Pseudo Corner Kick

In Matchday 2 of the Champions League Group Stage:

DaMarcus Beasley went the full 90 in PSV Eindhoven’s 3-nil loss to Fenerbahce. PSV was down to 10 men, and already down 1-nil, at the half-time break due to two yellow cards to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Beasley had two efforts on goal saved by the Fenerbahce keeper. PSV are now tied for second in the group with 3 points.

Tim Howard was on the bench for Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Benfica. United needed a late goal from Ruud Van Nistelrooy to secure the victory. United are atop their group with 4 points.

Zak Whitbread was nowhere to be found in Liverpool’s nil-nil draw with fellow English side Chelsea. Liverpool and Chelseas are tied atop the standings with 4 points each.

In Coca-Cola Championship action:

Marcus Hahnemann put together a strong performance, as Reading and Southampton played to a nil-nil draw. Hahnemann made several “world class saves” according to opposing boss Harry Redknapp to keep the game scoreless. Bobby Convey started for Reading as well.

Eddie Lewis had two assists in Leeds United’s 3-1 win over Derby County. Lewis assists came off a beautiful cross and a long range shot that the keepe left for an oncoming Leeds player to finish.

Frankie Simek started but only went 63 minutes in Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-nil loss to Crystal Palace.

In news that should shock no one, John O’Brien is injured again. O’Brien now has a groin injury and it is uncertain how much time he will miss.

Manchester United were shocked by Blackburn Rovers, in Old Trafford, 2-1, with brace from Morten Gamst Pedersen. United’s goal came after Brad Friedel spilled a drive from outside the box into the path of Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Aside from that play, Friedel had a strong game as United could not finish its chances. Tim Howard was on the bench for United, while Jemal Johnson did not make the squad for Blackburn.

Claudio Reyna started and went the distance in the center of midfield for Manchester City in their 1-nil loss to Newcastle United. Newcastle’s lone goal came from newcomer Michael Owen.

Fulham lost to Tottenham Hotspur 1-nil. Brian McBride started and worked hard, but had a lack of service and was subbed off in the 75th minute. Carlos Bocanegra started again in central defense. Tottenham’s lone goal came off some confusion and a blown offside trap between Bocanegra and central defender Zat Knight.

Jonathan Spector came on in the 83rd minute at left back in Charlton Athletic’s 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Marcus Hahnemann recorded his sixth clean sheet of the season in Reading’s 1-nil victory over Norwich City. Bobby Convey also started and went the full 90 in the win.

Eddie Lewis went the full 90 for Leeds United in their 2-nil loss to Ipswich Town.

Frankie Simek played the full 90 in defense in Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Luton Town.

Kasey Keller recorded a clean sheet in Borussia Monchengladbach’s 2-nil win over Arminia Bielefeld. Keller was rated a 3 by Kicker.

Steve Cherundolo went the distance at right back in Hannover 96’s 2-nil loss to Schalke. Cherundolo, and most of his back line, received an embarrassing 5 from Kicker.

Gregg Berhalter started and went the full 90 at left back, instead of his usual center back spot, in Energie Cottbus’ 1-nil victory over Erzgebirge Aue. Berhalter got a 3 from Kicker for his performance in his new left back role.

DaMarcus Beasley’s corner kick led to the first goal in PSV Eindhoven’s 2-nil win over RBC Roosendaal. Beasley started and was subbed off in the 77th minute.

Oguchi Onyewu received a straight red in the 23rd minute in Standard Liege’s 2-2 draw with Germinal Beerschot. Onyewu was ejected, possibly unjustly, when he jumped over an oncoming tackler only to have his foot land on the opposing player’s chest.

Check out this video of a flamboyant referee at a soccer game.

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Comment if you wish. . .

England’s Carling Cup got underway, while the German and Belgian leagues were in action, and ADO Den Haag and Ajax made up their postponed opening day fixture:

In one of the craziest games you’ll see (or read about) all year, Brian McBride scored the game winning goal in Fulham’s 5-4 win over League Two side Lincoln City. Fulham scored twice early, only to see their lead disappear 8 minutes from time. In extra time, Fulham again gained a two goal lead with goals in the 93rd and 95th minute, but again Lincoln City leveled the score with goals in the 101st and 115th minute. McBride, who came on in the 73rd minute, put Fulham ahead for good in the last minute with a header off a free kick. McBride neither moved nor jumped to get to the perfectly placed ball, but stood there and powerfully flicked it into the back of the net.

Claudio Reyna’s Manchester City didn’t fair as well as Fulham as they crashed out of the Carling Cup 3-0 in penalty kicks to League One side Doncaster after remaing tied at 1-1 after 120 minutes of play. In a forshadowing of what was to come, both goals came from penalty kicks, one for City in the 95th, and one for Doncaster in the 118th. In a disappointing display, Manchester City missed their first three spot kicks, while Doncaster put their first three away to send City home. Reyna started but was subbed off in the 90th minute.

Jonathan Spector started and went the full 90 as a left back in Charlton Athletic’s 3-1 win over League One side Hartlepool.

Marcus Hahnemann posted a shutout while Bobby Convey was rested in Reading’s 1-nil victory over Luton Town in the Carling Cup.

Brad Friedel started in goal as Blackburn Rovers defeated League One side Huddersfield 3-1.

Kasey Keller was strong in goal in Borussia Monchengladbach’s 2-1 win over Werder Bremen. Kicker rated Keller a 1.5 for his stellar performance.

Steve Cherundolo started at right back as Hannover 96 got beat up by VFL Wolfsburg 4-2. Kicker gave Cherundolo a 4.5 for his team’s poor display.

Gregg Berhalter anchored Energie Cottbus’ defense as they shutout Burghausen 1-nil. Berhalter received a 3.5 from Kicker.

John O’Brien started again but only made it to the 65th minute in ADO Den Haag’s 2-2 draw with O’Brien’s former side Ajax. ADO’s 2 goals both came in 90th minute stoppage time. Thankfully, O’Brien was NOT subbed out due to injury.

Oguchi Onyewu scored the first goal in Standard Liege’s 2-nil victory over last year’s champion Club Brugge. Onyewu headed in a first half free kick as Standard moved to the top of Belgium’s table.

Jonathan Spector made his first appearance of the year in Charlton Athletic’s 2-nil loss to league leaders Chelsea. Spector came on as a sub in the 71st minute (after Chelsea’s two goals) and played the remainder of the game at left back. This was Charlton’s first loss of the campaign.

Manchester City recorded its first loss of the season in a 1-nil defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers. Claudio Reyna went the full 90 and had a shot well saved by Bolton’s keeper. Bolton was awarded a penalty kick in stoppage time after a hand ball in the box by City’s Richard Dunne, and Gary Speed put the kick away for the match’s only goal.

Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra both started and went the distance in Fulham’s 2-1 loss to West Ham United at home. McBride had two good efforts saved by Roy Carroll in the first half but was unable to keep his goal scoring hot streak alive. Bocanegra was again in his preferred central defender role and received a yellow card for his quickly becoming trademark slide tackle when the quikcer attacker is getting away.

Michael Owen scored his first goal in a Newcastle shirt as they defeated Blackburn Rovers 3-nil. Brad Friedel was in goal for Rovers, while Jemal Johnson did not make the matchday squad.

Tim Howard watched Manchester United’s nil-nil draw with Liverpool from the bench. Fellow American Zak Whitbread did not make Liverpool’s squad.

Bobby Convey and Marcus Hahnemann both were in the starting lineup for Reading’s 1-nil victory over Crewe Alexandra. Convey was Reading’s best player and was rewarded with the Man of the Match by the several sources. Convey was subbed off in the 84th minute.

Eddie Lewis started as ten-man (for the last 25 minutes) Leeds United beat Queens Park Rangers 1-nil.

Frankie Simek went the full 90 at right back as Sheffield Wednesday lost to Millwall 2-1.

Jay DeMerit has picked up a shoulder injury during a reserve match and could be out for two to three weeks. Needless to say, he was not available for Watford’s 3-2 loss to Sheffield United.

Steve Cherundolo started at right back in Hannover 96’s 1-nil loss to Bayern Munich. Kicker gave Cherundolo a poor 4.5.

Kasey Keller was in goal for Borussia Monchengladbach’s 2-1 loss to FC Koln. Kicker rated Keller a 2.5.

Greg Berhalter started in central defense for Energie Cottbus in their 5-1 victory over Alemmania Aachen. Kicker gave berhalter a 3.

John O’Brien started and, surprisingly, went the full 90 in ADO Den Haag’s nil-nil draw with Twente.

DaMarcus Beasley came on in the 17th minute as PSV Eindhoven dropped a 1-nil match to FC Groningen.

Cory Gibbs remained on the sideline for Feyenoord’s 4-1 win against Heerenveen.

Oguchi Onyewu started and went the full 90 in the center of defense in Standard Liege’s 3-nil victory over Cercle Brugge. Onyewu’s long ball to the wing started Standard’s 1st and 3rd goals.

Not that I’ve seen every game this year, or even all of this game, but the MetroStars-Revolution game on Saturday was an absolutely amazing up and down affair. If you haven’t already, you should see the highlights.

I won’t even tell you the final score because I don’t want to ruin it, but strap in for a wild rollercoaster ride…

Fans had the opportunity to vote for their Top Ten U.S. Soccer Events online. Those winning moments are:

1. The U.S. Men’s National Team Reaches the Quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup
2. MLS Unveiled
3. Brandi Chastain’s winning PK over China in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final
4. The 1994 FIFA World Cup held in the U.S.
5. U.S. Goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Tim Howard win major awards in English Premier League
6. Mia Hamm’s Storied Career
7. USA’s Young Guns: Freddy Adu, DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan
8. U.S. Women’s National Team Wins Gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics
9. U.S. Women’s National Team Wins Gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics
10. New Soccer Stadiums at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA and in Columbus, OH

I think the first two are perfect, 4 should be third and I like number 5: its something often forgotten. But one thing is, would any of them have happened if it wasn’t for 4 and 2?

In the Champions League first group game:

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink headed in DaMarcus Beasley’s corner kick in the 33rd minute to give PSV Eindhoven a 1-nil win over Schalke. Later, Beasley’s free kick had to be touched over the bar by the Schalke keeper to avoid a 2-nil deficit. Apparently, Beasley has been practicing on his set pieces! Beasley started 0n the left but often switched wings with Jefferson Farfan. Beasley went the full 90 for PSV.

Tim Howard was on the bench as Manchester United escaped with a nil-nil draw with Villarreal. Wayne Rooney’s temper got the better of him and two yellow cards in succession left United down a man with 26 minutes to go, but both sides left with a point.

Zak Whitbread did not make Liverpool’s matchday squad for their 2-1 defeat of Real Betis.

In England:

A goal three minutes from time gave Reading a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace to stay second in the Coca Cola Championship. Marcus Hahnemann started in goal for Reading while Bobby Convey started on the wing and was withdrawn after 88 minutes. Convey drew the foul that led to Reading’s game winning goal.

In, a battle of two Americans, Frankie Simek’s Sheffield Wednesday defeated Eddie Lewis’ Leeds United 1-nil on Tuesday. Both Americans started and went the full 90 for their clubs.

Jay DeMerit was on the subs bench but did not enter the game in Watford’s 2-1 win over Norwich City.

Finally, in other news, Brad Friedel has signed an extension that will see him remain with Blackburn Rovers until 2008.

In the Manchester derby, City held United to a 1-1 draw in Old Trafford. Claudio Reyna put in another strong 90 minute, man of the match-like performance in the center of midfield for City. Reyna was involved in setting up City’s lone goal and received a yellow card at half-time for protesting Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s goal (possible offside). Reyna has received high praise for his play in the game and throughout the year so far. Manager Stuart Pearce called Reyna a ‘colossus’, was named to BBC’s team of the week, and is ranked as the number 1 player in the EPL according to Actim Player Rankings. City’s draw keeps them undefeated in 5 games and in third place in the EPL table. Tim Howard continued his role as United’s #2 keeper and watched from the bench. United will travel to Spain to take on Villareal in the opening match of group play in UEFA’s Champions League on Wednesday.

Brian McBride scored Fulham’s lone goal in their 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. McBride’s third goal of the season came as some sloppy play by Newcastle’s defense led to a turnover and a slip by Jean-Alain Boumsong on an attempted clearance of the low cross left McBride alone with the ball in front of a wide open net. McBride was subbed off in the 80th minute after working hard at both ends of the field. Carlos Bocanegra got his second straight start at the heart of the Fulham defense, and, paired with Zat Knight, held Newcastle’s impressive strike force of Alan Shearer and new signing Michael Owen scoreless. Newcastle’s goal came off a free kick that was misplayed by Fulham keeper Tony Warner. Bocanegra also received a yellow card for a nasty, borderline red card tackle on Owen.

Brad Friedel recorded his second clean sheet of the season in Blackburn Rovers’ nil-nil draw with Bolton Wanderers. Jemal Johnson did not make the matchday squad for Rovers.

Jonathan Spector made the bench but did not play in Charlton Athletic’s 1-nil win over Birmingham City. Charlton’s win keeps them perfect through four games and second in the EPL table.

Zak Whitbread did not make the matchday squad for Liverpool’s nil-nil draw with Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool’s Champions League opener is Tuesday in Spain against Real Betis.

Leeds United needed an extra time goal from Jonathon Douglas to escape with a 3-3 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. Leeds went down 2-0, scored two goals to tie the game, and then fell behind again before Douglas’ equalizer. Eddie Lewis started the match and was taken off 10 minutes from full-time.

Marcus Hahnemann made a couple of big saves to salvage Reading’s 1-1 draw with Coventry City. Coventry tied the game about four minutes from time. Bobby Convey went the full 90 for Reading.

Frankie Simek started at right back and went 90 in Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-nil loss to Leicester City.

Jay DeMerit again watched from the bench as Watford defeated Stoke City 3-nil.

Steve Cherundolo returned from injury to make the start for Hannover 96’s match with Eintracht Frankfurt. Cherundolo went the full 90 at right back in Hannover’s first win of the season. Kicker gave Cherundolo a 4.

Kasey Keller did not play in Borussia Monchengladbach’s 2-1 win over Duisburg due to rumored tonsillitis.

Gregg Berhalter played the entire game in the center of the defense in Energie Cottbus’ 4-2 victory over Sportfreunde Siegen. Kicker gave Berhalter a 3.

DaMarcus Beasley started and went 90 on the right wing for PSV Eindhoven’s 1-nil win over FC Utrecht. PSV meet Schalke 04 of Germany in Tuesday’s Champions League match.

John O’Brien made his first appearance of the season, as a sub, in ADO Den Haag’s 4-1 loss to NAC Breda. O’Brien came on in the 28th minute with the scoreline already 3-nil and had a free kick well saved by the Breda keeper.

Oguchi Onyewu went the distance in Standard Liege’s 3-1 loss to Beveren. The loss knocks Standard out of the top spot in Belgium.

…should have kept the Mets-Braves game on.

On Wednesday, the US had a nil-nil draw with Guatemala in World Cup Qualifying. Coming off clinching a World Cup berth, the US had little to play for, while the game was massively important for Guatemala’s attempts to grab the fourth (play-off) spot and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

The US fielded an entirely different squad than the one that defeated Mexico in Columbus. 11 new players, most of whom have never played with each other, and a wet surface led to a sloppy and uneasy first half for the US team. The US could generate little on offense, with Jeff Cunningham’s shot in the box, blocked by Taylor Twellman, being the best opportunity in the first half. The team’s play improved in the second half, helped by substitutions Eddie Johnson (on for Cunningham, not Twellman) and Landon Donovan. Bobby Convey rang a free kick off the cross bar, while Johnson and Twellman missed absolute sitters. Marcus Hahnemann (my Man of the Match) added several big saves to keep the clean sheet. All in all, an away point in CONCACAF is an important result, and to do so with a B team not used to each other, and against a team fighting for their World Cup lives, makes the result that much more impressive.

From here on out, it’s all about showing Bruce Arena what you can do in order to make that 23 man roster. Because of the wet pitch, and use of 11 new players, noone on offense really improved their standings, although I think Cunningham, Twellman, etc should continue to get looks from The Bruce. Lack of service hampered their game, with Clint Dempsey and Santino Quaranta shouldering much of that blame. Dempsey was unimpressive in the attacking midfield role, but will continue to be looked at to find what his best role on this team is. The staff seems to like Quaranta, but is he the answer at right wing? Convey had his moments wide on the left, and captain Pablo Mastroeni continued his strong play in front of the defense. At the back, Jimmy Conrad and especially Chad Marshall looked impressive. Conrad’s stock has grown since the Gold Cup, and Marshall’s play over the past few years has people already talking of a future Onyewu-Marshall pairing. Chris Albright is going to be in a dog fight the next few months with Frankie Hejduk for an outside back spot, while Greg Vanney’s play continues to leave the left back spot wide open. Hahnemann really improved his standing, trying to cement the #3 goalkeeper spot, and possibly even jump Tim Howard for the #2 role.

By the way ESPN, I understand that games run into extra innings sometimes, you can’t control that. But the least you can do is let us see our game in its entirety. I know it will take a little tech work, but it has been done before. THAT would have been the right thing to do, not have us miss over 20 minutes of the game we wanted to see.