No matter how they got there, Mexico looked really good in
the Gold Cup final, needing no assistance from the referees in taking down
Jamaica 3-1. Show of hands, anybody
think the US could have beaten El Tri in that match? Without serious improvements, another “dos a
cero” result looks unlikely on 10/9.
We were out of town so didn’t make it to the Linc for the
final. From the TV, the night looked
like a raucous festival of soccer.
Selected texts from Philip S:
“I’m learning some very useful Spanish.”
“Guy behind me is in full nacho libre headgear and he is
completely frightening.”
“Apparently the proper goal celebration involves throwing
one’s beverage. I’ll need a shower.”
Miguel Herrera, the Mexican manager seemingly under constant
fire in his short tenure, had probably just saved his job with the Gold Cup
win. Except then he allegedly ran up to
and punched a journalist in the Philly airport.
He was fired shortly after. Dude,
all you had to do was just get on the plane and you would have been home
free. You will be missed.
No Up Escalator
This probably sums up being a Union fan better than anything
else. On Sunday, they went up 2-0 on DC
United in the first five minutes, but I spent the rest of the match hoping they
could salvage a draw. And they couldn’t,
falling 2-3 on a late goal. Once
again, they played pretty well in defeat; with the score level at 2-2, Sapong
had a shot rattle off the crossbar, which was followed a minute later by
Espindola's game winner.
They traded away full back Sheanon Williams for
general allocation money, which I think helps them stay under the salary cap.
He wasn’t always the steadiest defender but he does have a great
throw-in that the Union used as a set piece in the attacking third, plus the
team seems a bit short on depth in the back line. The move allowed them to acquire Tranquillo Barnetta. Barnetta's CV is pretty impressive (three World Cups for Switzerland, Bundesliga and Champions League experience) and could arguably be the best player ever to don the Union kit. On balance, it’s probably the right move to
beef up the offense and hopefully Gaddis, Fabinho and others stay healthy.
Transfer Window vs Kitchen Remodelng
Last summer’s transfer window for Newcastle reminded me of a
kitchen remodeling effort that started out great but ran out of steam. The cabinets looked great and some of the
appliances were upgraded but we didn’t replace the 1950’s model stove or the
refrigerator that constantly needed repair.
The result – we didn’t have a properly functioning kitchen and barely avoided relegation. I mention this now because so far Newcastle
have signed a striker, a playmaking midfielder and a center defender. That may sound like a lot but not when the
remodeling project called for two strikers, a midfielder, a winger and two
centerbacks. Still a month to go in the
window but Newcastle’s history is not good
Aston Villa have signed Emmanuel Adebayor to boost their
offense. He responded well to Sherwood’s
style at Tottenham so maybe this is a good pickup. If you’re kind you describe him as mercurial,
if you’re less gentle, you say he’s inconsistent. Ron Vlaar, who was probably not going to play for the Villans this year anyway is now out for four months after knee surgery.
Transitive Property Predicts Bournemouth Will Win EPL
See, the Red Bulls, playing their second game in two days
and using second team players, beat Chelsea, who were using mostly first
stringers. The day before, the Union,
playing a man down for most of the match, beat the Red Bulls. The Union had earlier lost a match to
Bournemouth. Ipso facto, the Cherries
(Luke P is all over that nickname) will win the EPL.
For those who prefer a more reasoned approach to the season
preview, you might try these links:
TheScore - one general article but scroll down for deeper preview of season
Will be checking out the Union in person tonight vs the Red Bulls. Barnetta is expected to play.
Will be checking out the Union in person tonight vs the Red Bulls. Barnetta is expected to play.
Rough debut for Barnetta...SWP looked good though!
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