Fern Mc Costigan

Monday, February 12, 2018

The Dallas FC looking to bury last campaign debacle with a shield

So close but so far for the league postseason has been the lowdown for the Dallas FC and after last campaign meltdown missing the playoffs. This time for manager Oscar Pareja is serious business in mounting a stellar campaign in the colossus of Frisco, Texas.

Still as many squads are arming themselves towards an exciting and contested campaign and everybody eyeing the league shield, unfortunate for all of the 23 squads in MLS the only problem that there is only one to grab.

With a squad, that in 2017 and other campaigns coming short of the promise land of the grand finale.

This time is serious business getting the big D in not only the grand fete of the postseason but also going all the way and that is why the squad directives were busy at work in the preseason looking to build an all-around contender.

One by not repeating last campaign fiasco that left the Hoops out of the postseason by and average differential between them and the San Jose Quakes as these latter ones went on taking the last spot available.

Wheeling and dealing is the name of the game in all of Major League Soccer squads, after the league awarded extra Targeted Allocation Monies now all the squads are looking not only in the US but also in South America and Europe for talent.

For Oscar Pareja so far in the preseason he and his staff has been busy at work in reinforcing this squad and with new faces coming to Frisco and reinforce this squad was among one of his utmost of priorities.

That is the defensive backfield were this squad suffer horribly last campaign with injuries and lack of consistency in its game that saw its strong start in the early stages of the campaign, later the club suffer a sort of meltdown and despite their recovery. At the end, they were too late.

As that amazing 2016 still fresh in their minds just lacking the Western Division and League shields to their long list of achievements, after winning the Supporters Shield, US Open Cup and the Western Division after finishing first.

Now the squad after a shakeup of several players leaving the club, the club went on the task to reinforce many areas in its backfield, the arrival of Swiss Reto Ziegler and Bulgarian Anton Nedyalkov. The Burn by reinforcing with these two experienced Europeans, which tells you a lot.

So far, reaching ten players signed as Home Grown Players, with newcomers in defenders Kris Reaves, Jordan Cano and Brandon Servania, serious is the right word to define this club seriousness towards this 2018.

Other newcomers are goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer and Colombian midfielder Santiago Mosquera coming as a Designated Player to make of the Dallas squad return to its top form and contend for the league shield.

As the new Dallas FC is looking forward to add more versatility, dynamic and all around excitement to its fan base with a little luck and game displayed in the course of this upcoming 2018, we may have them looking to go all the way.

For Dallas that loss in the grand finale in 2010 after beating the likes of Real Salt Lake, the LA Galaxy and losing in the final against Colorado Rapids, this time they are ready to make an impact.

Photos Credit and Property of Dallas Football Club 2018

One serious blow for the Bannsiders title run

They state that there is no place like home but in this case for the Bannsiders playing in the Showgrounds. This was a different story in a match marked by many controversies and ended even for both squads sharing the points.

For Coleraine playing hosts to third place Glenavon, this match was supposed to be a contested affair and for both squads looking forward to net a win that could help them make a move towards the league top currently held by leapfrogging Crusaders.

Despite the home field advantage and the Bannsiders keeping a close pace over the Hachetmen, today the Lurgan Blues played the hated role of spoilers after they visitors the score and silencing the Showgrounds crowds shortly.

Despite the resilience and fight shown by the Mourneview Aces, the outcome of the game took a turn for the worst as the visitors saw their manager dismissed by a red card. Seeing the same result in the 88-minute, as Glenavon’s starter Mark Sykes in the 88 minute.

Bad after noon the Lurgan Blues saw, after the fourth official sent off Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton, later awarding a doubtful penalty to the locals and claiming a two footed tackle to the locals Eion Bradley.

Despite Glenavon oddities with the game officials, at the end these persevered and stop several attempts to goal when their game hero goalkeeper Jonathan Tuffey.

As the visitors tried in vain of making, their mark in the host’s posts with Steven Murray and Mark Sykes intents, as well Sammy Clingan almost making a goal via a free kick. However in a corner play taken by Bobby Burns and Rhys Marshall header did not connect.

Defender Andy Hall found the golden moment to put the Lurgan Blues ahead in the 53 minute.

Still the game was not one sided, as the locals had their opportunities too, with a penalty kick awarded to Coleraine when Jamie McGonigle was brought down the area as Glenavon keeper rose to the occasion and stopped Ciaron Harkin shoot.

This opportunity missed by the Bannsiders and later a draw after their goal seven minutes later by Eion Bradley in the 60 to preserve the score after a wondrous performances by both squads goalkeepers in the end.

And despite the visitors having just ten men on the field, the Bannsiders could not capitalize and start a strong rally to put this one away and net what could been three points of gold.

With ten matches remaining in the campaign, for Coleraine these remaining left in the league calendar, if they would like to contend for the league top. One of their utmost of aims is to win all of the points in play as well in unity of a Crusader meltdown; the Bannsiders can claim the league shield.

Photos Credit and Property of Coleraine FC and INPHO/Lorcan Doherty 2017

Tyneside rules in the United Derby

The Toon Boys delivered an important win. Rafael Benitez Newcastle United handed an upset over a heavily favored Manu. As this match became the third one in this weekend of league play to finish by just a lone goal.

As Jose Mourinho Manchester United coming to these parts of Tyneside and with the way the Geordies in every game struggled to net positive results. Today at home in the Toon, these delivered a gem of a game.

As in the words of Manu Mourinho describing the way, these overzealous Magpies defenders played throughout the whole ninety minutes, like a pack of wolves and not allowing their threesome of world class strikers into total remission.

With the Spaniard clearly displaying his best of strategies and planning, at the end of this match, results spoke and with a happy Benitez in the sidelines after the final whistle, this win meant a lot for him and his crew.

Not only playing spoiler for the Red Devils looking forward to assure the league second spot after the race for the league shield is leaning heavily for the Citizens but in the mind of Jose Mourinho looking forward to finish in this spot. In his mind, he will see this as an achievement over last campaign finish.

Still as every point in play considered vital if not important, for Newcastle United this win nets them a legion of thankful followers in Liverpool and Tottenham who are within striking distance of the Manu Boys.

As the Geordies with a series of draws against Swansea, Burnley and Crystal Palace, and a loss by 3-1 against the league top tier Manchester City. So far, the share of points and today win keeps them for now away from the infamous relegation spots, once held in the campaign by them.

However after this club struggles, the controversies surrounding them of being sold and this actions not going through, I give an A to the Magpies manager Rafael Benitez of keeping pace with his group after the club has not responded in his quest to bring new players.

Despite their troubles to net a win and especially at home since October of last year, three points of gold maintains the Geordies clear of the abyss by two points.

As this win is welcomed by its numerous fan base that have endured many misfortunes of their club over the years, now they have a reason to smile and see a light at the end of the tunnel after knocking out in what many call a giant.

In the battle of United’s as I once wrote, Manu got the upper hand, in part II the Geordies got the best part and the win to uplift this club spirits and confidence in the remainder of the campaign.

Despite the lone goal that gave the locals a valuable win, this match heavily, rule by passionate and overzealous Magpie defenders doing their best to stop a United attack with Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba.

With the foursome of Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascalles, Florian Lejeune and DeAndre Yedlin who maintained the Red Devils armada at bay and as away from the posts defended successfully by Martin Dubravka who earned a wondrous clean sheet.

In addition, kudos to an opportune dynamic duo composed of Dwight Gayle header that Matt Ritchie pushes to the left side of De Gea beating him for what became the lone goal of the match.

Despite numerous approaches by both squads to score the game winner, at the end the Magpies efforts rose above and pleasing both fans and manager alike with this spectacular win!

Sunday, February 11, 2018

The North London Derby under Tottenham rule

Move over Arsenal as North London has a new ruler. As the Hotspurs of Tottenham, today rose to the occasion netting an important win over their cross-town foes. For the 83, 222 in attendance, at the Spurs temporary home in Wembley.

Not only with this win, Tottenham moves up to third place in the overall table with 52 points as all of those in attendance getting their monies worth after seeing a contested affair between these two foes.

For Mauricio Pochettino, not only this win seen as important but also showing off to everyone in Premiership that he and his Boys are one competitive entity that can beat anyone regardless the lineup their foes possess.

So far, in little amounts of time we are seeing how this Spurs squad is forming up to be one day a force not to be mess with, as these are showing up. As every time these come inspired with their best game.

Tell that to an inspired but off target Harry Kane, Kevin Trippier, Erick Lamela, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen who got their fair share of beating the posts defended by Petr Cech and his experience and skills saved what could been a catastrophe.

With the locals dominating the course of the match and exercising a total ball control, this giving way to the play when Ben Davis in the 49 minute passed the ball to Harry Kane taking with him a couple of Arsenal defenders for the lone score.

Still the Gunners had their opportunities, with Jack Wilshere and Alexandre Lacazette near miss in goal, Hugo Lloris showed off his mettle too and in what seemed to be a duel between two goalkeepers, at the end, the Frenchman got the better part.

Contrary to Tottenham Mauricio Pochettino coming to these parts of London Town, his Spurs are making all sorts of headlines and without incurring into expensive acquisitions that at the end would not deliver.

Seen as a squad with time will develop as one serious one as the likes of Man City, Chelsea and Manu.

With their win over the Gunners, the Spurs join the Liverpool Reds that after their win over Southampton puts them within second place held currently by Manchester United with 56 points and the Reds are within two points versus four of the Spurs.

As the race for the league shield far from over, Tottenham will intensify their pressure on the Red Devils and the Reds to seize that second place spot and finish the campaign with a notable.

Very well, kudos to a game well planned by the man from Argentina that tactically put in display with a 4-2-3-1 formation with a foursome in defense of Kieran Trippier, Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davis.

These assured a tranquil afternoon under the posts for their keeper Hugo Lloris to stop the Arsenal attack and threesome in Mesut Ozil, Henrik Mkhitaryan, and Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang. In addition of making some tactical moves, Arsene Wegner sending Alexandre Lacazette, Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi.

At the end, none of these could not incommode the Spurs backfield and at the end persevere for the win, one considered valuable with a bump in the overall table for the Lilywhites and netting the so-called bragging rights of this derby.