Poor, poor showing from Seattle Sounders as they lose on the road 2-0 to the Toronto Argonauts. Defensive mistakes were the order of the day as De Rosario capitalized on an uncharacteristic mistake from Alonso, who decided it was better to try to juke the 2-time league MVP in the box than to just clear the damn ball. Turned out to be the wrong choice. Former Argonaut player Tyrone Marshall committed the other Sounder assist laying the ball off to the opponents in the middle of the field. With Marshall and most of the other Sounders committed forward, the second goal was an easy order for DeRosario and the goal scorer O'Brian White.
While the Sounders had plenty of posession, they had very little to show for it. They got shots off, but I don't believe the Argonaut keeper really had to make a save. And when they went down a goal, they never looked to me as if they were confident in finding the equalizer. The team's poor offensive production from the end of 2009 has carried over to the new season and seemingly deepened. I think Sigi has got a definite crisis on his hands.
I liked the formation the Sounders started with, primarily because it kept Montero off the field, and because it kept Evans out of the midfield where he is most dangerous...to the Sounders. Nyassi, I thought showed energy and pace and should get more minutes. Evans is so clearly not a striker, however, he was also better in the position than Noonan, Levesque and Montero have shown themselves to be. Put him out there again, I say.
Tyson Wahl was a major disappointment for me. Is there a worse fullback in the league for distributing the ball? Twice in a row, late in the game he struck the ball directly into a Toronto player, squelching whatever attack might have been building. He had plenty of other giveaways during the game. Combine that with his almost complete lack of attacking instinct and you have a wasted piece of real estate when he's in.
Nathan Sturgis looked a lot like Freddie Ljungberg...at least he must've to the TFC players; they fouled him like he was Ljungberg. They hamered the poor kid so hard that when he was subbed off in the 72nd minute I was happy to see him get to the safety of the bench. Other than that, he didn't do much to either impress or otherwise.
Overall, I am pretty concerned about the state of things. The Sounders look like an expansion team this year. If they don't start turning things around, they're going to find themselves buried deep down the table with a long ways back to the top.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Title Race Over, Part Trois!
Third time looks to be an unlucky charm for Arsenal, as a 2-0 loss at White Hart Lane, looks to have knocked the Gunners out of a chance at the EPL title this year, in every sense but mathermatical. While earlier losses to Manchester United and Chelsea had critics prematurely closing the book on a Gunner title challenge, this third big loss looks to be the real deal.
First off, hats off to Tottenham. They won this one fair and square. The looked to be much hungrier than Arsenal through most of the game, defended very strongly and played the counterattack well. Gunners are left to ponder a fifth successive trophy-less season. That the final nail was placed and pounded in by archrivals Tottenham makes the misery all the more painful.
Now, the analysis/whining. The first goal was a wonder volley from 19-year-old Danny Rose playing his first football game ever. I'm just kidding about that, but it was an impressive debut. On the downside for young Mr. Rose, it's all downhill from here as that is certain to be the best goal he'll ever score, even if he plays in the EPL until he's fifty. As Kevin Palmer puts it:
There was a gasp of surprise around the crowded White Hart Lane press room as the team-sheet was pinned onto the wall and the name of Danny Rose was listed as a starter for Tottenham, but boss Harry Redknapp could argue his selection was justified as his 19-year-old, starting his first league match, scored a goal that he will not better for the rest of his career.
The goal, however, got its start with another weak keeping effort by Manuel "Punchy" Almunia. The Spanish keeper decided to punch out a lofted cross, instead of the safer option of catching it. The ball came down free to Rose. It was a wondershot and not likely to occur too often, but Rose wouldn't have even had the chance if Almunia had done his job.
I haven't tracked the number of points dropped by Almunia's poor habits, but I would guess it's at least nine points. If true, the price of buying cheap at this position is the league trophy. Aside from David James, I can't think of another team's first choice keeper I wouldn't rather have than El Punchero.
The second goal, early in the second half, was down to Mikael Silvestre failing to look for runners in behind him. When Thomas Vermaelen went down with a calf injury in the first period and Silvestre came running on to the pitch, you just knew a goal was coming for Tottenham. The lack of depth on the squad killed us this year. While the sheer number of injuries to big talents was beyond what most teams have to go through, championship teams have to play through injury crises. Arsenal has got to a layer of the squad that just doesn't have what it takes to get to the top.
Two things that I noticed about the squad were lack of attacking instinct and timidity. Arsenal had nearly 70% posession over the course of the game. Ninety-five percent of that posession was between the boxes. I'm glad that Arsene has taught the kids how to dribble and pass but it's time to get on to the chapter on the Final Third. Without Cesc, nary a Gunner had an idea how to pierce the Tottenham defensive shell. It was an embarrassing thing to watch.
I thought Nasri was ineffective as was Rosicky. Eboue was lively for stretches, but he badly needs someone who can play the ball to his speed, as he doesn't have the ability to break down defenders. Diaby did not have a strong game, either. Distrubingly, he did not lot to me as if he had the heart for the game. Tottenham relished the match. Diaby looked like he'd rather be somewhere else.
That timidity permeated the Arsenal team. They looked nervy and all too aware that they had everything to lose in the match. Once the Verminator left the pitch, I'd say the only player with any heart was Sol Campbell, who was yelling at his teammates, trying to get some response from them, urging them to fight back. Campbell had a very good game in my mind. He marked well, was rarely beaten and made a number of great blocks and tackles. He could be a very good back-up back next season.
Bendtner was a non-factor. A lone striker he is not. The Dane needs a dangerous strike partner; without one, defenses have shown that it's easy to stop him. And, the game changed when RVN made his return to the Arsenal side after nearly 6 months with torn ankle ligaments. He made an immediate impact, injecting a final third into the side, and forcing a handful of smart saves from Gomes. While he didn't score the goal, it resulted from the pressure RVN enabled the team to create. We can only ponder what might have been if we'd had a healthy Van Persie all season.
Finally, and this is important not to forget, while the weakened Arsenal side did not have what it takes to be EPL champions, they do have enough to get us to third place and to the Champions League quarterfinals. Those are not inconsiderable achievements. If the first-team squad stays together (and let's hope for a key addition or two) and stays healthy, that should be something to build upon.
First off, hats off to Tottenham. They won this one fair and square. The looked to be much hungrier than Arsenal through most of the game, defended very strongly and played the counterattack well. Gunners are left to ponder a fifth successive trophy-less season. That the final nail was placed and pounded in by archrivals Tottenham makes the misery all the more painful.
Now, the analysis/whining. The first goal was a wonder volley from 19-year-old Danny Rose playing his first football game ever. I'm just kidding about that, but it was an impressive debut. On the downside for young Mr. Rose, it's all downhill from here as that is certain to be the best goal he'll ever score, even if he plays in the EPL until he's fifty. As Kevin Palmer puts it:
There was a gasp of surprise around the crowded White Hart Lane press room as the team-sheet was pinned onto the wall and the name of Danny Rose was listed as a starter for Tottenham, but boss Harry Redknapp could argue his selection was justified as his 19-year-old, starting his first league match, scored a goal that he will not better for the rest of his career.
The goal, however, got its start with another weak keeping effort by Manuel "Punchy" Almunia. The Spanish keeper decided to punch out a lofted cross, instead of the safer option of catching it. The ball came down free to Rose. It was a wondershot and not likely to occur too often, but Rose wouldn't have even had the chance if Almunia had done his job.
I haven't tracked the number of points dropped by Almunia's poor habits, but I would guess it's at least nine points. If true, the price of buying cheap at this position is the league trophy. Aside from David James, I can't think of another team's first choice keeper I wouldn't rather have than El Punchero.
The second goal, early in the second half, was down to Mikael Silvestre failing to look for runners in behind him. When Thomas Vermaelen went down with a calf injury in the first period and Silvestre came running on to the pitch, you just knew a goal was coming for Tottenham. The lack of depth on the squad killed us this year. While the sheer number of injuries to big talents was beyond what most teams have to go through, championship teams have to play through injury crises. Arsenal has got to a layer of the squad that just doesn't have what it takes to get to the top.
Two things that I noticed about the squad were lack of attacking instinct and timidity. Arsenal had nearly 70% posession over the course of the game. Ninety-five percent of that posession was between the boxes. I'm glad that Arsene has taught the kids how to dribble and pass but it's time to get on to the chapter on the Final Third. Without Cesc, nary a Gunner had an idea how to pierce the Tottenham defensive shell. It was an embarrassing thing to watch.
I thought Nasri was ineffective as was Rosicky. Eboue was lively for stretches, but he badly needs someone who can play the ball to his speed, as he doesn't have the ability to break down defenders. Diaby did not have a strong game, either. Distrubingly, he did not lot to me as if he had the heart for the game. Tottenham relished the match. Diaby looked like he'd rather be somewhere else.
That timidity permeated the Arsenal team. They looked nervy and all too aware that they had everything to lose in the match. Once the Verminator left the pitch, I'd say the only player with any heart was Sol Campbell, who was yelling at his teammates, trying to get some response from them, urging them to fight back. Campbell had a very good game in my mind. He marked well, was rarely beaten and made a number of great blocks and tackles. He could be a very good back-up back next season.
Bendtner was a non-factor. A lone striker he is not. The Dane needs a dangerous strike partner; without one, defenses have shown that it's easy to stop him. And, the game changed when RVN made his return to the Arsenal side after nearly 6 months with torn ankle ligaments. He made an immediate impact, injecting a final third into the side, and forcing a handful of smart saves from Gomes. While he didn't score the goal, it resulted from the pressure RVN enabled the team to create. We can only ponder what might have been if we'd had a healthy Van Persie all season.
Finally, and this is important not to forget, while the weakened Arsenal side did not have what it takes to be EPL champions, they do have enough to get us to third place and to the Champions League quarterfinals. Those are not inconsiderable achievements. If the first-team squad stays together (and let's hope for a key addition or two) and stays healthy, that should be something to build upon.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Like Watcing Your Arm Getting Sawed Off...
Ok, maybe it wasn't quite that bad, but this was the most agonizing 90 minutes I've yet experienced at Qwest, as Seattle gave up a soft goal and failed to score on what seemed an inexhaustible supply of chances. The final result, a 1-0 loss to a New York Red Bulls team that hasn't won a road game since the Bush Administration (W, that is)
The goal came early in the first half after one of New York's rare forays into Sounder territory. The Sounders defense made a hash of clearing the cross and the ball bounced to Macoumba Hatata (I know it's Kandji, but I love that song) who did a great job of bending his lanky legs to get a shot off, sending the ball into and under the crossbar.
The stats show Seattle's apparent control of the game. I couldn't find any stats for possession, but I have to think it was over 60% in Seatttle's favor. (This was despite very sloppy play, particularly from Porkchop, who seemed to give the ball away at every opportunity). We were quite literally in control of this game, with the simple exception of being down a goal, and not being able to roll the onion into the bag.
The worst of the culprits was normally reliable Freddie Ljungberg who headed the ball just wide of the post on a free header. The Swede grabbed his head in frustration as he knew he should've brought the Sounders back on level terms at that point. Freddie was also culpable for losing his cool with the refs and the RBulls Boltonesque tactics. At one point, Ljungberb tried to kick the ball into the back of an RBull opponent and missed sending the ball past the touchline for a Bulls' goal kick. It was a stupid, juvenile act that squandered what should've been, at least another attempt on goal. Thus was the Sounders' night.
Montero was back to his lazy ways. The most energy and commitment he showed all night long was in pestering the keeper on his kicks. I rate this as highly as Freddie L's throw-away free kick.
I've always liked Roger Levesque's work ethic and spirit, but he was wasted space on the field Saturday. He was making me think wistfully of the days of Nate Jaqua. When Sigi subbed new striker Pat Noonan on, the front line immediately gained a sharper edge to it. I'm thinking Noonan will begin to get more and more time and Roger will take his place on the bench.
Other than that, not too much to say about the game. I could complain about the RBulls fouls, and the inconsistent, weak-kneed refereeing, but there's no use pinning the blame on anyone else other than the Sounders. They shot themselves in the foot. It was about the only target they could hit last night!
Let's get it back against the Rapids!
The goal came early in the first half after one of New York's rare forays into Sounder territory. The Sounders defense made a hash of clearing the cross and the ball bounced to Macoumba Hatata (I know it's Kandji, but I love that song) who did a great job of bending his lanky legs to get a shot off, sending the ball into and under the crossbar.
The stats show Seattle's apparent control of the game. I couldn't find any stats for possession, but I have to think it was over 60% in Seatttle's favor. (This was despite very sloppy play, particularly from Porkchop, who seemed to give the ball away at every opportunity). We were quite literally in control of this game, with the simple exception of being down a goal, and not being able to roll the onion into the bag.
The worst of the culprits was normally reliable Freddie Ljungberg who headed the ball just wide of the post on a free header. The Swede grabbed his head in frustration as he knew he should've brought the Sounders back on level terms at that point. Freddie was also culpable for losing his cool with the refs and the RBulls Boltonesque tactics. At one point, Ljungberb tried to kick the ball into the back of an RBull opponent and missed sending the ball past the touchline for a Bulls' goal kick. It was a stupid, juvenile act that squandered what should've been, at least another attempt on goal. Thus was the Sounders' night.
Montero was back to his lazy ways. The most energy and commitment he showed all night long was in pestering the keeper on his kicks. I rate this as highly as Freddie L's throw-away free kick.
I've always liked Roger Levesque's work ethic and spirit, but he was wasted space on the field Saturday. He was making me think wistfully of the days of Nate Jaqua. When Sigi subbed new striker Pat Noonan on, the front line immediately gained a sharper edge to it. I'm thinking Noonan will begin to get more and more time and Roger will take his place on the bench.
Other than that, not too much to say about the game. I could complain about the RBulls fouls, and the inconsistent, weak-kneed refereeing, but there's no use pinning the blame on anyone else other than the Sounders. They shot themselves in the foot. It was about the only target they could hit last night!
Let's get it back against the Rapids!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Late (Late, Late, Late) Show at the Emirates
A couple of things were clear from the start. As line-ups were announced it was clearly a weakened side as Clichy, Diaby, Nasri, Bendtner did not feature, aside from the other more serious absences. And Arsenal set a record for the slowest left-back in the history of top flight play, Mikael Silvestre. Wenger could afford the luxury of putting the old Frenchman outside as Wolves rarely looked able to trouble him.
In the early going, it didn't seem to matter as everything from Arsenal came down the right-side with Theo Walcott, fresh off his game-changing goal against Barca, looking like he's re-discovered football. But, it was to be short-lived as Walcott soon showed that while he had all pace in the world to get to the end-line he really had no idea what to do when he got there. Still, Arsenal created chance after chance in the early going but they just couldn't find the key to unlock the goal (one place to start would've been to quit shooting at the keeper).
(BTW, Arsenal had no corner kicks during Thursday's Champions League match. When was the last time Arsenal finished a game with no corners?)
The half finished 0-0, with Arsenal creating plenty of pressure, but showing a real lack of composure shooting at goal. Towards the latter stages, the Gunners clearly showed that (without Cesc...and Arshavin...and Nasri) they were running out of ideas. Let's see if Arsene gives them a few in his halftime talk.
Second half starts and a couple of things are abundantly clear. First, Eduardo is very ineffectual; just a shadow of hi pre-injury self. no conviction attacking the goal, a couple of bad whiffs and no speed. Arsenal are getting multiple crosses in (they're raining right in now) and don't have any goal scorers to poke it in. Several times I saw the ball come whipping in and Arsenal players standing watching Hanneman catch the ball. Just throw yourself at the ball a little; that's all I aks!
Never thought I'd find myself saying it, but by the 6oth minute I was screaming for Big Nick to get subbed on.
I'm sorry to say but Theo Walcott is just rubbish. His speed definitely changed the Barca game and he did score the first goal in the comeback (although take a look at the replay, it wasn't a good finish; more Valdes' mistake than Theo's prowess.) but the kid has got no finish. Consistently, he's picking the wrong pass or just wildly whipping the ball in, hoping that someone will be there. You can afford to play him against a team the caliber of Wolves, but against the likes of Chelsea or ManUre, he'll be deadly to the Arsenal.
At the 65th minute, the ref gives an apparent assist to Arsenal, reaching for his yellow card and mistakenly pulls out a red card on Carl Henry (there's no way that tackle was anything but a yellow). I had to wonder if the effect of going down a player might galvanize Wolves. Arsenal did bring down a lot more pressure after the card, but give Wolverhampton credit, the lads never gave up and created a few nervy moments for the Arsenal supporters.
The Gunners could not do the job in a full 90 and when the ref gave 5 minutes of stoppage time, I had to wonder if that would be enough. In the 93rd minute, Walcott gets the best chance of the game, when Rosicki find him alone against Hanneman in the area and the winger badly scuffs the chance to win the game. Dropped points, thy name is Walcott (and Almunia). I know he's young, but it's clear the experiment is over. We can't afford to keep putting him on the pitch. Let him go try to develop as a player somewhere lower down the table. Arsene could probably get a decent amount for him and use that to help buy a real keeper.
Finally, my hero, Bendtner Scores in the 94th plus-minute. Rosicki finds Sagna out wide of the box and the French defender lifts a nice ball in the area, leaving it to the Big Dane to outmuscle his defender and direct the ball past the keeper and just past the good side of the near post. Beautiful goal!
I could grouse about the game all day long, but the bottom line is that championship-calibre teams win the tough games. They pull out the 3 points on the off days. The hope stays alive for another week.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Well, the injury count on last night's 2-2 draw with Barcelona was pretty horrific. Cesc is done for the season with a broken fibula, Arshavin yoinked the calf muscle, and Gallass re-crocked his calf. How often do you see a Champions League match where a team loses that many players?
It was inspirational to see the Arsenal Captain refusing to come off the pitch, despite having a broken leg. I have to think that a lot of credit for Arsenal's newly found resilience that they've displayed this season is down to the competitiveness of their captain. Now, we've got to hope that the team rallies around Fabregas to make a run at the Champions League and Premier League titles.
Around the 20th minute of the game I commented to my wife that Wenger's game strategy was clearly to let Barca have all the possession they wanted so that they would wear themselves out. Strangely enough, it almost loooked that way in the end. By the time, Arsene subbed Walcott on, the Barca players could only look on as the kid blew by them like...well, like Messi, perhaps.
I also was struck by how badly Arsenal needed to play very un-Arsenal like and get stuck in on Barca, a point that Robbo Robson makes in his always excellent blog:
Why do we Brits get quite so awe-struck by Barca? It seems ironic to me that Wenger has spent the season complaining about how teams are being too aggressive against his side and yet here the Gunners were up against a team that played the Arsenal way, only about five times better and Arsenal desperately needed to get amongst them.
I reckon if Tony Pulis had given the tactical team-talk they might have had more of a chance. Instead Guardiola's team left Arsenal's players looking like a particularly tormented bunch of toddlers learning the rudiments of piggy-in-the-middle.
Perhaps they'll figure that out by next Tuesday.
It was inspirational to see the Arsenal Captain refusing to come off the pitch, despite having a broken leg. I have to think that a lot of credit for Arsenal's newly found resilience that they've displayed this season is down to the competitiveness of their captain. Now, we've got to hope that the team rallies around Fabregas to make a run at the Champions League and Premier League titles.
Around the 20th minute of the game I commented to my wife that Wenger's game strategy was clearly to let Barca have all the possession they wanted so that they would wear themselves out. Strangely enough, it almost loooked that way in the end. By the time, Arsene subbed Walcott on, the Barca players could only look on as the kid blew by them like...well, like Messi, perhaps.
I also was struck by how badly Arsenal needed to play very un-Arsenal like and get stuck in on Barca, a point that Robbo Robson makes in his always excellent blog:
Why do we Brits get quite so awe-struck by Barca? It seems ironic to me that Wenger has spent the season complaining about how teams are being too aggressive against his side and yet here the Gunners were up against a team that played the Arsenal way, only about five times better and Arsenal desperately needed to get amongst them.
I reckon if Tony Pulis had given the tactical team-talk they might have had more of a chance. Instead Guardiola's team left Arsenal's players looking like a particularly tormented bunch of toddlers learning the rudiments of piggy-in-the-middle.
Perhaps they'll figure that out by next Tuesday.
Holy Crap!
So, that's what it feels like to be West Ham.
I wrote that at about the 63rd minute of complete domination of Arsenal by Barcelona (one Theo Walcott lightning strike aside). For the first time, I'd realized how it must feel to be a West Ham or Hull City fan coming up against a side that plays keep-away against you for 90 minutes. Even up until Cesc Fabregas' equalizer penalty kick, Barca had 65% posession.
Has any side ever so thoroughly dominated another in the late stages of the Champions League and only come away with a 2-2 draw? What a weird and somewhat wonderful game (take away the injuries to our two most dangerous players)
Random thoughts on the game:
I wrote that at about the 63rd minute of complete domination of Arsenal by Barcelona (one Theo Walcott lightning strike aside). For the first time, I'd realized how it must feel to be a West Ham or Hull City fan coming up against a side that plays keep-away against you for 90 minutes. Even up until Cesc Fabregas' equalizer penalty kick, Barca had 65% posession.
Has any side ever so thoroughly dominated another in the late stages of the Champions League and only come away with a 2-2 draw? What a weird and somewhat wonderful game (take away the injuries to our two most dangerous players)
Random thoughts on the game:
- Manuel Almunia's defects as a goalkeeper were shown in bold display. As a shotstopper, he's not too shabby. He kept the Gunners in the game in a starting 15 minutes in which Barca had so many shots it felt like a Final Four Match, not a Champions League Quarterfinal. It's all the other things you expect out of a keeper - positioning, covering crosses & corners, not rolling the ball into pressure, positioning, not palming the ball into your own goal in the last second of a game, and...positioning. That first goal was embarrassing. I'm sure even his mom wanted to turn off the TV right then.
- Nick Bendtner didn't have a very distinguished game and yet he figured heavily in both Arsenal goals. The pass to Walcott, brilliant. The knock down to Fabregas, likewise.
- Abou Diaby reverted to his Diaby Diaby Doo persona. He gave the ball away so many times I was beginning to believe he must've thought it was booby-trapped. Must do better.
- Gallass down. It looked bad. That's a blow for the run in, and my guess is he's done for the year. I hope Sol is ready to go the distance and please, please, please, let's not see any more Mikael Silvestre.
- The Fabregas injury looked serious. He says it's a broken leg. Regardless, it looks like he's done for the season. Damn bad news. But the sight of him telling the the coaches he can go on, must go on and then hobbling around Emirates for the last 7 minutes was an incredible testament to the lad's spirit.
- Samir Nasri had a near-brilliant game. During the first 20 minute siege he was constantly a step or three behind, trying to catch the speedy Danny Alves, but after that he was the most consistent midfielder on the field. Tackled better than he has all season and provided the most danger to Barca with the crosses in. We will need something amazing from him at the Nou Camp.
- As for that, any sane person will write Arsenal off, 3 starters down, 2 away goals hanging around their neck, Manuel Almunia in goal, and I have to agree. Logically, they have no chance whatsoever...but, football is a strange, strange game. The very fact that they achieved the improbable, scoring 2 goals to grab a draw from a game that by all rights should've been oh, about 8-0, should be enough to at least keep the flame of hope burning for Gunners. Time for Arsene to deliver a "win one for Cesc" speech.
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