World Cup and European leagues

[WLCALUM83]

Latest finals:

USA 0, Guatemala 0. (this after a win over Ecuador.) 

Mexico 4, Ecuador 2. (Mexico scored the last 3 goals in this one to get the win.)

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Yeah, we started a bunch of newbies.  From everything I've read it seems like Dempsey and Johnson were doing well, but none of the young guys stepped up to finish the job.  Even Donovan got on the new guys for playing slow and unaggressive.  It's got to be pretty bad for the pot to call the kettle lazy.

The good news: Jon Spector is back healthy and playing well.  He even muffed a point blank shot on goal, which is a required skill for every good fullback in international play.

We better bring home enough Euros for the Gold Cup or we're going to be in big trouble.



PS Three more matches for Keller and we won't have to see Tony Meola's ugly mug in the record books anymore.  Thank God!

[Stinger]

Great couple of day of games in the CL today and tomorrow.  How will Chelsea handle its visit the Mestalla? Morientes is back, and he, Villa and Abelda are going to knock out the Blues.  Roma/Man U should be a beauty. Rooneys goal could be the difference.  Liverpool has already booked its way to the semis, and I think Bayern loses on away goals. 

I just  hope these fans can keep their pants on.  The violence last week was ridiculous.  Looks like the lockdown is on at Old Trafford.  When I lived in Valencia in 1998, Liverpool came down to the Mestalla for a 2nd round match up in the Uefa Cup. There was a lot of trouble from the Liverpool fans.   It really got ugly in some parts of the city.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I don't know.  Chelsea will get through if they can score twice today.  It seems like ManU will have the harder time.  They're down one and only got one away goal.  The defense will have to come up big and I'm not sold on their form right now.  As for tomorrow, I like Bayern, but they've disappointed me before.  Liverpool is definitely through.

[Stinger]

Man U take a 3-0 lead at the 19 min mark on goals by Carrick, Smith and Rooney.  Can't imagine a better start. Roma is in a funk.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I guess they're on form.  Giggs seems to be doing very well.

[sac]

How about 5-0?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

This ManU squad seems to be coming in waves.  They don't even have a starting line-up out there right now that they would be caught dead with in the premiership, yet they seem to be dominating a very good Roma team.

They've had these ups and downs during the premiership season as well.  It seems like they should be able to challenge for the double, but you never know when that sluggish, individualistic squad will show up.

Giggs for MVP (he's up to 4 assists on the match).

By the way, Chelsea just tied in up (1-1), one more and they've all but locked it up.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Now we're in injury time and Michael Essien just scored to put Chelsea up 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate).  Even if Valencia even things up, the Blues go through on away goals.

That makes two Premiership squads in the semis.  Liverpool can make three tomorrow.

[sac]

If Liverpool make it, they'd get Chelsea in the semi's.

Liverpool should take note of what happened to Roma today, although I seriously doubt PSV can get 4 at Anfield, which is what they'd need.


Hoops, ManU can actually do the treble, they're still in the FA Cup with a match against lowly Watford in the semi's.

ManU and Chelsea could end up in the finals of both the Champions League and FA Cup to go along with slugging out the Premiership right down to the wire.  Good stuff.

[Stinger]

Chelsea has a chance at a quad. 

The Champions League is very cyclical, no? The Spanish teams dominated a few years back, Italy at times, now the EPL is flexing their muscles. 

Now that Valencia is out, I'm backing Liverpool.  That semi is going to be another doozy, much like 2 years ago.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I knew ManU was out of the Carling, but I was too lazy to check where they were with the FA Cup.  The treble is king and they'd love to do it again, especially in a season where they aren't exactly playing up to their potential.

[sac]

Forgot Chelsea won the League Cup.  That would be amazing to win all 4.


I guess you could end up with Liverpool winning the Euro, ManU winning the Premiership and Chelsea winning the FA Cup.......that would be odd.  I guess everyone would be happy.

[ScotsFan]

ManU and Chelsea could end up in the finals of both the Champions League and FA Cup to go along with slugging out the Premiership right down to the wire.  Good stuff.

Right now I'm pulling for ManU and Chelsea to make it through to the finals of both the FA Cup and the CL. 

That result for ManU agaisnt Portsmouth could not have been worse, especially given the form that Chelsea has been in (they haven't lost or drawn in EPL matches since a 2-0 loss at Liverpool back in January ).  With ManU's lead down to just 3 points, that noose just keeps getting tighter and tighter, especially with their big EPL showdown looming on May 9th.

Even with that horrible resut at Portsmouth, ManU certainly found a way to erase that bad memory with their very impressive showing against Roma.  If they can find a way to continue to play that unselfish style,  they will be tough to catch.  Especially if Carrick continues to strike the ball like he did vs. Roma!

But, like Hoops Fan pointed out, you never know when that other ManU squad like the one that lost at Portsmouth will show up again?!

All in all, it's a great time to be a fan of the EPL!  Three teams in the final 4 of the Champions League.  A chance to have ManU and Chelsea slugging it out in the finals of the FA Cup, the Champions League and the EPL Title!  Makes for some exciting football watching over the next month or so!  This is the time of year that I'm glad that I have the Fox Soccer Channel! 8)

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

This is the time of year that I'm glad that I have the Fox Soccer Channel!

Can I come over and watch?