The latest edition of our new NSC custom acts as annex to today's Postcard From Europe with Big Bad Brad.
On whether he could take over as cup goalie should they reach the late stages or a final:
"That hasn't been discussed. We have a great group of goalkeepers, so there's no way that would be discussed. Harry chooses the team based on what happens in that week's training. "
On not wanting to be the easy #1, another reason he chose Tottenham:
"No one is ever given the divine right to start games. I wanted to go to an environment where there was no possibility of complacency, somewhere I had to turn up every single day in
training and prove myself."
On how Spurs' team speed impacts their defending:
"A few weeks ago we played Villa, and I've played with Gaby Agbonlahor — he's fast. Younes Kaboul outran him three times and that's our central defender. You've got a guy like Kyle Walker. Willem (Gallas) came in for Ledley King, and he's fast, too. We have guys like Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale coming back to help defend on the wings. We've got a lot of pace"
--
Sneak preview for tomorrow's episode: It's gonna be Extra Time with Dilly Duka.
- Greg Seltzer
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Your friendly neighborhood UEFA NextGen report
The fat lady has yet to sing, but it's all but over, or just plain over, in three of the four groups in this year's NextGen Series. From the top ...
Celtic needed a serious dose of luck to keep their European adventure going. A group-dominating giant had to be slain by a relative minnow twice. They also had to beat Barcelona in Barcelona. All daunting enough on its own, but five minutes in, goals from Patri Gabarron and Dongou made Celtic's long shot that much longer. It didn't get any better for the Bhoys until Tony Watt's 75th minute goal. By then however, Dongou had completed his hat trick and become the competition's top scorer (7), Barcelona had secured their spot atop Group 1, and Celtic's hopes for this year's NextGen Series had been completely and utterly squashed.
Even if Celtic had made it matter, things had not gone their way back in Manchester. There Marseille gave Manchester City another tough loss. It took the visitors a while to get into the game, but City failed to make them pay for their lethargic start. Instead, it was Marseille's Thomas Savino who buried a free kick rebound to give his side the game's first goal. City equalized before the break as Jordy Hiwula finished off a counter that saw his already-eliminated team go into the half tied with the only team to have beaten Barcelona in the competition. And so it remained until Brice Bonelli dribbled around City keeper, Tom Halsall, and put his team into the quarters.
Looking to clinch a spot in the quarters themselves, Aston Villa needed only a point against Ajax to do just that. They got three. Three points, three goals, all from one man: Gary Gardner. Three days later, he was loaned out to Coventry, where he is expected to see first team minutes. There were also three yellow cards awarded in the game. Ajax had the better of play leading up to Gardner's opener, but a critical turnover in the visitor's defensive third saw the Villa captain clinically head home from eight yards out. After Daniel Johnson was hacked down 25 yards out, it was Gardner again, this time off a deflected free kick, that put Villa up 2-0. Half an hour later Gardner completed his hat trick with a fine solo effort, winning the ball in midfield before ultimately slotting past Mickey Van der Hart for his third and final NextGen tally.
Gardner continued his fine form as he went on to score in his debut for Coventry. He got the game's opening goal in a 2-1 loss away to Brighton.
The Ajax loss in Birmingham had eliminated Rosenborg from contention. As such, Ajax were hosting a team with nothing to play for as they sought out a group-clinching victory. By the same token, the visitors had nothing to lose either and it showed as The Troll Kids sentenced Ajax to second place with a goal each from Robin Bjornholm and Ole Gunnar Oien.
Barring Marseille making up a seven-goal differential deficit on Barcelona in their dead rubber against Celtic, Ajax will now face Barcelona in the quarterfinals. Villa would face Marseille.
In Group 4, Tottenham looked to strengthen their position atop the table as they played host to caged animals Basel. The visitors were all but fighting for their tournament lives while Tottenham were after a spot in the quarters. An end-to-end encounter ensued, but Tottenham took the game's only goal through former Basel center back Milos Veljikovic heading in a free kick cross.
As it stands, Basel must hope that Inter take no more than one point from their remaining three fixtures. The two sides play with Basel listed as hosts at a time and place still to be determined. Should Spurs take a point home from their visit to Inter next week, they will clinch the top spot in Group 4 and quarterfinal duel with Liverpool .
None of the quarterfinal match-ups are technically set in stone yet, but at this rate we can expect to see the following:
Barcelona vs. Ajax
Aston Villa vs. Marseille
Tottenham vs. Liverpool
Sporting Lisbon vs. Inter Milan/Basel
- Jacob Klinger
Celtic needed a serious dose of luck to keep their European adventure going. A group-dominating giant had to be slain by a relative minnow twice. They also had to beat Barcelona in Barcelona. All daunting enough on its own, but five minutes in, goals from Patri Gabarron and Dongou made Celtic's long shot that much longer. It didn't get any better for the Bhoys until Tony Watt's 75th minute goal. By then however, Dongou had completed his hat trick and become the competition's top scorer (7), Barcelona had secured their spot atop Group 1, and Celtic's hopes for this year's NextGen Series had been completely and utterly squashed.
Even if Celtic had made it matter, things had not gone their way back in Manchester. There Marseille gave Manchester City another tough loss. It took the visitors a while to get into the game, but City failed to make them pay for their lethargic start. Instead, it was Marseille's Thomas Savino who buried a free kick rebound to give his side the game's first goal. City equalized before the break as Jordy Hiwula finished off a counter that saw his already-eliminated team go into the half tied with the only team to have beaten Barcelona in the competition. And so it remained until Brice Bonelli dribbled around City keeper, Tom Halsall, and put his team into the quarters.
Looking to clinch a spot in the quarters themselves, Aston Villa needed only a point against Ajax to do just that. They got three. Three points, three goals, all from one man: Gary Gardner. Three days later, he was loaned out to Coventry, where he is expected to see first team minutes. There were also three yellow cards awarded in the game. Ajax had the better of play leading up to Gardner's opener, but a critical turnover in the visitor's defensive third saw the Villa captain clinically head home from eight yards out. After Daniel Johnson was hacked down 25 yards out, it was Gardner again, this time off a deflected free kick, that put Villa up 2-0. Half an hour later Gardner completed his hat trick with a fine solo effort, winning the ball in midfield before ultimately slotting past Mickey Van der Hart for his third and final NextGen tally.
Gardner continued his fine form as he went on to score in his debut for Coventry. He got the game's opening goal in a 2-1 loss away to Brighton.
The Ajax loss in Birmingham had eliminated Rosenborg from contention. As such, Ajax were hosting a team with nothing to play for as they sought out a group-clinching victory. By the same token, the visitors had nothing to lose either and it showed as The Troll Kids sentenced Ajax to second place with a goal each from Robin Bjornholm and Ole Gunnar Oien.
Barring Marseille making up a seven-goal differential deficit on Barcelona in their dead rubber against Celtic, Ajax will now face Barcelona in the quarterfinals. Villa would face Marseille.
In Group 4, Tottenham looked to strengthen their position atop the table as they played host to caged animals Basel. The visitors were all but fighting for their tournament lives while Tottenham were after a spot in the quarters. An end-to-end encounter ensued, but Tottenham took the game's only goal through former Basel center back Milos Veljikovic heading in a free kick cross.
As it stands, Basel must hope that Inter take no more than one point from their remaining three fixtures. The two sides play with Basel listed as hosts at a time and place still to be determined. Should Spurs take a point home from their visit to Inter next week, they will clinch the top spot in Group 4 and quarterfinal duel with Liverpool .
None of the quarterfinal match-ups are technically set in stone yet, but at this rate we can expect to see the following:
Barcelona vs. Ajax
Aston Villa vs. Marseille
Tottenham vs. Liverpool
Sporting Lisbon vs. Inter Milan/Basel
- Jacob Klinger
Handicapping the MLS offseason: The Western Conference, Part II
So if we began with the West's five cake-toppers, the creme de la creme, those marching at the head of the column, now it's time for the stragglers. The teams which heeded the call to Go West Young Man but in some cases looked old, decrepit and tired instead and limped across the finish line in the worst of cases. But hope, much like Brad Friedel's legs, springs eternal. So take heed, take hope fans. 2012 is a new year for these four. And hopefully a very, very new year for those populating BC Place.
Portland Timbers
How they finished: 11-14-9; 6th in the West; missed postseason
Where they're good: It's fitting we begin with Portland. If there's such a thing as a success story that closes the final chapter on the last day of the regular season instead of embedded somewhere in the playoffs, this is what we've got. The homefield advantage stole some thunder from Seattle's "12th Man" bit, making Jeld-Wen, for what it is, the closest thing to a roaring jet engine as we have in MLS. That helped. So did the reemergence of Jack Jewsbury and his pinpoint crosses and free kicks. Jewsbury is a traveled vet having done most of his heavy lifting in Kansas City, but the Timbers' captain had a career year with seven goals and eight assists. I doubt very much his ability to continue this pace, but it was nice to see. Darlington Nagbe appears to be a star in the making at best and a solid contributor to the starting XI at worst. I like this team toward the top, especially Diego Chara and Jorge Perlaza. Both had flighty moments but for a small-market team still splashing onto the scene, they'll do for now as attacking options. There were even times when Sal Zizzo, with all his pizzaz and assuredness coming forward, looked to be the next keen MLS call-up from Klinsi.
What they need: Like most expansion sides, the Timbers struggled to maintain control through midfield as the pace livened from lower rungs. A steady, calm influence to offset all the pace would be nice. As good as Jewsbury is in dead ball situations, he's equally unfit to push tempo in the run of play and looks lost at times when the flow quickens. No question that with the dearth of pure attacking talent, Portland's focus this offseason should be to reclaim a modicum of control in the middle. Attacker Kalif Alhassan perfectly embodies where Portland needs to improve. For all the raw talent he possesses, harnessing it and purifying it into a useable state proved elusive for the Ghanian who somehow failed to find the back of the net in 2011. All the pent-up energy in the world won't keep him from careening into a dangerous space, making all of Jeld-Wen crane forward only to watch him slip, knock on a poor through ball or just lose it. Kenny Cooper is a lost cause. He was a ball and chain for this group for most of the season, and his lack of ability to keep pace was exposed continually. At the back, I always thought Portland could've used an enforcer at CB. I'll never forget Eric Brunner's weak Rockettes scissor kick over Lamar Neagle's shoulder that gave away the ultimate game-winner against Seattle back in July. Come low and come hard.
Degree of difficulty rating: 6
San Jose Earthquakes
How they finished: 8-12-14; 7th in the West; missed postseason
Where they're good: It is incredible to think how bad - how miserably, nose-pluggingly bad - San Jose would have been without Chris Wondolowski. The only thing keeping butts in the seats in San Jose late in 2011 was Wondo's drive for the golden boot and perhaps a vague notion that soccer was being played. I think it was fitting that, despite tying with DeRo, Wondo lost the scoring title on a technicality. Seems to sum up San Jose's season in a neat package. The Quakes scored 40 times in 2011 and Wondo's strikes accounted for 40 percent of that total. No one player had as much impact on his team's final numbers, so no one player gets as much accolade from me. Not only was he doing it on a team that was inconsistent, fragmented from the first week of the season and constantly in flux, but he did it all year. He is neither the fastest player on the field nor the liveliest, but he is most often the smartest, which clearly works to his favor as the goal shark that he is. There are some pieces here to cause some moderate head nods. Khari Stevenson and Simon Dawkins in midfield both showed glimpses and Steven Lenhart, who was signed to an extension a week ago, made an able switch from Columbus as a player with a penchant for goals, scoring five times in 14 games after missing time from both injury and a personal leave.
What they need: To be fair, San Jose tanked out of the gate (like, tanked) and began normalizing to a degree as the season progressed, but that does not make this a good team. That Frank Yallop survived the year is something of a small miracle. Hell, the Quakes couldn't take a full three points from LA with Mike Magee in goal. It seems the front office noticed the stench. They offloaded their first-rounder from the 2012 supplemental draft in exchange for RSL's Jean Alexandre, whose most notable contribution in 2011 was being fined 500 smackers and then suspended a game for a reckless tackle. They also shuttled some money Vancouver's way for Shea Salinas, who was so good over the last two years that he was pawned off to Philly and then Vancouver in two consecutive expansion drafts. He is now in his second stint in San Jose. They were also forced to unload franchise cornerstone Bobby Convey, the 2010 comeback player of the year, after he ripped management by calling them unprofessional two days before the end of the regular season. San Jose brass promised major upgrades. They are not here, or not yet anyway. If anyone took that missive seriously, then I guess you'd have some room to be disappointed. But then, that's probably on you.
Degree of difficulty rating: 9
Chivas USA
How they finished: 8-14-12; 8th in the West; missed postseason
Where they're good: Admire Robin Fraser. Admire him, I say. Was Chivas much worse than their record? Could the Goats have been swept even further down the ladder? Impossible to say, but Fraser ably settled Chivas down toward the end of the season and began making headway. Enough so that, along with some of the acquisitions being brought in, 2012 might not totally suck. One corner of the HDC's loss is another's yadda yadda... but Juan Pablo Angel landing at Chivas USA was never supposed to happen. Angel never wanted to leave New York and never felt he fit in with the Galaxy. But the Goats? Chivas was just a right-place-right-time matter, and JPA finally began to look settled once he made the switch. The Chivas DP had seven goals in nine games, and re-signing him should be the top priority this offseason. The Goats have been busy, inking James Riley and Ryan Smith and re-signing Ante Jazic and keeper Dan Kennedy to shore up a back line that would've been the fourth-best in the East in terms of goals allowed. And of course there's the creative Nick LaBrocca, a driving force who can now call himself an MLS all-star.
What they need: It is inconceivable to me that the Chivas front office let Justin Braun walk off to Montreal with nary a whimper. Yes, he had a maddening quality about him that allowed him to disappear at times, but how deep up top do you think you are? Braun is a mercurial talent at worst, scintillating at best. Now Chivas will be hunting forwards, since both JPA and Alejandro Moreno are on the downward slope of their careers and the youthful talent just walked out the door. The loss of defender Zarek Valentin was equally puzzling. Jesse Marsch, a former Chivas midfielder, had to be seeing stars when a guy like Valentin, a man whose caliber does not usually show up unprotected to these parties, was available. And Chivas was willing to deal Braun, his former teammate, to boot. No brainers for Montreal and head-scratchers for Chivas. So now they've created some work for themselves. Gerson Mayen also walked out the door, though his departure wasn't as surprising. There is a kernel of hope in Chivas in the sense that there seems to be some forward motion, even if it's taking some time to bear fruit. But a bizarre few weeks are a step backward. If JPA walks, this offseason could get out of hand in a hurry.
Degree of difficulty rating: 7
Vancouver Whitecaps
How they finished: 6-18-10; 9th in the West; missed postseason
Where they're good: God bless you, Martin Rennie. I'm not a negative person by nature, and I swear the fact that I'm noting that Vancouver did indeed miss the postseason in 2011 isn't an ironic swipe. But this is the deepest, most abiding definition of ground-up project as I can conjure. Things are, however, beginning to lurch to life as we speak. Lee Young-Pyo, the third-most capped player in South Korean history, is making his way to Vancouver now. 34 or not, the fullback has made marks at PSV, Spurs and Borussia Dortmund. But even the good here has thorns. Davide Chiumiento spiked some memorable games with a blase attitude and seemed to bristle under Tommy Soehn. He's now out from under that yoke, but will anything change? Rennie is asking for even more creativity, which should play to his strengths. Gershon Koffie was a bright spot, but he's not a holding midfielder. Play him up. The inked up Eric Hassli had legitimate claims on both the newcomer and goal of the year honors, such was his season. He's the guy to build around. For now.
What they need: There are needs everywhere, but midfield is clearly the biggest. Young-Pyo's signing addresses part of the problem at the back, which should alleviate some trouble now that the four-man line consists of Jay DeMerit, Alain Rochat, Carlyle Mitchel and Young-Pyo, which isn't the worst defense in the league. But pairing somebody with Koffie was a headache all year. Peter Vagenas sucks, Jeb Brovsky isn't creative enough, Terry Dunfield is meh, etc... The sooner they can figure out a way to free up Koffie with somebody capable of holding back and organizing things, the better off they'll be. Rennie seems genuinely interested in creating some really attractive soccer, and there are maybe two or three pieces here capable of abiding. But Vancouver is still a few years and a few big moves away from doing something substantive. Snapping up Owen Hargreaves, as was rumored in August, would have been the kind of coup they needed to kick-start the process. That might be a while in coming.
Degree of difficulty rating: 9
Brief reminder of where we've been:
- The Western Conference, Part I
And where we're going: The Eastern Conference, Part I
- Will Parchman
 |
| Er... what now? |
How they finished: 11-14-9; 6th in the West; missed postseason
Where they're good: It's fitting we begin with Portland. If there's such a thing as a success story that closes the final chapter on the last day of the regular season instead of embedded somewhere in the playoffs, this is what we've got. The homefield advantage stole some thunder from Seattle's "12th Man" bit, making Jeld-Wen, for what it is, the closest thing to a roaring jet engine as we have in MLS. That helped. So did the reemergence of Jack Jewsbury and his pinpoint crosses and free kicks. Jewsbury is a traveled vet having done most of his heavy lifting in Kansas City, but the Timbers' captain had a career year with seven goals and eight assists. I doubt very much his ability to continue this pace, but it was nice to see. Darlington Nagbe appears to be a star in the making at best and a solid contributor to the starting XI at worst. I like this team toward the top, especially Diego Chara and Jorge Perlaza. Both had flighty moments but for a small-market team still splashing onto the scene, they'll do for now as attacking options. There were even times when Sal Zizzo, with all his pizzaz and assuredness coming forward, looked to be the next keen MLS call-up from Klinsi.
What they need: Like most expansion sides, the Timbers struggled to maintain control through midfield as the pace livened from lower rungs. A steady, calm influence to offset all the pace would be nice. As good as Jewsbury is in dead ball situations, he's equally unfit to push tempo in the run of play and looks lost at times when the flow quickens. No question that with the dearth of pure attacking talent, Portland's focus this offseason should be to reclaim a modicum of control in the middle. Attacker Kalif Alhassan perfectly embodies where Portland needs to improve. For all the raw talent he possesses, harnessing it and purifying it into a useable state proved elusive for the Ghanian who somehow failed to find the back of the net in 2011. All the pent-up energy in the world won't keep him from careening into a dangerous space, making all of Jeld-Wen crane forward only to watch him slip, knock on a poor through ball or just lose it. Kenny Cooper is a lost cause. He was a ball and chain for this group for most of the season, and his lack of ability to keep pace was exposed continually. At the back, I always thought Portland could've used an enforcer at CB. I'll never forget Eric Brunner's weak Rockettes scissor kick over Lamar Neagle's shoulder that gave away the ultimate game-winner against Seattle back in July. Come low and come hard.
Degree of difficulty rating: 6
San Jose Earthquakes
How they finished: 8-12-14; 7th in the West; missed postseason
Where they're good: It is incredible to think how bad - how miserably, nose-pluggingly bad - San Jose would have been without Chris Wondolowski. The only thing keeping butts in the seats in San Jose late in 2011 was Wondo's drive for the golden boot and perhaps a vague notion that soccer was being played. I think it was fitting that, despite tying with DeRo, Wondo lost the scoring title on a technicality. Seems to sum up San Jose's season in a neat package. The Quakes scored 40 times in 2011 and Wondo's strikes accounted for 40 percent of that total. No one player had as much impact on his team's final numbers, so no one player gets as much accolade from me. Not only was he doing it on a team that was inconsistent, fragmented from the first week of the season and constantly in flux, but he did it all year. He is neither the fastest player on the field nor the liveliest, but he is most often the smartest, which clearly works to his favor as the goal shark that he is. There are some pieces here to cause some moderate head nods. Khari Stevenson and Simon Dawkins in midfield both showed glimpses and Steven Lenhart, who was signed to an extension a week ago, made an able switch from Columbus as a player with a penchant for goals, scoring five times in 14 games after missing time from both injury and a personal leave.
What they need: To be fair, San Jose tanked out of the gate (like, tanked) and began normalizing to a degree as the season progressed, but that does not make this a good team. That Frank Yallop survived the year is something of a small miracle. Hell, the Quakes couldn't take a full three points from LA with Mike Magee in goal. It seems the front office noticed the stench. They offloaded their first-rounder from the 2012 supplemental draft in exchange for RSL's Jean Alexandre, whose most notable contribution in 2011 was being fined 500 smackers and then suspended a game for a reckless tackle. They also shuttled some money Vancouver's way for Shea Salinas, who was so good over the last two years that he was pawned off to Philly and then Vancouver in two consecutive expansion drafts. He is now in his second stint in San Jose. They were also forced to unload franchise cornerstone Bobby Convey, the 2010 comeback player of the year, after he ripped management by calling them unprofessional two days before the end of the regular season. San Jose brass promised major upgrades. They are not here, or not yet anyway. If anyone took that missive seriously, then I guess you'd have some room to be disappointed. But then, that's probably on you.
Degree of difficulty rating: 9
Chivas USA
How they finished: 8-14-12; 8th in the West; missed postseason
Where they're good: Admire Robin Fraser. Admire him, I say. Was Chivas much worse than their record? Could the Goats have been swept even further down the ladder? Impossible to say, but Fraser ably settled Chivas down toward the end of the season and began making headway. Enough so that, along with some of the acquisitions being brought in, 2012 might not totally suck. One corner of the HDC's loss is another's yadda yadda... but Juan Pablo Angel landing at Chivas USA was never supposed to happen. Angel never wanted to leave New York and never felt he fit in with the Galaxy. But the Goats? Chivas was just a right-place-right-time matter, and JPA finally began to look settled once he made the switch. The Chivas DP had seven goals in nine games, and re-signing him should be the top priority this offseason. The Goats have been busy, inking James Riley and Ryan Smith and re-signing Ante Jazic and keeper Dan Kennedy to shore up a back line that would've been the fourth-best in the East in terms of goals allowed. And of course there's the creative Nick LaBrocca, a driving force who can now call himself an MLS all-star.
What they need: It is inconceivable to me that the Chivas front office let Justin Braun walk off to Montreal with nary a whimper. Yes, he had a maddening quality about him that allowed him to disappear at times, but how deep up top do you think you are? Braun is a mercurial talent at worst, scintillating at best. Now Chivas will be hunting forwards, since both JPA and Alejandro Moreno are on the downward slope of their careers and the youthful talent just walked out the door. The loss of defender Zarek Valentin was equally puzzling. Jesse Marsch, a former Chivas midfielder, had to be seeing stars when a guy like Valentin, a man whose caliber does not usually show up unprotected to these parties, was available. And Chivas was willing to deal Braun, his former teammate, to boot. No brainers for Montreal and head-scratchers for Chivas. So now they've created some work for themselves. Gerson Mayen also walked out the door, though his departure wasn't as surprising. There is a kernel of hope in Chivas in the sense that there seems to be some forward motion, even if it's taking some time to bear fruit. But a bizarre few weeks are a step backward. If JPA walks, this offseason could get out of hand in a hurry.
Degree of difficulty rating: 7
Vancouver Whitecaps
How they finished: 6-18-10; 9th in the West; missed postseason
Where they're good: God bless you, Martin Rennie. I'm not a negative person by nature, and I swear the fact that I'm noting that Vancouver did indeed miss the postseason in 2011 isn't an ironic swipe. But this is the deepest, most abiding definition of ground-up project as I can conjure. Things are, however, beginning to lurch to life as we speak. Lee Young-Pyo, the third-most capped player in South Korean history, is making his way to Vancouver now. 34 or not, the fullback has made marks at PSV, Spurs and Borussia Dortmund. But even the good here has thorns. Davide Chiumiento spiked some memorable games with a blase attitude and seemed to bristle under Tommy Soehn. He's now out from under that yoke, but will anything change? Rennie is asking for even more creativity, which should play to his strengths. Gershon Koffie was a bright spot, but he's not a holding midfielder. Play him up. The inked up Eric Hassli had legitimate claims on both the newcomer and goal of the year honors, such was his season. He's the guy to build around. For now.
What they need: There are needs everywhere, but midfield is clearly the biggest. Young-Pyo's signing addresses part of the problem at the back, which should alleviate some trouble now that the four-man line consists of Jay DeMerit, Alain Rochat, Carlyle Mitchel and Young-Pyo, which isn't the worst defense in the league. But pairing somebody with Koffie was a headache all year. Peter Vagenas sucks, Jeb Brovsky isn't creative enough, Terry Dunfield is meh, etc... The sooner they can figure out a way to free up Koffie with somebody capable of holding back and organizing things, the better off they'll be. Rennie seems genuinely interested in creating some really attractive soccer, and there are maybe two or three pieces here capable of abiding. But Vancouver is still a few years and a few big moves away from doing something substantive. Snapping up Owen Hargreaves, as was rumored in August, would have been the kind of coup they needed to kick-start the process. That might be a while in coming.
Degree of difficulty rating: 9
Brief reminder of where we've been:
- The Western Conference, Part I
And where we're going: The Eastern Conference, Part I
- Will Parchman
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Just to drive you batty...
The 2011 Generation adidas tour team will be special guests at the key Ajax v Real Madrid Champions League Matchday 6 tilt tomorrow night. I will be talking to a couple of those MLS rising stars before they head down to the game, and then more throughout their stay in the Netherlands.
And just to tantalize you a little further, tomorrow's Postcard From Europe subject is none other than white-hot Spurs netminder Brad Friedel. Between those items, some hot silly season vest-cards, another one of those crazy stats features and my Euro-based American team of 2012 there is more than plenty set to drop at MLSS this month.
- Greg Seltzer
And just to tantalize you a little further, tomorrow's Postcard From Europe subject is none other than white-hot Spurs netminder Brad Friedel. Between those items, some hot silly season vest-cards, another one of those crazy stats features and my Euro-based American team of 2012 there is more than plenty set to drop at MLSS this month.
- Greg Seltzer
Monday, December 5, 2011
Red Menace (updated)
Clint Dempsey has tapped home a spilled Danny Murphy shot with five minutes remaining to put Fulham up 1-0 on 10-man visitors Liverpool. It was his fourth goal of the EPL season and sixth across all competitions this term.
UPDATE: It's not the most vivacious goal we'll ever see from Deuce, but it did set a new record for EPL goals by an American (37, passing Brian McBride), so let's zazz it up with the Dutch call...
UPDATE UPDATE: Video changed.
- Greg Seltzer
UPDATE: It's not the most vivacious goal we'll ever see from Deuce, but it did set a new record for EPL goals by an American (37, passing Brian McBride), so let's zazz it up with the Dutch call...
UPDATE UPDATE: Video changed.
- Greg Seltzer
Who Likes Goals?
You know what time it is.
Cheekiest goal of the week goes to Super Mario. He's a horses backside, but sometimes he does fun things. Like this.
Becks may or may not be done in LA. But in the event he leaves... where has this been?
Umut Bulut's effort is alright, I suppose.
What's up with bikes this week?
Saving the best for last. Darren Ambrose brings the sizzle against the Red Devils.
- Will Parchman
Cheekiest goal of the week goes to Super Mario. He's a horses backside, but sometimes he does fun things. Like this.
Remember Carlos Vela? Chicharito Lite? He's still playing, if you were curious.
Becks may or may not be done in LA. But in the event he leaves... where has this been?
Umut Bulut's effort is alright, I suppose.
What's up with bikes this week?
Saving the best for last. Darren Ambrose brings the sizzle against the Red Devils.
- Will Parchman
Brazil Nuts
I suppooooose the last post could have waited until the delightful highlights of the U.S. Under-17's duel with Brazil yesterday surfaced.
What can I say? I got all excited. And this is worth a wait...
- Greg Seltzer
What can I say? I got all excited. And this is worth a wait...
- Greg Seltzer
To me, this is a big deal.
The best answer for a new USMNT system? More of it, sooner. Now, we are actually fully designed to make these leaps we like to to talk about. Claudio Reyna is THE MAN.
And gosh, I did not even recognize former Steamers goal monster Don Ebert at first.
- Greg Seltzer
And gosh, I did not even recognize former Steamers goal monster Don Ebert at first.
- Greg Seltzer
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Jozy, sure. (updated)
With his side down one, Jozy Altidore has bagged an insistent 20th minute equalizer from some dreamy combo play with Brett Holman.
FYI: He now has five on the Eredivisie season (in the 14th of the 34 matches) and 11 across all competitions - well on pace to both fulfill my promise of 10 league goals and put him one short of a third place tie with DaMarcus Beasley in the category of goals in a season for an Eredivisie club (obviously Michael Bradley and Earnie Stewart head the list).
UPDATE: His side is now down 4-1 in the second half, but we have a clip thanks to 723 Films dude.
- Greg Seltzer
FYI: He now has five on the Eredivisie season (in the 14th of the 34 matches) and 11 across all competitions - well on pace to both fulfill my promise of 10 league goals and put him one short of a third place tie with DaMarcus Beasley in the category of goals in a season for an Eredivisie club (obviously Michael Bradley and Earnie Stewart head the list).
UPDATE: His side is now down 4-1 in the second half, but we have a clip thanks to 723 Films dude.
- Greg Seltzer
Saturday, December 3, 2011
WPS Action
US Soccer has given Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) until Monday to find a sixth team. You may recall that the league's Board of Governors recently voted to expel Dan Borislow's Boca Raton-based magicJack from the league.
The relationship between Borislow and WPS has been fairly roller-coaster-esque from the start. Barislow effectively ensured the league's survival when, after John Hendricks ended his decade-long ownership of what was then the Washington Freedom, he stepped in to finance the squad and keep the league at six teams - US Soccer requires that leagues have eight teams to be sanctioned with "Division 1" status, but granted a waiver for a six-team women's league. Friction initially arose between the league and Borislow when he raised doubts about sponsors Puma and the league forcing the team to move to southern Florida.
Further controversy was created by Barislow's refusal to make a website and advertise the team in addition to his not cooperating with the league's stat-keeping service, among other mix-ups. Finally, he - and consequently his team - was voted out at the October 25th Board of Governors meeting, reducing the league to six teams. Borislow has since sued the league, claiming due process did not take place.
Per Beau Dure, US Soccer gave WPS 15 days to get a sixth team on board on November 20th. In other words, WPS has until Monday to find that owner. It is expected that the league would be granted another waiver with six teams.
Current team owners would likely rather eat their players' boots than re-admit Borislow into the league. There are whispers that the league plans to expand in 2013, but it will be hard to expand on a league that doesn't exist. Owners have hinted at the possibility of playing without sanctioning, but players would then risk being suspended from FIFA competition - magicJack boasted seven players from last year's US World Cup roster, but have since been released from their obligation to the team by the league.
While the powers that be flip through the millionaire white pages, Alexandra Sahlen has taken it upon herself to create this momentum-gathering petition to Dan Flynn and US Soccer to keep the league around regardless.
I strongly urge you to e-sign. It's very quick and easy, and I think we can all agree, it's a good cause. You can even add your own personal message to Mr. Flynn stating why you signed.
- Jacob Klinger
- Jacob Klinger
Friday, December 2, 2011
A Tale of Joy
Yes, I'm taking a mini-break, but I wanted to share this important post from Prost Amerika. If there is one concept I admire and value above all others, it is fearless honesty. I'd say this fits that category.
In the post, former RSL and St. Pauli defender Ian Joy shares a very personal story about his prior struggles with depression. Naturally, everyone endures the temporary form of depression at one time or another, as it is generally born out of strikingly unpleasant events.
The kind Joy talks about is more lasting and more serious, and is not always necessarily based fully on how things really are. Quite often, this clinical form is in part due to the sufferer's perception, one likely turned gloomy by these aforementioned real events that would get anybody down.
Studies vary a bit, but essentially 1 in 11 people face clinical depression in their lifetime, often for years. It is not uncommon. I know... the early part of my teens and the back half of my 20's were outright torture for me. Now that I've figured out coping mechanisms and can manage to see life clearly, those years seem as though they were wasted by me. You see, there's only one thing people cannot create: time. I mostly tried to handle it all on my own, which in hindsight was fantastically stupid. I did not need to spend years in those fogs.
That's the thing, though; depressed people don't always make sound decisions. Sometimes, they make decisions that can't be undone and it's a shame. It doesn't have to turn out that way. Fortunately, I have this weird, unrelenting stubbornness that does not ever allow me to quit. Maybe Ian has this same quirk. Maybe it saved us both. But it is weird, because a great many people do give up on themselves. This need not be.
To the point, anyone who is depressed in this manner just needs some help - one friend they can trust with everything, a doctor, a sibling, whatever works best. I guess my message is here to piggyback on Ian's. Get some help. Just do it. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Brains are silly. People have brains. It's not brave to go alone and eat the pain. It's brave to ask for help. Courage comes from facing adversity and only from that.
I'm very proud to call Ian my buddy and I'm sure as hell glad he stood up to depression. I happen to have an unusual outlet to be heard and this gives me a responsibility. As Mr. Joy says, if one person can find the way to turn it around, then sharing this stuff is more than worth it. The more we talk about things, the less difficult they become.
Oh... and I'll tell you something else right now: my already fairly steep respect for the entire Real Salt Lake organization went to the summit upon reading this. Thank you, RSL.
- Greg Seltzer
In the post, former RSL and St. Pauli defender Ian Joy shares a very personal story about his prior struggles with depression. Naturally, everyone endures the temporary form of depression at one time or another, as it is generally born out of strikingly unpleasant events.
The kind Joy talks about is more lasting and more serious, and is not always necessarily based fully on how things really are. Quite often, this clinical form is in part due to the sufferer's perception, one likely turned gloomy by these aforementioned real events that would get anybody down.
Studies vary a bit, but essentially 1 in 11 people face clinical depression in their lifetime, often for years. It is not uncommon. I know... the early part of my teens and the back half of my 20's were outright torture for me. Now that I've figured out coping mechanisms and can manage to see life clearly, those years seem as though they were wasted by me. You see, there's only one thing people cannot create: time. I mostly tried to handle it all on my own, which in hindsight was fantastically stupid. I did not need to spend years in those fogs.
That's the thing, though; depressed people don't always make sound decisions. Sometimes, they make decisions that can't be undone and it's a shame. It doesn't have to turn out that way. Fortunately, I have this weird, unrelenting stubbornness that does not ever allow me to quit. Maybe Ian has this same quirk. Maybe it saved us both. But it is weird, because a great many people do give up on themselves. This need not be.
To the point, anyone who is depressed in this manner just needs some help - one friend they can trust with everything, a doctor, a sibling, whatever works best. I guess my message is here to piggyback on Ian's. Get some help. Just do it. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Brains are silly. People have brains. It's not brave to go alone and eat the pain. It's brave to ask for help. Courage comes from facing adversity and only from that.
I'm very proud to call Ian my buddy and I'm sure as hell glad he stood up to depression. I happen to have an unusual outlet to be heard and this gives me a responsibility. As Mr. Joy says, if one person can find the way to turn it around, then sharing this stuff is more than worth it. The more we talk about things, the less difficult they become.
Oh... and I'll tell you something else right now: my already fairly steep respect for the entire Real Salt Lake organization went to the summit upon reading this. Thank you, RSL.
- Greg Seltzer
Thursday, December 1, 2011
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