The final of the women's Euros, like many of the games throughout, was an excellent game. Germany looked the more dangerous and more organized squad for most of the game, and but for some near misses could easily have won. But it was two goals from English substitutes (Toone and Kelly) that proved decisive. Toone chipped the keeper beautifully after a lightning breakaway just after the hour mark, then Magull finished smartly from a fine entry ball to level things near the end of regulation. Kelly settled matters with ten minutes to go in extra time by poking the ball into the net at close range after a corner kick scramble. England dominated the second half of injury time after looking second best most of the game. The play was physical, and at a high technical level.
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Monday, July 25, 2022
Women's Euros
It's been a great watch. The quarterfinals were all close. It's ENG-SWE and FRA-GER in the semis. It's been on ESPN2.
A Delightful Preseason, and Transfer Talk
So far (there's one friendly left), Arsenal has won all their games (four). It doesn't mean a lot, but the team does seem ready to compete. New arrivals are: first and foremost Gabriel Jesus, the scorer we need; Fabio Vieira, a regrettably injured expensive attacking midfielder; Marquinhos, another Brazilian winger bought for very little; Matt Turner, US backup keeper to Ramsdale; and Oleksander Zinchenko, who can play in midfield (he's Ukraine's #10) and left back (for Man City). I think we look good all over the field. The injury woes of Tomiyasu and Tierney are the big worry, but now we have quality cover. And they may stay fit for longer this year.
DC United Manager Wayne Rooney
That is not a title I thought I would ever write. I hope they give him some time, because this year is already gone before he starts with us.
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Lackluster performance - Minnesota 2 DC United 0
This was one of the most dismal performances by any team that I have seen in a long time. DC was on defense most of the match and showed few signs of life. They were fortunate to have only surrendered two goals. The match was much more one sided than the score indicated. They rarely got the ball past midfield. It was painful to watch.
Monday, June 27, 2022
Transfer Talk
So far, Arsenal has added a backup goalkeeper (Matt Turner, USA) for $7M, a young winger with potential (Marquinos, BRA) for $4M, and a top class attacking midfielder (Fabio Vieira) for $38.5M. We're also on the cusp of securing the services of Gabriel Jesus for I'm guessing around $55M. It's said that Raphina is also a target, but I think it would be a mistake to load up on attackers when we desperately need some defensive cover. For those keeping count, and not counting Raphina, that makes four Brazilians (three named Gabriel) and two Portuguese on the senior squad. Edu (our Technical Director) definitely has connections an influence on who we rate and who we acquire. I like it, after he got Willian and David Luiz out of his system anyway. We still need a top quality left back for when Tierney rips his next tendon, and a backup for Partey, who has had injuries too. Arsenal is keen on Lisandro Martinez, who can do both of those, but the price will be high. If we do improve in defense and midfield, we may try to sell Tavares and Lokonga, who are both good young players who may thrive under another system.
We've generated just $15M in player sales, $12M of that for Marseille to finalize their promised purchase of Guendouzi, a player I liked but who would not do what Arteta told him to do in training or on the field. He's quite good, but he won't play for Arsenal. Mavropanos was let go to Stuttgart for just $3.5M I like him, but he would never play for us on a regular basis), and Lacazette went to Lyon on a free, We have a lot of guys in the departure lounge who ought to be in demand, like Bernd Leno, Cedric, Pepe, and a host of loanees like Torreira, Bellerin, Nelson, Maitland-Niles, etc. who have to be moved on and will bring in some money. (Some of those deals are being done.) One loanee who is definitely coming back is Saliba, as things stand. He's that top quality center back we'll need to spell White and Gabriel in tough games without having to use Holding, who I love but who has a more limited skill set.
All of which is to say that it looks as though the Kroenkes, having won the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup this year, have decided they like this winning thing and are willing to spend some money to make that happen. I love that Arteta is insisting on players under 26, who are just reaching their prime or are a couple years away from it, and integrating them into a tightly knit system. There's a lot of overlap between the skill sets. There is no Olivier Giroud type to post up and wear out big defenders, win long balls from the back, and bang in headers off crosses. He's loaded up on defensively sound, speedy players who have an eye for a pass and who can finish at least adequately. Arteta wants the Gunners to play through the opposition, move the ball around smartly, and make incisive passes to speedy wingers or attacking midfielders who burst into the box unexpectedly. He wants a suffocating press that will keep the ball in the other side's half and win it in good positions. There will be five subs next year. Imagine a fresh Saka in the second half, having come in for (say) Vieira, or throwing on Martinelli or Smith-Rowe late after Odegaard or Jesus put in 65 hard minutes running at the opponent's defenders. Not many clubs could match that pace and energy.
