards to give his team the win.
With no points and two games to play the Yellow Canaries - gotta love these nicknames - could not have been thrilled to host then-perfect Ajax. You may recall that Ajax shellacked Fener 5-1 at home. The Amsterdammers looked likely to sweep the home and home as they dominated the first half. They went in at halftime scoreless however, and in a game that saw six bookings, play slowed slightly in the second half. Ajax looked most likely when Yener Arica's chip was only kept out by Berkay Oztuvan's bicycle. Fifteen minutes later, the whistle blew, Fenerbahce had earned their first point, and Ajax's record was permanently flawed.
In the other Group 3 game, Aston Villa looked to continue their rise up the table against Rosenborg. The youth clubs got to play at the senior side's Villa Park, but the visitors struck first through Mushaga Bakenga in the 8thminute. Bakenga's goal gives him a share of the top spot in the goal scoring table with Barcelona's Dongou. Unfortunately Bakenga's four in the tournament only equal the four that Villa hung on The Troll Kids - seriously, that's their nickname - in Birmingham. If the Under the Bridge Gang is to have any true chance of advancing they will have to do so with a win against Villa in next week's return leg.
In the ever-entagled Group 2, Wolfsburg hosted American Sean Cunningham's Molde. With this being Wolfsburg's last game, they went in knowing they had to take all three point to have any chance of holding off Liverpool. Due to the asymmetric arrangement of the competition, Liverpool will wrap up group play on the 16th. Molde too were very much in the hunt for a spot in the quarters, but also needed a win to keep serious hopes alive. It was not to be a day for the defense as the 3-3 scoreline reflected both teams' desperation. Molde triumphed in the group opener and looked to do the same when Zlatko Tripic opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Late in the half however, the hosts stormed back as Murat Bilderici's brace was followed by an Andac Güleryuz goal. Wolfsburg seemed sure to get the three points until Tripic returned to the scoresheet. Simon Markeng gave the hosts some lasting misery as he headed home in the 93rd to end the Germans' campaign.
Surprise Group 4 cellar-dwellers PSV Eindhoven welcome FC Basel with revenge clearly on the mind. Basel upset PSV in Switzerland back in August, but this time the Dutch side struck first with Menno Koch rising up to head in a 15th minute corner. The visitors equalized less than ten minutes later, but it was to be the end of the fun for Basel as PSV tacked on an another three before it was all said and done. Don't take my word for it though. The goods:
Aside from City and Fenerbahce, 14 teams still harbor hopes of advancing. Barcelona and Sporting have clinched, but Celtic and Molde fight to stay alive to keep Marseille and Liverpool respectively from clinching. Check in on the next edition as teenage dreams are fulfilled and others come crashing down.
- Jacob Klinger
Friday, November 4, 2011
The Friday Five
Jacob and I hatched a scheme for an intermittent Friday back-and-forth questionnaire on pressing matters. With MLS playoffs roaring to a boil, we're putting the league's happenings on the block today. For our inaugural Friday Five, we bring you our conference final edition. Marquez lovers, progress no further.
In your mind, who was the most impressive player or team through the conference semis?
Will: I'll have to go with Sporting KC. It was obvious that KC was streaking into the playoffs on an envious late-season run of form, but the question marks surrounding SKC's playoff inexperience abounded. Could young pup Teal Bunbury take to the stage? Was this back line as good as we thought? Pretty much every question I've had was answered over two shutout legs against the Rapids. Winning 4-0 on aggregate in a conference semi is impressive enough. Even LA couldn't accomplish that task. And yes, Colorado was banged up. But they were also the defending champs with a solid home field advantage, and KC ripped that to shreds in a 2-0 beating on Sunday evening. And Bunbury already has a pair of goals to his name. Sharp. So is this team ready to be anointed the East's rep in the final? Houston may have a final say in the matter, but I'd say yes.
The LA Galaxy stole three points at Red Bull Arena and then won the second leg 2-1. Is this LA team still good enough to curry our favor as the shoe-in MLS Cup frontrunners?
Jacob: As much as any one team can be favorites in the playoffs, I'd have to believe that your predicted Donovan-Bianca epic make-out session is still a go. If they come out as shaky as they did against NY, Real Salt Lake will hardly be as forgiving but they've weathered the storm while getting the proper wake-up call they clearly needed. If you watch any of the interviews lately, Beckham seems like's he's coyly leaving, but there's no doubt he wants a Cup first. Donovan seems in similar spirits and we all know what Il Bruce is about. They won't be walking over anybody, but if I had to put money down it'd be FC Hollywood taking it at home.
Much was made of the Marquez-Juninho incident. LA made it through without their guy, but that said, how do you rate the longtime El Tri captain's tenure in MLS? Better still, is it over?
Will: Marquez is a moron. I've said it before (loudly) and I'm saying it right now so everyone else can hear me. He rants and raves on teammates for not matching his saintly ability to disappear completely for one. He's also a playactor of the worst order. If I'm ever in need of cheering up, I need only look at his woeful acting job at the end of the first leg of the conference semis. Part 1: throw a ball at Landon Donovan, who isn't even looking at you. Part 2: take the meekest of swings at Adam Cristman (and miss). Part 3: grab your face and hit the deck like you're on fire. I've coined a new dance here. I call it the Marquez. Can a brother get a .gif?
That's only a microcosm for why Marquez needs to be done in MLS. The suspension may be moot, but the message is a loud one. Hans Backe's hands were tied in starting Marquez after things blew up because you can't pay him DP money and keep him on the bench. Politics generally won't allow it. Thankfully it looks like MLS (and perhaps New York ownership if they find a spine) will force his hand. I don't know if it will be over, but it should be. Adios amigo.
Jacob: Marquez really ruins a lot of things for me. I was morbidly intrigued when I saw that there was some post-game tension, but when I saw the clip I was severely bummed. It's people like Marquez that give the game a bad rep, especially Stateside. Watching the first half of LA-NY you couldn't help but get the feeling that Backe was more than happy to have him out of the lineup Thursday night. Best Case Scenario: New York leaves him unprotected in the expansion draft, Montreal takes him and deals him to the lower rungs of Mexican soccer and we never hear from him again. Somewhere Cobi Jones is smiling.
Three of four teams gave up home field advantage on the first leg, and the only one that didn't is moving on to the next round (RSL). Whose home field held up best in the semis?
Jacob: You said it in the question, Rio Tinto is still no fun for anybody but the home team (and Monterrey) and drubbing a very respectable Sounders team in the first leg all but put the series to bed. The playoffs are quirky on their own, but as Sigi Schmid noted, no field player had much presence at all in the first leg and that's no coincidence. If you're a Sounders fan maybe you blame it on the altitude difference or just that your team is tired of being awesome from all that US Open Cup success, but the fact remains that the biggest smackdown of the playoffs so far happened in the first leg at Salt Lake. No other team put up that many in one game and not against anyone close to the quality of Seattle, not to mention the now-retired Kasey Keller.
Jacob: The Galaxy will undoubtedly benefit from hosting again and I have every reason to expect that Jason Kreis's team will make the game very much worth our while. For whatever reason, this just feels like LA's year, much more so than the past few years when they were vastly more talented than their opposition. Not to mention there's a bit of a revenge element in that Salt Lake snatched the '09 Cup from the Galaxy. It'll be night, but the Gals take it 2-1.
Kansas City should beat Houston at LiveStrong, but they won't. With Brian Ching rounding into form, Brad Davis making a very strong case for MVP, and Boswell-Cameron looking watertight in the back the Dynamo have enough to hold off Bunbury & Co. and make them pay on the other end. If it ain't broke don't fix it: Houston snags a couple set piece goals and shocks the home crowd 2-0.
In your mind, who was the most impressive player or team through the conference semis?
Will: I'll have to go with Sporting KC. It was obvious that KC was streaking into the playoffs on an envious late-season run of form, but the question marks surrounding SKC's playoff inexperience abounded. Could young pup Teal Bunbury take to the stage? Was this back line as good as we thought? Pretty much every question I've had was answered over two shutout legs against the Rapids. Winning 4-0 on aggregate in a conference semi is impressive enough. Even LA couldn't accomplish that task. And yes, Colorado was banged up. But they were also the defending champs with a solid home field advantage, and KC ripped that to shreds in a 2-0 beating on Sunday evening. And Bunbury already has a pair of goals to his name. Sharp. So is this team ready to be anointed the East's rep in the final? Houston may have a final say in the matter, but I'd say yes.
Jacob: For me, it's got to be David Beckham. This Galaxy team, and Beckham personally, have as much expectation on them since he came on. He delivered through the regular season and it's hardly stopped for the playoffs. It was especially evident in the return leg where you could see he was making up for Juninho's absence and then some, putting himself in good positions, drawing fouls, tracking back like a man possessed, shaking off a pretty nasty looking knock to the head, and just generally making the game his own.
I'd be the last to kneel before the altar of His Glitziness, but it's one thing to fly under the radar, and it's entirely another to be the name on everyone's lips and still deliver the goods. Beckham's done just that.
The LA Galaxy stole three points at Red Bull Arena and then won the second leg 2-1. Is this LA team still good enough to curry our favor as the shoe-in MLS Cup frontrunners?
Jacob: As much as any one team can be favorites in the playoffs, I'd have to believe that your predicted Donovan-Bianca epic make-out session is still a go. If they come out as shaky as they did against NY, Real Salt Lake will hardly be as forgiving but they've weathered the storm while getting the proper wake-up call they clearly needed. If you watch any of the interviews lately, Beckham seems like's he's coyly leaving, but there's no doubt he wants a Cup first. Donovan seems in similar spirits and we all know what Il Bruce is about. They won't be walking over anybody, but if I had to put money down it'd be FC Hollywood taking it at home.
Will: LA is a juggernaut, no question, but I figured they'd storm through New York with more vigor than they did. New York was vastly overrated to begin with, but they weren't 3-1 aggregate good, I didn't think. LA took care of business, but the first leg was a hair's breath away from being 1-1 in the dying minutes, which would have changed everything heading to LA. And who knows what happens then?
Donovan is, as always, the X-factor. You can say as much as you want about Beckham, but Donovan has the probing ability to score goals in myriad ways, more so than anyone left in the bracket. He scored on Thursday to answer the bell after failing to get one in New Jersey, which could very well open the flood gates. I'm not convinced that LA is worlds better than SKC right now, but are they the faves? Jacob is right. As much of a favorite as there can be in this league, that's the Galaxy right now.
Donovan is, as always, the X-factor. You can say as much as you want about Beckham, but Donovan has the probing ability to score goals in myriad ways, more so than anyone left in the bracket. He scored on Thursday to answer the bell after failing to get one in New Jersey, which could very well open the flood gates. I'm not convinced that LA is worlds better than SKC right now, but are they the faves? Jacob is right. As much of a favorite as there can be in this league, that's the Galaxy right now.
Much was made of the Marquez-Juninho incident. LA made it through without their guy, but that said, how do you rate the longtime El Tri captain's tenure in MLS? Better still, is it over?
Will: Marquez is a moron. I've said it before (loudly) and I'm saying it right now so everyone else can hear me. He rants and raves on teammates for not matching his saintly ability to disappear completely for one. He's also a playactor of the worst order. If I'm ever in need of cheering up, I need only look at his woeful acting job at the end of the first leg of the conference semis. Part 1: throw a ball at Landon Donovan, who isn't even looking at you. Part 2: take the meekest of swings at Adam Cristman (and miss). Part 3: grab your face and hit the deck like you're on fire. I've coined a new dance here. I call it the Marquez. Can a brother get a .gif?
That's only a microcosm for why Marquez needs to be done in MLS. The suspension may be moot, but the message is a loud one. Hans Backe's hands were tied in starting Marquez after things blew up because you can't pay him DP money and keep him on the bench. Politics generally won't allow it. Thankfully it looks like MLS (and perhaps New York ownership if they find a spine) will force his hand. I don't know if it will be over, but it should be. Adios amigo.
Jacob: Marquez really ruins a lot of things for me. I was morbidly intrigued when I saw that there was some post-game tension, but when I saw the clip I was severely bummed. It's people like Marquez that give the game a bad rep, especially Stateside. Watching the first half of LA-NY you couldn't help but get the feeling that Backe was more than happy to have him out of the lineup Thursday night. Best Case Scenario: New York leaves him unprotected in the expansion draft, Montreal takes him and deals him to the lower rungs of Mexican soccer and we never hear from him again. Somewhere Cobi Jones is smiling.
Three of four teams gave up home field advantage on the first leg, and the only one that didn't is moving on to the next round (RSL). Whose home field held up best in the semis?
Jacob: You said it in the question, Rio Tinto is still no fun for anybody but the home team (and Monterrey) and drubbing a very respectable Sounders team in the first leg all but put the series to bed. The playoffs are quirky on their own, but as Sigi Schmid noted, no field player had much presence at all in the first leg and that's no coincidence. If you're a Sounders fan maybe you blame it on the altitude difference or just that your team is tired of being awesome from all that US Open Cup success, but the fact remains that the biggest smackdown of the playoffs so far happened in the first leg at Salt Lake. No other team put up that many in one game and not against anyone close to the quality of Seattle, not to mention the now-retired Kasey Keller.
Will: RSL is indeed the easy call, but for my money it doesn't get much better than SKC's home field edge. It's as though this KC crowd had been pining for a proper stadium for years and finally had one delivered midway through the season this year. Funny. LiveStrong Sporting Park (can we come up with a better name? THE STRONGBOX? I like it) is a castle, and it's in that fortress that SKC is 10-2-6 this year. Good luck to ya, Houston. Don't envy the task.
Who you got in the MLS Cup Final?
Will: I alluded to it above, but SKC's home field edge tips them in the East, and the Galaxy continue to be the best bet in the West. I like SKC moving on 3-1, and the Galaxy ending RSL's run in a 1-0 W. Which leaves... my originally predicted pairing of SKC and LA in the final. Oh to be right one more time.
Jacob: The Galaxy will undoubtedly benefit from hosting again and I have every reason to expect that Jason Kreis's team will make the game very much worth our while. For whatever reason, this just feels like LA's year, much more so than the past few years when they were vastly more talented than their opposition. Not to mention there's a bit of a revenge element in that Salt Lake snatched the '09 Cup from the Galaxy. It'll be night, but the Gals take it 2-1.
Kansas City should beat Houston at LiveStrong, but they won't. With Brian Ching rounding into form, Brad Davis making a very strong case for MVP, and Boswell-Cameron looking watertight in the back the Dynamo have enough to hold off Bunbury & Co. and make them pay on the other end. If it ain't broke don't fix it: Houston snags a couple set piece goals and shocks the home crowd 2-0.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Okay, I wasn't actually done.
First off, let me say that I do not wish for this to in any way seem like any commentary on or campaign against Alfredo Morales. He is a promising young player that I would consider an obvious Olympic choice. If he is going to play for the US and he is not eventually on that squad, I will be shocked (or, theoretically, just dismayed that he's not fit).That out of the way, let's examine a quote from Jurgen Klinsmann about his summons:
"He is on the way to being a starter there, and he can play as either a #6 - a defensive midfielder - or as a right back."
The first part about him being 'on his way' to starting for Hertha Berlin is true enough, I suppose, but it's also kinda inadvertently misleading to me. The guy has 51 minutes in two games through 11 games for a promoted side currently treading water mid-table... in Germany. It seems the way that he's on still has a ways to go.
The second part is fully accurate. Morales is a defensive midfielder that can play a little right back. Fair enough. Small problem: five of the other 21 invitees are rather experienced defensive midfielder types, while two are bona fide right backs. Yes, I'm aware Timothy Chandler will likely continue at left back - of which we again have zero naturals. Even so, my obvious point stands (and it stands with a simultaneously running Under-23 camp scheduled for next week).
I guess what I'm saying is, while I like the tactical mindset changes I'm seeing from Klinsi, some of the things he's doing from a personnel standpoint are baffling. Maybe I don't have to get it yet - maybe this is to ensure Morales doesn't go play for Peru (not that I'd approve of that reasoning for the call). Either which way, in my view, we again will bring a lopsided squad when there's no reason to do so.
It's just a little curious to be repeating the same off blueprint, especially seven months away from the next competitive game.
- Greg Seltzer
Hmmm - Part Zwei
I find it very odd how Klinsi keeps insisting that his camps allow him to 'explore and evaluate everyone in the national team program' when it's basically always the same guys so far.
We have no Sacha Kljestan (for some wholly bizarre reason) and no Michael Parkhurst and again no natural left back to speak of, but Michael Orozco Fiscal remains. It's also rather curious how Alfredo Morales (who I kinda assumed was off to play for Peru) suddenly gets a call-up with his 51 career Bundesliga minutes and one career 2.Bundesliga start. Heck, he's only played five first team games for Hertha total.
I could go on. Instead, I'll have some food, as it will actually do me good.
G - Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton)
D - Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting CP)
M - Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)
A - Jozy Altidore (AZ), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
- Greg Seltzer
We have no Sacha Kljestan (for some wholly bizarre reason) and no Michael Parkhurst and again no natural left back to speak of, but Michael Orozco Fiscal remains. It's also rather curious how Alfredo Morales (who I kinda assumed was off to play for Peru) suddenly gets a call-up with his 51 career Bundesliga minutes and one career 2.Bundesliga start. Heck, he's only played five first team games for Hertha total.
I could go on. Instead, I'll have some food, as it will actually do me good.
G - Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton)
D - Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting CP)
M - Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)
A - Jozy Altidore (AZ), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
- Greg Seltzer
Donovan dusts off "LandyCakes"
Let me show you the real reasons I like Landon Donovan, which have nothing to do with the soccer skills he will take up against New York in their tie decider on Thursday night: the guy is honest and he has an underrated propensity for not taking himself so seriously all the time. Considering his position in the US soccer bubble for the last decade, I'd say those are real feats.Am I suggesting he deserves bonus personality points merely for not being unbearable as someone in his position? Yes, in a way, it seems I am.
Besides discussing his former nickname, Donovan also reveals in this interview that he'd love to be one of the overage Olympic selections next summer.
It stands to reason; if it is all about American soccer, Donovan is all about it. Always. You can set your watch to it, and I think sometimes this gets overlooked.
- Greg Seltzer
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The first Olympic team camp
Here is new US Under-23 boss Caleb Porter's first group of 31 (though Claudio Reyna will lead camp for the Akron coach). The most notable omission for me would be Bill Hamid by a wide margin. Do note, that Josh Gatt will not be an active member of the camp - he is still recovering from a hamstring injury and will be there for the team-building aspects.
And as we are now a 4-3-3 country, I've changed the "F" for forwards to an "A" for attackers, including the wingers in that bale.
G - David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Jon Kempin (Sporting KC)
D - Gale Agbossoumonde (Eintracht Frankfurt), John Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Sean Cunningham (Molde FK), Royal-Dominique Fennell (Stuttgarter Kickers), Greg Garza (Free Agent), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Will Packwood (Birmingham City), Zarek Valentin (Chivas USA), Ethan White (D.C. United)
M - Joe Corona (Tijuana), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabæk), Dilly Duka (Columbus Crew), Jared Jeffrey (Mainz 05), Sebastian Lletget (West Ham United), Tyrone McCargo (FC Nürnberg), Charles Renken (Hoffenheim), Caleb Stanko (Freiburg), Jose Villarreal (L.A. Galaxy)
A - Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Doyle (Derby County), Josh Gatt (Molde FK), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim), Jerome Kiesewetter (Hertha Berlin), Omar Salgado (Vancouver Whitecaps), Tony Taylor (Atlético CP), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich), Andrew Wooten (Kaiserslautern)
- Greg Seltzer
And as we are now a 4-3-3 country, I've changed the "F" for forwards to an "A" for attackers, including the wingers in that bale.
G - David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Jon Kempin (Sporting KC)
D - Gale Agbossoumonde (Eintracht Frankfurt), John Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Sean Cunningham (Molde FK), Royal-Dominique Fennell (Stuttgarter Kickers), Greg Garza (Free Agent), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Will Packwood (Birmingham City), Zarek Valentin (Chivas USA), Ethan White (D.C. United)
M - Joe Corona (Tijuana), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabæk), Dilly Duka (Columbus Crew), Jared Jeffrey (Mainz 05), Sebastian Lletget (West Ham United), Tyrone McCargo (FC Nürnberg), Charles Renken (Hoffenheim), Caleb Stanko (Freiburg), Jose Villarreal (L.A. Galaxy)
A - Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Doyle (Derby County), Josh Gatt (Molde FK), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim), Jerome Kiesewetter (Hertha Berlin), Omar Salgado (Vancouver Whitecaps), Tony Taylor (Atlético CP), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich), Andrew Wooten (Kaiserslautern)
- Greg Seltzer
Whoa. I actually voted for the winner this time.
Had the top three angled, actually. Spooky...
Press release:
CLINT DEMPSEY WINS THE 2011 PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED BY FUTBOL DE PRIMERA
He won his first award in 2006. This time almost fifty percent of the journalists voted for Dempsey in first place
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011) - U.S. National Team forward Clint Dempsey, was chosen by 202 US journalists as the "2011 Player of the Year Award", presented by Fútbol de Primera since 1991. This is the second time Clint Dempsey (28) wins the most prestigious honor given to an US National Team member.
Dempsey received a total of 375 points (of which 297 points came from being voted in first place), while goalkeeper Tim Howard (32), finished second with 252 points and forward Landon Donovan (29) placed third with 191 points. A player receives three points for each first-place vote, two points for each second-place vote, and one point for each third-place vote.
In order to be eligible for the Player of the Year Award, a player must have played in a minimum of three (3) games for the U.S. National Team during the calendar year. Dempsey has 12 caps so far this year scoring four goals. Dempsey who plays for Premier League team's Fulham FC, has 23 goals in 80 games with the U.S. National Team.
Created by Fútbol de Primera , the Player of the Year Award has honored 12 different players in its 21 years history: Landon Donovan (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2003 and 2002), Clint Dempsey (2011 and 2006), Kasey Keller (2005, 1999), Earnie Stewart (2001), Claudio Reyna (2000), Cobi Jones (1998), Eddie Pope (1997), Eric Wynalda (1996, 1992), Alexi Lalas (1995), Marcelo Balboa (1994), Thomas Dooley (1993) and Hugo Perez (1991).
- Greg Seltzer
Press release:
CLINT DEMPSEY WINS THE 2011 PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED BY FUTBOL DE PRIMERA
He won his first award in 2006. This time almost fifty percent of the journalists voted for Dempsey in first place
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011) - U.S. National Team forward Clint Dempsey, was chosen by 202 US journalists as the "2011 Player of the Year Award", presented by Fútbol de Primera since 1991. This is the second time Clint Dempsey (28) wins the most prestigious honor given to an US National Team member.
Dempsey received a total of 375 points (of which 297 points came from being voted in first place), while goalkeeper Tim Howard (32), finished second with 252 points and forward Landon Donovan (29) placed third with 191 points. A player receives three points for each first-place vote, two points for each second-place vote, and one point for each third-place vote.
In order to be eligible for the Player of the Year Award, a player must have played in a minimum of three (3) games for the U.S. National Team during the calendar year. Dempsey has 12 caps so far this year scoring four goals. Dempsey who plays for Premier League team's Fulham FC, has 23 goals in 80 games with the U.S. National Team.
Created by Fútbol de Primera , the Player of the Year Award has honored 12 different players in its 21 years history: Landon Donovan (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2003 and 2002), Clint Dempsey (2011 and 2006), Kasey Keller (2005, 1999), Earnie Stewart (2001), Claudio Reyna (2000), Cobi Jones (1998), Eddie Pope (1997), Eric Wynalda (1996, 1992), Alexi Lalas (1995), Marcelo Balboa (1994), Thomas Dooley (1993) and Hugo Perez (1991).
- Greg Seltzer
Awesome Auction Alert!
FYI: You have two days left to get your MLS W.O.R.K.S. Breast Cancer Awareness Auction bids in, folks. And to me, several of these items remain in "quite the steal" range for game worns and autographed jerseys from some fine players.
- Greg Seltzer
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Dancing with Hope - Round Seven
After last week's excitement, a twist! Not only with the USMNT keeper tackle the samba for points, there is also a team Pasodoble dance (I totally had to look that one up) with three pairings together that will be judged and count like a regular partner performance. Yep, a double dip,on the floor and the scorecard...
--
This time, let's go to the bad first, just to be novel. Toward the end, you could see her counting and thinking her way to the next place, which of course breaks the performance a good bit. It's no wonder, with two routines to learn this week. There was also clearly not enough hips in it. A girl needs to be throwing those hips around dramatically in a samba, and it was just bubbling just below the surface. That being said, having hit her for this all season, again, it seems we are finally starting to see her loosen up those poetic joints.
Footwork? Check. Duh. Positions and power move? Check, check. The judges each gave her an 8, which might've been what I'd have given about two-thirds of the way through. You know me and my performance aspects, so it's gotta be a 7 from me. We want hips!!
Ahem... moving on, the team dance was basically smashed. Frankly, the judges' combined 26 seemed a little stingy. I'm going 9.5 on this one. All tolled, my scoring ended up almost identical to the judges for the whole night .
Back to the group show, Hope again murdered the footwork and offered her best performance aspect yet, not to mention another flawless power move. Plus, dancing in a group is very different than in a duet. That group was completely in sync all the way (a wonder considering the difficulty of the moves, if you ask me) and the ending peel was almost dopeness. They all but ripped the stage, plain and simple. Best number I've seen from any of them all season. And if Hope comes out like that next week, look out.
For now, the best part is... according to the trend over 13 seasons, tonight's booted celeb will likely come from the losing team, who garnered only 23 from the judges. We shall see in a few hours, but I'm thinking our girl will be back next week when we're down to five contestants.
- Greg Seltzer
--
This time, let's go to the bad first, just to be novel. Toward the end, you could see her counting and thinking her way to the next place, which of course breaks the performance a good bit. It's no wonder, with two routines to learn this week. There was also clearly not enough hips in it. A girl needs to be throwing those hips around dramatically in a samba, and it was just bubbling just below the surface. That being said, having hit her for this all season, again, it seems we are finally starting to see her loosen up those poetic joints.
Footwork? Check. Duh. Positions and power move? Check, check. The judges each gave her an 8, which might've been what I'd have given about two-thirds of the way through. You know me and my performance aspects, so it's gotta be a 7 from me. We want hips!!
Ahem... moving on, the team dance was basically smashed. Frankly, the judges' combined 26 seemed a little stingy. I'm going 9.5 on this one. All tolled, my scoring ended up almost identical to the judges for the whole night .
Back to the group show, Hope again murdered the footwork and offered her best performance aspect yet, not to mention another flawless power move. Plus, dancing in a group is very different than in a duet. That group was completely in sync all the way (a wonder considering the difficulty of the moves, if you ask me) and the ending peel was almost dopeness. They all but ripped the stage, plain and simple. Best number I've seen from any of them all season. And if Hope comes out like that next week, look out.
For now, the best part is... according to the trend over 13 seasons, tonight's booted celeb will likely come from the losing team, who garnered only 23 from the judges. We shall see in a few hours, but I'm thinking our girl will be back next week when we're down to five contestants.
- Greg Seltzer
ATTN: Soccer Dreamers
Being both true blue American and sorta Dutch-ified, I could retire like a rock star now if given a buck for every fan I've had tell me how they'd love to have a real, live stake in a real club. If only, if only.
Well, it's time to put your money where your fantasy is, because Dutch second flight side Cambuur SC have a proposition for anyone ready to live that wacky dream of professional soccer ownership. The club, best known in the States for employing (and still loving) Gregg Berhalter, are offering 2499 private shares at €1000 a pop.
Naturally, shareholders will be invited to the shareholders' meetings, vote per share on any club referendum and reap any earned dividends. And of course, none of that is the point (even if two shareholders will be elected to actual Cambuur board). No, the point is you can tell everyone and anyone: "Yeah... I'm part-owner of a Dutch club."
This is no great cash fiend ploy: they are looking to invest the windfall. Cambuur is feeling both smart (with this idea in part put together by American ex-GM/NSC pal Alex Pama) and ambitious in order to live back in the Eredivisie. Normally, the club could win promotion with the realization that it they'd go straight back down with the coffers fuller, needing another promotion to begin with - as Alex put it - 'some fat on their bones' for survival.
They've threatened to go up a few times recently, but if the club can sell off these shares (only about 100 gone so far), that essentially eliminates the need for the initial yo-yo up-down bank boost one-shot cup of coffee. They can go up once and be capable of gradually growing their staying power.
Or, who knows? Perhaps with you on the board, they could even one day make it to Europe for the first time - probably after they've managed to spend three straight season in the Eredivisie for the first time, but still. Dreams only come to the dreamers.
If you would like more info on buy in at Cambuur, call them at +31 58 296 3300 (10:30-5 on Mondays, 9-5 Tuesday-Friday) or email them at sales@cambuur.nl. And if you do become a member of the soccer elite with a share, please email me so I can hear about it.
- Greg Seltzer
Who likes goals?
Stay tuned to NSC tube for another episode of HopeTV later, plus word on a chance for you to become an actual part-owner of an actual club you've heard of...
Let's start with one to make you feel bad if you don't get your motor revved this morning, a wild ride thanks to Milan Petržela of FC Viktoria Plzeň (a team NSC pal Phil Schoen digs).
How about a cheeky job from weekend MLS playoff action, courtesy of RSL's Álvaro Saborío?
Arsenal's Theo Walcott = B-boy.
In baseball terms, what Barcelona's Dani Alves does here is called "catching him looking with the change" - have a seat, Mallorca.
Finally, let's lollygag back to last Wednesday for Loopy Luis of Liverpool. Ludicrous. Love it.
- Greg Seltzer
Let's start with one to make you feel bad if you don't get your motor revved this morning, a wild ride thanks to Milan Petržela of FC Viktoria Plzeň (a team NSC pal Phil Schoen digs).
How about a cheeky job from weekend MLS playoff action, courtesy of RSL's Álvaro Saborío?
Arsenal's Theo Walcott = B-boy.
Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal [ Walcott ] from mohamed shaaban on Vimeo.
In baseball terms, what Barcelona's Dani Alves does here is called "catching him looking with the change" - have a seat, Mallorca.
Finally, let's lollygag back to last Wednesday for Loopy Luis of Liverpool. Ludicrous. Love it.
- Greg Seltzer
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