No US Open Cup for U

Back just in time for probably the quietest part of the soccer calendar.  Just as well, we were running on all cylinders for a few months there.

The Union will not be hosting the US Open Cup Final for a third straight year.  I was not able to stream the match on YouTube so all I have is media accounts of the Union's loss on kicks from the spot to the New England Revolution.  Sounds like Blake was again the main reason they were in the match at all.  Herbers' 90th minute goal got the match to extra time but in the end it went to kicks, where the Union lost 2-4.  Consensus around here - too bad but now we can concentrate on more important matters like making the playoffs or even winning the conference.


Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

Wait, I did.  Back in March, when Chris Pontius had a particularly strong outing I went with the header "Pontius Pilots Union to Victory (as seen in this BFS post),  So I open Monday's Inquirer to read the story of the Union's 2-2 draw against the Red Bulls and the headline reads "Pontius Pilots Union Comeback."  Wish I could find the article.  Anyway, touche to the editor for going with it.

Chris Pontius (Photo - Yong Kim)

Great match to watch.  I realize you should be thinking three points for any home match and it wasn't fun to watch them fall behind 0-2.  Yeah, the defense is still a work in progress.  But everything from there was positive.  First, they came back against a very good team.  Second, they had the Red Bulls on the ropes, at least until Ilsinho got a red card for a forearm to the face of Connor Lade.  More on that in a minute.  Third, even a man down the Union looked like the better side.  So much so that the Red Bulls actually took Bradley Wright-Phillips off for a defensive substitution; that's how concerned the visitors were about conceding the game-winner to the 10-man Union.
 
Re: Ilshinho's forearm.  Cursory internet search doesn't provide much additional detail.  I'm pretty sure it was a straight red, not a second yellow.  I also recall from Copa America something about a new directive to referees about striking the face.  Something like striking the face, regardless of force, is a straight red; that makes it easier in some regards for the referees but it will likely result in some harsh looking decisions (Again, minimal research on the net didn't yield anything definitive but I'm pretty sure I heard that explanation during a Copa telecast).  And yes, Ilsinho was getting mugged.  But he'd already won the free kick.  Walk away.


Following a non-EPL Side

Newcastle's Championship Division season kicks off with an away match at Fulham on Friday August 5th.  If I read the schedule right, that match will be on BeIN Sports.  I have no idea of how many games I'll actually be able to see.   Unlike the EPL, every game is not televised, just 3-4.  But, Newcastle will like get a disproportionate share of those TV slots given their raving lunatic broad fan base.

The off-season has been a bit up-and-down.  Andros Townsend left for Crystal Palace.  Cisse and Coloccini are gone too.  News is flying about Wijnaldum and Sissoko leaving, the former for Liverpool and the latter for Real Madrid or Juventus or somewhere.  These are talented players but Newcastle did not win with them plus they will generate over $60m in transfer fees.  And how disturbing it was to watch Sissoko lead France to within inches of the European Championship? Where the eff was that effort and creativity for the last two years?

On the plus side, Benitez has been actively adding what look like quality players, especially defenders.  Of course that's what we thought last summer too.  But the man's track record is pretty good.  The Newcastle makeover is underway and I trust the process.  The oddsmakers like their chances, with the Magpies at under 2 to 1 to win the league, the next closest competitors at 10 to 1.


EPL Starts 8/13 

The big boys get started a week after the Championship Division.  I'll still be following all the action, just without a rooting interest.  Maybe I'll enjoy it more that way.  Good on Jamie Vardy for turning down Arsenal and staying with Leicester.  Of course, with his new Leicester contract at $100,000 (or is it pounds?) per week, it's not like his family will be scrimping.

Hopefully will have some sites with previews and predictions for you to browse next week.


The Weekend

Will be nothing like the hectic days of June and early July.   The Union do have an important match on Saturday at 7:30 in Montreal.  Both teams are in the thick of the playoff hunt.  The Union's 1-5-3 record on the road stands out here - six points from nine games isn't good.  A draw would be a good result.