The International Break was completed and we were back to playing Premier League Soccer this past weekend. The table is starting to take shape and teams are starting to separate from the pack…both at the top and the bottom.
Let’s get caught up.
The team in trouble and catching all the heat: Tottenham Hotspur…I love that name. Back to back losses have put the team in a funk and dropped them from the Top 4 down to a tie for 6-7-8 position. The game was not without controversy. After a late goal to get the gap to 2-1, Tottenham had another late claim of foul that would have been a PK. When things are going bad, you never get the calls. So, no call for Tottenham and Liverpool survives to keep their streak intact at 5-0. Plus a few weak goals on a few plays the GK needs to make. Liverpool a bit fortunate in my estimation.
-Liverpool make it five straight wins to start the season with the win over Tottenham.
-Chelsea take down Cardiff City with a Eden hazard Hat Trick 4-1 to start the season 5-0.
-Manchester United ease fan fears with their back to back wins and a solid win 2-1 over Watford.
-Manchester City roll on 3-0 over Fulham.
-Arsenal wins their third straight after opening with two losses, a 2-1 win over Newcastle.
-Other winners include Wolverhampton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and West Ham United with their first win of the season.
Race for the Title and Champions League Top 4
There are still 2 teams all tied at the top of the table with 15 points. Liverpool, Chelsea (Chelsea lead on goal differential)
1. Chelsea 5-0-0 15 Points
2. Liverpool 5-0-0 15 Points
3. Manchester City 4-1-0 13 Points
4. Watford 4-0-1 12 Points
5. Bournemouth 3-1-1 10 Points
6. Tottenham 3-0-1 9 Points
Arsenal and Manchester United at 7-8 tied at 9 Points.
Relegation Zone
West Ham with a big win to get out of the cellar with 3 points.
17. Cardiff City 0-2-3 2 Points
18. Huddersfield 0-2-3 2 Points
19. Newcastle 0-1-4 1 Point
20 Burnley 0-1-4 1 Point
Match Week 6 Preview
Game of the Week.
No Top 6 clashes this week. If form holds, no change at the top. Chelsea will need to be careful with West Ham United, coming off a big win and Chelsea coming off a midweek Europa League game. Danger lurks.
In Case You Missed It
Chelsea star Eden hazard with a Hat Trick this weekend. Maybe the best player in the Premier League. Watch and enjoy.
So, are things now finally going to calm down for Manchester United. After a week or turmoil, fan unrest, and Jose Mourinjo crazy press conferences where he claims to be the greatest manager of all time, Manchester united stepped up and had a solid 2-0 win over Burnley. Romelu Lukaku scored two and Man U withstood a red card and some second half pressure to buy themselves some relief. Not much though, 4-0 Watford is on the schedule next, so right back int the fire for the Red Devils.
The pressure shifts this week to Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham battled Watford this past week and took a 1-0 lead in the second half, only to give up two second half goals off set plays and suffer a 2-1 defeat. First time they have lost after taking a lead in over two years. Last week this was the game of the week prediction and it did not disappoint. The question to be answered was if Watford was the real deal or just a pretender. Well, after the 2-1 win, let’s put Watford in the real deal column. Another huge test and likely the game of the week in Week 5 in Manchester United v. Watford. If Watford can pull off two wins against Top 6 sides from a year ago in back to back weeks….watch out. Could we have another Cinderella story on our hands in 2018/2019. Tottenham has some questions to answer after a blah performance against Watford. Having just defeated Manchester United…did they come into the game a bit too confident, a bit too sure of themselves. They did not play well and will need to rebound to keep their title hopes and Top 4 plans on track. Highlights from the game.
-Liverpool make it four straight wins to start the season with a solid 2-1 win over Leicester City.
-Watford continues their hot start with a win over Tottenham to secure 4 wins in a row to start the season.
-Chelsea overcome Bournemouth with 2 second half goals to win 2-0 and become the third team to start the season 4-0.
-Manchester City gets back into the win column after last weeks tie, with a solid 2-1 win over Newcastle United.
-Other winners include Southampton, Wolverhampton, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Race for the Title and Champions League Top 4
There are still 3 teams all tied at the top of the table with 12 points. Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford.
1. Liverpool 4-0-0 12 Points
2. Chelsea 4-0-0 12 Points
3. Watford 4-0-0 12 Points
4. Manchester City 3-1-0 10 Points
5. Tottenham 3-0-1 9 Points
Relegation Zone
West Ham has not earned a point after Week 4 and is on the bottom of the table.
Huddersfield and Cardiff City with 2 points each.
18. Newcastle 0-1-3 1 Point
19. Burnley 0-1-3 1 Point
20. West Ham 0-0-4 0 Points
Match Week 5 Preview
Game of the Week.
Two big clashes in the Top 6 this week, so a double Game of the Week.
Watford vs. Manchester United. Is Watford the real deal. This is their second clash against a Top 4 team. A win by Manchester United gets them back on track. If Watford prevails, their stake claim to a Top 4 finish contender.
Tottenham v. Liverpool. Liverpool has started the campaign as the early favorite and looks dominating so far this year. Tottenham is coming off a disappointing defeat. An early season statement game. Back to back losses would be a tough pill for the Hotspur to swallow. Teams can’t let Liverpool run away to gain too much momentum. The first big game for Liverpool this year.
In Case You Missed It.
Goal Keepers….here is a good lesson for you. Don’t attempt fancy dribbling when being pressured near your goal. Sometimes it turns out bad. Just kick it out and clear the danger. There is a reason you are a GK!!!
Yes–you read that correctly. Manchester United is shut out at home and loses back to back games and two of their first three games for the first time in….well, it has been a very long time. The club with the most Premier League titles ever and the most famous club in soccer is in a funk. They actually played really well in the first half and had a few massive opportunities. It could easily have been 1-0 or 2-0 at the half. The second half was dominated by Tottenham Hotspur….I just love that name. Three goals. Manchester had a few defensive collapses and Tottenham pounced. With the win, Tottenham joins Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford with three wins in three and 9 points to start the Premier League race. Manchester United now sit in 13th. I know it is early, only 3 games our of 38….but an early season wobble from Many U. Fans are anxious, players are not happy, the so-called experts are predicting Mourinjo will not be coaching in January. The atmosphere is not good. They need a win desperately to calm the waters. Their next two games will be a big challenge. No shock if they lost both given their current form. Hang on….it might get a bit rocky for United fans.
So, are you a Manchester City fan….if so….you are probably a bit disappointed with the weekend. Last year was magical. A record number of points in a season. Winning the Premier League going away and in style…never challenged…massive gap between first and second. Significant winning streaks. Best coach, best players, best team. Easy peasy right…well….maybe not. Week 3 of the Premier League and Manchester City is playing newly promoted Wolverhampton. The best team in the league against a newly promoted team from Championship Division, one level down. A mismatch on paper. An easy win for Manchester city…but this is the Premier League. Toughest League in soccer.
How do you compete against Manchester City. Well, hope they get a little too comfortable. Hope they relax and just play their okay game…not their best game. Hope for a little luck, well, change that, hope for a bunch of luck! Then and maybe you still get smacked, but at least maybe then you have a chance. Wolverhampton got that and more. Highlights below, but lets recap. A goal on a hand ball, and likely offside as well. No call on either, GOAL stands. Off the woodwork three times for Manchester City. A pretty clear penalty in the box not called. Add it all up and you have a 1-1 tie and Manchester City drops points this year in Week 3, and shows just the slightest wobble from last year. The other big clubs were smiling a little on Saturday night. Maybe there is a chance for the rest of the league.
-Liverpool make it three straight wins to start the season with a solid 1-0 win over Brighton.
-Watford continues their hot start with a win over Crystal Palace and also win their first 3 games.
-Arsenal secure their first win of the season under their new coach with a 3-1 win over West Ham.
-Chelsea overcome Newcastle United with a late goal for a 2-1 win.
-Other winners include Leicester City and Fulham with their first win of the year.
-One game to play tomorrow with Manchester United taking on Tottenham. Big game for Manchester United. After losing in Week 2 and now playing a top 4 side. Another loss would put them at 3 points after three matches and in a bit of a mini-crisis. A solid win puts them right back on track. Will they rebound? Will they go deeper into Funk city? Will Mourinjo spontaneously combust if they lose two in a row? Must see TV next weekend!
Race for the Champions League Top 4
There are 3 teams all tied at the top of the table with 9 points. Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford. Tottenham with a chance to join them if they can take down Manchester United on Monday. Bournemouth and Manchester City just behind with 7 points.
Relegation Zone
West Ham has not earned a point after Week 3 and is on the bottom of the table. Huddersfield Township, Burnley, Southampton and Newcastle United with 1 point each in places 16-19.
Match Week 4 Preview
Game of the Week.
Watford vs. Tottenham. Is Watford the real deal. This is their first test against a Top 4 side from last year. We will find out if they are contenders or pretenders!
So, are you a Manchester United fan….if so….tough week for you coming up. In the first significant upset of the new season, Brighton & Hove Albion took down mighty Manchester United 3-2 today. A shocking upset really. Any way you look at it, quality of the players, coaching pedigree, team payroll….Manchester United were clear favorites. But as we have discussed many times, the Premier League is hard….top to bottom is full of quality teams. If you don’t bring it on a certain day, expect to get beat. Brighton finished 15th in the table last season, 3 spots clear of relegation zone, while Manchester United finished 2nd in the table…and qualified for Champions League. Manchester upgraded their team and spent big money over the summer. MU did not play with passion or energy today. Brighton was flying around the pitch all day. Maybe a few fortunate goals, but really, a well-earned victory. You never felt Man U were in charge and dominating the game.
Jose Mourinjo is now officially on the hot seat, 2 weeks into the season. A great coach, but he has the reputation of wearing out his welcome with players and fans.
His coaching career has many short stints..Porto for 2 years, Chelsea for 3 years and then rehired later and lasted 2 years, Inter Milan for 2 years, Real Madrid for 3 years, Manchester United now in his third year. He has many titles, many trophies but also many crash and burn years as well. Big clubs, big ego, big results, but as well, big disappointments along the way.
Match Week 1 Recap
-Tottenham Hotspur make it two straight wins to start the season with a solid 3-1 win over newly promoted Fulham.
-Bournemouth and Watford also score back to back wins to start the season. Both teams looking dangerous and are sides the top clubs do not want to play right now.
-Manchester City looked dominating in their 6-1 win over Huddersfield Township. Sergio Aguerro is fit and off to a blazing start to the season. He hit for three goals today and is off to an early lead in the Golden Boot competition. Even without their best player, Kevin DeBruyne, who is out for 3 months with an injury, Manchester City look unbeatable. Mark down Match Week 8 game with Liverpool as the first real chance to take down the Champions. Very likely they enter that game 7-0.
-Chelsea withstood their early season test with Arsenal to log a 3-2 win. A tough game for both teams trying to re-establish their place in the top echelon of the Premier League.
-Other winners include Leicester City and Everton.
-One game to play tomorrow with Liverpool taking on Crystal Palace.
Race for the Champions League Top 4
There are 5 teams all tied at the top of the table with 6 points. With Manchester City and Chelsea leading the table based on Goal differential. Watford, Tottenham and Bournemouth round out the top 5. The Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace winner will join this group at 6 points.
Relegation Zone
Four teams have not earned a point after Week 2 and are tied for the bottom with West Ham United and Huddersfield Township in the last two spots, joined by Fulham and Arsenal. A few teams just unfortunate to have a really tough 2 week schedule swing. Arsenal and Huddersfield having faced both Manchester City and Chelsea to start their seasons.
Week 1 Highlights
Game of the week. Chelsea vs. Arsenal. A really great game to watch. Action all over the pitch. Great goals. Great almost goals, lots of shots and a little drama as well. This one could have had a lot more goals. Chelsea fortunate on a few misses, but also left a few goals on the pitch as well. Their second half dominance earned them a well deserved 3 points. Arsenal with a bit a bad luck so far this year. A very dangerous team and Chelsea happy to get the win and move on.
Game of the Week. Manchester United vs. Tottenham. This is a big game for Manchester United. After losing in Week 2 and now playing a top 4 side. Another loss would put them at 3 points after three matches and in a bit of a mini-crisis. A solid win puts them right back on track. Will they rebound? Will they go deeper into Funk city? Will Mourinjo spontaneously combust if they lose two in a row? Must see TV next weekend!
The summer lull is over. The posts are about to heat up, so please accept my apology for the limited soccer updates. Keep checking as between Premier League action and local High School action as well as a few ECU updates, the activity will be picking up significantly. Let’s get started with Match Week 1 of the English Premier League.
As we have discussed many times, the best soccer in the world is played in the Premier League. Every team in the 20 Team league has quality. Every game there is the chance for an upset. There is no taking a game off and coasting to victory. Other top leagues are top-heavy. The Budesliga in Germany is dominated by Bayern Munich. The Serie A in Italy is dominated by Juventus. LaLiga in Spain is dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona. Athletico Madrid is a distant third but improving. Ligue 1 in France is dominated by PSG. But the Premier League has 6 strong clubs and the Title has moved between Chelsea (5), Manchester City (3) and Manchester United (7) with Aresenal having 2 titles and Leicester City 1 since 2000. There have been 4 different Title winners each of the past 4 years. That doesn’t include Champions League clubs Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. It is a very hard league. Great teams, great players, great fun to watch!
Match Week 1 Recap
-Liverpool takes the early lead at the top of the Table with a 4-0 win over West ham United. Liverpool has the best attack in the league and they look in mid-season form already. Salah got his first and Mane had a double.
-Chelsea 3-0 over Huddersfield Township. Sarri-ball started the season with a successful debut. New coach, new 4-3-3 system, new players leading the charge. It may take a few months to see the real system in place as the players adapt to the quick passing, vertical attack of their new coach. Jorginho looks to be a great addition to Chelsea. Cant wait to see Kovacic in midfield. Kante is still a beast and Hazard is the best dribbling/attacking player in the Premier League.
-Manchester City 2-0 over Arsenal. Manchester City started their defense of their title with a convincing 2-0 win over Arsenal. They looked dominating at times and could easily have scored 4. But as well, there were moments where they looked shaky, GK Ederson gave away a few balls in his third and I was really shocked that Arsenal did not pounce and make him pay. Arsenal could have scored a few goals and either tied or made it interesting. Solid win, but a few nervy moments for Man City. Is there hope for the rest of the league? When Man City is good, there are unbeatable.
Other winners include Manchester United, Tottenahm Hotspur, Bournemouth, Watford, Crystal Palace
Race for the Champions League Top 4
The eight winners from Week 1 are all tied with 3 points with Liverpool and Chelsea leading the table based on Goal differential. Liverpool (+4) and Chelsea (+3)
Relegation Zone
Eight teams did not earn a point in Week 1 and are tied for the bottom with West Ham United and Huddersfield Township in the last two spots courtesy of their large losses to Liverpool and Chelsea.
Week 1 Highlights
Check out Chelsea v. Huddersfield. The PK by Jorginho is so cheeky and cool. Wow. Hazard came into the game for the last 15 minutes and produced some incredible driving runs and assisted on the third goal.
High School soccer is right around the corner. August 13 marks the beginning of the season as high schools across the state can start tryouts and practicing. Most teams will get formed over the course of the week and by Friday, Varsity squads are set and will start a week-long practice and friendlies to prepare for the Conference season. We will be following Memorial very closely again this year while also looking to feature the other local teams, North, Regis and maybe some Altoona updates.
This will be my first year in the past 9 years that I have not had a player involved in Memorial Soccer. I must admit, it feels a bit sad. About this time of year, my excitement kicks up a notch, my nerves pick in a little. I am ready for some high school soccer. I am still feeling pretty connected to this group of players and will do my best to track all the games, provide highlights and some great insight. Memorial lost some great seniors. I still remember being up 2-1 at half of the State Semi-Finals. I will get over it, I promise. Still stings! Who will step up this year to fill the holes??
A quick reminder from last years State Semi-Finals.
Will North take another step up the Big Rivers conference ladder?
Can Regis keep their momentum and challenge for another trip to State?
Can Altoona develop a program as their join the ranks of the Independent League?
Do you have a World Cup hangover….I do….where did all the games go! I want to watch more soccer, with the top teams and top players going at it. I was in a groove. Soccer on Saturday and Sunday. Then soccer on Tuesday and Wednesday as we worked thru the Group play and then the Knock Out stages. And then, cold turkey, they take it all away. No weaning or time to adjust. From the best World Cup in decades…to no soccer for weeks. Ugh!
So what do all us soccer geeks do?
Well, let’s reflect a bit on the World Cup and also look forward to another season of the Barclay’s Premier League.
VIVE LA FRANCE, VIVA LA WORLD CUP. A quick look back.
FIFA Player of the Year 2018 Finalist. FIFA announced the 10 finalist for the Player of the Year. Can you name them all and the clubs they play for. Are you thinking about it right now. Well, let’s start with the easy ones.
Two Players have dominated World Football the past 6-8 years and their names should surprise no one. Christiano Ronaldo- Real Madrid and Lionel Messi-FC Barcelona. So let’s assume everyone got those two. If not these two, then who. Maybe a player who is on the list for the first time, a player who came out of no where to score the most goals in the Premier League in 2018….Mohamed Salah-Liverpool. Okay, that was an easy one as well if you follow the Premier League. Since Real Madrid won the Champions League, maybe another player from their team? How about two more form their team……..Luka Modric and Raphael Varane. They are so good, they also helped lead their teams to the World Cup finals of Croatia vs. France. We are halfway there. Are you 5 for 5?
Speaking of France, World Cup winners, they must have a few more players we need to consider. Yes, of course. Maybe the youngest member of the group and a savvy veteran. Kylian Mbappe-PSG and only 19 as well as Antoine Griezmann-Athletico Madrid. Getting a bit tougher now. Who else had a high finish in the World Cup and could that be a clue. Well, Belgium finished 3rd. okay, no more clues. Did you pick out the two players from Belgium and the Premier League….Kevin DeBruyne-Manchester City and Eden Hazard-Chelsea. One left. Now it’s really tough. Well, maybe who finished 4th in the World Cup will help you. Is there a dominant player from the England team. Yes of course…Harry Kane-Tottenham Hotspur. Did you get all 10, give yourself a pat on the back if you did. Some great players missing you may have been thinking about: Paul Pogba, Neymar, N’Golo Kante, David DeGea, Marcelo, Thibault Courtois, Tony Kroos to name a few. So…who you got….can someone talk the mantle of Best Player away from Messi and Ronaldo. It’s time!
2018/2019 Barclays Premier League. Match Week 1: Saturday August 11. 17 days and counting! I can’t wait.
Game of the Week: Arsenal v. Manchester City. Can the reigning champs start strong? Will the new look Arsenal with a new coach, Unai Emery, for the first time in 22 years make a statement.
Chelsea. They finally ended the drama and named a new coach to replace Antonio Conte,. Can Sarri-ball become a “thing” and can Maurizio Sarri lead Chelsea back in the Top 4 and a challenge for the title.
Set you alarm clocks, get your DVR cleared out to make room to record the early morning games, get you popcorn ready. It’s back, The best league in Football, the Premier League!!
Well, another World Cup is in the books. In what many soccer pundits are calling the Greatest World Cup ever, France’s big name players were just too much for Croatia, as they took the title 4-2 for the second World Cup title, their first being 1998. It was an interesting game up until France’s third goal. That goal from Pogba really killed Croatia’s will. A fourth by Mbappe killed the game and even though there was a little life after the GK gaffe and goal by Mandzukic, France controlled the game and was a deserved winner. I was not thinking that right up until the 3rd goal.
After what I felt was an obvious dive that earned a free kick, that resulted in the OG and a 1-0 France lead and then the hand ball in the box that led to France’s second goal, I was thinking…..please score another goal so there won’t be a bunch of controversy about France winning. I wasn’t really cheering for either team, hoping for PK’s! After the first goal, I must admit, I did start cheering for Croatia a bit. That first goal just bugged me a bit. So thank you Pogba anbd Mbappe…controversy over…France well deserving. Their big name stars were just better than Croatia, who were a true David vs. Goliath underdog who really had to battle just to qualify for the World Cup. Hats off to them. They controlled large parts of the game, were the better team in the first half and somehow were down 2-1. They really needed the perfect game to upset France. An OG, a very soft hand ball and PK were just too much to overcome.
For 33 minutes and at 1-1… I was on the edge of my seat. Great game, full of action. After the hand ball PK and 2-1 lead, it just slipped a little. And then of course, class is just class, Pogba…Mbappe….wow!
Greizmann Flop or Foul. It felt like flop. He leaves his feet and is going down way before any contact….and the contact was minimal. Didn’t like the call….and it had a huge impact on the game. I think the Center Ref, if he watches that again will agree, should have been a no call and play on. I don’t like players who look for these type of calls….just feels wrong and not good for the game or the sport.
Hand Ball. I hate when it is called, especially when it’s in the box and a PK. Especially when it just feels arbitrary. I don’t think the Croatian player was attempting to block the ball with his hand. It just happens to hit it. It should be an intentional move of your hand toward the ball to block it. Not when it just happens to hit your hand during the normal play of the game. We can’t expect players to put their hands behind them when playing defense or defending a cross…that is just dumb. Rule needs to be defined better. Today’s call seemed harsh. If that is a good call then the rule needs to change. These calls change big games and it is just too harsh for what occurred. Maybe don’t award a PK. Soccer has been slow to change rules so not expecting anything to happen.
Mbappe. He is 19 years old. Let me repeat that….19 years old. Makes $20m per year, scored a goal in a World Cup Final. Wow! The last player at 19 to score a World Cup goal….Pele. I think that is all you have to say about that!
Third Place Game. If you missed it, Belgium looked the better team all afternoon and took third place with a 2-0 win over England, Eden Hazard looked dominant, scored the second goal, and Belgium just had more quality than England. Great tournament for England, they have some really good young players and an energized coach, so hope in 4 years they can make another deep run. Belgium had a chance to win it this year. 2-1 defeat to France was for me, the World Cup final. Whoever wins that, wins the World Cup. Can Belgium’s stars hang on until 2022? One question…How did Phil Jones make this team. The defense on Hazard’s goal and in general his play all season seems suspect. England needs to improve their back line.
Next Up: Qatar in 2022. It won’t be a traditional July World Cup. To void 100+ degree temperatures, Qatar will be held in November and December of 20-18. Do you think the USA can qualify??
Premier League Action is back In August. Saturday August 11 is Match Week 1. Gamer of the Week: Arsenal v. Manchester City. Can’t Wait! Get your popcorn ready!
What is being called the greatest World Cup ever continues to provide big time drama and excitement. The Final Four is set and the Semi-Finals kick off on Tuesday as the tournament winds down. Let’s take a quick look at the past few games.
France 2 Uruguay 0. France was in control from the beginning and looked the better team throughout. A solid win. Probably the favorites now to win it all.
Belgium 2 Brazil 1. Amazing game. Belgium’s amazing run continues. Best offense left in the tournament.
England 2 Sweden 0. England gets the best draw but you still need to win the games. A solid win, but it gets much tougher from here.
Croatia 2 Russia 2 Croatia advance 4-3 on Penalty Shootout. What a game. 1-0, then 1-1, 2-1 in OT, 2-2 in 2nd OT. the PK’s. Great drama! Given the geo-political climate and history of these two countries, even more drama.
Semi-Finals are Set
France v Belgium Tuesday, July 10 at 1:00
England v Croatia Wednesday, July 11 at 1:00
Quick Takeaways
-Belgium-Belgium-Belgium. In one of their greatest wins in Belgium history, the Red Devils knock off tournament favorite Brazil 2-1. Belgium’s counter attack is stunning this tournament. In their incredible come from behind win against Japan they scored a stunner as the clock ticked down to zero and won 3-2. Against Brazil, the counter attack was again on full display. The DeBruyne goal deserves another look. Romelu Lukaku makes an amazing surging run of about 50 yards. He destroys Brazil’s midfield with some dynamic moves and speed. He finds DeBruyne out wide and DeBruyne does the rest. A few quick touches as he approaches the 18 and then…BAM…he rifles a low hard strike into the side net. Amazing strike. Game Winner!
-England v. Sweden. Sweden…really. I mean come on man! Sweden with a population of just under 10 million. That’s basically the population of Minnesota and Wisconsin combined…and they are in the World Cup Quarter Finals. One of the best 8 teams in the World. And the USA can’t even qualify for the tournament. Ouch! Every time I think about Sweden or Switzerland or Tunisia making it into the world Cup it just blows my mind the US didn’t qualify. The only thing that makes me feel a bit better is neither did Italy….and they have won the World Cup twice! The people in Italy must really be going crazy right now! Okay…moving on now.
–England. For the first time in 28 years, England has reached the Semi-Finals. They won the World Cup in 1966 and finished 4th in 1990. That is their only two appearances in the top 4. For the country that invented soccer in 1863, seems odd to only have 2 appearances, but now its three and they have a real shot at winning.
-Belgium v France. This feels like the finals. sometimes it works out that way…the two best teams meet before the finals. Belgium has had tow epic games, back to back, can they keep it going. Will France’s dynamic Mbappe and Griezmann outshine Hazard and Lukaku. Will Kante shut down DeBruyne in midfield. This is must see TV. Don’t miss it!
Neymar Getting Hammered by Social Media. So, one of the greatest players in the world is getting trolled everywhere. Neymar is arguably the worlds best striker. But he does have this thing about diving, or trying to dive, or looking to get tripped so it creates a penalty. It is getting talked about everywhere. Why all the drama. Why does he try to get penalties in the box rather than just staying on his feet and taking a shot. Why does he look like he is in so much pain every time he goes down. All good questions. I don’t like it. Most don’t. He is too good and doesn’t need to do it. Anyway…all the drama has created so pretty funny videos. Check this one out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn-_qr6Ixws
Thank You
A quick thanks to those who have checked out the site the past year. Coming up on the 1 year anniversary of WestWisconsinSoccerTalk. Just went over 3,000 views! I try not to think about whether that is good or not, just have enjoyed writing the blog and sharing some thoughts on local high school soccer and the World Soccer scene. Some sites get 3,000 hits a day…some sites get 3,000 hits per hour. But I am okay with 3,000 in a year. Every site starts somewhere. I plan to keep it going and keep posting about soccer. I hope you enjoy the updates and will keep coming back and looking for updates on the game you love! Who knows where it will go from here.
So…I have been trying to find some time to really get into and blog on the World Cup. That darn work thing always gets in the way…and then a weekend trip out of town…and well, you get the idea…no BLOG that I had promised. And then today, I found myself curious on the score of Belgium vs. Japan. Belgium has been my favorite National Team the past few World Cups. I had checked my phone at saw that it was 0-0 at the half and thought maybe I should treat myself to a late lunch and watch the second half. What a really good decision that was. I flip on the TV and BAM, at the 55 minute mark it is Japan 2-0. What the heck, my favorite to win the World Cup has given up 2 goals in 10 minutes and is on the verge of getting eliminated. But hey, still 35 minutes left, maybe they can find a way.
And then, it what is one of the most improbable comebacks in World Cup history, Belgium stuns Japan. I was just mesmerized at the turn in the game. It was truly epic. Japan’s first goal was the result of a really bad defensive gaff from Jon Vertonghen. 1-0 Japan. The second, a great shot but maybe GK Courtois could have made a save, 2-0 Japan. But then, the soccer gods flipped the script. Belgium had been pressing for a goal and just could not find the final shot or the final pass. A few great saves on headers by Romelu Lukaku kept the Red Devils scoreless. Belgium coach Roberto Martinez makes a few substitutions, into the game comes Fellaini and Chadli. Let’s see how that works out. In Redemption Part 1, Vertonghen scores a really crazy but totally intentional header. Not your normal thumping header from the box, but a well calculated and floating header that finds the back post. Unreal to be honest that he was able to score on that header. 2-1. Game On!
Really Good Substitution Part 1. Fellaini, who stands 6’4″ and is a beast in the box on headers was looking dangerous from the start of his entry int the game. Several good attempts on headers were just wide. At one point he was out wide and sending in a cross…and I thought…dude, what are you doing out there, Belgium needs you in the box! At the 75 minute mark, Edan Hazard (another of the reasons I watch Belgium), works a great move on the left side, circles back toward the line and rifles a beautiful cross into the box…that finds Fellaini…BAM. Back of the net, 2-2.
Redemption Part 2. Courtois, who maybe did not have his best game, comes up with two really nice saves in the last 5 minutes. At the 93 minute mark, on a Japan corner, Courtois takes a cross out of the air and instantly distributes a wonderful leading ball roll out to midfielder Kevin DeBruyne. And then what unfolds is maybe the most beautiful counter attack goal I have ever seen in the world cup. DeBruyne takes 3 touches and then executes a perfect pass into space on the right-wing. When you watch the highlights, take special notice of the speed of the attack. 4 players across the field for Belgium all running at full speed and spaced wonderfully. It is really amazing. Lukaku is just above the line of 4 and moving into position. but still 5 Japan defenders in the area. If any one of the 5 Belgium players don’t commit to the attack, likely if falls apart, but they all are fully committed. The wide ball into space goes to Meunier who one touches the pass back across into the box for Lukaku. Lukaku, in maybe the best dummy of all time, lifts up his right leg to let the ball run across him, and does not take the selfish move and shoot. Lukaku had spotted Chadli’s run as he was moving up field, but then he turned his back to Chadli to face the pass coming across from Meunier. To have the trust in a teammate to be in the right spot, to give up a chance for glory and take the shot and then to execute the dummy to perfection and pull the defender to him to create the space Chadli needed. And then there is Really Good Substitution Part 2. Nacir Chadli who has been sprinting at full speed down the left side measures the ball coming past Lukaku and one times a left footed drive past the Japan GK and into the left side of the net….on what was the final touch of the game.
Quick repeat. Courtois takes the ball out of the air, lays off a rolling pass to DeBruyne, 3 dribbles and a pass, one touch pass from Meunier, dummy by Lukaku, one touch shot by Chadli. Goal! Wow! 3-2 win Belgium. Amazing goal. Really amazing goal! 10 seconds. You will want to watch that goal a few times. If you enjoy soccer, then really appreciate what they did in 10 seconds. I love It! I am now fully engaged into the World Cup. More posts to follow. Thank you Belgium.
World Cup Group Play Recap
8 Groups of 4 or 32 teams start the World Cup. Groups A-I start the tournament in Round Robin Play, each team gets three games and the top 2 from each Group advance to the Knock Out Stages. World Cup scoring is in effect. 3 points for a win, 1 for a tie and no points for a loss. To advance to knock outs, point total ties go to multiple tie-breakers, goals scored, goals allowed, total goals, etc. Here were some highlights from the Group Stage. It is 5 minutes you will really enjoy. So many unbelievable goals.
16 teams, win and advance or lose and go home. We are 3/4 thru the Knock Outs. 6 games down and 2 to go. The first 6 have been epic.
France v. Argentina. France led by Kylian Mbappe, only 19 years old, yes, 19, scores two goals, earns a penalty in a 4-3 win over Lionel Messi and Argentina…passing of the torch maybe.
Uruguay v. Portugal. Uruguay defeat Christiano Ronaldo 2-1 and take down another of the game’s greats in the knockout stage.
Russia v. Spain. 1-1 after regulation and two overtimes and then on to PK’s. Russia advance 4-3 on PK’s. A pre-tournament favorite is OUT!
Croatia v. Denmark. 1-1 after regulation and two overtimes and then on to PK’s. Sound familiar. Back to back PK games. Croatia advance 3-2 on PK’s.
Brazil v. Mexico. Brazil advance with a 2-0 win over Mexico.
Belgium v. Japan. Please see above!!! Enough said. Belgium advance with thrilling 3-2 win.
Sweden v. Switzerland. Tuesday.
England v. Columbia. Tuesday.
Quarter-Finals Approaching. 4 Huge Games Friday and Saturday.
Uruguay v. France July 6
Brazil v. Belgium July 6.
Russia v. Croatia. July 7
Winners of Tuesdays Game in the final Quarter-Final. July 7.
Biggest Surprise So Far: Germany Eliminated in the Group Stage
Here is a little history for you. The World Cup is played once every 4 years. There have been 20 World Cup competitions since the inaugural event in 1930. The top winners of the competition as follows: Only 8 Countries have won this incredible tournament.
Brazil 5 Times
Germany and Italy 4 times
Argentina and Uruguay 2 Times
France, England, Spain 1 each.
In those 20 competitions, Germany has finished first 4 times, Runner-Up 4 times, Third 4 Times, and 4th place once. A total of 13 times in the Top 4 in the World Cup. Brazil has been in the Top 4 only 11 times. So the most successful and consistent team in World Cup history for top finishes and who has made it into the knock out stage in every competition since 1938, was eliminated in the Group Stages. SHOCKING. Germany eliminated in the Group Stage, I had to write it twice, to make sure I believed it. For comparison, The USA has finished in the Top 4 once, in the inaugural tournament in 1930. hosted by and won by Uruguay. 13 teams made up that first tournament.
Can’t wait for England tomorrow. Only two Top 4’s for England but that includes their historical win in 1966. Maybe this is another magical year for England. Or maybe Belgium!! But France is looking strong….and Brazil wants revenge for last years humiliating loss to Germany. Oh my!! I am now fully engaged into the World Cup 2018!
So, we have reached the final week of the Premier League season and there is still some drama to unfold. Three of the four Champion League teams are decided; Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham. One spot is still open to be decided this weekend. Liverpool wins or draws and they advance. Chelsea win and Liverpool loses and Cheslea advance. Liverpool on a bit of a down turn and more focused on Champions League final, so you never know.
Race for the Top 4.
Manchester City 31-4-2 97 points. 37 games. Champions.
Manchester United 24-6-7 78 points. 37 games. Qualifies for CL.
Tottenham 22-8-7 74 points. 37 games. Qualifies for CL.
Liverpool 20-12-5 72 points. 37 games.
Chelsea 21-7-9 70 points. 37 games.
Arsenal 18-6-13 60 points. 37 games.
Race for the Relegation Zone. Huddersfield found a way to tie Chelsea this past weekend and that one point means they are safe and survive another year in the Premier League.
17. Southampton 36 points.
18. Swansea City 33 points. Mathematically alive but will lose goal differential tie breaker.
19. West Bromich Albion with 31 points. Relegated after an 8 year run in the top flight.
20. Stoke City 30 points. Relegated after a 10 year run in the top flight.
Teams Promoted from the EFL
Wolverhampton Wanderers (great name) will be back in the PL since 2011-2012 season.
Cardiff City is back in the PL after their exit in 2013-3104 season.
One more team gets in after a playoff.
FA CUP Update
And then there were 2. Finals are set.
Chelsea v. Manchester United and their ex-manager Morinho. Should be interesting. May 19th at Wembley at 11:15 A.M. Can’t wait!!
Champions League Update
And then there were two. Real Madrid vs. Liverpool
Liverpool 2 v Roma 4. Liverpool survives on aggregate 7-6. What a two game display of offensive power from both teams.
Real Madrid 2 v Bayern Munich 2. Real Madrid wins on aggregate 4-3 Bayern was the better team most of the 2 games….just couldn’t finish and left several goals on the field as well as one of the worst GK gaffes in Champions League history. You will be shocked when you see it. Oh my!!
