I Got Sucked In

I must ashamedly admit that I have been taking in way more of the Club World Cup matches than I intended.  Yeah, I got sucked in.

In my defense, the tournament has been much more competitive than expected.  The big guys are not just going through the motions and the underdogs are having their moments too.  I wasn't there but on TV you could tell that the 54,000 or so at the Linc in Philadelphia thoroughly enjoyed the Flamengo - Chelsea match that ended 3-1 favor the Brazilian side.  Miami's 2-2 draw with Palmeiras was excellent too, though Miami fans can't have been too happy watching the home side cough up a 2-0 lead.  Of course, the downside of the tournament's success is that FIFA will be encouraged to try it again.  Just because it may have worked this time doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Looking ahead the July 4th quarterfinal - to which I, Jeff H, Jeff K and Graham R have nosebleed seats - will feature the winners of the Palmeira - Botafoga and Benfica - Chelsea quarterfinals.

Step One - Get Out of Group Stage

Not that it means the tournament is a success for the USMNT, just they did what they needed.  They survived a howler from keeper Matt Freese to beat Haiti 2-1 and finish first in Group D.  Patrick Agyemang hasn't had a great tournament so far but we make his game winner this week's YouTubeableMoment.

The group stage of the Gold Cup went largely according to form, though Jamaica may wish to differ.  The top five in terms of FIFA rankings - USA, Mexico, Canada, Panama and Costa Rica - all advanced.  Guatemala might be considered an interloper.  The Mexico - Costa Rica match was a bit of a let-down but maybe because both teams knew they were advancing?  

Quarterfinal match ups are:

Panama - Honduras (Saturday 7:15)

Mexico - Saudi Arabia (Saturday 10:15)

Canada - Guatemala (Sunday 4 pm)

USA - Costa Rica (Sunday 7pm)

Hmm, one of these is not like the others.  On paper, Panama, Mexico and Canada are solid favorites.  The US maybe not so much. Should they advance, the US would play the winner of Canada - Guatemala.

Deliberating the Meaning of Deliberate

Late in stoppage time against Costa Rica, Santiago Giminez had appeared to win the match for Mexico with an awesome scissor kick goal.  You can see the play here (should open to 8:09).  After much rejoicing, the play was eventually ruled offside.  Pay no attention to Dr. Joe Machnik's explanation; I think the play woke him from a nap.  Landon Donovan was more on point - didn't the defender's header reset the play?  That is, Giminez was clearly off when the ball was kicked but he was on if you consider the defender's action a "deliberate play."

And here we go again.  I won't post the whole clarification but here are key factors the referee is supposed to consider that would make a play deliberate: 

The following criteria should be used, as appropriate, as indicators that a player was in control of the ball and, as a result, ‘deliberately played’ the ball:

• The ball travelled from distance and the player had a clear view of it
• The ball was not moving quickly
• The direction of the ball was not unexpected
• The player had time to coordinate their body movement, i.e. it was not a case of instinctive stretching or jumping, or a movement that achieved limited contact/control
• A ball moving on the ground is easier to play than a ball in the air

Hmm, inititally I thought this was a terrible call.  After multiple looks at the replay, I'm not so sure anymore.  Off the first three points, you'd have to say it was deliberate.  It was in the air so that leans against deliberate but as I read it, that point seems to suggest how you evaluate the first four.  The key on this play is the fourth one.  The defender was leaping and falling backwards as he headed the ball.  Seems like you can suggest with a straight face that it was "instinctive stretching and jumping" and also a "movement that achieved limited control."  Personally, I'd like to see more guidance on this.  Does failure to meet just one of the first four points mean it wasn't deliberate?  Or maybe just drop them all except the fourth.

Consorting with the Devil

Besides watching too much Club World Cup after trashing the concept, I also took in the Union's 1-0 win over Chicago on Apple's much maligned and despised (at least in these parts) MLS Season Pass.  Jeff H reminded me that as Union season ticket holders we get access to that service and he set me up with the appropriate information.

Ya done good Alejandro: Bedoya deputized as right back
Photo: Barbara Calabrese/MIR97 Media

Recall that the list of absences is still quite long due to various factors and includes Blake, Quinn Sullivan, Harriel, Westfield, Danley, Uhre and Baribo.  Despite being shorthanded, the Union moved the ball quite nicely for most of the match so that part was pretty good.  There was little service into the box and few (no?) quality chances.  Each side racked up 21 fouls.  The result turned on a PK in the 10th minute that was well-taken by Bruno Damiani.  I'd be remiss if I didn't give credit to Bedoya for a decent job as a substitute right back.  

Also, as Jeff H pointed out, it was weird seeing Jack Elliott in a different uniform.

Annoying Stat of the Week

The Union scored as many goals as the Phillies got runs in their three-game series with the Astros.

More Hardware?

Sportif Allentown Armetta Financial Services wins LVOTSL
Dennis F 4th from left in second row, in front of their keeper

Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that Dennis's team was celebrating their win in the Friendship Cup?  Well they were back at it again Saturday, taking the Lehigh Valley Old-Timers Soccer League title with an easy 6-0 win over El Deportivo.  I have been calling his team Sportif Allentown but apparently they have a real sponsor so I need to refer to them as Armetta Financial Services.  They pretty much ran through the league, going 10-0-0 in the regular season, then cruising through the play-offs with a 12-0, 9-1 and 6-0 wins.

What Are You Doing Sunday Evening?

Uh oh, I smell a rant coming and it probably means Apple is going to get trashed once again on this blog.  So Apple has this big deal Sunday Night Soccer thing that features a marquee match-up each week.  The Union play their one match in that series this Sunday night in Columbus at 6 pm.  Sharp-eyed readers will note that the USMNT quarterfinal match vs Costa Rica is at 7 pm.  Nice work guys.  And by guys I mean MLS and Apple.  The quarterfinals were set for June 29 months ago.  Although no one could know the teams in those two contests back then, there was always a high likelihood that the US would be playing this Sunday.  Once it became clear that the US had a good chance of winning the group after the second win, there was a chance to change the time.  Sure, we can DVR our way out of this and watch both but this lack of coordination and stepping on the USMNT's space is another sign that MLS and Apple interest's are necessarily aligned with US soccer's.

As for the Union match, they will still be shorthanded, though I'm pretty sure they'll get back Blake, Danley and maybe Westfield.  On the other hand, Glesnes is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.  

We also have Club World Cup Round of 16 matches (two a day) on Saturday thru Tuesday.  Full schedule and some thoughts are here.

Then we have the Gold Cup semi finals at 7 and 10 pm on Wednesday.  

Pretty busy for the slow period.