Ukraine v Spain Was Mainly Very Plain

So the Nations League was more a source of curiosity or maybe amusement than quality football.  The two Union matches fortunately were interesting, though also not necessarily of the highest quality either.  We'll start with them.

The Year of Living Dangerously

The Union must like living on the edge.  Though they came away with four points from two matches, on paper this could have been six points and in reality it could have been one.   Sunday night in the rain at Subaru Park, Philadelphia wasn't awful in the first half but neither were they great, meaning the Union's goal in the 39th minute felt like a tiny island of brilliance in a sea of mediocrity.  Check out Ilsinho's vision to make this pass to Monteiro for this week's YouTubeableMoment. Monteiro might have been a little lucky to beat the keeper near side but still a good finish.  Seems like at least once a game, Blake makes an key save that in retrospect could be the turning point of the match.  This week that save came shortly after halftime when Blake stopped a promising effort from ex-Spur Victor Wanyama. Basically on the next play, Santos made it 2-0 courtesy of Ilsinho's second assist of the game.  Against a side like Montreal, at home, that should have been enough of a cushion but carelessness in possession and errant passing meant we were not done yet.  An Impact score in the 65th minute kept the match in doubt until the final whistle.  Three points secured in the end despite the performance.

Youth must be served - Fontana has added goal scoring
 punch  (Photo: Jonathan Newton)

Wednesday down in DC was even more of the same.  United looked more interested and the Union more sloppy, and mostly unable to generate any sustained play.  Blake's heroics came late in the first half with two big stops to keep the match scoreless at the break.  Fontana got his 5th of the season early in the second half and the Union had the run of play for awhile though no second goal was forthcoming.  This became a problem when DC United scored on corner in the 71st minute. Before we had much time to contemplate how annoying a draw would be, Bedoya was called for handling in the box (marginal call IMHO - replay here - how exactly do you jump and keep your arm any closer to your body than that?) in the 75th minute and Asad's PK put the home team up.  As we say here though, the Union had made their own bed.  They did ramp up the attack in the closing minutes and were rewarded with this cannon of a shot from defender Mark McKenzie.  Deflected?  Sure.  So what?   Great take.  Union also threatened in the closing minutes but 2-2 was the final.  The bad thing is that the draw only looks good in the context of being minutes away from getting nothing from the match.

What are we to make of this team?  They are second in the East, second in the Supporters Shield point race and ranked 5th overall at 538.  We know they have been lucky to a degree but the points still count in the table.  Anthony Fontana has helped during shuh-BILL-koh's goal scoring drought.  The backline is holding up reasonably well despite some injuries.   On the other hand, they go through long stretches of mediocrity that are rescued only by flashes of inspiration from Ilsinho or Blake.  They clearly miss Martinez, whose return from the international break will be complicated by quarantine requirements.  Warren Creavalle can handle the defensive duties but doesn't offer so much going forward; Bedoya didn't look very comfortable in the holding midfielder role either.  Tannenbaum in the Inquirer says he wasn't all that bad, citing touches, clearances, tackles, etc.; maybe but hard to say the team was better with him in that role.  Also, what's up with the sleepwalking in the first half?   They have clinched a spot in the playoffs for the third straight year and fourth out of five.  So are they ready to make a deeper run into the post-season?  Definitely maybe.

Waiting for the EPL

Well, it occupied the time but the Nations League stuff wasn't all that great.  Ireland and Wales played to a predictable 0-0 draw.  England beat Belgium 2-1 on a deflection and a suspect PK call.  They seemed happy with the result but it wasn't all that impressive.  They followed it up with an 0-1 loss to Denmark that featured Maguire getting sent off for a second yellow at 31 minutes and Reece James getting red carded after the final whistle for dissent.

 France drew Portugal in a total lifeless 0-0 match, disappointing in that we would have expected a goal or six. Ukraine beat Spain with 2 shots, 1 on target, and 28% possession.  Switzerland drew Germany 3-3 in the best of the Nations League contests I saw.  Italy - Netherlands 1-1 wasn't too bad either.  The concept is still better than friendlies but not a complete replacement for games that mean something.

Things You May Have Missed in Nations League Competition

FM Forest Green sighting: Dylan Levitt in Welsh kit

Dylan Levitt made an appearance for Wales; you may be forgiven for asking who the hell is that but he is a player on my Football Manager Forest Green side - the first time I have seen one of my virtual Forest Green players live.  In real life he plays for League One Charlton Athletic on loan from Manchester United.  He is possibly the best player on my League One Forest Green team.

Magpies Fabian Schar and Jeff Hendricks were in action for Switzerland and Ireland respectively.  Nothing special from either, although Schar did manage to get sent off late with a second yellow.

Then there was the Italy - Netherlands commentary.  Before the match, Taylor Twellman called Dutch manager Frank de Boer "William H. Macy in the cooler - everything he touches loses energy."  Later, Twellman and Champion discuss exactly how one tests "slightly positive for covid-19."  Champion goes with pregnancy - you either are or you're not.  Twellman goes with diarrhea - you either have it or you don't.  Quality stuff from ESPN.

The Rich Get Fewer?

Even before covid-19, financial difficulties were plaguing the lower tiers of English football.  As with so many of world's other (and more pressing?) problems, the virus has both exposed and exacerbated the situation.  Hence we have something called Project Big Picture.  Sports Illustrated has a good synopsis here, including some useful background information.  If you don't dwell on the details, it sounds like a step in the right direction, sharing a larger percentage of TV revenues with the lower tiers.  When you look more closely, the proposal looks less charitable and more like a power grab.   The Premier League would be reduced to 18 (which means the larger share of EPL TV revenues won't be as large) and nine current EPL clubs would become more equal than others, having a greater say in the league's operation.  

The proposal is now on hold after yesterday's meeting of the clubs, but it's not dead yet.  Seems like all agree on the need for financial aid for the lower tiers but governance restructuring is less palatable.  I saw this alternative plan at a Newcastle site; if you try to skim it without realizing it's facetious, as I did, you'll find yourself saying WTF.

After working on this week's draft, Rory Smith's column in the NYT reached my email. He has many of the same criticisms already mentioned but argues that pointing the finger just at Liverpool and Man United misses some key points.  Also, he proposes a rather comprehensive set of initiatives to address the problems, including financial support, restructuring of leagues, revising the League Cup, revamping the governance structure and more.   I urge you to read the whole thing here.  It's a rainy Friday, what else you got to do? 

TMP (Too Much Peacock)

An appealing slate for the weekend, except that too many of the good matches are on Peacock.  Looks like no sleeping late on Saturday as the schedulers have teed up the Merseyside derby at 7:30 on NBCSN.  Everton are undefeated and looking really good under the direction of Carlo Ancelotti and the addition of James, Allan and Doucoure.  But other than Spurs, you can't say they've faced stiff opposition yet so this will be a good test.  Liverpool of course are still smarting from the 2-7 pasting by Aston Villa so you figure they'll be motivated as well.  Worth setting the alarm for in my judgment.

Chelsea host Southampton 10 am on NBCSN before Saturday NBC feature match of Man City vs Arsenal at 12:30.  Though City enter as heavy favorites, this might still be worth checking out.  Newcastle also play on Saturday, hosting Man United at 3 pm on Peacock.  Though the Magpies have had some luck against the Red Devils, not holding my breath for a result here.  

Sunday is an annoying combination of early matches on Peacock - Sheffield United v Fulham at 7 am and Crystal Palace v Brighton at 9.  Fortunately, the two I want to see are Spurs hosting West Ham at 11:30 on NBCSN and Aston Villa traveling to Leicester at 2:15 on Peacock.  Tottenham ought to do well in the London derby while Villa likely have their hands full with the Foxes.  

Monday has two matches on NBCSN including West Brom v Burnley at 12:30 (meh) and Leeds v Wolves at 3 pm (that looks interesting).

Speaking of Monday, the Union will have a rare Monday night match against the New England Revolution.  Their trip to the second worst venue in MLS had to be pushed back from Sunday because the Patriots-Broncos rescheduled their postponed game for the same day, kicking MLS out of Gillette Stadium.  Yeah, pretty clear who's still boss here.

Post-publication - Aaronson signs with RB Salzburg

The bad news is he'll be leaving.  The good news is not until January 2021 and for a boatload of money (multi-million dollar transfer fee).