This is really the least that should be done by the league, the team's statement "While Emmanuele has played his last game for the Cosmos." For me he was done once his foot came down, as a former ref, you do not get to walk around the field, hang at the bench while your victim is treated, out of the field area ASAP, gone.
The MLS Player of the Week, Raul Ruidiaz earned his award in style last night, leading his Sounders past the Timbers with a brace and an assist, a foot in each goal. Both goals have already been posted to Soccer Seattle Magazine. The forward takes the 6th such title on the season in the top tier of USA Soccer. The nationally televised game that kept me up well past my bedtime, much beyond midnight was a 3-0 Cascadia Cup win by the MLS champs over the MIB title holder Timbers. I had Portland and Bayern so I went 1-1 on the day.
Sunday at 10 p.m. ET, the winners of the MIB tourney Timbers take on the MLS champs Sounders. A pair of historic teams getting at it as they did in their first go 'round. As of now, the Timbers must be the favorites but you never know what may happen. Both coaches were great players, one far more experienced than the other, I know both and wish them both well.
Bayern was the better of the teams, top to bottom. Many goals were expected, I did not think one would be enough for either side but the Coman header off a scoop pass stood the test of the rest of the time, 30' of the game. The ref did miss some things, a PK for Mbape as his foot was kicked out in the area, but was Lewandowski also fouled in the area, and Davies? Being consistent is what is asked of the man in the middle, but he did a great job, neither team should be taking issue, he let them play a bit when it got a bit physical but began to card players as the level raised.
Highlights may be found on Soccer Vancouver Magazine as well as Soccer Toronto Magazine. Next up in Canadian MLS action is Tue. as the 'Caps take on the Impact at 5 p.m. PT on TSN1/4 & TSN Radsio 1040.
The very start had this set to be a tight game, the sole goal is amongst the highlights we have for you, the swift Richie Laryea hit the lower right 90, barely eluding Hasal who had a great MIB tourney for the 'Caps.
They were undefeated coming into the game yet had not won a game. They had not lost a game but were scoring less than a goal a game.They had not given up more than 1 goal a game but had yet to win. All that changed, even getting a goal after going a man down, they had already given one up while a man up in another game. Is this the tipping point they sought from the opening whistle of all games? Doubt it as they had a great many lulls where they yet again, played down to the level of their opponents.
Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET, I hope to venture out onto public transportation for the first time in a looong time, all other things I may have been able to shoot I have declined. Yes, they have a totally different protocol for this game, little if any inside space, virtual pressers, 15 minutes or so after the game, fewer members of the press, it will be interesting. Watch the game on MSG, MSG GO and hear it on New York Red Bulls Radio. Tweet at #RBNYvNYC.
This is one of the oldest competitions in the world, a 106 year tradition has ended, it will be back next year, the only National Cup game with a deeper history is the Irish Cup in Northern Ireland, so it is named wrong as Northern Ireland was formed in 1921. The only other time it's play was greatly affected, yes, it was during another pandemic, from 1918-'20, then named the National Challenge Cup. Those years it did have champions, Bethlehem Steel who have 5 titles, took their 3rd and 4th in 1918 & '19 while Ben Miller FC out of St. Louis were the victors in 1920.
Before anything, our heartfelt sympathies go out to Ally Hassan and his family for the loss of his father.
They say bad things come in 3's but thus far the NY Cosmos have had not so good things in 3's & 4's. Below is a list and a better explanation.
1. 4 games all ties.
2. 3x caught from behind.
3. Times equalized late.
Below are just a few of the moves both done and trumored. Any may be carried out as October will be when this window closes, but given the compressed nature of the MLS season, the sooner the better to get more bang for your buck, even more so with the downtime of their isolation upon arrival.
