Dos a Cero

Is there a phrase more dear to the hearts of USMNT fans?  Of course the win over Mexico lost some of its luster with the subsequent draw to Jamaica.  Some interesting results in UEFA qualifying.  The MLS playoffs start this weekend.  And Newcastle transfer rumors continue.

Mexico spent much of the night chasing Tim Weah
Photo:Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA TODAY Network

First half maybe against Mexico, there was maybe a slight advantage for the visitors but it was 0-0 at the whistle.  The US were clearly the better side in the second half and Christian Pulisic's goal was no less than they deserved; it's an easy call for this week's  YouTubeableMoment.  The goal came from a great cross from Tim Weah, who spent the second half making runs down the right side.  Player of the match for me.

Tuesday against Jamaica wasn't nearly as much fun.  They looked off balance to start but recovered quickly and were up 1-0 by the 11th minute thanks to, here's that name again, Tim Weah.  But they didn't really have much of a chance to work with that lead because of Michael Antonio's thunderbolt in the 22nd minute.  Geez, it's like he plays in the EPL or something.  Check out this laser strike from 34 yards.  The rest of the match was a struggle.  In fact, Jamaica missed one absolute sitter and had a second called back for a questionable foul, so questionable one wonders if there had been VAR, would the call have been reversed.  The team was missing Weston McKennie and Miles Robinson for yellow and red card related suspensions; certainly didn't help but the whole team looked flat so maybe it wouldn't have made a difference

Venue for Canada - Mexico CONCACAF qualifier,
 not NHL Winter Classic
Photo:(Craig Ryan/CBC)

Mexico found this trip  north of the border difficult as they lost again on Tuesday in Edmonton.  We will concede the conditions may have favored the Canadians a tad (see picture).  Like the conditions in Mexico City never favor Mexico?  Canada took it to El Tri.  Best moment was the celebration of Cyle Larin's second score which featured a jump into a snow bank.  That put the home side up 2-0 but there would be a wild finish, with Mexico scoring one late and barely missing an equalizer in stoppage time.

So Canada got six points, beating Costa Rica on Friday before the Mexico result.  Panama also got six, beating Honduras and El Salvador.  Through eight fixtures Canada are on top with 16, US next with 15, while Mexico and Panama have 14.  With six to go, not comfortable yet.

A "Rainy" Night in Georgia and Other Results from Europe

The last two match days in UEFA WC qualifying produced some exciting and strange moments.  Sweden had spent the qualifying process building a lead over Spain.  They threw it all away with a 2-0 loss to Georgia.  Rainin' all over the world indeed.  Combined with Spain's win over Greece, the results meant Sweden now had to beat Spain in Seville.  This did not happen as Spain were content to play their possession game and Sweden never threatened; Morata's goal in the 86th minute was the final blow.

Spain's Iberian neighbor Portugal did not fare well.  We reported on their draw with Ireland last week.  That set up a winner take all match with Serbia (well, technically a draw would have also sufficed for Portugal based on goal differential). Portugal scored early but Serbia levelled things before halftime.  The match went into the late stages even until this unlikely goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic sent Serbia onto Qatar. The celebration tells you just how much it meant.

Italy was the third upset.  Even after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, they held the goal differential advantage over the Swiss.  Both had winnable final match day fixtures.  Except while the Swiss were pummeling Bulgaria 4-0, the Italians could only manage a 0-0 against Northern Ireland meaning Switzerland get the berth.

Teams winning their group and punching their ticket to Qatar are Germany, Denmark, Serbia, Spain, France, England, Netherlands, Croatia, Switzerland and Belgium.  But, all is not lost for Sweden or Portugal or Italy as they will enter the playoffs in March for three additional spots.  Competition will include Scotland, Turkey, Wales, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, and Austria (those last two got a spot in the playoffs due to a complicated formula involving the Nations League).  Teams will be divided into three groups of four and play a semi-final and final format.

Conversation That Could Have Taken Place But Didn't

Dennis (during Netherlands - Norway):  Did you just recite the Lord's Prayer?

Steve: No, I said the Dutch are giving us this day our Daley Blind.

Tyneside Transfer Rumors Continue

Newcastle target? Dennis F (2nd row, 3rd from the left)
would bring speed and his reputation
as a winner (note trophy) Tyneside

Check out this article from Skysports reviewing the long list of names that have been mentioned as possible transfer targets for Newcastle.  I find two things amusing.  First, apparently the only criteria was the name being mentioned in connection with Newcastle by a footballing publication.  Okay, I can play that game.  BFS has spoken to and can confirm that Dennis F is interested and available to transfer to Newcastle.  He is a thirty-something attacking midfielder who would be a free transfer from Sportif Allentown.  His wage bill would be considerably less than Aaron Ramsey's £400,000 a week.  

Second, if you scroll down far enough, you'll see that Demba Ba is willing to come out of retirement and has made himself available. Now I have fond memories of Ba's time at Newcastle but they are about as relevant as my fond memories of Marty Liquori beating Jim Ryun at Franklin Field; they are just too far in the past.  Dennis asked why not drag Alan Shearer out.  I'll go a step further and suggest Bobby Robson.  I will concede that even at his advanced age, Ba is probably a better candidate than Dennis, but I'll take Dennis over Shearer (who is 51) or Robson (who is dead).

More seriously, there are some names in the article that I'm cool with.  Tarkowski, Adeyemi, Sarr, Calvert-Lewin could help.  Also, it appears that ownership may be more active than initially expected in January, recognizing how far this team has to go.  This article suggests we might see up to six new players.

Onto the Playoffs

I say that with some trepidation.  The Americanization of the game, with the emphasis on post-season,  has created the situation where many will feel that if Union don't advance against Red Bulls this Saturday, the season was a bust.  Thinking that way ignores the deep run into the CONCACAF Champions League and a second place finish, even after losing many key personnel from last year.  The Union are solid favorite at home against the Red Bulls but in a single game, who knows what can happen.  We will be there for the 2:30 start on Saturday.  Those without tickets can check out the action on PHL 17.

There's a full slate of EPL matches as well, many of which look interesting.  The bad news is that six of the 10 are crammed into the 10 am Saturday time slot.  We'll be taking in Newcastle-Brentford (Peacock), which despite the Bees early good fortunes, is really a contest of relegation candidates.  Every reason to think the Magpies can grab a draw or maybe even more here.  Dennis won't be watching because he'll be looking in on Aston Villa as they take on Brighton (NBCSN) under the direction of Steven Gerrard.  This one also looks close but maybe the new manager effect throws this one in Aston Villa's favor.

If we weren't wedded to out beloved Magpies, we'd probably go with Wolves vs West Ham (USA) as the choice for the 10 am matches.  Burnley vs Crystal Palace could be a close contest too.  Probably not so much Watford vs Man United or  Norwich - Southampton, both on Peacock.

The weekend kicks off with Leicester - Chelsea on NBCSN at 7:30 am on Saturday.  Though the Blues are favored here, might still be worth getting up for.  The NBC 12:30 feature match has some cachet - Liverpool hosting Arsenal.  This will be a good test for the Gunners; who bring an eight-game unbeaten streak into the contest.  Is the resurgence for real?

On Sunday, Man City host Everton at 9 and Spurs take on Leeds at 11:30, both on NBCSN.  The home sides are favored here, especially Man City.  If Spurs really are turning things around, a win over Leeds is a must.

I wish we could point to a full slate of games on Turkey Day but all we'll get is an MLS playoff match with Colorado hosting a first round winner at 4:30 on Fox.  It will have to do.