All Or Nothing

 I have never watched this show before, so wasn't sure what to expect.  It's pretty good.  I don't know how many secrets are revealed, but it does give a flavor for how Mikel prepares the team, and an idea what some of the players are like as human beings.  We even get to know the staff; the team photographer has a great cameo.  Amazon just released the first three episodes, taking us from the first game through the debacle at Anfield about third of the season in.  They teased the Auba problems for the fourth episode.  I will definitely watch the rest.

The squad will probably be relieved not to have a film crew around all the time this season.  It may even help to lose that distraction.

Bernd Leno is definitely worth more than Fulham is paying for him.  But I think it's a mark of a class operation to allow him to go for less than they might have gotten elsewhere so Bernd could stay in London, as he wanted.  Mari and Torreira may move on soon.

Rooney was not so magic yesterday, as DC United lost 3-0 to expansion Charlotte.  Grim.

Rooney Magic

 DC United won Senor Wayne's first game in charge with two stoppage time goals. 2-1.  Wowsers.  This season may not be salvageable, but never say never.  Next year might be interesting.

ENG 2 - 1 GER

 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.  

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.

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.