What Break?

Between taking in a bunch of UEFA WC Qualifiers, going to Subaru Park to see the USMNT take on Paraguay and watching the US trounce Uruguay at Subaru Park, I kept busy.

The Luck of the Scottish

McTominay gets Scotland going with a stunning bicycle kick
ROBBIE JAY BARRATT /GETTY IMAGES

After a disappointing loss to Greece, Scotland were left in the difficult position of having to beat Denmark to win their group.  They started out well enough, with this astounding bicycle kick from McTominay.  The Danes equalized at 52 minutes but shortly afterwards had a man sent off.  The Scots took the lead again at 78 minutes and with the man advantage looked good for WC qualifying.  Except they forgot to defend and gave up the equalizer in the 81st minute. Then, in stoppage time, Kieran Tierney launched a rocket that beat Kasper Schmeichel and set off celebrations in every pub in Scotland (sampling here); the shot is presented here as this week's YouTubeableMoment.  Kenny McLean added an audacious goal to make the final 4-2.  So the Scots are in and now Denmark must get through a two-game playoff in March to get to the WC Finals.

The Luck of the Irish

With Portugal playing Armenia, the Hungary - Ireland match was always about who would get second in the group and at least a second chance to make the WC via the playoff.  Like the Scots, Ireland needed to win to move ahead of Hungary in the standings.  Unlike their neighbors, the Irish made things more difficult by conceding a goal just four minutes in.  Troy Parrott (ex-Spur!) got them back into the match after converting a PK.  A second Hungary goal gave the home side a 2-1 advantage which they carried into the 80th minute. Parrott got things even again but the Irish were still short a goal.  Deep into stoppage time, Parrott completed his hat trick and set off celebrations in every pub in Ireland (extensive sampling here);  you can see Parrott's goal here which was going to be the week's YouTubeableMoment until Tierney made his shot.

Though this by no means sews up a spot for Ireland, without this win they would have definitely been staying home.

Conversation That Should Never Have Taken Place and Fortunately Did Not

Dennis:  I guess Ireland wanted it more.

Steve: So you're saying they were more hungry?

Not Everything Was Dramatic

Norway thrashed Italy 4-1 to take first in their group, consigning the Italians to the playoffs.  Likewise, Germany pummelled Slovakia 6-0 to clinch their berth.  Belgium, after stumbling to a 1-1 draw against Kazakhstan, took it out on overmatched Liechtenstein, winning 7-0 to take their group.  And France took care of business in a 4-0 defeat of Ukraine.

Here's the list of group winners who are in:

Germany

Switzerland

Scotland

France

Spain

Portugal

Netherlands

Austria

Norway

Belgium

England

Croatia

The March playoff brackets to determine the other four qualifiers were annnounced Thursday:

Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina with winner to face winner of Italy vs Northern Ireland

Ukraine vs Sweden with winner to face winner of Poland vs Albania

Slovakia vs Kosovo with winner to face winner of Turkiye vs Romania

Czechia vs Ireland with winner to face winner of Denmark vs North Macedonia

With any luck we'll get an Ireland - Denmark match up and maybe Wales - Italy in those second matches.

Not So Friendly?

Paraguay and US mix it up; doubt they were discussing tariffs

The USMNT had a mostly positive showing in two "friendlies" during the international break.  BFS Goalkeeper Consultant Graham R and I made it down to Subaru Park for the match against Paraguay.  We try not to focus on results in these contests so the 2-1 final isn't really the headline here.  What stood out for me was the performances of Sergino Dest and Gio Reyna.  I can't remember when those two last appeared at the same time for the USMNT but it was great to watch them create multiple attacks down the right wing.  Otherwise, I'd say it was a pretty even match.  Graham thought Paraguay's game plan may have been too conservative.  Also, this was a very chippy match with 21 fouls, six yellows and a red.  Things boiled over in stoppage time with a bench clearing scrum.

What to think about the 5-1 thrashing of Uruguay on Tuesday night?  The US raced out to a 3-0 lead by 31st minute.  The half finished 4-1, Uruguay had a man sent off in the 64th minute and the match was never close.  This looks like a fantastic result against a higher rated side and was fully justified by their performance.  Based on what I read, Marcelo Biesla had restored eight regulars to the line-up while the US put out a side heavy with reserves so I don't think they were beating up on Uruguay's second team.

Where There's Fire, There's Fire

Yesterday's news cycle was filled with reports about inappropriate conduct by Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner.  A very detailed list and accompanying story by The Guardian is available here.  A summary of their findings includes:

  

• - Made multiple misogynistic comments, including saying “women don’t belong in men’s soccer” about a female MLS referee and telling a gathering of academy players that they “should never worry about a referee, unless she’s a woman.”

• - Spoke about Black players “like they were subhuman” and suggested that Black referees “lack intelligence and capability.”

• 
  

• 
  

• 
  

• 
  

• 
  

• - Touched a co-worker inappropriately “numerous times,” an allegation for which he was reported to the Union’s HR department.

• 
  

• 
  

• 
  

• 
  

• 
  

• - Hired an underqualified coach who was allegedly abusive toward players on the Philadelphia Union II, the club’s reserve team that is used as a proving ground for young players from its thriving academy.

According to the article, the MLS investigated the complaints but was "unable to corroborate" the allegations made against Tanner.  Nonetheless, MLS announced yesterday that it is reopening the investigation; we "re-agree" with that action.  Also, Tanner was placed on administrative leave by the Union.

So much more I want to say but I'll leave it at "this is why we can't have nice things."

Back At It

Full slate of EPL, MLS Conference semi-finals and all three Europe competitions means wall-to-wall football Saturday to Thursday.

Action starts early Saturday at 7:30 but I may not get there with you as Chelsea are playing Burnley; I may join that one in progress.  There's an overfull 10 am set covering five matches.  The TV game is Bournemouth - West Ham but I'm more inclined to try Brighton-Brentford or Fulham - Sunderland.  Liverpool - Nottingham Forest looks uncompetitive and Wolves - Crystal Palace doesn't look great either.

Playing an in-form Man City does not sound like the answer to Newcastle's slump but that is the 12:30 NBC feature match.  Mildly surprised that Opta has it as close as 31% Magpies, 44% City, 25% draw; probably not bigger margin because it is at St. James' Park.

The crowded Saturday means a thin, though interesting Sunday. Aston Villa are at Leeds at 9 on USA followed by a North London derby featuring Arsenal - Spurs at 11:30; NBC continues the habit of putting some of the better matches on Peacock for that one.  Wait, this can't be right; Arsenal are at 69% and Spurs 14%  (17% draw).  Ouch.

The matchweek concludes Monday with Man United - Everton at 3 pm on USA

The weekend includes the four MLS Conference Semi-Finals.  Vancouver - LAFC is Saturday at 9:30.  Sunday has Cincinnati- Miami at 5 and Union - NYCFC at 7:45.  San Diego hosts Minnesota on Monday at 10 pm.  All matches on the single paywalled Apple as opposed to the double paywalled MLS Season Pass.  The Cincinnati - Miami contest could be a good watch.  The Union are prohibitive favorites and we are counting on the two Jeffs to bring home the W.

It's a full mid-week of European competition with Champions League on Tuesday/Wednesday and Europa Cup and Europa Conference League on Thursday.  Of course we'll be focused on Marseille - Newcastle on Tuesday at 3 pm but there are other good matchups to check out.  Chelsea host Barcelona and Man City are home to Leverkusen also on Tuesday.  Wednesday has Liverpool - PSV, Arsenal - Bayern and PSG - Spurs, unfortunately all at 3 pm.  Thursday pre meal viewing will be Aston Villa vs Young Boys at 12:45.

We have much to be thankful for.