It started on a high. Flattened. Sunk. Then soared.

It was just what you'd expect from a United/Chelski clash. But this time the Gods showed United mercy. In all fairness Chelsea played a hard fought match, dominating the second half with as many shots on goal as to the body. Red cards flew like confetti.There was kicking, spitting, head butts, ####ery, and finally face slapping. It was Dynasty in cleats.

Both teams were spent, as were both sets of supporters, before the unthinkable but completely believable happened a: penalty shootout
in a deluge.


The match within the match took everyone for a ride (inducing mass motion sickness). Ronaldo was the first to blame. Then Terry. Then Anelka. Then back to Terry. Then all of London. And ultimately Jose Mourinho. Just because it feels so good.

In the end the Reds won fair and square. Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Edwin
van der Sar's penalty shoot-out heroics as "no accident" after the Manchester United goalkeeper clinched the Champions League trophy with his stop from Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka.All in all, not a bad season.

OK, before I rant about United's upcoming victory in Moscow, i should preface it with an overdue shout out to United's Premiership victory, and those of us celebrating it worldwide.

Once again I was banished to the Polish Social Club because Nevada Smiths was packed to the rafters (why do they allow Chelsea supporters entry)? Regardless, the atmosphere was brilliant, hardly a Chelsea supporter in sight, and the boys were in fine voice. After the victory we all headed up 3rd Ave to Nevada's. That's when the party was in full swing.

The best thing about watching an British cup victory in NY is walking up 3rd Ave after. It's as if you're in Manchester, London, or wherever your club calls home. High fives. Low fives. Chelsea and United fans patting each on the back (instead of stabbing). You wouldn't see this anywhere else. Nope. Only in New York.

Back to Moscow. The only thing that could stop United from beating Chelsea is a few billion rubles, or another worlds Roman Abromovich. Sadly, it's how things are done in Russia. And in Chelsea.

Guess we'll see when the Red Army goes marching on.

                                                    Sing When You're Winning

Brilliant night. Once that United needed badly after suffering a loss and 2 ties. I needed it as well. Hopes were dim, but I still had 'em. I watched every second with intensity. But it was the home support that really gave me chills. That and cholesy whipping the 76,00+ into an unbridled frenzy.

I cherish visiting OT. Singing. Swilling. Savoring the moment. But I'd trade it for that one incredible night the lucky few can proudly say they witnessed. Against Barca. All together. All for one. Viewed all over the world.

I thought i'd already seen the best United can bring. Crushing defeats. Dirty derby songs in full voice. Liverpool limping off the pitch. But now it'll be hard tot top April 29, 2008. I just hope I'm standing proudly in the Strettford End when it happens.
And it will.

Believe.

Tevez's diving header sets table for tasty semi


How good are United? Good enough to beat Roma 3-0 on aggregate — with their second team. To be fair they didn't lineup their reserves, but they did field a very conservative, defensive side. Even so, Tevez’s 70th-minute strike confirmed their place in the last four where they will face Frank Rijkaard's Spanish dancers.

Warming the bench were Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes. That's a pricey seat, but we'll need the lads healthy and angry to properly demolish Arsenal this Sunday.

Giggsy got his 100th Champions League cap, while Rio limped off after preventing an area disaster, 3 stitches to the foot his reward.

The other semi sees our old friends Chelsea squaring off against the Scousers. Pa-leeeese. If this turns into another Ambien moment we'll know who to blame: Jose Mourinho - for not being there!

The dream: United/Liverpool. The nightmare: the Champions League folds because the Chelsea/Liverpool match gives off brain-numbing gamma rays that eventually destroy the earth.

But United still wins Europe.

United truly kicked fascist #### in Rome this week. They headed south to pillage and conquer and did so without breaking a sweat. First came a brilliant header from Ronaldo in the 39th, then a "look Ma, no defense" by Rooney in the 66th.

The 2-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico made a big time statement to all comers.It reads like this: We are ranked #1 in the world for three reasons:
#1: Ronaldo
#2: We will beat you at your own game
#3: Ronaldo
 

Semis anyone?
Roma may be the only team in Europe that cringes at the sight of Sir Alex Ferguson's men
debarking a bus. They're just too familiar with one another. And they both know United has Roma's number. Sure the loss of Nemanja Vidic to a first-half knee injury hurts. But no more then a Francesco Totti-less Ultra side. But even with with his replacement Mirko Vucinic working hard to fill the gap, they came up short. And this time without bloodshed.

Given the family feud between these two sides, only a fool would bet against United securing a semi-final berth when the teams meet again next Wednesday at OT. But don't count out the Italian football spell.

The Serie-Assly slow Italian game.
I know Italians can play ball. After all, they're world champions. But I just can't bring myself to sitting through an entire Serie A match. It moves like molasses (until one side's defense crumbles, or someone faints) and there's no crowd in sight. Only riot police and reports of pre and apre match hooliganism.

Now I know why Zizou head butted his way out of the world cup. The Italians bored him into abject violence. I was actually surprised the entire Italian side didn't fall down in pain when it happened. Qualunque!

Fashion tip: In - United red. Out - riot gear (it's so last year).

Terrific result over the weekend. United played Liverpool smart, adding pressure in the midfield and attacking when they got their chance. I was more than satisfied with total domination and three points, but not  Sir Alex.

Guess I need to retract my predictions about the Chelsea/Arsenal match. It wasn't boring. And it didn't end in a tie. In fact, it was one of the better fixtures of the year. But the real test of will was the Chelsea faithful v Avram Grant.

The louts were ready to dig a hole for Grant "you don't know what you're doing" they sang. That is until Drogba scored his second, and winning goal. Not good for United, but I'm sure very satisfying for the not so special one. Of course, Wegner was livid.

Next up: Villa. Not a push over. United has enjoyed plenty of success over them in the past, but they've only gotten better throughout the season. Despite Sunderland giving them a public tea bagging last weekend.

We'll see if the Villains can bounce back at OT. I somehow doubt it.

Trembling about the Liverpool Easter Massacre? Don't. I simply don't believe Rafa can convincingly conquer a big four side. It's that simple. Sure Liverpool's in good form of late, but it's not like they're the #1 ranked club in the world or anything. Who is?

How Many Tomorrow, Ronny?
This should be good. Ronny's on fire. Liverpool's doing the can-can lineup number. The blue and red teams, whose names we shall not mention, face off for a (prediction here) nil-nil tie. Or at least some form of tie. Neither wants it like United.


But Sir Alex Ferguson is using ‘clever’ remarks to sway referee, argues Rafael BenÍtez. Sore pre-loser. I just wish the squad was at full strength for the match. Rio van der Nad, Sahah, Giggsy, the works. In the end, will it really matter?

The starting whistle has yet to blow at Old Trafford at the time of this post. But I can't see United losing to the down-bound Lancashire louts. The thought of it is just too tragic, especially with serious fixtures looming over the scouser horizon.

The Red Devils can go three points clear at the top of the table with a victory tonight. Says Fergie: "Bolton have got Kevin Davies up front - and he'll do everything he possibly can to unsettle us." I'm sure Sir Alex vividly remembers last November when the Trotter's Nicolas Anelka (where'd he go again?) scored the only goal of the match.

United 2 Bolton 0. Let the whistle blow.
A Lancashire Hotpot, that's what it used to be called. Perhaps it still is (a Hotpot that is: an unpredictable mishmash of nasty, undefined gristly bits). Whatever it is, I just don't want to rewrite this tomorrow. So I'll stick with my prediction. Because I was right!

We never again want to hear that United gets the calls at home (OK, sometimes it's true). Attack attack attack. That's what the the Reds did into the second half of Saturday's FA debacle. Total domination. But not one shot hit its target, and there were many. Then the #### hit the Stretford End.

A foul on Milan Baros saw Tomasz Kuszczak sent off with a straight red. Apparently grabbing Baros' ankle in the area is against football laws, although a sending off seemed harsh. A yellow and free kick would have sufficed. It was truly an ugly chain of events.

No treble . No trouble.
This week's team whose name we shall not speak is the Russian cortelski from West London, no not QPR. The one supposedly managed by Abrahm Gant: (he's old, he's glum, he's not the special one). So no treble for their lot, for the red team whose name we shall not speak, and sadly not for our beloved United.

But there's always the Prem and the Champions League. Fingers crossed.

Go Barnsley!

Have I mentioned I hate Arsenal lately? This shouldn't be my raison d’être, but it's just been one of those weeks. First there was the Villa game. All was peachy. Villa was ahead in added time. It was a real craicker. Villa support were singing inappropriate songs:

"What's that sticking out of his sock, is it his ankle, is it his ankle Eduardo Wwooooo
he had some silky skills,
now he walks like Heather Mills wwooooo wwooooo
he used to run down the left
he used to run down the right
that boy Eduardo will run in circles for life"

Arsene Wegner was outraged! Then came the equalizer and I was outraged. Then the Villa supporter's were outraged, and largely booted from the Emirate's. Naturally scuffles ensued (read riots). Whatever, it's still 2 points to United.

Then came AC Milan (yes, I'm still on Arsenal's ####). All right, I'll give them props for beating the Serie Ahhh ex-giants away at the San Zero. But their victory totally overshadowed United's slow, painfully dull death grip around Olympique Mayonnaise's neck. A grip that lasted eons before the body was embalmed and flown back to France.

Lyon predicted United couldn't defend. Que sera sera. So United's still playing the big room, as are Arsenal — which I shall now refer to as "the team whose name we shall not speak".

Did I mention I hate the team whose name we shall not speak?

Three points from the top with 11 matches remaining is perfect for this United supporter. Sure it's great to sail through the entire season with a 9 point lead, but it doesn't make for high drama. Actually March doesn't
exactly begin with a #### (away to down-bound Fullham), but if the result is 3 points, we'll gladly take it.


Sir Alex still thinks Chelsea has a chance (he's alone).

Saha's pissed at his own glass legs, head, hands, and groin.

While our favorite frog-mage Mdmsl. Arsene Wenger is worried about Arsenal's title race without Eduardo striking fear in defender's cleats. Love the injured, hate the injury.

In literary news, Wayne Rooney's autobiography "My Life" is now available in paperback. Not sure about the content, but we're confident it's very well punctuated. We'd love to read what Wayne has to write, because we don't understand a word he says. Perhaps a film is in the works. Maybe not.

Note to Fox Soccer Channel: why are there no United telecasts in March? Didn't you build your station on the backs of these champs? No one's tuning in to watch Derby, Wigan, or worse Sear-ri-ah (we're sure crowds attend these matches, think riot squad, we just can't see or hear them).

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Good week in Unitedville. Publicly humiliating Arsenal was the right tonic to purge the previous week's horrors and kick United into high gear for the knockout round of the Champions League.

Two special competitions in one week. As for Europe, you can't begin without mentioning Ryan Giggs, superstar-centenarian. He's in good company, being one of only eight players to have reached the century mark in Europe’s top club competition. And he went about it with the same intensity and confidence that's put him on the world football map. That and his "I will eat your young" eyes.

The game itself saw Lyon quick off the ball and United's defense shaky at best. Although van der Sar made some nice saves, the midfield seemed to lose sight of its passing and played on its heels. Then Sir Alex had the wisdom to make key substitutions in the second half. Old blood out, new blood in. Namely putting Carlos Tevez upfront and on point.

Once he put the ball in the back of the net one seemed to care about Rooney's sluggish (tired really) performance, Ronaldo's laser beam issue, and Olympic Mayonnaise altogether. So bask in the victory (& away tie) - who knows, it may even last a while. Unless of course Kevin Keegan and Newcastle put an end to it. And that just won't happen.

Thursday, February 14, 2008 Come Again, Reds?

La$t week's big story was the FA's announcement that Prem sides will tour internationally beginning in 2010. The rub: these will be real matches that count in the EPL standings. Interesting idea, although not entirely original.

The NFL has staged several real commercial-laden, time out-heavy, instant replay-filled games abroad, depriving sleep to countless looky-loos worldwide. So has Italy, playing the Super Cup in the U.S. — but not for the money. Not Italy.

While not every manager or supporter is pleased, almost every Prem owner is drooling. It's a chance to split a huge payday with the big boys. For instance 'Boro's take would be the same as Chelsea's. That's a problem for Abramovich and the other billionaire owners. Fact is the Top Four have been raking it in oversees for years. In the past they've just played exhibitions with other wealthy world clubs, or local sides like the MLS All Stars, whoever they are.

I've seen United twice on U.S. soil. Both times at Giant Stadium. The first match was exciting. A summer night game with most of United's starters on the pitch. While it wasn't a match at Old Trafford, it was exciting to be surrounded by United supporters from the word over.

The following tour was completely different. United v. Milan. Same venue, same sell-out crowd, two major differences: a day game in 100-degree heat, and two sides posing as starters. It was horrid. United and Milan each took home several million dollars, which they didn't have to split with the likes of Bolton or Fullham. So I can see why the big clubs are pissed.

Regardless of how anyone "feels" about it, it will happen. Because the FA stands to make a small fortune, and smaller clubs get a piece of the action (plus the chance to pick up a few MLS players while they're at it).


Until then, I'll book my flight to Manchester.

Posted by Christopher O'Donnell at 7:13 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: Bolton, Major League Soccer, Manchester United, The EPL, The FA, The Premier League Wednesday, February 6, 2008 Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh

A moment isn't too long for people to shut their soup coolers and pay their respects to the 28 lives lost during the Munich air disaster. But apparently it's a lot to ask. A minute for 50 years. 60 seconds to behave like human beings. But then this is the City of Manchester derby. This is the day Manchester is split down the middle. While supporters thousands of miles away watch the match on TV side-by-side at the same pub. There are songs and taunting, but not much more. Victorious supporters even buy beers for the losers after the match. Well sometimes.

In Manchester it's a different story. It's never pleasant, like the Liverpool derby can be, well kind of. It's serious business that divides families, friends, and neighbors. But even during the 1958 season, when the disaster took place, Manchester was truly united. City fans were as distraught as United fans. Everyone was in shock, and the entire city mourned as one (at least that's what I've been told - I'm very young).

Today it's different. Manchester is still a city divided in many ways. But the main difference is that disrespect is an expected and accepted part of the game, whether it's the local derby or a national clash. I just hope the moss side boys remember that some of their own were also lost on that horrific day.

On a more pleasant note, both teams will wear commemorative strip for the match, without corporate sponsorship — just the numbers 1-11. And the South Stand tunnel has been renamed the Munich tunnel to honor those lost.

Posted by Christopher O'Donnell at 7:50 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: English Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, The Munich Air Disaster, The Premier League Monday, January 28, 2008 Shove Arsenal Out

Push just came to shove at the top of the Prem today. Unbelievably, United has actually drawn Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA cup.

First you cry. Then there's anger. Finally there's acceptance. Really all I want is a great game (5-nil United). But as the gladiators prepare for battle there's just one problem: they won't face off in the final. And isn't that what we really want? Not Southampton. Not Millwall. Just Arsenal.

Last year's final was exciting, sad, and tragic. Exciting because United faced Chelsea. Sad because they lost. And tragic because I was forced to watch it in the overstuffed-pirogi-like-comfort of the Ukrainian Sports Club (Nevada Smiths was sold out and the UKS took in us dregs).

February 16 can't come soon enough. By then one of the teams will have endured a tie, maybe even a loss. But the dream of a double or treble could be a reality for one of them. I'm just hoping it's the right red team.