Hardware!

The Union collected their second MLS trophy with a 1-0 win over NYCFC and a good weekend for BFS sides.

Doop!

NYCFC came to town on Saturday, presenting the Union with a chance to clinch the Eastern Conference and the Supporters Shield (best record in MLS).  The evening got off to an auspicious start as our usual parking lot was filled 45 minutes before kickoff: and we were lucky the back up lot could fit us in but only because we were in a small car.  Once inside we decided to go for the traditional sausage sandwich only to be shocked to see that the sausages had shrunk to the size of hot dogs, making the bun to meat ratio disturbingly low.

Fortunately, things improved from there.  The Union were definitely the more adventurous side, generating several dangerous looking chances in front of the NYCFC goal.  We were lucky that the visitors fortuitously skyed a shot over a virtually wide open net early.  Finally, one of the Union plays paid off as a Mikael Uhre shot on goal deflected off a defender and found the back of the net.  Uhre's shot was going to be on target so he still got credit for the goal, which you can see here.

Alas, that was to be the only goal, which meant 50+ minutes of "squeaky bum" time as the Union defended their slim lead.  Both sides saw goals chalked off for offside.  NYCFC had another golden opportunity late but failed to capitalize.  This one was tight right up to the final whistle.  The U did have the better of shots and shots on target but, likely reflecting those two great chances, NYCFC had the higher xG at 1.3-1.1.

And this time they had the real Shield

The final whistle triggered some serious celebrating, with the players taking a victory lap amidst fireworks, some victory speeches and the lifting of the real Supporters Shield (not the fake one they had in 2020).  In true Philly fashion, owner Jay Sugarman got more than just a smattering of boos from the stands based on his tight wallet approach to running the team.  Fans were more magnanimous in recognizing the work of Sporting Director Ernst Tanner and Manager Bradley Carnell.  

This is a big deal and I'll be the first to jump on those who might say all that matters is the playoffs.  That's not how soccer works in almost any other country and it's gratifying to see that even in playoff crazy USA, the MLS awards a trophy for the best record. 

Good Enough

Newcastle certainly controlled things at home versus Nottingham Forest but took their time securing the three points.  After a scoreless first half, Bruno Guimaraes finally got the Magpies on the board with a sweet curling shot from just outside the box; we make his goal in the 58th minute this week's YouTubeableMoment.  Though Forest never really threatened (.3 xG), neither could Newcastle put the game to bed.  Finally, former Magpie Elliot Anderson fouled Guimaraes in the box and Voldemort Woltemade cheekily dispatched the PK.  Case closed.  

He who must not be named doubled Newcastle's lead with this PK
Photo: Getty Images

Certainly the defense is well-organized at this point but the offense is still struggling to convert the chances, as witnessed by the xG of 3.45 yet only two goals on the scoreboard.  I'm taking comfort that this is a revamped attack so we might not see great results right away.

Newcastle home fans and Forest traveling supporters were both incorrect in chanting "you're getting sacked in the morning" at Ange Postecoglu in the closing minutes of the match.  As of publication, he is still the manager and will likely still be in charge for next week's match versus Chelsea.  But maybe not after that.

And Then There Were None

Crystal Palace tasted defeat for the first time this season at the hands of Everton courtesy of a stoppage time goal by Jack Grealish.  Based on the highlight reel, that 2-1 contest was probably the best choice of the four Sunday 9 am matches.  Aston Villa did get all three points at home versus Burnley as expected; the 2-1 final suggests that it might not have been as convincing as they would like.

Liverpool lost for the third time in eight days, falling to Chelsea 2-1 in a feature match that lived up to its billing.  Dennis and I agree that Garnacho is just as annoying in Chelsea blue as he was in Man United red.  

Spurs came away with a 2-1 win at Leeds but my eyes and the stats suggest that this was a draw at best.  Leeds were better at shots (16/9), shots on target (4/3) and xG (1.68/.53).  Despite that, the win is still worth three points and Spurs are second in the table.  They sit one point behind Arsenal, who were 2-0 winners over West Ham.  Man City, despite being singularly unimpressive in a 1-0 win over Brentford, did keep pace with the top five, as did Bournemouth, who scored three goals after the 77th minute to beat Fulham 3-1.

Throwing in the Towel

Excuse me sir, you are not allowed to use that towel
Getty Images

I had meant to comment on this issue last week but ran out of time.  In the Newcastle - Arsenal match, the Gunners Riccardo Calafiori was stopped by referee Jarred Gillett from using a towel to dry the ball prior to a throw-in.  At the time, I thought it was because Calafiori had "stolen" it from Newcastle keeper Nick Pope.  Turns out that wasn't it.  As discussed here, in the Premier League, players may use towels to dry the ball only if both teams agree to it prior to the match.  In the lower tiers, towels are banned completely.  The main reason cited is to eliminate drying as a means of wasting time but there was also some concern that the home teams likely had better access to towels than the away side.

International Break

Even the Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club is observing the break so no games to watch or to referee.  Well, except for UEFA World Cup qualifers and some friendlies.  I believe the CHYSC hiatus is driven by the national holiday and historical experience that too many players are out of town.

The USMNT does have a friendly Friday night at 8:30 versus Ecuador and another on Tuesday at 9 pm versus Australia; both are on TNT.  Not always a big viewer of friendlies but feeling like it's time to check in on the US personnel.