A Tale of Two 2-0 Leads

It was the best of matches, it was the worst of matches...

Some say it's all about the journey not the destination.  And that's what made Newcastle's 2-3 loss to Man United all the worse.  Would have been much easier to swallow an uncomplicated defeat at Old Trafford than what actually went down.

First Kenedy stunned the Red Devils with a goal in the 7th minute.  For the record, that was the first time this season the Magpies had a lead.  Before Man United could recover, Muto had slipped another in to give the Magpies a 2-0 lead at 10 minutes.  I can't help but note that in this space last week I had suggested that maybe Muto should be in the starting eleven.  Newcastle looked lively for the rest of the half and took the 2-0 lead into the second half.  But this is Newcastle.  The text stream with Jeff H reveals the thought process:

- At about 50 minutes (score 2-0):  Uh oh.  Newcastle look to be in prevent defense
- At about 57 minutes (score 2-0): Now they've gotten my hopes up.  The eventual 2-3 loss will be heartbreaking
- At about 75 minutes (score 2-1): Man United will score winning goal in the 8th minute of stoppage time   

The second half was almost all Man United possession and pressure, occasionally broken up by a tepid Newcastle counter.  Juan Mata started the comeback with a well-taken free kick at 70 minutes.  Shortly after my text at 75 minutes, Martial leveled the match.  And in the 90th minute (so I was way off), Alexis Sanchez headed the game winner to complete the nightmare.  To demonstrate that I am completely over it, we'll make the goal this week's YouTubeableMoment.

Journey over destination my butt.  Yes, the destination sucks but let's make the journey unbearable too.


Playoffs!

A much happier tale at Chester-on-Delaware.  With Montreal having pinned back Columbus, the Union took the field at Talen Energy knowing they'd need a win against Minnesota to clinch a playoff spot.  Goals by Burke and Bedoya at 8 and 17 minutes served notice to the Loons that this was business.  Of course, the earlier events at Old Trafford had me appropriately wary.  Then Picault added goals at 23 and 44 (the second being good enough to merit co YouTubeableMoment)and I began to relax and contemplate happier things.  Like we'd be in 4th place by night's end.  Like third place is in reach because our last match is against the current occupant, slumping NYCFC.

Pretty clearly this is the best Union season ever.  Also pretty clearly, that's not exactly a high bar.  In European terms we'll finish solidly mid-table out of the 23 MLS franchises.  We certainly don't look a threat to challenge for the Supporters Shield anytime soon.  But, there was progress.  I see some discussion about what to do with Dockal.  Failure to sign him again for next year would be an incredible step in the wrong direction.  Once he got settled, the team was clearly better with him in the No. 10 role.

Philip S points us to 538 global club rankings here which has the Union at 315.  That puts us in the lower half of the Championship Division, England's second tier.  That's actually a little higher than I expected.


Auditioning

So I took in the Crystal Palace Wolves match on NBC Gold.  Not exactly neat and tidy, as evidenced by the seven yellow cards.  But secretly, I was checking out both teams as a possible substitute for BFS EPL rooting interest next year should Newcastle, gasp, be relegated again.  Wolves usually play a little more exciting football than this but maybe were just keeping things tight to get a point or three on the road; it paid off with a 1-0 win.

Totally wrong about the level of scoring in the Liverpool - Man City match but it was still excellent to watch despite the 0-0 final.  I confess that I was pleased when Mahrez failed to convert that late PK that would have given Man City all three points.  I think that attempt is still rising.  Did you see that Jesus expected that he would take it but yielded to the more experienced Mahrez?  Also the graphic showed, I think, that Mahrez has made just 2 of 5 PKs.  What's the saying, Trust in Jesus?


Not Real

Like a proud papa, Ze Roberto (Bob K) points out that it's October 11th and tops in La Liga is not Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico.  Nope, it's his beloved Sevilla.  They got there with a win over Celta Vigo while Barcelona drew with Valencia and Real Madrid lost to Alaves.  One question Bob, looking on-line to get Sevilla's nickname and there are at least five possibilities, none short.  What do they go by?



Kneeling Knockaert

Doncha just hate it when the wall jumps to block a free kick and the bastard keeps the ball on the ground?  I vaguely recall somebody kneeling behind the wall to foil that tactic but had forgotten about it until I saw Brighton's Anthony Knockaert getting down on one knee against West Ham.  Couldn't find that picture but did track down another time when Knockaert did the same thing against Tottenham (right).  Guess it makes sense but wouldn't it be more effective if he laid down completely?


Crime Spree

Mercury must have been retrograde.  Or in Uranus.  Whatever the cause, EPL players were on their worst behavior this weekend.  Before the weekend's matches 215 yellow cards (about 30 a week) and 11 red cards had been shown.  By close of business Sunday, 47 more yellows had been flashed and another 3 red card ejections were in the books.  Wonder what the record is.  It will take someone with even less of a life than me to undertake that research.


He Always Was A Good Finisher

Courtesy of Jack W, we have video here of Usain Bolt's first goal as a professional.  Maybe a little lucky but good first touch to be able to get the shot off and it's on frame. 


International Break

Which means mostly these days that Newcastle will not lose this weekend.  We'll be back late next week to review the weekend schedule.  In the meantime, cut the lawn, it's getting shaggy.