As several have pointed out, there are many, um, dismaying aspects related to the sale of Newcastle to the Saudi PIF. They include the Saudis terrible record on human rights, the implications of where the British economy is heading post-Brexit (see this excellent analysis from The Atlantic sent by BFS Travel Consultant Jeff K) and the frightening possibility that Newcastle will become the new Man United - everybody loves them or hates them.
Boiling it down a bit, what we really have is twenty filthy (in more ways than one) rich owners agreeing to sell one of the EPL franchises to a filthier (in many more ways than one) richer owner. If we want to go down this road, we will conclude that we should drop our interest not only in EPL football but in professional sports more broadly. Probably college sports too - at least Division I football and basketball anyway. And if we're serious about sanctioning the Saudis, why not withdraw diplomatic staff, impose economic sanctions, try to isolate them as the world did to South Africa. Stewing about them buying an EPL franchise seems like misdirected energy.
I am not proud that I just made that argument. However, I'm also not renouncing my fanship at this point.
No Weah That Was An Own Goal
After a lackluster 0-1 loss away to Panama on Sunday, the USMNT slipped past Costa Rica 2-1. Things did not start well as they found themselves down 0-1 within the first minute. This was not according to the script. Fortunately, the youngest line up the US ever put out for a WC qualifier got their act together and put Costa Rica under pressure. That attacking paid off relatively quickly when Sergino Dest levelled things at 25 minutes with a rocket (more on that goal below). The game winner came on a shot from Tim Weah that somehow slipped past keeper Leonel Moreira. It went down as an own goal which you can see here. Sure looks to me like the shot would have gone in so I don't fully understand how it ended up as an own goal. Further irony here that neither the Weah nor Moreira were supposed to be on the pitch. Weah got moved into the starting XI when Paul Arriola sustained a groin injury in warm-up and Moreira was a second half substitute for Keylor Navas, who picked up an injury in the first half.
The loss to Panama had moved the Costa Rica match into the pretty much critical category. Through six of 14 matches, the US now sit second in the table, one ahead of Canada and three up on Panama. Recall that only the first three automatically advance to the WC Final. No way we should be celebrating anything right now. The tricky part of the reading the table at this point is the vastly different set of games each country has played. Looking at the limited set of overlapping matches that we do have offer mixed insights. Canada beat El Salvador at home while the US only managed a draw. Mexico drew Panama away while the US lost. On the other hand, Panama only drew Costa Rica at home compared to the US win - of course we maybe threw away that advantage with the 0-1 loss to Panama. Another way to look at it is lost points against what you might have expected. The US is definitely down at least two (home draw with El Salvador) and maybe four (home draw to Canada and road loss against Panama). Canada certainly dropped two (home draw to Honduras) and maybe two more in the road draw to Jamaica; but we should probably give them +2 for road draws with Mexico and the US. Panama probably dropped two with home draw to Costa Rica and one (or even three) in the road loss to El Salvador.
Okay, too early to do that maybe but I think the point is valid. This thing has a long way to go.
U-9 Moment of the Week
Sharp-eyed Dennis noticed that when Dest fired that rocket past Navas, his left boot (Dest's, not Dennis's) was untied. Reminds me of a U-12 game I refereed a few weeks ago when, after seeing at least three untied boots, I requested everybody check their laces at the next stoppage of play.
Others noticed as well. Grant Wahl wrote about it in this article that includes complete video of the goal, which we'll make this week's YouTubeableMoment. Good discussion of Dest's varied fortunes in the WC qualifiers thus far (Sergino's Destiny?). Great line from Wahl here:
Bringing a Barcelona starter [Dest] to Estadio Cuscatlán [venue for El Salvador v US] felt like taking a bottle of Mouton Rothschild to a Jägermeister-drenched freshman dorm party.
The Run of Play Is Overrated
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| We heard Paxten was better than his brother; could it be true? Photo Jeff Dean AP |
Things got better in the second half as Curtin abandoned the back four, moving Elliott to a defensive mid-fielder. Elliott is not unfamiliar with the position and his ball skills are solid for a central defentder. The move paid off as it was Elliott dribbled the ball into the final third to set up the second goal at 56 minutes. Elliott dished off to Nathan Harriel who sent a beautiful cross to the Aaronson the Younger (Paxten) who rifled a header for a two-goal lead. You can see the play here. A late goal from Medunjanin meant the final minutes were nerve-wracking but U held on to grab all three points from their game at hand.
The great run (13 points out of a possible 15) has given the U some breathing room, though with six games to go, nothing is guaranteed.
European Qualifiers
Only got to see Wales and Scotland. How many countries are in this country? The Welsh 2-2 draw with Czech Republic keeps their hopes for a second place finish in the group. Scotland offered a highly entertaining 3-2 comeback win over Israel to put themselves in good shape for a second place finish. The process is drawing to a close, with most countries looking at one or two more matches. Germany and Denmark are in. Recall that first place in the group automatically moves you to the WC final. Second gets you into a playoff for additional slots. There's also a Nations League route. More details can be had here.
Coach Beard Book Club
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| If It's Good Enough for Coach Beard... |
A sad thought though - no more new Ted Lasso for several months. We will probably watch season two in its entirety over again (maybe more than once) before then.
An Ugly Side
My favorite sports (soccer and track) found themselves in the news recently for the wrong reasons - coaching misconduct. The NWSL story is outlined here. The developments related to Mary Cain suing Nike and Alberto Salazar is discussed here. Fitness is a fair issue in athletic competition, appearance is not. This is awful.
Dead Man Coaching
Speaking of the Sack Race, despite Arsenal's poor start, Mikel Arteta has a host of other gaffers ahead of him now. Steve Bruce is the epitome of Dead Man Walking now that the transfer of ownership is complete; they won't flinch at the £10 million or so to buy out the rest of his contract. Many are surprised he'll still be coaching on Sunday but as of Thursday night, he was still in charge. Next on the list is Brendan Rodgers, he of underperforming Leicester. The hilarious thing here is that Rodgers is listed as a favorite to take over for Bruce. Nuno Espirito Santo is up there too given Spurs slow start.
We will confess to having completely missed Watford's sacking of Xisco Munoz after their loss to Leeds a couple of Saturdays ago. Claudio Ranieri of Leicester fame is his replacement.
Busy, Busy, Busy
Between EPL, MLS, Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference, we have much to do this week.
Many might tune in to see Newcastle host Tottenham on Sunday at 11:30 (NBCSN) because of the new ownership. Of course, there won't be any change on the field - it will be the same players until January. The mood in the stands might be different and maybe there's a small chance it translates down to the field. Color me skeptical.
I recommend Everton vs West Ham Sunday at 9 on NBCSN. That one looks competitive, though West Ham have stumbled somewhat recently.
Saturday at 10 am presents some choices. If you like evenly matched teams perilously close to the drop zone, Southampton - Leeds is your best bet even if it is on Peacock. Normally, we'd be a little more hyped about Leicester hosting Man United (USA) but the Foxes have mostly disappointed this year. BFS will be taking in Aston Villa home to Wolves because 1) it's Aston Villa and 2) there's a chance it could be a good match.
Top of the table stuff starts early with Liverpool at Watford (7:30 but on Peacock - grrr, why can't they just leave the 7:30 match on something you can dvr?). Man City get to host Burnley (Saturday at 10 on Peacock), which will probably not end well for the Clarets. And Chelsea get the featured 12:30 Saturday match on NBC, traveling a few miles down the road to face Brentford; the Bees have been full of surprises but getting a result here would probably be the biggest.
Rounding out the schedule there is Norwich vs Brighton (that's 6th place Brighton to you) Saturday at 10 on Peacock and a London derby on Monday at 3 pm on NBCSN featuring Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
The already crowded Saturday will also include the Union vs Montreal at 1 pm on PHL-17. This is a tricky fixture for the Union and I'll say now that a draw would be a perfectly acceptable result.
Tuesday to Thursday will be filled with the European competitions. Check your local listings for the matches that interest you. We will note that Tuesday has a cracker of fixture between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid (3 pm). Unfortunately that one coincides with a big match for the Cinderella side of the Champions League - oddly named Sheriff - against Inter Milan. Improbably, Sheriff are top of the group after a massive upset of Real Madrid. A win over Inter Milan would set them up with a solid chance of a second place finish and advancement to the knockout stage. The odds say that midnight is fast approaching and the coach will be turning into a pumpkin; we'll probably still watch just in case.
Okay, back to work. Watching soccer I mean.
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