Never Enough

Since last Sunday we've seen 32 teams grouped in the World Cup draw, 20 EPL games, four NCAA finalists determined and two teams battle for the MLS Cup Final.  And a partridge in a pear tree.

Start with the MLS Cup, where Sporting KC emerged with the hardware, beating Real Salt Lake 7-6 on PKs after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation plus 30 minutes of overtime.  I am not a big fan of using PKs to determine a winner.  I realize it's quite dramatic and all but imagine if after two overtime periods, the NBA settled its championship by putting five players from each time on the foul line for one free throw each. Not tremendously satisfying in my book.  Which is fine because I missed the PKs anyway.  In what surely must be labeled a rookie mistake, I failed to take into account the possibility of overtime, did not dvr the show after the MLS Cup and therefore only saw some of the overtime action.  It was a sweet moment for the KC captain and keeper Jimmy Nielsen, who could be the John Kruk of MLS in that he's very talented but well, doesn't look like a soccer player.  And another year without a trophy for us long-suffering Union fans.

I already commented on the World Cup draw - nothing new to add at this point.  The NCAA final four is set with Maryland, New Mexico, Notre Dame and Virginia.  The semis and the finals will be played this Friday and Sunday at PPL Park.  Hoping to get there for Sunday's match.  Also hoping the weather is a little more soccer-friendly than yesterday.

All EPL teams had a mid-week match plus a weekend contest.  Certain themes struck me.  Tottenham did indeed get six points in two matches versus relegation candidates.  They did it in somewhat underwhelming fashion, falling behind early than rallying late.  On the other hand, they did seem to be creating more chances and they have seven points out of the last nine possible.  AVB decided to take on the press a little; that usually doesn't end well for the manager since he typically doesn't have a regular column or other media access.  Side note - one of his detractors - Neil Ashton - was captain of my first Chester Blues side when we were in the 5th division.  Liverpool also came away with six points against teams in the bottom half (Norwich and West Ham) but did it in somewhat more convincing fashion to stay five points back of Arsenal.

Aston Villa and Newcastle played a sort of Dr. Jekyl/Mr Hyde in their respective matches; each posted one quality outing and one performance worthy of a relegation candidate.  Aston Villa put up a gritty effort away at Southampton, taking an early lead, then twice tallying go-ahead goals after the Saints equalized.  Sunday however, they looked ready to accept the alternative tag put on them by Men in Blazers - the Midlands Mediocrity - as they appeared punchless against a Fulham side that hadn't won since before Obama became a two-term president.  Newcastle had their forgettable performance on Wednesday, losing 3-0 to Swansea City.  Tell me Jonjo Shelvey is not the evil spawn of Ernst Stavro Blofeld (see pictures below).  Saturday was much better as a goal in the 60th minute by Cabaye was the only scoring in a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.  Frankly, they looked the better side for most of the match.  Good to see Hatem Ben Arfa back on the pitch; the Magpies seemed much more dangerous with him out there.  Some post-game comments from Alan Pardew make it sound like his lack of playing time was related to the manager's displeasure with his work rate.  Chelsea's week sort of fits this theme too; they had a win over Sunderland but a loss on the road at Stoke which leaves them five points back of Arsenal.

                                                                          

Man Utd's theme is not a happy one - a pair of 0-1 losses to teams that had not won at Old Trafford since I was in high school this century.  First it was Everton, winning on Costa Rican international Bryan Oviedo's late goal; this was the Toffees first away win against Man United since 1992.  Lightning struck again on Saturday; Newcastle's aforementioned triumph was the Magpies first win at Old Trafford since 1972.  Working from memory, I recall the Everton match felt competitive but the Red Devils looked at sea against Newcastle; I'm sure Rooney's one-game suspension (accumulated yellow cards) didn't help.  David Moyes looked much younger when he started the season.

And Arsenal continues to fly above all this, taking four points from their two matches.  Wednesday was a relatively easy win 2-0 over a decent Hull City.  Sunday was a cracking 1-1 draw with Everton.  Truly a joy to watch, though maybe the Everton and "neutral" fans (i.e. not Arsenal fans) were happier with the result; only Gerard Deulofue's marvelous shot in the 84th minute kept the Gunners from taking a seven point lead at the top of the table.

This week's YouTube-able Moment goes to Southampton's Pablo Osvaldo for his goal in the 1-1 draw versus Man City; the settling of the long pass, the touch past Vincent Kompany, and the curling shot to the top far corner were of the highest quality.

And we're looking at another quiet seven days.  Champions League and Europe Cup action mid-week, a full slate of EPL matches on weekend, plus the NCAA finals.  The EPL weekend gets off to a roaring start with Man City hosting Arsenal.  Newcastle entertains Southampton; I like the Magpies recent form but Southampton, even with some key personnel injured, is a tough opponent.  Chelsea should be able to see Crystal Palace off, especially at Stamford Bridge.  Sunday early has Aston Villa home against Man Utd and later we have Tottenham versus Liverpool at White Hart Lane.

Bob K - I see that Sevilla FC beat Racing in the Esp Cup.  I'm assuming this is something akin to the FA Cup and Racing is a lower division team?  Please to explain.