The USMNT did not play poorly, but looked tentative and a little confused at times in Panama City. Los Canaleros made more chances and took more shots, and had a right to feel disappointed at the result, although they seemed happy enough with a draw by the end. The Panamanian defense, stingy throughout qualifying, was on top most of the night. Only a great sequence from Pilisic broke them down, as he stole the ball off one of their center backs, then held off the other until he could find Dempsey for a fine finish from close range. The hosts' goal came after a long throw-in was not dealt with and squirted to one of their players, who fired it past Howard very neatly.
Graham Zusi got turned inside out a few times at right back. Altidore was not effective. Jermaine Jones did not plug up the middle the way he used to, putting too much pressure on Bradley and the defenders. Ream and Gonzalez had a few misunderstandings. But as a team, the US did well enough to give hope for qualification. Fourth is good enough to earn a play-in (probably vs New Zealand), and for that we'd need to finish above two of Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama. I think we should be above all three by the end, meaning automatic qualification. Mexico is the class of the Hex, and I figure Costa Rica will hold their edge over us.
...
I'm disappointed Wenger has not announced his retirement from Arsenal. I guess it's true that he's already signed the extension. Crazy. Alexis has said he's happy to play out his final year, but come on--is the management willing to forego the 30M to 40M pounds they'd get for perhaps the best player in the league? It's disturbing that he, Ozil, Ox, Szczesny, Jack, and others are also unsigned. It looks as though 9th place would be good enough for Stan Kroenke.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Saturday, March 25, 2017
USA 6 - 0 Honduras
In what sure looked like a must-win game, the USMNT won big. From the opening minute, this promised to be a high-scoring, uptempo affair. Honduras was dangerous and could have had three goals, but it was the US that created more opportunities, looked sharper, and scored all the goals. I don't know what Bruce Arena did to bring this out in the team, but it was a transformed squad in many ways. A fifth minute goal loosened them up and kept Honduras from playing defensively. Everyone played hard all game, worked well together, and exhibited a speed of thought that kept Honduras on their heels most of the game. Very impressive.
The rain, and some lax officiating, might have given the US an excuse to be less than their best, but neither the slick surface nor the rough play threw them off. While a true total team effort, the brightest lights were Pulisic and Dempsey, at opposite ends of fantastic careers with their national team. Clint had an impressive hat trick, Pulisic a goal and a couple of assists. But every man played his part.
One great game does not mean our problems are over. Another four wins from the last seven games in this hexagonal ought to seal a top three spot. This seems eminently doable after tonight's display. But the road to Moscow is paved with banana peels. We have two games each against Panama and Trinidad and Tobago; and second legs vs Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Rica. Assuming a loss at Azteca, we'll have to be tough at our three home games and grab a win or two away.
Klinsmann was good for US soccer, forging a strong Bundesliga connection; but he had to go. He was very classy about it, too. I like where we are right now. It's not a team anyone is going to tout as a possible World Cup winner. But they're creating strong on-field partnerships and finding a collective identity, the way Arena's former US team did. The age of the squad is still an issue, but there are some younger guys available besides Pulisic.
The rain, and some lax officiating, might have given the US an excuse to be less than their best, but neither the slick surface nor the rough play threw them off. While a true total team effort, the brightest lights were Pulisic and Dempsey, at opposite ends of fantastic careers with their national team. Clint had an impressive hat trick, Pulisic a goal and a couple of assists. But every man played his part.
One great game does not mean our problems are over. Another four wins from the last seven games in this hexagonal ought to seal a top three spot. This seems eminently doable after tonight's display. But the road to Moscow is paved with banana peels. We have two games each against Panama and Trinidad and Tobago; and second legs vs Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Rica. Assuming a loss at Azteca, we'll have to be tough at our three home games and grab a win or two away.
Klinsmann was good for US soccer, forging a strong Bundesliga connection; but he had to go. He was very classy about it, too. I like where we are right now. It's not a team anyone is going to tout as a possible World Cup winner. But they're creating strong on-field partnerships and finding a collective identity, the way Arena's former US team did. The age of the squad is still an issue, but there are some younger guys available besides Pulisic.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
WBA 3 - 1 ARS
You've heard of "appointment TV"? What I just watched was "dentist appointment TV". Maybe "colonoscopy appointment TV."
This was Exhibit A for why Wenger should go. Really, who didn't know that a Tony Pulis team would play exactly this way? He lets Arsenal make pretty triangles 40 yards out, shuts down everything in the 18 yard box, gets 10 men behind the ball, and when the blocked shot or intercepted pass finds a Baggie in the midfield, they attack quickly hoping for a mistake or a set piece, ideally a corner. So who does Wenger send out there? No Giroud, which is odd. A short lineup that is easily bullied in the air. Walcott, who is worthless lately. Is Perez injured? Because that's the only excuse for his not starting. If Arsenal worked on corners lately, it didn't take. I wonder why Steve Bould is on the bench. Clearly, he hasn't helped. It's another case of Wenger being outcoached, which is a given in almost every game. He's gone from being poor as a game coach to being awful.
Result? Two goals off dreadfully defended corners and a howler from Ospina to present West Brom with another. I'm annoyed with the officiating; it was obvious that Pukelis sent his men out with instructions to beat up on Alexis, and they did so with near-impunity, suffering only a yellow on a horrible spikes-first lunge into Alexis's ankle that Xhaka would be proud of. But there was never a stretch in this game where I thought Arsenal was the likelier team to score. If they had finished better, it would have been 5-1 easy. This was an easy win for the Baggies. Every team in the league wants to play us now.
It seems certain at this point that the ECL streak will end, and St Totteringham's Day will not arrive this year. That, in a sane universe, would ensure that Wenger is canned if he does not have the sense to resign. Of course, he should have announced his retirement from the Arsenal job last year, or this past January at the latest. Now he's going to be chased out. It's not about silverware for me; it's that he's not getting what he should out of the players he has. I work in a recreational youth soccer league, and I'd love what Wenger is doing if he were one of my coaches. He likes his players, and gives them every chance. He never blames them when they screw up or fail to make enough effort. He sticks with them for years when they're out of form or on the training table. He tries to develop young talent. He plays an open style that gives both sides the maximum opportunity to score. However, as a professional manager, what he does is just plain stupid. A prima donna like Walcott is started time and again after proving that he is just not very good at his position--whatever it is. I know he wants a top class striker, and Kroenke just won't part with the money; but Wenger needed seasons ago to demand it. He sets the team up to fail week after week by not preparing them properly and by foolish tactics.
It is not at all impossible that we miss out on Europe altogether. The wheels have fallen off the cart, and you can't blame injuries this time. This is a group of players who should be finishing in third or fourth place, but they've been mismanaged into fifth and they are not likely to finish above Man U either. Anyone else in mid-table who gets hot could pass us. The FA Cup would be against the odds, given the opposition.
The post-Wenger era may be even grimmer. His hanging on has cost us Alexis and Ozil, maybe Ox too. Kroenke is a cheap owner who doesn't care about trophies or the fans. He'll start paying attention if the Emirates doesn't sell out, but as long as he gets the EPL TV money he'd be happy enough with mid-table. Keeping a smaller roster would save as much money as the ECL brings in. No great manager would want to work for him, because he has no commitment to the team's success. We'll get Eddie Howe or an equivalent and he'll be asked to make do with what's on hand, with one or two inadequate replacements for Alexis and Ozil. I'll still support them, and it can't be less fun than it is this season.
This was Exhibit A for why Wenger should go. Really, who didn't know that a Tony Pulis team would play exactly this way? He lets Arsenal make pretty triangles 40 yards out, shuts down everything in the 18 yard box, gets 10 men behind the ball, and when the blocked shot or intercepted pass finds a Baggie in the midfield, they attack quickly hoping for a mistake or a set piece, ideally a corner. So who does Wenger send out there? No Giroud, which is odd. A short lineup that is easily bullied in the air. Walcott, who is worthless lately. Is Perez injured? Because that's the only excuse for his not starting. If Arsenal worked on corners lately, it didn't take. I wonder why Steve Bould is on the bench. Clearly, he hasn't helped. It's another case of Wenger being outcoached, which is a given in almost every game. He's gone from being poor as a game coach to being awful.
Result? Two goals off dreadfully defended corners and a howler from Ospina to present West Brom with another. I'm annoyed with the officiating; it was obvious that Pukelis sent his men out with instructions to beat up on Alexis, and they did so with near-impunity, suffering only a yellow on a horrible spikes-first lunge into Alexis's ankle that Xhaka would be proud of. But there was never a stretch in this game where I thought Arsenal was the likelier team to score. If they had finished better, it would have been 5-1 easy. This was an easy win for the Baggies. Every team in the league wants to play us now.
It seems certain at this point that the ECL streak will end, and St Totteringham's Day will not arrive this year. That, in a sane universe, would ensure that Wenger is canned if he does not have the sense to resign. Of course, he should have announced his retirement from the Arsenal job last year, or this past January at the latest. Now he's going to be chased out. It's not about silverware for me; it's that he's not getting what he should out of the players he has. I work in a recreational youth soccer league, and I'd love what Wenger is doing if he were one of my coaches. He likes his players, and gives them every chance. He never blames them when they screw up or fail to make enough effort. He sticks with them for years when they're out of form or on the training table. He tries to develop young talent. He plays an open style that gives both sides the maximum opportunity to score. However, as a professional manager, what he does is just plain stupid. A prima donna like Walcott is started time and again after proving that he is just not very good at his position--whatever it is. I know he wants a top class striker, and Kroenke just won't part with the money; but Wenger needed seasons ago to demand it. He sets the team up to fail week after week by not preparing them properly and by foolish tactics.
It is not at all impossible that we miss out on Europe altogether. The wheels have fallen off the cart, and you can't blame injuries this time. This is a group of players who should be finishing in third or fourth place, but they've been mismanaged into fifth and they are not likely to finish above Man U either. Anyone else in mid-table who gets hot could pass us. The FA Cup would be against the odds, given the opposition.
The post-Wenger era may be even grimmer. His hanging on has cost us Alexis and Ozil, maybe Ox too. Kroenke is a cheap owner who doesn't care about trophies or the fans. He'll start paying attention if the Emirates doesn't sell out, but as long as he gets the EPL TV money he'd be happy enough with mid-table. Keeping a smaller roster would save as much money as the ECL brings in. No great manager would want to work for him, because he has no commitment to the team's success. We'll get Eddie Howe or an equivalent and he'll be asked to make do with what's on hand, with one or two inadequate replacements for Alexis and Ozil. I'll still support them, and it can't be less fun than it is this season.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Arsenal 5 - 0 Lincoln City
It's 1-0 at halftime. I'm starting to wonder why Aaron Ramsey ever shoots. He had two fantastic opportunities and turned them into goal kicks. The referee is playing his part, handing out yellows to us but not to them. More later...
Well, it was inevitable, I suppose. Lincoln City just ran out of gas. By the end, Arsenal was passing it around in the 18 yard box. Routine win with a very strong squad. The next round is not going to be like this.
Ox comes out with a reported hamstring injury. On the bright side, Ozil is healthy again.
Well, it was inevitable, I suppose. Lincoln City just ran out of gas. By the end, Arsenal was passing it around in the 18 yard box. Routine win with a very strong squad. The next round is not going to be like this.
Ox comes out with a reported hamstring injury. On the bright side, Ozil is healthy again.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Arsenal 1 - 5 Bayern Munich (2-10 aggregate)
First half comments:
When the guys are playing this well, you wonder how they could ever be outclassed as badly as they were in Munich and Liverpool. The passes were quick and accurate, they were winning more than their share of the 50-50 balls, and they were pretty well organized too. I was really impressed with AOC, but I've felt that way for some time now. Even his corners were good. Walcott was dangerous and combative, and that was a classy goal. (He could have had two or three.) Back at the end...
Okay, Kos gets sent off--harshly I thought--while giving up a penalty. 1-1 and we're down to ten men. I have to complain here about Alexis, who gave the ball away twice in two minutes just before this. Oh well...it was a smashing game up til now. Wrap up later...
It's later. Shit. Look, Bayern is the better team, no question. But 10-2? That's ridiculous. Kos goes off and we ship four goals again. Xhaka gives the ball away, makes a nutty challenge (earning a yellow) and takes himself out of the play, leading to an easy Bayern goal--and he was jogging back. I tell you, he's a moron. Mustafi looked pretty bad defensively today. I could play "what-if" on the chances we had but didn't take, but Lewandowski alone bottled two or three gilt-edged opportunities for Bayern. They could have had nine today.
Yes, Wenger has to go. It's sad that he hadn't come to that conclusion a long time ago--a year at least--and sadder still that the owner and board didn't have the courage to let him know that he had to step off the stage. I have no confidence that a new manager is going to win anything next season, but we're going backward now.
Alexis burned some bridges today. He was going to go somewhere else anyway, but it's a shame he has made himself a villain at his own club. I don't think I've seen a player laughing at his own team's misfortune from the bench before.
Does it matter if Arsenal doesn't finish in the top four this year? I don't think so. They'll get to the FA Cup semis thanks to a favorable draw, and probably lose there. (But it would be nice if we got that 13th Cup...) Don't think City, Liverpool, United, and Spurs are going to avoid the occasional pratfall themselves, so sure, we could end up in 3rd or 4th. But that's not a trophy.
It'll be an interesting off-season. It's up to Stan Kroenke now. He's an owner who is in this to make money, not history or romance. I very much doubt that he will invest a lot in the club. That will dissuade most top managers from even thinking about joining a club on a downward trajectory. Kroenke's more likely to pocket most of the Alexis and Ozil money and hire someone like Eddie Howe to manage the talent he already has, hoping to squeeze a European slot out of them, but comfortably mid-table at worst. The TV money is enough for him. Anyway, that's how I see it. I'll still be watching and supporting the Gunners, but the fans who were spoiled in the Wenger era will be howling.
When the guys are playing this well, you wonder how they could ever be outclassed as badly as they were in Munich and Liverpool. The passes were quick and accurate, they were winning more than their share of the 50-50 balls, and they were pretty well organized too. I was really impressed with AOC, but I've felt that way for some time now. Even his corners were good. Walcott was dangerous and combative, and that was a classy goal. (He could have had two or three.) Back at the end...
Okay, Kos gets sent off--harshly I thought--while giving up a penalty. 1-1 and we're down to ten men. I have to complain here about Alexis, who gave the ball away twice in two minutes just before this. Oh well...it was a smashing game up til now. Wrap up later...
It's later. Shit. Look, Bayern is the better team, no question. But 10-2? That's ridiculous. Kos goes off and we ship four goals again. Xhaka gives the ball away, makes a nutty challenge (earning a yellow) and takes himself out of the play, leading to an easy Bayern goal--and he was jogging back. I tell you, he's a moron. Mustafi looked pretty bad defensively today. I could play "what-if" on the chances we had but didn't take, but Lewandowski alone bottled two or three gilt-edged opportunities for Bayern. They could have had nine today.
Yes, Wenger has to go. It's sad that he hadn't come to that conclusion a long time ago--a year at least--and sadder still that the owner and board didn't have the courage to let him know that he had to step off the stage. I have no confidence that a new manager is going to win anything next season, but we're going backward now.
Alexis burned some bridges today. He was going to go somewhere else anyway, but it's a shame he has made himself a villain at his own club. I don't think I've seen a player laughing at his own team's misfortune from the bench before.
Does it matter if Arsenal doesn't finish in the top four this year? I don't think so. They'll get to the FA Cup semis thanks to a favorable draw, and probably lose there. (But it would be nice if we got that 13th Cup...) Don't think City, Liverpool, United, and Spurs are going to avoid the occasional pratfall themselves, so sure, we could end up in 3rd or 4th. But that's not a trophy.
It'll be an interesting off-season. It's up to Stan Kroenke now. He's an owner who is in this to make money, not history or romance. I very much doubt that he will invest a lot in the club. That will dissuade most top managers from even thinking about joining a club on a downward trajectory. Kroenke's more likely to pocket most of the Alexis and Ozil money and hire someone like Eddie Howe to manage the talent he already has, hoping to squeeze a European slot out of them, but comfortably mid-table at worst. The TV money is enough for him. Anyway, that's how I see it. I'll still be watching and supporting the Gunners, but the fans who were spoiled in the Wenger era will be howling.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Liverpool 3 - 1 Arsenal
I'm starting this at the half. Liverpool is deservedly up 2-0 after an all-action display in the first 45. The Gunners looked overwhelmed. There was a lot of yak-yak from the commentators about Wenger's decision to start Alexis on the bench, and Ozil's absence due to illness. But it was our defensive midfielders who looked most at sea so far. I was very annoyed to see Xhaka jogging back at one point. Coquelin is having an off-day as well. Iwobi is for me an odd choice to replace Ozil; Klopp was probably relieved to see Ox start wide right and not centrally. The goals were a case of our defense being swamped by Liverpool's commitment to get forward, aided by our inability to get back and cover. Oh, second half starting...it is Liverpool, after all, so I won't give up hope just yet.
Mignolet forced into a save from a Giroud header. Alexis is in now and firing good crosses in. After six minutes, it looks encouraging. Uh-oh...free kick earned by Coutinho in dangerous spot. But he hits the wall.
Magnificent move and great finish through Alexis to Welbeck, and it's 1-2, with 35 minutes to go. Liverpool seems to have decided to play back. There's a real open feel to this game now, making it exciting to watch. Chances at both ends. Firmino and Mane are looking very good today. Alexis is looking lethal. Xhaka looks ordinary at best. Was it Coquelin who was taken off for Alexis? I haven't seen him and now Ox is playing centrally. Oh no...Walcott coming on? Also Lucas Perez. Giroud and Welbeck off. Too many easy giveaways! Frustrating. Almost a Reds goal on a free kick. Awful challenge on Walcott by two Liverpool players results in Arsenal free kick and an apparently serious injury to Emre Can. Since Can is on a yellow, it could have been worse for Liverpool. The yellow goes to Xhaka, though, for mouthing off. He's a very stupid player sometimes. ten minutes to go...
Origi heads off the post, on a free kick. Haven't seen Perez involved. Have to say, Liverpool looks the more dangerous side now. 86 minutes gone... Perez finally has a chance, but well blocked by Klavan. Time running out. Liverpool finishes off the game in extra time after a great chance for Arsenal--Alexis blasted it when he could have tied the game with a side-footed shot. I thought Origi was offside, but really, 2-1 or 3-1, Liverpool wins, and deservedly so on the night. In truth, it could have been worse and we'd have no complaints.
It does not look good for Arsenal at this point in the season. It's the midfield that seems to be letting the team down. We're in fifth place with 12 games to go for most of the top six (Liverpool has just 11) so we'll have to become more ruthless against the lower-ranking clubs and find the ability to beat our top rivals if Champions' League is to be in our 2017-18 plans. Man U stumbled against Bournemouth today, managing a point at Old Trafford. No one except Chelsea seems immune to a run of bad form, and they're so far ahead that they must feel the rest of the season will be a precession. I don't have any suggestions. We may just not be good enough to be a top four team.
I'm very disappointed in Xhaka, today and on the season. Yeah, he's got talent, but he's also got a clinker in his thinker, as the late great Ann Landers used to say. I don't know where this group of players "should" finish, but it's becoming clear that Wenger is not organizing and preparing the team in a way that gets the most out of them. When he goes this summer, I think Alexis and Ozil will go too. No one will want Xhaka at a price we'd accept. AOC's emergence as a credible central midfielder with goals in him should help. Walcott needs to go. Ramsey needs to stay healthy. Our franchise player is probably Koscielny, if Alexis and Ozil leave as I expect. Welbeck is not the answer up front. Perez is very good but is also not going to replace Giroud or Alexis as the main man up top. We'll need to buy someone. If we don't get 50M pounds for Alexis I will be very surprised, so the money will be there even without dipping into cash reserves, of which Arsenal has a lot.
I don't see us beating Tottenham, United, or Chelsea for the FA Cup, but if we do, it will redeem the season as far as I'm concerned. But it shouldn't save Arsene's job. He's been wonderful about his situation, leaving it up to the club rather than angling for a soft landing at one of the big clubs who'd love to have him, but it's time.
I'm too bummed to rhapsodize about the crop of young talent coming up, or spin stories about Jack's triumphant return. I want Szczesny back. We have depth in defense. Stan Kroenke has sandbagged us yet again by refusing to provide the cash for a big time striker. But that's an old story. I just want us to be the best we can be with the resources available. We're short of that now.
Mignolet forced into a save from a Giroud header. Alexis is in now and firing good crosses in. After six minutes, it looks encouraging. Uh-oh...free kick earned by Coutinho in dangerous spot. But he hits the wall.
Magnificent move and great finish through Alexis to Welbeck, and it's 1-2, with 35 minutes to go. Liverpool seems to have decided to play back. There's a real open feel to this game now, making it exciting to watch. Chances at both ends. Firmino and Mane are looking very good today. Alexis is looking lethal. Xhaka looks ordinary at best. Was it Coquelin who was taken off for Alexis? I haven't seen him and now Ox is playing centrally. Oh no...Walcott coming on? Also Lucas Perez. Giroud and Welbeck off. Too many easy giveaways! Frustrating. Almost a Reds goal on a free kick. Awful challenge on Walcott by two Liverpool players results in Arsenal free kick and an apparently serious injury to Emre Can. Since Can is on a yellow, it could have been worse for Liverpool. The yellow goes to Xhaka, though, for mouthing off. He's a very stupid player sometimes. ten minutes to go...
Origi heads off the post, on a free kick. Haven't seen Perez involved. Have to say, Liverpool looks the more dangerous side now. 86 minutes gone... Perez finally has a chance, but well blocked by Klavan. Time running out. Liverpool finishes off the game in extra time after a great chance for Arsenal--Alexis blasted it when he could have tied the game with a side-footed shot. I thought Origi was offside, but really, 2-1 or 3-1, Liverpool wins, and deservedly so on the night. In truth, it could have been worse and we'd have no complaints.
It does not look good for Arsenal at this point in the season. It's the midfield that seems to be letting the team down. We're in fifth place with 12 games to go for most of the top six (Liverpool has just 11) so we'll have to become more ruthless against the lower-ranking clubs and find the ability to beat our top rivals if Champions' League is to be in our 2017-18 plans. Man U stumbled against Bournemouth today, managing a point at Old Trafford. No one except Chelsea seems immune to a run of bad form, and they're so far ahead that they must feel the rest of the season will be a precession. I don't have any suggestions. We may just not be good enough to be a top four team.
I'm very disappointed in Xhaka, today and on the season. Yeah, he's got talent, but he's also got a clinker in his thinker, as the late great Ann Landers used to say. I don't know where this group of players "should" finish, but it's becoming clear that Wenger is not organizing and preparing the team in a way that gets the most out of them. When he goes this summer, I think Alexis and Ozil will go too. No one will want Xhaka at a price we'd accept. AOC's emergence as a credible central midfielder with goals in him should help. Walcott needs to go. Ramsey needs to stay healthy. Our franchise player is probably Koscielny, if Alexis and Ozil leave as I expect. Welbeck is not the answer up front. Perez is very good but is also not going to replace Giroud or Alexis as the main man up top. We'll need to buy someone. If we don't get 50M pounds for Alexis I will be very surprised, so the money will be there even without dipping into cash reserves, of which Arsenal has a lot.
I don't see us beating Tottenham, United, or Chelsea for the FA Cup, but if we do, it will redeem the season as far as I'm concerned. But it shouldn't save Arsene's job. He's been wonderful about his situation, leaving it up to the club rather than angling for a soft landing at one of the big clubs who'd love to have him, but it's time.
I'm too bummed to rhapsodize about the crop of young talent coming up, or spin stories about Jack's triumphant return. I want Szczesny back. We have depth in defense. Stan Kroenke has sandbagged us yet again by refusing to provide the cash for a big time striker. But that's an old story. I just want us to be the best we can be with the resources available. We're short of that now.
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