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The 2018-2019 Football Thread

DC United 2-2 Columbus (Columbus win 3-2 on penalties)

A HUGE match for Columbus last night in Washington, D.C. as they beat a heavily favored side away from home on penalties in the first round of the playoffs.

DC United's form picked up hugely after singing Wayne Rooney halfway through what had been a drab season in their brand-new stadium. They were strongly tipped to beat the Crew (MLS teams always lose away from home), but Columbus played them off th epark for most of the match.

Right now, Columbus's achilles heel is finishing. No team in the league is more wasteful with chances and last night was no different. We should have won it 3-1 after 90 minutes, or 4-2 after extra time. Instead it went to penalties, and star keeper Steffen saved both Wayne Rooney and Lucien Acosta's PK's.

Higuain and Steffen came up big in this game. Columbus are never fashionable (even the new stories about the match barely mention Columbus -despite them having won the match), but UNLIKE the LA teams or DC united, we are still in it. I'm certain we will get knocked out by NY Red Bulls (another away match), but at least we made an impact in the postseason.

Still waiting for official word that Columbus will still be in Columbus next year, however...that would be sweeter than winning MLS Cup.

Scepticalscribe said:
Through ignorance, arrogance or a deliberate desire to cause offence?
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Typically ignorance, it would seem, though I can't speak for them.
 
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Bournemouth should have taken more of their chances in the first half, when they played well and created several good chances; however, ultimately, they lost 2-1 to Manchester United, who, having equalised shortly before half time, - characteristically - managed a 92nd minute winning goal.
 
Man Utd with another "comeback" win. The question is, why do they keep having to come from behind? Mourinho's team start insipidly and then suddenly become effective when they are losing. This has happened several times now, there is some issue with early-match sharpness / motivation.

Scepticalscribe said:
But ignorance is no real excuse - they need to inform themselves about such matters; not only are they exceptionally well paid, they are also role models - representing their teams, their brands, and themselves.
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I used to think "shame on footballers, they are role models" whenever one did something stupid. I get that argument, and still agree with it to an extent, but on the other hand look at the people we have placed in the highest levels of authority worldwide - or club presidents and FIFA suits for that matter. None of them are coming close to meeting the moral standard we seem to want to demand of footballers, so it's a bit of a double standard...

In other words, I am upset when a footballer does something idiotic such as wearing an offensive costume or getting caught drunk at the wheel - but less upset than when FIFA is exposed as a mountain of corruption, owners asset-strip their clubs, and so forth. Moreover, FIFA/UEFA, and the FA, have set a horrible example when it comes to dealing with racism/sexism etc. Remember when FIFA declared they solved racism??

So, I may sound a bit ranty here, but the ultimate point is, when you put it in the rather depressing broader context of the world we live in, footballers wearing racist costumes is disappointing and upsetting - but relatively small potatoes. Most at least have the good grace to feel stupid about it afterwards They really should know better, but they are dumb kids. You can't say that about, say, Gianni Infantino (or various politicians worldwide who I will refrain from naming).
 
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Lord Blackadder said:
Man Utd with another "comeback" win. The question is, why do they keep having to come from behind? Mourinho's team start insipidly and then suddenly become effective when they are losing. This has happened several times now, there is some issue with early-match sharpness / motivation.



I used to think "shame on footballers, they are role models" whenever one did something stupid. I get that argument, and still agree with it to an extent, but on the other hand look at the people we have placed in the highest levels of authority worldwide - or club presidents and FIFA suits for that matter. None of them are coming close to meeting the moral standard we seem to want to demand of footballers, so it's a bit of a double standard...

In other words, I am upset when a footballer does something idiotic such as wearing an offensive costume or getting caught drunk at the wheel - but less upset than when FIFA is exposed as a mountain of corruption, owners asset-strip their clubs, and so forth. Moreover, FIFA/UEFA, and the FA, have set a horrible example when it comes to dealing with racism/sexism etc. Remember when FIFA declared they solved racism??

So, I may sound a bit ranty here, but the ultimate point is, when you put it in the rather depressing broader context of the world we live in, footballers wearing racist costumes is disappointing and upsetting - but relatively small potatoes. Most at least have the good grace to feel stupid about afterwards They really should know better, but they are dumb kids. You can't say that about, say, Gianni Infantino (or various politicians worldwide who I will refrain from naming).
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Oh, no argument there. I'd love to see greater scrutiny and accountability of - and at - the top echelons of football, and of those organisations that run the game.

Some of these characters are utterly loathsome and more or less completely corrupt, devoid of ethics or a moral compass.

It is just that I think too many footballers use the "just a stupid kid" argument to shrug off having to take responsibility for silly and offensive behaviour while leading pampered and cosseted and indulged and adored lives.

However, on the balance of behaviour, agreed, no contest.

Re Manchester United, these 92nd, and 95th minute victories irk me; mind you, Bournemouth had more than enough opportunities to put the match away beyond redemption in the first half, and failed to take their chances.
 
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Apparently we’ve dominated the first half, but going in 1-1 at halftime. How typical West Ham. We’ve lost more games from being in front than any other team this season.
 
Apple fanboy said:
A good result for Arsenal. An even better one for Man City though! I’m sure they were very pleased.
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Yes, I don't doubt that Pep Guardiola will be more than happy with this result; however, given the way we started the season, - two defeats to top placed teams - I am content.

Moreover, given Arsenal's earlier habit in past two seasons of drooping heads and brittle back-bones, when they went behind - along wth that fragile defence last season - why gives some ground for hope is that Arsenal now fight hard to come back when they go behind (even if they still go behind as a result of silly errors), and usually manage to reclaim a point, if not three by the end.

That can only be seen as an improvement, and good to see that they can end honours eve with Liverpool, whom I still see as posing the biggest challenge to Manchester City.
 
A lot of Liverpool fans are salty about the result. I think Arsenal actually played really well and gave them a game. Could've swung either way...so a draw is fair.
 
I think a draw is fair, and what I like about Arsenal nowadays is that - instead of slumping shoulders and drooping heads when they go behind (invariably as a result of defensive errors or frailties) - they now keep fighting to the very end and usually claw something back.

This time last year - and I was a passionate supporter of Mr Wenger - this fixture would have ended in defeat for Arsenal.

That it doesn't today, and that, despite their (still extant) defensive frailties, Arsenal have a bit of bite and fiercely fight back, when they go behind, and are becoming somewhat difficult to defeat - is down to changes in coaching, mentality and attitude. A work in progress, but Mr Emery has done very well so far, considerably better than I expected would be seen at this early stage.
 
i know this thread is a pro-premier league thread, that being said i am now a Everton fan ;)
any everton fans in here?
 
You can add me to the list of people who are salty at the result. Not because of the offside ruling out Mane's goal; I think the goal COULD have stood, but it was a tight call and I don't think you can call it one way or the other with absolute certainty.

I am salty because Liverpool were not clinical enough. Both teams played well, the match could have gone either way and it was an exciting match. But neither team made the big statement they hoped to make. I think Liverpool just slightly edged it in bona fide chances, and had they finished them they surely would have won. But I suppose you can say that about any match.

Arsenal really focused on Trent Alexander-Arnold as a weak link, and to be sure he was shaky a times under the pressure. Both teams have serious pace, and both exploited it at times. Lacazette's goal was a superb piece of skill. Virgil should have scored two but was just a fraction off, as was Firmino with the chip that went off the post and was eventually ruled out.

At the end of the day it's an OK result for both clubs. I think Liverpool can and should win the reverse fixture, but Arsenal are playing like a team released from chains after the departure of Wenger. They could end up exceeding expectations this season.

Centaurr said:
i know this thread is a pro-premier league thread, that being said i am now a Everton fan ;)
any everton fans in here?
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Sometimes I get tired of talking Premier League, but I don't have good access to league matches in Spain/Germany/France, and hardly anyone else here watches MLS (and I'll be honest - I typically only watch Columbus matches). Sometimes I get a Serie A match on TV.

I'd welcome more posts from members who watch other leagues (including lower division leagues) - give me a reason to start watching more soccer!

Despite being a Liverpool fan, I developed a soft spot for Everton because of Tim Howard. He's gone off the deep end a bit recently, but in his best Everton days he was one of the highest profile American players out there, and so I wished Everton well (apart from during the Merseyside derby ;)).
 
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Arsenal are doing better than I expected in their first season post the departure of the once revered Mr Wenger. The process of change is being implemented with fewer growing pains than I had envisaged, and the team are developing an appetite for contesting matches.

Moreover, I think one will only be able to pass judgment more completely on Emery once a number - possibly around three - transfer windows - have passed; by then, he will know who can work with his system, and who cannot and what changes may have to be introduced from external sources rather than from improved and motivated internal ones.
 
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Man City are making mincemeat of Southampton. People have talked about a three-way title challenge this season, but Man City could make a mockery of that idea..

Still, they had a few slumps last season, so let's hope it isn't a procession to the title.
 
Lord Blackadder said:
Man City are making mincemeat of Southampton. People have talked about a three-way title challenge this season, but Man City could make a mockery of that idea..

Still, they had a few slumps last season, so let's hope it isn't a procession to the title.
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I was about to post something similar.

While Liverpool, Chelsea, and, dare one day it, Arsenal, have all improved - markedly - Manchester City are still setting the standards by which everyone else is measured, and which the others will have to reach if the are to seriously challenge for the title.

Yes, they are making mincemeat of Southampton - leading by four goals to one at half time; but, it must be said that Southampton are unusually poor opposition, - scoring their first gaol in five matches with a penalty.

However, while I doubt that this year will be quite the procession that last year was, the other teams will find that it is quite a challenge to even keep step with City, let alone overtake them.
 
Manchester City absolutely destroyed Southampton with a six one victory.

As of now, they have not been defeated this season, as is also the case for both Chelsea and Liverpool.
 
I think the worrying thing is for the other teams, is Man City is without arguably their best player in KDB are still winning well.
I think Liverpool and Chelsea will run them closer than last year, but not that close. Arsenal and Spurs will be best of the rest.
 
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