Mouse Different

So the US, along with Argentina, Colombia and Chile, have advanced to the Copa semi-finals.  We turn to noted soccer pundit Robert Klein for analysis on which team is least likely to make it to the final.

I like a nice, obvious multiple choice:
a) Giraffe
b) Rhinoceros
c) Elephant
d) Mouse

Mouse different

We can quibble about which among Argentina, Chile and Colombia is the elephant, rhino or giraffe but the US is clearly the mouse here.

Still, at least the US is in the hunt after a strange 2-1 defeat of Ecuador.  Arguably, this was the biggest US win in forever.  Even in the 2002 World Cup, we beat Mexico (i.e. another CONCACAF side) to advance to the quarters.  Clinical Clint Dempsey was stellar with a fine header but an even more impressive settle and pass inside the six to set up Zardes for the second goal.  Landon Donovan made this point but I don't know if others picked up on it; Bobby Wood getting behind the Ecuador back line on a regular basis helped stretch the defense and opened up more scoring chances for the US.  The second half was a bit surreal with both teams having a player sent off.  The ejection of Jermaine Jones seemed a little harsh until we got the explanation that there was a June 1st directive from FIFA that said any player giving "noogies" to an opponent not in the course of playing the ball was to be given a straight red.  I can see how this will make things easier for the referees.  They don't have to judge intent or force, only did you touch the face?  I thought 10 v 10 was a big advantage to Ecuador but the US acquitted themselves well and hung on the for win.

The bad news is that reds and yellows take Jones, Wood and Bedoya out for tonight's semi against Argentina (9 pm FS1).  Some interesting thoughts on how to remake the line up are outlined in this article in the Guardian. Will Klinsmann go with veterans like Chris "One Job" Wondolowski, Graham Zusi and Kyle Beckerman?  I like the idea of Fabian Johnson at left mid, leaving Matt Besler at left back. 


On the Other Side of the Pond

There is life after Chester

The European Championships march on, though in comparison to the Copa Yellow Card Fest, with a few exceptions, the games don't seem to match the passion we're seeing on this side.  Sad to see Iceland only walk away with a draw after Hungary scored late.  "Our Boys" acted like they had lost; to some extent they had, as a win would have surely put them through whereas now they likely need at least a draw with Austria to advance.  The otherwise unremarkable picture from the Iceland-Hungary match (above) is presented only because all three players in the shot are ex-Chester players.  Gylfi Sigurdsson has just scored the PK, Zoltan Gera (number 10 for Hungary) is moving in for a possible rebound and Kari Arnason (14 - Iceland) is hands on hips, confident of his teammate's ability to convert the PK.

England got untracked against Wales but got bogged down again versus Slovakia; they will advance but will need to step up their game to go any deeper.  France, Wales and Switzerland are definitely through to the knockout stage.  Belgium also got going with a 3-0 win over Ireland.  Tuesday and Wednesday see the final group stage matches. 


Mackenzie's Guide to Picking a Euro Side

Not sure who to root for in the European Championships?  Mackenzie has an easy two-step algorithm to help you decide.  First, was either of the countries a colonial power?  If yes, cheer for the non-colonial power.   For example, in upcoming matches, you would choose Northern Ireland, Iceland and Croatia over Germany, Austria and Spain respectively.  Some of the others may not be so obvious but you get the point.  If both sides were colonial powers or both were non-colonial powers, then look at the diversity of the squad.  That gets even more subjective - who's more diverse, Germany (Boateng/Ozil) or England (Alli/Walker)? - but it may help you decide.

BTW, if someone gets injured in a collision with the German center defender, would you say he was hurt in a Boateng accident?  Just askin'.


Copa Break Hangover

The Union definitely did not need this lay off.  They were slow out of the gate on Saturday against NYCFC and found themselves down 0-3.  Only a PK and a late goal against a 10-man NYCFC allowed the final score, 2-3, to look respectable.  As if the long break wasn't bad enough, the Union announced a mutual termination of Vincent Noguiera's contract to allow him to return to France; unidentified health issues were cited as the reason.  This is a big loss.  Hopefully, some combination of Ilsinho, Creavalle and Alberg can fill in the big hole created by his departure.  Plus Sponge Sapong is still injured.  With matches coming fast and furious (Wednesday vs Chicago, Saturday vs Vancouver), they need to sort these things out quickly.


After last weekend, the dvr needs a break but there's still a few more days of heavy activity.