Condolences to our Cascadian rivals in Seattle at the result of tonight's match against LA. The Sounders' effort was excellent and it was an exciting game up until the point that Robbie Keane's cross smacked into Johannsen's arm two thirds of the way into the match.
I'm not a physicist but I'm guessing that any scientist tracking the movement of Seattle's defender in trying to position himself would have said that it was nigh impossible to move without using the arms as counterbalance. And if that's the case, what's the rationale for calling a PK for intentionally handling the ball.
I don't know if FIFA or referees consider this issue at all but the mechanics of the human body in motion includes some inevitabilities. Arms as balance points are among them. We don't go through extreme physical articulations of our bodies with our arms at our sides. Try it sometime. It doesn't work.
This is not something that can't be tested and measured. And I'm happy to hear that all of that has already happened and there's a clear standard as to when a player's body in motion is 'making (itself) bigger' as the referee attested and when the arm action is a byproduct of necessary balancing.
The impact on the match between Seattle and LA was immense and immediately palpable. And there are many similar examples out there in which the game has been changed completely by a 'handball in the box' from a player who was in midair and whose trajectory took an arm into the play. It's a sad way to have games unfold and a far cry from the call when a static player moves or raises an arm to block a play.
Football deserves a better standard. One that's based on better understanding of the science of physical mechanics. And Seattle deserved a better outcome than to drop a point in a key game on that score.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Cascadia Cup- first bright shiny thing
Jack Jewsbury and the boys in green bust loose. The Portland Timbers beat the 'Caps in their last chance to win an away match and also to grab hold of the Cascadia Cup after a long and puzzling season. Looking at the highlights tonight, it appears that they were both intense and lucky in their play. And what a great feather in the cap of captain Jack Jewsbury whose career in Portland continues to provide him with new heights to conquer.
I know that there was great sadness in the final of the 1975 NASL Soccer Bowl when we went down to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 0-2 in San Jose. Winning a competitive cup puts a club into the realm of legendary teams. The march to the Cascadia Cup win tonight, against the run of play in the League, is a marker that will stand for as long as there are Portland Timbers and those who remember and honor the Timbers with fondness.
Next week we close the season out against the Quakes, the hottest team in the League. Ironic that the Timbers' first championship tussle was in the Quakes' home turf. We don't have anything to play for but pride, and a nod to the potential for next year. So far this year, we took a game at home against SJ and tied a game away. For old times' sake, I hope we kick into high gear and announce that we will be there, armed for bear and ready to rumba next season.
I know that there was great sadness in the final of the 1975 NASL Soccer Bowl when we went down to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 0-2 in San Jose. Winning a competitive cup puts a club into the realm of legendary teams. The march to the Cascadia Cup win tonight, against the run of play in the League, is a marker that will stand for as long as there are Portland Timbers and those who remember and honor the Timbers with fondness.
Next week we close the season out against the Quakes, the hottest team in the League. Ironic that the Timbers' first championship tussle was in the Quakes' home turf. We don't have anything to play for but pride, and a nod to the potential for next year. So far this year, we took a game at home against SJ and tied a game away. For old times' sake, I hope we kick into high gear and announce that we will be there, armed for bear and ready to rumba next season.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Brief snapshots of football...
Life has been happily tumultuous which has meant that I have had less time to pay attention to the Game. A couple of events deserve mention, I think.
I watched a streamed match of the junior teams for Barca and Wolfsburg the other night. I was curious to see how the next likely squad of players from the Spanish machine looked.
The answer was 'impressive'. At the end of the evening, the red blue and gold side had notched five goals to Wolfsburg's none. And while much of the scoring was done with real individual flair, the process of getting there showed a continuation of the style that Barcelona has made famous and popular. This crew looked good.
On a different day I watched the Portland Seattle match on the television. Everything about that game was disheartening. The first own goal off Futty's foot. The followup goal by Johnson who stood alone and waited for the ball to come to him. The failure of the Timbers to figure things out and regain their poise. It was not a game I want to remember.
I read afterward that Caleb Porter had set the lineup so as to look at the play of some folks who might not make the cut next time around. That apparently is why Wallace and Palmer were at the outside back positions, slots that have been terrible for us all season. As well, it might explain why Fucito was subbed in as a forward instead of Danny Mwanga. Overall, the game highlighted issues that have plagued the team all season--getting burned on the wings and failing to put the ball in the net when we've had chances. Oh, and there is a question about the midfield's ability to step up and deliver the ball to the attacking end.
It will be interesting to see what unfolds over the winter. I don't think we have the back line that we need for starters. I'm hopeful that a little bit of rage makes the team come out and chew the Whitecaps up for that one road win and the Cascadia Cup. But then I'm inveterately hopeful.
I watched a streamed match of the junior teams for Barca and Wolfsburg the other night. I was curious to see how the next likely squad of players from the Spanish machine looked.
The answer was 'impressive'. At the end of the evening, the red blue and gold side had notched five goals to Wolfsburg's none. And while much of the scoring was done with real individual flair, the process of getting there showed a continuation of the style that Barcelona has made famous and popular. This crew looked good.
On a different day I watched the Portland Seattle match on the television. Everything about that game was disheartening. The first own goal off Futty's foot. The followup goal by Johnson who stood alone and waited for the ball to come to him. The failure of the Timbers to figure things out and regain their poise. It was not a game I want to remember.
I read afterward that Caleb Porter had set the lineup so as to look at the play of some folks who might not make the cut next time around. That apparently is why Wallace and Palmer were at the outside back positions, slots that have been terrible for us all season. As well, it might explain why Fucito was subbed in as a forward instead of Danny Mwanga. Overall, the game highlighted issues that have plagued the team all season--getting burned on the wings and failing to put the ball in the net when we've had chances. Oh, and there is a question about the midfield's ability to step up and deliver the ball to the attacking end.
It will be interesting to see what unfolds over the winter. I don't think we have the back line that we need for starters. I'm hopeful that a little bit of rage makes the team come out and chew the Whitecaps up for that one road win and the Cascadia Cup. But then I'm inveterately hopeful.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Timbers tie Seattle 9-15-12
The Timbers fought their way to a draw against heavy odds today. The Sounders have been on a roll since their last visit to Jeld-Wen when our folk beat them handily. And the Timbers, by contrast, have had a rough road--coaching and personnel changes and performances on the field bouncing from high to low. The match today, however, was one of the most electric contests I've seen on a pitch this year as well as a testimony to the Timbers who showed that they indeed have the potential to find the warriors within who can claw the last mile in a game that the oddsmakers would say was a giveaway.
Let me recap the points that stuck in my mind when it was all over. Portland attacking. Sal Zizzo making runs on the right flank early in the game. Franck Songo'o dancing his way past Seattle defenders and, when fouled, stepping up his game to say 'I will not be intimidated'. A beautiful moment. Song'o launching a perfectly arced cross into the box from the attacking left side almost onto the feet of a sliding Chara. Chara like a bulldog protecting the home of his master challenging Seattle's attack over and over while at the same time breaking into the attacking end and creating havoc there. Chara late in the first half with the ball on his feet dribbling under serious pressure toward the top of the box and the Seattle defender wrapping him up, literally, in his arms and taking Chara down. No whistle. The replay on the big screen clearly showed the foul. Chara shaking it off and trotting back down field, a smile as always on his face.
Dike bulling his way around the top of the attacking zone. The Timbers attack was relentless and varied today. Songo'o launching a rocket from twenty five that required a full body parry. Dike and Jewsbury taking shots left and right. Wallace launching balls into the goalbox.
And at the defending end, the team in green were like terriers barking at the heels of Seattle's forwards. The one moment of anxious inhalation when Fredy (you know Fredy!) was about to break into the box free and was stripped of the ball with a confident tackle. Mosquera and Horst were tireless. Wallace played smart defense and still managed to get forward into the attack while well-covered by Jewsbury.
The first half ended nil-nil with consensus in the stands that Portland had played strong and had blunted Seattle's psychological and physical edge. What was clear though was the Sounders' willingness to chop down their opponent to gain advantage. Through the half Timbers' players took hits after releasing a pass or away from play completely to the point that the game had a roller derby flavor.
Sadly, the second half made that flavor the dominant one in the match. Early in the second half, Donovan Ricketts went down in a collision with Eddie Johnson as he and Fredy crashed the goal on a high ball. Ricketts didn't get up for a long count and when he did it was clear he wasn't okay. Johnson, in a sportsmanlike gesture, came over to shake his hand when he was finally on his feet. Certainly, Sounders have reason to be hostile to chippy play after the serious injury to Steve Zakuani against Colorado last year. Ricketts, though willing to brave it out, went off after a short interval and was replaced by Portland's substitute keeper, Joe Bendik. The substitution was barely complete when Montero took a long ball out of his own end and volleyed it over Bendik's hands giving Seattle the lead.
This is where the story begins to get interesting. The Timbers were down by a goal in the second half to a team who mostly win when they score first. The Timbers' first string keeper was out injured. The Timbers have struggled to come back when they've given up early goals So what would happen today? Eighteen or nineteen thousand fans were in full roar rallying the team. And the team responded.
The Timbers didn't stop playing. Didn't stop fighting. Didn't lose their composure. They continued to attack the Sounders goal. Songo'o demonstrated his composure and his skills until he was injured and went off to be replaced by Danny Mwanga.
The Timbers continued to match Seattle challenge for challenge and attack for attack, and their perserverance paid off with Rodney Wallace's shot slicing through the goalline defense and into the net to tie the game. And the game continued to be rough beyond physical. Late in the second half, Al Hassan was subbed in for Sal Zizzo whose early success against the Sounders defense had begun to be less effective. With that change, the team had gone through its allowed substitutions.
Not long after, Diego Chara who'd been a workhorse for the team, went down in a challenge and came off the field with what clearly looked like a groin pull. There were still minutes on the clock and the Timbers were forced to play short. In stoppage time, the Timbers continuing to attack, Dike's shot hit the right post and in an astonishing display of improbable physics bounced out to the left across the entire face of goal to be deflected out without going across the line. In years of watching soccer matches a shot with a 'curse' like this almost never happens. Not too long after, Joe Bendik made a stellar save on a wormburner from twenty plus yards out which would have stolen the result.
Six minutes of stoppage time were whistled to an end and the match was deemed a draw. A partisan view would say that one or two calls changed the result in Seattle's favor. The taking down of Chara for example. But for anyone who loves the game this match displayed some extraordinary football. From a Timbers' fan point of view the biggest issue is whether Chara, Songo'o and Ricketts will be able to suit up for the next game.
Today the challenge laid down was to represent the Timbers ably in front of the thousands of loyal fans here and to not give an inch to Seattle, our worthy rivals. The Cascadia Cup is on the line and the Timbers are still atop that table--no small achievement. I'd say this match was one of those which will be talked about for years, a classico. I'm glad to say we were there.
Let me recap the points that stuck in my mind when it was all over. Portland attacking. Sal Zizzo making runs on the right flank early in the game. Franck Songo'o dancing his way past Seattle defenders and, when fouled, stepping up his game to say 'I will not be intimidated'. A beautiful moment. Song'o launching a perfectly arced cross into the box from the attacking left side almost onto the feet of a sliding Chara. Chara like a bulldog protecting the home of his master challenging Seattle's attack over and over while at the same time breaking into the attacking end and creating havoc there. Chara late in the first half with the ball on his feet dribbling under serious pressure toward the top of the box and the Seattle defender wrapping him up, literally, in his arms and taking Chara down. No whistle. The replay on the big screen clearly showed the foul. Chara shaking it off and trotting back down field, a smile as always on his face.
Dike bulling his way around the top of the attacking zone. The Timbers attack was relentless and varied today. Songo'o launching a rocket from twenty five that required a full body parry. Dike and Jewsbury taking shots left and right. Wallace launching balls into the goalbox.
And at the defending end, the team in green were like terriers barking at the heels of Seattle's forwards. The one moment of anxious inhalation when Fredy (you know Fredy!) was about to break into the box free and was stripped of the ball with a confident tackle. Mosquera and Horst were tireless. Wallace played smart defense and still managed to get forward into the attack while well-covered by Jewsbury.
The first half ended nil-nil with consensus in the stands that Portland had played strong and had blunted Seattle's psychological and physical edge. What was clear though was the Sounders' willingness to chop down their opponent to gain advantage. Through the half Timbers' players took hits after releasing a pass or away from play completely to the point that the game had a roller derby flavor.
Sadly, the second half made that flavor the dominant one in the match. Early in the second half, Donovan Ricketts went down in a collision with Eddie Johnson as he and Fredy crashed the goal on a high ball. Ricketts didn't get up for a long count and when he did it was clear he wasn't okay. Johnson, in a sportsmanlike gesture, came over to shake his hand when he was finally on his feet. Certainly, Sounders have reason to be hostile to chippy play after the serious injury to Steve Zakuani against Colorado last year. Ricketts, though willing to brave it out, went off after a short interval and was replaced by Portland's substitute keeper, Joe Bendik. The substitution was barely complete when Montero took a long ball out of his own end and volleyed it over Bendik's hands giving Seattle the lead.
This is where the story begins to get interesting. The Timbers were down by a goal in the second half to a team who mostly win when they score first. The Timbers' first string keeper was out injured. The Timbers have struggled to come back when they've given up early goals So what would happen today? Eighteen or nineteen thousand fans were in full roar rallying the team. And the team responded.
The Timbers didn't stop playing. Didn't stop fighting. Didn't lose their composure. They continued to attack the Sounders goal. Songo'o demonstrated his composure and his skills until he was injured and went off to be replaced by Danny Mwanga.
The Timbers continued to match Seattle challenge for challenge and attack for attack, and their perserverance paid off with Rodney Wallace's shot slicing through the goalline defense and into the net to tie the game. And the game continued to be rough beyond physical. Late in the second half, Al Hassan was subbed in for Sal Zizzo whose early success against the Sounders defense had begun to be less effective. With that change, the team had gone through its allowed substitutions.
Not long after, Diego Chara who'd been a workhorse for the team, went down in a challenge and came off the field with what clearly looked like a groin pull. There were still minutes on the clock and the Timbers were forced to play short. In stoppage time, the Timbers continuing to attack, Dike's shot hit the right post and in an astonishing display of improbable physics bounced out to the left across the entire face of goal to be deflected out without going across the line. In years of watching soccer matches a shot with a 'curse' like this almost never happens. Not too long after, Joe Bendik made a stellar save on a wormburner from twenty plus yards out which would have stolen the result.
Six minutes of stoppage time were whistled to an end and the match was deemed a draw. A partisan view would say that one or two calls changed the result in Seattle's favor. The taking down of Chara for example. But for anyone who loves the game this match displayed some extraordinary football. From a Timbers' fan point of view the biggest issue is whether Chara, Songo'o and Ricketts will be able to suit up for the next game.
Today the challenge laid down was to represent the Timbers ably in front of the thousands of loyal fans here and to not give an inch to Seattle, our worthy rivals. The Cascadia Cup is on the line and the Timbers are still atop that table--no small achievement. I'd say this match was one of those which will be talked about for years, a classico. I'm glad to say we were there.
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