Another I Don't Want To Talk About It Premiership Weekend
Congratulations to the San Jose Earthquakes (I think if they are moved after all this, they should become the Western Wanderers) on becoming the Western Conference Champions with tonight's 1-1 draw with FC Dallas.
Back at the start of the season, who would have thought they would clinch before the New England Revolution? Who would have thought San Jose would even be contending for much more than the Western Conference playoffs (which, come on let's be honest, were decided as soon as Kansas City was realigned to the Eastern Conference).
What was amazing about the match was that both teams actually really cared. It seems as though with Carlos Ruiz out, his aura spread to the rest of the team as it was quite a chippy affair.
Not that New England didn't have their own accolades today as a late winner that, surprisingly, wasn't scored by the usual suspect for such an achievement Taylor Twellman became the first team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff spot. The Rev's magic number (which supporters have been calculating on BigSoccer since May) is now 4. A combination of gaining four points from the Revolution or dropping four points by D.C. United and the Revolution hang their second conference champions banner next year (and first outright since in 2002 they were awarded the ECC by a tiebreak over the Columbus Crew).
Meanwhile Colorado moved within two points of Los Angeles for the third playoff spot (with a game in hand) trying to avoid a first round matchup with the Earthquakes who have only lost one out of their last 19 matches.
But the best part of the Rapids match had to be the goal celebration by Dedi Ben-Dayan. This wasn't it but it does closely resemble what it looked like. I'm not sure this picture is even entirely work safe. There seems to be some pretty intimate stuff going on here. :)
---
This morning, before the debacle of missed chances that again befell Manchester City (please get well Andy Cole, you're the only hope), the Carling Cup third round was announced and there are some absolutely amazing matchups. Or, well, they're intriguing as the Premiership and Colaship now stand but since the matches don't happen until October who knows at that point. Here are the six matches I see as best in the round:
***
Gillingham at Doncaster - the team that eliminated Manchester City faces the team that eliminated Portsmouth. The draw means there will be at least one League One upstart in the 4th round.
Liverpool at Crystal Palace - every Reds supporter should be salivating over this revenge match. It was Crystal Palace that pretty much cost Liverpool 4th place last year (not that it all didn't work out for them in the end of course) winning 2-1 in London at the end of last April.
Charlton at Chelsea - nothing about today's performances would lead anyone to think that Charlton won't be in the top three in the Premiership in four weeks (especially with Manchester United losing at Old Trafford to Blackburn for the first time in 43 years today). It could be a Cup battle of first versus second in the Premiership that doesn't involve Chelsea and Arsenal.
Sheffield United at Reading - take exactly what I wrote in the last snippet but substitute "Colaship".
Millwall at Mansfield - if there's a draw that next year's Conference team can win in the third round of the Carling Cup it's this one (Millwall, quite simply and I've wanted to say this all season, is pants).
Leeds at Blackburn - despite today's shock, this is kind of matchup that every neutral loves to see. A bottom of the Premiership team (though after today's win, Blackburn are mid-table I don't expect that to last) against a top of the table Colaship team. This is what second division dreams are made of. And, as an added bonus, it's a sweet, old-timey reunion between Eddie Lewis and Brad Freidel.
***
Fulham drew West Brom at home so that's somewhat good news. Both teams will still be in the relegation zone barring a miracle at Tottenham on Monday for the Cottagers so the Carling Cup may be all either has to play for. But, it could also be an awful snorefest as both are more worried about Premiership survival as the 10th game will have just passed.
---
The Colaship reached the magical 10-game plateau today. You know that mystical spot that is kind of like Nirvana. "Wait until the league reaches the 10th game before you start making predictions," the pundits say, "by then it should be enlightening."
Well, Sheffield United and Reading just keep on winning. This doesn't mean as much as in the Premiership, of course, but it could be just like MLS, everyone fighting for the four playoff spots after these two gain automatic promotion.
After ten games, the Colaship standings are as follows (Leeds has only played nine so I gave them a little star):
1. Sheffield United (9-1-0) 28 pts.
2. Reading (7-1-2) 23 pts.
***
3. Watford (5-2-3) 18 pts.
4. Luton (5-2-3) 18 pts.
5. Wolverhampton (4-2-4) 16 pts.
6. Stoke (5-4-1) 16 pts.
***
7. Southampton (3-1-6) 15 pts.
8. QPR (4-3-3) 15 pts.
9. Leeds (4-3-2) 14 pts.*
10. Ipswich (4-4-2) 14 pts.
NOTE: Cardiff and Crystal Palace also have a game in hand and should they win that game, they would be in the top 10.
Does that look as refreshing to everyone else as it does to me? I mean besides the fact that the Notting Hill Nothings (a geographically incorrect nickname but I love the way it sounds) are in 8th. :)
---
Thank you to Alex Ferguson for the most honest statement of the year. He didn't try to spin the loss to Blackburn (which I just love saying over and over) and followed through the mid-week statements from his team camp (though not by him) that Manchester United had to beat Blackburn and Fulham to have any shot at the title.
And, after dropping all three points today, he basic said, Manchester United is now playing for pride:
Well if it's fun the way Blackburn has fun, I just have to make the request to whoever can control it that Manchester United not injure Brian McBride or Luis Boa Morte next weekend. :)
Meanwhile, in contrast, Arsene Wenger is still living in a fantasy world. Despite drawing at West Ham today (which is actually a good result unless you consider your team a title contender) Wenger insists the race for the title is not over:
But if I were in Wenger's shoes, I might want the season to end today since it's more embarrassing to miss a Champions League spot after seven games than to miss one after 38. Though I'm sure in the end Arsenal will end up top four (since despite what they've been doing this year, they're only one point out of Europe right now).
Back at the start of the season, who would have thought they would clinch before the New England Revolution? Who would have thought San Jose would even be contending for much more than the Western Conference playoffs (which, come on let's be honest, were decided as soon as Kansas City was realigned to the Eastern Conference).
What was amazing about the match was that both teams actually really cared. It seems as though with Carlos Ruiz out, his aura spread to the rest of the team as it was quite a chippy affair.
Not that New England didn't have their own accolades today as a late winner that, surprisingly, wasn't scored by the usual suspect for such an achievement Taylor Twellman became the first team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff spot. The Rev's magic number (which supporters have been calculating on BigSoccer since May) is now 4. A combination of gaining four points from the Revolution or dropping four points by D.C. United and the Revolution hang their second conference champions banner next year (and first outright since in 2002 they were awarded the ECC by a tiebreak over the Columbus Crew).
Meanwhile Colorado moved within two points of Los Angeles for the third playoff spot (with a game in hand) trying to avoid a first round matchup with the Earthquakes who have only lost one out of their last 19 matches.
But the best part of the Rapids match had to be the goal celebration by Dedi Ben-Dayan. This wasn't it but it does closely resemble what it looked like. I'm not sure this picture is even entirely work safe. There seems to be some pretty intimate stuff going on here. :)
---
This morning, before the debacle of missed chances that again befell Manchester City (please get well Andy Cole, you're the only hope), the Carling Cup third round was announced and there are some absolutely amazing matchups. Or, well, they're intriguing as the Premiership and Colaship now stand but since the matches don't happen until October who knows at that point. Here are the six matches I see as best in the round:
Gillingham at Doncaster - the team that eliminated Manchester City faces the team that eliminated Portsmouth. The draw means there will be at least one League One upstart in the 4th round.
Liverpool at Crystal Palace - every Reds supporter should be salivating over this revenge match. It was Crystal Palace that pretty much cost Liverpool 4th place last year (not that it all didn't work out for them in the end of course) winning 2-1 in London at the end of last April.
Charlton at Chelsea - nothing about today's performances would lead anyone to think that Charlton won't be in the top three in the Premiership in four weeks (especially with Manchester United losing at Old Trafford to Blackburn for the first time in 43 years today). It could be a Cup battle of first versus second in the Premiership that doesn't involve Chelsea and Arsenal.
Sheffield United at Reading - take exactly what I wrote in the last snippet but substitute "Colaship".
Millwall at Mansfield - if there's a draw that next year's Conference team can win in the third round of the Carling Cup it's this one (Millwall, quite simply and I've wanted to say this all season, is pants).
Leeds at Blackburn - despite today's shock, this is kind of matchup that every neutral loves to see. A bottom of the Premiership team (though after today's win, Blackburn are mid-table I don't expect that to last) against a top of the table Colaship team. This is what second division dreams are made of. And, as an added bonus, it's a sweet, old-timey reunion between Eddie Lewis and Brad Freidel.
Fulham drew West Brom at home so that's somewhat good news. Both teams will still be in the relegation zone barring a miracle at Tottenham on Monday for the Cottagers so the Carling Cup may be all either has to play for. But, it could also be an awful snorefest as both are more worried about Premiership survival as the 10th game will have just passed.
---
The Colaship reached the magical 10-game plateau today. You know that mystical spot that is kind of like Nirvana. "Wait until the league reaches the 10th game before you start making predictions," the pundits say, "by then it should be enlightening."
Well, Sheffield United and Reading just keep on winning. This doesn't mean as much as in the Premiership, of course, but it could be just like MLS, everyone fighting for the four playoff spots after these two gain automatic promotion.
After ten games, the Colaship standings are as follows (Leeds has only played nine so I gave them a little star):
1. Sheffield United (9-1-0) 28 pts.
2. Reading (7-1-2) 23 pts.
***
3. Watford (5-2-3) 18 pts.
4. Luton (5-2-3) 18 pts.
5. Wolverhampton (4-2-4) 16 pts.
6. Stoke (5-4-1) 16 pts.
***
7. Southampton (3-1-6) 15 pts.
8. QPR (4-3-3) 15 pts.
9. Leeds (4-3-2) 14 pts.*
10. Ipswich (4-4-2) 14 pts.
NOTE: Cardiff and Crystal Palace also have a game in hand and should they win that game, they would be in the top 10.
Does that look as refreshing to everyone else as it does to me? I mean besides the fact that the Notting Hill Nothings (a geographically incorrect nickname but I love the way it sounds) are in 8th. :)
---
Thank you to Alex Ferguson for the most honest statement of the year. He didn't try to spin the loss to Blackburn (which I just love saying over and over) and followed through the mid-week statements from his team camp (though not by him) that Manchester United had to beat Blackburn and Fulham to have any shot at the title.
And, after dropping all three points today, he basic said, Manchester United is now playing for pride:
"I am concerned at the gap between us and Chelsea but I am more concerned with getting our game back together and playing with enjoyment and passion."
Well if it's fun the way Blackburn has fun, I just have to make the request to whoever can control it that Manchester United not injure Brian McBride or Luis Boa Morte next weekend. :)
Meanwhile, in contrast, Arsene Wenger is still living in a fantasy world. Despite drawing at West Ham today (which is actually a good result unless you consider your team a title contender) Wenger insists the race for the title is not over:
"If everyone is right about the championship, then let's stop, give them the trophy and then start again. If you think it is over, that is all we can do because it will be really boring until the end of May."
But if I were in Wenger's shoes, I might want the season to end today since it's more embarrassing to miss a Champions League spot after seven games than to miss one after 38. Though I'm sure in the end Arsenal will end up top four (since despite what they've been doing this year, they're only one point out of Europe right now).
posted by incendiarymind at 9:06 PM
1 Comments:
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