SoccerJunkie returned from Vegas just in time to attend Saturday's Gold Cup quarterfinal doubleheader at the Linc in Philly!
The US is through to the semifinals after Saturday night's 2-1 ET win over Panama, now set for a Thursday night match-up with Honduras in Chicago---the second time these same two teams will meet in the same city in the last month-and-a-half. If the last meeting was any indication, the US could be in for another tough match, this time with a B team (at best, maybe a C team) in a stadium where the A team needed to come from behind to beat Honduras 2-1 in June 6th's World Cup qualifier.
Getting through to the semis was no easy task, as the US once again came from behind to win. The Panamanian goal took advantage of a forced substitution for the US---with Clarence Goodson coming on for the concussed Jimmy Conrad at the free kick that was lofted into the box (catching Goodson and Stuart Holden flatfooted) before being knocked home. To each players credit, neither Goodson nor Holden had any obvious mistakes throughout the rest of the game, with Holden creating opportunity after opportunity---though the US struggled to test Panamanian 'keeper Jaime Penedo with any serious shots. Goodson/Conrad, joined in the center by Chad Marshall, along with outside backs Jay Heaps and Heath Pearce (and 'keeper Troy Perkins) did a terrific job snuffing out the few chances the Panamanians were able to create past holding midfielders Kyle Beckerman (a very deserving Man of the Match) and Logan Pause. Beckerman's take on the first US goal was a thing of beauty, finishing off a terrific buildup from a US offense that most featured a typical Brian Ching workhorse effort, holding up and possessing the ball with expertise, precise passing...though the final shot seemed lacking most of the night.
Kenny Cooper's insertion into the game provided a eye into another Panamanian weakness---the inability to handle multiple players who have the size, speed, and possession abilities of the American strikers. Prior to Cooper's arrival, the Panamanian's struggled with Ching, but Davy Arnaud faded out of the match, allowing a stronger defensive prescense on the Houston targetman. Cooper threw the defensive organization Panama was attempting into a tailspin, eventually leading to a boot in the gut as Panamanian defenders struggled to contain the tall Texan. A clinical finish on the ensuing PK, which Cooper had to place perfectly off the post after Penedo guessed correctly to cut out most of the left side of the net, gave the US the semifinal berth.
Unseen by many on TV, though, was a complete meltdown by players and coaches from the Panamanian team after the final whistle. As the officials made their way off the field---through a different tunnel in a different corner of the field than the players for both teams---Panamanian players surrounded the referee, evidently complaining about the penalty kick. The referee, Mexico's Benito Archundia---one of the most respected referees in the world, who officiated a semifinal match at the '06 World Cup---showed one of the Panamanian's a yellow card (the player's 2nd of the match) for dissent, and a subsequent red card. As he's holding the red card up, another player grabs his wrist, resulting in an appropriate straight red card. At this point, another player knocks the game ball out of the referees hands and picks it up...when he does, the 4th official extends his hands, asking for the game ball, but the player refuses to turn it over. Tournament and site officials surround the officials, ushering them to the safety of the tunnel, when the game ball is flung at the officials.
This behavior, along with actions seen in other games this tournament (such as the Mexico coach kicking a Panamanian player, who was on the field, in the groin) should hopefully lead to strong sanctions from CONCACAF against the players involved in this clear, excessive abuse of match officials. CONCACAF has shown through a 3-game suspension for Mexican coach Javier Aguerre that it's willing to take a stand...though in Aguerre's case, the stand may have been a little soft (how a coach can be allowed on the sideline again in the tournament after his actions is questionable). While Panama has a long time before their next CONCACAF event (they've already been eliminated from World Cup qualifying), any players involved in this post-match fracas shouldn't see the field for multiple games.
After a late night in Philly, SoccerJunkie managed to take in the WPS match between Sky Blue FC and Chicago, despite its earlier-than-usual start time for a Sunday. With both teams battling for a playoff spot (starting the game outside looking in), and with lineups made up of players looking to prove themselves (with regulars away with the US, Canadian, and English national teams), fans should've been hoping for an open game with plenty of scoring opportunities, and strong tackles on the defensive side of the ball. While the fans got the strong tackles, quality opportunities seemed to be lacking---except for US international Natasha Kai, who could've easily scored a hat-trick, but squandered opportunities (missing the net on a couple occasions, and being denied by strong saves from Chicago 'keeper Caroline Jonnson on 2 other chances). Both teams were strong in the midfield, with Sky Blue looking to play direct for almost every position, while Chicago looked to develop almost every attack through Frida Oostberg and Brittany Klein...but neither team could could piece together the opportunities in the final 1/3. The result was headed for a 0-0 tie until Kerry Hanks scored her first in a Sky Blue (though they wore orange) jersey early in 2nd half stoppage time to steal the crucial 3 points for the Jersey outfit.
Other news:
--Michael Owen has scored in each of his first two games for Manchester United. Could a career revival be on the horizon?? Owen is still young enough and talented enough to make a big impact at Old Trafford...but his body will have to hold up, which it has proven it can not do.
--David Beckham confronted boo-birds in LA during last night's exhibition against his former (and soon to be current) team, AC Milan. Did the man seriously expect that "I want to play in Italy because the MLS isn't good enough to keep me on the England national team" (not his words, just a synopsis of all his comments) would lead to a standing ovation? We were happy to see you come, Becks...but you can't leave soon enough.
--John Terry is apparently undecided about his future, mulling an offer to join Manchester City. If he does leave, the England captain---who plays for a team that challenges for the Premiership and Champions League titles every year...one of the most passionately supported (and hated) teams in the world---says it wouldn't be about money. City is only offering him a 200,000 pound/week contract...ONLY 200,000 pounds/week... Is it the wonderful Manchester rain?
--Cristiano Ronaldo spent years tearing apart the Blackburn Rovers...but was held in check yesterday in his Real Madrid debut... ...by the Shamrock Rovers. Don't worry, nobody else outside of Ireland has heard of them either. Karim Benzema played the hero in Madrid's 1-0 win. 80 million pounds for Ronaldo...more than 200 million pounds this summer on new talent...looking well worth it.
--The Red Bulls have lost yet another match, this time at home. David Beckham was quiet in his return to LA, but the Galaxy exploded for 3 goals in the first half, en route to a 3-1 win. The game at Giants Stadium drew a little over 23,000 fans...a fantastic number consider the spiral the team is in. Of course, Seattle Sounders FC has drawn 22,000 fans into season ticket memberships...30,000+ for games. If Juan Carlos Osorio is doing a good enough job to hold job in New York...just imagine what he could do with Seattle...
The US is through to the semifinals after Saturday night's 2-1 ET win over Panama, now set for a Thursday night match-up with Honduras in Chicago---the second time these same two teams will meet in the same city in the last month-and-a-half. If the last meeting was any indication, the US could be in for another tough match, this time with a B team (at best, maybe a C team) in a stadium where the A team needed to come from behind to beat Honduras 2-1 in June 6th's World Cup qualifier.
Getting through to the semis was no easy task, as the US once again came from behind to win. The Panamanian goal took advantage of a forced substitution for the US---with Clarence Goodson coming on for the concussed Jimmy Conrad at the free kick that was lofted into the box (catching Goodson and Stuart Holden flatfooted) before being knocked home. To each players credit, neither Goodson nor Holden had any obvious mistakes throughout the rest of the game, with Holden creating opportunity after opportunity---though the US struggled to test Panamanian 'keeper Jaime Penedo with any serious shots. Goodson/Conrad, joined in the center by Chad Marshall, along with outside backs Jay Heaps and Heath Pearce (and 'keeper Troy Perkins) did a terrific job snuffing out the few chances the Panamanians were able to create past holding midfielders Kyle Beckerman (a very deserving Man of the Match) and Logan Pause. Beckerman's take on the first US goal was a thing of beauty, finishing off a terrific buildup from a US offense that most featured a typical Brian Ching workhorse effort, holding up and possessing the ball with expertise, precise passing...though the final shot seemed lacking most of the night.
Kenny Cooper's insertion into the game provided a eye into another Panamanian weakness---the inability to handle multiple players who have the size, speed, and possession abilities of the American strikers. Prior to Cooper's arrival, the Panamanian's struggled with Ching, but Davy Arnaud faded out of the match, allowing a stronger defensive prescense on the Houston targetman. Cooper threw the defensive organization Panama was attempting into a tailspin, eventually leading to a boot in the gut as Panamanian defenders struggled to contain the tall Texan. A clinical finish on the ensuing PK, which Cooper had to place perfectly off the post after Penedo guessed correctly to cut out most of the left side of the net, gave the US the semifinal berth.
Unseen by many on TV, though, was a complete meltdown by players and coaches from the Panamanian team after the final whistle. As the officials made their way off the field---through a different tunnel in a different corner of the field than the players for both teams---Panamanian players surrounded the referee, evidently complaining about the penalty kick. The referee, Mexico's Benito Archundia---one of the most respected referees in the world, who officiated a semifinal match at the '06 World Cup---showed one of the Panamanian's a yellow card (the player's 2nd of the match) for dissent, and a subsequent red card. As he's holding the red card up, another player grabs his wrist, resulting in an appropriate straight red card. At this point, another player knocks the game ball out of the referees hands and picks it up...when he does, the 4th official extends his hands, asking for the game ball, but the player refuses to turn it over. Tournament and site officials surround the officials, ushering them to the safety of the tunnel, when the game ball is flung at the officials.
This behavior, along with actions seen in other games this tournament (such as the Mexico coach kicking a Panamanian player, who was on the field, in the groin) should hopefully lead to strong sanctions from CONCACAF against the players involved in this clear, excessive abuse of match officials. CONCACAF has shown through a 3-game suspension for Mexican coach Javier Aguerre that it's willing to take a stand...though in Aguerre's case, the stand may have been a little soft (how a coach can be allowed on the sideline again in the tournament after his actions is questionable). While Panama has a long time before their next CONCACAF event (they've already been eliminated from World Cup qualifying), any players involved in this post-match fracas shouldn't see the field for multiple games.
After a late night in Philly, SoccerJunkie managed to take in the WPS match between Sky Blue FC and Chicago, despite its earlier-than-usual start time for a Sunday. With both teams battling for a playoff spot (starting the game outside looking in), and with lineups made up of players looking to prove themselves (with regulars away with the US, Canadian, and English national teams), fans should've been hoping for an open game with plenty of scoring opportunities, and strong tackles on the defensive side of the ball. While the fans got the strong tackles, quality opportunities seemed to be lacking---except for US international Natasha Kai, who could've easily scored a hat-trick, but squandered opportunities (missing the net on a couple occasions, and being denied by strong saves from Chicago 'keeper Caroline Jonnson on 2 other chances). Both teams were strong in the midfield, with Sky Blue looking to play direct for almost every position, while Chicago looked to develop almost every attack through Frida Oostberg and Brittany Klein...but neither team could could piece together the opportunities in the final 1/3. The result was headed for a 0-0 tie until Kerry Hanks scored her first in a Sky Blue (though they wore orange) jersey early in 2nd half stoppage time to steal the crucial 3 points for the Jersey outfit.
Other news:
--Michael Owen has scored in each of his first two games for Manchester United. Could a career revival be on the horizon?? Owen is still young enough and talented enough to make a big impact at Old Trafford...but his body will have to hold up, which it has proven it can not do.
--David Beckham confronted boo-birds in LA during last night's exhibition against his former (and soon to be current) team, AC Milan. Did the man seriously expect that "I want to play in Italy because the MLS isn't good enough to keep me on the England national team" (not his words, just a synopsis of all his comments) would lead to a standing ovation? We were happy to see you come, Becks...but you can't leave soon enough.
--John Terry is apparently undecided about his future, mulling an offer to join Manchester City. If he does leave, the England captain---who plays for a team that challenges for the Premiership and Champions League titles every year...one of the most passionately supported (and hated) teams in the world---says it wouldn't be about money. City is only offering him a 200,000 pound/week contract...ONLY 200,000 pounds/week... Is it the wonderful Manchester rain?
--Cristiano Ronaldo spent years tearing apart the Blackburn Rovers...but was held in check yesterday in his Real Madrid debut... ...by the Shamrock Rovers. Don't worry, nobody else outside of Ireland has heard of them either. Karim Benzema played the hero in Madrid's 1-0 win. 80 million pounds for Ronaldo...more than 200 million pounds this summer on new talent...looking well worth it.
--The Red Bulls have lost yet another match, this time at home. David Beckham was quiet in his return to LA, but the Galaxy exploded for 3 goals in the first half, en route to a 3-1 win. The game at Giants Stadium drew a little over 23,000 fans...a fantastic number consider the spiral the team is in. Of course, Seattle Sounders FC has drawn 22,000 fans into season ticket memberships...30,000+ for games. If Juan Carlos Osorio is doing a good enough job to hold job in New York...just imagine what he could do with Seattle...
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