Fern Mc Costigan: November 2018

Friday, November 30, 2018

No surprise here with Atlanta United as the first finalist

Eastern Conference Finals

New York Red Bulls 1, Atlanta United 3

Red Bulls Arena, Harrison, New Jersey

For Gerardo Tata Martino no surprise for him and his Atlanta Boys, with a pay back by leaving once again their conference rivals in the New York Red Bulls left in the edge of another league finale.

In spite of the New Yorkers, winning their third Supporters Shield, in the last match of the campaign and beating the Southerners for this piece of silverware awarded to the squad with the best record.

For the Red Bulls after their feat in the campaign, these had all the momentum to stage an upset over a squad considered pound per pound complete in every position in its initial eleven and since the start of the campaign had the labels of favorites.

Still do not count the Jersey side as weak as these came to the postseason as a squad tough to beat, however the first leg celebrated in Atlanta was another story and since then the United crew sentenced this series.

After its second year of existence in Major League Soccer the United directives gave all the support to manager Martino in getting the ideal players to build on a contender and these prove it all campaign long as the team to beat.

So far, the news of Atlanta manager being in his last match touted as the next man to lead the destinies of the Mexican National as many in the media of this nation already placed him in the helm of El Tri.

However, for leg 2, Martino aware of the crowds in Harrison he was very aware of putting on a defensive shield and the man did a grand job of containing the Red Bulls strikers at bay despite that consolation goal.

In this match Atlanta put on a 5-3-2 formation contrary to the locals 4-2-3-1 that in the end became obsolete to the push and stingy game the United defenders put on all evening long.

Hard work really pays off and for the Andean seeing the fruits of his labor succeed, he is within 90 minutes of obtaining the league ultimate of glories, but one more obstacle stands in his side way with a hardened Portland Timbers.

With a frontal attack in Josef Martinez who scored 34 goals in the campaign and Miguel Almiron 13 these two combined to score and contribute for Atlanta amazing campaign that already is turning heads for several team in English Premiership for the Paraguayan.

In the end Atlanta United comes as the overall favorite to win the league title and their Western Conference foes the Portland Timbers as the underdogs in the grand finale to be played on December 8 at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

In the two times, these two squads have meet the result has ended in a draw one in Portland and the second in Atlanta Mercedes Benz Stadium, not bad for a second year squad.

Photos Credit and Property of Atlanta United FC 2018

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Do not count these Portland Timbers out

Western Conference Finals

Sporting Kansas City 2, Portland Timbers 3

Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Missouri

Down but not out after an early goal by SKC Daniel Salloi in the 20’ minute with an assist from Diego Rubio. After a slow first half lets us call these Timbers the comeback kids! With a total dominance by SKC in the first half and not allowing the visiting Timbers any liberties towards their goal.

Many of us in Rose City thought of seeing another display of dominance by the former Wizards. Still this night was to belong to these hardened Portland Boys. In spite of the Kansas side seeing a couple of goals annulled, that in the end could been the difference maker.

However, the half ended with six extra minutes and the locals in need of 45 minutes to seal the deal. Not today as one thing we are about to get familiar from Gio Savarese is his pep talks that made a world of difference. One that elevates his players spirits.

Still the momentum that these Portland Timbers playing the second leg in what they know as their house of horrors. Todays they exorcise it in Children’s Mercy Park with an all-around fight!

As the second, half became the game changer for the Portland Timbers. After that slow start, these Timbers started believing in themselves and these proved it in the second half. With Sebastian Blanco uplifting this squad confidence with his monster of a goal tying the score thanks to an opportune, assist from Jorge Villafaña.

As we can say, the second half became the difference maker and the game for the Rose City squad.

You bet after Seba goal, came Mr. Postseason and Timbers Talisman Diego Valeri sealing it with a second goal in the 61’ minute to put the score in favor at 2-1. This time Tim Melia was not in his best, after stopping several would be goals in Portland, now the tables turned against him with the three goals against at home. Were it hurts and counts the most after a first leg stalemate at zero goals.

Still these SKC is no walk in the park as the put on a fight and despite the visitors stepping up the pressure. The Portland defense put stood its ground but not until Gerso Fernandes, coming as a substitute, but show SKC manager Vermes right moves for his man tying the match.

As they, state this is not over until the end. Once again, the combination of Diego Chara who had a one of kind performance and with his assist in the ending minutes of the match, with nine minutes added to injury time. It was curtain time for Diego Valeri scoring his second goal of the night and his second goal that became the difference maker in the end.

His score in the 90+9 sealed the deal and with no time SKC to try to mount anther of its trademark attacks in search of the equalizer. The end came of this match and for the Portland Timbers netting their second Western Conference title and league finals since their inception to MLS.

In the end, hard work really pays off for Giovanni Savarese as results speak louder than words!

Photos Credit and Property of Craig Mitchelldyer Photography 2018

Portland Timbers vs Sporting Kansas City KO a tale of the tape

In the campaign, the outcome of two matches between the Portland Timbers and the conference winners Sporting Kansas City. Come November 29 we can state this is it! Still after a defensive, gem this past Sunday the Portland squad exhibited against the Midwest side. We are to brace for another tight and disputed contest.

So far, in the postseason the Portland Timbers have a successful run. One by eliminating in the Knockout rounds the likes of heavily favorite FC Dallas and later their Cascadia foes the Seattle Sounders. Now these are within 90 minutes with a tie at a goal apiece to consume another feat of attending their second league finals.

However when these two titans clash, we are exposed to an all-around defensive contest. Still the thrill of victory and agony of defeat will come this Thursday, when we have a winner.

After last Sunday showdown between the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City in Providence Park. The draw at zero goals gives the Rose City squad a slight advantage of not getting that infamous away goal. In spite of the defensive gem, with the Portland side almost scoring the difference makers and seeing the post and an inspired SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia denied any liberties to their strikers.

As this match will see, two formations put in by these squads managers. With Peter Vermes, trademark 4-3-3 with six players going upfront and three later reinforcing his backfield foursome. This time Vermes will have his top scorer in Diego Rubio after serving one game suspension.

Contrary we see an inspired Portland Timbers sporting a familiar 4-2-3-1. The disadvantage for the visiting Timbers in Children’s Mercy Park of not having defender Larry’s Mabiala sporting an ankle injury and Andy Polo calf strain. Still for manager Giovanni Savarese with his multiple and right moves he can make it happen.

As the tale of the tape for both squads with depth in their benches and in the field, we are getting ready for a contest. The tale of the tape for tomorrows KO in the Midwest, with no room for error for both squads.

Goalkeepers

Portland Timbers- Jeff Attinella

SKC- Tim Melia

Despite Tim Melia having a great day under the arches last Sunday do not count Timbers Jeff Attinella defensive skills out of this contest.

Advantage: Even

Defenders

Portland Timbers- Zarek Valentin, Bill Tuiloma, Liam Ridgewell, Jorge Villafaña

SKC- Graham Zusi, Ike Opara, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic

If Portland comes out displaying another defensive gem, like this past Sunday and so far in the postseason. In addition of SKC backfield too being a bit stingy and dominant against the Portland side. In the end, the best defense will prevail.

Advantage: Even

Midfielders

Portland Timbers

Diego Chara, David Guzman

Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Aspirilla

SKC Roger Espinoza, Ilie Sanchez, Felipe Gutierrez

Defensively Portland comes ahead with Chara and Guzman, offensively speaking with Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco and Dairon Aspirilla playing a good football lately. Still with Espinoza, Gutierrez and Sanchez amazing display all campaign long offensively and defensively, we have a contest here.

Advantage: Even

Forwards

Portland Timbers- Jeremy Ebobisse

SKC- Johnny Russell, Diego Rubio, Daniel Salloi

The way SKC success has been in the campaign has been with its threesome in Russell, Rubio, and Salloi combined to 33 goals. In the case of the Portland Timbers with Blanco, Armenteros, Ebobisse and their Talisman Valeri combining with 36 goals.

Advantage: slightly leaning SKC

MLS Final

December 8, 2018

Photos Credit and Property of Diego Diaz Photography 2018

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Claudio Ranieri delivers his magic to Fulham

Hail to the return of the Emperor Claudio Rainieri to the ranks of Premiership, after the Italian making history a few campaigns ago with the unthinkable of winning the league with an underdog squad in Leicester City.

That was then and now after his feat in Leicestershire back in 2015-16 to the next campaign-he left the club after odd results but in Champions making another historic run but fell short of reaching the finals after its elimination in Quarterfinals.

Ever since the promotion of the Cottagers to the ranks of Premiership these have struggled to adapt and maintain afloat above the relegation spots which these are currently situated dead last in the bottom of the table.

Still the arrival of the Emperor did went unnoticed with a win at home in Craven Cottage over the visiting and troubled Southampton Saints to a score of 3-2, restoring the confidence back to his side in need of an overhaul.

However, this new endeavor for Rainieri will not be a walk in the park in spite of his side winning its first game under his tenure but the outlook and challenges ahead looking a bit difficult but not impossible.

His first order of business in the weekend playing against the Chelsea Blues reviving their old rivalry in the always contested Fulham Derby as these neighboring squads are back in another edition of the London Derby.

However, the work of the Italian is to save the destinies of the Lilywhites and maintain them in the top circuit of Premiership in another defying test in his career to return the lost confidence of the Cottagers.

As the owner of this squad Shahid Khan in need of a turnaround for his squad and in reminiscence of its June celebrations after his side winning a promotion to Premiership had to deliver a solution and Rainieri was his solution.

Proof is on this weekend win after the Cottagers winning their match over struggling Southampton, shows that magic that this squad was in need as the resources and tactics tried by Slavissa Jokanovic that in the end were not effective in Premiership.

Still the road ahead for the Italian coming from La Ligue after a brief stint with Nantes, the Emperor after the offer from Khan in the end he could not refuse and make another return to the best associations in the world.

For the newly appointed Claudio Ranieri its business as usual and by taking this new challenge gladly we are to see how he will leveled this troubled squad campaign and finish with a prolific positon that will ensure their permanency in the big circuit.