Major League Soccer is back and the Seattle Sounders are officially 50 years old! To celebrate the occasion, they debuted their snazzy 50th anniversary kits and updated crest. The colors and design pay homage to the Sounders teams that played in the North American Soccer League from 1974-1983, and the United Soccer League from 1994-2008. In my humble opinion, they absolutely nailed it with this jersey, and I can’t wait to buy one.
The Sounders began their 2024 campaign with a 2-1 loss to bitter rivals LAFC. The Rave Green were missing several key starters for the match including Stefan Frei, João Paulo and Albert Rusnák. Rusnák was slated to start, but picked up an ankle injury in the last training session before the match. His presence in the midfield was definitely missed, as the Sounders struggled to make an impact against a strong LAFC squad that was oozing with confidence.
The match started brightly for the Sounders when LAFC center back Jesús Murillo botched a clearance, and the ball fell kindly to Jordan Morris in the third minute. However, he squandered the chance with a weak shot that was easily saved by new LAFC goalkeeper and World Cup winner Hugo Lloris.
The rest of the first half was dominated by LAFC, who tested backup keeper Andrew Thomas early and often. Last year’s Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga was constantly menacing the Sounders back four, and was responsible for one of two first half chances that went off the crossbar.
Credit: Fox Sports/Fox Soccer
As halftime approached, it seemed like the Sounders would miraculously make it to the break without conceding. Unfortunately, they were undone in the 45th minute by a wonderful volley from Timothy Tillman. The winger latched onto a beautiful cross from Omar Campos and connected sweetly to ensure LAFC went into the second half with all the momentum.
When play resumed, things went from bad to worse. The Sounders came out flat, and were lucky not to give up a second goal when Buoanga was again denied by the crossbar. The crossbar was on it’s way to becoming the Sounders man of the match until Mateusz Bogusz piled on the misery in the 55th minute with a glorious strike from just inside the 18-yard box.
Undeterred, the boys in green kept fighting and were rewarded for their perseverance after Morris was awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute. New boy Pedro de la Vega confidently strode to the spot and slotted the ball home with the poise of a veteran. Ultimately, it was too little too late from the Sounders who will look to get back to winning ways against Austin FC on Saturday.
Although the loss was disappointing, I thought the Sounders showed a lot of heart and were able to compete despite being down several key players. There are some positives that will give the team some comfort moving forward. De la Vega only played 25 minutes, but in that short amount of time he looked like the real deal, teasing his dribbling and playmaking abilities. Nathan, who was filling in for the injured Yeimar Gómez Andrade at center back, also played admirably. He made several big plays on defense, including a goal line clearance that kept the match at nil nil.
"You can see what he brings." ⚡️
Pedro de la Vega impressed in his 25-minute debut in LAFC over the weekend.
The major question for the Sounders is can they fix their offense? They struggled to score goals for the majority of last season and that trend seems to be continuing. Raul Ruidiaz looks like a shell of his former self, and Jordan Morris needs to do some soul searching with just 5 goals in his last 25 matches.
The midfield also needs to do their part and get the ball into dangerous positions more often. I thought they lacked offensive urgency until they brought on De la Vega and struggled to create chances, aside from a few weak shots. The defense also allowed LAFC too much time and space on the ball and were once again plagued by poor marking.
I believe Rusnak is the Sounders x-factor this year, With Nico Lodeiro gone, someone has to step up and fill the creative void he left behind. If Rusnak can regain his 2021 form, when he scored 11 goals and recorded 7 assists for Real Salt Lake, he should have no problem stepping into the #10 role. The #9 role is up for grabs as well, and the burden will fall on Ruidiaz and Morris to produce. If players stay healthy and the offense starts gelling, the sky is the limit for this team.
If you’re an American, it’s hard to turn on the news these days without seeing a story on Black Lives Matter, or the palpable outrage felt across the country in the wake of the killings of black Americans like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Social justice has once again gripped the nation’s attention, and has sparked protests and gestures of solidarity around the globe.
When the English Premier League resumed play in June, the league announced that players would be wearing “Black Lives Matter” on the back of their jerseys in lieu of their names. All 20 Premier League clubs released a joint statement saying they were “committed to a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for all, regardless of their color or creed.”
Sheffield United defender Enda Stevens wears a jersey bearing Black Lives Matter. (Carl Recine/Getty Images).
Several Premier League players were involved in discussions with the league and clubs to get people on board, including Leicester City’s Wes Morgan, and Watford captain Troy Deeney, who’s girlfriend helped design the Black Lives Matter badge to be worn. The decision to show solidarity in the midst of fiery protests in America, speaks to the progressiveness of the European soccer leagues, and shows their commitment to fighting racism in the sport.
Similar gestures have been made by players in Germany and Spain as well. Many players have decided to take a knee, wear black arm bands, and raises their fists to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement, including high profile stars like Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund, and Marcelo of Real Madrid.
Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho shows support for George Floyd during a Bundesliga match. (Reuters/L. Baron).
This in in stark contrast to the conversation around protesting for social justice in American sports leagues. Colin Kaepernick remains blackballed by the NFL for taking a knee in 2016, and Megan Rapinoe was admonished by U.S Soccer for taking a knee in solidarity with Kaepernick. Both of these leagues have had multiple opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to social justice, and have instead opted to look the other way.
Roger Goodell released a statement saying that the NFL was wrong in the way that they handled social justice protests previously, but that’s all he’s done so far. No apology to Kaepernick for his role in ostracizing him from the NFL, and no effort by the league or team owners to bring Kaepernick back. U.S. Soccer also continues to be defiant, not just when it comes to protesting during the anthem, but also with regards to equal pay issues for the USWNT.
USWNT winger Megan Rapinoe, kneels during the playing of the national anthem before a friendly match against Thailand, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch via AP),
Some American sports leagues have decided to take a more progressive stance. Major League Soccer teams have been taking a knee, raising their fists, and wearing T-Shirts showing support for Black Lives Matter. The NBA also announced that players would have the option to wear a social justice message on their jerseys once the league resumes play. However, we don’t see the same level of unity that we saw from the Premier League.
This is not to say that European soccer has fully addressed the plague of racism. Racist abuse towards black players is still very prevalent in Europe. Several players have spoken out about racist abuse recently in Italy, including black stars like Mario Balotelli, and Romelu Lukaku. Just this week in the Premier League, Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha revealed that he had been subjected to racial abuse on social media. Police arrested a 12 year old boy from the West Midlands in connection to those obscene messages.
From left to right: Romelu Lukaku, Mario Balotelli, and Wilfried Zaha have all been subjected to racist abuse this season.
The reluctance of American sports leagues to take a firm stance on social justice is due in part to America’s dichotomy with protesting, and respecting the national anthem and American flag. There are many Americans who believe that taking a knee or raising your fist during the anthem is tantamount to disrespecting America. And those sentiments have been present long before Kaepernick ever decided to kneel.
In 1968, two American Olympic athletes, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, decided to raise their fists and wear black gloves during the national anthem which played during their medal ceremony. The two sprinters had won gold and bronze respectively in the 200-meter race. They kept their fists raised during the entire anthem, and also wore human rights badges on their jackets, as did Australian-silver-medalist Peter Norman.
John Carlos and Tommie Smith during the 1968 medal ceremony, raising their fists wearing black gloves. (Wikipedia).
The decision to raise their fists was construed as a declaration of Black Power, which did not sit well with Americans at the time. In the aftermath of the protest, Carlos and Smith were condemned by the mainstream media, and were subjected to widespread taunts and criticism. Smith was quoted as saying “If I win, I am American, not a black American. But if I did something bad, they would say I am a Negro. We are black and we are proud of being black.”
His quote still rings true today. American Sports Leagues are dominated by black athletes who are revered as heroes when they play well and help their team win. When they decide to speak out on social justice, or make a statement about black pride, they’re labeled as troublemakers, or told to just “shut up and dribble.”
Netherlands midfielders Georginio Wijnaldum and Frenkie de Jong celebrate with an anti-racism message during Euro 2020 qualifiers (ESPNFC Twitter).
In his autobiography Silent Gesture, Smith stated that the protest was not a “Black Power” salute, but rather a human rights salute. Today we see athletes like Kaepernick and Rapinoe continue to be vilified for protesting during the anthem in the same fashion.
Back to the NFL. Some may say “but Owen, look at what the NFL has done recently. The Washington Redskins decided to change their name and logo in response to social pressure from the recent protests. Doesn’t that mean anything?”
Yes it does. I applaud the decision that the Redskins made to finally change their name and logo. However, let’s be crystal clear. This decision had more to do with caving to financial pressure rather than social pressure.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is still blackballed from the NFL (Skysports.com).
The Redskins had been using their name and logo for almost 90 years. Plenty of time to think about how that name and logo could be offensive to Native Americans, which to me seems pretty obvious. Since taking ownership of the team in 1999, Dan Snyder has been pressured numerous times to change the name and has been defiant up until now.
It wasn’t until just recently, when several major sponsors announced that they would cease their financial partnership with the Redskins if they didn’t drop their nickname, that the ownership changed their tune. FedEx, who owns the naming rights to their home field, was the main catalyst. I get that sponsors have significant leverage over sports teams, but they shouldn’t have all the leverage.
A man wearing a t-shirt parodying the Washington Redskins now defunct logo (Reddit).
Unfortunately, that may be the reality we live in. If we want to see real change with regards to racism and social justice in American sports, we have to hit them where it hurts the most. In their wallets.
MLS is back in action after a three month hiatus, due in no small part to a certain virus that needs no introduction. The league got underway once again on July 8th, with a tournament behind closed doors at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. 24 of the 26 MLS teams are participating, with FC Dallas and Nashville SC withdrawing at the last minute due to several of their players testing positive for COVID-19.
The Sounders resumed their season against the San Jose Earthquakes last Friday, and played their second game of the tournament against the Chicago Fire on Tuesday. In both games, the defending MLS Cup champions put in a lackluster shift against two arguably weaker teams. They could only manage a 0-0 draw against San Jose, and slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Chicago, leaving their hopes of advancing to the round of 16 in serious jeopardy. This was not what Sounders fans were expecting when the season restarted.
So what’s going on with the boys in famous green? And will they be able to right the ship before it’s too late?
If they want to avoid an early exit from the tournament, they’ll have to address the elephant in the room, which is once again their defense. The Sounders have yet to find a reliable replacement for their longtime defensive stalwart Chad Marshall, who retired in 2019 after five seasons with the club.
Xavier Arreaga was tapped to be Marshall’s replacement when he was signed in May of 2019, but has struggled with consistency since his arrival. The Ecuadorian was brilliant against LAFC in the Western Conference Final last year, but has failed to live up to expectations so far this season. The 25-year-old looked shaky against the Earthquakes, and made a catastrophic defensive error against the Fire, when he misjudged a long ball near the halfway line, leading to Chicago’s first goal. Yeimar Gómez Andrade was signed this season to help shore up the defense, but has failed to establish himself as a serious contender to fill Marshall’s shoes. If the Sounders want to defend their title, they’ll have to get better defensively.
Yeimar Gómez Andrade has shown his potential, but needs to assert himself at center back. Photo Credit: Seattle Sounders FC Twitter
The offense is having issues as well. The Sounders only scored four goals before the COVID pandemic shut down MLS, and they’ve only produced one goal in the tournament so far. The normally dominant attacking trio of Jordan Morris,Nico Lodeiro, and Raul Ruidiaz have been out of sync, and lacking potency.
Morris has shown flashes of his skill, assisting Handwalla Bwana for the Sounder’s only goal against Chicago. However, all three players have looked like ghosts out on the pitch, failing to impose their presence on the game. The Sounders could only muster one shot on goal against Chicago, and it seems like it will take some time for them to shake off the rust.
Ruidiaz has to find the quality and killer instinct he showed last season, especially during the LAFC match, when he sparked the comeback that ultimately led to the Sounders reaching the MLS Cup final. The Peruvian playmaker had a good chance to give the Sounders three points versus San Jose, but tried to take a touch instead of shooting, and was quickly dispossessed by the keeper. To me, that’s a sign of a striker lacking confidence, and he must regain that confidence if the Sounders hope to have a chance.
Raul Ruidiaz has to regain his form if the Sounders want to advance. Photo Credit: Seattle Sounders FC Twitter
The one bright spot for the Sounders in the tournament so far has been goalkeeper Stefan Frei. The 34-year-old continues to prove why he’s one of the best keepers in MLS, making some key saves against San Jose to keep the game at nil nil, and salvage a point. Unfortunately, he had no chance to stop Chicago’s two goals, leaving the Sounders in a big hole to climb out of.
Will the Sounders be able to find their mojo from last season? Or will they continue to fade in the tournament and the Western Conference? Only time will tell. Tune in Sunday when the Sounders take on Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a must-win game on FS1.
From managerial GOAT Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, to Luis Suarez’s infamous biting of Giorgio Chiellini, there were several memorable moments in the beautiful game during the 2010’s. However, since I reign supreme over this blog, neither of those moments made the final cut. Here are my picks for the top 10 most iconic moments of the last decade.
Iniesta’s World Cup Winner
The decade kicked off in spectacular style with the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Spain was playing the Netherlands in the final, and neither squad had won a World Cup before. The score was nil-nil heading into extra time, and with penalties looming, both teams were desperate to end the stalemate. In the 116th minute, Spain were pressing towards goal when the ball fell to Andres Iniesta. He could have easily folded under the pressure of such a moment, but instead, he calmly slots home arguably the most significant goal in Spanish history. In a split second, Iniesta had realized the dream of World Cup glory for millions of Spanish soccer fans, while Dutch fans helplessly watched their dreams die thanks to a momentary lapse of concentration.
Landon Donovan Against Algeria
Every U.S. soccer fan can recall exactly where they were the moment Landon Donovan scored against Algeria to send the U.S. to the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup. I was watching with my high school algebra class. The U.S. needed a win to advance, but as the game ticked on into second half stoppage time, the teams were still deadlocked. With hope fading, Goalkeeper Tim Howard makes a save, and immediately hurls a surgical half-field outlet pass to a furiously sprinting Donovan.
It was a delectable throw served on a platter, and Donovan never had to break stride. He found a young Jozy Altidore, who played a cutback cross into the path of Clint Dempsey. Algeria’s goalkeeper was able to foil Dempsey’s attempt on goal, but couldn’t hang on to the ball in the chaos. Meanwhile Donovan, who never stopped running, instinctively pounced on the loose ball. As the country collectively held it’s breath, he tucked the ball into the bottom corner to give the U.S. the lead, and the win. Pandemonium ensued. In my class, kids and teachers alike were screaming and throwing papers in the air. Even though the U.S. ended up losing to Ghana in the next round, the goal will live on in U.S. Soccer lore forever.
Rapinoe to Wambach
Another iconoclast moment in U.S. soccer history occurred at the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany. The U.S. was keen to make a statement, after failing to make the final in the previous two tournaments following their famous victory in 1999. They were lead by another golden generation of players including Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Abby Wambach. In the semi final, the U.S. women found themselves tied 2-2 with Brazil in extra time.
At the last breath, Rapinoe launches a desperate cross from the left wing. The ball glides past the Brazilian defenders, and through the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper, before somehow making perfect contact with Wambach’s head. It was eerily similar to Landon Donovan’s goal a year earlier, only this goal meant the U.S. had a chance to play for the trophy! Unfortunately, they ended up loosing the final to Japan on penalties.
Manchester City Edges Man U For Premier League Title
The 2012 Premier League title race came down to the two Manchester clubs on final day of the season. Manchester City was playing Queen’s Park Rangers, while Manchester United squared up against Sunderland. As the final minutes ticked away, City found themselves behind QPR 2-1. Meanwhile, United had won their game 1-0 which meant if the score held, United would win the title. It seemed all was lost for City.
Then suddenly, Edin Dzeko scores in stoppage time giving the City players a slim chance. They needed a miracle, and just when you thought it was over, they got one from their talisman Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian striker latched onto a loose ball bouncing around the QPR penalty box – striding effortlessly past one defender, before sizzling the ball into the net. United players could do nothing, as the Etihad Stadium went ballistic. City had finally defeated their crosstown rivals, and won their first Premier League title in 44 years. It was a fairy tale ending even the Brothers Grimm couldn’t top.
Brazil’s 7-1 World Cup Semi-Final Defeat
The Selecao had played well in the tournament up until their fateful semi-final match against eventual champions Germany. What happened next can only be described as the most epic collapse in World Cup history. Brazil were stunned as Germany shredded their defense to score five goals in the first half. They eventually bled out in the second half, as Germany scored two more goals for a grand total of seven. A late consolation goal for Brazil seemed like a cruel joke as everyone knew the match was over.
When the final whistle blew, Germany tried to temper their celebrations and console the Brazilian players, who were on the ground in tears. Many hid their faces, distraught by the shocking result. Fans everywhere were stunned. They had just watched a World Cup heavyweight lose by six goals on their own turf. The Brazilian newspaper O Globo summed it up best with their headline the next morning “Shame, Grief, Humiliation.” It was the largest margin of victory in a World Cup semi-final, and Brazil’s worst defeat in nearly 100 years.
Carli Lloyd’s Historic Hat Trick
Scoring one goal in a World Cup final is hard enough, let alone three. As of 2020, only one male player has scored a hat trick in a World Cup final (Geoff Hurst, England 1966). Now imagine if you bagged that hat trick before the halftime whistle! That’s what U.S.A. midfielder Carli Lloyd did in the 2015 final against Japan. Lloyd had already scored twice in the first ten minutes, and you could just feel that more goals were coming.
After Lauren Holiday made it 3-0, it was clear that Japan were in trouble, and Lloyd had glory in her sights. She wins the ball at midfield, and unleashes a savage 50-yard strike that sails over the backpedaling Japanese keeper. Only 15 minutes of time had elapsed in the match, but Lloyd had achieved a feat that only one player, male or female, had achieved in 88 years of World Cup history. Hurst needed a full 90 minutes, extra time, and an assist from the referee to complete his hat trick.
5000-1
Before the 2015/2016 Premier League season, few U.S. soccer fans had ever heard of Leicester City, and even fewer could pronounce the name correctly (it’s pronounced like the name Lester in case you’re struggling). The club had only been promoted from the Championship the previous season, and barely avoided relegation. They were considered minnows in a league full of sharks, and some wondered if they could even compete for a mid table finish, let alone the title. In fact, their odds of winning the title were 5000-1 at the start of the season.
But when nobody else believed in them, they believed in themselves. They were led by striker Jamie Vardy, who just three years earlier, was playing in the fifth tier of the English professional leagues. Vardy scored in 11 straight games, a Premier League record, and the Foxes found themselves in first place at the halfway point of the season. They went on to win the title through sheer heart and determination, and it is considered one of the greatest Cinderella stories in the history of sports. To put it in perspective, The USA Hockey team was given 1000-1 odds of defeating the Soviet Union in the famous “Miracle on Ice” victory.
La Remontada
Known in Spain as “La Remontada” (The Comeback), this classic Champions League match was played in the Round of 16 between heavyweights Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. PSG had cruised to a resounding 4-0 win in the first leg, and everyone expected them to progress to the next round. However with 40 minutes left in the game, Barcelona had turned the match into a contest. Luis Suarez got La Blagrauna started with a quick opening goal. Then, PSG fullback Layvin Kurzawa gifts Barcelona a second, with a miscued clearance that ends up in his own net. Lionel Messi scores from the spot to make it 3-0, and suddenly, Barcelona are two goals away from taking the lead on aggregate.
This was enough to rouse the PSG players out of their slumber, and Edinson Cavani seemingly dashed Barcelona’s comeback with a clutch finish at the hour mark. Because Cavani’s goal was an away goal, aggregate scoring rules dictated that Barcelona would have to score three more goals to advance. Even die hard fans were starting to lose hope at this point, but the players refused to give up. All of a sudden, two late goals from Neymar bring Barca to the brink of overcoming the largest Champions League deficit in history. Then, with the referee’s whistle in his lips, local boy Sergi Roberto latches onto a pass dinked over the top by Neymar. He barely beats the offside trap, and touches it in to seal PSG’s fate. It was the exclamation point on a storybook ending, although Barcelona would end up losing to Juventus in the next round.
Bale’s Champions League Bike
This might not be the most iconic moment on the list, but it deserves to be included, and not just because Gareth Bale is my favorite player. There were other amazing bicycle kicks throughout the decade, such as Wayne Rooney’s Manchester Darby bike, or Cristiano Ronaldo’s against Juventus. Both goals were world class, but Bale’s occurred in the final of the world’s most esteemed club tournament, and that’s why Bale’s bike gets the nod. The Welshman started the match on the bench, before making an immediate impression with an overhead kick no one saw coming. The cross was on a dime from Marcelo, and Bale simply used his technique and athleticism do the rest. Liverpool had just leveled the game at one goal apiece, and Bale’s bike was the goal that broke the deadlock. Real Madrid would go on to win 3-1, and claim their third straight Champions League title.
The Merseyside Miracle
Last year’s Champions League knockout stages were some of the most entertaining games I’ve ever seen. They were so thrilling, that I devoted an entire blog post to it. In the quarterfinals, Tottenham overcame a heavily favored Man City squad, thanks to a bit of luck, and Fernando Llorente’s hip. In the semi finals, they came from behind again to beat Ajax and reach the final, but the main event was Liverpool’s own semi-final comeback against Barcelona.
Barcelona carried a 3-0 lead into the second leg, and despite the home field advantage, many thought the end was nigh for Liverpool. This time however, it was Barcelona that suffered a dramatic collapse. Divock Origi got the party started with an early goal, but that’s all they could manage in the first half. With time ticking away, Jurgen Klopp turned to his bench to bring on trusty Dutch playmaker Giorginio Wjinaldum. The midfielder rewards his manager’s faith with two brilliant goals, minutes after his introduction. Just like that, Barcelona’s formidable first leg lead was erased. Eventually, Origi would deliver the final blow with a one touch finish off a cheeky corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold. It wasn’t the largest comeback on record, but Liverpool would go on to defeat Tottenham in the final, cementing the 2019 season in Liverpool’s storied legacy.
If you missed the second legs of the UEFA Champions League semi final this year, I’m sorry. You missed arguably two of the best games in the competition’s history.
Liverpool hosted Barcelona and Tottenham traveled to Ajax, for the highly anticipated second leg of their fixtures. If you’re confused by the term “second leg” let me give you a crash course on the aggregate scoring system.
Once the knockout stages of the tournament begin, the teams play two games against each other per round: a home leg, and an away leg. The score is totaled, giving each team an aggregate score for the combined games. If the aggregate score is tied, the team with more away goals moves on. If the teams are still tied, it’s on to penalty kicks.
Barcelona brought a formidable first leg advantage with them to Anfield. A 3-0 thumping at the Camp Nou, handed the Reds their first loss in all competitions since January. A spectacular free kick from Messi was the cherry on top of a dominant performance that seemed to seal Liverpool’s fate.
Surely, there was no way Liverpool could overcome a 3 goal deficit against this club!
After all, this is FC Barcelona we are talking about. They are world renowned for their ability to possess the ball, close out games, and get results. It seemed like Barcelona was destined to move on to the final, but the soccer gods had other ideas.
What happened in that second leg, can only be described as a Merseyside miracle (if you are confused again, google Merseyside).
Liverpool needed a 3-0 victory just to force extra time. They won 4-0, giving them an aggregate score of 4-3. No additional time necessary.
Divock Origi sparked the comeback in the seventh minute, with a classic poacher’s goal; resurrecting the hopes of the Liverpool faithful. An early goal was exactly what they needed, to have a chance of overturning the deficit.
However, Barcelona shored up their defense, and were able to control the rest of the first half. A vital save from Alisson on a shot from Jordi Alba, denied Barcelona the away goal they desperately craved. The score was in Liverpool’s favor, but Barcelona could taste the final.
With only 45 min left, Jurgen Klopp turned to his bench to conjure up more magic. Enter Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutch midfielder makes Klopp look like a genius when finds the back of the net, just minutes after being introduced.
That wasn’t good enough for Wijnaldum, however.
Two minutes later, he scored again with a brilliantly timed header. It was pandemonium. The Reds had rendered the first leg result null and void.
Fittingly, it was Origi who would sign Barcelona’s death certificate. The Belgian latched onto a quick corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold that caught Barcelona sleeping, and effectively concluded the comeback of the century.
As Liverpool celebrated their improbable victory, Tottenham were preparing to face Ajax away. The Spurs slumped to a 1-0 defeat in their first leg game at home. They were outclassed by a confident Ajax team, that had defeated defending champions Real Madrid and Italian heavyweight Juventus en route to the semis.
Tottenham’s woes from the first leg followed them to Amsterdam, and they quickly found themselves deeper in the hole.
Defensive phenom Mattias De Ligt capitalized on a corner just five minutes into the game. Spurs looked like a ghost of the team that had overcome eventual Premier League champions Manchester City in the quarter finals. Hakim Ziyech made it 3-0 Ajax before half time, virtually putting the game to bed.
But the soccer gods had one more twist up their sleeve.
Lucas Moura must have eaten his Wheaties at halftime, because he came out of the tunnel a man possessed. He scored not one, not two, but three goals; to single handedly catapult Spurs into the final, and crush Ajax’s pipe dream.
What struck me most about these games was that neither comeback was sparked by the club’s talisman. Mohammed Salah of Liverpool, and Harry Kane of Tottenham were both out with injuries. Instead, it was the role players who stepped up when it mattered most.
Origi has struggled to earn a starting spot since his arrival at the club in 2014. He was loaned out to other clubs twice in that time. Yet, he has a knack for coming off the bench and scoring clutch goals.
In the final week of the Premier League season, he came off the bench and scored the winning goal against Newcastle, to keep Liverpool’s title hopes alive. When Salah was ruled out of the semi final with a concussion, Klopp turned to Origi to fill the void, and he was rewarded ten fold.
Moura was in a similar situation at Tottenham. He was purchased from Paris Saint Germain last season, where his form had ebbed and flowed. His playing time this year was limited, thanks to Heung Min-Son’s breakout season. Like Origi, he was given a golden chance to prove his merit, and took full advantage.
It’s games like these that make soccer so special. There’s something truly magical about watching a player transform from a fringe player, to a club legend overnight. As fans, we live for these games.
It’s likely that Origi and Moura will both get significant playing time in the final. If either player has a repeat performance, they could get a statue built in their honor.
With the Confederations Cup underway, and the CONCACAF Championship (Gold Cup) starting next month, it’s an exciting time to be a football fanatic. It is especially exciting to be a United States Men’s National Team fan. The advent of a golden generation of young players, has revitalized the team, and rejuvenated the fan base.
For decades, the USA’s claim to fame in the soccer world has been the Women’s National Team. The USWNT has consistently ranked #1 in the FIFA World Rankings, and currently ranks #2, behind Germany. They are nothing short of dominant in international competitions; winning three World Cups (1991, 1999, 2015), four Olympic Gold Medals (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012), and seven CONCACAF Championships, out of eight appearances.
In CONCACAF, the USWNT has almost achieved perfection. The USMNT on the other hand, have struggled to achieve that same level of dominance. The men have two less CONCACAF championships than the women, even though they have made seven more appearances in the tournament. They currently sit in third place in World Cup qualifying, behind Costa Rica and Mexico. Their performance in the 2015 Gold Cup was disappointing to say the least. Defending their 2013 title on home soil; they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Jamaica in the semi-final, and lost the third place game to Panama on penalties. With respect to Jamaica and Panama, they should have easily won those games. The USMNT made it to the Round of 16 in the last two World Cups, and should not be losing to teams that have never even qualified.
In spite of their international inconsistency, I would argue that the USMNT is gradually establishing themselves as a serious contender on the world stage. They were able to secure a crucial draw against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, improving to 1-8-3 overall at the iconic stadium. They have a core group of young talent that can lead them to glory in Russia.
DeAndre Yedlin is exceeding expectations in England, helping Newcastle United win promotion to the English Premier League. Juan Agudelo and Dom Dwyer have scored 12 goals combined in MLS so far, with Dwyer earning his first call-up to the national team. Jordan Morris and Christian Roldan have become integral parts of the Sounders starting eleven, with Roldan earning his first call up as well.
And of course, Christian Pulisic has continued his meteoric rise to stardom. At just 18 years old, he never ceases to impress. He scores goals in the UEFA Champions League for Borussia Dortmund, and earned the number ten shirt for the USMNT. His skillful play and wizardry with the ball at his feet; have breathed new life into the team, and wowed the crowds. He will be key to the USMNT success in qualifying for the World Cup, and could be the player that elevates the team to the next level of world football.
The sky is the limit for the boys in red, white, and blue. With veterans like Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey guiding the young stars, the imagination of USA fans is running wild. Russia 2018, here we come!
Everybody doubted Wales, except for me. I know that sounds arrogant but bear with me.
If you follow Euro 2016 and were unable to watch the quarter-final matchup between Wales and Belgium you missed a decisive Welsh victory over a heavily favored Belgian team.
Belgium, pundits, fans: everybody was shocked. Everybody, that is, except the Welsh players.
They have been playing with confidence throughout the tournament; Grinding out results through tough defense, moments of brilliance, and sheer determination. This Welsh team has one heart, and one goal.
Granted, the Belgian team had a lot of starters injured or suspended, but that is no excuse.
Before the match, I watched the ESPN pundits sit around and discuss how Belgium would win, despite the track record of Wales throughout the tournament. They all thought this was where the Cinderella story would end. The Belgian team was labeled as a “dark horse” team that could win it all. They have a “golden generation” of players that includes the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Thibaut Courtois. Those players will now be watching from home.
The Welsh team themselves were the only ones who believed they could beat Belgium, and why shouldn’t they? Belgium was in their Euro qualifying group, and they played each other twice. The result? A 0-0 draw in Brussels, and a 1-0 Welsh victory in Cardiff. Both games were considered upsets by the media.
During the match, the Belgians started strong with an opening attack that looked sure to produce a goal; if not for a couple of goal line clearances and a save from Wayne Hennessey. Then, a screamer from Radja Nainggolan in the 13th minute gave the Belgians an early lead. Belgium thought that after the early goal, they could sit back and coast for the rest of the match. They were dead wrong.
The equalizer came in the first half, a brilliant header from Ashley Williams. Then, Hal Robson-Kanu executes a fabulous “Cryuff turn” to put Wales in front. And the icing on the cake came in the 86th minute, when a Sam Vokes header sealed the deal.
Wales was not phased by the early Belgian goal, and proceeded to dominate the rest of the match, outclassing a Belgian side that looked disorganized and lacked motivation. After the match, they celebrated with each other, and the fans; showing the true motivations behind their success.
Looks like this Cinderella story could go all the way to the big dance.
If you’re an American football (soccer) fan, then you know it’s an exciting time to be watching the beautiful game. Major League Soccer is wrapping up their campaign, as football in Europe begins. There have been plenty of thrilling matches and surprises around the globe; with plenty of attacking football on display. But this post is about the less glamorous side of the game: defense.
It’s no surprise that great goals and flashy dribbling always steal the spotlight. Everyone wants to see the wonder goals, the cheeky backheels, and the nutmegs. The defense is often undervalued or overlooked, with clubs content to spend big money on attackers rather than defenders.
If you want proof, look no further than the list of the most expensive transfers of all time in association football. Only four defenders managed to crack the top 50. Two of those transfers happened this year: Manchester City paid £32 million ($50 million) to Portuguese club Porto for the services of Eliaquim Mangala; while David Luiz became the most expensive defender in history, when Paris Saint-Germain forked over £50 million ($80 million), to Chelsea. David Luiz ranks 10th on the all time list.
Watching the games this weekend, I found myself questioning the defensive strategies of many top teams. In MLS, my beloved Seattle Sounders were routed by the New York Red Bulls 4-1 on Saturday. Granted, the Sounders had just played a tough game on Tuesday against the Philidelphia Union in the U.S. Open Cup Final. Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid was resting a lot of his star players, and three of the four players in the starting back line were recovering from injuries. But I had really expected better from the Sounders. Instead of defending as a group, they were chasing the ball like children. This allowed Red Bulls to score an easy goal in the first 30 seconds of the match. My youth coach would refer to this as “bumblebee soccer”. As the game progressed, the defending got worse. Subsitute right back Jalil Anibaba made too many mistakes to count and proved why he sits on the bench. Djimi Traore, who is usually rock solid in defense, was clearly at fault for the fourth goal. He gifted the ball to Australian ace Tim Cahill, who put the game to bed with an expert finish into the bottom corner (and some help from the post).
In the English Premier League, there were some woeful defensive displays as well. West Ham punished Liverpool for some lax defending with two goals in the opening 10 minutes. Despite a nice finish from L’pool striker Raheem Sterling to make it 2-1, West Ham was able to add a third. A shoddy clearance from L’pool left back Mamadou Sakho set up the final goal, and cemented a 3-1 victory for West Ham.
Everton and Tottenham had some defensive issues against bottom clubs Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, which allowed the latter to chalk up their first Premier League wins. Palace tagged Everton for three goals after going down 1-0. Miscommunication between the Everton defense and goalkeeper Tim Howard led to a penalty for Palace, and set the tone for the rest of the game. My beloved Spurs might have escaped with a 0-0 draw if they had defended better on the set piece, that allowed West Brom to score the only goal of the game in the 74th minute.
But it was Manchester United that laid the biggest defensive egg. After spending £80 million ($130 million) on attacking playmakers Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, there were high expectations as they traveled to newly promoted club Leicester City. It looked like money well spent after the Red Devils went two goals ahead. Falcao assisted Robin Van Persie’s header with a brilliant cross, and Di Maria continued to impress with a superb scoop over the goalkeeper into the back of the net. Man U’s only defensive signing during the transfer window was Marcos Rojo, an Argentinian international who played in the World Cup final. Rojo was caught on his heels for Leicester’s first goal, and Man U’s downfall had begun. Even with an insurance goal from Ander Herrera to make it 3-1, the titans of English football could not see out the game. Leicester striker Jamie Vardy made a hard challenge on Man U defender Rafael, who in turn retaliated with a soft challenge on Vardy inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. David Nugent converted the penalty kick to make it 3-2. The dismal day continued for Manchester. A careless clearance from Wayne Rooney set up an uncontested shot from Esteban Cambiasso, where five Man U players were caught ball watching. The veteran midfielder buries his chance and it’s 3-3.
But Leicester were not satisfied with a draw. Vardy capitalizes with acres of space on the counter attack, and adds a goal to go along with his two assists. Leicester added a fifth moments later. The inexperienced defender Tyler Blackett rubbed salt in Man U’s wound, getting his positioning all wrong and allowing Vardy to go through on goal. Blackett had no choice but to bring Vardy down and received a straight red card. Jose Ulloa (who scored Leicester’s first goal), calmly put the penalty in the back on the net and the game was over. I’m trying to understand the rationale of starting a young player like Blackett when you have a more experienced defender named Chris Smalling sitting on the bench. I guarantee Manchester United manager Louie Van Gaal will have nightmares about this game for weeks.
Manchester United is a prime example of how a lopsided team can falter. You can’t neglect the defense. These clubs will be forced to look for reinforcements in the January transfer window if they want to fight for a top table finish.
I’ve dealt a lot of criticism in this post so let me say this. Being a defender (or a goalkeeper) is a thankless job. If the team loses, defenders are often scapegoated and held responsible for the loss. If the team wins, credit goes to the strikers and midfielders who were involved in the goals. A clean sheet means the defenders are just doing their jobs. As fans, we sometimes forget that defenders are more than capable of scoring goals themselves. Although they might not be as pretty or as graceful, they are every bit as important. I have huge respect for defenders and goalkeepers because they require true skill, grit, and determination. They are usually the toughest players on the pitch, and carry themselves as such.
Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile, I’ve been busy working and finishing my winter quarter at college. But there’s been a lot of exciting soccer action since I’ve last posted that I have to talk about.
For those who don’t know, the Champions League draw for the round of eight was on Friday. There are some mouth watering match ups: Barcelona will take on league rivals Atletico Madrid, Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint Germain take on Premier League leaders Chelsea. Real Madrid will look for revenge against Borussia Dortmund in a rematch of last years semi final match in which Dortmund won 4-3 on aggregate en route to the final. And finally perhaps the most anticipated match World Champions Bayern Munich take on Manchester United. I hate both Bayern and Man U, so I am excited for this match up because it means one of the teams will have lose. It should be a bunch of close games, and a good watch for soccer fans. The first legs take place on April 1st and 2nd.
The sounders got their second victory of the season in a 2-0 win at Montreal. The Sounders and Impact played on Sunday and the sounders dominated most of the match. Clint Dempsey was ineligible due to a two game suspension he picked up in last weeks loss to Toronto. Brad Evans was also missing due to injury. Nevertheless Sounders were able to get a convincing win. Lamar Neagle and Obafemi Martins were constantly penetrating the back line. Neagle was fortunate to get a goal after a good header. The ball came off the post and bounced off Impact keeper Troy Perkins for an own goal. Obafemi Martins nearly found the back on the net soon after with a clinical header, but a good save from Perkins kept the score at 1-0. After the break, the sounders doubled their lead, when a pinpoint cross found Kenny Cooper found Obafemi’s head, and the Nigerian striker was able to get his coveted first goal of the season. The Sounders are now 2-0-1, and take on the Columbus Crew this Saturday.
Finally, the Premier League title race is starting to heat up Chelsea are currently four points ahead of second place Liverpool, and six points clear of third place Man City. Man City, however, are two games behind Chelsea and could still make up those points. Arsenal has slipped to fourth place, and still have a chance at the title but my money is on Chelsea or Liverpool. Both teams have been in good form, but I think Liverpool could edge out Chelsea in the end. Between Suarez and Sturridge, Liverpool have been a goal scoring machine. They recently beat lack luster Manchester United 3-0. Chelsea have put in convincing performances as well: 4-0 against Tottenham, and 6-0 against Arsenal. But they lost to Aston Villa 1-0. If you’re gonna win the title you have to be able to beat teams like Aston Villa. So if I had to pick a winner, I would pick Liverpool. But it should prove to be an exciting end to the Premier League campaign.
Thanks for reading football fans, and stay tuned for more posts!
The Blues take on the Spurs in the Premier League on Saturday at 9:30 EST. This could potentially be an interesting game. Chelsea currently sit in 1st place in the league, while Tottenham has crawled back from an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Norwich City, and are currently in 5th place. The game will take place at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have the best home record in the premier league, and have remained unbeaten at home for 74 league games. Tottenham, on the other hand, have the best away record in the premier league, picking up 29 points away from White Hart Lane this season. The odds are definitely in Chelsea’s favor. Spurs haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since February 1990. Here are three ways Tottenham can upset Chelsea this weekend.
Take Eden Hazard out of the game
Not literally injuring him of course. But containing him so he can’t influence the game. Chelsea’s star winger is currently recovering from an injury and has been declared fit to play on Saturday. He is a lot for defense’s to handle: with great pace, superb ball skills, and excellent passing. If Tottenham’s defenders can do a decent job and keep him quiet throughout the game, they may have a better chance. Most of Chelsea’s build up goes through the midfield, and Hazard is arguably their best midfielder.
Get the ball to Adebayor in dangerous spots
Adebayor’s away form has been red hot this season, netting seven times in his last six away games. If Tottenham can get him the ball, and give him time to do what he does best, he could be a dangerous threat. Adebayor can score with his head, as well as his feet. He just needs to create space for himself, and get the ball in dangerous areas.
Tottenham’s defense needs to step up.
The defense for Spurs has been downright awful at times this season. They have allowed 33 goals this season, the second most of the top 7 teams in the Premier League. Liverpool has let in 35, yet they have scored 73, whereas Tottenham have only scored 37. Chelsea have a lot of attacking power in their squad, with Hazard, Samuel Eto’o, Oscar, and Willian among those expected to start tomorrow. Tottenham have good defenders, they just need to play well as a unit, and control the tempo of the game. Wide backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker need to control the dangerous Chelsea wings, as well as help center backs Michael Dawson and Jan Vertrongen. If they play well and stay compact defensively, they just might have a chance.
I’ll end this post with a couple shoutouts. This game is personal to me because my brother Alec is a big Chelsea fan and it would be great to rub it in his face if they lose. Come on you Spurs!
Also, the MLS season kicks off on Saturday. Go Sounders!
Leave It On The Pitch 