"Weekly" Football Post #78.

It was an up and down weekend, mostly down, for my soccer teams, and I'm left looking ahead to hopefully better days.

Newcastle 1 - 2 Stoke

No YouTube highlights reel needed for this one, as the game was somehow televised on FSWest, and my DVR caught it for me. Sadly, it wasn't a very Toon-sided affair.

It started off well enough, with Newcastle really controlling the pace and getting the majority of the pressure. As the first half whistle started getting closer, we got our big chance. Near the 43rd, José Enrique streaked up the left side and sent a cross into the box. Andy Carroll, the giant that he is, was heading to the ball to make a play on it, and got taken down by the Stoke defender. Just like that, the ball was placed on the spot, Kevin Nolan stepped up, and he buried the ball into the twine to open the scoring. It would stay that way into the break, and it was looking all good for the Mags.

It would all start crashing down as the second half went on, and in the 67th, Stoke scored on a pinball type goal to even things up. It was a cross that came to one player, who headed it to a player more in the middle, and he headed it past Krul. It was quick, it was lucky, and it was even. In the 85th, things would come crashing down around us. Stoke earned a corner, and sent in a ball well enough. James Perch had position over the bad guy's striker and dove toward the goal in an attempt to head the ball away from danger. Instead, though, he looked like he thought he was on the other side of the pitch because he sent the ball right into the back of the net. It was an own goal 5 minutes shy of full time, and we were going to walk off the pitch with nothing to show for 90 minutes of effort.

Horrible, horrible stuff. We beat Everton and Chelsea, and now this? Horrible. The loss drops us to dead-middle tenth in the table with a 2-3-1 record, 7 points in 6 games, and a now narrow +1 GD.

Next weekend we get Shay Given and Manchester City. Known as "The Citizens," "The Blues," and simply "City," Man C supporters sing "Blue Moon" before every game, and in 2006 they were recognized as the only "gay friendly" club in all of the EPL (possibly because fans are known for bringing giant inflatable bananas to their games?). Whatever their story, they are 3-1-2 this season, and sit a solid #4 in the table.

It sounds like it's time for another Newcastle shocker!

Celtic 2 - 1 Hibernian

At least one of my favorite soccer teams never loses. The original stayed perfect with a nice little 2-1 win over the Hibbies this weekend, and stayed completely even with the hated Protties from Rangers atop the table. 

The Hoops got on the board early with a goal from Scottie Brown just 5 minutes in. Brown sent a nice volley into the net after rushing down with the oft-mentioned Anthony Stokes. After the goal, the Green & White continued to dominate play. A couple of chances came up, thanks to the ferocious play of H88per and Holy Guacamole, but the half would end with only the one goal. 

Six minutes into the second half, the Celts would make it a double. Shaun Maloney took a corner right to the head  of Glen Loovens. Loo Loo sent the ball into the net, all but securing the three points and continued perfect start. Former Celtie boy Derek Riordan chipped a ball over the head of Forster (remember how much we used to love Zaluska?) three minutes later, though, and with the score split in half, Hibernian thought they might have a way back. They played strong until the 70th, when Lennon put Georgios Samaras back in the game (after oddly leaving him out despite last game's hat trick), and Celtic put the clamp down, holding on for the one goal win.

6-0-0 is a pretty nice way to start the campaign, but Rangers has started that way as well. Both teams have 18 points, both teams have a +11 GD, and both teams meet up on in the first Old Firm clash of the season on 10/24. Prior to that, however, our Bhoys keep their sights on next weekend's test against Hamilton. Hamilton, known as the "Accies," are 10th out of the 12 SPL teams with their 1-3-2 record and -8 GD. Um, yeah. We're going to be 7-0. The only question is: Will Gorgeous Georgios start?

Chivas 0 - Philadelphia 3

Man, this has been a rough end to the season. With all of our transfer window movement, most around Goat Nation expected a dramatic comeback and a possible playoff return. Instead we've been forced to suffer through flop after flop, and now only have a possible chance to beat Los Angeles before the season ends (albeit a very remote chance) as the lone positive to hang our hats on. The latest embarrassment was a shutout defeat at the hands of the Sons of Ben.

It was a 26th minute corner kick, converted with the header, an end of the half rebound goal after a free kick conversion attempt, and a 69th minute free kick that all sealed the deal. The Goats just looked weak and off their game, and even times when they had a clear and open chance (cough, El Gringo, cough) resulted in nothing. I'm not exactly sure what's going on with our defense. We started Trujth-Umaña-Delgado-Jaziç, and that is usually a solid line. Even the sub help of Padilla and Bornstein in the middie did nothing, not to mention the lack of attacking by Braun and Flash. I'm pretty sure Giancarlo and Braunie was a better combo. However you want to break it down, we stink.

Back in last place at 7-14-4, El Rebaño have just 25 points and a sad -9 GD. While we still have a chance to finish out of the cellar, if we can pick up a couple and get on top of Houston again, that's about all we're playing for at this point. Of course, pride also plays into this, and this weekend's SuperClásico is all about pride. Chivas USA come home to the HDC to take on the Best of the West, the hated Los Angeles Galaxy. The only true local derby in all of the MLS is always a heated battle, no matter where either team sits in the table, and I really hope this match will be no different. There have been exactly 20 matches between these two teams, and Chivas has a 3-11-6 record, most recently losing 0-2 in April on two goals from Edson Buddle (7th and 86th). Goat fans around the World are left hoping that this squad can somehow stun the MLS and steal a win. It's an ESPN2 game, so that would make it even better.

Until next time, "Scór an sprioc órga, leathcheann!"

-- Sent from my Palm Prē