CABbing in K.C.

Yeah, United is used to taking free kicks from second base too!

I was all set to bring you some amazing Champions League predictions yesterday. And then, to quote Aldous Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, “I just kept on living my life.” I would’ve had Man U going through, but not in that fashion. But more on Champions League manana. Maybe.

Onto the random thoughts:

- D.C. United are in Kansas City tonight for a midweek clash. The Wizards must have pissed someone off in the MLS scheduling department with a two-game week followed by an off week followed by a two-game week. Sure, they have scheduling conflicts playing in a baseball stadium, but can’t one of the away games be moved to avoid the bye? Anyway, both teams will be raring to go with first place in the East on the line. United would do well to avoid leaving it for another late game comeback. Methinks Jaime Moreno won’t have gaping holes in the middle of the park again so United will have to work the flanks. Conversely, D.C.’s midfield hasn’t matched up with a competent unit since their trip to Salt Lake, which just so happened to be United’s lone loss this year. Best case for United is a draw, but I don’t see that happening at CAB where the Wizards are tough to score on. Kansas City wins 2-1

- The other midweek game has a Javier Morales-less RSL team hosting L.A. As I said on Monday, the Galaxy’s defense is much improved. Clint Mathis is going to have to continue his rebirth to help Real perfect at home. However, without Jamison Olave, who’s also suspended, Landon Donovan will have another influential night and give the Gals their fifth draw of the season. 1-1 tie

- Speaking of L.A., there was a piece over at my old stomping grounds, Goal.com, posted on Monday regarding the recent history of Bruce Arena. It’s a topic Bushman and I have discussed recently and I was once of the mind that Arena might be tarnishing his legacy a bit with the woes in New York and Los Angeles following a disappointing 2006 World Cup. But I’ve been coming around and, after reading this piece, have flip flopped in a way that John Kerry would be proud of.

Now, I will say that Arena built a dynasty at United in the days when MLS was much weaker than it is now. However, he also created the best all-time MLS side with the ’98 version of the Black-and-Red, winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Interamerican Cup that season. Internationally he overachieved with 2002’s quarterfinal run at the World Cup as had South Korea not beaten Portugal the U.S. wouldn’t have made the knockout stage. But they also stood toe to toe with Germany in the quarters and should’ve had a penalty to level the game. The following Cup was more realistic, albeit disappointing. But the game against Italy will be remembered for a long time and the Yanks were the only team other than France to not lose to the World Champs.

Fast forward to New York where Arena never seemed happy in his return to MLS. He was persuaded to join the team much earlier than he wanted, but also fired before being given a true chance to turn the club around. Which isn’t a surprise at a club that goes through coaches quicker than Mark starts sweating in the Phoenix heat. In said article he claimed that he built the current New York club, despite the signing of Juan Pablo Angel as the only solid performer on the team that was brought in under him. By that logic, he also built the current D.C. United side as he brought both Jaime Moreno and Ben Olsen to the club. (I’d love to hear Kevin Payne’s take on that one.)

Now in LaLa land, he should have more time and I imagine these tough economic times must help as AEG will be more hesitant to pay his exorbitant salary should they go in another direction. Again, the defense is improving, which was a glaring issue with that team. But when you can’t start from scratch like Sigi Schmid had the luxury of doing in Seattle, putting your fingerprints all over the club takes time. Signing Eddie Lewis, Tony Sanneh (Hello, DCU ’98!), and Gregg Berhalter are all signs of that.

Arena knows to win you have to build from the back. That’s what Schmid has done so well in Seattle. Plus, Arena knows full well that the season is long and you don’t have to be at your best in April or May. That ’96 United team started slow, winning just one of its first seven games in regulation, but went on to win the double. Lets give the man more than 18 months on the job before his performance is judged. I think he’s earned that and more.

Non-Soccer stuff

- Please, please, please just go away Brett Favre. Talk about tainting your legacy.

- The Caps head to Pittsburgh tonight. I’m not expecting a win. But I am expecting to be stuffed from some amazing shrimp by the time the game is done. That and a 2-1 series lead will make for a good evening.

- I know it’s been said from time to time, I even wrote a column on the topic way back when at Goal.com, but can you imagine if LeBron James played soccer instead of hoops? After watching him again last night, the night he received his first (of many?) MVP awards my mind could only wonder. Of course with our diversified sporting landscape the beautiful game will never get all the best athletes in the country. But just for fun, why not break out a fantasy lineup of other sports’ stars should they have come to the dark side of soccer. I need some time to think about this so I’ll post it tomorrow. Or Friday. Start thinking about yours…

- Pat Walsh