?Bodies + Problems = Submission
You know the most frustrating thing about DC United's late collapse against the Galaxy? Was it Jair Maruffo's damnable whistle (or lack thereof)? Was it that Kapitan Kissypants netted a pair in the last 10 minutes? Was it that DC probably would have been home and dry were it not for the double head trauma? Nope. The frustrating thing was that I was beginning to get my hopes up. We looked flat-out awful for stretches, but were starting to connect the dots in the second half. Pontius and Wallace were demonstrating their worth. The defense was actually cutting out the mistakes that had haunted the first half. Chances were coming. Then . . . BONK! Bodies on the floor. Blood on the grass and in the water. Legs mistaken for hands. Poor marking. And two points kissed goodbye.
Pretty Vacant
It's been a long off-season, but it's nice to hear the return of the amateurish best that local sportscasts can provide when Direct Kick / MLSNet.com Match Video Center gives them a national stage to perform on. Ouch! Ouch! And triple ouch, stop that you're hurting me! Worst outing I witnessed? The pair out in San Jose. What was that dude's obsession with providing age, nationality, and height for every player whose name he mentioned? But special (and I mean "special") mention goes to Dave Dir and Bobby Rhine in Dallas. Oof! Favorite line? Dir making a plea to not have action in the box while he's trying to mention advertisers. Ah, American soccer broadcasting, how I've missed thee!
Anarchy in the UK!
Fulham blows the race for the Prem crown wide open again with an able assist from Mark Schwarzer in their net and Paul Scholes in the Man United net. Nice save, Ginger Prince! But he's got nothing on Schwarzer, who pulled off some ridiculous saves in preserving Fulham's lead as 10-man United fought for the equalizer. Chelsea, continuing to bring the mediocrity when push comes to shove, failed to take advantage of United's slip leaving them four points back, but Stevie G and the Reds routed Villa (with Friedel, then Guzan, in net) to pull to within just a point. Of course, United still have a game in hand, but it's beginning to look like we may have an honest-to-goodness title challenge on our hands.
Holidays in the Sun?
Real Madrid and Barcelona are continuing to storm through all opposition in La Liga as the pair have moved well clear of the chasing pack. Barca's 6-0 walk in the park, and Madrid's 3-0 stroll in the garden push their respective goal differentials to more than double that of any other sides in the league. Madrid sports an impressive +35, but Barca's +60 tally is astonishing. If you didn't catch Messi bypassing the latest rung on his ladder to futbol divinity, it's the second of six in these highlights.
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