Loved and Hated

"I am Tom Soehn! Do not speak to me unless given permission to do so!"


Hope everybody had a good weekend. Between all of the college basketball, the start of MLS, and the hectic things going on in the EPL, I was a channel-flipping fool. And my wife loved every minute of it (sarcasm intended).

So here's what I LOVED about this weekend:

1. Seattle - Both the team and the crowd was outstanding. Maybe the best opening atmosphere since year 1 in MLS? The team played very well, and this Fredy Montero kid could be the real deal. Heck, I've even heard that this 21 year old Columbian international might not even last through his inaugural MLS season before a big Euro club tries to snag him. Also thought Kasey Keller played well and will be a vital leader on this team. I said this team would not resemble an expansion squad, and although it's only 1 game, you can't help but be impressed.

2. Chicago - Big 3 points on the road against rivals FC Dallas. Goals from Mapp, McBride, and Blanco are signs that this team might just be able to outscore most teams, much in the way DC United did in its first few seasons w/ Etcheverry, Moreno, and Diaz Arce. Again, only 1 game, but it's a pretty good start for a team which hadn't won in Dallas in 14 games.

3. Liverpool - Is there a team on the planet playing better soccer than these guys? They have absolutely demolished Manchester United and Aston Villa in consecutive weeks, scoring 9 goals against 2 of the top 5 teams in the EPL. They're 1 point behind United in the standings and are in amazing form right now. Chelsea are also playing well, but my nod goes to The Reds when they resume their rivalry in the Champions League 2 weeks from now.

4. Week 1 of March Madness - Sure, a couple of upsets (Western Kentucky, Arizona) in the first round, but mostly expected results. That didn't stop games from going to the wire, as the Marquette/Missouri, Gonzaga/Western Ky., and Florida St./Wisconsin games were all nail-biters. Most impressive opening week team was UConn., who beat both teams by more than 25 points. I still like Louisville and UNC in the Final, but won't be stunned if the Huskies as well as Memphis are in it either.

Here's what I HATED about this weekend:

1. New York Red Bulls - I know you were playing in hostile territory, guys, but did you really have to look scared? They were the ones who looked like an expansion team, right? And I have to share this comment from a friend:

"The Petke/Boynes/Cepero trio is the NY version of the Bermuda Triangle. Balls get sent in but only goals come out."


2. Manchester United - Getting crushed at home 4-1 to Liverpool was ugly, but they were due for a mulligan, and as I mentioned earlier, were playing the hottest team on the planet. But to follow that up by laying a 2-0 egg against Fulham is beyond terrible. Their lead in the EPL is now 1 point w/ a couple teams hot on their tail. With a Champions League showdown w/ Porto on the horizon, is it possible the team might be cracking under the strain of going for multiple titles in consecutive years?

3. The ACC - For a league that complained they didn't get ENOUGH teams in the tourney, only 3 of the 7 won their opening games, and then Maryland got blown out in the round of 32. Only Duke and UNC are left, so maybe next year's committee will take a harder look at this "power conference" and invite more of the mid-major teams to the Big Dance next year...


Bonus: MIXED opinion:

L.A./DC United - Not a bad game, not a great game. United started out well by going up 2-0 and got solid play from rookies Wallace and Pontius (although I think I could have scored a goal after watching Dema Kovalenko's defense on that play). Then the United players bump heads, bleed, and come out, forcing United to play w/ 9 for several minutes. The team seemed to come unglued after that, as the most lethal scorer in MLS, Landon Donovan, gets 2 goals in the final 10 minutes to get the point. Kudos to the Galaxy for not wilting; not sure what to say about Tom Soehn's indecisive action when he went down to 9 men. Of course, asking him about it will only incur his wrath as he continues to cement his reputation as one of the nastiest guys in the league.

That's all for now. Catch you later in the week!