Jungite aut Perite

I took two years of Latin in high school and believe that loosely translates to “we won the Supporters Shield bitches.”  Most satisfying in that the U did not back into the trophy but took a decisive 2-0 win over New England.

Curtin made the change to the youngster Matt Freese over Joe Bendik in goal; this is generally consistent with his approach to personnel decisions – give youth a chance.  Prospects were also improved with M & M (Monteiro and Martinez) both in the lineup.  The U started out okay, looking like the more interested side, but not by much.  The news from Harrison was helpful with the Red Bulls taking an early 2-0 on Toronto.  A goal in the 43^rd minute from Santos was a big step towards making that result academic.  A few chances in the second half but it wasn’t until Burke deposited a low cross from Martinez into the net that the victory felt secure.  It's a high quality goal by itself but the context (sealing the first trophy in Union  history) makes it this week's YouTubeableMoment.

Freese wasn’t seriously pressed in goal.  BFS Goalie Consultant Graham R suggests that either Freese was really good at organizing the defense or the defense was particularly diligent knowing they had an untested keeper.  Either way, a solid performance in the back.

Did MLS get this "trophy" from Marvel Comics?

The win means that the Union win the Supporters Shield, the trophy (? – see picture) that goes to the club with the best regular season record.  This was a shortened season, so comparisons have to be done on a points per game basis.  The Union’s record of 2.04 points per game is good for equal 4^th in the all-time list.  Thrilled for everybody involved though two that I’m really happy for are Jim Curtin and Ray Gaddis, both long-serving troopers who have been maligned (largely unfairly IMHO) on occasion for their performances.  Also pleased that the Union get a trophy independent of how they do in the playoffs.

Speaking of the playoffs, if I read this right, the Union will play on Tuesday 11/24 against the lowest seed coming out of the play-in round, which could be (in order of seeding) Nashville, New England, Montreal, or Miami.  All signs point to Blake being back in goal for that match.  Also looks like Martinez has not been called up for international duty so he should be available as well.  Not as sure about Monteiro and Mbaizo, who got call-ups from Cape Verde and Cameroon; the mandated 10-day quarantine could mean they won’t be available for the first match.

 

Yellow not Black and White

The Magpies looked lifeless in their canary-colored kits against Southampton.  They spent most of the match down 0-1 until a late goal made the final 0-2.  It wasn’t that close.  The Magpies could have played for three days and not threatened to score.  Very disappointing after the big win over Everton.  Also possible that Southampton are pretty good; the Saints are sitting fourth in the table after eight weeks.

Black not Claret and Blue

Aston Villa did well in their all-black away kits, handing Arsenal a nasty 3-0 defeat, a score that does not flatter the Villans.  They had an early goal pulled back on a VAR offside decision (correct under the rules but harsh in that Barkley was in the keeper’s line of vision but there’s no way it mattered), then went up on an own goal.  A second from Watkins in the 72^nd minute (played out in slow motion between Grealish and Barkley ending in a wonderful cross into the box) provided some insurance.  Watkins added a third minutes later to seal the deal. Aston Villa have 15 points from seven matches and sit 6^th in the table.  Yeah, I’m jealous.

Yellow not White

Spurs spent 88 minutes looking lower mid-table-ish in their yellow away kits before Matt Doherty put a pinpoint cross into the box which Harry Kane nudged over the West Brom keeper for the only goal in a undistinguished 1-0 win.  The good news for Spurs is that this was not an undistinguished 0-0 draw.  The bad news is that this was West Brom (still winless) for crissake. 

Worst PK Evah

Best viewing strategy for West Ham – Fulham was to head directly to second half stoppage time.  That would allow you to see Soucek put in the seeming game winner for West Ham at 91 minutes, Benrahma foul Cairney in the box at 95 minutes and then Lookman’s incredibly bad PK attempt at 98 minutes.  Check out that botched attempt here.  This kind of stuff tends to keep you in the relegation zone.

Speaking of relegation zone, the 0-0 draw between Burnley and Brighton did nothing to alter their relegation prospects.  And Sheffield United stayed winless with a 1-4 loss to Chelsea.  The Blades had an early lead but watched it slowly turn into another defeat.

Jesus Saves Scores

 Man City – Liverpool was great for a half but the second half of the 1-1 draw wasn’t particularly inspiring.  Salah's PK gave the Reds a 1-0 lead at 15 minutes but Jesus leveled things at 31 minutes.  Then we had the rarest of rare events - Kevin deBruyne missing a PK.  Frankly, I thought the handling call was really soft and didn't mind that he missed.  Ball don't lie?  I had higher hopes for Leicester-Wolves but that was decided by a Jamie Vardy PK in the 15^th minute.  Everton- Man United was a good watch, though not necessarily due to high quality football.  The Toffees had an early lead thanks to Bernardo but Fernandes leveled things within minutes.  United took the lead on a Fernandes cross that found its way into the net.  We can give him high marks for the cross, but it was clearly not a shot.  Rashford was close to heading it but didn’t make contact.  Still counts of course.  Very chippy game with plenty of snarl and six yellow cards.  It stayed 2-1 until Cavani added an insurance goal in stoppage time.  Decent viewing.

After a hot start, Everton are looking quite ordinary.  Missing Richarlison maybe?  That seems hard to believe.  Also looking quite ordinary after an interesting start are Leeds, who fell 1-4 to Crystal Palace and sit 10^th in the table.

 

International Break

League play stops again for international contests.  These have been quite disruptive, creating a chopped up feeling to the action in MLS and EPL plus exposing players to covid risk. 

Will be back next week with league play and MLS playoffs.