The European football season is working its way toward winding down. Things aren't looking any better for one of Tommy's team, and they're talking championships over in Scotland.
Can the Newcastle season get any worse? Manager Alan Shearer was all talk before the big match against Liverpool, stating that his Magpies were going to be feeding off of the "underdog" role. Well, after a 0-3 loss to 'Pool, things are getting pretty damned bleak. That's not even to mention the horrible tackle that Joey Barton threw down in game that got him ejected, and continue to crank up the embarrassment for Toon Nation. Newcastle is going to add a fine to Barton's penalty and red card, but what is the difference when you have 3 games remaining on the fixture and you're three points back from safety. At 6-16-13 (31 points in 35 games), Newcastle are looking to their final three tests for salvation. For some reason, Coach Shearer seems to be playing it cool (especially after having Michael Owen as a healthy scratch in the Liverpool game), and he is ready to focus on a team who is somehow lower in the table next Monday. A match against Middlesbrough has to be a victory, there is no doubt about it. The season finishes with Fulham and Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Celtic are rocking and rolling after finishing the sweep of Aberdeen with a really fun 3-1 win over the weekend. My boy and Melbourne, Australia native Scott McDonald nailed a double to lead the Celts to the big win. Both Mac D goals came in the second half after a 1-1 first half thanks to two Aberdeen goals. One, a Chris Maguire header gave Aberdeen the early lead. The other, an own goal by Andrew Considine that tied it up for the Green & White. Boruc settled down for the final 45, and the Bhoys triumphed to hold onto their slim SPL lead. With 77 points in 34 games, Celtic lead Rangers for the SPL crown by just 1 point. There are four games left on the Celts' fixture, but all eyes are focused on next weekend when the two top teams match up for an Old Firm clash that will practically decide who wins the crown. Celtic and Rangers will battle on Saturday, and the title is on the line!
After earning a draw with Everton mid-week (and I think that Everton CD is actually a football team from Chile, not the Everton that Jon is in love with), Chivas finished with a 0-0 draw with Puebla in their return to FMF play. On interesting thing is that Chivas de Guadalajara have changed coaches twice in the last two weeks. On March 24, Efrain Flores was given the axe after three straight losses, and then on April 17 Omar Arellano was tossed to the side in favor of Francisco Ramirez. Will all the changes finally right the ship? One can only hope, as the 5-5-6 (21 points) Goats are now 4 points back in the group of the FMF table. The only consolation is that we still lead America by 1 point. Next weekend, Chivas will battle their swine flu counterparts from Indios de Ciudad Juarez. ICJ are 4-4-8 on the year (20 points), and hopefully should provide Chivas with a chance to pick things up in the right direction for (yet another) new coach.
How much love have I given to Zach "The Beast" Thorton on this blog during the new MLS season? Chivas USA's goalkeeper continued his incredible run of clean sheets in a sweet 1-0 shutout on the road against Karen's San Jose Earthquakes. It was The Beast's league leading fifth shutout of the season, and it was joined with a goal from Salt Lake City, UT native Justin Braun getting the golden goal. Chivas' head coach said after the game, "Defense wins championships," and he couldn't be more right. Chivas have only allowed the ball to tickle their twine three times in their eight MLS matches thus far. That is flat incredible. The 6-1-1 record is far and away the best in the league. The Braun goal came down in the 53rd minute, and there was no looking back, as Chivas denied San Jose yet again (the Quakes are just 1-4-2 on the year). With 19 points in their first 8 games, Chivas lead second place Seattle by 6 points. By the way, is Seattle the greatest expansion team in sports history? Next weekend, Thorton and the Goats will bring their sold start to the HDC to battle Real Salt Lake. Will Justin Braun get back at his home town team? RSL is 3-3-0 thus far here in '09, and their rivalry against Chivas will nearly reach the boiling point this upcoming weekend. Arriba las Chivas!
In other sports news, the Celtics tip off against the Magic tonight after their epic seven game against the Bulls (which would have gotten way more play if it wasn't for the NHL playoffs). This second round is going to be a tad more difficult, eh? Meanwhile, the Angels rained out in game four of their series with the Yankees, and match up against the hated A's in Oakland as Joe Saunders takes on Brett "Arthur" Anderson. Can the Halos get to 11-13?
Tomorrow is a really big game between the 'Nucks and the Hawks. See you then.
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