Not a good weekend. At one point on Saturday, Dennis texted me to note that the BFS home sides had gone down in defeat by a collective 0-7. Results from other precincts in the EPL were not encouraging either.
So I had to look elsewhere for positive news. Fortunately, it was to be found. We start in a small town in France, where BFS Senior Foreign Correspondent (and my stepdaughter) Mackenzie has gotten herself on a club team. As you can see, it is sponsored by Peugot, a bakery and some other business entities. In her first game, a 1-1 draw, she played both right and left fullback. But wait, it gets better. The manager quickly realized she has the best foot on the team and was soon taking all the goal, corner and free kicks. And, they were reluctant to sub her out, even though there were several times she was pretty gassed, having been away from the sport a few years. Nice work Kenz. You go girl!
More good news came as I finally got back to Football Manager after a month or so away. My Chester Blues were facing a tough Chelsea side and the pundits had us as serious underdogs. We switched from our usual 4-4-2 to a 4-1-3-2, kept things pretty locked down, scored two goals on set pieces and came away with 2-0 win and all three points. We then closed out group stage play in the Europa Cup with a 4-0 win over Bohemians. Since we had already clinched a spot in the knockout phase, I was able to rest most of the first team and give some of the guys itching for playing time a chance to shine. Though we sit third in the EPL table - six out of first, two out of second - we have two games in hand on both Everton and Aston Villa. If only my real life teams were doing so well.
Not much went right in the EPL. Newcastle went down as predicted 0-3 to Leicester; uh, that would be first place Leicester. The really bad news is the game wasn't as close as the score indicates. Things were no better in Liverpool, where Everton were having their way with Aston Villa. Dennis adds... If your math skills are sharp, you've already deduced the score of this match (it was 0-4 for those not paying as close attention). And as with Newcastle, it wasn't even really that close. But taskmaster Steve said I had to write something about this match anyway after which we had this exchange:
Me: "They got crapped on."
Steve: "Then write that."
Done and done.
Adding to the frustration was a series of results that did not help either Newcastle or Aston Villa. Arsenal went down to West Brom 1-2 (Cazorla missed a PK!?). Bournemouth took a point from Swansea City. And worst of all, Crystal Palace lost to Sunderland 0-1 at home no less; Alan Pardew really does have trouble beating the Black Cats. The Watford-Man United contest ended up being a close and mildly entertaining one, with the Red Devils needing an own goal in stoppage time to grab a 2-1 win. Liverpool did a number on Man City so the match wasn't all that competitive but there was this sweet goal from Firmino, which started from a clever back heel pass from Emre Can; it's my choice for his week's YouTubeableMoment. Tottenham also turned what on paper looked to be a close match into a romp with a 4-1 pummeling of a pretty good West Ham side.
How 2-0 is worse than 3-1
In the MLS playoffs, both of the favorites fell behind by two goals in the first leg of the semis. But the Red Bulls are clearly in a worse position after losing 0-2 to Columbus on the road. Should they surrender a goal in Harrison this Sunday, the tiebreaker of road goals means they would need to score four of their own to advance. The first half of that match was reasonably lively but the second half seemed pretty stale. Chester Blue sighting as Michael Parkhurst featured in the back line for Columbus. When FC Dallas scored in the second half at Portland to cut the deficit to 2-1, they seemed to have put themselves in a good position for the second leg. Surrendering that third goal surely wasn't part of the plan. They have more margin for error than do the Red Bulls in the second leg in that they at least got a road goal but their position is not a good one. Pretty entertaining match for the neutrals I thought.
One versus Two
Everyone who, back in August, saw the 11/28 Leicester-Man United touted as a battle between first and second, raise your hand. Yeah, sure you did. This will be the featured 12:30 match on NBC Saturday; pundits seem to have a slight preference for Manchester United, though some are calling it a draw. Leicester's emphasis on pace should make it a lively match, plus Jamie Vardy is seeking to become the first EPL player to score in 11 consecutive matches (breaking Manchester United's own Ruud Van Nistelrooy's record, no less). I am really hoping that on this big stage, the Foxes do not fall flat on their faces.
Another match to watch will be the London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea Sunday morning at 7 am (not a typo) on USA. Spurs are really in form while Chelsea is harder to read; they barely beat Norwich last week but did thrash a weak opponent in Champions League action during the week. Tottenham have the added distraction of a Thursday Europa League match but may be able to rest many first teamers. Pundits are all over the map here but I'm seeing more predicting Spurs win or draw than a Chelsea win.
Normally, 10 vs 17 wouldn't have much to recommend it. And frankly, unless you enjoy watching car crashes, you might want to avoid Crystal Palace at home versus Newcastle. The two story lines are that Alan Pardew/Yohan Cabaye - Newcastle escapees - probably wouldn't mind putting a hurting on the Magpies and there are reports of training ground confrontations between Newcastle manager Steve McClaren and senior players so Newcastle may be ready for a complete implosion. Big match for Aston Villa as they host Watford; these are the type of matches where the Villans have to snatch some points (which they won't).
All we ask of some of the better teams is that they do their job this week. Mostly looking at you Arsenal, traveling to Norwich but also Everton (away at Bournemouth) and West Ham (hosting West Brom - USA TV Sunday at 9 am). Liverpool will try to maintain the momentum off the big Man City win as they face a fading Swansea side (Sunday NBCSN at 11:15). Man City vs Southampton could be a tricky match for the Citizens (that's the Saturday 10 am match on NBCSN).
And of course, we have the second legs of the MLS semis. FC Dallas-Portland is the 5 pm match on ESPN and the Red Bulls-Columbus is 7:30 on FS1.
Thanksgiving weekend and football - an American tradition.
