Day 5 (6/23) In the End, it was a Draw

TITO'S TACOS, CULVER CITY, CA - The early games for Group B saw #1 B1-Paris Saint-Germain take care of MLS's #423 B4-Seattle Sounders, 2-0, holding them to no shots on goal (the first of the tournament).  Playing simultaneously, SEA's listless play meant #10 B2-Atletico Madrid needed a 3-goal win to advance; they managed just one late goal and the 1-0 win still eliminated them and despite the loss, #58 B3-Botafogo advanced.  All three top teams had 6 points but for this tourney, the 3-way tiebreaker is head-to-head-to-head and all were 1-1-0 against each other but PSG had the better goal differential (+3, thanks to their 4-0 win over ATM) to win the group and BOT had the second-best GD (0) to hold off ATM (-3).  In the usual format (pts, wins, GD, GF, etc), a 2-0 win would've advanced ATM (via goals for) but with the 3-way head-to-head, they needed a 3-0 (or 4-1, 5-2, etc) win.

The evening games were exciting, action-packed, and in the end, didn't amount to much as the #538 A4-Inter Miami and #24 A1-Palmeiras 2-2 draw determined the whole group.  PAL rallied late with 2 goals in the final 10 minutes to tie and win the Group while #47 A2-Porto answered 4 (!) times against #55 A3-Al Ahly to tie 4-4.  AHL's Wessam Abou Ali had a hat trick with his 3rd goal off a powerful header to put AHL 3-2.  With all the goals POR and AHL scored, when MIA was up 1-0, POR just needed a 2-goal win and when MIA was up 2-0 in the 65' (about 59' in the PORvAHL match), POR needed just a win.  When PAL tied it at 2 and kept on threatening a 3rd, a PAL 3-2 lead would mean AHL needed to win by 2 and AHL was leading by one (4-3) for about the next five minutes before POR tied it at 4 in the 89' (the MIAvPAL was about 6 minutes ahead (90'+5).

The unfortunate tie meant MIA got #1 PSG instead of #58 BOT in the Round of 16 and the two Brazilian teams will face off in the other matchup (BOTvPAL).  While a MIA win would be epic, a MIA win would also break a lot of pool brackets (15 of 16 have PSG in Semifinals)!

15 picked PSG, 14 picked ATM, 5 picked MIAvPAL draw, and 2 picked PORvAHL draw.  All 16 had PSG in the Round of 16 while 11 had PAL.  Just 6 had MIA and 1 BOT (PoolraiderPSG (3rd, 21 pts)) making the knockout round and the $7.5 million that comes with it (the draws cost all 4 Group A teams $1 million each).  Alyonushka (7th-Tied, 19) and Oreshnik (7th-T) got all 4 games correct while PoolraiderPSG, Sweet Futbol Fabone, and Inter's Revenge (2nd, 22) got 3 of 4 R16 teams correct (remember, it doesn't matter if you had PSG as 1A or 2A, you still got the 3 pts).  Sweet Futbol Fabone got 12 of the 16 pts to take sole possession of 1st place with 24 pts and leads with 15 group stage wins.  PoolraiderPSG and Mauihammy (16th (last), 13) got just 1 game correct while Mauihammy got just 1 of 4 R16 teams correct (for a low of 4 pts today). 15 entries lost ATM and 14 POR in their Round of 16 bracket.  Mauihammy lost AHL.

There is this taco place that usually has long lines but the wait wasn't long when I got to Tito's Tacos and their hard tacos are very good, just maybe not $6 good (you do get chips and salsa).  I wore my 2022 Seattle Sounders home jersey to support MLS.

Issue #6.1.5 "Let's Reset" (After 42 Matches)

 Archive

Tuesday, August 1, 2023 
Dailies: Jul 30-31 Aug 1 

START STRONG, LITTLE DRAMA... EXCEPT FOR USA-PORTUGAL
Hawkeye and Vlatko Better Win take over 1st with 5 groups complete

HOME, CA (smt) --  After 42 matches, Groups A, B, C, D, and E are complete, leaving 10 teams fighting for the final 5 Round of 16 spots.  Needing to win and leave no doubt, B1-Australia (1A) scored in the 9' and whipped B4-Canada, 4-0, in a battle of top 10 teams, A2-Norway (2A) scored in the 6' to demolish A3-Philippines, 6-0, C4-Japan (1C) scored in the 12' to embarrass #6 C1-Spain (2C), 4-0, to top Group C, E3-Netherlands (1E) scored in the 8' to wallop my wife's home country of E2-Vietnam, 7-0, and D1-England (1D) found their scoring touch scoring in the 4' to blow out #14 D4-China PR, 6-1.  AUS, NOR, NED, ENG left nothing to chance with their blowouts while JPN took their few opportunities (8 shots/6 on goal) to win Group C.  D3-Denmark (2D) opened scoring "late" in the 21' to beat D2-Haiti, 2-0, to advance.  In the one match that didn't matter, C3-Zambia scored their first-ever WWC goal in the 3' in beating C2-Costa Rica, 3-1.  So very little drama in these games and spots were secured without any nervousness.

Saved by the Post (8/1)

HOME, CA - Geez, didn't think I would need to pull out a USA jersey this early, choosing the 2019 authentic home jersey post-WWC win with FIFA winners badge and 4th gold star as E1-USA still had not clinched a spot in the
Round of 16.  Got a pic with the USA flag waving outside the Boys & Girls Club in Cypress where my son was having a Boy Scouts meeting.  Seems like this jersey just provided the 2-3 inches to make the ball bounce off the post instead of in the goal ;-)

Again, an inspired first few minutes quickly gave way to stagnant play for the rest of the game and it brought back bad memories of Sunday's LA Galaxy Leagues Cup match as passes were intercepted, quick plays forward gave way to wayward passes too long, tiring out our players.  I love Alex Morgan, but every time they show her she just looks tired and exhausted and, gulp, old?  With no chance to catch E3-Netherlands, who led 3-0 within 20 minutes en route to a 7-0 thrashing of E2-Vietnam, USA just needed to see the draw, yet, there was no running into the corner to draw a foul, no quick passing in the back trying to draw E4-Portugal out (who needed to win), just lots of running and bad passing that POR quickly recovered on.

And the final scoresheet will show POR with zero shots on goal but the one breakaway POR had, the shot was rifled past USA's GK and hit off the right post in the 90'+1, saving USA's bacon.  This was the first time USA did not win at least two games in the group stage in surviving the 0-0 draw.  FOX hyped up this would be the greatest upset ever but POR was ranked #21 and only allowed one goal to NED, who is ranked #9.  The biggest upset would be not qualifying at all but luckily, USA did, but as 2nd in Group E.  The criticism came hard and fast (see this post :-) with Carli Lloyd's being the most liked and bantered around.

How lucky is 2C-Spain, who didn't win their group as expected but now avoids #12 1A-Norway in R16 and if they win, avoids USA in Quarterfinals.  Maybe 1C-Japan shouldn't have won.

In Group D, D1-England finally found their mojo in beating D4-China PR, 6-1 to win the group and D3-Denmark took care of business beating D2-Hati, 2-0, to take second.

Group E concluded with only Rutin4Putin getting the USAvPOR draw.  43 picked NED's win as 43 went 1-1 and 4 went 0-2.  All 46 who had USA in the Round of 16 had them as 1E, not 2E, but it doesn't matter as it is 3 points regardless and the downside is your bracket is now upside down.  42 had NED in R16 as 41 got both R16 teams and 6 got 1 of 2.  39 got 7 of 8 possible points while Of-Course-it's-US only got 3 of 8.

Group D concluded with 35 getting both ENG (picked by 36) and DEN (44) wins while TroJenn and TroJenn2 missed both.  46 had ENG in the R16 and 31 DEN with 31 getting both and 16 getting 1 of 2.  25 got all 8 points in Group D while TroJenn and TroJenn2 only got 3 of 8.

Combined, 23 got 15 of 16 possible points while Rutin4Putin and Kung Fu Master Kai each got 8 of 16.  Hawkeye and Vlatko Better Win are still tied for first with 54 points with Kds911, Kona Coast Sliders, and More$ tied for 3rd with 53.  Kung Fu Master Kai takes over last with 35 points.

Issue #7.2.2 "So Fat and Satisfied, They Can't Imagine It" (After Quarterfinals)

Archive

Saturday, December 10, 2022
Dailies: 9-10  

HEAVY FAVORITES BRAZIL & PORTUGAL STUNNED, ARGENTINA SURVIVES
Indy Ari leads but it's Soccerbix who has clinched money; 16 entries still alive and 6 can win the pool

HOME (smt) -- While nothing is a guarantee, 1G-Brazil and 1H-Portugal were coming off blow-outs where both teams were dancing and smiling heading into the quarterfinals as both thought they had the tourney now figured out (BRA just doing choreographed dances after every goal and POR benching Ronaldo).  When BRA went up 1-0 at the end of first half extra time on Neymar's beauty of a goal, BRA celebrated as if they had won and their second half of extra time was very disjointed.  2F-Croatia capitalized on their only shot on goal in the 117' to stop the dancing and in the penalty shootout, CRO made all 4 to win 4-2.

POR had lots of possession but was stunted by a stingy 1F-Morocco team and a late first half goal was all MAR needed to hold off Ronaldo (who came on as a sub) and team, 1-0.  What is cool is that MAR is now the de facto home team as the Arab powerhouse replacing host QAT, who finished #32 of 32 teams in this WC.

After Lionel Messi scored on on a PK in the 73' to put 1C-Argentina up 2-0 against a 1A-Netherlands team that didn't even have a shot on goal, ARG fans were celebrating.  But in a foul-marred match (18 yellows but only 12 in the field of play), NED pulled one back in the 78' and on potentially the very last play in the 90'+11', NED pulled a trick free kick play that was put in to tie it at 2.  Unlike BRA, ARG actually tried to win the game in extra time and when that was scoreless, came alive in the PSO to hold off NED 4-3. 

African Breakthrough (12/10)

HOME -- For the first time, an African nation is advancing to the semi-finals as 1F-Morocco got a leaping header (even over an outstretched POR GK) late in the first half that held up to stun 1H-Portugal, 1-0, to join fellow Group F team 2F-Croatia.  After scoring 6 in the Round of 16, POR had lots of possession but could not break through a MAR defense that has not allowed a goal yet (their only goal allowed was an own goal for CAN).  MAR also doubles as the de facto host nation representing the Arab nation of Qatar (who finished #32 of 32 teams).  MAR is 7-0-3 in their last 10 matches, their last loss -- to USA on June 1.  MAR has also not allowed a goal (except for the own goal) in their last 9 matches.  

In a clash of giants, one heck of an entertaining match with 1D-France prevailing 2-1 over 1B-England where FRA's GK was busy for the first time (he didn't play in the loss vTUN).  FRA converted early on a very long strike from outside before ENG tied it on Harry Kane's PK in the 54'.  FRA went ahead in the 78' but then FRA committed an unnecessary push in the box where VAR had to get involved because it was so obvious.  But Harry Kane's second PK attempt was skied over the crossbar in the 84'.  

Whereas yesterday saw the underdog score on their only shots on goal, today's shot totals were more even in both matches (on goal: ENG 6-5, MAR & POR 3 each).  MAR has already won more games this tourney than in all previous tourneys (3 vs 2).  

While I was in St. Louis, I found out Panera Bread started out there as St. Louis Bread Company, but interestingly, except for the outside sign saying "St. Louis Bread Co." (all St. Louis stores have this sign), everything inside is Panera-branded.  So, while wearing my 2013 ENG home 150th anniversary jersey at my local Panera Bread to grab my free drink (Sip Club).

In the pool, no one had MAR in the semi-finals but 57 did pick FRA (and 52 got none).  Overall, Indy Ari and Free Merman (17th, 99 pts) got 3 of 4 SFs while 12 got none and can't get any more points.  Indy Ari still leads with 106 points with Soccerbix and The Gambler 1 behind with 105 each.  Meli clinched last place with 60 pts as Markofthebeast moved to 108th with FRA's win.

Soccerbix clinched at least 4th and has a 50/50 chance to win the pool for the second time ('98).  A total of 6 can still win the pool with 16 (!) that can still finish in the money.  Bwakewey 2 and Mimi are tied for 4th (104) but can't finish higher than 4th while Danish Dynamite is tied for 37th (92) but can still win the pool.  Mezlove is tied for 10th (101) but is eliminated while Kona Coast Uno is tied for 47th but can still finish 2nd.  The Final Four possibilities are also listed along with tiebreaker scenarios (some of the 16 may lose out on a tiebreaker for 5th and finish out of the money).

Eagle-eyed viewers will have already seen what the top 5 prize breakdowns are but will talk about it more tomorrow or Monday along with what this "$40 Bonus" is.

Ronaldo Who? (12/6)

SAINT LOUIS, MO -- How many TV shots were there on 1H-Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in the yellow sub jersey?  Well, his replacement Goncalo Ramos only scored a hat trick as POR routed 2G-Switzerland 6-1.  POR scored 6 goals on just 13 shots (9 were on goal) including some wicked strikes.  Ronaldo did come in as a sub but his future is uncertain if the team keeps playing well without him.

While favorites were dominating save 2018 runner-up 2F-Croatia who won in Penalty Shootout, 2E-Spain garnered 68% possession (with in-contest) and 13 shots, but just put one on goal.  1F-Morocco, surprise winners of Group F, were patient as ESP passed the ball around and had a good number of chances, but after 120 minutes, the match was the 7th 0-0 draw.  In PSO, MAR's GK saved 2 of 3 shots with the other hitting the right post as MAR hit 3 of 4, the latter game-winner right up the middle (a hard panenka, I guess) from a player born in Spain.

Flew out to St. Louis for a work technical information meeting and I allegedly have a view of the Arch, except it was rainy and foggy so you could only see some UFO lights in the sky.  But Busch Stadium is nearby and it was a good walk late at night.  Wore my replica 2012 ESP home jersey with the 2008 Euro champion patch.  I did not wear it at LAX's Delta Sky Club but watched as ESP took 3 tepid PKs.

58 got POR and two actually picked MAR (FTRxBigJim (22nd-Tied, 86 pts) and Inconceivable! (42nd-T, 80)) into the Quarters.  FTRxBigJim was the only one to get both MAR and POR while 50 got none.  Five are now tied for first with 91 points with 5 more tied with 90.  Markofthebeast is still last with 57 pts.

The Gambler 1 (1st-T) has the best chance to win the pool (14.1%) with Soccerbix (1st-T) the best chance to win money (34.4%).  21 can still win the pool and 57 can still finish in the top 5 money spots.  FTRxBigJim is tied for 22nd but can't win money while Kicking it Old School is tied for 88th (72) but can still win the pool.  Tiny Destroyer is tied for 6th but can't win the pool.

Stoppage Time Winner (12/2)

WORK FROM HOME --  H4-Korea Republic (South Korea) scored in first minute of stoppage time to pull off upset of H1-Portugal, 2-1, to become the 3rd Asian team to make the R16.  H3-Uruguay took an early 2-0 lead over H2-Ghana but could not add to the total, and just one more goal would have advanced them.  As such, they lose the goals for tiebreaker to KOR.  I'm sure GHA will relish eliminating URU after an intentional handball by Luis Suarez (who helped with 2 URU goals today but was subbed off in the 66' after picking up a yellow card) in 2010 Quarterfinal forced GHA into a PK which they missed and URU eventually prevailed.  

While G4-Cameroon and G1-Brazil's B-team battled scoreless for most of the day, G3-Switzerland and G2-Serbia exchanged plenty of goals.  SRB rallied to take a 2-1 lead (briefly taking 2nd place slot) but SUI scored twice more to win 3-2 and make the R16 for 4th time in last 5 WCs.  CMR actually got a stoppage time goal but still would need SUI to give up two goals so a moral victory.

BRA's 17-game unbeaten streak in group stage matches came to an end (yes, it was their B-team but that's a pretty good B-team).  No team won 3 games for the first time since 1994 with 1A-ENG #1 thus far (7 pts, +7 GD).  When KOR made the R16 in 2002 they need to beat -- POR in the 3rd group match.  KORvPOR was first non-scoreless tie at halftime (then followed by SRBvSUI 2:2 at half), after the first 23 halftime ties were 0-0.

One busy Friday working from home with several Zoom meetings but still enjoyed the endings of the matches.  Wore my 2020 POR Away jersey with Nations League champion patch.  But I was rooting for KOR so maybe I need to shell out for a KOR jersey.

As it happened:

Goals & Golazos (11/28)

CYPRESS, CA -- The day (or night here on the Left Coast) started off with a banger with G4-Cameroon scoring first before G2-Serbia scored two first-half stoppage time goals.  SRB added a third before CMR's Vincent Aboubakar looped a ball high over the GK to the lead to one in the 63'... or so they thought.  Offsides.  But wait, VAR intervened and CMR added the game-tying third goal three minutes later.  Great goals in this one as both teams exchanged flicks on direct kicks (CK for CMR, FK for SRB) and the other four all came from the run of play.

Five more goals would be found in the next match as H2-Ghana jumped to a 2-0 first half lead before H4-Korea Rep's Guesung Cho scored twice in 4 minutes in the second half to level it at 2, the latter a leaping golazo header past the GK.  But Kudos Mohammed scored his second goal 10 minutes later to give GHA the 3-2 win.  African teams went 3-1-1 this round after going 0-3-2.

G1-Brazil got a late half-volley golazo to beat G3-Swiss 1-0 and H1-Portugal got two goals from Bruno Fernandes, the first a pass just missing the head of Cristiano Ronaldo that went into the net, to defeat H3-Uruguay, 2-0.  Both winners joined D1-France into the Round of 16.

Didn't have a Serbia jersey but Slovakia has good relations with them and is one of the few countries I have visited (Bratislava).  So I wore the authentic 2016 home jersey, which as a white jersey is pretty slick with two badges on either side of the Puma logo.  Good enough to wear at a Boy Scout meeting to prepare mistletoe presents for over 300 people.  

In the pool, The Gambler was the only one to get all 4 matches correct to jump into a tie for first with DDubs, Kankileiscious, and The Gambler 1 (also him) with 20 points.  Four went 0-4 as Chris 1, Markofthebeast, and Meli are tied for last with 10 pts.  107 picked BRA, 102 POR, 24 GHA, and 18 picked the CMR-SRB tie.  

We now head into the final round of games.  16 points are up for grabs for four straight days (12 points for getting 4 R16 teams and 4 points for 4 matches).  For the 109 who picked FRA and BRA and 101 who picked POR won't get those 3 points each until their group matches are complete.

Scissor Kick (11/24)

FAMILY TURKEY DINNER @ HOME - G1-Brazil's Richarlison got one heck of a golazo scissor kick, his second goal of the match, to lead the #1 team to a 2-0 victory over G2-Serbia after a scoreless first half.  In fact, all four matches were scoreless in the first half with H1-Portugal and H2-Ghana putting up 5 total in the second half (3-2 win for POR), G3-Switzerland getting an early second half goal for a 1-0 win over G4-Cameroon, and H3-Uruguay and H4-Korea Republic playing to the tourney's 4th nil-nil draw.  In fact, neither URU nor KOR had a shot on goal!

Ronaldo scored a PK meaning he is the only player to score in 5 different World Cups (BRA's Marta has done the same for the Women's WC). KOR's tie meant that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) went 2-0-1 in their last three games after losing their first three.  Both CAF (Africa) (0-3-2) and CONCACAF (North/Central America & Caribbean) (0-2-2) were winless (excluding Oceania who didn't place any teams).  UEFA (Europe) went 7-2-4 while CONMEBOL (South America) went 2-1-1.

Wore my 100th anniversary POR jersey (2014 Home) as we hosted the family dinner this year.  Our oven was great, zipping past the 170F for turkey but with an injector using my wife's unique seasoning, everyone loved the turkey.  Whew.  

In the pool, nine entries are tied for 1st with 11 points (though not the same 9 from yesterday).  Ten went 4-0 today while 4 went 1-3.  85 picked SUI, 107 BRA, 102 POR, and 14 got the surprising URU-KOR tie.

As the second matches for teams kick off tomorrow, if a team qualifies for the Round of 16, you won't get the 3 points until after each team plays their 3rd match of the group.  

Issue 11.5.1 "Defense Wins Championships" (After Final)

 Archive

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

2020 MLS is BACK CHAMPIONS

POR - Portland Timbers | "Forever Green & Gold" | "Rose City 'Til I Die"   #RCTID  Timbers Army | "Green is the Color"

#13 | F4 | F Winner | 5-0-2 2nd Championship (MLS Cup '15) F2: Beat LA Galaxy 2-1 | F3: Beat Houston 2-1 | F6: Tied LAFC 2-2 R16: Beat 2E-FC Cincinnati 1:1 (4:2) (PSO) | QF: Beat 3A-NYCFC 3-1 SF: Beat 2A-Philadelphia 2-1 | F: Beat Orlando City SC 2-1

PORTLAND COLLECTS SECOND MAJOR TROPHY KNOCKING OFF THE HOSTS
No one got champion, 11th soccer pool is over!

WORK FROM HOME, CA (smt) -- 1A-Orlando City SC had prided itself in not allowing a set piece goal all tournament but 1F-Portland Timbers scored twice off set pieces, one on a free kick and one off a corner kick to win the first (and maybe only) MLS is Back tournament, 2-1, in front of zero fans on Field 17 of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida.  Larrys Mabiala bounced in a header off a Diego Valeri free kick in the 27' but considering POR had not kept a clean sheet yet, ORL inevitably scored when Mauricio Pereyra settled a Nani pass and toe-poked it in the 39'. 

The 24th halftime tie of the tourney was broken when Dario Zuparic redirected a shot from Jeremy Ebobisse who had redirected a shot from Eryk Williamson off a corner kick by Valeri in the 66'.  Whew.  Both Mabiala and Zuparic are central defenders and POR's defense absorbed ORL's 64% possession and didn't create too much excitement at the end, keeping ORL at bay.

Final: Portland v Orlando City LIVE! (8/11)

It's finally here.  The MLS is Back Final!  Will Group F winners Portland Timbers get their 2nd trophy or will Group A winners Orlando City SC get their first?  No drama for the pool as the top 3 have secured their spots.

5:49 pm PDT:  Geez, I hate late kickoffs, especially when there is no pomp and circumstance or national anthem. Wasn't this a 5:30 pm start (and originally 5 pm even up to the Semifinals)?

14':  Great job by the groundskeepers in keeping Fields 16 and 17 in great shape every match.  This final is on Field 17, next to the main building.  Either way, the teams will be happy to see their families in person for the first time in more than month.

26': Nice touch with the added MLS is BACK FINAL lettering on the front of the jersey.  Oh, and GOAL!  27' put in by POR's Mabiala off a free kick cross.  POR 1:0 (tiebreak total goals = 8).

31':  Hydration break.  Great audio between POR' Blanco and the referee.  No fake crowd noise!  Though, I do not know why they can't just feed hundreds of live streams with real fans, fans who can do chants and stuff for their home team.  You can add a noise filter so if one person wanted to yell and swear over and over it wouldn't be heard, just come across as crowd noise.  And get live oohs and aahs instead of manufactured ones or chants that are just not in the right place.   You couldn't do it random because the networks have a 10-20 second delay, but let fans sign up for live feeds.

39': #10 Pereyra ties it up with an assist from... Nani (OK, Opta incredibly didn't give an assist on that.. Only Opta).  And for the 11th straight match, each team has scored a goal.  Remember all those 0-0 halftime scores early on?   ORL 1:1 (tiebreak total goals = 9).  POR has given up at least one goal in all 7 tourney matches.

43':  POR's Valeri tries a close free kick kicking it low and trying to go under the wall.  The one I remember that worked was in the famous '07 LA@NY match for Beckham's NY debut and NY's Juan Pablo Angel scored that way in a wild 5-4 Red Bull win in front of 66K fans.

Half:  4 min of stoppage and we're tied at 1.  This is the 24th tie (of 51 matches) at halftime.  Remember, no Extra Time.  Oh, the part-Austin FC owner Matthew McConaughey MLS commercial!  He's got a great voice and loved the love it/hate it Interstellar.

55': POR has let ORL have possession (>64%) while pretty much even on shots.  Kudos for ESPN for complimenting the grounds crew.  Also, jealous of the FC Dallas fans who will get to see their team play tomorrow.  Limited to 5,000 or so fans but since it's DAL, no guarantee of a sellout.  I don't know of any other teams allowing fans and Louisville City (USL Championship - that's the name of the league, not an actual final) has had success with sellouts of almost 5,000 each match with no "outbreaks".

64': A giveaway where ORL needs to foul right outside the box.  Great free kick opportunity for Valeri whose shot is saved by ORL GK Gallese.

65':  Another fast reaction save by Gallese (again) off the CK attempt.

66':  Another POR CK bounces around and POR puts it in!  Goes through the box and Zuparik redirects it in.  POR 2:1 (tiebreak total goals = 10).

72':  Nani may have knocked POR's Villafana but Villafana then moved his head into Nani and fell backward.  Well, Nani still got the yellow (73').

76': Hydration break.  ORL has more shots but only one on goal and still has 63% possession.  Teams are under .500 when having 63% or more possession (2-3-6).

85': 7th card, 4th on ORL.  Really bad high boot by Ruan.  Regardless, both teams will start the regular season in 3rd place in their respective conference.  One more goal will give Super League 10th place over BigRedMessi 2.

88':  Always nervous when the ball is played back to POR's GK Steve Clark.  Remember the CIN match?  One thing I hope they keep is the live audio between VAR and referee.  Simple, non-judgmental.  Just the facts.

90': Another big save by ORL.  5 minutes stoppage.  Blanco and Valeri are out, hopefully no PSO.

90'+2':  ORL has a clear shot all by himself and... skies it high.  Kyle Smith.  American.  College-trained.  USL.  No wonder.  ORL GK Gallese's OMG reaction was classic.  It's no coincidence that the players mentioned thus far are from outside the USA (Blanco, Mabiala, Pereyra, Nani, Valeri, Zuparik, Gallese).  The exceptions are POR GK Steve Clark, but I only mentioned him because of his gaffe against CIN, and Jorge Villafana, who I only mentioned because he acted like he got hit by a sledgehammer and dove.  OK, McConaughey is American and great and probably would've scored on that clear shot.

90'+4':  ORL GK in the box on the CK.

90'+5': POR with CK and they can kill 30 seconds.

95:03:  Match over!  Great to see POR celebrating like it means something!  POR gets their 2nd trophy to go with MLS Cup '15.  ORL falls short with an uninspired last 30 minutes or so.  With 10 goals scored in the final 3 matches, Kona Coast Sliders takes 7th over Kona Coast Fauci's.  BigRedMessi 2 takes 10th over Super League.

Issue 10.4.2 "10th Year vs 6th Year" (Final Preview)

 Archive

Monday, August 10, 2020

	vs
MLS is BACK FINAL		Tuesday, August 11 - 5:30 pm PDT - ESPN
1975 (NASL)- 2001 (A-League)- 2005 (USL)- 2011-2015-2018		2010-2014 (USL Pro)
POR - Portland Timbers (The Timbers) "Forever Green & Gold" "Rose City 'Til I Die"  #RCTID Timbers Army "Green is the Color"		ORL - Orlando City SC (The Lions) "Forever Our City" "Vamos Orlando"  #OrlandoCity Iron Lion Firm & The Ruckus "La Grande Victoria"
#13 | F4 | F Winner | 4-0-2 3rd Final (Cup: '15, '18)		#22 | A1 | A Winner | 4-0-2 1st Final

TEAMS CELEBRATING JUST 6TH AND 10TH ANNIVERSARIES FACE OFF
With nothing at stake, would we do this again?

MAKING SOURDOUGH EVERYTHING, CA (smt) -- While Major League Soccer celebrates its 25th year, it's two evenly-matched relative newcomers who will play for the MLS is Back Tournament final.   The sixth-year 1A-Orlando Pride Soccer Club has never made the playoffs in its five years but are a win away from a major (albeit short - 13 inches tall) trophy.  The 1F-Portland Timbers have been around for 45 years but are just playing their 10th season in MLS and have already won an MLS Cup ('15).  While Sebastian Blanco has led the Timbers with 3 goals and 5 assists, ORL's Nani has chipped in 3 goals and 3 assists plus a game-winning PSO penalty kick.  While POR has allowed at least one goal in all six matches, ORL has scored just one goal in 3 of the 6 matches.  Each team has survived a PSO while POR has given up five PKs and ORL has missed their only PK attempt. 

The winner will get $300,000, a spot in the 2021 Concacaf Champions League, a one-foot tall trophy, and the title of MLS is Back Champion.  While the wins in the knockout stage do not count in the regular standings, the great group stage performance means ORL will start the "Return to Season" portion of the regular season in 3rd place (vs 9th) in the East and POR will also start in 3rd place in the West (vs 7th-Tied).  Nashville SC and FC Dallas will kick of this Phase 1 (regional in home markets) the next day on August 12 in Dallas (with fans! Limited to 5,110 and no guarantee of a sellout, given it is FC Dallas). However, most teams, including both LA teams won't have fans for at least Phase 1.  The USL has had success with some teams having fans and the only team that has had positive tests was a team that did not play in front of fans (LA Galaxy II).  Go figure.