After every match this season, the staff here at The Bent Musket will be putting together player
ratings. Ratings are on a 1-10 scale, with 5 representing a thoroughly average performance, and 6 a
decent/capable showing. The final ratings will be averages of individual ratings from Steve Stoehr,
Matty Jollie, and Brendan Schimmel.
After every match this season, the staff here at The Bent Musket will be putting together player
ratings. Ratings are on a 1-10 scale, with 5 representing a thoroughly average performance, and 6 a
decent/capable showing. The final ratings will be averages of individual ratings from Corey Major
and Brendan Schimmel.
After every match this season, the staff here at The Bent Musket will be putting together player
ratings. Ratings are on a 1-10 scale, with 5 representing a thoroughly average performance, and 6 a
decent/capable showing. The final ratings will be averages of individual ratings from Corey Major,
and Matty Jollie.
After every match this season, the staff here at The Bent Musket will be putting together player
ratings. Ratings are on a 1-10 scale, with 5 representing a thoroughly average performance, and 6 a
decent/capable showing. The final ratings will be averages of individual ratings from Steve Stoehr,
Matty Jollie, and Abram Chamberlain.
"The game never caught rhythm," Jay Heaps said post-game. "It was shameful to be honest with
you."
I don't think anyone can argue with coach Heaps on that one--the rhythm was really never there
for the Revs. And it seems to all tie back to the 2nd minute injury to Stephen McCarthy.
It's hard to really say much about this match because, well, not a whole lot happened. One thing
that I think was really apparent, however, is that the Revs' strength and depth at midfield was
finally realized. With both Clyde Simms and Ryan Guy out due to injury, the Revolution were still
able to dispatch a first string midfield.
After watching our first two matches, I have some thoughts and observations I'd like to share.
This may be (hopefully) a busy week, so as you read this some personnel may have changed.
I have been keeping up with the blogs, and there is an unusual amount of agreement among fans
about the defense, and the team in general.
After watching our first two matches, I have some thoughts and observations I'd like to share.
This may be (hopefully) a busy week, so as you read this some personnel may have changed.
I have been keeping up with the blogs, and there is an unusual amount of agreement among fans
about the defense, and the team in general.
"Capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of
endeavour"
Arsène Wenger is a well-known for being a visionary and a game changer; we've all heard the
stories about how he changed certain aspects of the team when he first arrived.
"Capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of
endeavour"
Arsène Wenger is a well-known for being a visionary and a game changer; we've all heard the
stories about how he changed certain aspects of the team when he first arrived.
Transfers are very much on my mind, but it's tough as I have no idea what my budget is. I am
going to hazard a guess that I have £10m before I have to launch into the "sell to buy" category.
We already have Podolski to ease the pressure on Robin, so where is strengthening needed. I say a
more creative advanced midfielder, and a defence stiffener.
Transfers are very much on my mind, but it's tough as I have no idea what my budget is. I am
going to hazard a guess that I have £10m before I have to launch into the "sell to buy" category.
We already have Podolski to ease the pressure on Robin, so where is strengthening needed. I say a
more creative advanced midfielder, and a defence stiffener.
Lewandowski perfect for Arsenal? by CB After winning both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal with
Borussia Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski seems ready to try on a new challenge. Although Lewandowski
has only played for Dortmund since 2010, he rapidly managed to get noticed by some of the biggest
clubs in the Premiership, such as Manchester [.
Lewandowski perfect for Arsenal? by CB After winning both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal with
Borussia Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski seems ready to try on a new challenge. Although Lewandowski
has only played for Dortmund since 2010, he rapidly managed to get noticed by some of the biggest
clubs in the Premiership, such as Manchester [.
In each of Portland's last 2 home games they have come out strong and actually scored the first
2 goals of the game. If the Portland Timbers want to win this game they will need to do so again.
Writing that is easier than actually doing it, especially with how inconsistent Portland has
been.
Side note: For all those who are hoping to see some changes in the line-up I want to warn you to
not get your hopes up.
Portland tries to be more defensive and it works for the first half as they keep the score 0-0.
In the second half the flood gates open and in 17 minutes RSL scores 3 for the win. 3-0 loss.
First Half
John Spencer trotted out a line-up featuring 3 defensive midfielders and 2 attacking mids.
With the quick turn around and my Honey Do List pretty long I am going to make this short and
sweet. For every position I am going to list all the things they need to do in order for Portland
to get out of Rio Tinto Stadium with a result.
Troy Perkins:
He needs to continue to make the saves he has been making and commanding the defense in front of
him.
It is the end of the work week and only one more rain filled day to go! Leading up to Sunday we
have already seen the trash talking from both sides (here and here.) and the preview material, with
a great read on getting to know the enemy from Andrew. The energy is building and on every UEFA
2012 broadcast I have seen ESPN has been hyping the game.
Over the last 5 games the Portland Timbers have gained 5 points and this next game is another
opportunity to move up the standings. The Chicago Fire come into the game with 10 points in their
last 10 games and the last game was a win at Sporting Kansas City. Currently the Fire sit in 4th
place in the East with 15 points.
The obvious answer is not if they play like they did against Colorado. However Portland is Dr
Jekyll on the road and Mr Hyde at home. They also tend to play to the level of their opponents and
since San Jose is the best team in the league right now one could expect Portland to come out
strong and wanting to play.
This week I chatted with Dave Clark ofSounder at Heart, SB Nation's Seattle
Sounders site. Clark and I discussed various things about the teams, including broadcasters. Some
very good tactical information about how the Philadelphia Union can exploit the Sounders' defense
this afternoon.
I watched 2 of the Quarter Finals in the comfort of my home (Portugal vs. Czech Republic & Germany
vs. Greece) and the next 2 (Spain vs. France & England vs. Italy) in a hotel lounge in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. It's interesting to note that the football matches paired up nicely with the
viewing experience that I had for each one.
After two crazy weeks of movement, sexism and generally craziness it is time again to focus on
the pitch. The Columbus Crew are coming into the game with a 4 match losing streak and we all know
the Portland Timbers recent run of form. Either way it could be an ugly game but if Portland does
win it would be a big step in the right direction for them.
It's that time again folks. Fire gamedays are always fun, but it's even better when we are
facing the Crew. With the game only a few hours away, the cauldron of hate should be bubbling for
many Fire fans. Not only are we playing a rivalry match, but we get to do it at home in front of
Section 8 and our wonderful fans.
The Fire are finally back in action today. Happy gameday everyone! And we also have a primetime
NBC slot to watch it on. I know I for one am extremely excited. And our Men in Red really need a
good showing today. Given the game is at home, 3 points would be a big confidence boost coming off
of the stretch we had in terms of bad losses.
The Timbers front office announced that four Timbers players will be serving with their
respective national teams during the FIFA international break between May 23 and June 16. The
players mentioned in the press release were CB Futty Danso, GK Jake Gleeson, MF Lovel Palmer and MF
Rodney Wallace.
Because of the long break from MLS competition, neither Lovel Palmer nor Rodney Wallace will
miss MLS matches.
NOTE: Click on each of the charts below for bigger (more readable) versions.
Thanks to all who followed the survey link and submitted player ratings for the Houston match.
We had another week with over 100 responses. Here is the distribution of your player ratings...
Last Wednesday's game against DC United reinforced a point that many Fire fans have come to the
conclusion of: it's time for Dan Gargan to be re-inserted into the starting XI. Although the team
as a whole had an off game against DC, Jalil Anibaba was especially deficient at the RB position.
He had a large share of the blame on a couple of DC's goals, and ever since moving to RB to make
room for Austin Berry in the starting lineup, he has struggled to be honest.
The second half of the 2012 MLS Season has really not gotten off to a great start in Foxboro, as
the Revolution dropped a sloppy 2-1 decision in Montreal last night. The loss dropped New England
to 1-7-1 on the road this season, and with the loss came another sobering fact: the Revs have
fallen to seventh in the Eastern Conference.
[Editor's note: Promoted to front page for eye witness analysis. Good
stuff]
Sticking with recent tradition, here's my thoughts on the Philadelphia Union friendly game
versus FC Schalke 04. In honor of the game being a friendly, I'm going to keep my comments friendly
- or, at least, as friendly as possible.
