Weekend Roundup

Sorry I haven't updated as much as before. I'll try to do better, as will Pat, who is also slacking...

Lots of happenings this past weekend between MLS, USL, WPS, and action abroad. Let's get to it:

1. Manchester United Wins EPL - And the winner is... Hull City? Yep, they've got to be pretty happy that United have clinched with a game to go. With City in a battle for relegation in the last week of the season, and United playing Barcelona next Wednesday in the Champions League final, how many regulars do you think Sir Alex will put on the field this Sunday? Granted, United's reserves could defeat a majority of the other teams in the world, but City have to like their chances a bit better than before this past weekend.

2. DC United - The comeback kids strike back once again, coming from 2 goals down to get the tie on the road against MLS' best team, Chivas. Both DC and Chicago have 6 draws apiece after 10 games. I don't expect it to stay at 60%, but does anyone know the record for the number of ties in an MLS season? Yes, I could look it up, but I'm too lazy.

3. Other MLS Action -

A. Has Tony Sanneh learned nothing from Claudio Reyna's World Cup debacle against Ghana when he tried to dribble past the guy although he was the last man back? Sanneh did the same thing yesterday and was OWNED by Schelotto, who stole the ball and deposited it past Donovan Ricketts. Only Eddie Lewis' golazzo in injury time saved a point for L.A.

B. Houston has a man advantage for 55 minutes against New York, finally scores to go ahead, only to give up the tying goal 2 minutes from the end. That's a bit of a letdown.

C. Josh Wolff - The guy is making waves after netting 2 more goals as Kansas City wins at the ultra-tough Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City. Maybe he's trying to see if Bob Bradley could use another striker? I'm just sayin,' that's all...

4. WPS - Okay, again I have to jump on the announcers on FSC. Christian Miles, her name is Amy Rodriguez. I don't care if all of her teammates, coaches, and friends call her A-Rod, but YOU need to call her by her name. If not, why not refer to all WPS players by their nicknames? There are some pretty good ones out there. Besides, the only A-Rod I know of doesn't exactly have the greatest of reputations right now...just something to think about, buddy.

5. What's Going On In Richmond? - Their 3rd straight 1-1 draw at home. Charlotte does absolutely nothing all game, gets a free kick in the 85th minute (albeit a questionable call), and Diego Martins buries it into the upper corner, leaving goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale no chance. They've outshot their opponents by a tremendous amount but only have 6 points through 5 games. The Kickers are just not closing out teams the way they've done in the past...why? Assistant Coach Jesse Myers had these telling remarks after the game:

"Total lack of passion and individual willingness to win games...we've got the talent, but we've only got 1 yellow card in the past 4 games. That's nearly impossible to do at the professional level. We need to be stronger and tougher in the individual battles, and that's not happening."

I tried to get a comment from Coach Cowlishaw after the game, but he headed straight for the locker room after the final whistle. I've been covering this team for more than 10 years, and I have NEVER seen that, folks. Ouch!

In their defense, the players were not happy either, and all said they need to do the little things better. We'll find out this weekend when they host Crystal Palace, a critical game for both squads.

Pat will be back later in the week with his take on things, and I'll actually try to do more than 1 column this week.