Status Quo

Despite a moment or two when it looked like the BFS home sides were going to pick up some unexpected points, the Union and Newcastle ended up with exactly what we expected from last weekend's matches.


Two Points Lost

The Union were winding down the expected draw with Orlando City when Fafa Picault unleashed an incredible individual effort to score the go ahead goal in the 88th minute.  Check out his effort in this week's YouTubeableMoment.  So late in the match, it was hard not to start counting those two extra points and what it meant for the Union's playoff chances.  Which made the Orlando goal in stoppage time all that much more deflating.  So we have to remind ourselves of the original premise - this was projected as a draw.  Not a great effort from the Union but not awful either.  Flashes of that great midfield play but just not as consistently.

Some unexpected results elsewhere though.  Three in the chase group picked up some extra points.  Montreal got two by beating rather than drawing with the Red Bulls.  DC did the same by beating Atlanta.  And New England added three unexpected points with their win over NYCFC.  So the top three sides really let us down this week.  On the other hand, Toronto got spanked by LAFC and really look like a long shot for the playoffs at this point.  With that set of results, the Union's cushion over 7th is now projected at just six points and DC is projected to finish just one point behind the Union.  The only difference between 5th or 6th is that the first round opponent would likely be Columbus if we finish 5th or NYCFC if we end up 6th; either would a road match.


Overachievers?

At some point in Newcastle's 1-2 loss to Man City, the commentator suggested that with three one-goal losses to Spurs, Chelsea and Man City, might we consider the Magpies as "overachieving" at this point in the season.  Ignoring for a moment that Newcastle are sitting 18th in the table with just one point to their name, this viewpoint might have some legs. When the fixtures were announced back in June, we had every reason to expect that the Magpies would go into the international break with no more than three points.  If not for Kenedy's missed PK at Cardiff, that's exactly where they would be right now.  Three times they have rallied to draw level after falling a goal down to elite sides.  I'm going to try to heed the advice of Michael B - CTFD.


And Then There Were Three

Elton John and sons celebrate Watford goal

We noted that Watford were likely not pushovers at home and Spurs found out this was the truth.  After going up 1-0 on an own goal, Tottenham surrendered two relatively quickly and found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 result.  Sir Elton John was in the stands for the match and the announcers did note "how wonderful life is" for the knighted Hornet fan (and Honorary Life President of Watford).  The Tottenham loss leaves only Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford with perfect records through four matches.

Liverpool survived a "catalog of calamities" by keeper Allison (seen here in this week's U12 Moment) to take away a 2-1 win over Leicester.  To be fair, the video doesn't capture the ill-advised back pass from Van Dyk but still.  Chelsea also remained perfect with a patient 2-0 defeat of Bournemouth.  On the flip side, West Ham remained unperfect with a 0-1 loss at home to Wolves, who have five points from four matches so far.  Highly entertaining, though probably not for Gunners fans, was Arsenal's 3-2 win away to Cardiff City.  The Bluebirds rallied twice from a goal down and it wasn't until Lacazette's 81st minute tally did Arsenal get the lead for keeps.   Man United got a solid 2-0 win at Burnley to quiet things down for the time being.


International and BFS Break

Not too much on the calendar except friendlies, though there is an MLS match up of note - NYCFC hosting DC United at 4:55 on Saturday.  We'll be looking for NYCFC to start playing better and take all the points there.

The following weekend (9/14-16) is a return to a full schedule.  Definitely worth rising at 7:30 on Saturday to see Tottenham-Liverpool. For the Saturday 10 am games I'll be homing in on Newcastle Arsenal.  Though the Gunners have been inconsistent this year, they are a better squad.  If we squeak out a point, I'll be happy.  Watford vs Man United is the 12:30 NBC match; that's worth a look. Can't say I'm drooling over any other matches but I'll probably take in Wolves-Burnley (Sunday at 8:30) and maybe Monday's sort of English Channel derby between Southampton and Brighton.

That weekend will have some big MLS stuff too.  The Union will look to take care of business at home vs Montreal in another one of those six-point matches.  DC United probably takes all three at home vs Minnesota while New England hopefully drop three out in LA.  The Union can control things by winning what they're supposed to but I can see some scoreboard watching in the coming weeks.

We'll take advantage of the international break by taking a week off as well.