Second Helpings

Now we give thanks that the international break is over...

Italy celebrates a goal vs Poland with Lasagna

The USMNT offered up another lackluster performance, losing to Italy 0-1 on a stoppage time goal.  They played like a team waiting for a replacement to their interim manager.  The highlight had to be that the Italian side featured Lasagna.  I am not making this up.  Italy played a striker by the name of Kevin Lasagna. 

In truth, the new League of Nations Nations League made the fall international breaks somewhat more interesting, at least for Europe.  Details can be had here.  Basically, it replaced friendlies with matches that had some consequences.  Performance in the Nations League affects the qualifying process for the 2020 European Championships by setting seeds for the draw and offering some additional paths to the Euro Final.  Supporters like the replacement of friendlies with some more meaningful contests.  Critics fear it could water down the championships by allowing weaker teams into the final.  I saw a few matches, including England-Croatia and Switzerland-Belgium this past weekend; they were highly watchable contests so put me down as a supporter.


Union Shakeup?

No real surprises so far, except maybe that it wasn't "curtains," as Jeff H suggested it might be, for the Union manager.  Jim Curtin was retained by new sporting director Ernst Tanner.  This will not be a universally popular move among Union fans.  I'm already on record as supporting the decision.  He wasn't perfect (why did it take so long to figure out we were better with both Burke and Sapong in the line up?) but he made the playoffs with a mediocre squad.  I can remember many times discussing with Jeff H what exactly were Curtin's substitution options late in a match; other than bringing in Ilsinho, not much.  High salary pick up David Accam was ineffective, though injury might explain that.  We got two goals for $623,000 from Jay Simpson.  There were times when Bedoya probably should have been substituted but that's rarely going to happen with your captain, designated player and second highest paid player. 

As discussed in detail here, Tanner has picked up the options on Elliott, Mbaizo, Rosenberry, Ilsinho, Jones, Picault and Burke.  Already guaranteed for next year are Blake, McKenzie, Real, Trusty, Aaronson, Accam, Bedoya, Fontana, Medunjanin and Sapong.  Players dropped were Fabinho, Simpson, Marquez, Herbers, Epps, Yaro and Najem; Fabinho might be back but at a lower salary.  The futures of Gaddis and Creavalle are up in the air.

Most troubling is the likelihood that Dockal and his 18 assists are gone.  So instead of trying to build on last year, the highest priority of the off-season has to be finding a replacement.  And as you might note, much of the roster is already set, though a few key pick ups (striker?) would still be possible.  To improve on last year's record, they will need to find a viable replacement for Dockal and a serious scoring threat.  Neither will come cheap.


MLS Playoffs

Two pretty good conference final series.  In the East, we have Supporters Shield winner Red Bulls against Atlanta.  These were far and away the two best sides in the regular season.  The first leg is at 5 pm Sunday (ESPN) in Atlanta with the second leg back in Harrison on Thursday night at 7:30 (FS1).  The Western final features Sporting KC versus Portland.  SKC were the regular season leaders in the West with Portland fifth.  First leg is Sunday in Portland 7:30 pm (FS1) and the return leg is Thursday at 9:30 (ESPN).  If you are dvring, don't forget to add 60 (or even 90) minutes for the second legs as they will play extra time and go to PKs to determine a winner.


Three Days of EPL

Newcastle were surging before the break but now have to travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley.  That place used to be a venue where visiting goals went to die but the Clarets have surrendered 10 goals in five home matches so it's not quite the fortress it used to be.  I'm preparing myself for a 0-0 draw that could set the cause of soccer back a year or two.  If you must watch, it's at 3 pm on Monday on NBCSN.

Some better choices on Saturday.  The TV match (10 am NBCSN) is West Ham vs Man City.  I'd be more inclined to head to NBC Gold for either Man United - Crystal Palace, Watford-Liverpool or maybe Brighton - Leicester City.  The NBC 12:30 match looks great - a real test for Spurs as they host Chelsea.  A potential relegation special only available on NBC Gold at 10 is Fulham vs Southampton.  Not expecting Everton to struggle against Cardiff City.

The Sunday games aren't great but will have to do.  Maybe Bournemouth, wearing their proper colors, can make some trouble for Arsenal (8:30 NBCSN), who are coming off three straight draws; on the other hand, Arsenal haven't lost since August 18th so maybe not.  The 11 am game (also NBCSN) is Wolverhampton -Huddersfield.  Not necessarily the greatest but we try not to miss any chance to watch Wolves.

Enjoy those turkey sandwiches.