So, yeah, I finally beat "Fallout 3", which was all-consuming my day-to-day activities. As my friend Doyle allegedly said, if the game was a drug "grind it up and smoke it."
In its wake something is going to have to fill my addictions, hopefully it'll be the wide world of soccer. As luck would have it, I'll probably have to cover a high school soccer state championship Saturday morning instead of watching the first good matchup on Fox Soccer Channel in recent memory.
Over the week the Carling Cup happened, and Didier Drogba pulled his best "Black" Jack McDowell impersonation. It's only a matter of time before a player gets the sack to pull Drogba's hair extensions out.
That's my Carling Cup recap. Sorry, that's about all I care about the second-tier knockout tournament in England. Sorry Burnley fans.
Landon Donovan is probably going to land with Bayern Munich. Good move for him, but is he ever going to play? Perhaps the best that can come from it is if he can convince Jurgen Klinsmann to reconsider coaching the U.S.
Amazingly, up against the Jets/Patriots game I spent a lot of a rare Thursday night off watching the MLS Eastern Conference Championship between the Fire and Crew. Attribute that to the HD broadcast on ESPN2. Chalk it up to my hatred of those Coors Light fake press conference commercials. And the commercials, followed by one play and another set of commercials. And the non-stop referee conferences.
Obviously this isn't Einstein deducing E=MC2, but when MLS puts forth a game in a soccer stadium, without gridiron lines with teams wearing actual soccer uniforms (even with the Village People on the badge) and actual living, breathing traveling supporters, it equates to a pleasurable viewing experience. The Crew cheerleaders? Another story all together. It is a college town.
Perhaps that explains the young Crew players attempts at playoff beards. Yikes.
The Brian McBride factor doesn't hurt, either.
Good win by the Crew, an MLS original, that goes to its first MLS Cup final. If there was an award for awkward postgame interview it may go to Allen Hopkins and Eddie Gaven, or wait, maybe it goes to Pedro Gomez and Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
Thankfully the MLS's best team over 30 games gets a chance to at least play for the championship.
Enough of my yapping...
Saturday
* Bolton v. Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 7:45 a.m.) What in the wide, wide world of Ivan Campo is going on here? Bolton has won two straight? Really? Methinks this might turn out to be a tricky affair for Liverpool. Oh, maybe that far flung idea of Reds fans banding together to buy the team might not be that bad an idea since Gillett and Hicks loans might get called in. Anyway, this one seems primed for some late Stevie G. heroics, then again, which Liverpool match isn't? ... Bolton 0, Liverpool 1
* Arsenal v. Aston Villa -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) This was the match I was talking about. For whatever the reason it's seemed if you don't have Setanta you've been boned for good matches. This one should have everything you want, even if it boils down for a a long-term battle for fourth place. Maybe to spice things up, before the start Gabby Agbonlahor and Theo Walcott could race head-to-head in a 50-yard dash.
Ok, this match shouldn't need that kind of spectacular. Arsenal ride in pretty high after beating Manchester United, while Villa is scratching its head after a surprising losses to Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.
Usually games like this are won in the midfield, but this may come down to which set of forwards can assert itself against the opponents defense. If Arsenal's first choice tandem of Adebayor/Van Persie were healthy they could rack up some nice numbers against Martin Laursen or whoever is standing next to him. Both are probably out Saturday, which gives the Carew/Agbonlahor pairing a nice advantage on Toure/Gallas.
If Arsenal is taking the full three points it'll need some offense from Cesc Fabregas, who's only found the back of the net once so far. Maybe Samir Nasri has back-to-back inspiring showing, because he's Arsenal's leading scorer if the big two are out.
There's a lot to like about Villa in this one, but does it have what it takes to win a marquee game like this? Gareth Barry if you want the Champions League, win this one. ... Arsenal 1, Villa 1
* Blackburn v. Sunderland -- So how about this one, these two teams played in the midweek in the Carling Cup, with Rovers winning 2-1. You gotta love scheduling in English football. Sunderland haven't won in four games and maybe all those players the Black Cats brought in might not mesh with Roy Keane. They might be busy in January. ... Blackburn 2, Sunderland 1
* Fulham v. Tottenham -- Spurs can't be stopped. Under Harry Redknapp they've won four straight and five of six with the only blemish a 4-4 draw with Arsenal. Hell, Spurs even tallied an elusive clean sheet in a UEFA Cup win over Dinamo Zagreb. Maybe we ought to have him confer with Harry Paulson. ... Fulham 1, Tottenham 3
* Manchester United v. Stoke City -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) Think Sir Alex has watching some Rory Delap compilations on YouTube this week? ... Manchester United 2, Stoke City 0
* Newcastle United v. Wigan Athletic -- Is it too early to say the Zaki joy ride is over? ... Newcastle 1, Wigan 1
* West Ham United v. Portsmouth -- Here's a novel idea, instead of that white number box on the front of their jerseys, West Ham players could have signs saying "Buy Me." Hey, that probably goes for Portsmouth too. ... West Ham 1, Portsmouth 2
* West Brom v. Chelsea -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Hate to say it, but Chelsea can pick its score here. ... WBA 0, Chelsea 3
Sunday
* Everton v. Middlesbrough -- You're looking at the league's two semi-hottest teams. (No, not in the way the Goodison sun reflects off Tim Cahill's eyes.) Everton have won three straight, Middlesbrough 2-of-3. ... Everton 1, Middlesbrough 0
* Hull City v. Manchester City -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) Shittier City? Each have lost three straight league affairs. Both sides probably pin their hopes on Braslians, one old, one young in Geovanni and Robinho. Hull absolutely need a result. They've faded faster than Vinny Chase's mythical Hollywood career. Maybe it's because of their orange uniforms and the Tigers turned into pumpkins after a torrid October. Man City is perplexing. It has some great, speedy attackers and a solid central defense but probably need an midfield workhorse, which isn't exactly the sexiest purchase for all the oil billions. If there was ever a game where I had absolutely no clue what would happen, this is it. ... Hull City 1, Man City 1
Last week: 4-6
Season: 49-68
In its wake something is going to have to fill my addictions, hopefully it'll be the wide world of soccer. As luck would have it, I'll probably have to cover a high school soccer state championship Saturday morning instead of watching the first good matchup on Fox Soccer Channel in recent memory.
Over the week the Carling Cup happened, and Didier Drogba pulled his best "Black" Jack McDowell impersonation. It's only a matter of time before a player gets the sack to pull Drogba's hair extensions out.
That's my Carling Cup recap. Sorry, that's about all I care about the second-tier knockout tournament in England. Sorry Burnley fans.
Landon Donovan is probably going to land with Bayern Munich. Good move for him, but is he ever going to play? Perhaps the best that can come from it is if he can convince Jurgen Klinsmann to reconsider coaching the U.S.
Amazingly, up against the Jets/Patriots game I spent a lot of a rare Thursday night off watching the MLS Eastern Conference Championship between the Fire and Crew. Attribute that to the HD broadcast on ESPN2. Chalk it up to my hatred of those Coors Light fake press conference commercials. And the commercials, followed by one play and another set of commercials. And the non-stop referee conferences.
Obviously this isn't Einstein deducing E=MC2, but when MLS puts forth a game in a soccer stadium, without gridiron lines with teams wearing actual soccer uniforms (even with the Village People on the badge) and actual living, breathing traveling supporters, it equates to a pleasurable viewing experience. The Crew cheerleaders? Another story all together. It is a college town.
Perhaps that explains the young Crew players attempts at playoff beards. Yikes.
The Brian McBride factor doesn't hurt, either.
Good win by the Crew, an MLS original, that goes to its first MLS Cup final. If there was an award for awkward postgame interview it may go to Allen Hopkins and Eddie Gaven, or wait, maybe it goes to Pedro Gomez and Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
Thankfully the MLS's best team over 30 games gets a chance to at least play for the championship.
Enough of my yapping...
Saturday
* Bolton v. Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 7:45 a.m.) What in the wide, wide world of Ivan Campo is going on here? Bolton has won two straight? Really? Methinks this might turn out to be a tricky affair for Liverpool. Oh, maybe that far flung idea of Reds fans banding together to buy the team might not be that bad an idea since Gillett and Hicks loans might get called in. Anyway, this one seems primed for some late Stevie G. heroics, then again, which Liverpool match isn't? ... Bolton 0, Liverpool 1
* Arsenal v. Aston Villa -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) This was the match I was talking about. For whatever the reason it's seemed if you don't have Setanta you've been boned for good matches. This one should have everything you want, even if it boils down for a a long-term battle for fourth place. Maybe to spice things up, before the start Gabby Agbonlahor and Theo Walcott could race head-to-head in a 50-yard dash.
Ok, this match shouldn't need that kind of spectacular. Arsenal ride in pretty high after beating Manchester United, while Villa is scratching its head after a surprising losses to Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.
Usually games like this are won in the midfield, but this may come down to which set of forwards can assert itself against the opponents defense. If Arsenal's first choice tandem of Adebayor/Van Persie were healthy they could rack up some nice numbers against Martin Laursen or whoever is standing next to him. Both are probably out Saturday, which gives the Carew/Agbonlahor pairing a nice advantage on Toure/Gallas.
If Arsenal is taking the full three points it'll need some offense from Cesc Fabregas, who's only found the back of the net once so far. Maybe Samir Nasri has back-to-back inspiring showing, because he's Arsenal's leading scorer if the big two are out.
There's a lot to like about Villa in this one, but does it have what it takes to win a marquee game like this? Gareth Barry if you want the Champions League, win this one. ... Arsenal 1, Villa 1
* Blackburn v. Sunderland -- So how about this one, these two teams played in the midweek in the Carling Cup, with Rovers winning 2-1. You gotta love scheduling in English football. Sunderland haven't won in four games and maybe all those players the Black Cats brought in might not mesh with Roy Keane. They might be busy in January. ... Blackburn 2, Sunderland 1
* Fulham v. Tottenham -- Spurs can't be stopped. Under Harry Redknapp they've won four straight and five of six with the only blemish a 4-4 draw with Arsenal. Hell, Spurs even tallied an elusive clean sheet in a UEFA Cup win over Dinamo Zagreb. Maybe we ought to have him confer with Harry Paulson. ... Fulham 1, Tottenham 3
* Manchester United v. Stoke City -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) Think Sir Alex has watching some Rory Delap compilations on YouTube this week? ... Manchester United 2, Stoke City 0
* Newcastle United v. Wigan Athletic -- Is it too early to say the Zaki joy ride is over? ... Newcastle 1, Wigan 1
* West Ham United v. Portsmouth -- Here's a novel idea, instead of that white number box on the front of their jerseys, West Ham players could have signs saying "Buy Me." Hey, that probably goes for Portsmouth too. ... West Ham 1, Portsmouth 2
* West Brom v. Chelsea -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Hate to say it, but Chelsea can pick its score here. ... WBA 0, Chelsea 3
Sunday
* Everton v. Middlesbrough -- You're looking at the league's two semi-hottest teams. (No, not in the way the Goodison sun reflects off Tim Cahill's eyes.) Everton have won three straight, Middlesbrough 2-of-3. ... Everton 1, Middlesbrough 0
* Hull City v. Manchester City -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) Shittier City? Each have lost three straight league affairs. Both sides probably pin their hopes on Braslians, one old, one young in Geovanni and Robinho. Hull absolutely need a result. They've faded faster than Vinny Chase's mythical Hollywood career. Maybe it's because of their orange uniforms and the Tigers turned into pumpkins after a torrid October. Man City is perplexing. It has some great, speedy attackers and a solid central defense but probably need an midfield workhorse, which isn't exactly the sexiest purchase for all the oil billions. If there was ever a game where I had absolutely no clue what would happen, this is it. ... Hull City 1, Man City 1
Last week: 4-6
Season: 49-68
Labels: Prem Picks, Premier League, Soccer
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