Before I get into the fast and furious start to the Premier League and provide some other league updates, I wanted to start this post with a Team of the Week segment. I am not sure how many people heard this story but I feel it’s one that needs to get some additional coverage. We play sports because we love them, we love the competition, we love the game…..and we might hate to admit it, but we all love a winner! We bask in the glow of the winning team, the championship team, the players who have reached the pinnacle of their sport.
But, I think we also love that sport sometimes becomes a microcosm of life and society. And this week, in the midst of a crazy world, another moment in sport caught my attention. The Team of the Week is USL Soccer team, the San Diego Loyal.
Founded in 2020 and coached by the most successful US Soccer player to date (but watch out for Pulisic to take that over some day), Landon Donovan, the San Diego Loyal entered into the conversation this week with their most recent two games. One of 35 teams in the USL Championship league (the division just below the US top division, Major League Soccer) the San Diego Loyal were fighting for a playoff spot this week when they became the center of the conversation regarding “doing what is right”, even if it is a little painful. In their game on September 23 against LA Galaxy II, a 1-1- draw, the team says there was a racial slur directed at one of their players, a Black defender, Elijah Martin in the 71st minute of the game. The game ended, but in an interview, Donovan indicated the team left that game feeling they missed an opportunity and felt bad they did not do more in the face of the incident. Should they have stopped the game, should they have walked off the pitch. It bothered them. The team asked for the result of this game be forfeited, the point they earned, dropped from their results…..an important point as they are fighting for a playoff birth in the USL championships.
And then fate intervened. Life is funny that way. Their next game, September 30th, just a week later, was against the Phoenix Rising, and the result of this game would determine if they made the 16-team Championship group. A week to think about their actions from the LA Galaxy game. A week to let it soak in a bit. And then it happened…..just before the halftime break, a free kick, a goal, a tussle of two players. San Diego Loyal player Collin Martin, an openly gay player, was allegedly called a homophobic slur by a member of the Phoenix Rising. The Phoenix player denies the claim vigorously and has sent out tweets backing the LGBTQ community, but to me that’s not the point of this story. Maybe the Phoenix player did not make the slur, but the story for me is San Diego’s reaction to the alleged slur. The Phoenix player has faced some harsh criticism and angry tweets directed his way, but I want to focus on the San Diego Loyal. A week to think about their actions from the LA Galaxy game. A week to let it soak in a bit. After the incident, at the end of the half, the game stopped as the Landon and Collin discussed the alleged slur with officials of the game. Red Card, no red card, what to do. San Diego wanted the player removed from the game, the opposing coach just wanted to play and move on. The player was not removed. Halftime ensued. There was a ton of discussion in the San Diego locker room, discussion about forfeiting the game. Not playing the second half. In an interview, Collin was uncomfortable initially, this was a big game, playoff implications, and he did no want to be the reason they missed the playoffs. But then the feeling changed, to the amazing support he was receiving from the team. San Diego returned to the field, took a knee at the start of the second half whistle…..and walked off the field…..forfeiting the game, their 3-1 lead, and a chance at the playoffs. Wow! Sometimes life and doing what is right is more important than winning. Sometimes the long term statement is more critical than the short term glory of the win. Sometimes in life, you get another shot to do what is right.. San Diego Loyal, we salute you as the Team of the Week for taking a stand, for supporting your player, for telling us that treating people with dignity is important….as important as the win……..even if the opposing player didn’t say it. Well done San Diego Loyal!
Premier League Week 4 Recap
The Premier League is underway and things are off to a fast start. In what has been described as the craziest start to a Premier League campaign ever, there have been some strange results, some surprising results and some teams looking good while others are still finding their way. We have just finished off Week 4 so let’s take a look at some of the more interesting story lines.
Everton. Leading the table and off to a 4-0 start is Everton. Carlo Ancelotti, hired last year and now having time to instill his philosophy, Everton is starting to play their best soccer in years. A few player additions like James Rodriguez and a few youngsters are starting to become stars like Dominic Calvert Lewin and Richarlison. Watch out Top 6, Everton is for real!
Manchester City struggling. Expected to be the primary competition to Liverpool with many expecting them to retake the title, Manchester City is out of the gate a bit slow. A shocking 5-2 loss to Leicester City and then a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Leeds United have Man City fans in a funk. They have the coach and the talent, so no panic yet, but a bit surprising.
Manchester United 1-6 vs. Tottenham. Yes, Manchester United gave up 6 goals. 4 coming after a controversial red card, but still, 6 goals. What the heck is happening up in Manchester. Some transfers may be needed to inject some more energy in the club.
A crazy game for sure. A goal in the first 30 seconds. Tottenham strike back for two quick ones. And then the Red Card. A pretty soft one for sure, and its always a bit awkward when players seem to “work” the issue a little, but no question there was a strike. Man U fans were not a fan of that call. The goal I loved was the double Nutmeg goal to get to 4-1. First the cross megs the defender and then the shot megs the GK. Crazy!
Aston Villa is 3-0. Last year Aston Villa needed a point on the final day of the season to avoid relegation…..this year they are out of the gate 3-0 and looking like a different team.
And the biggest surprise so far this year…..
Aston Villa 7 Liverpool 2. I need to write that again even for me to believe it. Aston Villa, the team that just avoided relegation last season, just smoked Liverpool, last years runaway champion, 7-2. I still can’t believe it so lets take a look at the highlights. How did that happen!
A few mistakes, a few deflections, a few offside traps that did NOT work and bam….7-2. Have I ever told you this is the hardest league in professional soccer. The season is going to be crazy.
Premier League Table.
- Everton 4-0-0 12 Points
- Aston Villa 3-0-0 9 Points (1 game behind)
- Leicester City 3-0-1 9 Points
- Arsenal 3-0-1 9 Points
- Liverpool 3-0-1 9 Points
- Tottenham 2-1-1 7 Points
Chelsea, Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham round out the Top 10. I have been tracking the Premier league for the past 3 years or so and have never seen a Table like this before, regardless of how many games have been played.
Relegation Zone. Burnley, Sheffield United and Fulham each have 0 points and are in the bottom 3.
League/Tournament Updates Around the World
National Womens Soccer League.
Founded in 2013 and an extension of leagues dating back to 2001, The NWSL is three games into their current season and represents the top professional women’s league in the US. With 9 current teams and 2 expansion teams planning to join, the league appears to be on solid footing. Owned by the teams and with a connection to United Sates Soccer Federation are all good signs. The current standings after three games.
- Portland Thorns 7 Points
- Washington Spirit 7 Points
- Houston Dash 6 Points
The remaining teams include: Chicago Red Stars, North Carolina Courage, Sky Blue FC (New Jersey), Utah Royals, Orlando Pride, OL Reign (Tacoma, WA). Expansion teams include Louisville (2021) and Los Angeles (2022). The champions the past two years have been the North Carolina Courage. A combination of US National team players, international players and college players. Some names you might recognize….Julie Ertz, Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Sam Mewis, Becky Suaerbraun, Lindsay Horan, Kelly O’Hara and my new favorite player, Rose Lavelle.
FA Womens Super League.
In England, the top professional league for women is the FA Women’s Super League. Teams that are affiliated with English professional clubs. In addition to the top league of 12 teams , there is also a Championship division of 11 teams and a third tier of 24 teams. Promotion and Relegation are part of the English system, much different that the US system where the teams own the league and teams are protected. Three games into the new season and the current Top 3 in the Super Cup are:
- Arsenal 9 Points
- Everton 9 Points
- Chelsea 7 Points
The remaining teams include: Manchester United, Manchester City, Reading, Brighton, Tottenham, West Ham, Birmingham City, Aston Villa and Bristol City.
Current Champion: Chelsea
As well, with the success of the FA Super League and with the cash influx from their parent clubs, there has been a recent influx of talent from America. A big sponsor in Barclays helps a ton as well. That’s a bummer for the NWSL, but it was bound to happen. As the women’s game becomes more popular, as TV rights flow in money, salaries in the top leagues will increase…..and players will want both the increase and the challenge of playing in the best league. Recent moves to England include:
Alex Morgan signed with Tottenham. Tobin Heath and Christen Press signed with Manchester United. Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle signed with Manchester City. Good luck ladies.
MLS Update. The season is 15 games completed with games continuing thru early November. 8 teams from each conference will make the 16-team playoffs with will run thru November and end with the MLS Cup on December 12th. The Top 4 from each conference after 15 games.
Eastern Conference Western Conference
- Columbus Crew Seattle Sounders
- Toronto FC Portland Timbers
- Orlando City FC Sporting KC
- Philadelphia Union Minnesota United
Nations League. The next round of games between Europes best National teams takes place between October 10th and 14th. That will complete 4 of the 6 initial round games and determine the next round of games.
UEFA Champions League 2020/2021. The best of the best, the ultimate soccer tournament is back. Champions League groups have been set and the first of the home and away games in the Group Stages starts October 20th. 8 groups of 4 teams, the 32 best Clubs in Europe will battle for the premier trophy in club soccer.
Keep checking in…..planning some video of ECU Covid practices in the very near future.