Fern Mc Costigan: October 2018

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Diego Valeri on the helm to deliver an upset over FC Dallas

FC Dallas 1, Portland Timbers 2

Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

The Portland Timbers suddenly are playing a more composed, mature and organized football that is making the difference lately, very well for its manager Gio Savarese his moves are certainly paying off for the best.

With a double for Diego Valeri in what he described an ugly and very physical game from its hosts in the Lone Star state, that in the end cost the Timbers a notable men to miss their first game of the semifinals.

For Portland, getting an early scare in the game in what would been the local’s first goal, thanks to VAR when a free kicks favoring and taken by Dallas Santiago Mosquera finding a well-placed Reto Ziegler that in the end their celebration turned sour.

After careful review by the game official in the end the verdict was of the goal annulled by a clear offside by Reto Ziegler and Dom Badji, provoking the disappointment of the Swiss and the few attendees in Toyota Stadium.

However, in this match belonged to its man of the match Diego Valeri delivering the win with a double dose of goals that made the difference despite the horrid game exhibited by the locals as well its soggy and damaged field.

Still this match showed a total unity in these Portland Timbers by displaying an amazing game from start to finish and dominating the game when it was a bit contested and pressured by the local’s offensive push but in the end, these prevailed.

As they, state that defense wins games, the Portland defense really stepped up and keep a tranquil in the course of the evening despite the locals push and intentions of looking to put a score or two.

Ask that to a Portland defensive backfield that made a world of difference in the course of this game and putting a stop to Dallas offensive drive that expose their inability to put this game in their favor after twenty-two shoots.

Still let us get back to the game and the man that deliver with a double to give the Portland side a win and put this squad on semifinals of the Western Conference with a rival to designate after tomorrow’s result between LAFC and RSL.

With a shot of those, we are accustomed of seeing from El Maestro Diego Valeri, with a beauty of a ball sent from 26 yards the Portland Timbers were up on the score in the 23’ minute giving the visitors the momentum and confidence needed to dominate a very physical first half.

As the second half promised to show a more contested affair between these squads, the visiting defense made their presence show a defended successfully after a series of intents from the Dallas strikers.

However, in this second half were to see another masterpiece from last year league MVP Diego Valeri to seal the deal for the Rose City squad in the 71’ minute when Jeremy Ebobisse not scoring but assisting in what became the game second goal.

In the end, the added time benefited the local FC Dallas as they score the honor goal on injury time when an assist given to Ronald Lamah and Santiago Mosquera to a well-placed Matt Hedges to close on but a little too late.

So far, for Giovanni Savarese has instituted in his squad teamwork and unity that are making a world of difference, today his Timbers became the sixth squad to win a knockout game in the road and now bracing for another series.

For Giovanni Savarese this win is the product of his hard work, sacrifice, discipline instituted to this squad in the end is paying off, and tonight he had the right moves and he proved it.

Photos Credit and Property of Craig Mitchelldyer Photography 2018

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

A tale of the tape between the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas

Western Conference Playoffs Knockout Round

Toyota Stadium, Dallas Texas

With two matches ending a stalemate for both Portland Timbers and FC Dallas. Come this October 31 we will not see any tricks but a treat for the winner of this KO match. However as many place the former Burn as slight favorites; in the end, the best game and creativity shown by any of these squads will be the game changer.

Suddenly the need to win their next match is somehow imperative for manager Oscar Pareja and his Hoops. For Oscar Pareja Toros loss at Colorado is a burden these must put behind if they are to advance to the next rounds. So far, the home field advantage plays an important role but necessarily guarantees them an automatic pass.

Now for the Portland Timbers manager Giovanni Savarese bold approach he takes for every match. The man experience in the past with the Cosmos with a prolific championship referral, the men can make his magic count for the better. However the loss against Vancouver with a second string squad shows the readiness his bench can provide when needed in the playoffs.

Coming to this match on Wednesday, the Portland Timbers starting eleven well rested as well ready to roll. As the way this squad played a wondrous game against the lads of RSL with back-to-back wins, an encore of that for sure can take them to the grand finale.

The tale of the tape between these two titans and a loss is the end for these two squads.

Goalies

Jesse Gonzalez- FCD vs Jeff Attinella- PTFC

Advantage: PTFC

Defense

Reggie Cannon, Matt Hedges, Reto Ziegler, Marquinhos Pedrozo- FCD vs Zarek Valentin, Larry’s Mabiala, Liam Ridgewell, Jorge Villafaña PTFC

Advantage: Even

Defensive Midfield

Victor Ulloa, Carlos Gruezo- FCD vs Diego Chara, David Guzman- PTFC

Advantage: PTFC

Offensive Midfield

Michael Barrios, Maxi Urruti, Roland Lamah- FCD vs Andy Polo, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco-PTFC

Advantage: Even

Forwards

Dom Badji-FCDallas vs Jeremy Ebobisse- PTFC

Advantage: FCD

Photos Credit and Property of Diego Diaz Photography 2018

Monday, October 29, 2018

A lone Riyad Mahrez goal enough for the win at Wembley

Tottenham 0, Manchester City 1

Wembley Stadium, London

Horrible the way to describe a sacred football pitch used to exhibit a game of American football played in the weekend staged by the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.

As you can state that in today’s match, the pitch was still showing the remnants of that game and with the NFL logo as well the signs of the gridiron marks from yesterday do many call it as the cathedral for football.

In the end, the match was on schedule and despite the horror show that the field posed on the players due to its damage, in the end, the defending champions came ready and these really showed why they would rock the living daylights from everyone in Premiership.

A matchup were these two titans had to showed off their might as the Sky Blues in need to claim their spot at the league top, was a tough challenge the local Lilywhites playing in their soon to be former home, were looking for the win.

However, that was not the case for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola ready to rock London Town with his Sky Blues looking like a hungry lion looking for the kill, as despite facing another primetime squad; there is no stopping this side.

From the get go the Citizens started causing havoc on the Spurs backfield until that fatidic goal that Riyad Mahrez put behind the nets defended by Hugo Lloris and that score stood in the course of the whole 89 minutes in the end.

As I always stated that defense wins games as the visiting Manchester Boys did put on a defensive gem despite the multiple tries performed by wonder Boys harry Kane to beat the likes of goalkeeper Ederson in the course of this match.

In addition, of seeing a backfield with Laporte, Stones, Walker and Mendy that shutdown the Spurs drive time after time these made any try to beat the likes of their keeper who stood up high and in the end earned a notable clean sheet.

The matchup between Mauricio Pochettino against Pep Guardiola saw both men taking on their best shoots to make things happen, with a bold and daring Poche leaving on the bench the likes of Alli, Erickson and Son.

Still I do not put the locals’ backfield down as the likes of Davis, Sanchez, Alderweild and Trippier did their job in the course of this match by keeping the likes of Aguero and Sterling away as possible from the arches of Lloris.

Nevertheless in the end the Spurs played one on one against the defending champions and possible the ones heavily favorite to repeat despite their cross Merseyside foes huge achievement, but the Spurs did not deserve to loss today.

In the end, that is football, cruel but at times rewarding for these hard fighting Spurs did not deserve to lose but in the end Manchester City despite the pitch horrid state these played, as they are true Premiership champions.

Limerick in need of getting serious and sealing it at Markets Field

Finn Harps 1, Limerick 0

Finn Park, Ballybofey County, Donegal

With a 1-0 loss at Finn Park at Ballybofey at Donegal, for the Super Blues manager Tommy Barrett the opportunity awaits at home where he and his side should count their home field advantage and deliver with a win.

So far, for Limerick playing against a momentum stricken club is not an easy endeavor if he and his Boys would like to see the light of another campaign in the League of Ireland Premiership.

After all the Finn Harps after winning the first division playoff on his youth program U17 that claimed the national title in this category with a win over the Shamrock Rovers.

With round one in the books and going back to Limerick colossus of Markets Field, the need to win for Barrett and company is necessary, still for these seeing how the Blue and White Army sealed the win at home.

A goal that puts the Harps with a slim one-goal lead, the need of this squad to put on its best game should elemental if these are looking forward to see their continuance in the top circuit and maybe the club top brass may build up a contender.

As the Super Blues cannot be thinking of a change in its helm in these moments and give their manager Tommy Barrett the necessary support and ideal players to make in every campaign a contest with his side and start netting some needed trophies.

Come next Friday night the mood in the Shannonsider’s players should be on an all-time high, as these should feeling any pressure as the way the visiting Harps coming to Treaty County looking to seal this one but by the minimum difference.

For the Harps manager Ollie Horgan this is it but still he is in need of completing the task with ninety minutes in front of him and his eleven to put on the field and so far has managed to put on a grand campaign.

After former Celtic man Paddy McCourt scoring via a penalty for the Blue and White Army in the end the locals defense steep up and held the visiting Super Blues strikers at bay despite some opportunities but fell short of their objectives.

In the end for Limerick FC, this is it too and they should put on their best to rally and get their best game on the field in their quest of staying put the top flight for another campaign, seriousness is among one of the traits this squad is in need.

In spite of the result, this affair is far from over and nothing for no one, although the visiting Harps coming with a slender lead to Treaty County anything can happen come Friday night, still the need to win is vital for these Super Blues.