Sporting Casey

Can anybody explain the Union to me?  Last Saturday's match away at San Jose makes no sense.  First, the Union were dominating play against a hot team that is even hotter at home.  Of course, they couldn't finish but they clearly had the run of play.  The only way the Earthquakes are going to get a goal is if the Union give away a pen...wait, there it is.  In the 64th minute, Fabinho sticks his arm up and is called for handling in the box.  Perfect.  Things are starting to make sense.  It is at this point I come up with an idea for a bumper sticker:

BE A FAN OF THE UNION
SUPPORT AGONIZED LABOR

But then things got really weird.  Sebastien Le Toux - who had been on a goal scoring tear until the last two matches - is substituted out for Conor Casey.  Within three minutes, Casey heads home a perfect cross from Ray Gaddis and things are level (pictured below).

  I think to myself, with the way they are playing, the Union have a chance to win this.  Right, get a grip.  Next thing you know, Barnetta is sending a free kick into the box and Casey redirects it for the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute (which is this week's YouTubeableMoment).  Can't say San Jose ever really threatened and the Union took all three points.  Casey's finishing was critical but I would still give the man of the match to Barnetta, whose work rate was incredible and the reason the Union moved the ball so easily all night.

Now for the wet blanket.  Even though the win moved the Union to within one point of Montreal, the Impact still have four games in hand.  Looking at the relative schedules, the playoffs still look 100 miles away.  Still the win was important for two reasons.  First, Montreal could fritter away those games in hand.  Second, games like this one could really put the Union in a good mind set for the Open Cup Final vs Sporting KC at the end of the month.


Euro Qualifiers and International Friendlies

Only two matches left for each country in the European qualifiers but still many spots up for grabs.  Recall that France is automatically in and the first and second place sides - plus the third place team with the best record - will also make the final;  the remaining eight 3rd place teams will compete in playoffs to fill out the final four spots.

BFS favorite Belgium won both of their matches and sit in second place; their qualification hopes look solid with matches remaining against Andorra and Israel.  Gylfi Sigurdsson and Iceland are in after beating the Netherlands and tying Kazakhstan.  The Netherlands are in fourth and in danger of not even qualifying for the third place playoffs after their 0-3 loss to Turkey; but Turkey still have to play the Czech Republic and Iceland while Netherlands face Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic so maybe that's not done yet.

On the US friendly front, there was a 2-1 win over Peru and the 1-4 thrashing at the hands of Brazil. When I saw the starting back four against Brazil, I have to say I was puzzled.  Hell if I know what Klinsmann's thinking was.  Player availability?  Not have players he wants for the Mexico match in October get their confidence mangled?  I don't know.  But you didn't need a weatherman to know which way the wind was going to blow.  They were simply outmatched.  Not going to judge Klinsmann by performance in friendlies.  In my book, he got a decent grade for the World Cup, not so much for the Gold Cup.  I  don't like putting too much emphasis on one game but the team really needs to put in a good showing at the playoff with Mexico for the Confederations Cup berth.


Break's Over

Everton and Chelsea get the weekend off to a good start at 7:45 on Saturday.  Not finding as much to recommend about the 10 am matches.  Crystal Palace hosting Manchester City gets my vote; hoping the Eagles can put up a good fight against the undefeated Citizens.  Some might prefer Arsenal - Stoke City for the 10 am slot.  The 12:30 game on NBC looks okay - Man United hosting Liverpool.  Sunday has Tottenham traveling to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland in a match of winless sides at 8:30 and Aston Villa on the road to face third place (!?) Leicester City at 11. 

The soft expectations part of Newcastle's schedule is over.  Even though Monday's match with West Ham is on the road, they need to come away with a result.  The Hammers have lost two easier matches at home but won two difficult contests away from Upton Park.  Queasy is how I'd describe my feelings heading into this one; I think they are capable of winning but the team hasn't really put anything consistent together yet.  I can see anything from a close win to a frustrating 0-2 loss.

The enigmatic Union face Columbus at home on Saturday night.  Everything is must win at this point.  Plus Montreal has to lose, first to the Galaxy this weekend, then to San Jose on Wednesday as they spend one of their games in hand.  Both on the road against decent opponents so maybe we can narrow the gap.  The Red Bulls have a chance to improve their chances of winning both the Eastern Conference and the Supporters Shield.  By the time you read this, their match against last place Chicago will be in the books.  Then they get to "redeem" one of their games in hand with a midweek match against New England.  Six points would be big.


Refereeing starts this weekend. Hoping my leg will hold out.  And the DVR too, as I won't be able to watch too much live for a while.