Week In Review

Allsopp Checks The Video Replay To See If He Actually Scored

Walsh can bite me. This time I only waited 2 weeks between blogs. However, I have my own Twitter page now, and I put one or 2 smart-ass comments up each day, usually about soccer, so that should give me some sort of excuse, right? How many of you remember the character from Sesame Street that I use as my Twitter name? Lots going on at all levels of soccer this past weekend, so I'll break each topic up into a "good" and "bad" part.

1. DC United Wins

Good - DC United gets Ben Olsen his 1st win as a coach, and they scored more than 1 goal to do it behind a Danny Allsop brace. A shutout by Hamid should also stands out.

Bad - Too little, too late. I think players are merely auditioning for next year's team, whomever the new coach will be. Also, this has been such a bad season for United, none of the local sports stations even showed highlights of their game. I'm sure Kevin Payne will find someone else to blame it on.

2. Carl Robinson Scored Against His Old Team

Good - The guy showed genuine class by not celebrating when he scored for New york against Toronto out of respect for the fans who cheered him the past few years. Some athletes (I'm looking at you, Fat Albert Haynesworth) could learn a thing or 2 from Robinson.

Bad - The Red Bulls have become a legitimate threat to win MLS Cup, even though Henry has yet to score a goal for his new team. They have a nice mix of veteran talent and some young guns who are obviously being coached well by Hans Backe.

3. Richmond Beats Pittsburgh In USL2 Playoffs

Good - For the 4th time in their 5-year tenure in USL2, the Kickers will advance to the title game. Could very well be the swan song for a couple of Richmond veterans who deserve to go out at champions.

Bad - Unlike the previous 3 Title games, they don't get to play this one in Richmond. They have to play in Charleston against the Battery, who didn't lose a game at home all season, and outscored the Kickers 5-1 in 2 games there during the regular season. For USL and Fox Soccer Channel (who are broadcasting the game live at 6 on Saturday), though, it's the dream matchup between 2 of the most storied clubs in the league's history.

4. U.S. goalkeepers In EPL

Good - Howard didn't make any serious blunders this week and appears to have a firm hold on the Everton starting job. Marcus Hahnemann also played very well for Wolves in the same game.

Bad - Brad Friedel was absolutely shelled for 6 goals as Aston Villa got destroyed by Newcastle. Although none of the goals can be blamed directly on Friedel, when a new manager comes in, he might look to clean house. Friedel, and backup U.s. 'keeper Brad Guzan, might not be in the team's future plans...this leads us to our final point:

5. Bob Bradley is interested in the Aston Villa job

Good - Bradley would be the 1st U.S. coach to manage an EPL team, and would no doubt keep the U.S. keepers in place. If successful, Bradley would give serious credibility to U.s. Soccer, which might lead to additional opportunities for American coaches in the future.

Bad - Bradley still wouldn't be the guy I would want to be the 1st U.S. coach in the EPL. It's been said a million times, but let me reiterate; he had only marginal success in multiple MLS gigs, and marginally better success with the U.S. at this year's World Cup. For me, the tea leaves just don't read "success" if he were to somehow land this gig.

That's all for now, folks. I'll try to do a USL2 Title game preview later in the week, and maybe we'll shock the world by getting Walsh and I to blog in the same week?

As always, thanks for reading!