Qatar Disaster Looming?

Eesh, I know they were only friendlies, but the performance of the USMNT in the final two matches before the World Cup was not encouraging.  Back to action in the EPL with some good fixtures on tap.

Is There Such A Thing As "Must-win Friendly?"

Though seemingly oxymoronic, the answer is apparently yes.  After the 0-2 loss to Japan on Friday, facing a depleted Saudi Arabian squad, the US at a minimum needed to put up a solid effort, if not a win.  Alas, though marginally better than the Japan game, the performance in the 0-0 draw simply was not good enough.  

Against Japan, a technically superior team that likes to press, the US committed some atrocious turnovers and managed nary a shot on goal and only four shots in total.  In the SA match, they did manage seven shots but just two on goal.    The final score matched what I saw on TV.

Others can do a much better job breaking down the tactical issues and shortcomings revealed in the two matches.  There are thousands of post mortems out there; I found this one helpful.  For me, I wondered if the absences of Musah, Weah and Antonee Robinson were major factors.  Not particularly interested in excuses related to the venues.  International soccer is about adapting to different circumstances;  playing in mostly empty neutral sites can't be harder than a hostile crowd in Mexico.

Adjustments are needed or we are looking at a one or no point group stage exit in November.

Wounded Magpies

Would be nice to see at least one of these guys out there Saturday

The international break was supposed to give the wounded a chance to heal.  The opposite occurred.  Guimaraes sat out Brazil's matches with a swelling in the thigh and may not be ready to go.  Isak pulled out of Sweden's matches, also with a thigh problem, and may miss several matches.  ASM is not fully healed but might be on the bench.  Chris Wood took a blow to the ribs while representing New Zealand and is likely out for a month.  The only good news is that Callum Wilson is expected to be back.  Ryan Fraser may also return.  This injury problem is one legacy from the Steve Bruce era that unfortunately seems to be sticking around.

Stay Focused on the Task at Hand

BFS Track & Field Consultant Jack W sends us this cautionary tweet on the dangers of shithousering while driving.  

Alex, I'll Take Soccer Innovations for $800

Thursday's Final Jeopardy answer was along the lines of  "In 1970, black pentagons were added to this to make it easier for TV audiences to see."  The question:  What is a soccer ball?

Back to Our Regular Programming

This week it's like the schedule makers set up the fixtures based on the teams' handicaps; top vs top, middle vs middle and bottom vs bottom, with a few exceptions.  Seriously, look at the matchups:

  1  v    3  (Arsenal - Spurs)

12  v    9  (Bournemouth - Brentford)

16  v    7  (Crystal Palace - Chelsea)

  6  v  10  (Fulham - Newcastle)

  8  v    4  (Liverpool - Brighton)

14  v  13  (Southampton - Everton)

18  v  17  (West Ham - Wolves)

  2  v    5  (Man City - Man United)

11  v  15  (Leeds - Aston Villa)

20  v  19  (Leicester - Nottingham Forest)

Except for Palace - Chelsea, the spread in every game is no more than four places.  

The proper London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham should attract attention.  Gunners have done well so far but Spurs, despite never seeming to have their best stuff, haven't lost yet.  That one will get us underway at 7:30 Saturday on USA.

We'll obviously be going with Fulham Newcastle out of the five 10 am matches.  This is on the road but the Magpies still have to be winning that one, even with a depleted squad.  Lots of other good choices at 10.  The USA game is another London Derby featuring Crystal Palace and Chelsea.  Liverpool will host Brighton, with their expected table positions at this point seemingly reversed; a big test for the Seagulls after losing their gaffer Graham Potter.  Bournemouth - Brentford and Southampton - Everton look like close contests.

Not crazy about the 12:30 Saturday NBC "feature" match, which for some reason is on USA this week.  West Ham - Wolves probably sounded better before the season started.  Both have struggled thus far.  

Sunday at 9 am is a Manchester Derby, on Peacock(?).  Wait, this can't be; at 538 they have it 74/10/16 - as in 74% chance of City win, 10% chance of United win and 14% chance of draw.  That does not sound like a Manchester derby.  Here's hoping recent United form will make this a decent contest.  The second match on Sunday at 11:30 on USA - Leeds vs Aston Villa - could be one of the most competitive matches of the weekend.  

Lastly, maybe it's a good idea to put Leicester - Nottingham Forest on Monday; we'll watch anything on a weekday. That's at 3:00 on USA.

On this side of the pond, the Union have a chance to wrap up the Eastern Conference has they face Charlotte at the early time of 5:30.  Montreal host D.C United (7:30 on TSN).  A Union win or a Montreal draw or loss clinches the conference title.  We like the Union's chances in Charlotte but aren't expecting any help from D.C. United.  As for the Supporters Shield, LAFC travel to Portland for a 3 pm Sunday match that you can catch on ABC.  Any dropped points there for LAFC would be awesome and 538 offers some hope of result for Portland.  

Might rain all weekend.  Good for the grass and watching football.