Eight Days A Week

Or close to it when there is Champions League and Europa Cup action.

Apparently "fraught with danger" understated the risks to the Union's playoff hopes.  Got off to a good start in Montreal but could not sustain it and went down 2-1.  I don't think they can catch Chicago now because of the tie breaker.  But there are scenarios which get them to the playoffs.  All require a Union win over Sporting KC.  Pretty sure New England also has to lose to Columbus because the Union would lose on the second tie breaker, goals scored, unless they outscore NE by seven.  Looks like the Union are in however with a Houston draw or loss against, alas, DC United.  Probably shouldn't hold our breath.  And to be fair, it's not like they played all that well down the stretch.  A step forward from last year but more work to be done.  Chris gets to look forward to what could be a deep playoff run from the Red Bulls.

Better news for most of us on the EPL front.  Newcastle was up 1-0 on Liverpool and IMHO was soundly outplaying them until Mbiwa decided to grab Suarez from behind in the box late in the first half.  PK converted and Newcastle down a man for the next 50 minutes.  Dummett's clean finish after a curling run round the box put Newcastle back up 2-1 at the 56th minute but Liverpool answered at the 72nd minute.  The last 18 plus were nailbiting, right down to Suarez' free kick from just outside the box that Krul stopped to preserve the tie.  Going into the match, a draw would have sounded great and after going down a man, it sounded even better. 

Luke (Arsenal) and Michael ("Tot'num") have no complaints as their sides took care of business, helping Newcastle in the process.  Not so much for Dennis, who recently signed on with Aston Villa.  They weren't awful and even had long spells where they had the run of play but the Spurs were just too much for them.  Hey check out the Saints of Southampton getting a late goal ("not a thing of beauty but no less than they deserve" or something close to that was the announcer's call) to draw Man U.

No comment on Champions League results as some may have taped them.

This weekend has Newcastle going Wear side to face their hated rivals Sunderland, who have been awful so far.  Look out, it's a trap.  Arsenal takes on a disappointing Crystal Palace while Tottenham faces the surprising Hull City.  All I ask is that the top table clubs take care of business against lower table teams so that Newcastle doesn't have to sweat relegation again.  Things don't get easier for Aston Villa as they take on Everton.  Plus, Chelsea-Man City looks like a tasty fixture.

And in computer news, the Chester Blues stole an extra 2 points on the road versus Reading.  After drawing level at about 70 minutes, I went conservative to preserve the draw, though did allow for counters when the opportunity presented itself.  At 93 minutes, John Guidetti (real player, Swedish youth international who has been on Man City and Stoke rosters) hit Ronan Gallagher (mythical Irish youth international created by the game) with a perfect cross that Ronan buried for the game winner.  The squad has been playing better and promotion to the Premiership is still a possibility.

On the international front, Iceland gets Croatia in the UEFA WCQ playoffs for the last 4 European spots.  Not easy but better than getting, say, Portugal.  Bob K tells me Iceland would be smallest country in terms of population to get a WC final spot.

Are we having fun yet?