Sports Illustrated reported this morning that CF Pachuca won the CONCACAF Champions' Cup by beating CD Chivas de Guadalajara on PKs. The way I see it, when a Major League Soccer (MLS) club failed in this year's tourney, Pachuca became my second choice. It could have been the free admission ploy that won me over.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to pulling for Pachuca (which reads dirtier each time I type it) in the World Club Championship this December.
(#########)
Showing posts with label CONCACAF Champions Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CONCACAF Champions Cup. Show all posts
CONCACAF Champs' Cup: I Am Nativist Scum
After following the CONCACAF Champions' Cup closely so long as Major League Soccer's participation lasted, I'm a bit embarrassed to admit I don't even know when the first leg of the final took place.
When I found a blog post on the first leg of the final, though - and it was an in-game post that looks to have captured the events fairly well - I at least took the time to read it. So that takes away a bit of my Yanqui self-loathing, though not all....
In any case, that report reveals that CF Pachuca forced a 2-2 tie in CD Chivas de Guadalajara's home, Estadio Jalisco and gives them the advantage in the series as it heads back to Pachuca.
Whichever team makes it, I'm likely as not to pull for them in the World Club Cup, just as I would have pulled for any MLS team - even LA - that made it...unless, they played Liverpool...
(########)
When I found a blog post on the first leg of the final, though - and it was an in-game post that looks to have captured the events fairly well - I at least took the time to read it. So that takes away a bit of my Yanqui self-loathing, though not all....
In any case, that report reveals that CF Pachuca forced a 2-2 tie in CD Chivas de Guadalajara's home, Estadio Jalisco and gives them the advantage in the series as it heads back to Pachuca.
Whichever team makes it, I'm likely as not to pull for them in the World Club Cup, just as I would have pulled for any MLS team - even LA - that made it...unless, they played Liverpool...
(########)
Champs' Cup: I'd rather be happy than proud
It was my intention to turn out a more formal wrap-up of the participation of Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs in this year’s edition of the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup (CCC). But the 4 a.m. puking wake-up call my three-year-old turned in left me a little too scrambled to produce a grand narrative. So, here are some random thoughts as they come to me.
Before digging into this, I may as well mention that I missed a good chunk - the good chunk from the sound of it - of the second half. I saw Brian Mullan give Houston the 3-2 advantage on aggregate, but didn’t see anything after that till the overtime.
- Obviously, it’s over - American participation in the CCC, along with a shot at seeing an MLS team in the World Club Cup, that is. Dammit. Pleasing as it was to see the incredible fight Houston put into last night’s game, I’d rather be happy today than proud. I take this as a healthy sign. The ol’ college try doesn’t satisfy any more. The displays put on by both clubs tell me MLS clubs are good enough to win these series - and against the best teams in the region.
- How shitty was Houston’s start? One goal conceded on sloppy, sloppy defending, the other by what looked to me like a valid PK. For all that, Houston settled tolerably as the first half wore on. They at least stopped the rout.
- Credit Wade Barrett for a good patch of that, who, so long as I was watching, defended wonderfully; based on the things I saw, he’s my man of the match - just relentless and constructive in throwing himself in front of everything and playing out of tight spaces.
- If not Barrett, Mullan should get MVP. That dude ripped it up on the right, scoring, crossing, defending. Damn shame it didn’t go into a winning effort.
- I didn’t think the ref blew the call on Pachuca’s second penalty (the first was a no-brainer; ball went one way and Craig Waibel clearly made contact); more precisely, I think it was a harsh call given that it was on the edge of the area. I would have been more charitable. Then again, it looked like Brian Ching lost the ball out of bounds on the run that set up Mullan’s goal - and the ref was astute enough to notice the defender flopped as if shot when Ching so much as looked in his general direction. So, cosmically, I suppose things worked out. Still....
- The one thing I got most wrong in the run-up to the game was Houston’s stamina and the affects of the considerable altitude. Sure, Eddie Robinson looked rubber-legged drunk by the second overtime, but Houston had enough in the tank to survive Pachuca’s onslaught. Moreover....
- How painful was Brian Ching’s miss in the first overtime - y’know, the one that came just minutes before Christian Gimenez’s winner game-winner? Add to that Dwayne DeRosario’s point-blank header off Mullan’s cross (hmm...maybe he does get man-of-the-match) and the most incredible thing about this series was how close Houston came under the circumstances. Still, given the course of the game, one almost has to assume they’d surrender a goal only minutes after scoring. Dammit.
- As hard as they fought, the fact remains Houston let in five goals last night. Yeah, two of them were penalties, but those came through very intense pressure. The main thing is, you’re just not going to win many doing that.
- OK, final pick: Brian Mullan gets man-of-the-match.
So, like I said, I can’t claim to be happy, so I don’t care so much about being proud. MLS clubs still did really well this year. There’s no question in my mind that Mexican clubs won’t take these guys lightly in future meetings and tournaments. We’ll get that win on Mexican soil before too long.
Right. That’s all I’ve got.
Here’s the official match report.
Before digging into this, I may as well mention that I missed a good chunk - the good chunk from the sound of it - of the second half. I saw Brian Mullan give Houston the 3-2 advantage on aggregate, but didn’t see anything after that till the overtime.
- Obviously, it’s over - American participation in the CCC, along with a shot at seeing an MLS team in the World Club Cup, that is. Dammit. Pleasing as it was to see the incredible fight Houston put into last night’s game, I’d rather be happy today than proud. I take this as a healthy sign. The ol’ college try doesn’t satisfy any more. The displays put on by both clubs tell me MLS clubs are good enough to win these series - and against the best teams in the region.
- How shitty was Houston’s start? One goal conceded on sloppy, sloppy defending, the other by what looked to me like a valid PK. For all that, Houston settled tolerably as the first half wore on. They at least stopped the rout.
- Credit Wade Barrett for a good patch of that, who, so long as I was watching, defended wonderfully; based on the things I saw, he’s my man of the match - just relentless and constructive in throwing himself in front of everything and playing out of tight spaces.
- If not Barrett, Mullan should get MVP. That dude ripped it up on the right, scoring, crossing, defending. Damn shame it didn’t go into a winning effort.
- I didn’t think the ref blew the call on Pachuca’s second penalty (the first was a no-brainer; ball went one way and Craig Waibel clearly made contact); more precisely, I think it was a harsh call given that it was on the edge of the area. I would have been more charitable. Then again, it looked like Brian Ching lost the ball out of bounds on the run that set up Mullan’s goal - and the ref was astute enough to notice the defender flopped as if shot when Ching so much as looked in his general direction. So, cosmically, I suppose things worked out. Still....
- The one thing I got most wrong in the run-up to the game was Houston’s stamina and the affects of the considerable altitude. Sure, Eddie Robinson looked rubber-legged drunk by the second overtime, but Houston had enough in the tank to survive Pachuca’s onslaught. Moreover....
- How painful was Brian Ching’s miss in the first overtime - y’know, the one that came just minutes before Christian Gimenez’s winner game-winner? Add to that Dwayne DeRosario’s point-blank header off Mullan’s cross (hmm...maybe he does get man-of-the-match) and the most incredible thing about this series was how close Houston came under the circumstances. Still, given the course of the game, one almost has to assume they’d surrender a goal only minutes after scoring. Dammit.
- As hard as they fought, the fact remains Houston let in five goals last night. Yeah, two of them were penalties, but those came through very intense pressure. The main thing is, you’re just not going to win many doing that.
- OK, final pick: Brian Mullan gets man-of-the-match.
So, like I said, I can’t claim to be happy, so I don’t care so much about being proud. MLS clubs still did really well this year. There’s no question in my mind that Mexican clubs won’t take these guys lightly in future meetings and tournaments. We’ll get that win on Mexican soil before too long.
Right. That’s all I’ve got.
Here’s the official match report.
Houston v. Pachuca Primer
With the "other" semifinal of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup taking place tonight, some previews are appearing in expected places. MLSnet.com, of course, turned in a basic preview, but the key detail I found in there was state of the weather. (For the record, it sounds very pleasant.)
The Houston Chronicle one-upped, or rather two-upped the official site with a trio of previews: one on the players' mindset heading into the game; another on the notion of Houston "flying the flag" for Major League Soccer (which that bastard Troy Perkins dropped in the Guadalajara mud...I'm kidding!; don't kill me!); and a third that compares both clubs in payroll and top-flight status - after which it declares them not so much different - and also stands as the first place I read about Pachuca charging no admission to the game. Damn. That's cool.
Those were good, but the best item I read all day came from Glenn Davis - and, for the record, out of the Chronicle. Davis, you see, did some scouting on Pachuca and gives the readers, who will become viewers tonight (FSC, 6:30 p.m. where I am), something to look for on the other side of the ball. So, yeah, between the scouting and tactical talk, Davis' turned in the best piece of the day, this one.
He wasn't alone - for instance, Sideline Views and LA Soccer News turned in pieces that touch on tactics - and I'm going to join in here with big-picture strategery of my own:
Nearly everyone worries about the first 20 minutes or so, while I'm more preoccupied with the final 20. That's not to say I don't think Pachuca won't jump on Houston from the starting whistle - they probably will and, what's more, their recent performances (5-0 over Veracruz) suggest they're good for it. But I also think I saw DC's legs desert them toward the end of Tuesday's game and suspect the same will happen to Houston. As such, if I were coaching Houston, I'd have my team attack when they have the ball and press when they don't over the opening 45 minutes. The idea is to build on the goal differential or, failing that, keep Pachuca buried in their end and anxious about the result. And, to borrow a good idea from (I think) Davis, I'd line up in a 4-5-1, with Brian Ching alone up top.
Keep the subs handy for the second half and make all of them defensive in nature, though not necessarily outright defenders; if you're feeling jiggy or have only a one-goal lead, sub Paul Dalglish for Ching at the half to use as a quick-hit counter option. But, overall, the idea is to force Pachuca to come at you and make them feel rushed.
Anyway, that's what I'd do. And, again, I don't say this but once or twice a year, but here it is: Go Houston!
(#########)
The Houston Chronicle one-upped, or rather two-upped the official site with a trio of previews: one on the players' mindset heading into the game; another on the notion of Houston "flying the flag" for Major League Soccer (which that bastard Troy Perkins dropped in the Guadalajara mud...I'm kidding!; don't kill me!); and a third that compares both clubs in payroll and top-flight status - after which it declares them not so much different - and also stands as the first place I read about Pachuca charging no admission to the game. Damn. That's cool.
Those were good, but the best item I read all day came from Glenn Davis - and, for the record, out of the Chronicle. Davis, you see, did some scouting on Pachuca and gives the readers, who will become viewers tonight (FSC, 6:30 p.m. where I am), something to look for on the other side of the ball. So, yeah, between the scouting and tactical talk, Davis' turned in the best piece of the day, this one.
He wasn't alone - for instance, Sideline Views and LA Soccer News turned in pieces that touch on tactics - and I'm going to join in here with big-picture strategery of my own:
Nearly everyone worries about the first 20 minutes or so, while I'm more preoccupied with the final 20. That's not to say I don't think Pachuca won't jump on Houston from the starting whistle - they probably will and, what's more, their recent performances (5-0 over Veracruz) suggest they're good for it. But I also think I saw DC's legs desert them toward the end of Tuesday's game and suspect the same will happen to Houston. As such, if I were coaching Houston, I'd have my team attack when they have the ball and press when they don't over the opening 45 minutes. The idea is to build on the goal differential or, failing that, keep Pachuca buried in their end and anxious about the result. And, to borrow a good idea from (I think) Davis, I'd line up in a 4-5-1, with Brian Ching alone up top.
Keep the subs handy for the second half and make all of them defensive in nature, though not necessarily outright defenders; if you're feeling jiggy or have only a one-goal lead, sub Paul Dalglish for Ching at the half to use as a quick-hit counter option. But, overall, the idea is to force Pachuca to come at you and make them feel rushed.
Anyway, that's what I'd do. And, again, I don't say this but once or twice a year, but here it is: Go Houston!
(#########)
DC Loses: What I, and All Y'all, Saw
Here's what I saw, with the commentary of some sharp thinkers helpfully sprinkled in the text:
- CD Chivas de Guadalajara was not a better team last night. I thought that applied to the first leg if only on a player-to-player level, but, till they tired around the 75th minute, DC looked pretty damn good. And they owned the first half.
- DC looked best working the ball up the field, though they looked more comfortable once the ball left the defense (Facundo Erpen's corner of it in particular; still good for a shocker, that guy). But DC worked the ball well, they found openings, and, for fair chunks of the first half, had Chivas pinned in their own end. The final breakthrough eluded them - notably when the ball came down the wing for Clyde Simms, who as Steve Goff points out, is ill-used at that position - at least until it didn't...
- ...speaking of which, there are a lot of adjectives I'd apply to Jaime Moreno's standing bicycle - clever, inspired if I'm in an expansive mood - but "spectacular?" "High-light reel?" It wasn't that good. But the way it came showed Luciano Emilio's quality, who, as at least one smart guy pointed out, was smothered for much of the game. The take-away is that Emilio is the kind of striker you want on your team, one who can hurt the opposition the one time he slips free.
- Not a few noticed DC's defense getting stretched from time-to-time, especially when what I read as serious fatigue set in (take notice Houston; the lungs will burn more still 3,000 more feet above sea level). The best comment I saw on this, from USSoccerplayer.com's Ian Plenderleith, puts it best:
- I bolded that part because I think DC survived most of these. The crucial, second goal was a pure gaffe, of course, but Perkins kept the score close on at least three, if not four, other occasions; when Moreno said the loss wasn't Perkins' fault he wasn't kidding. And, in spite of what Max Bretos or Christopher Sullivan said, I don't think Bobby Boswell "lost his mark" on the first Chivas goal either (and I disagree with Goff's assertion in the Washington Post's main write-up that this was an "easy goal"; Bautista had to adjust to get the shot around a sliding defender); Erpen got beat around the corner and Boswell moved to cover, which seemed sensible enough. What I'm getting at is that there were more gaffes that could have bit DC; that should be a worrying sign for them. Perkins' thing was an awful, and as I see it uncharacteristic, fluke. The other was a fairly routine break-down. But, as DCenters pointed out, DC only became really lose at the back toward the end. The point is, they'll make mistakes, but they do cover pretty well when they do.
- Turning to a perennial obsession in these competitions, I think it's fair to say DC's approach to the game and wholly competent execution opened some eyes south of the border. Based on stray comments I'm seeing, Chivas knew they had to fight for lsat night's win; more to the point, they appreciate that they got a little lucky.
- I think the favorite thing I read about this game all week appeared in the comments on The DCenters first impressions post; it was written by a Matt W:
Don't get me wrong, because I love Matt W's moxie and I also believe DC will do well this year, but the folly of that statement returns to the defensive issues I suspect DC will continue to have. The lesson for the rest of the league in last night's game is this: be patient with DC; they will make mistakes at the back, especially when you force them.
All in all, I was sad to see DC drop this game. I still believe they have a better shot at winning it all than Houston (though I can't wait to write the "We're all Houston fans today" post if they do win), but it just wasn't meant to be. Perkins' major gaffe and the earlier, back-breaking goal aside (as if those can be merrily excused), DC played a very good game and they look like they'll be a handful this year. And they have every right to return home with heads held high.
- CD Chivas de Guadalajara was not a better team last night. I thought that applied to the first leg if only on a player-to-player level, but, till they tired around the 75th minute, DC looked pretty damn good. And they owned the first half.
- DC looked best working the ball up the field, though they looked more comfortable once the ball left the defense (Facundo Erpen's corner of it in particular; still good for a shocker, that guy). But DC worked the ball well, they found openings, and, for fair chunks of the first half, had Chivas pinned in their own end. The final breakthrough eluded them - notably when the ball came down the wing for Clyde Simms, who as Steve Goff points out, is ill-used at that position - at least until it didn't...
- ...speaking of which, there are a lot of adjectives I'd apply to Jaime Moreno's standing bicycle - clever, inspired if I'm in an expansive mood - but "spectacular?" "High-light reel?" It wasn't that good. But the way it came showed Luciano Emilio's quality, who, as at least one smart guy pointed out, was smothered for much of the game. The take-away is that Emilio is the kind of striker you want on your team, one who can hurt the opposition the one time he slips free.
- Not a few noticed DC's defense getting stretched from time-to-time, especially when what I read as serious fatigue set in (take notice Houston; the lungs will burn more still 3,000 more feet above sea level). The best comment I saw on this, from USSoccerplayer.com's Ian Plenderleith, puts it best:
It wasn't another 5-0 hiding like the one this club suffered at Pumas two years ago in the same competition, and at least the MLS team took the game to the home side and caused them a few jitters by taking a 1-0 lead. Jaime Moreno's brilliantly improvised overhead kick wasn't enough, thanks to the kind of elementary defensive errors that can, at times, be a United specialty."
- I bolded that part because I think DC survived most of these. The crucial, second goal was a pure gaffe, of course, but Perkins kept the score close on at least three, if not four, other occasions; when Moreno said the loss wasn't Perkins' fault he wasn't kidding. And, in spite of what Max Bretos or Christopher Sullivan said, I don't think Bobby Boswell "lost his mark" on the first Chivas goal either (and I disagree with Goff's assertion in the Washington Post's main write-up that this was an "easy goal"; Bautista had to adjust to get the shot around a sliding defender); Erpen got beat around the corner and Boswell moved to cover, which seemed sensible enough. What I'm getting at is that there were more gaffes that could have bit DC; that should be a worrying sign for them. Perkins' thing was an awful, and as I see it uncharacteristic, fluke. The other was a fairly routine break-down. But, as DCenters pointed out, DC only became really lose at the back toward the end. The point is, they'll make mistakes, but they do cover pretty well when they do.
- Turning to a perennial obsession in these competitions, I think it's fair to say DC's approach to the game and wholly competent execution opened some eyes south of the border. Based on stray comments I'm seeing, Chivas knew they had to fight for lsat night's win; more to the point, they appreciate that they got a little lucky.
- I think the favorite thing I read about this game all week appeared in the comments on The DCenters first impressions post; it was written by a Matt W:
"I'm looking forward to SuperLiga competition. And I'm a little let down that we have nothing but domestic league competition for the next three months. This must be how Celtic and Rangers fans feel."
Don't get me wrong, because I love Matt W's moxie and I also believe DC will do well this year, but the folly of that statement returns to the defensive issues I suspect DC will continue to have. The lesson for the rest of the league in last night's game is this: be patient with DC; they will make mistakes at the back, especially when you force them.
All in all, I was sad to see DC drop this game. I still believe they have a better shot at winning it all than Houston (though I can't wait to write the "We're all Houston fans today" post if they do win), but it just wasn't meant to be. Perkins' major gaffe and the earlier, back-breaking goal aside (as if those can be merrily excused), DC played a very good game and they look like they'll be a handful this year. And they have every right to return home with heads held high.
Big, Nasty DCU v. Chivas Primer (Late Edition)
"This game is not a measuring stick," [Chivas coach Jose Manuel "Chepo"] De la Torre told reporters. "It's life or death. Win or you're out. I can't underestimate anything."
- LA Soccer News, 4.2.2007, (LINK)
Well, that's certainly nice to see. If that doesn't get you riled for tonight's CONCACAF Champions' Cup (CCC) semifinal second leg between Mexico's CD Chivas de Guadalajara and Major League Soccer's DC United, well, you're probably a basketball fan...not that there's anything wrong with that. And that only continues LA Soccer News' bang-up coverage of the CCC semifinals, which I camed across through Sideline Views. The best nugget in all that: one plausible reason why Chivas fared so badly against San Luis in the Mexican Primera this past weekend: they rested four "key players." There's also this tasty quote feast to savor from Sideline Views.
Moving north across the Rio Grande, the Hexagonal Blog provides some crucial background for what you'll be watching tonight, most crucially, this:
"Aggregate goals in home-and-away series, no away goals, 30-minute extra time if tied on aggregate after 90 minutes of second leg and penalties if necessary."
Personally, I think I'd forgotten the part in bold. Beyond the bare-bones backgrounder, Howard Hamilton (who writes the Hex Blog) turned in a preview of for tonight's game. Like a lot of people - the Washington Post's Steve Goff - he sees a close, but unhappy ending; Goff's post, for what it's worth, contains a slew of predictions from across the board.
As for my prediction, I'm going to play it half-safe. First, I don't think DC will win, which is kind of a shame because I think they have a better chance of winning the final if they can get past Chivas; and that's acknowledging the two-goal lead Houston carries into the second leg (more later - as in another day). The degree by which DC loses will depend on whether Chivas manages an early goal; my greatest fear is that I'll get myself all cozy and tipsy, only to have DC surrender a goal in the first 15 minutes. If they survive the first half, though, I suspect I'll inch toward believing; if DC can take this to penalties, I'd like to think it's either team's game.
Anyway, there are tons of round-ups/previews around the blog-overse. Here's a short list:
DCenters: (LINK) - decent look at tactics, notably the idea that pretty ain't important.
ESPN: (LINK) - I know that if I kiss Jeff Carlisle's ass any more than I have, I'll have to propose, but he's got good stuff there for both games, including players to watch; the Kelly Gray observation is a big one.
Washington Post (LINK) - Goff's formal effort is long on the history between club teams from Mexico and the U.S. - and we don't come out looking good there. Still, there's always the first time, right?
Washington Times (LINK) - This one reads not a little like the Post's content, but appears here for this wonderful quote from Ben Olsen, in which he picks up bonus points for using the word "special" precisely up to the limit of nausea, while simultaneously looking down his nose (and past his beard) at the rest of MLS:
""It's a tough task. But why not us? This team can do it. I think this is a special team and special teams can go down there and win. We've yet to prove that we are that special team. Hopefully this year we can start separating ourselves from some other teams in MLS in these competitions."
In any case, I'll only say this a few times a year, but here it is: Go DC!
CONCACAF: Respect; 2nd-Leg Strategery
I've been sitting on a concept for a while, specifically the notion that Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs can gain respect through international club competitions. A post over on Soccer y Futbol just under a week ago touched on this grand idea of "respect," and they dismissed it, correctly as I see it, as irrelevant and manufacture, the latter at least to some degree.
The relative success of MLS clubs in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup got me thinking that events had reached a point where kicking around the concept in my head made sense. So, I went ahead and sent it over to Write On Sports and they were good enough to post it. In broad terms, MLS clubs will earn respect when they win, win, and win again. That might not even work, but I'll tell you what won't gain us any sporting slaps on the behind: continually griping about the conditions and timing of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, whether it's venues or the fact MLS clubs are in their preseason. And I know this is deadly tempting: I know I made plenty out of that God-awful field in Puntarenas. But the point is, you have the conditions you have and you adapt to them, not gripe about them.
But in the end, it's only the "W's" that ultimately matter - and the more you get, the more respect; put another way, it's not something you ask for, but something you earn. In any case, I elaborate on this in the article, so I'll shut up about it now.
On a related note, I do a fair review of the first legs in the article, but very little on how I see the MLS delegation - e.g. DC United and the Houston Dynamo - playing the return legs in Mexico. Yeah, those games are a ways off, but seeing as we'll all be preoccupied with the U.S. National Team by the tend of the week, we may as well get the thinking about this out of the way.
Game-Plan for Houston
If either team had a greater need to carry a cushion into the second leg, it's Houston; playing at nearly 8,000 feet certainly complicates this tie. The question is, do they try the ol' bunker-and-counter, knowing the Pachuca will be running at them, or do they try a push a possession game up the field - e.g. moving the ball up the field, but dropping it back to keep Pachuca chasing? While I'm dubious as tow whether Houston has the skill to pull this off, the latter would look a lot like how Chivas played against DC: retain possession near midfield and dump in the occasional ball to keep Pachuca honest. My guess is that Houston will go for a bunker-and-counter and, this being a results-oriented affair, I suppose I can't blame them. But I think the "Chivas" game plan would work better for them.
The biggest question mark, though: what to do if Ricardo Clark can't play the second leg? Houston fans will know this better than me: is it time for Chris Wondolowski's debut? Time to move Kelly Gray into the d-mid slot (though his passing for much of last Thursday hardly justified it)? What's the adjustment here?
Whatever they do, I think Houston's focus should be in killing this game, as opposed to winning it.
Game-Plan for DC
I didn't realize "tricky" was spelled "carrying a tie into a return leg in Guadalajara" till I started thinking about this game. It's clear that DC needs a win and, therefore, it would seem they'd have to take the game to Chivas at some point. The question is how early and for how long?
My first impulse tells me DC should come out swinging hard. See if you can throw Chivas off their game - I know; easier said than done - for 20 minutes or so. Maybe the disruption will carry over deeper into the game and keep Chivas wary...crap, I don't know. And for the obvious reason: Chivas sneaking in an early goal on a counter would make DC chase the game - opening the MLS club to more counters as the game, and their players, wear on. In the end, that possibility is too risky for my tastes.
The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to think DC just needs to go to Guadalajara and operate on Plan A - e.g. the way they'd play any other game of the season. You adjust for a player here or there, of course, but otherwise DC should just play there game....only better than they did at home. Play a patient game, looking for openings, and making them where you can, but, otherwise, keeping shape and poise are the watchwords. A stretch, I know, but I can't see a departure from their game working for them against a Chivas squad, backed by a hostile crowd at altitude.
Well, that's all I've got. Back to the season previews tomorrow.
The relative success of MLS clubs in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup got me thinking that events had reached a point where kicking around the concept in my head made sense. So, I went ahead and sent it over to Write On Sports and they were good enough to post it. In broad terms, MLS clubs will earn respect when they win, win, and win again. That might not even work, but I'll tell you what won't gain us any sporting slaps on the behind: continually griping about the conditions and timing of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, whether it's venues or the fact MLS clubs are in their preseason. And I know this is deadly tempting: I know I made plenty out of that God-awful field in Puntarenas. But the point is, you have the conditions you have and you adapt to them, not gripe about them.
But in the end, it's only the "W's" that ultimately matter - and the more you get, the more respect; put another way, it's not something you ask for, but something you earn. In any case, I elaborate on this in the article, so I'll shut up about it now.
On a related note, I do a fair review of the first legs in the article, but very little on how I see the MLS delegation - e.g. DC United and the Houston Dynamo - playing the return legs in Mexico. Yeah, those games are a ways off, but seeing as we'll all be preoccupied with the U.S. National Team by the tend of the week, we may as well get the thinking about this out of the way.
Game-Plan for Houston
If either team had a greater need to carry a cushion into the second leg, it's Houston; playing at nearly 8,000 feet certainly complicates this tie. The question is, do they try the ol' bunker-and-counter, knowing the Pachuca will be running at them, or do they try a push a possession game up the field - e.g. moving the ball up the field, but dropping it back to keep Pachuca chasing? While I'm dubious as tow whether Houston has the skill to pull this off, the latter would look a lot like how Chivas played against DC: retain possession near midfield and dump in the occasional ball to keep Pachuca honest. My guess is that Houston will go for a bunker-and-counter and, this being a results-oriented affair, I suppose I can't blame them. But I think the "Chivas" game plan would work better for them.
The biggest question mark, though: what to do if Ricardo Clark can't play the second leg? Houston fans will know this better than me: is it time for Chris Wondolowski's debut? Time to move Kelly Gray into the d-mid slot (though his passing for much of last Thursday hardly justified it)? What's the adjustment here?
Whatever they do, I think Houston's focus should be in killing this game, as opposed to winning it.
Game-Plan for DC
I didn't realize "tricky" was spelled "carrying a tie into a return leg in Guadalajara" till I started thinking about this game. It's clear that DC needs a win and, therefore, it would seem they'd have to take the game to Chivas at some point. The question is how early and for how long?
My first impulse tells me DC should come out swinging hard. See if you can throw Chivas off their game - I know; easier said than done - for 20 minutes or so. Maybe the disruption will carry over deeper into the game and keep Chivas wary...crap, I don't know. And for the obvious reason: Chivas sneaking in an early goal on a counter would make DC chase the game - opening the MLS club to more counters as the game, and their players, wear on. In the end, that possibility is too risky for my tastes.
The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to think DC just needs to go to Guadalajara and operate on Plan A - e.g. the way they'd play any other game of the season. You adjust for a player here or there, of course, but otherwise DC should just play there game....only better than they did at home. Play a patient game, looking for openings, and making them where you can, but, otherwise, keeping shape and poise are the watchwords. A stretch, I know, but I can't see a departure from their game working for them against a Chivas squad, backed by a hostile crowd at altitude.
Well, that's all I've got. Back to the season previews tomorrow.
Houston v. Pachuca: What Stuck
Houston Dynamo 2 - 0 CF Pachuca (Report)
Overview
Um, holy poop. Never did I expect this score-line, not least after that frantic first half. But the more remarkable thing was that after scoring that first, somewhat fluky goal, Houston settled into an impressive rhythm; I think it’s fair to say they had Pachuca on the back-foot by the game’s end. Not to take anything away from Houston - and I can’t believe I’m writing this about a game between Mexicans and Americans - but the officiating helped Houston; the question is to what extent.
One big picture point to pass on: this game was a hell of a lot more fun to watch than the DC United v. CD Chivas de Guadalajara affair.
Pachuca
These cats looked so slick for the first twenty minutes that I feared a rout going opposite the final tally. They looked able to carve openings with short, tight passing in the Houston defense at will. With Kelly Gray struggling, they had their best luck down their left side, though Pachuca’s #10 player’s storming runs up the middle caused some problems as well. Their massive center-back was certainly imposing; didn’t look like Houston would ever get around that guy.
Then, something happened; I’m still working out what. Part of it was Houston settling down - Gray’s left side in particular - and, gradually, the gaping opportunities, of which there were a few stopped appearing; Zach Wells saved their best chance, over-enthusiastic finishing launched shots over the bar, and other pulled their shots wide. Then the officiating - which wasn’t awful, but, shockingly, was generous to Houston - seemed to get inside their heads. Players got angry, then they get chippy, and, finally, they got flustered.
In the end, Pachuca’s worst enemy was Pachuca. They got unsettled, they gave up one soft goal (Brian Ching’s near-range, wide-open headed goal) and utterly fell apart on the second. Finishing just one of their several first-half chances would have meant a lot to this series.
Houston
I count myself a fan of Kelly Gray; his versatility is a valuable commodity if nothing else. But I can’t think of a player on either team who had a worse day. So many lowlights: more desperate lunges than I can count (though he nailed a crucial one smack in the middle of the second half), a ten-to-fifteen minute period in the first half when Gray could, literally, not complete a pass to a teammate, and a lackadaisical moment where a lurking Pachuca forward caught him napping en route to a retrieving a ball rolling toward his goal.
But Gray’s individual performance embodied that of his team. That crunching, 70th-ish minute tackle, which that stopped a Pachuca counter dead in its tracks, came around the time Houston started to assert itself in the game. By that time, Gray, along with the rest of Houston, sharpened their game: they intercepted pass after pass by stepping assuredly into the passing lanes; they knocked the ball around quickly and efficiently, keeping possession for decent chunks of time for the first time in 2007. By the end of the game, Houston was on something close to cruise control. If you told me I would type that last sentence anytime before 4:15 p.m. PST yesterday, I would have laughed in your face.
But it happened.
Houston Player Notes
Craig Waibel - Your man of the match. No question for me. Just dominating in the back. He paired well enough with Robinson that I’d consider making the switch permanent.
Wade Barrett - deserves honorable mention at the very least. He and Waibel combined to keep Houston afloat when things looked dark early.
Brian Ching - was absent for so much of the game, but I’m mainly preoccupied with trying to figure out how he got open as he did on his goal. Like the rest of the team, he picked it up and made a couple of nice runs with the ball at his feet, which led to fouls, etc. Good enough day.
Brad Davis - finally looked like himself. The free-kicks/corners/crosses looked good and, toward the end, he did very well with managing possession. And sharp cross on the second goal.
Brian Mullan - can’t lay much claim to having an effective day, at least on offense; little of what he attempted came off. But he was active and disruptive on Houston’s right defense. He seems to be having trouble getting started this year.
Kelly Gray - enjoyed a late tale of redemption; I could hear the stirring music in the background.
Alejandro Moreno - I finally caught how this guy draws so many fouls. His sense of how to establish position at the very last possible second recalls the knack some basketball players have for drawing charges. He had a basically useful day. And I love the sly grin this guy wears as he plays; put another way, Moreno looks how he plays: cunning.
Zach Wells - Clutch, half-lucky first-half save aside, his other notable contribution was less clear-cut. When he came way off his line to try to head the ball away from a Pachuca player, he did leave his net terribly exposed (Waibel covered); but would that have been any worse than letting the player settle and charge in on goal? Even if it almost fell apart, it was a defensible decision.
Dwayne DeRosario - I don’t recall DeRosario being the focus of a tussle like that before; doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, but it was noteworthy to me. No less noteworthy: that simple pass that sprung Davis to set up the second goal.
Chris Wondolowski - way to go, kid! Hell of a finish. Come to Portland and I’ll buy you a beer.
Conclusion
While Houston is by no means on to the final, they certainly did what they had to ahead of the return leg to Mexico. Resisting the temptation to play “bunker-ball” might be the wiser course; killing of games is one technique with which MLS clubs still need practice, even if the future is now. Still, that second half performance has me believing they could actually get a result in Pachuca. And they should expect something very different by way of officiating.
Overview
Um, holy poop. Never did I expect this score-line, not least after that frantic first half. But the more remarkable thing was that after scoring that first, somewhat fluky goal, Houston settled into an impressive rhythm; I think it’s fair to say they had Pachuca on the back-foot by the game’s end. Not to take anything away from Houston - and I can’t believe I’m writing this about a game between Mexicans and Americans - but the officiating helped Houston; the question is to what extent.
One big picture point to pass on: this game was a hell of a lot more fun to watch than the DC United v. CD Chivas de Guadalajara affair.
Pachuca
These cats looked so slick for the first twenty minutes that I feared a rout going opposite the final tally. They looked able to carve openings with short, tight passing in the Houston defense at will. With Kelly Gray struggling, they had their best luck down their left side, though Pachuca’s #10 player’s storming runs up the middle caused some problems as well. Their massive center-back was certainly imposing; didn’t look like Houston would ever get around that guy.
Then, something happened; I’m still working out what. Part of it was Houston settling down - Gray’s left side in particular - and, gradually, the gaping opportunities, of which there were a few stopped appearing; Zach Wells saved their best chance, over-enthusiastic finishing launched shots over the bar, and other pulled their shots wide. Then the officiating - which wasn’t awful, but, shockingly, was generous to Houston - seemed to get inside their heads. Players got angry, then they get chippy, and, finally, they got flustered.
In the end, Pachuca’s worst enemy was Pachuca. They got unsettled, they gave up one soft goal (Brian Ching’s near-range, wide-open headed goal) and utterly fell apart on the second. Finishing just one of their several first-half chances would have meant a lot to this series.
Houston
I count myself a fan of Kelly Gray; his versatility is a valuable commodity if nothing else. But I can’t think of a player on either team who had a worse day. So many lowlights: more desperate lunges than I can count (though he nailed a crucial one smack in the middle of the second half), a ten-to-fifteen minute period in the first half when Gray could, literally, not complete a pass to a teammate, and a lackadaisical moment where a lurking Pachuca forward caught him napping en route to a retrieving a ball rolling toward his goal.
But Gray’s individual performance embodied that of his team. That crunching, 70th-ish minute tackle, which that stopped a Pachuca counter dead in its tracks, came around the time Houston started to assert itself in the game. By that time, Gray, along with the rest of Houston, sharpened their game: they intercepted pass after pass by stepping assuredly into the passing lanes; they knocked the ball around quickly and efficiently, keeping possession for decent chunks of time for the first time in 2007. By the end of the game, Houston was on something close to cruise control. If you told me I would type that last sentence anytime before 4:15 p.m. PST yesterday, I would have laughed in your face.
But it happened.
Houston Player Notes
Craig Waibel - Your man of the match. No question for me. Just dominating in the back. He paired well enough with Robinson that I’d consider making the switch permanent.
Wade Barrett - deserves honorable mention at the very least. He and Waibel combined to keep Houston afloat when things looked dark early.
Brian Ching - was absent for so much of the game, but I’m mainly preoccupied with trying to figure out how he got open as he did on his goal. Like the rest of the team, he picked it up and made a couple of nice runs with the ball at his feet, which led to fouls, etc. Good enough day.
Brad Davis - finally looked like himself. The free-kicks/corners/crosses looked good and, toward the end, he did very well with managing possession. And sharp cross on the second goal.
Brian Mullan - can’t lay much claim to having an effective day, at least on offense; little of what he attempted came off. But he was active and disruptive on Houston’s right defense. He seems to be having trouble getting started this year.
Kelly Gray - enjoyed a late tale of redemption; I could hear the stirring music in the background.
Alejandro Moreno - I finally caught how this guy draws so many fouls. His sense of how to establish position at the very last possible second recalls the knack some basketball players have for drawing charges. He had a basically useful day. And I love the sly grin this guy wears as he plays; put another way, Moreno looks how he plays: cunning.
Zach Wells - Clutch, half-lucky first-half save aside, his other notable contribution was less clear-cut. When he came way off his line to try to head the ball away from a Pachuca player, he did leave his net terribly exposed (Waibel covered); but would that have been any worse than letting the player settle and charge in on goal? Even if it almost fell apart, it was a defensible decision.
Dwayne DeRosario - I don’t recall DeRosario being the focus of a tussle like that before; doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, but it was noteworthy to me. No less noteworthy: that simple pass that sprung Davis to set up the second goal.
Chris Wondolowski - way to go, kid! Hell of a finish. Come to Portland and I’ll buy you a beer.
Conclusion
While Houston is by no means on to the final, they certainly did what they had to ahead of the return leg to Mexico. Resisting the temptation to play “bunker-ball” might be the wiser course; killing of games is one technique with which MLS clubs still need practice, even if the future is now. Still, that second half performance has me believing they could actually get a result in Pachuca. And they should expect something very different by way of officiating.
DC v. Chivas: What Stuck With Me
DC united 1 -1 CD Chivas de Guadalajara (Report)
Overview
All in all, a very interesting game imbued with a kind of “getting to know” you vibe; it’s hard to say whether that’s good or bad for DC’s future. The sure thing, though, is that this isn’t the score DC wanted in pocket for their upcoming visit to Chivas’ Jalisco stadium.
Chivas
To begin, it’s clear to me that, man for man, Chivas is better than DC: by this I mean on the level of individual, technical skill all the way up and down the team, Chivas players possess better “skillz” - e.g. trapping, quick passing, playing the ball into and out of tight spaces. Against that, I wouldn’t suggest that DC is a whole, or even half step below; what they lose on an individual level, they recover tactically.
Speaking of tactics, one of the great mysteries of the game for me was Chivas’, for lack of a better word, impatience. Apart from a flatly magical spell smack in the middle of the first half, where they pushed the ball quickly around the turf and had DC chasing, Chivas spent much of the game hoofing long balls to semi-isolated forwards and midfielders. Such maneuvers served a purpose - it kept the ball in DC’s end and most of their players between the ball and the Chivas goal - but it also failed to produce much offense. Probably a tactic for the road, but it’s fair to question how well it served them (OK, scoreline says tolerably well, but...)
One last point: the Goats defend remarkably well and all over the field. It’s mostly the little things they did well: cutting off passing lanes, generally pressing and, most interesting of all, their players do a really good job of playing the opposition to their defensive help.
Oh, and Chivas’ goal? The finish wasn’t the prettiest, but the cross was lovely.
DC United
Unfortunate score aside, there was a fair amount to like in DC’s game. They played the ball quickly and well for the most part, retaining possession against dogged pressure from Chivas; that held, at least, except on the occasions they reached Chivas’ defensive third and for a twenty-minute spell just before they’re goal when it appeared they had run out of ideas. That’s to say, they found players in useful positions, but just couldn’t make that final, telling pass - except when they finally did. And, apart from the odd giveaway moving the ball out of the back, they defended well - a good sign for them.
Still, the slight hiccup in offensive flow did pose a problem and it hardly helped that Christian Gomez often had to go deep into DC’s back and middle to get the ball. DC did have their moments, most of them down the flanks through Joshua Gros, who made a decent opening or two, and Clyde Simms roving forward down the right. It may be discouraging that these maneuvers didn’t come off in the end, but setting them up is the requisite first step. The thing is, I can’t put my finger on what exactly kept DC from breaking through, but it hit them at the step before the finishing department; they just didn’t seem able to create much.
For all that, scoring the late goal must have come as a massive relief. And hats off to Fox Soccer Channel for getting a good close-up of Luciano Emilio’s sneaky little spin away from his defender.
DC Player Notes
Perkins - didn’t look all that bad, though I thought I saw him pull up every so often; he certainly wasn’t at fault for the goal.
Facundo Erpen - I think it’s probably by habit that I hold him responsible for many of the give-aways in the transition between DC’s defensive third and the middle of the park, but he looked to have had a good game.
(Was it?) Brian Carroll - unlucky on the deflection that led to the Chivas goal. UPDATE: Nope. DCenters tells me it was Bryan Namoff and they should know.
Clyde Simms - is interesting player to watch. For every time he goofs up, there are two instances where he looks solid and one in which he looks very sure. I think I like him.
Ben Olsen - is great heart-and-soul player, the kind of guy that makes a team go.
Luciano Emilio - continues to build a reputation. He was good nearly all night, whether it was coming back to receive the ball and seeing that, against close attention, DC kept possession. But the artful slip from his defender was a natural highlight. Hard not to dub him DC’s man of the match, but....
...I’d give a nod to Bobby Boswell, who looked pretty poised in the back, or Joshua Gros, who, by my foggy recollection (it was late and the Pabst flowing), posed the biggest threat to Chivas’ generally firm defense. (NOTE: that long-haired dude they kept showing - don’t know his name - was their only liability.)
Conclusion
There’s no use pretending this wasn’t the ideal result. I don’t even think this reaches “moral victory” territory. A win was wanted, maybe even needed. DC’s undoing came with being just a half-step off heading into the attacking third.
Overview
All in all, a very interesting game imbued with a kind of “getting to know” you vibe; it’s hard to say whether that’s good or bad for DC’s future. The sure thing, though, is that this isn’t the score DC wanted in pocket for their upcoming visit to Chivas’ Jalisco stadium.
Chivas
To begin, it’s clear to me that, man for man, Chivas is better than DC: by this I mean on the level of individual, technical skill all the way up and down the team, Chivas players possess better “skillz” - e.g. trapping, quick passing, playing the ball into and out of tight spaces. Against that, I wouldn’t suggest that DC is a whole, or even half step below; what they lose on an individual level, they recover tactically.
Speaking of tactics, one of the great mysteries of the game for me was Chivas’, for lack of a better word, impatience. Apart from a flatly magical spell smack in the middle of the first half, where they pushed the ball quickly around the turf and had DC chasing, Chivas spent much of the game hoofing long balls to semi-isolated forwards and midfielders. Such maneuvers served a purpose - it kept the ball in DC’s end and most of their players between the ball and the Chivas goal - but it also failed to produce much offense. Probably a tactic for the road, but it’s fair to question how well it served them (OK, scoreline says tolerably well, but...)
One last point: the Goats defend remarkably well and all over the field. It’s mostly the little things they did well: cutting off passing lanes, generally pressing and, most interesting of all, their players do a really good job of playing the opposition to their defensive help.
Oh, and Chivas’ goal? The finish wasn’t the prettiest, but the cross was lovely.
DC United
Unfortunate score aside, there was a fair amount to like in DC’s game. They played the ball quickly and well for the most part, retaining possession against dogged pressure from Chivas; that held, at least, except on the occasions they reached Chivas’ defensive third and for a twenty-minute spell just before they’re goal when it appeared they had run out of ideas. That’s to say, they found players in useful positions, but just couldn’t make that final, telling pass - except when they finally did. And, apart from the odd giveaway moving the ball out of the back, they defended well - a good sign for them.
Still, the slight hiccup in offensive flow did pose a problem and it hardly helped that Christian Gomez often had to go deep into DC’s back and middle to get the ball. DC did have their moments, most of them down the flanks through Joshua Gros, who made a decent opening or two, and Clyde Simms roving forward down the right. It may be discouraging that these maneuvers didn’t come off in the end, but setting them up is the requisite first step. The thing is, I can’t put my finger on what exactly kept DC from breaking through, but it hit them at the step before the finishing department; they just didn’t seem able to create much.
For all that, scoring the late goal must have come as a massive relief. And hats off to Fox Soccer Channel for getting a good close-up of Luciano Emilio’s sneaky little spin away from his defender.
DC Player Notes
Perkins - didn’t look all that bad, though I thought I saw him pull up every so often; he certainly wasn’t at fault for the goal.
Facundo Erpen - I think it’s probably by habit that I hold him responsible for many of the give-aways in the transition between DC’s defensive third and the middle of the park, but he looked to have had a good game.
(Was it?) Brian Carroll - unlucky on the deflection that led to the Chivas goal. UPDATE: Nope. DCenters tells me it was Bryan Namoff and they should know.
Clyde Simms - is interesting player to watch. For every time he goofs up, there are two instances where he looks solid and one in which he looks very sure. I think I like him.
Ben Olsen - is great heart-and-soul player, the kind of guy that makes a team go.
Luciano Emilio - continues to build a reputation. He was good nearly all night, whether it was coming back to receive the ball and seeing that, against close attention, DC kept possession. But the artful slip from his defender was a natural highlight. Hard not to dub him DC’s man of the match, but....
...I’d give a nod to Bobby Boswell, who looked pretty poised in the back, or Joshua Gros, who, by my foggy recollection (it was late and the Pabst flowing), posed the biggest threat to Chivas’ generally firm defense. (NOTE: that long-haired dude they kept showing - don’t know his name - was their only liability.)
Conclusion
There’s no use pretending this wasn’t the ideal result. I don’t even think this reaches “moral victory” territory. A win was wanted, maybe even needed. DC’s undoing came with being just a half-step off heading into the attacking third.
Champs' Cup: Houston Attacks!
With the kick off to the Houston Dynamo's semifinal first leg now just hours away, I thought I'd squeeze in some last minute notes on what to expect.
First of all, don't think that Mexico's Pachuca isn't up for this one. As an item on Soccer365.com points out, they seem to view winning this competition as a natural progression in their growing success.
Turning to Houston, the Houston Chronicle is churning out some good stuff, though with an assist from MLSnet.com. The latter chipped in today (or yesterday) with a preview; the key detail came with Houston coach Dominic Kinnear's blunt game-plan:
Well, we'll see how that goes.
Turning to the Chronicle, apart from passing on a classic phrase from Kinnear - he's adivising the team to "play within ourselves" - there's some good dish on tactics, notably about attacking down the flanks, something the absence of Dwayne DeRosario encourages. Another interesting wrinkle to consider: with King Foul-Lure Alejandro Moreno looking likely to take DeRosario's place, that may open up some free-kick opportunities for the Dynamo. Given Brad Davis' left foot - and hoping he's been practicing with it a lot - perhaps the Dynamo ought to play Moreno to the right to provide Davis with ideal opportunites.
Finally, another Chronicle item gives us all a heads-up that, due to Kinnear's hesitance to tinker with a line-up that worked before, Eddie Robinson won't start this one; we should expect to see Craig Waibel paired with Ryan Cochrane in the middle, with Kelly Gray on the right and Wade Barrett on the left.
All right, y'all. Happy viewing. (MUST stop stalling...must look at Chicago Fire...to...preview...the...season....)
(#########)
First of all, don't think that Mexico's Pachuca isn't up for this one. As an item on Soccer365.com points out, they seem to view winning this competition as a natural progression in their growing success.
Turning to Houston, the Houston Chronicle is churning out some good stuff, though with an assist from MLSnet.com. The latter chipped in today (or yesterday) with a preview; the key detail came with Houston coach Dominic Kinnear's blunt game-plan:
"Let's go try to attack them and see if they can handle us."
Well, we'll see how that goes.
Turning to the Chronicle, apart from passing on a classic phrase from Kinnear - he's adivising the team to "play within ourselves" - there's some good dish on tactics, notably about attacking down the flanks, something the absence of Dwayne DeRosario encourages. Another interesting wrinkle to consider: with King Foul-Lure Alejandro Moreno looking likely to take DeRosario's place, that may open up some free-kick opportunities for the Dynamo. Given Brad Davis' left foot - and hoping he's been practicing with it a lot - perhaps the Dynamo ought to play Moreno to the right to provide Davis with ideal opportunites.
Finally, another Chronicle item gives us all a heads-up that, due to Kinnear's hesitance to tinker with a line-up that worked before, Eddie Robinson won't start this one; we should expect to see Craig Waibel paired with Ryan Cochrane in the middle, with Kelly Gray on the right and Wade Barrett on the left.
All right, y'all. Happy viewing. (MUST stop stalling...must look at Chicago Fire...to...preview...the...season....)
(#########)
CONCACAF Champs' Primers
The CONCACAF Champions Cup will constitute one of the bigger distractions in the days ahead - I've mentioned the other elsewhere and will elaborate on that before the day is done.
Turning to business, as all y'all know by now, we're at the semifinal stage of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. For the record, a Wednesday night game will pit the Houston Dynamo against CF Pachuca, while the Thursday game features DC United taking on CD Chivas de Guadalajara. And, thank whatever God you praise, these games will be televised. (On a personal note, work obligations mean I'm going to see a lot more of Houston v. Pachuca, which is kind of a shame because I think DC v. Chivas will be a better game.)
This will be the (rough) extent of the previewing I'll be doing, but I want to point interested parties to the refined scribblings of Luis Bueno, who is working toward making himself a one-man source for the Champions' Cup semifinals. Between an "check-up" article on the Mexican Primera's 2007 Clausura he posted on LA Soccer News and a pair of Champs' Cup primers - one for Sports Illustrated (LINK) and the other, a more hard-numbers piece he produced for an outlet called The Press-Enterprise.
Returning to the one-man show meme above, I was about to chide Jeff Carlisle from ESPN for falling off between his coverage of the quarterfinals versus the looming semis, but thought to check that site before doing so. And, sure enough, he's got something up and it's pretty dang good. Looks like there's two on this beat and Carlisle deserves props for naming some players to watch.
I'll be making a modest contribution of my own to this fray: a heads-up preview article for Write On Sports, but I want that to be pretty bare-bones and that's by design. I'm going to make a conscious effort this year to scale back on my previews in order to save time and energy to report on the games themselves. After all, it's the games we're all watching, right? So expect a heads-up with a touch of framing, but nothing like the total coverage you'll get by reading all the stuff linked to above.
(##########)
Turning to business, as all y'all know by now, we're at the semifinal stage of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. For the record, a Wednesday night game will pit the Houston Dynamo against CF Pachuca, while the Thursday game features DC United taking on CD Chivas de Guadalajara. And, thank whatever God you praise, these games will be televised. (On a personal note, work obligations mean I'm going to see a lot more of Houston v. Pachuca, which is kind of a shame because I think DC v. Chivas will be a better game.)
This will be the (rough) extent of the previewing I'll be doing, but I want to point interested parties to the refined scribblings of Luis Bueno, who is working toward making himself a one-man source for the Champions' Cup semifinals. Between an "check-up" article on the Mexican Primera's 2007 Clausura he posted on LA Soccer News and a pair of Champs' Cup primers - one for Sports Illustrated (LINK) and the other, a more hard-numbers piece he produced for an outlet called The Press-Enterprise.
Returning to the one-man show meme above, I was about to chide Jeff Carlisle from ESPN for falling off between his coverage of the quarterfinals versus the looming semis, but thought to check that site before doing so. And, sure enough, he's got something up and it's pretty dang good. Looks like there's two on this beat and Carlisle deserves props for naming some players to watch.
I'll be making a modest contribution of my own to this fray: a heads-up preview article for Write On Sports, but I want that to be pretty bare-bones and that's by design. I'm going to make a conscious effort this year to scale back on my previews in order to save time and energy to report on the games themselves. After all, it's the games we're all watching, right? So expect a heads-up with a touch of framing, but nothing like the total coverage you'll get by reading all the stuff linked to above.
(##########)
Key MLS Dates for Coming Year
OurSports Central, which is seriously becoming a favorite haunt for me, posted a useful big-picture look at dates and basic rules for the various competitions involving Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs in 2007 competitions. We're talking U.S. Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup, the (friggin' silly) MLS All-Star game, roster rules, etc.
But there's one item listed - the semifinal ties for the CONCACAF Champions Cup - that's prompting a bit of uneasiness for me. The OurSports release shows first leg semifinals dates on March 13-15, 2007. But, when I go over to the ever-reliable soccertv.com, and check in on the North, South, and Central American competitions section, I'm not seeing a listing and the 8-day reach of the Fox Soccer Channel section doesn't go far enough into the future.
So, yeah, getting nervous out here....
(########)
But there's one item listed - the semifinal ties for the CONCACAF Champions Cup - that's prompting a bit of uneasiness for me. The OurSports release shows first leg semifinals dates on March 13-15, 2007. But, when I go over to the ever-reliable soccertv.com, and check in on the North, South, and Central American competitions section, I'm not seeing a listing and the 8-day reach of the Fox Soccer Channel section doesn't go far enough into the future.
So, yeah, getting nervous out here....
(########)
Houston v. Puntarenas: Celebration Edition
"In the end, it wasn't dominance or a flashy play that gave the Dynamo their first — and so far most important — victory at the international level. Instead it was teamwork, grit and simply being at the right place at the right time that propelled the Dynamo to the semifinals of CONCACAF's Champions' Cup."
- Bernardo Fallas, Houston Chronicle, 03.02.07 (LINK)
With that lead, Fallas described the Houston Dynamo's hard-scrabble win over Costa Rica's Puntarenas FC as well as can be done. But the same point can be said more directly: Houston won ugly. That's not to say the didn't deserve to win; they did and clearly so as I see it. But even after reading several articles and reviews, I feel no need to alter what I wrote about this match last night. The profound unease of witnessing Houston's inability to either possess the ball or successfully clear it, knowing that minute by minute, I was getting later and later at picking up my daughter from Girl Scouts, that's what really drove home the ugliness and uncertainy of this win for me. I found myself unable to leave because I simply couldn't trust them to keep the necessary clean sheet.
Though it made for more painful viewing, Houston's win remains the bigger accomplishment of the two Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs. It's not just that this is, as Jeff Carlisle pointed out over on ESPN's site, the first time a Major League Soccer side beat a Costa Rican team in a home-and-away series in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. No disrespect to DC United intended, but it's clear that Puntarenas was a stronger match for Houston than Olimpia proved to be for DC.
In any case, I know what I saw and here's the big picture: the talk about the better field working to both teams' advantage definitely held last night. Assuming the field was bigger in dimension, Puntarenas did plenty to make it look small - damned small at times; the Costa Ricans pressure on the ball was incredible, if uneven, and it hit a peak during the game's frantic finish. But there was something weird in this as well: for all their pressure, and for as much time as Houston just couldn't get the ball clear, Puntarenas really struggled to get clear shots on goal. And when they did, Zach Wells was always there, something an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle reminded me of today. For me, Wells stands as man of the match and the series.
On the opposite side, Houston had some great moments to complement their scrappy ones. The one that stands out, particulary in the context of Puntarenas' pressure, was the Dynamo's first goal; Brian Mullan had days to tee-up his cross to the far post and I can't, for the life of me, figure how he found that much space on the wing. Here, as well as with the second goal, it's fair to acknowledge something from Marc Connolly's contribution to this Love-In:
"Both of Houston's goals came from rebounds, which should please head coach Dominic Kinnear. It's one thing to create chances and get shots on frame. But to have players swarming around the goal and getting to loose balls in traffic is the mark of a great team."
Change the word "great" to "effective" and I'm on board with that quote; and, no, those concepts aren't synonymous in my world.
The point is, Houston simply wasn't going to win this game, or score those goals, any other way than the way they did - e.g. scrappy goals in a scrappy game. Shockingly loose as the marking was on the first goal, Kelly Gray's winner - i.e. the goal that counted - came from inside a scrum; had the ball not bounced directly his way, things might have ended a lot differently. With the amount of flopping Puntarenas' Mario Camacho was doing, there was the ever-present threat of a free-kick in a dangerous place - one of which gave the Costa Ricans their best chance - or a penalty call that would have had all of us saying something different today. Over both legs, Puntarenas severely limited Houston's ability to play, or possess the ball. A realization about coping with an effective pressure game comes out of this: it makes better sense to play t he ball into one of your guys upfield, even if he's standing in the teeth of the defense, than it is to play the ball laterally or back; that way, at least your side still has players behind the ball if and when it gets coughed up. It certainly doesn't make for an easy night and it's certainly not pretty, but it serves the purpose - especially on a night when your side just isn't clicking well enough to knock it around.
The big picture take-away is that this was one hell of a tricky series and Houston did very well to survive it.
And, whoops, it seems a smart idea to add a link to video highlights of the game for those who didn't catch it. Enjoy.
DC United v. CD Olimpia (The Game I Didn't See)
"Didn't see" isn't totally accurate - I did catch, oh, 20-25 disjointed minutes of the first half - but it's fair to say I can't legitimately add to the commentary on this game. Consider this more a commemoration, a celebration more of the manner of the achievement than the achievement itself. After all, what else can be said about a 7-3 aggregate score-line and the fact that DC won the second leg, 3-2, and looked better tolerably well doing it.
From around the media and the 'sphere:
Washington Post Report
Washington Times Report
An American's View Recap
DCenters Recap
For those of you who didn't see the game, An American's View once again unearthed video highlights - and these are worth watching to see the two goals Luciano Emilio scored, if nothing else.
I note the goals because, watching as little of the game as I did, I caught the first in real time - and it was that good. I'm not talking about the finish either - though that was fine too - but the touch that set up the goal. What has most impressed me with Emilio so far is his awareness of pressure and where the defenders are and where they're going. Maybe it's a function of familiarity with his former teammates - and, writing as a New England fan, I'm hopeful - but, if it's not, this cat will be slippery and dangerous. I think it was Marc Connolly who put himself on record as expecting 14-15 goals out of Emilio, but a few more besides wouldn't surprise me in the least.
I've got one final point to add based on my stop-n-go viewing experience: when I did catch sight of the game, DC had the ball in their possession as often as not; and, as An American's View emphasized, this not infrequently went across the backline, which helped DC kill off the game. That's a major contrast to what I saw in the Houston game...more on that later.
But the take-away here, DC looks the more composed team and that bodes ugly for the season. While it's certainly fair to argue that DC had the lighter opposition, as well as the better first-leg set-up, it's also worth noting that they played above Olimpia over both legs; in other words, you can assume Olimpia is weak opposition, but, the flip side of that is that DC handled them up to, if not above, expectations.
From around the media and the 'sphere:
Washington Post Report
Washington Times Report
An American's View Recap
DCenters Recap
For those of you who didn't see the game, An American's View once again unearthed video highlights - and these are worth watching to see the two goals Luciano Emilio scored, if nothing else.
I note the goals because, watching as little of the game as I did, I caught the first in real time - and it was that good. I'm not talking about the finish either - though that was fine too - but the touch that set up the goal. What has most impressed me with Emilio so far is his awareness of pressure and where the defenders are and where they're going. Maybe it's a function of familiarity with his former teammates - and, writing as a New England fan, I'm hopeful - but, if it's not, this cat will be slippery and dangerous. I think it was Marc Connolly who put himself on record as expecting 14-15 goals out of Emilio, but a few more besides wouldn't surprise me in the least.
I've got one final point to add based on my stop-n-go viewing experience: when I did catch sight of the game, DC had the ball in their possession as often as not; and, as An American's View emphasized, this not infrequently went across the backline, which helped DC kill off the game. That's a major contrast to what I saw in the Houston game...more on that later.
But the take-away here, DC looks the more composed team and that bodes ugly for the season. While it's certainly fair to argue that DC had the lighter opposition, as well as the better first-leg set-up, it's also worth noting that they played above Olimpia over both legs; in other words, you can assume Olimpia is weak opposition, but, the flip side of that is that DC handled them up to, if not above, expectations.
CONCACAF Champs Cup: The Best Thing
I'll dig into the details shortly, but want to isolate the big deal in a separate post: I can't imagine better semifinal series for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Pachuca CF v. Houston Dynamo and DC United v. CD Guadalajara? These are not only going to be friggin' killer games - for my money, the latter especially - but they're going to be on the TV....provided you've got the right cable package (sympathy goes out here to B_Washington on that score). Can't wait to wrap my head around these series as they get nearer.
For those who do have it though, here are the competition brackets that (almost) give the dates for both legs (I say "almost" because there's an apparent typo on the second leg of the Guadalajara/DCU tie):
Houston Dynamo v. Pachuca CF
1st Leg: March 14 @ Houston
2nd Leg: April 4 @ Pachuca
DC United v. CD Guadalajara
1st Leg: March 15 @ DC
2nd Leg: April 4 @ Guadalajara
The drag about hosting the first leg - which will require a strong opening - duly noted. Also noted, that the first-leg games fall on different days - HUZZAH! These aren't showing yet on soccertv.com "Americas" section, but I'm sure they will....or better.
Anyway, big congratulations to the players and fans of both DC United and the Houston Dynamo.
For those who do have it though, here are the competition brackets that (almost) give the dates for both legs (I say "almost" because there's an apparent typo on the second leg of the Guadalajara/DCU tie):
Houston Dynamo v. Pachuca CF
1st Leg: March 14 @ Houston
2nd Leg: April 4 @ Pachuca
DC United v. CD Guadalajara
1st Leg: March 15 @ DC
2nd Leg: April 4 @ Guadalajara
The drag about hosting the first leg - which will require a strong opening - duly noted. Also noted, that the first-leg games fall on different days - HUZZAH! These aren't showing yet on soccertv.com "Americas" section, but I'm sure they will....or better.
Anyway, big congratulations to the players and fans of both DC United and the Houston Dynamo.
Houston v. Puntarenas: First Impression (Quickly)
OK, first of all, congrats to the Houston Dynamo for winning. Honestly, that was a hell of a thing.
But here's the thought that keeps turning over in my head: watching the Houston Dynamo kill off that game was like watching a virgin have sex.
More tomorrow.
(##########)
But here's the thought that keeps turning over in my head: watching the Houston Dynamo kill off that game was like watching a virgin have sex.
More tomorrow.
(##########)
Champs Cup: Previews; Keeping Up with the Sanchezes
If anyone can pass on the Mexican equivalent of the "Joneses," I'd be mighty obliged. The inspiration for that line comes from the fact that last night's quarterfinal second legs of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup saw to Mexican teams advance to the competition's semifinals. The clubs in question are CD Guadalajara and Pachuca CF.
And let the record show that I predicted one result down to the score and the other on substance. We'll see how I do with tonight's games.
Speaking of which, there's a buttload of preview material out there:
MLSnet.com: DC United v. CD Olimpia Preview
MLSnet.com: Houston Dynamo v. Puntarenas FC Preview
Washington: DCU: No Room for Complacency
Washington Times: Sun Young-Moon's Paper on DCU's Tactics
Houston Chronicle: Improved Conditions Work Both Ways
Houston Chronicle: Even Don Garber's Pride Is On the Line
Daily Texan: Holes, Mysterious and Otherwise, in Houston's Line-Up
So, read up and, around 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. PST tonight on Fox Soccer Channel, or at RFK, or in College Station (appropriate photo, by the way) get yer game on.
(#########)
And let the record show that I predicted one result down to the score and the other on substance. We'll see how I do with tonight's games.
Speaking of which, there's a buttload of preview material out there:
MLSnet.com: DC United v. CD Olimpia Preview
MLSnet.com: Houston Dynamo v. Puntarenas FC Preview
Washington: DCU: No Room for Complacency
Washington Times: Sun Young-Moon's Paper on DCU's Tactics
Houston Chronicle: Improved Conditions Work Both Ways
Houston Chronicle: Even Don Garber's Pride Is On the Line
Daily Texan: Holes, Mysterious and Otherwise, in Houston's Line-Up
So, read up and, around 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. PST tonight on Fox Soccer Channel, or at RFK, or in College Station (appropriate photo, by the way) get yer game on.
(#########)
CONC. Champs Cup: "Real" Previews
There comes a time in the life of an pundit, whether amateur or professional, when he has to admit that he didn't cover all the angles he could before sitting down to write something. For me, that time came today. I can't be sure of the hour, but a sense of inadequacy has seared the event - my reading Jeff Carlisle's preview over on ESPN - into my memory.
The best I can say about the preview I turned in to Write On Sports is that it's respectably accurate in a big picture sense. That I missed so many details - see, Brian Ching's nagging injury (but I read his blog post! he said he was working out...on the beach!! Oh, the lies, Brian! Why!?!), back-up Stuart Holden's absence, the fact that I couldn't name a Puntarenas player besides forward Kurt Bernard - points to a degree of vagueness that gives me no choice but to write the following: read Carlisle's preview and call it a day.
With regard to my original, I'm doing penance by adding details as they come to me.
Well, that's enough self-flagellation for today (ah...hurts so good). There are other previews out there: one a "Fanblog" post on the Houston Chronicle's site devoted to Houston's chances, the other an MLSnet.com in-house preview.
(########)
The best I can say about the preview I turned in to Write On Sports is that it's respectably accurate in a big picture sense. That I missed so many details - see, Brian Ching's nagging injury (but I read his blog post! he said he was working out...on the beach!! Oh, the lies, Brian! Why!?!), back-up Stuart Holden's absence, the fact that I couldn't name a Puntarenas player besides forward Kurt Bernard - points to a degree of vagueness that gives me no choice but to write the following: read Carlisle's preview and call it a day.
With regard to my original, I'm doing penance by adding details as they come to me.
Well, that's enough self-flagellation for today (ah...hurts so good). There are other previews out there: one a "Fanblog" post on the Houston Chronicle's site devoted to Houston's chances, the other an MLSnet.com in-house preview.
(########)
Champs' Cup: Preview and Predictions
Write On Sports posted my preview for the second leg of the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup this morning, which makes me timely, for once. I'll admit upfront that I phoned in the games that don't feature MLS clubs, but I'm confident there's nothing too outlandish in there (and maybe that's a problem). The copy should read better for the games involving the MLS clubs, though I spent more time on Houston's second leg with Puntarenas and for the obvious reason.
At any rate, maybe it's the prospect of actual games that's possessed me with the urge to predict the future; whatever it is, I can't help myself. I only wish online gambling on this kind of thing wasn't such a hassle.
So, here's what I'm seeing happening (and I must have it bad seeing as I'm going to throw out scores as well):
Deportivo Marquense 0 - 1 Pachuca CF
CD Guadalajara 3 - 0 W Connection FC
Now....drumroll, please...
DC United 1 - 1 CD Olimpia
Don't ask me to justify this score in light of what happened in the first leg, the coaching changes for Olimpia, and climatalogical issues; there's something that tells me that the Hondurans will pull out something better in hopes of impressing any new or prospective coach.
Houston Dynamo 1 - 1 Puntarenas FC
This call speaks to the distance between what I want and what I expect will happen. While I do think Houston will play better - I'll go so far as to think they'll control tomorrow night's game (apart for some snippets tonight, this will be the only one I'll see in full) - the Costa Ricans don't need to play to win. As much as their stadium set-up - narrow field, crappy surface - no doubt helped Puntarenas defensively in the first leg, they still looked plenty composed. Moreover, they'll benefit from the better surface and conditions right along with Houston; there's also the ongoing fitness issue to consider. So, as much as I'm pulling for the second blowout in as many weeks for an MLS club, I'm calling this one against. I have no excuse.
At any rate, maybe it's the prospect of actual games that's possessed me with the urge to predict the future; whatever it is, I can't help myself. I only wish online gambling on this kind of thing wasn't such a hassle.
So, here's what I'm seeing happening (and I must have it bad seeing as I'm going to throw out scores as well):
Deportivo Marquense 0 - 1 Pachuca CF
CD Guadalajara 3 - 0 W Connection FC
Now....drumroll, please...
DC United 1 - 1 CD Olimpia
Don't ask me to justify this score in light of what happened in the first leg, the coaching changes for Olimpia, and climatalogical issues; there's something that tells me that the Hondurans will pull out something better in hopes of impressing any new or prospective coach.
Houston Dynamo 1 - 1 Puntarenas FC
This call speaks to the distance between what I want and what I expect will happen. While I do think Houston will play better - I'll go so far as to think they'll control tomorrow night's game (apart for some snippets tonight, this will be the only one I'll see in full) - the Costa Ricans don't need to play to win. As much as their stadium set-up - narrow field, crappy surface - no doubt helped Puntarenas defensively in the first leg, they still looked plenty composed. Moreover, they'll benefit from the better surface and conditions right along with Houston; there's also the ongoing fitness issue to consider. So, as much as I'm pulling for the second blowout in as many weeks for an MLS club, I'm calling this one against. I have no excuse.
GAMES: CONCACAF Return Legs; A Couple Warm-Ups
As we wait for the second legs of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals, some stories are coming in to help us figure what to expect. Naturally, the bigger news surrounds the Houston Dynamo, who have the harder challenge after dropping the first leg 1-0 to Puntarenas FC. As for DC United versus CD Olimpia, Steve Goff may not have intended the comment in this vein, but the weather differential between DC and Honduras may actually be the most intriguing thing to discuss while we wait on this one.
With regard to Houston, though, bad headlines aside - e.g. "Kinnear Eager to Host Return"; of course he is... - even the articles beneath them contain clues of what to expect. For instance, both the dubiously headlined article linked to above and Glenn Davis' "Soccer Notebook" contain hints to what will look different:
And that's when the Costa Ricans get to scribbling in their notepads. To his credit, Davis also takes frustrated fans to task for failing to understand that crappy fields and dodgy refereeing are part of soccer in Central America. Here, we have low attendance, widespread disinterest, etc., but the fields, have you seen those fields?
In all seriousness, looking forward to Thursday more than I did to junior prom...and senior prom for that matter.
In other news, the Los Angeles Galaxy got something positive out of their trip to Bermuda (after losing the mighty, mighty New England Revolution) when they beat the "Bermuda Select" team by a score of 4-0. Moving to the other tenant of the Home Depot Center, Chivas USA put out the Fuego by an even bigger scoreline (and I'm so, so pleased to have the opportunity to insert cheese into a post). And, no, this means nothing for the regular season, but they're at least winning like they should against weaker opposition.
(#########)
With regard to Houston, though, bad headlines aside - e.g. "Kinnear Eager to Host Return"; of course he is... - even the articles beneath them contain clues of what to expect. For instance, both the dubiously headlined article linked to above and Glenn Davis' "Soccer Notebook" contain hints to what will look different:
"'That field in Costa Rica took a lot away from our game, it took away our wide play,' Kinnear said."
And that's when the Costa Ricans get to scribbling in their notepads. To his credit, Davis also takes frustrated fans to task for failing to understand that crappy fields and dodgy refereeing are part of soccer in Central America. Here, we have low attendance, widespread disinterest, etc., but the fields, have you seen those fields?
In all seriousness, looking forward to Thursday more than I did to junior prom...and senior prom for that matter.
In other news, the Los Angeles Galaxy got something positive out of their trip to Bermuda (after losing the mighty, mighty New England Revolution) when they beat the "Bermuda Select" team by a score of 4-0. Moving to the other tenant of the Home Depot Center, Chivas USA put out the Fuego by an even bigger scoreline (and I'm so, so pleased to have the opportunity to insert cheese into a post). And, no, this means nothing for the regular season, but they're at least winning like they should against weaker opposition.
(#########)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)