Shorthanded

Too many project deadlines and papers to grade.  Paying for a summer of leisure so this will have to be short.

My primary take away this week is how much easier this game is when you have a man advantage.

Prime example is the Union.  Despite quickly falling behind Montreal at home, their fortunes improved dramatically after the Impact got a man sent off in the 15th minute.  From there, they had relatively little difficulty in disposing of Montreal 4-1.  So when they had to face Cincinnati on the road, playing full strength (and basically a five man back line to boot), perhaps we should not be surprised that they mounted little offense (i.e. no shots on goal) in a 0-0 draw.  Usually a point on the road is okay but I'm still left with a feeling that we really don't know how good this Union team is, despite their current third place standing.

Second example is Aston Villa versus Sheffield United.  The Blades John Egan got himself sent off in the 12th minute, giving the Villans a man advantage for most of the match.  Not that they took great advantage of it.  In fact, they were in danger of going down 0-1 after foul in the box but keeper Emiliano Martinez made a great save to keep things level.  Aston Villa managed a goal in the 63rd minute and crept away with a 1-0 victory.

We turn to the feature match between Chelsea and Liverpool for Exhibit C.  In first half stoppage time of a 0-0 match, Andreas Christensen got a straight red for DOGSO.  Liverpool pretty much dominated from there on out, although again, the shorthanded team had a chance with a PK that was saved.

Also, we have Everton 5-2 over West Brom, with the Toffees helped along by Kieren Gibbs's sending off in first half stoppage time.  The Baggies actually tied that one up at 2-2 after the ejection but the doors fell off in the final thirty or so minutes.

You might notice a red card for Brighton in the Newcastle match but that came in the 89th minute of an 0-3 debacle for the Magpies.  In other words, way too late to make a difference.  A completely different team than we saw against West Ham, despite the exact same personnel.  

Dennis: I was only half watching but they never really seemed to be in it

Steve: Well, they were only half playing so that's fair

Apologies to other results but gotta move on.  Jeff H probably doesn't want to talk about Man United loss to Crystal Palace anyway.

Less Peacock

Though the experience with Peacock wasn't awful, I am happy to see a return to mostly NBCSN and NBC for this week's fixtures.  The schedulers are stretching out each match week so that there are no concurrent matches, allowing those with no life to see every match.  

Liverpool - Arsenal Monday at 3 pm (okay that one is Peacock) looks like an important test for the undefeated Gunners.  I am not holding out for any points from the Spurs-Newcastle fixture Sunday at 9 (NBCSN).  Saturday's 10 am contest between Crystal Palace - Everton features a surprisingly undefeated Eagles squad versus the rejuvenated Toffees that might be a good watch.  Aston Villa will go for two in a row, traveling to Craven Cottage to face Fulham (12:45 Monday on Peacock).  Man United will try to right the ship against Brighton on Saturday morning (7:30 NBCSN).

MLS announced the rest of the season schedule.  The Union have Miami on Sunday at 7:30 pm.

Sorry for the abbreviated post and it will probably be like this for another few weeks until a couple of courses are wrapped up.