Something New

I'm going to change things up a bit here on the site. It's still going to predominantly be about soccer, but since I'm such a huge football fan, during the season I'm going to give my take on the week's games during the season. It's ambitious, but it should be fun, especially if I can manage to post something new more than once every 2 weeks. :)

Soccer first:

1. Some classic lines overheard in the RFK press box and DC locker room Saturday night at the DC/Real game:

A. "We must have the only Argentine players who don't dive." - Dave Lifton, who does such an amazing job doing DC United podcast reports for www.screaming-eagles.com Dave is one of those true fans who knows the game as well as anybody I know, and as you can tell from the above quote, is pretty darn funny.

B. "Don't even get me started on the officials...I'm going on my honeymoon soon and can't really afford the fine." - Ben Olsen, who took the high road when several of us asked him about the officials assigned to DC games lately.

C. "Brandon Prideaux just made a knifing run through the Real defense...the words "knifing run" and "Brandon Prideaux" should NEVER be used in the same sentence." Me - I got a laugh from those around me for saying it, so I guess it was funny.

2. Back to the officiating for a moment. It's easy to jump on the refs for mistakes, but it really does seem like several games are now being decided on penalties, ejections, or as the result of player suspensions from yellow-card accumulations. DC was down 4 starters because of the fiasco against Chivas last week. I mentioned in my last post about the Houston/Chivas debacle w/ the lack of a penalty call. 2 weeks ago against L.A., DC's Dominic Mediate has his leg broken by a nasty foul from Ugo Ihemelu, yet no card is given. According to a source close to the situation, the Linesman mentioned it was the third such challenge from that player, but the ref chose to ignore it. Since then, the ref and, inexplicably, the linesman, have been suspended for the remainder of the MLS season. Maybe there needs to be more accountability for the officials, but let's make sure these error are corrected. The officiating simply needs to be improved.

3. Another source close to the situation would neither confirm nor deny that Jurgen Klinsmann has a "handshake deal" to be the new U.S. coach. Take that for what you will. Just my opinion, but there needs to be an announcement made soon. The program shouldn't be "rudderless" for a long period of time.

4. Way to put yourselves in position for the playoffs, Red Bulls. (yes, that's sarcasm)

5. Why do I get the feeling the final playoff spot in the West will be decided on a tiebreaker? Those are going to be some fun games to watch down the stretch.

Didn't get to see much else on the soccer front this weekend, unfortunately, although I hear some Americans put in some fine efforts overseas. Tim Howard continues to play well for a very good Everton squad, and Bocanegra and McBride shouldn't have to buy any beers for themselves anytime soon after their heroic efforts gave Fulham 3 crucial points. I saw "crucial" so early in the season because I think the team is going to have to fight to be relegated, and every win they get keeps them above the zone.

Now, part 2, my takes on week 1 in the NFL.

1. Big win by Jacksonville to come back and win after being on the verge of getting run off the turf early against Dallas. Still not convinced they have the offense to go any farther than a playoff bid, but this is a young team w/ a lot of potential. Next up, a Monday night home game against the Steelers. That'll be fun.

2. In the closing moments of that game, didn't you just love the picture of T.O. laughing and carrying on on the sidelines as the clock ran down? As long as he got his touchdown, he's happy. What's the over/under on when this whole experiment blows up?

3. After a pass for a few years, shouldn't Jon Gruden be on the hot seat in Tampa? That was a pathetic display yesterday, and although I haven't lost all faith in him just yet, I'm not sure Chris Simms has what it takes to be a winner in this league.

4. Also in that same game, the Ravens sure looked impressive on both sides of the ball, didn't they?

5. I still think that was a cheap shot on Trent Green. He was sliding and the player launched headfirst into him. That's gotta be a fine and/or suspension. As much as people hate it, the QB's have to be protected when they're vulnerable like that.

6. Frank Gore is going to be one heck of a player, perhaps as soon as this year. He reminded me of LaDainian Tomlinson w/ his ability to hit the hole as well as catch the ball in the flat.

7. Colts/Giants was an instant classic. The "Brother vs. Brother" thing actually lived up to the hype. Peyton won, but he was darn lucky 2 or 3 of his throws in the 1st half weren't picked, as they should've been. Eli got better as the game went on, which is a good sign of his mental toughness, something some people still doubt.

8. Brett Favre is bad...really bad. That's not news to those of you who follow the game, but it's really sad to see it happen to such a great player. Reminds me of Johnny Unitas when he spent his last years in San Diego when he should've hung 'em up 2 years earlier.

9. New Orleans probably won't win a ton of games, but if they win in Lambeau on Sunday, they're 2-0 with both wins coming on the road. That could be a big factor the rest of the season.

10. My preseason Redskins prediction; 10-6, they get the wildcard spot, win it, and then lose in the divisional round.

Thanks for reading. See you soon!