Out of my Head

Sore Losers?

Celtic want to see Eduard punished for his PK-winning dive, which transformed the Hoops' eventual Champions League aggregate loss a 5-1 affair rather than a much tighter 4-1 loss. It's nice to see the Scottish team so righteous on this point. I'm sure they'll be the first to turn in any divers past and present on their own squad, right? Or, maybe this is just sour grapes?

I'm not for the dive. I think it's an ugly part of the game that takes away from the quality of football. However, it would be wrong to approach this on a case--by-base basis, depending on when teams complain loudly about a particular player.

Instead, the EPL (and the SFL, for that matter: watch out Bhoys!) should implement a consistent system for detecting and punishing players committing egregioius diving. I would like to see video review of all matches, and offending players (and there'd have to be some criteria established for what constitutes a serious diving infraction) given a 1 or 2-game suspension. Something like that would be liable to reduce diving to a minimal level.

But pick on our boy Eduardo just 'cuz the Celtic are hurting over being thoroughly outclassed by Arsenal over 180 minutes of football? That'd be wrong.

Huskies Start Their Season With the Win

My daughter and I went to Husky Soccer Stadium to watch the ladies begin their 2009-2010 season with a 2-1 win over Seattle U. We were a few minutes late to the game and Seattle had already scored. The Dawgs were sleepwalking through the first half so I can only imagine how they were scored on. They picked up the tempo towards the halftime and outshot SU 11-4 with a few very close calls.

The 2nd half was not really a contest. The Dawgs superior athleticism and skill easily brought the equalizer and they never took their foot off the pedal as they scored the game winner with about 30 minutes left, I think. Could've scored more, as well. Good start to the season!

Arsenal Win At Parkhead

It may have looked lucky, the way Arsenal scored two goals in a 2-0 Champions League match against Celtic, but the outcome was deserved by an Arsenal side that played smart and patient football and created dangerous attacks.

The Bhoys worked hard throughout the game, and created a few chances of their own, but were largely outclassed by Profeseur Wenger's Acedemie de footbal. The first goal, a free kick that bounced off defender William Gallass' back as he tried to duck out of the way, was certainly lucky. The second, although an own goal off Captain Gary Caldwell, was the result of another dangerous Arsenal attack and a dangerous cross from Abu Diaby.

Vermaelen continues to impress. Having a smart, tough central back in the game makes me happier about Arsenal than at any time in recent memory. Both Song and big Nick look like different players (and I mean that in a good way). I've started calling Nick the anti-Jacqua (you Sounders fans know what I mean).

Two away goals put the Gunners in the drivers seat in this pair of matches. All they have to do is hold on at Emirates and they're back into the Group Stage. The Gaffer warns against complacency. Go Gunners!

Over At Celtic Park

During the mid-week lull, I should note that Celtic frosted Hearts 5-0 Saturday. Someday, I'd wish they'd televise a Celtic match or two, but the only thing we get are the rare Champions League matches.
Also, Celtic look prepare to lose a player or three. And they signed some Italian 16-year-old whiz kid.

Sounders, Racist Sounds, and Gunners. (Oh My)

Good news for the local USL Sounders who piled 5 goals on the MSL Colorado Rapids en route to a 5-0 quarterfinal victory in the US Open Cup. Well done, Sounders. Well done. They've now beaten two MSL squads and a Championship side in Preston North End.

Over in the SPL, our Bhoys are getting warned to stay away from the racist and sectarian chants. The SPL is instituting a new rule that will result in points being deducted if a squad's fans are engaging in verboten chanting. Good on 'em, I say. There's just no room for racism or Catholics V. Protestants in football. Insult a player's talent, his work rate, his need for a boatload of Viagra. That sort of abuse is more of a loving tribute. But don't be a dork. Stay away from the real hate.

Mr. McMahon chimes in with Part 3 of his prognostications. Manchester United second? Who will he pick for tops?

And, finally, a Gunners moment; With the preseason player predictions and musings streaming forth, Arsenal back William Gallass opines that the Gunners are ready to shed their effete Gentlemen's Passing Club image and brawl for the ball. Well said, Will. I hope that you are right. There's nothing worse than watching your superior talented team get beat up on like a punk by some inferior club full of knuckle-draggers. Sometimes you have to kick a little ass - sort things out that way - before you kick the ball.

Community Shield

I got the time to watch the remainder of the Community Shield last night. Good to see Manchester United beat RMA (that's Roman's Mercenary Army) for the title. Beyond that, not much of a game. Chelsea looked rather drab and boring. They missed Drogba big time. Michael Essien was on the field, but I'm not sure where he was playing. He usually stands out, but he was a member of the woodwork yesterday.

Speaking of going missing, when I finally saw Frank Lampard take the ball into the Manchester half, I nearly choked, "That's the boy on the milk carton!" But then he passed the ball and went missing again.

Watching the match, I didn't get much confidence that Chelsea would be able to push for the title. Sure, they've got enough talent, but they often don't do much with it. Of course, the Community Shield was developed exactly so that players like Pizarro and Wright-Phillips can see a real pitch in match conditions. And, by the way, the announcers repeated it so often I was beginning to think that Shaun Wright-Phillips real name is No End Product. I doubt the lad will see another game for Chelsea this year. Very disappointing. And at times, he just looked flustered and confused.

Nick Webster with his usual incisive analysis of the match. He's spot on again. And yes, Malouda's goal was sensational, but blame it on Rio, Ferdinand's defending was lackadaisical. Webser doesn't go to it, but those were the three worst consecutive PKs I've seen at that level. Pizarro tipped his shot with an early lean and none of them were beyond Van Der Saar's wingspan, even if he'd stood still. Of course, he didn't. He parsed out each shot correctly. The Red Devils, on the other hand, shot for the posts.

But, speaking of  challenging for the title, Bobby MacMahon begins his annual (and 4-part) dissertation of who will and who won't over at FoxSoccer.com. Arsenal at 3rd. I think that's a compliment given the presumed 1 and 2, and the changes at Emirates. Let's hope the Gunners challenge for first.

And, finally, Celtic. 0-0 with Kilmarnock? Wazz up, Bhoys? First points for Killie at Celtic Park in 52 years. Rangers are going to jump all over a slow start.