Shoot Out the Lights

 apologies to Richard and Linda Thompson

Hmm, maybe we can drop the word "dreaded" from the phrase "kicks from the spot."  The Union advance to the Eastern Conference Final with a shootout win over Nashville.  Also, a pile of results from the EPL, which may force us to the old habit of random observations rather than careful analysis of the contests.

We Love Kicks From the Spot

The Union's quest for their first conference final ever did not start well.  Nashville's pressure meant all we got was toothless possession.  Mukhtar got separation from Powell and put Nashville up at 38 minutes.  Only a scruffy-looking stoppage time goal from Gazdag (video here) allowed the Union to go in level at halftime despite being generally outplayed.

In the second half,  Curtin decided the "Christmas tree" 4-3-2-1 formation wasn't working and put Sergio Santos in and moved to a 4-4-2.  The good news is that the Union started generating chances.  The bad news is that Santos missed them, including an easy one, then committed a foul that took a go-ahead goal by Gazdag off the board.  Neither side could find the game winner in regulation or in added extra time.  On to the dreaded shootout.

Ice water in his veins - Jack McGlynn puts
 Union up 2-0 in shootout

Except it wasn't even close.  Blake made decent stop on Mukhtar, while Elliott buried his attempt.  Blake then made a fantastic full extension fantastic full-extension save on Godoy. Sergio Santos continued his bad awful night when Willis saved his mediocre attempt.  Muyl couldn't even get his shot on target.  Jack McGlynn then coolly stepped up to give the Union a 2-0 lead.  When Zimmerman missed the net, the Union were conference champions.  Jeff K speculates that Blake was so deep into the Nashville heads after the first two saves that in trying to be perfect on the subsequent two kicks, they couldn't even get their takes on target.  Full video of the shoot out is here, offered as this week's YouTubeableMoment,.  A more talented blogger or one with maybe more time would do some compilation of Blake's distraction dance before each kick.

In terms of stature, this win will have to rank above last week's win over the Red Bulls since it advances them to the conference final.  And it certainly didn't lack for drama.  Doesn't mean that Glesnes goal won't remain the highlight for all time.

Favorites Are Falling All Over the Place

What was Ted Lasso's line?  "Agin, my job just got easier."  In the other Eastern Conference final, New England and NYCFC traded goals in added extra time to finish at 2-2.  NYCFC prevailed in the shootout 5-3.  Once again, the Supporters Shield winner bails out early.  Not to minimize the opponent but playing NYCFC at home seems highly preferable to facing New England in Foxboro.  Especially with top scorer Castellanos suspended for the match after picking up two yellows against New England.

In the West, Real Salt Lake nipped Sporting KC with an improbably goal in stoppage time by Bobby Wood.  Colorado was ousted last week so the Western Conference final will feature the 4th seed against the seventh seed.

Not that I have a solution, but the MLS playoffs are developing a rich history of the leaving the top teams out of the picture.

Almost Up the Tyne Without A Paddle

We said anything less than 3-0 defeat at the Emirates would be a good day so the 2-0 loss to Arsenal wasn't unexpected.  Newcastle's offense consisted of long shots by Shelvey.  Lascelles and Ritchie both picked up their fifth yellow cards and got suspended the mid-week match.  No more need be said.

Three points were a long shot after Clark got
sent off for pulling down Pukki

A lively start against Norwich on Tuesday was ruined by Ciaran Clark's red card for DOGSO in trying to stop Pukki from a breakaway on goal in the ninth minute.  We are Clark fans generally but this was a screw up on the micro and macro level.  On the micro level, it's not clear that a teammate (Willock?) couldn't have gotten there to help out.  On the macro level, this was Norwich, so the possibility of going a goal down shouldn't have been all that frightening. 

The good news is that despite being behind the eight ball, Newcastle played really well.  Billy Gilmour was called for handling in the box and Callum Wilson converted Newcastle's first PK of the year.  The Magpies continued to defend well  but eventually Pukki, who always scores against the Magpies, leveled things in the 79th minute.  Though not helpful to get a draw against a key relegation rival at home, this was a great effort from the lads to  get a point despite playing down a man for over 80 minutes.

A League of Their Own - Continued

Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool were a collective 15-5 against their opponents, garnering 16 of 18 possible points (Chelsea draw with Man United was the only dropped points).  The gap between 3rd and 4th is now seven points.  The biggest gap anywhere else in the table is just three points.

Elsewhere, Villa were indeed good enough to turn away Palace 2-1 and played Man City tough in a 1-2 loss.  There were plenty of unhelpful results over the two match days with respect to Newcastle's relegation prospects including:

Brighton 0 0 Leeds

Brentford 1 0 Everton

Norwich  0 0 Wolves

Wolves 0 0 Burnley

Southampton 2 2 Leicester

Leeds 1 0 Crystal Palace 

At least Watford lost twice.  Somehow after losing to Man City and drawing Brighton, West Ham still retain fourth in the table.  The race for that spot is tight, with West Ham, Arsenal, Tottenham, Man United and Wolves (one of these is not like the others) separated by just three points. 

David De Gea in the News - Part I

Here's a statement no one could have foreseen in August:

Man United have struggled but would be a lot worse off if not for the inspired play of David De Gea.

David De Gea in the News - Part II

Maybe there is a way to stop players from the overacting after picking up a minor knock.  De Gea was stepped on during an Arsenal kick.  He promptly went into the fetal position, with his back to the play.  Problem was that the ball was still in play.  Arsenal kept playing and Smith-Rowe sent a shot from the top of the box past the prone De Gea for the opening goal.  Of course the Man United players erupted.  Inexplicably Martin Atkinson, despite not having called a foul on the play, signalled no goal.  Turns out, he was absolutely correct in not calling a foul because De Gea was stepped on by his own man (the soccer equivalent of the horror movie line "the calls are coming from inside the house").  Eventually common sense prevailed and the goal was allowed.  You can see the whole incident here.  Okay, he was stepped on.  I don't doubt that it hurt.  But as Lee Dixon pointed out, as a defender, unless your leg is falling off, you better get up and defend until the play is over.  

Poor Planning

Not thinking that the Union would be in the Eastern Conference final, a few months ago I recklessly agreed to record a concert for a friend this Sunday at 3 pm.  Won't be going to Subaru Park, won't be watching live.  Will be dvring and hoping I can get to about 9 pm without hearing the result.  Certainly, this will not be a walk in the park.  On the other hand, this is not a long shot either.  At 538 they have it 53/47 in favor of the Union.  That seems right to me.  The match will be on ABC.

The Western Conference final features favored Portland hosting Real Salt Lake Saturday at 6:30 on FS1.  We freely admit to a preference for RSL, as, should the Union win, they get to host the final.

Of course, there's also a full slate of EPL fixtures as well.  Some look mildly interesting.  Newcastle have a critical home date with Burnley; this might be the last chance for the Magpies to grab points in 2021.  The schedulers must have a good sense of potentially close, relegation-relevant contests as they put this one on NBCSN at 10 on Saturday.  It does have every appearance of being a fierce, low-scoring match.

Normally we would be all over the Aston Villa - Leicester clash Sunday at 11:30 (NBCSN) except we probably have to leave at half time to get to the concert.  This is a great test to see if  the Villans have figured things out; Leicester are struggling but will still be a challenge.

The League of Their Own threesome look like good bets to keep their distance despite all being on the road.  Chelsea have a London derby at West Ham (Saturday 7:30 on NBCSN), Liverpool are at Wolves (Saturday 10 am on USA) and Man City are the Saturday feature match on NBC, taking on Watford.

We would be happy to see Spurs handle Norwich (Sunday at 9 am on Peacock).  Same for Brighton taking the measure of Southampton (Saturday 10 am on Peacock); that would help Newcastle.  By the way, note though they have slipped a bit, only the top three have fewer losses (3) than the Seagulls.  

Leeds are favored over Brentford (Sunday at 9 on Peacock).  Ralf Rangnick appears to have cleared up his work permit issues and will be in the dugout as Man United host Crystal Palace, also Sunday at 9 on NBCSN.  And there's a Monday match (3pm on NBCSN) with struggling Everton (14th in the table, a mere eight points ahead of Newcastle) hosting Arsenal.  

Radio silence for me from 3 pm to 9 pm on Sunday.