Monday, May 30, 2011

The Gold Cup

The Gold Cup starts in a few days. I'm not a big fan of it, and I think the main reason is because it's played every two years. The tournament is played too often. It results in the tournament losing much of its meaning. It should be played every four years. The wait in between tournaments would give it greater meaning. I also don't like how the US is always the host. Sure, it's great for us since we can go watch the games, but I feel that the tournament should be rotated. There aren't many countries that would be able to host the event, but since it's only 12 teams there are some other countries who could host it. Mexico obviously, Canada could host. I haven't looked at Central America but I'm thinking that Costa Rice could probably host it. That's only four countries but at least it would change things up a bit, if Costa Rica could host it, and I'm not sure if they could since I'm not familiar enough with their stadium situation, it would allow fans from Central American countries to go and cheer their teams since it would be much closer for them. I doubt this will happen but I think it would make the tournament a bit better.

I think Jamaica could do quite well at this year's tournament. I think they could win it.

-Andrew

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Revs Fall to LA

Last night was a great night to go out and watch some soccer. I don't think the conditions could've been any better.

A crowd of almost 22,000 was on hand. If the Revs could average that for an entire year that'd be amazing. Too bad most of the fans who were there last night probably won't come back again this year. It's a bit of a downer when you see Beckham get subbed off and the a good portion of the crowd cheers him on. There are only certain situations in which you can cheer on an opposing player when he comes off the field and last night wasn't even close to being one of them.

Revs had a solid first half. Boggs came close right at the start of the game and the Revs had a few other chances. If the Revs put two of those away or even just one it could've been a very different game. I'm not sure what went on at half time but the Revs didn't really have anything after the break. They really struggled to get anything going up front. Man do they miss Perovic. I know I give Nyassi a hard time but he did a very good job last night coming in. Perhaps he shouldn't start and should be used just as a sub as so far this year his performances as a sub have been much better than when he has started.

Unlucky to get a goal at the end. I'm still not sure how they didn't score. They need to do something soon because it's not going to get any easier without Feilhaber or Joseph.

-Andrew

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Revs called to Gold Cup

The Gold cup will be starting soon and like many other teams the Revs will be missing a couple of players. Unfortunately for the Revs, the two players they'll be missing are Joseph and Feilhaber. The Revs haven't exactly been playing great as of late, especially in the attacking third. The thought of seeing the Revs play without these two and perhaps even without Perovic makes me cringe. Do the Revs even have a shot at scoring a goal if they play without those 3 guys? I have a feeling these are going to be some difficult games to watch.

Revs host LA this Saturday. I think they're going to win. Revs seem to always play well against LA at home. I also think LA is a bit overrated and I'm not a fan of teams who are coached by Bruce Arena when they play away from home. I don't think I've ever seen a Bruce Arena coached team try to win a game away from home during the regular season. They play for a draw and win if they happen to score a goal on a counterattack.

Are we going to get a DP this summer? We were promised one by Revs management over the offseason but have yet to get one. Instead we've had one of our highest paid players loaned out to one of the lower leagues of American soccer. Nicol has apparently been scouting in Europe and one report per the Boston globe had him mention that they were in negotiations with a player who is one of the leading goal scorers in his country's history who is currently playing in Turkey. I can only think of one player who fits that description. They need to do something. They're not producing enough offense and overall just aren't playing soccer that is going to attract people to the games. Watch the final of the Taca de Portugal from this past weekend and then watch a Revs game. Why would anyone choose to go to a Revs game after watching a game like that?

-Andrew

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Some news from Portugal

The European seasons have come to a close for the most part. This past Sunday marked the final game of the year in Portugal when FC Porto faced off against Vitoria de Guimaraes. What a game!!! Two teams that showed up to play some attacking soccer. The final was a 6-2 Porto victory but don't let the score fool you, it was back and forth until the end of the first half when Porto was able to score 3 late goals to pull ahead 5-2. In the second half Guimaraes still created some chances but were unable to capitalize. Give Guimaraes credit, they played a good game of soccer and the game could've been much closer if it weren't for some blunders by their goalie. They showed up to win, they played attacking soccer, they didn't sit back and defend which is often the case when teams play Porto in Portugal. As for Porto, what a season!!!! To win the league by going undefeated, win the UEFA Cup, and top it off with the Taca, all while playing some great attractive soccer. I hope they're able to keep the squad intact and make a run at the Champions League. They have a great squad with lots of depth. Over the coming weeks the rumors around Falcao, Hulk, Varela, and others will continue to persist, lets hope nobody leaves and we make a run at another European Championship next year.

The rosters for the 2011 Gold Cup were recently announced. I'm not a big fan of the Gold Cup, I'll explain, maybe later this week. Anyways, there are 3 players who were named that play in Portugal. Canada named Pacheco who plays for Santa Clara in the second division. He spent one year in first division playing for Nacional. He's been a regular for Santa Clara in the midfield this year. Santa Clara is a bit of a strange team in that over the last decade they have spent the majority of the decade in the second division but they always seem to have a couple of players being named to World Cup or some other National Team tournament.

Guadeloupe has named two players who are based in Portugal, Ulick Lupede a defender who plays for Covilha in the second division and midfielder Larry Clavier who plays for Freamunde also in the second division. Both players played in about 40% of their team's league games. It's cool to see some players from Portugal getting the call. Maybe one these guys can do something to grab the attention of a first division club and make the jump.

Midfielder Gabriel Gomez was also called up by Panama. He spent a few seasons over at Belenenses when they were in the first division. He's a solid player. I always liked him when he was there. So sad to see Belenenses where they are now. A club with such history now in the second division barely escaping regulation again this year and going to the third division. The team has no money and the supporters disappeared years ago, the stadium has been pretty much empty the last 10 years, which is the case with many clubs in Portugal these days. But that's a topic for another day.

Maybe we'll see these four guys play against the US as the US will be playing Canada, Guadeloupe, and Panama in the group stage.

-Andrew

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Loans and some cards

Last week it was announced that Stolica and Tim Murray would be loaned out to FC New York. Both players can be called back by the Revs at any time according to the team's press release. It's a good move for Murray as it will hopefully allow him to play in competitive games on a regular basis. Murray is also probably making near the bottom in regards to payroll, so it's not like he's a big cap hit. However, Stolica is a big cap hit if he's making anywhere close to what he was making last year. So to sign him and then loan him out so soon leaves me wondering what the Revs were thinking when they signed him to a new contract. We don't know how much he's making, perhaps he took a big pay cut to stay here. We'll know once the players union releases the 2011 salaries. I'm also not sure how these loans impact the team's salary cap. If they stay with FC New York the rest of the year do their salaries not count against the cap or they count against the cap regardless if they come back or not? Perhaps these would be good questions to ask.

I never finished my review of the 2010 MLS UD set. The 2011 UD set was released a couple weeks ago, I ordered a hobby box this week! I will finish my 2010 review and then do one for 2011. This will be done by the end of May! I just have a few things to take care of before then.

Oh yeah, the Revs played Chivas on Saturday. Yeah, lets not talk about that.

Colorado this weekend. One of the better games I went to last year, Colorado played quite well. Corey Gibbs could not contain Conor Casey during that game, especially in the first half, and after the game Gibbs talked about how Casey was a complete non factor. I'm still in a bit of disbelief over that one.

-Andrew