Fern Mc Costigan: November 2016

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

A fierce 401 quarrel, which highlighted a disputed final in the East

Toronto did the ultimate of feats in this final showdown of the Eastern Conference finals between them and their cross the 401 foes, the Montreal Impact.

Writing another chapter in Major League Soccer history seeing how two of its squads from north of the border, disputing the Eastern Conference final as a first in league play and for these two since their inception to league play.

After the City of Mary squad, coming on to Queen City to wrap this up, and after their opening win at Olympique Stade in Montreal coming to BMO Field with just a goal lead over the Toronto FC, many thought that Mauro Bielo Boys were to consume the feat.

With a first leg score of 3-2 after Le Gars were ahead and dominant in the whole match, these saw a furious reaction from the visiting TFC that put the final result a bit even for both squads, despite the Impact win.

For the Toronto FC since their inception these finally experienced their first postseason in history last campaign, this time was the ultimate of feats for the Reds, advancing all the way into the conference and league finals by eliminating a heavily favorite NYCFC.

The outcome of this match looked very attractive to be one of those filled with plenty of thrills and high-rise emotions for both squads looking very even in both of their initial elevens put in the field.

As this affair considered by many pound per pound even for both squads.

The means this match went from start to finish became an unforgettable one for a sold out match scheduled this time at BMO Field in Toronto.

For Major League Soccer, this final was considered a total success after seeing for the first time a couple of its three Canadian squads playing in what became an epic and disputed final in the Eastern Conference.

Very well seeing a much-disputed second leg, that in every minute of this match became a battle from both squads of not giving up an inch and never surrendering one another, still this match was to see one winner.

Since its initial start both squads went at it and disputing from each other the ball and set up their game in the most comfortable and controlling as possible to get the upper hand at its conclusion.

Despite Le Gars having an important piece in its roster in Didier Drogba, considered as an advantage for the Montreal squad, at the end he did not started in the initial eleven and Manager Mauro Biello using his traditional 4-3-3 formation.

Sending his usual trio up front to head out his offensive attack in Dominick Oduro, Matteo Mancosu and Ignacio Piatti an important asset in his starting eleven and his utmost playmaker.

The Impact looked complete as well repeating in his backfield with the usual lineup and fab four, that at the end they could not stop the local’s revival in both matches.

For the TFC Boss Greg Vanney and his now trademark formation of 3-5-2 with his middle playing both defensive and offensive in its attack, the usual send off in its dynamic duo and attack in Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco.

These two meant a lot of trouble to many of Toronto foes since the start of this postseason and hence the results so far achieved by this man that turned this franchise around for the better and now is aspiring for its first MLS Cup.

Still this was a match not recommended for those with weak medical conditions, as the whole course of this match went into a frenzy when the TFC sealed the deal with a couple of scores to put the final tally of 7-5.

Oh yeah, a goal fest in BMO, when the opening of hostilities was headed by Impact Dominick Oduro in the 24^th minute, then the TFC reaction was immediate when Armando Cooper effort after a refusal from the Impact defense put the score even in the 37’.

No later the TFC even the overall score with its second in the evening from a corner kick from Giovinco to a heady by Jozy Altidore showing off his experience and the 2-1 in the 45^th, giving a slight edge and hope for his Reds going into halftime.

Then the second half starts when Montreal’s Ignacio Piatti even the scores and once again reviving the hopes of Le Gras and returning the advantage back to his Impact in the 53 that turned into a bitter celebration in the 68 by a score from TFC Nick Hagglund.

By now the score was even for both squads at five goals apiece and the game with some time left, this was anyone’s match and win, after the match ended even for both sqauds and overtime was to be played.

As many things came to our heads as well thinking of going into the deciding of the infamous penalty kicks if this match was not decide in the extra time, the TFC Boss and his crew did the ultimate of feats of making it a memorable one.

With scores in the 98^th by Benoit Cheyrou and in the 100^th by Tosaint Ricketts for the raucous and wild win and first time in their history for the Toronto chaps to advance into the league cup finals to be decided here in BMO Field against the Seattle Sounders.

At the end this match was one for the books as one of the most disputed and memorable to be in the annals of Major League Soccer history, once again, the Montreal impact came short, but I do applaud their efforts and performances in all the league postseason.

The final congratulations are for the Toronto FC and now ninety minutes and a hardened and tough Seattle squad separates them in hoisting the coveted MLS Cup.

Photos Credit, Courtesy and Property of © Toronto Football Club 2016

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Major League Soccer. com 2016

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Manu seeing red with a hot tempered Mourinho

Is Jose Mourinho losing his touch or his winning magic, after last campaign meltdown at Stamford Bridge, and being in the center of controversies, a man that has a one of a kind managing record, winning it all with every squad he has managed.

Many ask of his class and wisdom being lost.

As many state what is wrong with the Portuguese Manager getting into shouting melees with the officials in order to get his objective of sent into the stands, with the question of why.

Is he getting tired of being a manager, Premiership or football, so far his actions are costing its teams many valuable points as well seeing a DL in it, this man has all the elements of improvising a winner and so far nothing?

Alongside of not considering a prolific Manu academy filled with many prospects and so far he has been indifferent about it and looking for outside talent instead of developing this talent filled with many prospects of success.

Mou came to Trafford to put a stop in modest campaigns and revive this squad once lost greatness, but not with your Temper tantrums, controversies and meltdowns.

Very well, his hiring was to be in the sidelines directing his initial eleven and not being as an all-around spectator numbering two send offs in this campaign so far and adding to fifteen in his career.

All of a sudden he has fallen into a very negative and classless series of embarrassing acts in the sidelines and finishing his work up in the stands, leaving his squad clueless of his actions and taking the concentration out of his initial eleven in the field.

Currently on sixth place and 24 points earned, the Red Devils started with a three game winning streak at the beginning of the campaign, until that miserable Manchester Derby loss to cross-town rivals Man City.

With draws against Arsenal and Liverpool but losses to the above-mentioned rivals and Chelsea, Mourhino is doing a good job of keeping up with the competition and three losses is not the end of the world in comparison to 5 wins.

The draws especially are the ones that are putting Mou on edge and getting him a bit irritated alongside the ref’s right or wrong, there is nothing you can do with the officials, these have the final word and there, is nothing he can do about the call.

Also another negative his criticism of some of his players as well some of them not adapting to his game plans.

At the end, the Man came to Old Trafford to win and so far he is leveling this team into a contender despite being eleven points away from league leader Chelsea and not even the league first half coming to a close.

Manchester United can really make something happen with some focus from its man at the helm and leaving his frustrations, temper tantrums outside the Theater of Dreams, and make this colossus shine again with his winning magic.

Can it be too much to ask to calm his nerves down and adopt a proper conduct in the field, after all the Portuguese already deliver a shield to the halls in Trafford and Sir Matt busby Way in the Supporters trophy.

If he maintains composure many more pieces of silverware can make tier way into Trafford by tis man, but with patience and harmony from a calm Manager in the sidelines making his best moves and strategies work, is how this squad will return to its old winning ways.

Sit and chill down Mourinho!

Post Contents and Property of © Associated Newspapers LTD. 2016

Photos Credit and Property of © Ian Hodgson, Reuters and Getty 2016

Monday, November 28, 2016

One down one more for Brian Schmetzer Sounders

Since this squad inception to Major League Soccer in 2009, the Rave Greens have not missed a single year of the league postseason, despite posting an impressive run during these campaigns.

The taboo of advancing into the league finals came on the right time, when this squad had an odd campaign at times that costed its original Boss its job and substituted by its apprentice, and the way this chap learned the ropes.

Wow is something for Ripley!

An original alumnus from the old NASL days of the original Sounders, Manager Brian Schmetzer did the ultimate of feats by getting his squad into the Promised Land.

Still the wait for a foe to decide on the 30^th between the Impact and TFC, this final will have the elements of an exciting and all around disputed match between who advances from these squads.

I still have that match back in August here in providence Park, when the Rave Greens with Schmetzer in the helm and starting their revival, these stopped cold by a resilient and hardened PTFC, still the perseverance of the Rave Greens endured.

The first time, is not to forget what the Sounders did, after advancing to the final and a win in the final can seal Cascadia squad’s sudden back-to-back dominance in Major League grand finale, after the Portland Timbers won it last campaign as the Cinderella squad.

Not so fast yet, as the Cascadia based group is yet to have a rival and win it in order to make such claims.

Leaving us with thing in mind that nothing written until the end, despite winning the Supporters Shields, US Open Cup, the complete control of the league, does not assure you a spot in the final and you can lose it to any of those wild card squads.

Ask that to these Seattle Sounders in the past.

This time when everything seemed like a lost campaign and it oddities after seeing Sigi Schmidt a longtime man under the helm of this squad depart, Clint Dempsey health problems and other injuries, these squad prevailed.

With a man that believed in his initial eleven and putting all sorts of improvisations in it, this in order to make things right and at least aspire for a spot in the postseason, he delivered.

When the first leg was to play in Seattle majestic Century Link Field, the Sounders did took the home field advantage opportunity to play their game despite the visiting Colorado squad getting ahead these answered back with two goals.

Then going to play at always difficult Dick Sporting Goods Park in Aurora, the prospects of playing as underdogs and against all odds, especially Mother Nature herself became just talk, and with single score by rookie sensation Jordan Morris.

The Seattle Sounders sealed the deal and advanced into the coveted and always elusive grand finale for their first time, now they have to show some patience and prepare themselves to make a decorous run in this match.

Thanks to Dallas FC winning the Supporters Shield, the Western Conference will be the host of Major League Soccer final and the downtown colossus in Seattle will be the witness that maybe its sons can lift the only trophy they needed to decorate its halls.

A disputed London Derby painted Blue

The Conte effect is working wonders in the English Premier League, so far his squad has solidified its position atop the league overall table and ahead of Liverpool and Man City by just a point.

So far the Blues are playing one marvelous and one of a kind football.

Giving a simple message in the ranks of Premiership, with a simple “were back” with a bang and looking to return to our old glory days!

Suddenly the Italian has injected that passion of winning and playing an all-around ambitious spectacular style of football, marking its return once again to this central London colossus of Stamford Bridge.

Maybe the Champions and Europa break has been a bit beneficial for the Pensioners and against squads of the likes of Man City, Manu, Liverpool and Tottenham, as this latter one despite its elimination, the pressure and fatigue was already taking a toll on the Spurs.

For Poche group after a notorious win at White Hart Lane last week, this time they became the visiting squad looking forward to earn back-to-back wins in these always-contested London Town Derbies.

Despite the loss for the Spurs, this squad has a lot of potential and with many possibilities of making it into the top, however they started generating a lot of havoc into the local’s backfield that sometimes looked a bit feeble, but they did prevail with style.

Seven wins in a row and counting for Conte’s Blues.

Very well situated firmly in first place, the Italian Boss of the Blues is looking forward to next week’s match against Man City at Etihad putting in peril their winning streak and putting in a dire situation and test against the Sky Blues.

As next week match will be a tough one and with the elements of an all-around Derby and matchup between Antonio Conte versus Pep Guardiola, a game seen with all the essence of a final.

Returning to tonight match, considered as a much disputed minute by minute and each squad very complete as we state in a boxing match, pound per pound, the whole afternoon filled with plenty of top notch and one of a kind football.

As the visiting Lilywhites made their first move with Christian Eriksen first goal that put Poche Boys up, lining up as the sure winners, but until the Blues reaction, it is when we had an exciting match to count and tell its conclusion.

As the Chelsea center started making its moves, these had all the elements of a rough game from its players looking a bit aggressive at times and for some yielding a yellow cards for their impertinence and fouls.

Still the game going in favor of Chelsea as it progressed, it’s when these put themselves in the scoreboard on the 45^th minute before intermission with a crisp shoot by Pedro to put the game even going into halftime.

With a persistent and intelligent Chelsea squad playing a aggressive and foul filled match, the strategy worked wonders for Conte who sported once again a rare but effective 3-4-3 formation, sending Pedro, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard up front.

Something that so far is working wonders for the Italian and netting him important wins that has out his squad in the league top with such authority despite his single digit lead, but the men is delivering as expected and here the results.

For now, the Blues are looking forward to a win next week and after winning the Derby these looking like all around contenders and possibly the shield winners in this edition of Premiership, but still time is aplenty.

Time to savor an important win for the Chelsea crew and for Antonio Conte and his Boys prepare themselves for the upcoming challenge at Manchester in a match touted as important for both squads looking for snatch the top.