Watching Ryan Johnson screw up again and again for a team other than the Earthquakes was very enjoyable.
Yeah well anyone who didn't see that coming doesn't really know the game, or for that matter, RJ's work ethic. He is always the same, all flash no finish...
Is Columbus gonna be a permanent long term team? Lowest average attendance at ~50% capacity, this game almost looks like 25% full. It's sad to see. The quality is quite unimpressive too. Tied at 1-1 with the Dynamo at 72'.
I don't know Philly well enough to know whether losing Daniels and G. Farfan to suspension are big losses for them or no big deal since they have depth at their positions...anyone know?
From what I've seen in watching them, and in reading on their BS boards and other places, this is a loss but not a huge one. They rotate guys in a lot and have other options to replace Daniels and Farfan. If Califf is still out injured, though, that also hurts them. So while it doesn't create a huge hole, it certainly doesn't help them.
I'm getting more and more surprised that NY, TFC or Philly wouldn't give up allocation money or draft pick for the rights to Attakora.
During the dismantling of NYRB by DCU today (4/21) on ESPN2, both Taylor Twellman and Alexi Lalas talked at length about their opinion that Marquez's suspension is too short and how it reflects badly on MLS. After showing clips of several of Rafa's lowlights, both commented on how Rafa is bad for the team performance-wise and moral-wise, and Lalas added that NY should dump him this summer. A nice big black eye for the disciplinary committee on national TV--priceless! Another highlight of the game was Pontius stripping the ball from Henry (who collapsed as if shot), beating 2 or 3 NY defenders by himself right down the middle, and blasting the ball in the upper 90.
I agree on NY and TFC. Philly actually has some decent central defenders, so I'm not sure they really need to add one. Philly's problem hasn't been defense, it's been lack of offense. I'm also surprised nobody seems to have made any move on Burling. Bobby's not as athletic as Attakora, but he uses his body well and has decent speed.
For those who were worried that the Quakes had a hard time breaking down RSL when they were up a man (and then 2 men), you only have to see the results of the Barca-Chelsea game to understand how hard it can be to score when a team really bunkers in and has a good keeper (and how easy it is go give up a shorthanded goal when you are pushing hard for a goal). The Quakes are better than Barca
Yup, I have seen this many times. The defending team doesn't necessarily even need a good GK. Exhibit #1: Mike Magee.
I want RSL to lose, but Sealy is already playing like an extra RSL defender. He's blocked an almost sure goal and prevented some other Dallas offense.
RSL fans will have another controversial call to discuss for the next few days. PK converted by Shea in injury time of the first half.
Well that wasn't as amusing as seeing RSL lose, but in the end it's actual better for the Quakes. Neither team gets the full 3 points, and the RSL fans can all bitch about another call for the next week Sealy was pretty nonexistent out there, Dallas is going to be in trouble if they have to count on him for offense. Beckerman commits 3 more fouls to extend his lead for the most fouls committed in the league (24 in 9 games, along with 4 yellow cards). And Dunseth has the nerve to talk about how it isn't Beckerman's fault that he commits so many fouls, saying it's required because of the position he plays. Note to Dunseth - Cronin plays the same position, and he's only committed 8 fouls in 7 games, and no yellow cards. But of course the RSL fans are convinced that everyone else plays ugly, physical soccer, not their team. RSL did not look very good tonight, until the final 15 minutes or so. Maybe it was a hangover from the loss in San Jose, but they have now had several games this year where they really haven't looked good (at home against Chivas and Montreal, at Portland until the last 10 minutes, and at KC). They have gotten a couple of lucky results (win at Portland, win over Montreal) where they didn't necessarily outplay the other team. They control a lot of possession but go through long stretches where they don't look dangerous in the offensive third. They have a lot of good players and may put things together, but right now they are not that scary of a team.
Dunseth has always sucked as a color guy. How many times did he have to tell us Jackson got off the plane at 12:30?
Let's not gloat too much. We have had a couple of lucky results also, and it's likely RSL will put it together.
I still believe RSL is the best team in the league (they have the best offense, defense and midfield balance of any team in the league)... in the long run, that will win out. I do think KC is quite good as well (I love their high pressure tactics), though I doubt their depth and that will hurt them in the long run.