The Ole BallCoach

Why this two-week span means more for Jon Busch May 19, 2016

COPA AMERICA 100 –GAMES IN CHICAGO – still seats left for USA Game , Argentina game and Semi-Finals.

International Champions Cup – ICC – @ Chicago – Bayern Munich vs AC Milan Soldier Field Wed 7/27 @ 8 pm Tix still available $35 to $135

NO COACHING FROM PARENTS DURING MATCHES HELPS DEVELOP BETTER PLAYERS

by Mike Nicholson, 8 Feb 2016

I strongly believe that in order to develop creative players of the future, something that England has been pretty dire at achieving over the past few decades, you need to give players the freedom to make their own decisions. Of course during training sessions you teach them how to make better decisions and players can then improve their decision-making through repetition over time, butduring the game, I don’t shout instructions while the ball is rolling. Occasionally I might call out with some questions or instructions while there is a break in play, but I try my best to never do so while the ball is rolling. Some of the most creative players on the world stage today grew up playing street football. No adults making the rules. No rigid ‘if this happens then do this’ instructions. Just play. Trial and error. Improvisations. Messi, Aguero, Suarez … this list is long and compelling. Rene Muelensteen put it simply while he was in charge of youth development and the academy at Manchester United when he said “footballers cannot learn how to make their own decisions if they are used to receiving instruction from the touchline.” In an interview with the daily Telegraph Muelensteen said that at the Manchester United academy, parents are asked to sign a contract that says they will not shout out during coaching sessions, and that the Manchester United coaches do not shout instructions while the ball is rolling. I am glad to say that at academies this ‘no coaching from parents’ is standard practice these days, but in grass roots football in England we still have a culture in which parents and coaches shout out a stream of instructions while young players are trying to concentrate on the game, and that leads some to observe that grass roots youth football matches can appear to be like ‘Playstation for dads’ with the parents holding the controller and the kids running around according to instructions. So many England internationals from the past 30 years have grown to become more functional than creative, and the fact that I have to hark back to players like Hoddle and Gascoigne to remember truly creative, unpredictable, England players is a concern for English football. This rigid, predicable footballer is a product of the coaching they received when they were young. Its great to see this changing in professional academies, but there are still far too many ‘touchline tigers’ pacing up and down next to youth football matches at grass roots level.

So how can grass roots coaches help? As a youth coach you are of course aiming to be a positive influence on the young players in your care, but no matter how well you do as a coach the parents will usually and understandably be the most important influence on the young player.

With that in mind I think it is so, so important that the lines of communication are constantly open between the coach and parents. I see parents as a part of our team. I think that to create the environment you want that you need to ensure it is communicated clearly to the parents. It is much easier to build a positive learning environment for the players if the parents and coach work together, but sadly many coaches don’t feel that the coaching they deliver is any of the parents business. I am of the view that the opposite is true, and I regularly write to the parents of my players to keep them updated on what we are practicing, why, and how they can help if applicable. The no coaching rule is a part of that two-way communication.

Football is an emotive game, and often as a parent or a coach you will see an opportunity that the kids playing do not see, so keeping quiet can be really difficult for some. You might feel compelled to shout out to a player to adjust their position, or tell them to pass, shoot or whatever. The urge is understandable, I appreciate that, but the result of that action is that you short-circuit the players own decision-making in the short-term and it is more difficult for the coach to gauge deeper, longer-term learning.

I have seen games where the coach is constantly screaming instructions at the kids who are trying to focus on the game, and on the other side of the pitch there are many parents shouting their own instructions. It is ridiculously confusing for the kids to receive multiple instructions from the adults, and most importantly, it can stop them from making their own decisions if they become used to receiving instructions form the coach or parents.

Before the players in my team were even selected for the squad, I wrote to all parents with a message that said if their child was selected, they would be expected to abide by the team rules which state that we do not allow parents to shout instructions from the sidelines. Once I had selected the players I wrote to the parents of the kids in question once again to say that their child had a place, but subject to the strict rule above. I believe it is that important to the long-term development of the players. I have only had to speak to one parent about shouting instructions from the side thus far right at the start, so I’d like to think that I havehelped to create the right environment for the boys in my team to flourish.

I of course whole-heartedly encourage the parents to shout encouragement, and praise, as that makes for an energised atmosphere, but as long as the calls don’t offer the boys instruction on what they should do. In that environment, I am happy that the boys have the freedom to make their own decisions based on what they have been learning in training.

—–<Brilliant article. Let the coach present an environment that creates independent athletes in charge of their own challenges: mistakes and solutions… that is how they increase their game intelligence! This article isn’t just for football either. Bravo Mike Nicholson! – DH>

Klinsmann’s U.S. squad to face Puerto Rico has no shortage of subplots

The 22-man roster U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann named on Monday for Sunday’s friendly match at Puerto Rico may be under-strength, but that doesn’t make it any less intriguing.Klinsmann did not have access to the full contingent of players he’ll have available for next month’s high-profile Copa America Centenario; those in MLS and whose Mexican or European clubs still have games to play are not available for Sunday’s matinee in Bayamon. But plenty of familiar faces were among those summoned, as were a few lesser-known youngsters who could become national-team staples in the months and years to come.Joining surefire Copa starters like Alejandro Bedoya, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron and Fabian Johnson — all veterans of top European leagues — are several players who are either long shots to make the final 23 for the U.S.-hosted tournament or who weren’t on Klinsmann’s 40-man preliminary list at all.Yet in what is essentially being treated as a glorified scrimmage arranged to keep players ticking after long club seasons, U.S. fans can be excited to see potential international debuts from the likes of Paul Arriola and Fabrice “Fafa” Picault.The pair are among six players not eligible for a place on the Copa roster (as are once-capped Emerson Hyndman and World Cup goal scorer Julian Green), they could become candidates for places when World Cup qualifying resumes in September. Arriola and Picault have earned their invitations.Former U.S. U-20 standout Arriola, who plays for Club Tijuana, started the final eight games of the Liga MX campaign after breaking into the Xoloslineup in March. New York City-born Picault, of German second-division club St. Pauli, finished his season with four goals in his last eight Bundesliga 2 games.Meantime, others will be hoping to use this week of training in Miami to make their case for inclusion on the Copa America squad. Those players include defenders Eric Lichaj, Matt Miazga, Michael Orozco and Tim Ream, and midfielders Perry Kitchen, Alfredo Morales and Danny Williams.Catching Klinsmann’s eye won’t be easy, though. The training sessions at Barry University are expected to be light this week and with the submission deadline for the final Copa roster looming on Friday, its safe to assume that Klinsmann has already settled on his squad.Still, Sunday’s game isn’t meaningless. Scoring would help forward Bobby Wood, who just signed with Bundesliga side Hamburg after a 17-goal season for second-tier Union Berlin, as he tries to transition to a starting role. Given Monday’s news on Jozy Altidore, who will miss the Copa America because of a hamstring injury suffered playing with Toronto FC over the weekend, Wood’s performance will be scrutinized closely.The entire starting back line for the Copa could get a valuable first rep together, assuming Brooks, Cameron, Johnson and Yedlin are the coach’s preferred back four, although presumed left-back Johnson’s status is unclear after he missed Borussia Monchengladbach’s final two games because of a groin injury.And who between veterans Brad Guzan or Tim Howard gets the nod in goal, and what will that say about the pecking order when the real matches begin?For a friendly game against the world’s 152nd-ranked team, there’s certainly no shortage of subplots.Doug McIntyre is a staff writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @DougMacESPN.

U.S. Hot List: Lee Nguyen makes Copa America case: Jozy Altidore struggling

The FC team discuss Jozy Altidore’s latest hamstring injury which is set to keep him out of the Copa America Centenario.

With U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann set to submit his 23-man squad for next month’s Copa America Centenario this Friday, the final Hot List of the 2015-16 season has arrived. Who is trending up (or down) this week? Take a look below.

Warming up

Steve Birnbaum, D, D.C. United (MLS)

Why he’s here: The steady center back has helped D.C. United record an impressive defensive record this season; only six of MLS’s 20 teams have conceded fewer goals.

What this means: The easy-going Californian doesn’t get much press, but his form for D.C. United, combined with his solid performances for the U.S. this year, have all but ensured that his name will be on the roster when it is made public Saturday.

Mix Diskerud, M, New York City (MLS)

Why he’s here: After being an unused sub in New York City FC’s midweek win in D.C., Diskerud made his first start in a month in Sunday’s victory in Portland.

What this means: It’s certainly a welcome development for Diskerud, even though he didn’t make a huge impact on the match. Still, it’s probably a case of too little, too late for him to crack the Copa roster.

Tim Howard, G, Everton (England)

Why he’s here: In his 414th and final game with the Toffees, Howard kept a clean sheet in Sunday’s 3-0 win against Norwich.

What this means: The late-season action could give Howard an edge over idle Brad Guzan ahead of the tournament.

Emerson Hyndman, M, Fulham (England)

Why he’s here: The tricky and technical midfielder, who will leave Craven Cottage when his contract expires next month, was a late cut from Klinsmann’s 40-man preliminary roster, but could earn his second cap in Sunday’s friendly in Puerto Rico.

What this means: As a free transfer, Hyndman is attractive to wealthy clubs; he’s been linked to Celtic, Manchester United, Milan, Borussia Dortmund and others. However, the potential for regular playing time will likely dictate where he ends up, according to a source with knowledge of the 20-year-old’s thinking.

Lee Nguyen, M, New England Revolution (MLS)

Why he’s here: The crafty 29-year-old scored a golazo in the Revs’ last match, a 2-0 win against the hapless Chicago Fire.

What this means: It can’t hurt his chances, but they remain slim: only one of Nguyen, Diskerud and Darlington Nagbe are likely to make the Copa squad, with the Portland Timbers’ Nagbe the front-runner.

.Bobby Wood, F, Union Berlin (Germany)

Why he’s here: After scoring 17 goals for second-tier Union this season, Wood signed a four-year contract with Bundesliga side Hamburg on Sunday. And he could be thrust into a starting role for the U.S. next month after a hamstring injury ruled Jozy Altidore out of the Copa.

What this means: Germany’s top tier will be a significant step up in competition for Wood, but the Hawaiian-born striker’s growth during the past year suggests he’s ready for the challenge. Arriving on the heels of a successful summer with the U.S. would help.

DeAndre Yedlin, D, Sunderland (England)

Why he’s here: In his first full season in Europe, Yedlin, on loan from Tottenham, helped the Black Cats avoid relegation from the Premier League with last week’s win against Everton.

What this means: The 22-year-old’s drastically improved defensive play at right back was one of the reasons Sunderland stayed up. It also makes him the odds-on favorite to man the position for the U.S. this June.

Cooling down

Jozy Altidore, F, Toronto FC (MLS)

Why he’s here: Altidore will miss the Copa because of yet another hamstring injury — the same ailment that has prevented him from playing an entire summer tournament for the U.S. since the 2010 World Cup.

What this means: Given his history, Monday’s news can’t help but make one wonder if the chronic hamstring issues might prevent Altidore, who is still just 26, from playing with the national team into his 30s.

Ventura Alvarado, D, Club America (Mexico)

Why he’s here: Alvarado has missed three straight games since making two starts at the end of April, and he didn’t make the bench for Sunday’s playoff win versus archrival Guadalajara.

What this means: The lack of consistent playing time this season will probably keep the Phoenix native home this summer.

Brad Guzan, G, Aston Villa (England)

Why he’s here: The 31-year-old was an unused substitute in 10 of Villa’s final 19 games, including three straight to end the campaign.What this means: It’s a bad way to end a bad season for Guzan, who arrives at U.S. training camp in Miami having not played since April 23.

MATT Miazga, D, Chelsea (England)

Why he’s here: The 20-year-old center back did not make the bench for Chelsea’s past four games — including two matches last week — even though the club had little but pride to play for.What this means: It’s difficult to see Miazga making Klinsmann’s Copa roster, and harder still to see him realistically competing for regular playing time under new Blues boss Antonio Conte next season. Look for him to go on loan like Yedlin did in 2015-16.Doug McIntyre is a staff writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @DougMacESPN.

USMNT’s worst possible start for Copa America Centenario preparation

Leander Schaerlaeckens,FC Yahoo 22 hours ago

More than two weeks and three tune-up friendlies remain until the United States men’s national team kicks off its 2016 Copa America Centenario against Colombia in Santa Clara, Calif. Yet the Yanks’ campaign to prove themselves anew, after a difficult two years since the 2014 World Cup, is already troubled.

[ FC Yahoo: Making sense of this USMNT 22-man roster for Puerto Rico friendly ]

Increasingly brittle striker Jozy Altidore has injured his hamstring once again and will miss the tournament entirely. That’s the same injury that cut short the 26-year-old’s World Cup in just the 23rd minute of the U.S.’s opener against Ghana, by the way. Oh, and his 2011 Gold Cup and 2015 Gold Cup. Nobody seems to know exactly why he keeps getting the same injury.

And here’s where U.S. fans’ feelings grow muddled. [FC Yahoo: USMNT’s most sensible 23-man roster for Copa America Centenario ]

Altidore has a legion of detractors. He’s mercurial and prone to long stretches of utterly anonymous games. He can be maddeningly ineffectual, and his promise has always outpaced his actual performances.But then he’s also kind of crucial to the team. His skillset, limited though it may be, is irreplaceable. Jurgen Klinsmann simply has no other target man at his disposal, or not one he’s willing to entertain as a full national teamer anyway. Altidore’s ability to hold up the play and get others involved, or to allow a deep-lying forward or playmaker to combine with him, is unmatched within the player pool.Nobody else can really do that. We found that out quickly in Brazil, where Aron Johannsson – who is currently injured anyway – withered quickly in that role and Clint Dempsey tried his hardest but was mostly wasted that high up the field.Of the players on the preliminary 40-man roster for the tournament, seven others are listed as forwards. But Dempsey, as mentioned, is better playing off another striker, sitting behind one or even playing on the wing. Jordan Morris, Bobby Wood and Gyasi Zardes are speed merchants who are most useful running at defenders, not stretching the game from the top of the formation. Chris Wondolowski is a poacher who isn’t very well qualified to start at the elite international level anyway and is most useful as a late, need-a-goal sub. And Ethan Finlay and Christian Pulisic are really attacking midfielders, who can slot in as wingers where necessary but have no business being up top.There’s only one Jozy Altidore. This is a fact and a tactical truth. So now what?Absent any other target man – or even a forward who can effectively play up top by himself – Klinsmann will most likely have to go to a two-striker system, probably lining up side by This has a domino effect elsewhere on the field. Chances are it pulls one of three central midfielders out of the middle of the mark. Meaning that rather than field two defensive midfielders and one attacking one, a playmaker freed from any defensive shackles, two men will have to ferry back and forth between shielding the back line and joining up the attack. That, in turn, makes several players potentially relied upon to create chances centrally – Darlington Nagbe? Pulisic? – a much harder fit into the lineup. And it will surely put more of the playmaking onus on the likely central midfield pairing of Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones. The wingers, meanwhile, will have to sit a bit deeper so as not to crowd the two strikers.These are all tactical adjustments that will probably make the U.S. worse. And the timing is fairly disastrous, happening ahead of a tournament where the Americans need every bit of talent and experience at their disposal – as the latter is concerned, Altidore is a veteran of two World Cups and a Confederations Cup. The group stage draw of Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay is a difficult one. And the U.S. is keen to show well at the biggest tournament on home soil since the 1994 World Cup.This is all the more true after the debacle at the 2015 Gold Cup – a semifinal elimination by Jamaica, which was the worst American performance in its regional tournament in a decade and a half – and the subsequent loss in a Confederations Cup playoff with Mexico. To say nothing of the form on display ever since the World Cup in Brazil, which has vacillated somewhere.

USA’s forward options without Jozy Altidore at Copa America

Jozy Altidore (hamstring) out 6-8 weeks, will miss Copa America

BY AVI CREDITOR: Tue May 17, 2016

At least Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. men’s national team has been here before. With Jozy Altidore ruled out of Copa America with yet another awfully timed hamstring strain , Klinsmann must look elsewhere in his player pool for a forward to lead the line. It’s the same scenario that the U.S. faced last summer at the Gold Cup, about 20 minutes into the 2014 World Cup and in the knockout stage of the 2011 Gold Cup. If there’s a silver lining, it’s Altidore’s injury happened before Copa America started, so Klinsmann does not have to exhaust a roster spot on an unusable forward and then thrust a replacement from his preliminary squad into the mix.

“It’s a huge bummer for all of us, especially for Jozy, because he had so much drive and ambition going towards the Copa America,” Klinsmann told reporters Monday in Miami, where the U.S. is convened for a “transition” camp and a friendly against Puerto Rico. “He was preparing himself for the entire year, starting in January and he hoped to really peak in June for this special tournament. Now, that message, I told him ‘You have to put it behind you and keep going and stay positive. The next tournament is waiting for you.’ Obviously it’s a big blow for us and him personally, but there’s nothing you can do, unfortunately.”

PODCAST: Brian McBride on USMNT expectations this summer

The next tournament for Altidore of any consequence figures to be next summer’s Gold Cup, while for Klinsmann and the U.S. players, it’s deja vu–again.”It’s a blow, of course,” Alejandro Bedoya said. “He’s one of our key players, one of our best strikers. But like with every team, injuries happen. They’re part of the game. We’re just going to have to deal with it and move on. It’s another opportunity for other players to step in and prove their worth and help us out.”And at least for Klinsmann, he has some intriguing options. Clint Dempsey, Bobby Wood, Jordan Morris, Gyasi Zardes, Chris Wondolowski, Ethan Finlay and Christian Pulisic are the other listed forwards on his preliminary roster, and while none of them really mimic Altidore’s game or skill set, there are plenty of ways for the U.S. to find goals this summer.

STRAUS: Recent results’ impact on Klinsmann’s Copa calls

“To substitute a player like Jozy is very difficult,” Klinsmann said in a Facebook Q&A on Tuesday. “We’re going to find solutions. We’re happy to see other strikers right now being in good form.”Here are some of Klinsmann’s likeliest combinations up front without Altidore, who is tied for third all time on the U.S. goal-scoring charts with Eric Wynalda (34).

Dempsey-Wood

The most prolific American abroad and the most prolific American, period. Should Klinsmann opt for a 4-4-2, he has two capable, complementary scorers at his disposal. They started together in the March World Cup qualifier in Guatemala, but didn’t really produce much in the surprise loss. That said, for as much as Altidore was going to be counted on at Copa America, he has had just two assists and no goals in eight games of MLS play with Toronto FC. Wood’s 17 goals at Union Berlin and subsequent move to Hamburg have him poised for a breakout summer, while Dempsey, who has a pair of goals in MLS, remains the USA’s most reliable option, even at the age of 33. “Bobby did a huge jump over the last 12-14 months, in the club environment as well as the national team,” Klinsmann said Tuesday. Look for his role to expand regardless of how and when he’s deployed.

Zardes-Dempsey-Wood

Klinsmann turned to this triad in the bounce-back win over Guatemala, with Dempsey and Wood up top and Zardes cutting in on the wing. While Zardes wound up with two assists, the second was quite accidental. Dempsey scored the crucial early opener with this combination, however, with Zardes showing his target ability by bodying up a defender, winning a long ball and getting it down to Dempsey for the finish. Klinsmann name-checked Zardes during his chat with fans on Tuesday, and he’s become a mainstay ever since emerging in the winter of 2015. With two goals and four assists in his last five games, you’d think his place is secure.

Pulisic-Wood/Dempsey-Morris

This puts an extreme amount of defensive responsibility on two young players, but flanking Pulisic and Morris on either side of a poacher with a goal for nose like Dempsey or Wood gives the U.S. its fastest, most dynamic approach. If Klinsmann opted for a 4-5-1/4-3-3 that he has used in the past, deploying Pulisic and Morris (with Fabian Johnson and DeAndre Yedlin overlapping from defense) could unleash hell on opposing fullbacks. Klinsmann could even get all four on the field at the same time should he put Dempsey in the midfield ahead of two holding players like Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones and sacrifice the likes of Bedoya or Darlington Nagbe from the XI. It’s the riskiest of all the options, throwing a pair of relatively green players into a cauldron, but Klinsmann is a known proponent of the sink-or-swim approach.

Jermaine Jones

Just kidding. Mostly.

Morris-Dempsey

Another two-forward option includes the two Seattle Sounders teammates. Seattle’s attack had been finding its groove until this weekend’s 2-0 setback against FC Dallas, and Morris and Dempsey are building a club chemistry together. This doesn’t give the U.S. a constant presence between the center backs, as Dempsey has a penchant for dropping to find the ball and Morris is less of a target option, but it’d figure to be a reliable combination of players who have an understanding of one another.

Finlay and Wondolowski would seem to be the players on the outside looking in, but should either make Klinsmann’s final 23-man squad or be needed in case of another injury, Finlay would slot in as a wide option, while Wondolowski is another veteran poacher with a nose for creating chances from close range.

We won’t be able to glean much from Sunday’s friendly against Puerto Rico, withWood the only player on the roster for the match eligible for Copa America. Presuming Wood gets the start, how he is used and in what system could be a clue into what Klinsmann is thinking in how to go about replacing Altidore. Either way, it’s business as usual for Klinsmann and his attack in another major competition.

Tim Howard is ready to resume as the No. 1 goalkeeper for the United States

MANCHESTER, England — Tim Howard slides into his seat in a hotel lounge just outside the tiny village of Hale, England, and starts to talk about the final act of his decorated career. He’s still just 37, not outrageously old for a goalkeeper, and he looks pretty much the same as he did fewer than two years ago in Brazil when his 15 saves in the U.S. national team’s extra time, last-16 loss to Belgium set a World Cup record and made him a household name back home.That night in Salvador might not seem so long ago for the rest of us but for Howard, it might as well be an eternity. A lot has changed for him since then.As the New Jersey native sips his coffee, he’s fewer than two weeks from making his final appearance for Premier League Everton, the club he’s been the backbone of for the past decade. A day after saying goodbye, he’ll report to U.S. national team camp as he has done since 2002. But for the first time since 2006, he’s unsure if he’ll start for the Americans at a major international tournament — in this case, next month’s Copa America Centenario — or be relegated to the supporting role he occupied for the second half of his farewell season in the Premier League.Not playing has been a big adjustment for a player who can barely remember not being an automatic No. 1. It’s just one of many he’s had to make lately. Howard has lived in the northwest of England for the past 13 years. He moved here shortly after signing with Manchester United from Major League Soccer’s MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls) in 2003, when he was barely 24. But having signed with the Colorado Rapids in March, he’s counting the days until it’s time to go home.”I won’t miss the weather. I won’t miss the food,” he joked as rain pelted the windows. “But I definitely got lucky. When I left Man United, it came down to three teams: Everton and two others that aren’t in the Premier League anymore. To be at one club that long is special.”Do I leave I fulfilled? For sure. There’s no better place in the world to play football.”That’s not to say these past few months have been easy. Howard started his 414th and final game for Everton on Sunday, a 3-0 win against Norwich. He’s played 107 times for the U.S. national team. But for the most part he’s been a spectator for both club and country since January, making a total of three appearances.”When you play all the time you get accustomed to it,” he said. “It’s not that you take it for granted but it becomes such a second nature that when you’re not in there, you begin to appreciate it so much more. I never took it for granted. But now I’m thinking, I never, ever want to be in this position again.”The thing is: he soon could be. U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann has yet to name a starter heading into the Copa America and while Howard appears to have the inside track after starting Everton’s past two home games (Brad Guzan finished Aston Villa’s season on the bench), Klinsmann could easily decide that the 31-year-old Guzan is his guy for this cycle. “We’ll have good talks over the next couple of days with Brad and Tim, and then I’ll let you know more,” said the U.S. coach during a Facebook chat on Tuesday.If that happens, would Howard — the American that tournament organizers are promoting most alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez — be OK with that?”I knew when I left Brazil that the next four years would be different,” Howard said. “There are guys that when they get to my point, they retire from the national team. I still feel like I can contribute, and I think those thoughts are justified.”This is a process,” he continued. “The plan is to end in Russia in 2018. I know that things are changing for me professionally. Would I be content [not starting]? No. But would I be a rabble-rouser, throwing things and upsetting the rhythm of the team? No. But that’s not even played into my thinking.”It’s important to note the doubt around Howard’s role this summer is largely of his own making. It was his decision to take a year off from the national team following Brazil 2014 in order to spend the international breaks with his two children, who live in Tennessee with his ex-wife.”In hindsight I probably shouldn’t have taken the year off,” Howard said. “By making that decision, I gave people questions they actually didn’t have. That paled in comparison to what I got from taking the year off but the smart thing to do would have been to not take it.”It was also his choice to call Everton chairman Bill Kenwright late one night halfway through last season and tell him he wanted to leave two years before his contract expired. That, as much as anything else, led him to losing his starting job to Joel Robles.”There’s a lot of stuff people don’t know,” Howard said. “The conversations with Colorado happened way back in October and November. The chairman and the board literally did everything in their power to grant my wish. That doesn’t happen very often. They’ve been beyond loyal to me. At the same time, I basically went in and told my employer I need to leave,” Howard added. “I knew going in that once I told them that, the manager’s got to put the team first.”But a vocal minority of Everton fans had been calling for Howard to be dropped before word leaked in January that the Colorado deal was in the works. He had made a couple of costly mistakes and speculation was rife about how much Howard had left.”He’s not been as good the last two years,” said Neil, a Liverpool taxi driver and lifelong Everton supporter, outside Goodison Park following Howard’s penultimate start for the club, a 2-1 win over Bournemouth on April 30. Fans are fickle, of course, but he wasn’t necessarily wrong, either, because the standard Howard set during his first eight years at the club was so high.Howard admits that at first, the criticism stung.”One of my main goals when I first came here in 2006 was to win the fans over,” he said. “The amount of cards and messages and well wishes that I’ve gotten is astounding. It’s drowned out any fickle, pretend Everton fans.”If Howard gets the gloves from Klinsmann this summer, it won’t be solely because of his skills or experience. His presence in goal and ability to organize the players in front of him will be factored in, too.”Tim’s really particular about the way his defense is set up,” said U.S. defender Geoff Cameron. “He’ll tell you straight up: you need to do this. Brad’s like that, too, but Tim can kind of scare you in a way. There’s a fear factor a little bit. Tim and I are good friends but he’ll lay into me or he’ll give me that look… you don’t want to let him down.”Howard will be 39 when the next World Cup kicks off and what happens beyond this summer is anyone’s guess. But if he’s back in goal for the U.S. next month, his aim will be to prove that he hasn’t lost a step.”He’s still a very, very capable goalkeeper,” Everton captain Phil Jagielka, Howard’s teammate for the past nine years, told ESPN FC after the Bournemouth match. “He will be sadly missed here, but he’s got a lot left in his football career.”Whatever happens this summer, Howard will be ready to give his best. “My mentality has never been to be a No. 2,” he said. “I think that’s what’s gotten me to this point. I’m a number one goalkeeper even if I don’t play on a certain day.”Doug McIntyre is a staff writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @DougMacESPN.

USMNT’s most sensible 23-man roster for Copa America Centenario

By Leander SchaerlaeckensMay 12, 2016 11:44 PMFC Yahoo

There are a few different ways to go about it – several prisms to view the United States men’s national team’s objective at this summer’s stateside Copa America Centenario.This one-off mega-tournament – which might not be so mega, if more stars like Barcelona’s Neymardrop out – can be the ultimate preparation and learning experience for the next World Cup in 2018 when the outcome really counts. It’s a rare chance for the Americans to measure themselves against some of the world’s best sides in a competitive setting and improve. Or it can be its own thing, and the best possible performance for the U.S. should come before all else.A little more context: The U.S. is very likely to bid for the hosting rights to the 2026 World Cup, and putting on a successful tournament will go some way in gathering momentum for that effort. And part of a successful tournament is a respectable showing from the home team.Yet, for all that, the bigger picture must not be overlooked.In the ambitious sweep of the Jurgen Klinsmann era, which continues to consist of greater parts hope and hype than progress, the end game is improved performance at the World Cup. His preliminary 40-man roster blended veterans with younger players, and that’s the right approach.So, with an eye to 2018 as well as a decent run on home soil this summer, we would advocate for the strongest possible starters, regardless of age, backed up by younger players with the most upside two years down the line. A compromise, in other words, insofar as one is possible with the current player pool.Here’s who we’d pick for the USMNT’s final 23-man roster, with an average age of just over 26: ry

.Goalkeepers
Brad Guzan, age 31
Ethan Horvath, age 20
Tim Howard, age 37

Klinsmann has indicated that Howard, who is leaving Everton for the Colorado Rapids after losing his starting job, and Guzan, whose Aston Villa was relegated, will rotate for the time being. This throwback Kasey Keller-Brad Friedel arrangement could last for a while, although Howard is in decline. Guzan should have another half decade in him, considering that his body clock is running in goalkeepers’ years.But all the same, it’s time to start thinking about succession. And with Bill Hamid injured until sometime this summer, Horvath, who has made a name for himself with Molde in Norway, is the logical understudy.

Defenders
Steve Birnbaum, age 25
John Brooks, age 23
Geoff Cameron, age 30
Timmy Chandler, age 26
Eric Lichaj, age 27
Matt Miazga, age 20
Tim Ream, age 28
DeAndre Yedlin, age 22

Things are more complicated along the back line. Because of the endless turnover in Klinsmann’s defense, not to mention the frequent shuffling of players between positions, this group is as unsettled as any.But Cameron and Yedlin turned in solid Premier League seasons and should be automatic in the middle and on the right, respectively. John Brooks has rebounded very nicely with Hertha Berlin in its strong season and should also start in central defense. And there are a few different options on the left – Chandler, Lichaj and Ream – who could be a good tournament away from being in the mix for the coming years.Since Chandler and Cameron can spell Yedlin on the right, why not go young with the cover up the middle? Miazga barely played at Chelsea after his January move but plainly is a big prospect. Birnbaum has looked totally at home on the field with the U.S. in his four caps so far and has even proven an attacking threat in the air.

idfielders
Alejandro Bedoya, age 29
Michael Bradley, age 28
Fabian Johnson, age 28
Jermaine Jones, age 34
Perry Kitchen, age 24
Darlington Nagbe, age 25
Christian Pulisic, age 17

This area of the field has suddenly gotten crowded, with Bedoya playing well in France, Johnson doing the same in Germany, Jones dominating since his MLS suspension, Pulisic breaking out with Dortmund and Nagbe making a strong case in his recent U.S. appearances. Jones and Bradley will likely form the spine of this team in midfield, flanked, ideally, by Bedoya and Johnson. Nagbe and Pulisic will offer alternatives at several positions, although the latter is listed as a forward on the preliminary roster.There isn’t much to discuss here, especially since those alternatives are quite young. All that’s left open is the job of holding midfielder. Since Kyle Beckerman is now 34, we wonder if giving a younger option a look might make sense. The Real Salt Lake pillar is still at his best, but health becomes fickle at his age.Why not give Perry Kitchen a try? He’s only 24, sufficiently disciplined to sit behind the ball and shield the defense, and he’s already plenty seasoned as a professional.

Forwards
Jozy Altidore, age 26
Clint Dempsey, age 33
Jordan Morris, age 21
Bobby Wood, age 23
Gyasi Zardes, age 24

Altidore remains both mercurial and the best target man option out there, so his spot in the lineup remains firm. Dempsey, meanwhile, keeps chugging along with the Seattle Sounders and, in spite of his age, is still the most likely to offer a creative spark. Behind those two, Morris, Wood and Zardes all offer youth, potential for improvement and the versatility to play either on the flank or in a two-man front line, supporting Altidore or Dempsey.Leander Schaerlaeckens is a soccer columnist for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter

Clint Dempsey’s USMNT motivation evolves, but his hunger remains /Icon SMI

BY BRIAN STRAUSADD FAVORITEPosted: Wed May. 18, 2016

It was May 2012, the U.S. national team was preparing to kick off a new World Cup qualifying cycle and Landon Donovan, the program’s all-time leading scorer, sat down with four reporters at an Orlando hotel and began revealing the physical and emotional fatigue that led to that notorious 2013 sabbatical and then his retirement the following year.“All players reach a point in their career where it’s natural to lose some of that hunger, that desire,” Donovan said that day. “There’s no question at some point, sooner rather than later, I’ll be pretty burned out and it’ll be time to take a step back.”Then Clint Dempsey came up. The Texan was (and still is) only one year younger than his former teammate. But as Donovan’s fire started to flicker, he saw no such ebb in Dempsey.“Clint’s a little bit of a different animal,” Donovan said. “He still has that crazy hunger to succeed, more so than most. That’s great. That’s a beautiful thing and the more players we have like that, the better it’s going to be.”Some of that “crazy hunger” is the result of temperament and some of it comes down to timing. That same week, Dempsey offered a few details on its origin. He pointed out that Donovan already was established at age 17—a golden ball winner at the 1999 U-17 World Cup and a reserve at Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen. At that age, Dempsey was just trying to get a game.“I did it every way possible. I was playing pickup, high school, club ball. I was playing in a men’s league, then I want to [Furman] University,” he said. “I just tried to do everything I could. I was grinding because I knew it was going to be difficult. And even though I’ve come this far, I’m humbled in the fact that I know it could have easily not have happened.” Dempsey made his pro debut at 21 and earned his first U.S. start on March 9, 2005—his 22nd birthday. When Donovan turned 22, he’d already started for his country 39 times.“It’s always been a race against time really for me,” Dempsey said back in 2012. “It’s kind of my mentality, to make up for lost time.”His three-hour-rides to riches story is well known. It began with the long-haul drives from Nacogdoches to Dallas for practices, the unexpected death of his 16-year-old sister, Jennifer, and his 2004 emergence with the New England Revolution. Dempsey went on to become an icon at Fulham, the first American to score in three World Cups and the recipient of a life-changing, $33 million commitment from the Seattle Sounders in 2013.An extended contract expires at the end of next season. Dempsey turned 33 last month and is father to four children. He’ll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. All that’s left to write is the conclusion to his unparalleled story, and the denouement could begin at next month’s Copa América Centenario. A fourth World Cup is a long two years away, the body ages quicker in its mid-30s and the pressure to bring an MLS Cup to Seattle is intensifying.Donovan’s all-time U.S. scoring record is out there, calling (Dempsey trails by eight). So is the April spawning season, which Dempsey, an avid fisherman, has missed just about every year of his adult life.His hunger hasn’t diminished, but his perspective has changed now that he can glimpse the finish line. Dempsey spent years fighting to prove himself and secure his place. Now he hopes to hold off the next generation for just a little bit longer. He’ll relish this Copa América played on home soil, before big crowds against elite opposition. There are accolades still to win and a sport still to build, and Dempsey, who’s still the national team’s most reliable finisher, intends to squeeze every last drop out of his remaining opportunities.“With the national team, you never know how long you’ve got so you always have to be pushing and making the most of it,” he told SI.com this week. “At certain times during your career, at different ages, you feel better than others. But you still want to be productive and make the most of it. You want to be able to look back at it and be proud of what you were able to to when you were playing …. I’m proud of what I’ve done. But I’m still pushing while I’m still playing.”Dempsey’s importance remains indisputable. That was evident at the 2014 World Cup, where an early goal helped spark the U.S. to a cathartic 2-1 over Ghana and a late goal provided a crucial (but short-lived) lead against Portugal. And it was evident at last summer’s ill-fated CONCACAF Gold Cup, where the stuttering Americans might have exited even earlier if not for Dempsey’s tournament-high seven markers. He was poor in October’s Confederations Cup playoff but then looked revitalized in March as he tallied one goal and one assist in a vital 4-0 qualifying demolition of Guatemala. PODCAST: McBride on USMNT’s expectations this summer

With Jozy Altidore now out thanks to his infuriatingly frail hamstrings and heirs apparent Jordan Morris and Bobby Wood still finding their international feet, the U.S. attack likely will revolve around Dempsey once again.His combination of ruthlessness in the penalty area and an ability to withdraw, find the ball and create within ephemeral slivers of space remains unique among current American players.“There haven’t been many soccer players in U.S. soccer history that are game changes like Clint is,” Donovan said recently on the Sounders’ club podcast. “If the team needs a special player, a special moment or a goal, there’s not too many names on the U.S. roster that you would look to and say, ‘Yeah, that’s the guy who can do it.’ I think the team needs him.”That need ensures the pressure on Dempsey remains high. This Copa América isn’t a farewell tour and he hasn’t ruled out trying to hang on for a fourth World Cup. In addition, the sour taste of 2015 still lingers.“It’s a situation where you want to get back to playing good ball and progressing the game in the States,” he told SI.com. “When you don’t do well in the Gold Cup and we didn’t do well in the playoff game, it’s a chance to kind of bounce back from that, get back on track and doing things right. I look forward to playing in the tournament and to try to do something special.“I’ve always put pressure on myself to perform well,” he continued. “I think what I’ve done in big games I’ve played has showed that. My mentality doesn’t change as far as that’s concerned, to be the best and make the most of those games that I’m available for no matter the situation.”It represents a different sort of tension than the type he felt when he was younger—wondering if he’d be able to secure the opportunity, respect and stability he sought.He often felt compelled to defend his record, reminding people of his statistics when playing for the U.S. or in a withdrawn role and taking umbrage when some suggested that his form for country occasionally didn’t match his form for club.There were hints of angst and frustration his words, as if his career could be snatched away at any time. “That’s just being young and worrying about stuff that doesn’t really matter,” Dempsey explained. “At the end of the day, you know what you’ve accomplished and you don’t have any control over other people’s opinions. People are going to think what they want, and as I’ve gotten older I’ve become more at peace with that and not stressing about those type of things.”Dempsey’s motivation has evolved. His power doesn’t have to come from the chip on his shoulder. He now has his own established standards to meet, not to mention a country that’s counting on him. He acknowledged that he’s “not blind” to the fact that Donovan’s scoring record is “out there,” but he’s aware that “there’s a balance to do it in the right way.”Dempsey said the key is, “To stay hungry, but also not to be so hungry that you’re missing opportunities to help your team win games, like finding the right pass instead of taking that shot.”If he plays well, victory will come. And if victory comes, so will the statistics—not to mention future opportunities. Dempsey said he wants to continue to represent the U.S. and hopes to deliver a championship to Seattle. He is not longing for retirement, as Donovan seemed to be in 2012. But Dempsey doesn’t fear it. He’s taking it “one tournament at a time,” he said. At 33, he now recognizes how far he’s come.“The work you put out there, and when you know you’re out there trying to make a difference and make an impact and gains for both club and country, that’s good enough for me. It’s not going to be all that when I’m done,” he said. “I’ll have the memories for myself. It’s not about what’s written about me. I’ll be out in the country. I’ll be fishing and hunting out in the country.”If he’s caught on a TV set in a jacket and tie arguing with Alexi Lalas, “you’d better come flatten me,” he said.“For me, it’s been about playing the game as long as I could, to be able to take it as far as I could and to be able to take care of my family,” he said. “I come from a small town. To go see the world and be able to hold your own, that’s something that gives me pride. That’s something I can tell my kids and grandkids about, and hopefully inspire others to do the same thing.”

Metz promoted to Ligue 1 over Bob Bradley’s Le Havre by tiny margin

FC Metz became the third team promoted to Ligue 1 this season despite a furious late push from Le Havre.On the final day of the season on Friday, Metz lost 1-0 at Lens while Le Havre, managed by former United States coach Bob Bradley, defeated Bourg-Peronnas 5-0.Both Metz and Le Havre finished level on 65 points with a plus-15 goal difference, and Metz were awarded third place and promotion because of their superior goals scored — 54 to Le Havre’s 52.One more goal would have seen Le Havre go through in their place, and they very nearly had it.After Aliou Dembele was sent off in the 34th minute, Bradley’s team pushed forward and scored their fifth by the 82nd minute.They hit the woodwork four times and keeper Fabien Farnolle pushed forward and had a header saved in stoppage time, but the goal would not come.Le Havre were fourth when Bradley took over the club on Nov. 10. Under his guidance they won 12, drew six and lost six.Metz return to the top flight after one year in the second division. They will join Nancy and Dijon as the new clubs in Ligue 1 in 2016-17.

DeAndre Yedlin open to Sunderland stay amid reports of £2m bid

Tottenham’s DeAndre Yedlin has not ruled out a return to Sunderland next season and says he is hoping to impress at this summer’s Copa America in the hope of resolving his future.Yedlin joined Spurs from Major League Soccer outfit Seattle Sounders in January 2015, but made just one appearance before joining Sunderland on a season-long loan in the summer.After a mixed start, the 22-year-old made the right-back spot his own under Sam Allardyce, making 24 appearances, including 21 league starts, as the Black Cats beat the drop.Spurs are well-stocked at right-back with Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, and the USMNT star, who is back in the States for this summer’s Copa America, admits he is keeping his options open amid reports of a £2 million bid from Sunderland.”It’s definitely a door I would not close. I would not mind going back [to Sunderland],” Yedlin told Goal.com. “I had a great time there.”I’m keeping all doors open, I don’t want to shut any right now. Any opportunity that is offered to me is a big opportunity. When you’re dealing with the Premier League, it’s still unbelievable to think that I’m playing in the Premier League.”I don’t want to close any doors right now,” he continued. “I’ll just keep my head down and perform at Copa America. Obviously if I can have a good tournament here it’ll impress a lot more people.”Yedlin says the example of Premier League Golden Boot-winner Harry Kane gives him hope that he can still make it at White Hart Lane, however.”Sometimes that’s all you need, is a year of playing, that little bit of confidence,” he added. “You look at Harry Kane, two years ago coming back from loan and playing, he comes back to Tottenham and absolutely kills it and is now England’s No. 1 striker.”Confidence is a funny thing, and sometimes that’s all you need is just that little bit to elevate you to the next level.”

Premier League season in a sentence as Leicester crowned champions

It was another memorable Premier League campaign. Our ESPN FC bloggers take a quick look at how their team fared in the 2015-16 season.

LEICESTER: Leicester ended 2015-16 with a fairytale Premier League title, the PFA player of the year, a Premier League scoring record and Champions League football — so not bad, then! — Ben Jacobs

ARSENAL: Not good enough to sustain a title challenge but not bad enough to drop out of the top four — stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before. — Tom Adams

TOTTENHAM: A top four spot looked ambitious but Spurs exceeded all expectations, enjoying a prolonged title challenge before a sour end to the campaign. — Ben Pearce

MAN CITY: A season of gradually diminishing returns mirroring Manuel Pellegrini’s three years in charge left City fans in the extremely unusual situation of counting the days until it was finally over. — Simon Curtis

SOUTHAMPTON: Another season of progression for Southampton, who would have had a shot at not just a Europa League spot, but maybe even the top four had they avoided that midseason dip in form. — Alex Crook

MAN UNITED: Winning the FA Cup shouldn’t save Louis van Gaal following a season of dire football and wretched results, culminating in failure to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson left. — Scott Patterson

WEST HAM: A fantastic season with many highs, few lows, superb teamwork, individual brilliance and plenty of attacking football. — Peter Thorne

LIVERPOOL: Frustration in the Premier League, but impressive cup performances point to a bright future under Jurgen Klopp and with good recruitment this summer, the Reds could contend at the top next year. — Dave Usher

STOKE: A disappointing 2015-16 for the Potters, who saw injuries and patches of abysmal form end any chance of European qualification. — James Whittaker

CHELSEA: Chelsea’s disastrous campaign rendered the club trophyless and short of being relegated, it really couldn’t have been any worse. — Mark Worrall

EVERTON: Fewest home points in Everton history is the rotten cherry on top of another season of failure for a manager and players failing to learn anything from the equally dismal season preceding this one. — Luke O’Farrell

SWANSEA: A summer of complacency and questionable decisions almost cost Swansea their Premier League status, but in hiring Francesco Guidolin the board look to have restored their reputation for shrewd managerial appointments. — Max Hicks

WATFORD: The season has to be seen as a big success overall, but morale is lower than it should be following a disappointing end to the campaign. — Michael Moruzzi

WEST BROM: Everything you’d expect of a Pulis side — dull football, a strong defence and safety with games to spare. —Matthew Evans

CRYSTAL PALACE: Palace were dragged into a relegation fight after being fifth at Christmas but all will be forgiven if the Eagles manage to win the FA Cup. — Jim Daly

BOURNEMOUTH: Despite a downbeat end, comfortably staying in the Premier League is a fantastic achievement for Eddie Howe’s inexperienced squad. — Steve Menary

SUNDERLAND: Sunderland again started badly and seemed a lost cause but if recovery under Sam Allardyce was slow and agonising, safety was eventually achieved with time to spare and hope that brighter times may at last lie ahead. — Colin Randall

NEWCASTLE UNITED: It’s been a season that has always seemed on the brink of collapse from the first few games and it unfolded into an inevitable conclusion — relegation. — Lee Ryder

NORWICH: So much early promise following promotion to the Premier League was replaced by a painful crash landing back in the Championship. — Paddy Davitt

ASTON VILLA: A humiliating shambles which resulted in a first ever relegation from the Premier League — Villa were rooted to the bottom of the table after 10 games and never looked like getting out of trouble. — Kevin Hughes

Premier League superlatives from a storybook 2015-16 season

Leicester City claimed its first top-flight title in the team’s 132-year history on Monday.

BEN LYTTLETONTwitter Email osted: Mon May. 16, 2016

Such is the smartness of the Premier League marketing machine, every season seems to end with fans declaring it the best ever. But perhaps 2015-16 will be remembered as just that; a season when champion side Chelsea slumped to mid-table, and Leicester City, tipped for relegation during preseason and was 5,000-to-1 odds to win the title, romped to the trophy by a clear 10 points. There was drama, controversy, glory and surprises. Here are some of the bests and worsts of an unforgettable, storybook campaign (which has one game to go after Manchester United’s bomb-scare-turned-training-exercise fiasco on Sunday):

Coach of the Year: Claudio Ranieri, Leicester

It’s impossible to look beyond the charm and humility of Ranieri. A coach belittled by Jose Mourinho, he showed quiet leadership (incidentally, that’s the title of a new book by another former Chelsea boss, Carlo Ancelotti) and enough confidence to make only minor changes to the Leicester side that ended last season so well. Leicester’s local butcher made Ranieri sausages in his honor and he can expect a street to be named after him. CREDITOR: Ranieri finally gets his due He seems to enjoy the absurdity of it all and unlike many of his colleagues, does not take himself too seriously.

Honorable mentions: Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham), Slaven Bilic (West Ham)

PODCAST: Brian McBride interivew; EPL coaching carousel

Player of the Year: Jamie Vardy, Leicester

The Premier League players voted for Riyad Mahrez, the Leicester players voted for N’Golo Kante, and the football writers went for Vardy, whose 24 goals propelled the Foxes to the title. His story is well-known–rejected as a youngster, playing non-league football five years ago, and scrapes with the law along the way–but it is so unlikely that a Hollywood film is in the pipeline. So is his autobiography, which will come out later this year.After a sensational season. the clamor for him to start for England at Euro 2016 continues.

Honorable mentions: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham) GALLERY: Best moments of Leicester’s title run

Young Player of the Year: Dele Alli, Tottenham

Dele Alli began this season wanting to play 10 games for his new club.After all, he was 19, had never played in the Championship before, let alone the Premier League, and was at a team competing in the top four. But that didn’t stop Mauricio Pochettino, who gave Alli his debut in the first game of the season and started him for the second time in Spurs’ 4-1 win over Manchester City.He kept his place ever since, forming a partnership with Eric Dier in midfield that has continued into the full England squad. He scored from 25 yards on his England debut against France and will be a key player at the Euros this summer. Pochettino deserves great credit for giving him the opportunity.

Honorable mentions: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jack Butland (Stoke City)

Signing of the Year: Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester City

£55 million is a lot of money to be considered a bargain, but when you look at how badly City fared in De Bruyne’s absence–albeit with an imbalanced squad and an injury-prone captain–it was clear that the young Belgian will continue to prove Chelsea’s decision to sell him to Wolfsburg a wrong one.More than Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero, De Bruyne was the decisive player for City this season, and had he stayed fit in spring, when the club dropped out of title contention, it might have ruined Leicester’s party. His teammate Raheem Sterling cost a little less, but the difference between the two could not have been bigger.

Honorable mentions: Lamine Kone (Sunderland), N’Golo Kante (Leicester City)

Flop of the Year: Florian Thauvin, Newcastle

The French winger raised eyebrows when he cost Newcastle £12 million last summer–it seemed a lot for player who had issues at his previous club Marseille–but was dressed to impress when he turned up for his first home game wearing a tux complete with bow tie. Unfortunately his performances did not match the outfit and he only played three games before going back to Marseille on loan in January.

That was quite a fee Newcastle paid for him; it paid the same for Jonjo Shelvey in January, when it was apparent that the defense needed improving. The recruitment mistakes contributed to Newcastle’s relegation.

Honorable mentions: Seydou Doumbia, Henri Saivet (both Newcastle), Eder (Swansea)

Goal of the Season: Jamie Vardy, Leicester vs. Liverpool

This was a goal that summed up Leicester’s season: A long ball from Mahrez, and confidence, impudence and perfection execution from Vardy. The context was significant too: it came at the start of a run of games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal when everyone expected Leicester to slip away. Instead it won the first two matches. And often, its best goals came in the big games: Mahrez’s against Chelsea and Manchester City were among the best all season.

Honorable mentions: Dele Alli (Spurs vs. Crystal Palace), Cuco Martina (Southampton vs. Arsenal)

GALLERY: Best of Leicester’s title celebrations

Mystery of the season: Eden Hazard’s loss of form

No team defending the title has ever done as badly as Chelsea this season, and the player who embodied its struggles was Hazard.He went from Player of the Year to a place on the bench and couldn’t seem to work out why himself. Some cynics suggested that, once Chelsea was eliminated from Europe, he was keeping his powder dry for the Euros. He definitely looked in better form in the last two weeks of the season, with goals against Spurs and Liverpool reminiscent of last season’s player. New coach Antonio Conte’s challenge next season will be to recapture that form.

Honorable mentions: Why did Watford get rid of Quique Sanchez Flores for doing what he was brought in to do? Why did Crystal Palace sign Emmanuel Adebayor in January?

Quote of the Year: “Dilly-ding, dilly-dong!” (Claudio Ranieri)

Only towards the end of the season did the Leicester players reveal the Italian’s habit of ringing an imaginary bell in training to keep the players focused. It’s a long-standing technique in the Ranieri coaching handbook, as former Cagliari player Ivo Pulga told The Guardian that Ranieri used the line on his squad in 1989. “At Christmas, he gave us each a bell with “Dilly-ding, dilly-dong’, and his name on it,” Pulga said.Whatever Ranieri did, it worked.

Honorable mentions:

“In sex masochism, then it is allowed.” – Louis van Gaal on Robert Huth pulling Marouane Fellaini’s hair

“Even if you are a medical doctor or secretary on the bench, you have to understand the game.” – Jose Mourinho on the opening-day row with club doctor Eva Caneiro that sowed the seeds for them both leaving the club

Team of the Season

GOALKEEPER: Joe Hart (Manchester City)

DEFENDERS: Hector Bellerin (Arsenal), Virgil Van Dijk (Southampton), Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Christian Fuchs (Leicester City)

MIDFIELDERS: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), N’Golo Kante (Leicester City), Dele Alli (Tottenham), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)

FORWARDS: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Colorado Rapids top MLS Power Rankings, L.A. Galaxy # 2, Philly up to # 3

The Supporter Shield leaders Colorado Rapids welcome Sporting Kansas City, who look to turn around their six game winless streak.

A midweek round and the usual weekend slate have resulted in a new No. 1 team atop the MLS Power Rankings in Week 11.

Colorado Rapids(+1)

It just feels right to elevate the Rapids to the top spot after a four-point week off of a home win over Sporting and a road draw against Crew SC.

LA Galaxy(-1)

The Galaxy were outplayed overall on Wednesday against the Union, but the flashes of irresistible team play they showed on both of their goals show why they can still get points.

Philadelphia Union(+2)

Two draws on the week for the Union is a good return considering the competition and the road trip to Montreal. Philadelphia is third in the East but their points-per-game is the best in the conference.

Montreal Impact(+2)

Didier Drogba. Ignacio Piatti. Drogba. Piatti. With seemingly every big goal coming from one of the Impact’s marquee names, Mauro Biello will be intent on keeping both of them healthy.

FC Dallas(+4)

The Hoops truly are a different team at home than they are on the road, as evidenced by their six-point week after a three-game losing streak. Next up: back on the road for a game in New England.

Toronto FC(-3)

Sebastian Giovinco is now TFC’s all-time leading scorer after his brace, replacing Dwayne De Rosario at the top of the list. If the Italian sticks around, it will be more a few years before someone replaces him.

Real Salt Lake(-3)

Those early season doubts about RSL are getting new run in light of some bad recent results. A loss to the lowly Dynamo, especially without scoring, is a bad look for the team from Utah.

San Jose Earthquakes(+3)

A weekend off after a midweek win over the Dynamo is just what the Quakes need ahead of a trip down the coast to face the Galaxy for Rivalry Week.

Vancouver Whitecaps(+5)

The Caps beat TFC at their own game on Saturday, sitting deep and hitting the Reds with devastating counters. As if the league needed a reminder, the win displayed the immense talents of Kekuta Manneh.

New York City FC(+3)

How close are things in the East? So close that NYCFC, a team with just a single home win on the season, is now tied atop the standings thanks to a three-game winning streak.

Sporting Kansas City(+4)

Sporting’s shot output against Orlando City was astounding (16 in the first half, 34 overall) and not only set records, it indicated a concerted effort on the part of Sporting to create the chances that have been eluding them.

Portland Timbers(-5)

Another valley for the Timbers, who fell to NYCFC at home on Sunday. It’s not that the Timbers were bad (and they suffer at the hands of the refs) but the lack of a comeback is troubling.

Seattle Sounders(-5)

The battle became just too difficult in Texas for the Sounders after Chad Marshall pulled down Walker Zimmerman in the box in the third minute.

D.C. United(+2)

United was randomly good on Friday night against the Red Bulls. Whether that was because of the rivalry or something else, they need more of that to establish a place among the East’s playoff contenders.

New England Revolution(+4)

On the one hand, New England ended their six-game winless streak. On the other, they did so against the worst team in the East and a team that simply cannot score.

Houston Dynamo(+1)

Houston has sandwiched a couple of wins around a midweek loss, likely buying Owen Coyle some time to figure out the balance of his club. Sunday’s blanking of RLS was a good start.

Orlando City SC(-7)

The defense is an absolute mess, but at least Orlando has Kaka and Cyle Larin to give them hope, right? Adrian Heath has work to do as the Lions’ season slips away.

New York Red Bulls(-6)

The Red Bulls allowed themselves to be pushed around in the midfield on Friday night in D.C., the saddest part of their 2-0 loss at the hands of their biggest rivals.

Columbus Crew SC(-1)

No Kei, plenty of problems. Replacing their center forward won’t be easy for Columbus, but at least the post-Kei era didn’t end with a home loss.

Chicago Fire(no change)

The Fire have, well, no fire at all. Road trips on opposite sides of the continent don’t help, but it’s amazing just how toothless Chicago has become under Veljko Paunovic. Jason Davis is a writer from Virginia covering American soccer.

CDC_Indy11camp

Busch’s Big Night in Goal Helps Indy Eleven to 0-0

Draw at Fort Lauderdale

Veteran Netminder’s Season-high Six Saves Earn Crucial Road Point, Set up Possible Fight for First Next Weekend at Home vs. Minnesota

FORT LAUDERDALE (Saturday, May 14, 2016) – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were all over Indy Eleven from the beginning this evening at Lockhart Stadium, but Eleven goalkeeper Jon Busch was there at every turn to help the visitors earn a crucial standings point from a 0-0 draw in a rain-delayed affair in South Florida.Busch came through with an inspired effort, making a season-high six stops – a few of the highlight-reel variety – to help keep “Indiana’s Team” the lone undefeated team in the NASL on the season.With the draw, Indy Eleven (2W-4D-0L, 10 pts.) remained in fourth place in the Spring Season standings, while Fort Lauderdale (1W-3D-2L, 6 pts.), a week after beating the then-league-leading Carolina RailHawks on the road, saw their momentum halted by sticking in eighth position. More importantly for Indy Eleven, the “Boys in Blue” managed to stay within a game of first place, which for now is occupied by next week’s opponent at Carroll Stadium, Minnesota United FC (13 pts.). However, the second-place New York Cosmos (12 pts.) will help round out Week 7 action tomorrow afternoon at FC Edmonton.Busch was alert from the early-going, starting in the 8^th minute when he adjusted well to Geison Moura’s deflected shot from the top of the area. Scrambling to his right post, Busch dove to get a hand – and then a foot – to the ball on the line to keep it out. Four minutes later a failed clearance sat up around the penalty spot for a hard-charging Maicon Santos, but his rocketed shot would be kept out by Busch’s two-handed parry.While it wasn’t a save, Busch came up big again in the 21^st minute when Santos got behind the Eleven backline. The Indy ‘keeper came off his line to force Santos wide, and while the Brazilian was able to get a shot towards the open net, Eleven center back Colin Falvey and forward Justin Braun combined to keep it out of goal and clear the danger.Indy’s offense finally showed some bite in the final 15 minutes of the half, starting when midfielder Omar Gordon latched onto Justin Braun’s cross from the right endline and fiercely headed a shot just wide of the left post. Gordon was at it again in the 38^th minute as he pounced on a loose ball and fired from 15 yards out, but what could have been a dangerous shot was blocked by a diving Gale Agbossoumonde. A minute later Falvey was able to get on the end of a corner with a free header from 10 yards out, only to push the chance wide left.The halftime break was an extended one, as storms that entered the area forced a nearly hour-and-a-half delay in the action. Coming out of the break it was the Strikers nearly striking first in the 48^th minute when Jose Angulo cut across the area and rifled a shot from 10 yards out that smacked off the crossbar but stayed out of goal. Three minutes later it was Busch again thwarting Santos with his finest effort yet, diving and extending fully to steer a header from eight yards around the right post.The Eleven made things more interesting with better possession and attacking presence throughout the second half, but it wasn’t until the 69^th minute that Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Diego Restrepo was forced to make a save. And it was a quality one, as he dove low and right to bat away defender Nemanja Vukovic’s low, skipping effort from 30 yards out on the slick turf.Down the stretch the Strikers would press for the decisive tally, but Busch had other ideas, first stopping defending NASL Player of the Week Nana Attakora’s point-blank effort in the 88^th minute. Then in stoppage time it was the veteran goalkeeper batting away Dalton’s header from the top of the six off a set-piece delivery from Ramon Nunez, a play that helped Indy Eleven – and the 20-year pro Busch – to a second clean sheet in 2016.Indy Eleven returns home next weekend on Saturday, May 21, when it will host Minnesota United FC on IMS & Military Appreciation Night at Carroll Stadium. Tickets for the pivotal 7:30 p.m. ET showdown at “The Mike” are available starting at $11 in the Brickyard Battalion and East Goal Top sections atwww.IndyEleven.com or over the phone at 317-685-1100 (Mon.-Fri., 9:00a.m.-5:00 p.m.).
NASL Spring Season
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0 : 0 Indy Eleven
Saturday, May 14, 2016 Lockhart Stadium – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Indy Eleven:
Spring Season: 2W-4D-0L, 10 pts., 4^th place
Fort Lauderdale Strikers:
Spring Season: 1W-3D-2L, 6 pts., 8^th place
Scoring Summary:
None
Discipline Summary:
IND – Justin Braun (caution) 61’
FTL – PC (caution) 75’
FTL – Maicon Santos (aution) 83’
Indy Eleven line-up (4-4-2, L–>R): Jon Busch; Nemanja Vuković, Greg Janicki, Colin Falvey (capt), Lovel Palmer; Dylan Mares, Gorka Larrea, Sinisa Ubiparipović (Don Smart 55’), Omar Gordon; Justin Braun (Eamon Zayed 66’), Jair Reinoso (Nicki Paterson 81’)Indy Eleven bench: Keith Cardona (GK), Marco Franco, Daniel Keller, Duke Lacroix

Fort Lauderdale Strikers (4-2-3-1): Diego Restrepo; PC, Dalton, Gale Agbossoumonde, Nana Attakora; Luis Felipe, Jean-Marc Alexandre (capt) (Manny Gonzalez 67’); Jose Angulo, Ramon Nunez, Geison Moura (Matheus Carvalho 56’) (Adrianinho 89’); Maicon Santos Strikers bench: Bruno (GK), Victor Pineda, Aurelio Saco Vertiz, Luis Zapata

GK PLAYING FOR A CAUSE

It’s Sunday at 6 P.M.Jon Busch is home from Fort Lauderdale sitting next to his wife, Nicole, waiting for the phone to ring. He’s expecting a call from his father like he has every Sunday for nine years. But that phone won’t ring.That’s because three days before last weekend’s match, Jon got the news that his father had passed away. Robert Busch was 74 years old.“They were very trying and difficult days leading up to that game,” said Busch.The calls started when Jon was in Chicago for the first time – circa the beginning of the 2007/08 season for the Fire – and had continued as tradition ever since. His first coach, Robert was always there for his son – always wearing his coaching hat, even years later.“I think it all started when I was like 8 or 9 and he was my first ever club coach – he and my brother – so I think if you look all the way back it started then. It really picked up during my first go-round in Chicago when I was living by myself before my wife had moved up. I started talking to him quite a bit on the phone about soccer and about life in general and we just kind of made it a thing,” said the guy everyone calls “Buschy.”“It followed me to San Jose then back to Chicago, and we always did it. Every Sunday at six. He’d just kind of give me his thoughts and opinions on the night before and it was always just fun to listen to him.“When you’re young, you think you know everything about everything. Then as you get older you realize you didn’t know anything about anything. But, I always had a good time with him and it was always fun. Never without a smile,” stated Busch.Three days after getting the news, Indy’s No.18 suited up in goal after two days of training, never skipping a beat. Busch’s performance was better than could have been expected, his best in an Eleven uniform and one of the most respectable in his 19-year tenure, saving all six shots cannoned in at him and diving across every single one of the 27,648 square inches of his goal box.“[My dad] loved watching me play and I knew the best way to honor him was to put in a good performance. I can honestly say I think he was standing by my side in the goal that night and helping me knock some of those balls away,” said Busch.“But, I think my performance was a bit of a combination. Every now and then you have games like that where you’re going to have to make a few saves. I was fortunate enough to be able to step up to the plate and take care of the team in that aspect.”Saturday’s 0-0 draw in Fort Lauderdale against the Strikers was an opportunity lost when it came to the standings, as even though Indy remained the NASL’s lone undefeated team (with 2 wins and 4 losses) it dropped a spot to fifth place. But that’s not the takeaway of the match in the grand scheme of the Spring Season – at least not to the veteran netminder.“I’m not sure if it’s a disappointment that we didn’t find a winner that game. It was a disappointment in the fact that we honestly know we didn’t play that well in a good situation where we could have jumped up the table more with a win,” said the former MLS captain.“We won’t give up, though. We’re still working. We still believe.”Now, “Indiana’s Team” faces what could be the most important regular season outing in the team’s three-year history – a home game against the league leader, Minnesota United FC, with a chance to joins the MNUFC on top of the table at the end of the night. Busch and his teammates are aware of the task at hand and see the match as a make-good opportunity for recent performances.“Obviously it’s a big game. They’re a very good team and (Sporting Director) Manny (Lagos) has them playing very well up there. They’re on the top of the league for a reason,” explained Busch. “It’s a good measuring stick for us to see where we are. We feel like we have a good team here and have missed a couple of results that we wanted, especially in the last two, but we feel we’re very competitive and can fight for a championship. It’s exciting, it’s a challenge.”To add to the occasion, this Saturday the club is honoring our nation’s heroes in uniform on Military Appreciation Night at Carroll Stadium. Since 2011, Jon Busch has been paying his version of respects to the military through his foundation, Saves for SEALs. He created the program to support the Navy SEAL Foundation, which helps families of those fallen warriors who have given their lives for their country. DONATE | Jon Busch’s SAVES for SEALs program

“It’s going to be a special night. Any way we can say thank you to all the branches of the military is always special. We’re fortunate enough to play the sport that we love and grew up playing because of these men and women who have sacrificed their lives and their livelihood for our freedom,” said Busch.A warrior in his own right, Jon Busch dedicated last Saturday to Robert, and we could only guess that 6 PM phone call on Sunday would have been a lively one. This Saturday, while “Buschy” will continue to play with thoughts of his father in mind, he’ll also have another cause to dedicate his performance to. If it’s anything like last Saturday’s, he’ll make a lot of people proud.

THREE THINGS: #FTLVIND

Three takeaways from weather-beaten trip to Fort Lauderdale May 16, 2016

In our latest “Three Things,” we look at the excellence of Jon Busch, and staying unbeaten ahead of a big test this weekend.

WATCH | Highlights from the 0-0 draw with the Strikers

1) Jon Busch is a badass

Saturday belonged to Jon Busch. Seriously. A brick wall if there ever was one, Busch made multiple point blank saves, dove across his line to keep every effort out, and even got a little good karma from the crossbar hanging above him.So, yeah, Jon Busch is a badass, and he played like one on Saturday. In the five games Indy Eleven had played before their trip to Fort Lauderdale, the former Chicago Fire netminder had faced 12 shots and produced eight saves. Against the Strikers, Busch faced and saved all six efforts rifled at him, nearly doubling his season tally.And shameless plug time … if you haven’t made a donation to Buschy’s Saves for SEALs program to benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation, there’s no better time to do so as we head into Military Appreciation Night at “The Mike” this weekend – head to www.IndyEleven.com/savesforseals for all the details and to make your per-save donation today.

2) First time tested

Though his debut against Tampa Bay featured a few saves, as well as the home contest against New York, Saturday night was the first time Busch had been consistently called upon across 90 minutes to secure a result.Similar to the season opener, also in Florida, the Eleven couldn’t capitalize on chances in their attacking third and relied on their ‘keeper for a couple of big-time stops. This time around, though, the difference was the intensity with which the Strikers attacked, often slipping in behind the defense leaving the guardian of the goal with it all to do.True to his position though, Busch sent back efforts from all three of the Strikers’ trio of Ramon Nunez, Maicon Santos, and defender Dalton, and helped secure a valuable road point with just four games left in the Spring Season.

3) The streak continues – and top spot is in sight

Six games in and Indy Eleven remains the only unbeaten side in the NASL. Despite dropping to fifth place in the table due to FC Edmonton’s huge win over the New York Cosmos, the Eleven have it all to play for as a result on Saturday against Minnesota United FC could see them shoot up to a tie for first place depending on other results.Having already played both the Cosmos and Eddies and taking four points out of those encounters, the only other two teams in the way are the Carolina Railhawks, who come to the Circle City on June 11 in the Spring Season finale, and MNUFC. The Railhawks have their bye week at the end of the month, while Minnesota has already taken theirs, meaning things will likely stay tight down the stretch drive.To sum it up, the biggest home game in Indy Eleven’s short but growing history goes down on Saturday night against Minnesota. And if that goes well, along with another Sunshine State swing, it will set up an even bigger one to finish off the Spring in four weekends.

ASL 2016 Spring Championship Final Sprint! – Teams Close In On Playoff Spot!

By: James Cormack – Bloody Shambles
For some teams only three games remain and for some four. We are nearing the eleventh hour (sorry had to go there) and each round between now and June 11/12 will likely see some teams slowly lose sight of the Spring title and others tighten their grip around it.For one successful team winning the Spring Championship trophy means an automatic playoff spot and home field advantage, effectively allowing that team room to breath and work on their team without fear of non-qualification.Outside of the speculative opinion below, it should be noted that every one of these teams will play a US Open Cup tie amongst their final games on June 1st. There may be injuries incurred, tired legs or even just squad rotation to rest players. Cup games can also bring extra time and penalties further increasing the physical pressure on squads. Some teams may rest players for the Open Cup, some may not.The 2016 Spring Championship race is extremely close. There are only nine points between 1st and 10th place, it’s about to get very intense, hearts will be broken every weekend for the next four weeks. Let’s take a look at the teams from bottom to top.

Current NASL 2016 League Table

Miami F.C.–[eliminated] It’s been a rough start for Alessandro Nesta and Miami, sparse crowds, very few points. They have shown a willingness to spend and bought Richie Ryan from Jacksonville for $750,000 last week, they may come good in the fall, but for now they are the first team mathematically eliminated from the Spring Championship. However, this does not mean they can’t influence the ultimate outcome. Miami FC are the bye team this coming weekend.MIA Remaining games – FC Edmonton (H) Indy Eleven (H) Minnesota Utd (A)

10. Jacksonville Armada – The new boys of 2015 not giving a good showing in their second season. Their only win this season has come against the hapless Miami FC. After gaining one other point against the Strikers they are now on three straight defeats. JAX still have four games remaining, but even if they win I don’t think 16pts will be good enough to win spring, their current form definitely isn’t!JAX Remaining games – Ottawa Fury (A) Indy Eleven (H) Carolina (A) Tampa Bay (H)

9. Ottawa Fury – Ottawa could be a big spoiler in this race, but I doubt they have any chance to win Spring. Although they won’t play any of the current top five teams they could put a dent in Tampa or Rayo OKC’s chances of staying in the race for Spring. A draw in their next game against JAX could potentially kill both teams chances, a loss definitely will.

OTT Remaining Games – Jacksonville (H) Strikers (H) Tampa Bay (A) Rayo OKC (H)

8. Fort Lauderdale Strikers – For a while the Strikers looked to be making sure nobody else takes that bottom spot from them, a surprise win over Carolina Railhawks and a point at home against Indy Eleven has lifted them into 8th. Three of their final four games are away from home, their only remaining Florida fixture being against New York Cosmos. Safe to say they won’t be in the reckoning, but they could cause problems at the top for New York and Edmonton.

FTL Remaining Games – Rayo OKC (A) Ottawa Fury (A) Cosmos (H) FC Edmonton (A)

7. Rayo OKC – Rayo have been the surprise package from the two new teams this year, two wins and two draws have them on 8 points after six games, with a game in hand over some teams they still have to be considered. A win over the Strikers next round would put them on 11, but they have a tough run in with the Cosmos and Minnesota in their final three. Still a dark horse, and definitely a team that could be a spoiler for NYC and MNU.

OKC Remaining Games – Strikers (H) Cosmos (A) Minnesota (H) Ottawa Fury (A)

6. Tampa Bay Rowdies – Tampa are at the top of an underperforming Florida pile. No team in the sunshine state appears to have got a handle on things yet. Despite a formidable roster and adding Joe Cole in a big news signing, Tampa continue to stutter after dropping two points at home to Rayo. Tampa though I think could be the the biggest upsetter in this race, they need better performances and they need points and their next two games are away to the Cosmos and Minnesota! With their final home games against Ottawa and JAX, their chances hinge on pegging back those above them, which of course could benefit themselves and others.

TBR Remaining Games – Cosmos (A) Minnesota (A) Ottawa (H) Jacksonville (A)

5. Indy Eleven – Still the only undefeated team in the NASL, but have dropped 8 pts in 4 of their 6 games, 4 of those points at home. Indy is still a work in progress but they have proven they can rise in the big games as they did by defeating New York Cosmos. Next game for Indy at home to Minnesota is pivotal for both teams. Indy really needs to win. If Minnesota wins you’d have to think that they go on and win overall if they reach 16 pts with a game in hand over others.

IND Remaining Games – Minnesota (H) Jacksonville (A) Miami FC (A) Carolina (H)

4. FC Edmonton – I am not sure why I am ever surprised by FC Edmonton, always tough and good for a positive run in at least one part of the season. A win over the Cosmos at the weekend has put them in amongst the front runners. They only have three games remaining, but they have the potential to win out on all three of them which would leave them on 20pts, which is the total New York won with in 2015.

FCE Remaining Games – Carolina Railhawks (H) Miami FC (A) Strikers (A)

3. New York Cosmos – Changed days from 2015 when the Cosmos went undefeated throughout Spring and won the first playoff spot. Three defeats now from Minnesota, Indy Eleven and Edmonton leave Cosmos on 12 pts, meaning of course they are the only team in the league to have not drawn any of their games. They have three games left, I wouldn’t say they were easy, but two at home and finishing away at Ft Lauderdale, they also have the potential to win all three and finish on 21pts.

NYC Remaining Games – Tampa (H) Rayo OKC (H) Strikers (A)

2. Carolina Railhawks – After a storming start in the first round defeating Minnesota, the Railhawks won four straight games to sit atop the table. After a loss in New York they have not won since, losing at home to the Strikers and taking one point against Miami FC. The run in for them is tough, finishing up in Indianapolis, can’t write them off but I wouldn’t make them favorites either.

CAR Remaining Games – FC Edmonton (A) Jacksonville (H) Indy Eleven (A)

1. Minnesota United – Minnesota are definitely the in form team and probably now the favorites. After an opening game defeat they have won four and drawn one achieving top spot in the table after week seven. Their final four games are far from easy, but they should be able to get 6 to 9 points if their current run of form continues.

MNU Remaining Games – Indy Eleven (A) Tampa (H) Rayo OKC (A) Miami FC (H)

Week 8 Fixtures – May 21st to May22nd 2016 (EST)

Indy Eleven v Minnesota United 5/21 7.30pm
Rayo OKC v Ft Lauderdale Strikers 5/21 8.00pm
Ottawa Fury v Jacksonville Armada 5/22 2.00pm
FC Edmonton v Carolina Railhawks 5/22 4.00pm
NY Cosmos v Tampa Bay Rowdies 5/22 6.00pm

The most interesting scenario that could happen this weekend would be Indy Eleven to win, Rayo OKC to win, Edmonton and Carolina to draw and Tampa Bay to win (see table below). This would put Carolina back on top of the table but it would create a situation where there is only three points separating the top seven teams! I am not going to lie, I would actually like that, and definitely would not bet against it.

Carmel FC Travel Soccer Tryouts for 2016-2017 teams begin June 7th!
CLICK HERE to register

Soccer Camps – Boys and Girls -Ages 6 – 14

Ok so its almost Summer Camp time – below are some nice options for Soccer Camps this summer

Post2Post GOALKEEPER – Soccer Camp – May 31-June 3 – 9 am till 3 pm

CFC and Carmel High Coach Carla Baker – former National Team Goalie for Canada will run her annual GK camp June 1-4 9 am to 3 pm $195 each @ Badger Field

Indy 11 Soccer Camp June 20-23 — 9 am till 12 noon Ages 5-14 $135 @ Badger Fields

Kick in the Grass – 3 v 3 Soccer Tour at Badger Field July 9^th

Goal2Gol Soccer Camp
CHS Men’s Head Coach Shane Schmidt, a former U-20 US National Team player, runs his annual camp from 9 am to 2 pm July 11-16. $150 before 6/30 @ River Road Fields.

Check out The Ole Ballcoach online https://theoleballcoach.wordpress.com/
Proud Member of the Brick Yard Battalion – http://brickyardbattalion.com, Sam’s Army, American Outlaws https://www.facebook.com/IndyAOUnite

Earn Your College Degree at ½ the Cost and Time of Traditional Schools www.achievetestprep.com/shane

5/13/16 Europe Leagues Wrap up, Europa Final 5/18, CFC night at Indy 11, Games of Week on TV

May 13, 2016 gatorbest

Wow so what a celebration at Leicester on Saturday as the Foxes won their first EPL title in 193 yrs – still plenty to play for in the EPL as Man United and Man City are battling for that 4^th spot to qualify for Champions League. Can you imagine how uncomfortable incoming wonder coach Pep Guardiola is right now – with Man City on the edge of NOT being in Champions League during the same season when they advanced to the UCL Final 4 for the first time in their history? It makes for intrigue down the stretch, as do the battles for 5^th and 6^th (Europa League Qualification) and of course Relegation at the bottom of the standings was quite dramatic this week as well. Sunderland won in dramatic come from behind fasion Sunday as former Toronto FC man Jermaine Defoe scored off US defender Deandre Yedlin’s cross to put the black cats 1 pt above Newcastle and then a 3-0 stomping of Howard less Everton mean Sunderland stays in the Premier League next season while New Castle and Norwich are heading down to the 2^nd division with Aston Villa and US keeper Brad Guzan. This weekend all the EPL games are on Sunday at 10 am across the NBC network of channels – with Swansea hosting Man City on NBC, Man U home to Bournemouth on NBCSN (Man City is 4^th with a win or tie), Leicester City travels to Chelsea on CNBC, Southampton is home looking to make up 2 pts on West Ham for a Europa League qualifying 6^th place – who travels to Stoke City and US Defender Geoff Cameron on Bravo. Sat Night the Indy 11 (the only NASL team with no loss 2-3-0) – currently standing tied for 4^th overall travel to Ft. Lauderdale on ESPN3 at 7 pm.

So it comes down to the final games on Sat 11 am on beIN Sport as Barcelona holds a slim 1 pt lead on Real Madrid for the La Liga Championship. Barca play hapless Grenada while Real Madrid travels to Deportivo needing a win and a Barca tie or loss to snag away the title. In France League 2 US Manager Bob Bradley needs a Metz loss and a win by his Le Havre to complete a move to the top French division. (Not likely to happen – but he would become the 1^st US Manager in Europes 1^st Division if so).

Of course Juergan Klopp’s Liverpool looks for a Europa League Championship Cup, immortality and a Champions League Spot next year as they face 3 time finalist Spain’s Sevilla in the Europa League Final Wednesday at 2:45 pm on Fox Sports 1. Join us at the Brockway Pub off old Meridan behind Meyer as the Indy Liverpool fans unite to root their team on!!

Great Story on Player Development – What your Soccer Coach Won’t Tell the Parents –Renegades Soccer

Pictures Carmel FC night at the May 7 Indy 11 game

CFC_indy11_tunnel — Carmel FC players form the tunnel for the Indy 11 players to run thru Sat Night.

I forgot the U9 Red Lion Champions in last weeks email – sorry folks –

CFC_U9G_RedLion

U9 Girls Red Lion Champions – coach left Bill McGee, and Betty Shepherd (right)

cfc_U9boys_RedLion_MarkFlanders

U 9 Boys Red Lion Champions – Coach Mark Flanders

Carmel FC is looking for a new DOC

GAMES ON TV THIS WEEK

Sat, May 14 (final day in Germany+Italy+Spain)

9:30 am Fox Bayern Munich vs Hannover 96

9:30 am Fox Sports 2 Live whip-around coverage all German games
9:30 am Fox Soccer+ Werder Bremen vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
9:30 am GolTV Bayer Leverkusen vs. Ingolstadt
11 am beIn Sport Deportivo vs Real Madrid

2:45 pm beIn Sport Milan vs Roma

7 pm ESPN3 Ft Lauderdale Strikers vs Indy 11

8 pm beIn Sports Min United vs Jacksonville Armada

Sunday, May 15 (final day in EPL)

10 a.m., NBC                  Swansea vs. Manchester City
10 a.m., NBCSN            Manchester United vs. Bournemouth
10 a.m., USA                  Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
10 a.m., CNBC:             Chelsea vs. Leicester City
10 a.m., MSNBC           West Bromwich Albion vs. Liverpool
10:am Syfy:                     Arsenal vs. Aston Villa
10 a.m., Bravo:             Stoke City vs. West Ham United
10 a.m., E!:                     Southampton vs. Crystal Palace
10 a.m Esquire            Everton vs. Norwich City
10 a.m   Oxyge             Watford vs. Sunderland

Wed, May 18

2:30 pm Fox Sp 1 Liverpool vs Sevilla (Europa League Final)

Sat, May 21

12 noon Fox FA (England) Cup Final – Crystal Palace vs Man United

1:45 pm ESPN 2?? German Cup Final – Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund

2:45 pm ?? Italian Cup Final – Milan vs Juve

3 pm beIn Sport French Cup Final – Maseille vs PSG

2:30 pm Fox NYC FC vs NY Red Bulls

8 pm Ch 8 Indy 11 vs Min United

Sun, May 22

12:00 p.m. Fox Sports 1 Puerto Rico vs. United States men, international friendly
4:30 p.m. ESPN Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps,
7 p.m. Fox Sports 1 Los Angeles Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes,
Wed, May 25

8 pm ESPN2 United States men vs. Ecuador, international friendly

Sat, May 28

TBD FS1 United States men vs. Bolivia, international friendly

2:45 pm Champions League Final REAL MADRID vs ATLETICO MADRID

Sun, May 29

4 pm ESPN NYCFC vs Orlando City

Thurs, June 2

9 pm FS 1 US Ladies vs Japan

Fri, June 3 COPA AMERICA 100

9:30 pm Fox Sports1 USA vs Columbia

Sun, June 5

12:30 pm ESPN2 US Ladies vs Japan

5 pm Fox COPA – Jamaica vs Venezuela

7 pm Fox Sports 1 COPA- Mexico vs Uruguay

Tues, June 7

8 pm Fox Sports 1 USA vs Costa Rica – Solider Field – Tix Available!

Fri, June 10 European Cup

3 pm ESPN France vs Romania

MLS TV Schedule

Power Rankings – ESPN FC – Shaka Hislop

COPA AMERICA 100 –GAMES IN CHICAGO – still seats left for USA Game , Argentina game and Semi-Finals.

International Champions Cup – ICC – @ Chicago – Bayern Munich vs AC Milan Soldier Field Wed 7/27 @ 8 pm Tix still available $35 to $135

EPL and World Leagues

EPL Round Up- Leicester Stars Reach Hero Status – Ian Macintosh – ESPN FC

Battle for Champions League and Europa League Spots Rages on in EPL

Martinez Out at Everton ESPN FC

John Terry’s red card a sad final act to his storied Chelsea career

EPL Table

Atletico Crashes out of Spain’s Title Race while Barca and Real win

La Liga comes down to final day

Messi vs Renaldo

Messi Interview

Messi s brilliant Free Kick

US American’s Abroad Season in Review

US ladies Take a Stand on Pay Equity LA Times

Grant Wahl SI – Mailbag – Video

Decisions Ahead for Copa

American Owners in the EPL

MLS

Around the MLS

Kei Kamara controversy in Columbus –US Soccer Players

Seattle Rookie and US Forward Morris ties rookie mark with 4 goals in 4 games

John Terry must lower demands to sign with MLS Club

LA’s Gerrard eyes Liverpool Return

Addition of Jones has Colorado Rapids in 1^st before Tim Howard even arrives

Indy 11

Indy 11 Preview for Ft. Lauderdale Game

Disappointing Draw for Indy 11 – Permanent Relagation – Aaron Gunyon

Champions League Finals (Sat -May 28 -Fox)

Real Wins

Atletico Holds on to Oust Bayern

Liverpool could find unlikely hero in Europa League Final

Americans Abroad season in review: U.S. options emerge overseas

BY BRIAN STRAUSADD FAVORITE Posted: Wed May. 11, 2016

The trend already seemed to be gaining momentum as the U.S. national team headed to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.For nearly three years, coach Jurgen Klinsmann had been urging American players to step outside their comfort zones and test themselves in the planet’s top leagues. But the perception that opportunities were limited abroad, plus Major League Soccer’s increasing spending power, combined to create more of an influx than an exodus. Bigger paydays attracted some, and the opportunity to be the cornerstone of a franchise lured others.Klinsmann’s 23-man World Cup team included 10 MLS players, an increase of six from 2010. And within a few months, the likes of DaMarcus Beasley, Mix Diskerud, Jermaine Jones, Sacha Kljestan, Brek Shea and Jozy Altidore were heading back to the U.S. or Canada as well.MLS hasn’t given up on trying to lure U.S. internationals. Tim Howard is joining the Colorado Rapids this summer, and Alejandro Bedoya was tempted before deciding to stay in Nantes.But as next month’s Copa América Centenario draws near, Americans have re-established their presence in Europe and Mexico. Thanks to the departure of a handful of players and the emergence of several more who went abroad some time ago, Klinsmann now could field a pretty competitive team comprised entirely of men earning their living outside MLS. Among the 40 named to the Copa América preliminary roster, 21 play abroad. And several have made an impression.As European campaigns comes to a close, the Liga MX playoffs kick off and the May 20 23-man Copa roster deadline approaches, Planet Fútbol stakes stock of the season for Americans playing abroad and who’s now in frame for the Copa and this fall’s World Cup qualifiers. Reasonable people can debate the performance and progress of the teams Klinsmann has put on the field, but present and future player pool looks to be as deep as ever.

England

For so long the home of America’s great goalkeepers, the Premier League has been a frustrating place for Klinsmann’s top two this season. Tim Howard, 37, was phased out by under-fire Everton coach Roberto Martinez at the end of January while Brad Guzan, 31, has faced relentless pressure playing behind a miserable Aston Villa squad that’s headed for the Championship. While Howard has been given the opportunity to start the Toffees’ final two home games, Guzan has sat out the past two matches following a 4-2 home loss to Southampton on April 23.With neither in form, the Copa starter likely will be determined during the camp that commences Monday. The U.S. will play friendlies against Puerto Rico (May 22), Ecuador (May 25) and Bolivia (May 28) before the tournament. Guzan has started 28 of Villa’s 37 EPL games, yielding a league-high 58 goals, while Howard started 24 times for Everton and was beaten 35 times.U.S. U-23 goalie Cody Cropper joined Milton Keynes Dons last summer and appeared 12 times for the Championship club, which will play in England’s third tier next season.PODCAST: Revisiting our atrocious Premier League predictions

The picture is more promising a few yards forward, where Geoff Cameron andDeAndre Yedlin have solidified their spots at Stoke City and Sunderland, respectively.They’re the only American field players starting regularly in the Premier League. Cameron, who signed a new deal last year and now is tied to Stoke until the summer of 2018, has played center back, right back and defensive midfield for the Potters this season but usually anchors the back four. Only five clubs have yielded more league goals than Stoke’s 54. Cameron is expected to play in the middle for Klinsmann but could fill in on the flank in a pinch.However, Yedlin’s improvement should mean Cameron can stay central. The 22-year old’s speed and ability to get forward and create never were questioned, but his defensive stability and positioning were issues when he signed with Tottenham Hotspur two years ago. Yedlin struggled in London, but a loan move north has helped him find the focus and playing time he’s needed. The former Seattle Sounder has started 20 EPL games entering the season finale—he reclaimed the role in February after two months on the sidelines—and helped set up Sunderland’s massive game-winning goal last weekend against Chelsea.He should have the right back spot close to locked down for the U.S. Yedlin still isn’t a finished product but could be a sought-after transfer this summer.

Tim Howard: Jurgen Klinsmann is the man to take USMNT forward

USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard explains why the calls for Jurgen Klinsmann’s job does not affect the team.There’s defensive depth in England as well. Eric Lichaj, Jonathan Spector andTim Ream continue to gut it out in the second-tier Championship and all can be said to be on Klinsmann’s radar now that Lichaj has pushed his way onto the 40-man Copa roster.Lichaj, 27, has been a Nottingham Forest regular for three years and started an impressive 43 games this season. Klinsmann has preferred Yedlin, Cameron, Fabian Johnson, Timmy Chandler or Brad Evans at right back but finally will get a close look at the Chicagoland product this month.Ream, 28, started 29 times in his first season at Fulham, during which the Cottagers were threatened with relegation. Ream is comfortable both in the middle and at left back—versatility which may help as Klinsmann pares down his roster. Spector, 30, last played for the U.S. in an October friendly against Costa Rica. The Birmingham City veteran, who plays in the middle or on the right, had 25 starts this season but has been a first choice only four times in 2016.First-year Chelsea defender Matt Miazga earned 136 minutes of Premier League playing time across two matches in early April and will be in camp with Klinsmann. U.S. U-23 center back Cameron Carter-Vickers is at Tottenham, where he dressed for several Europa League games this season. The 18-year-old Spurs academy product is the London-born son of an American father.Four years ago, it appeared that German-born defensive midfielder Danny Williams was on the cusp of becoming a U.S. regular. But he was capped only twice in 2013-14 as he transitioned from TSG Hoffenheim to Reading. He played for the U.S. six times in 2015 and had a 2015-16 good season for his Championship club, establishing himself as more of a box-to-box presence and scoring a career-high six goals. Although his spring was tarnished by a three-game April suspension that followed an on-field confrontation with Reading captain Paul McShane, his overall performance leaves him firmly back in the U.S. picture.U.S. U-20 and U-23 linchpin Emerson Hyndman, a Dallas product who joined Fulham’s academy in 2011, has had a frustrating campaign.Despite his skill, vision and obvious upside, the 20-year-old failed to find consistent playing time as Fulham fired its coach, used another two on an interim basis and then hired Slaviša Jokanović in December.Hyndman could be on his way out of Craven Cottage this summer after starting nine games and scoring one goal (a stoppage-time game-winner against Cardiff City) this season.

Germany

Fabian Johnson can make a strong case as the most outstanding American abroad thanks to his prolific season with Borussia Mönchengladbach. The winger has been a mainstay for the club, starting 32 games and scoring eight goals. Five of those starts and two of those goals came in the Champions League as Gladbach finished 1-3-2 in a brutal group that included Manchester City, Juventus and Sevilla.The two questions facing Johnson, 28, are whether Klinsmann will have to deploy him at left back despite the player’s preference and performance in midfield, and whether he’ll be properly recovered from the groin injury that’s kept him out of Gladbach’s past two games.Two other potential Copa starters are defender John Brooks and, surprisingly, playmaker Christian Pulisic. No one doubted the Borussia Dortmund teenager’s potential, but his quick comfort in the first team had Klinsmann believing the 17-year-old was ready for a World Cup qualifier in March.Pulisic has played 12 times for Dortmund’s senior squad, starting on four occasions and scoring twice.Brooks, 23, left his poor 2015 Gold Cup in the rear-view mirror with a strong season for Hertha Berlin. He battled through a couple injuries to start 22 times this season and in January, he signed a new contract lasting through 2018-19. Both Brooks and Hertha have struggled recently, however. The player missed time with a knee issue before returning last weekend and the club has lost four straight, leaving its European fate in doubt heading into Saturday’s finale at Mainz.Although he plays in the second division, Bobby Wood’s breakout 17-goal season at Union Berlin has validated Klinsmann’s patience with the Hawaiian striker and drawn the attention of Bundesliga clubs. Wood, 23, has an excellent chance to make the final Copa roster.The mercurial Timmy Chandler is on the 40-man team after recovering from an August 2015 knee injury and earning four starts at Eintracht Frankfurt in March and April. The 26-year-old right back suffered a muscle injury last month, however, and is only now returning to the field.Elsewhere in Germany, Alfredo Morales, who’s had trouble breaking through the U.S. midfield logjam, lost his starting spot at FC Ingolstadt in early February then suffered a groin injury. He’s earned a few minutes as a reserve over the past couple weeks. World Cup forward Aron Jóhannsson was lost for the remainder of Werder Bremen’s season following an October hip injury. And round-of-16 scorerJulian Green has fallen from that perch, netting 10 goals for Bayern Munich’s reserve team, which competes in Germany’s fourth tier.

Elsewhere in Europe

He was talking transfer with the Philadelphia Union last year but Alejandro Bedoya now is one of the most successful and consistent Yanks abroad, perhaps surpassed this season only by Johnson. The 29-year-old has spent his entire pro career in Europe, going from Sweden to Scotland back to Sweden and then to France’s FC Nantes, where he’s tallied five goals in 30 appearances this season. Bedoya scored again in Saturday’s loss to Caen. He’s tied to Nantes until the summer of 2019 and his play should make the club reluctant to see him leave, or at least increase his transfer value. Bedoya excels for Nantes playing just behind the forwards. It remains to be seen whether Klinsmann will get the most out Bedoya in the wider role he often plays for the U.S.WATCH: Bedoya scores, leads “I believe!” chant in Nantes finale

Since leaving D.C. United in March, Perry Kitchen has established himself quickly at Scotland’s Hearth of Midlothian. He’s got a lot of competition in the U.S. midfield, but Kitchen’s move and subsequent progress are exactly the sort of things Klinsmann wants to see. Kitchen, 24, already has started seven games for Hearts and is set for Europa League football next season. Also in Scotland, Arsenal loanee Gedion Zelalem, 19, has played 21 games and started 15 for second-tier champion Rangers.

REPORT: Arsenal to give Zelalem first-team shot in summer

Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath earned a call-up to the 40-man squad after a strong season at Norway’s Molde FK. The Colorado product, 20, was a regular in net for both domestic and European matches. Molde fell in Champions League qualifying last year before going on a Europa League run that ended with a round-of-32 loss to two-time defending champion and 2016 finalist Sevilla. Horvath, who’s one of several potential heirs to Howard and Guzan, may just squeak past Nick Rimando and David Bingham and seize the third goalkeeper spot on the Copa roster.

Other players to keep an eye on post-Copa America are forward Rubio Rubin, 20, who’s appeared three times for Klinsmann but missed most of FC Utrecht’s season with a leg injury; defender Erik Palmer-Brown, a 19-year-old on loan from Sporting Kansas City who’s been starting for the FC Porto reserve squad that won the Portuguese second division; and Josh Gatt, 24, the hard-luck winger who’s undergone three knee surgeries and his hoping to return to the field with Molde this summer.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Bob Bradley, the pioneering coach who took over at French club Le Havre in November. The second-division club has gone 11-6-6 under his watch, but remains three points out of the final promotion spot with just one game remaining. Le Havre’s goal-differential deficit of six makes it unlikely to secure a promotion miracle in its finale.

Mexico

The eight clubs qualified for the Liga MX playoffs kicking off Wednesday feature a combined three players called up to the 40-man roster and several more who will be contending for places after Copa América.Defender Omar Gonzalez needed a change of scenery after seven seasons in Los Angeles and found it at Pachuca, the storied Mexican club that finished second in the Clausura standings and tied for the league lead in goals allowed. The 27-year-old center back adjusted quickly, scored a goal in February and was an every-game starter before missing last weekend’s regular season finale. He’s been less consistent with the U.S in recent months.

Ventura Alvarado, 23, was anointed by Klinsmann as a starting center back for last year’s Gold Cup but struggled alongside Brooks. Meanwhile, his position at star-studded Club América has been even harder to maintain. He did contribute to Los Aguilas’ CONCACAF Champions League title with a good performance at right back in the first leg of the finals but he’s started only five games in the Clausura. STRAUS: Alvarado balances prestige vs. playing time at Club America

Edgar Castillo started both World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala in March. They were his first U.S. appearances in two years. Although the has looked a bit overwhelmed against top international opposition, he plays a position of need—left back—and Klinsmann couldn’t ignore his Liga MX campaign. Castillo, 29, was a regular starter for first-place Monterrey before suffering an injury last month but should be back for the liguilla.Monterrey will face arch-rival and reigning champ Tigres UANL in the quarterfinals. Once favored by Klinsmann, Tigres midfielder Jose Torres now is out of the U.S. picture. The 28-year-old, who left Texas for Mexico as a teenager, has started only one Clausura contest.Club Tijuana’s 14th-place finish knocked several Americans out of championship contention. Michael Orozco, who’s on Klinsmann’s 40-man roster, has started three straight games after missing the first chunk of Xolos’ season. Klinsmann frequently counts on the 30-year-old. U.S. junior internationals Paul Arriola,Alejandro Guido, John Requejo and Amando Moreno also saw their seasons conclude. Defender Greg Garza has missed the entire 2015-16 year with a hip injury.Plenty of fans were hoping to see 2015 MLS Cup champion Jorge Villafana make Klinsmann’s list. The 26-year-old left back settled in well at Santos Laguna following his departure from Portland and started 13 of 17 Clausura matches. Santos finished seventh and will face Pachuca in the quarterfinals. Elsewhere, 2010 World Cup defender Jonathan Bornstein remains a frequent starter for Querétaro, who fell in this season’s CCL quarterfinals. Former Real Salt Lake playmaker Luis Gil played nine times this spring for Los Gallos Blancos.Miguel Ibarra, who starred for Minnesota United and earned three caps under Klinsmann, didn’t make the 40-man preliminary roster and has seen his minutes dwindle at Club León. He was limited this season to appearances in Copa MX. Midfielder Joe Corona spent the spring with Dorados Sinaloa, for which he’s started twice.

Americans Abroad Starting XI

Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan

Defenders: Tim Ream, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, DeAndre Yedlin

Midfielders: Fabian Johnson, Danny Williams, Perry Kitchen, Alejandro Bedoya

Forward: Christian Pulisic, Bobby Wood

Leicester and Ranieri confirm heroes status, John Terry tops the villains list

Heroes

Just for a moment, let’s forget that Leicester received the trophy on Saturday. Let’s forget the talk of impossible dreams and miracles. Let’s just focus on the way that they tore Everton apart at the King Power stadium. From the first whistle, they were magnificent. Aside from everything else they have achieved this season, Leicester are fun to watch. They make things happen, they fight for everything and they look like they’re enjoying themselves. And they didn’t even need to win. They were only playing for pride! Perhaps Everton should have tried that…And let’s remember it all again! Let’s remember how everyone, this column included, tipped Leicester to go down. Let’s remember how we all reacted when Claudio Ranieri was appointed in the summer. And let’s never forget how that affable Italian galvanised a squad of never-had-beens, took them to the summit of English football and kept them there, grinning away and cracking jokes as the pressure mounted. But the pressure never took its toll. We all thought that the Premier League title was a private party for the super rich. Ranieri begged to differ.And if Everton’s travelling supporters resented having to sit through someone else’s party on Saturday, they might want to pass on the midweek trip to Sunderland. Sam Allardyce’s side have left it late, even by Black Cats’ standards, but a win over Everton this week will guarantee Premier League survival while simultaneously relegating bitter rivals Newcastle. That’s the stuff dreams are made of. Once again, Sunderland had Jermain Defoe to thank for a winning goal, his strike securing victory over the now former-champions Chelsea. They’re almost safe.It wasn’t a particularly impressive performance, but it’s all starting to look a little rosier for Arsenal after their 2-2 draw at the Etihad. Not only can they secure their favoured fourth position slot with a single point at home to Aston Villa, not only can they guarantee third and a place in the Champions League group stages with a win at home to Villa, but the tantalising prospect of finishing above Tottenham in second has suddenly emerged. If there is one thing that might redeem the beleaguered Arsene Wenger in the eyes of his critics, it’s a surprise St Totteringham’s Day.It’s odd that a goalless draw at home to the team in 18th place can be considered a success, but it’s been that sort of season for Aston Villa. Congratulations though to Eric Black, the club’s caretaker manager, who avoided a 12th successive defeat with what looked suspiciously like a team putting in a decent day’s work. It also spared the fans one last humiliation. Having mercilessly mocked the Newcastle supporters in 2009 when the Magpies were last relegated, karma threatened an appearance. Instead, it seems that Villa have taken Newcastle into a grisly embrace and they’ve both fallen into the shadows.The best you can say for John Terry is at least his challenge was evidence of some kind of desire. There hasn’t been much of that at Chelsea this season. But what a thing for an experienced defender to do in injury time. And what a price he has had to pay for his mistake. There will be no final farewell for him in a Chelsea shirt, no last opportunity to savour the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. Whatever you think of the man, this is no way to bring down the curtain on his career. Terry is here in the villains section, but the only person he’s robbed is himself.No one is trying to say that Manchester City have had a good season. No one is trying to say that Manuel Pellegrini wouldn’t have been sacked already had it not been for Pep Guardiola’s remaining Bavarian commitments. But surely he deserved a better send-off than to wander around an emptying stadium as only just enough people lifted a suspiciously corporate-looking banner in his honour. It feels like a long time ago now, but he did win the league with City, you know. And the hair. Surely you’d stick around for one last look at that magnificent hair?You cannot say that Newcastle haven’t had their chances to escape the drop. A trip to Villa Park is as close as you can get to a guaranteed three points these days, but where was the desire? Where was the intensity? It’s baffling that this team starts so slowly, as if they need to be reminded of their plight by Rafa Benitez in every half-time break. As if they all slap their foreheads and cry, “Oh yeah! We’re in the relegation zone!” There’s absolutely no sympathy here if they do go down this week. They deserve it.When Norwich beat Newcastle, they must have thought that they were going to survive. It was, after all, their second win on the spin. But since that day, they’ve played four games, they’ve lost them all and they haven’t even scored a goal. Alex Neil was visibly frustrated, and you can certainly understand why. The Canaries keep making the same silly errors. But money was spent in the winter transfer window, serious money, and they still don’t have a regular goalscorer. Without one of those, there’s very little chance of survival.In one of the shortest news conferences of the season, Roberto Martineztold reporters that there were no positives whatsoever for Everton after their 3-1 defeat in Leicester. That wasn’t strictly true. The fact that they got away without shipping the five or six they should have shipped was a positive of sorts. We like Martinez here, as a man and as a manager, but there’s no question that it’s all gone horribly and irreparably wrong for him. The kindest thing to do now would be to settle his contract and spare him what would be a toxic Goodison Park on Sunday.Iain Macintosh is a writer for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter

The Premier League’s battle for Champions League, Europa League

FC’s Gab Marcotti discusses the race for fourth in the Premier League and gives his pick for the winner of the last UCL spot.

The Premier League gets four places in the Champions League, with the top three going direct to the group stage and fourth entering in the final qualifying round.There are also three places available in the Europa League — going to fifth in the league plus the winners of the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup. As Manchester City won the latter and certain of finishing no lower than sixth, that place will transfer to the league.

So, fifth in the league (and the FA Cup winners) will go direct to the group stage, with sixth entering in the third qualifying round. If Man United win the FA Cup and finish in the top six, then seventh will qualify for the Europa League at the third qualifying round instead.

So far this season,

Leicester City, for the first time, and Tottenham Hotspur, for the second time, have secured their place at the top table. Leicester will be one of the seeds along with the champions of six other leagues, as well as the holders. Here are the other English clubs still in contention to qualify for next season’s competition.

Arsenal (3rd; 68 points)
Remaining game: Aston Villa (h)
SPI odds to finish in the top four: 98.3 percent

Goal difference means Arsenal essentially need a point at home to Aston Villa to secure a place in the Champions League, though they need a victory to be sure of third and an automatic place in the group stage.

The only way the Gunners can miss out is if they lose to Villa, Man United win both their games and Man City win at Swansea.

Arsenal also have half an eye on finishing second above Spurs, and for that to happen they must beat Villa and, due to goal difference, hope Spurs lose to Newcastle.

Manchester City (4th; 65 points)
Remaining games: Swansea (a)
SPI odds to finish in the top four: 77.6 percent

Man City’s European future is no longer in their own hands. If Man United win both their remaining games, and Arsenal beat Villa, then City can finish no higher than fifth and face life in the Europa League.

City will be supporting West Ham against United on Tuesday which is going to be huge.

Manchester United (5th; 63 points)
Remaining games: West Ham (a), Bournemouth (h), Crystal Palace (n; FA Cup final)
SPI odds to finish in the top four: 23.8 percent

It seems highly likely that United will have to win both their remaining games to reach the Champions League, having failed to get out of its group stage this season. And they know now that will guarantee another season back among Europe’s elite.

The big game comes next at West Ham, the final match at Upton Park. The Hammers will want to leave their home on a high, but United need the three points to pressure Man City. They then host Bournemouth on the final day.

Southampton (6th; 60 points)
Remaining game: Crystal Palace (h)

Southampton cannot qualify for the Champions League, but they are still very much in the hunt for a place in the Europa League. Victory at Tottenham lifted the Saints above West Ham into sixth, but as the Hammers have a game in hand their fate is not in their own hands.

If Man United win the FA Cup then seventh will go into the Europa third qualifying round, so Southampton do have something of a safety net.

Palace will surely go to St Mary’s resting players ahead of the FA Cup final against Man United, and that gives Southampton a chance of holding onto sixth.

West Ham United (7th; 59 points)
Remaining games: Man United (h), Stoke (a)
SPI odds to finish in the top four: 0.0 percent

The shock home defeat to Swansea means the Hammers’ Champions League hopes are all but over. They would need to win their remaining games, and hope Man City lose both of theirs while Man United do not beat Bournemouth. And they would need to overturn a huge goal difference deficit to City.

They must now concentrate on securing a place in the Europa League, and they need to win both of their remaining games to make sure they get ahead, and stay ahead, of Southampton.

Liverpool (8th; 55 points)
Remaining games: Chelsea (h), West Brom (a), Sevilla (n; Europa League final)

Liverpool no longer have a mathematical chance of the Champions League, able to finish no higher than fifth. So Liverpool will have to win the Europa League to earn a return to the Champions League.

Otherwise, they will have to fight their way back into the top seven or they will miss out on European football completely. That is very much alive after their win over Watford, sitting a point behind West Ham and two behind Southampton (who they have a game in hand on).

Crystal Palace (16th, 39 points)
Remaining game: Man United (n; FA Cup final)

Their route into the Europe is via the FA Cup, which they would have to win to go to the Europa League group stage. There is no longer a place for domestic cup runners-up if the winners qualify via another route.

Real Madrid leapfrog Atletico Madrid, Barcelona move above Bayern Munich

Former Real Madrid striker Raul believes the all-Spanish UEFA Champions League final will be a party for Spanish football.

We have a new leader! As the European season reaches its climax, Madrid’s big two swap places in Shaka Hislop’s Power Rankings.

Real Madrid(+1)

Zinedine Zidane’s side still have a chance of winning La Liga, though they need some help from Granada this weekend if they are to overtake Barcelona. The real focus is the Champions League final and, between now and then, the fitness of key men such as Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will be heavily scrutinised.

Atletico

Madrid

(-1)

Of course, Real are not the only Madrid-based side with eyes directed toward Milan on May 28. Atletico will be able to rest players in La Liga this weekend, after their title chase ended with a shock 2-1 defeat at Levante. Diego Simeone now has almost three weeks to mastermind a game plan to claim Atletico’s first European Cup win.

Barcelona(+1)

Is a league and cup double “enough?” The disappointment at missing out on the Champions League will remain but two trophies, even by Barcelona’s high standards, represents a fine campaign. They can win the first of those — La Liga — this weekend with victory against Granada. The Copa del Rey final against Sevilla follows on May 22.

Bayern Munich(-1)

Juventus(no change)

And while we’re discussing doubles, Italian champions Juventus are focusing on the Coppa Italia final against Milan on May 21. The Old Lady received a boost this week when legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until the age of 40. Andrea Barzagli also put pen to paper on a new deal.

Paris Saint-Germain(no change)

PSG have already won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de la Ligue and only a shock Marseille win would see them denied back-to-back French trebles. Between now and then is the final league game of the season against Nantes. PSG need to score twice to hit 100 goals for the season, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic is four goals away from 50 in all competitions.

Leicester(no change)

Sometimes a title party can impact the way champions play but that certainly was not the case with Leicester. Granted, Everton were their opponents pretty much in name alone, but the Foxes’ resounding 3-1 win showed just why they have won the Premier League. Claudio Ranieri and his players deserve all the plaudits that have come their way.

Benfica(new)

With one round of games remaining in Portugal, Benfica are on the brink of their third straight league title and 35th overall. Rui Vitoria’s side lead Sporting by two points ahead of the final weekend, having won 11 consecutive league games. Midtable Nacional are all that stand between Benfica and another trophy.

Liverpool(-1)

Most people expected him to revitalise the club but Jurgen Klopp’s effect on Liverpool has been truly remarkable. Anfield is, once again, a fortress where the home side expect to win every time and previously inconsistent players have reached new levels under the German. A Europa League win next week would be the icing on Liverpool’s cake.

Sevilla(new)

Standing in Liverpool’s way next Wednesday in Basel are a side who know what it takes to win the Europa League. Sevilla are chasing their third straight win in the competition and fifth overall. They might be just seventh in La Liga but they know how to win big games, having beaten Barcelona and Real Madrid this season. Dropping out Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund.

LA Galaxy unstoppable? Kamara rages, Morris and Jones continue to shine

ESPN FC’s Taylor Twellman berates Columbus Crew stars Federico Higuain and Kei Kamara after they argued over who would take a penalty kick.

An eventful weekend in MLS gave us more than a few things to talk about, including disharmony in Columbus, LA’s attacking output and Jordan Morris’ excellent form.

Kei Kamara vs. Federico Higuain

Teams, even the successful ones, are not always perfect in their internal camaraderie. The best teams can feature some pretty noxious relationships — internal competition is fierce among individuals conditioned to fight and scrap for every bit of success — but the truth is that teammates need not be friends to play well together.

Overcoming dressing-room discord is usually just a matter of winning. Winning covers all types of ills, including players whose personalities clash. Bad teams have bad chemistry because they’re bad; good teams appear to have good chemistry because they win. If the winning stops, any issues behind the scenes are bound to float to the surface.

Which brings us to Columbus Crew SC. Despite scoring four goals at home on Sunday, Columbus couldn’t hang on for a much-needed win against the visiting Montreal Impact. What should have been three points turned into one with a 4-4 draw, leading to some postmatch venting on the part of star striker Kei Kamara.

Kamara called teammate Federico Higuain “selfish” for taking a penalty in the 53rd minute that would have given Kamara a hat trick had he scored. He then doubled down on the criticism by pointing out that he doesn’t need Higuain to score goals, and that the pair don’t have much chemistry on the field.

Columbus’ troubles run deep, and we can now add public animosity between two designated players to the growing list of potentially season-destroying problems.

A galaxy of weapons

All-action striker Robbie Keane returned to the LA Galaxy lineup on Sunday after missing nearly two months with a knee injury and scored twice in a 4-2 win over the New England Revolution. But with questions swirling as to how the LA lineup could accommodate Keane and Giovani dos Santos, the Mexican star continued his blistering form with a contender for goal of the year. Steven Gerrard has also faced questions over whether he would ever show enough flashes of his old self to justify the hefty contract handed to him by the Galaxy, but he came on a substitute to score on a clever chip and seal the game.

All of that, and we haven’t even talked about Gyasi Zardes’ contributions (two assists).

It wasn’t as easy as it might sound for LA, however. The Revolution came storming back in the second half and came within the woodwork of bringing the game level on a number of occasions. Galaxy boss Bruce Arena still has plenty to work out when it comes to the balance of his team, because while throwing on a host of top-tier attacking players looks good on paper and makes sense when the goals are coming, good teams will find ways to exploit the gaps left at the back and punish LA through the midfield.

For now, though, with its full complement of talent available, LA looks nearly unstoppable.

Morris breaks the fourth wall

Remember when the Seattle Sounders’ Jordan Morris was a first-year pro struggling to live up to lofty expectations placed on him by fans, the media and Jurgen Klinsmann? Remember when coach Sigi Schmid suggested Morris needed a breather to give him a chance to adjust to the responsibilities placed on him by a team working through its own adjustment period?If it doesn’t seem like all that long ago, that’s because it wasn’t. The furor over Morris’ inability to score on MLS defenses popped up a month into the season, then carried through most of April.Here we are in May, and things are quite a bit different. After scoring an insurance goal in Seattle’s 2-0 win over the Earthquakes on Saturday, Morris has put the ball in the net in four consecutive games, a streak that ties him for the best scoring streak by a rookie in MLS history.More importantly for the Sounders, Morris is clearly playing with confidence. With his considerable talents, that confidence has been enough to help him adjust and find his scoring stride just when Seattle needed it most.

Cubo unleashed

Grasping for answers during a disastrous six-game winless streak, Dynamo head coach Owen Coyle finally broke the glass and gave Erick “Cubo” Torres his first start of the season. The Mexican international rewarded his boss’ newfound faith with an assist for what proved to be Giles Barnes’ winning goal.Does this mean we’ll see more of Torres at the top of the Dynamo lineup? Coyle has preferred Will Bruin in that spot and brought on Bruin to replace Torres 12 minutes into the second half, but perhaps we’ll finally get to see what Torres can do in Houston.

Keeping up with Jones

Colorado beat Real Salt Lake on Saturday to stay atop the Western Conference standings and did it on the back of yet another Jermaine Jones goal. Jones now has three goals for the Rapids since debuting after a six-game suspension to start the season, each of those goals sending his team to a big victory.What Jones is doing in Colorado is remarkable and only underscores his unique ability to individually affect a team. Jones’s scoring exploits even prompted a joke (we think) from USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.The Rapids looked much-improved before Jones arrived in the team, but with him patrolling the midfield, they look like a very real contender for honours in 2016.

Steven Gerrard eyes Liverpool return from LA ‘sooner rather than later’

Major League Soccer: Steven Gerrard (90′ + 3) LA Galaxy 4-2 New England Revolution

LA Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard says he is enjoying going “unnoticed” in Los Angeles but plans to return to Liverpool “sooner rather than later.”Gerrard, 35, joined LA Galaxy last year after a distinguished 17-year career with hometown club Liverpool, where he achieved Champions League glory in 2005.The former England captain said he and his family were happy living in California, but admitted he missed friends and family in the UK as well as attending games at Anfield.Speaking at a fans’ question and answer session at LA Galaxy’s StubHub Center, he said: “I will be going home at some point.”I don’t want to start any unnecessary rumours. I’m really happy where I am at the moment. But I’m sure somewhere down the line I will represent Liverpool Football Club.”I miss my friends and my family. I miss a bit of cold weather.”I miss going to the games. I spent 35 years in Liverpool. Liverpool’s my home, it always will be. This is my second home for a short period of time.”Sooner rather than later I will return to where I’m comfortable with my people — and that’s Liverpool.”Gerrard, who came on as a substitute and scored the Galaxy’s final goal in their 4-2 win over New England Revolution on Sunday, said his wife Alex and daughters, Lilly-Ella, Lexie and Lourdes, were “enjoying a different life experience” in LA.”Obviously the city’s a fantastic city for myself and my family, the climate, there’s plenty to do. I’m pretty much unnoticed as well, which is a bonus,” he added.”I’m getting on a little bit now so eventually we’ll move back and settle in Liverpool.”

Indy Eleven at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Saturday, May 14, 2016 – 7:00 p.m. ET Lockhart Stadium – Ft. L

TEAM RECORDS:
Indy Eleven – 2W-3D-0L, 9 pts., 4th place in NASL Spring standings
Fort Lauderdale – 1W-2D-2L, 5 pts., 9th place in NASL Spring standings
Click here for the complete NASL Spring Season standings

WATCH LIVE:

FOLLOW LIVE:

MEDIA GAME NOTES:

Last Time Out – Indy 1 : 1 FC Edmonton

Last Saturday, “Indiana’s Team” could not produce a late winner similar to weeks past as a one-all stalemate left the Eleven with just one point taken at home. However, the draw also left Indy as the only unbeaten team in the NASL, a quality worthy of mentioning when speaking of title-winning resumes.Two first half goals is all “The Mike” would see as Eleven centerback Greg Janicki netted his first of the year, getting a slight touch on Nicki Paterson’s free kick delivery in the 22^nd minute. Just a few moments later, Justin Braun nearly made it two-nil to the good but was unable to make Edmonton ‘keeper Matt VanOekel pay for his poor distribution.The visitors managed to tie things up in the 37^th minute as Sainey Nyassi pushed in a cross from the right flank that found teammate Jake Keegan near the penalty spot. Keegan would beat Janicki to the looping ball and nudged a header that went just over the reach of Eleven netminder Jon Busch as the reset button was hit at Carroll Stadium.The second half was devoid of any major chances for the most part as both sides struggled to break through the other’s midfield. Sinisa Ubiparipovic had an attempt blocked in the 58^th minute, and FC Edmonton missed the best chance of the night with two minutes to go as they streaked with numbers down the right flank but could not beat an onrushing Busch, who corralled a low cross in.Though Coach Tim Hankinson rued the missed opportunity to climb further up the standings, he was impressed with his side’s grit to keep at least a point from the proceedings.

Unpredictability at Hand

After kicking their way through a 1-1 draw at home against FC Edmonton, Indy Eleven now hits the road to the “Sunshine State” for the second time in the 2016 Spring Season, this time to face the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.Last week’s results leave Indy Eleven square in fourth place with a game in hand, just three points off the co-leading New York Cosmos and Carolina RailHawks (NYC currently has the goal differential tiebreaker). Heading into this week, the Cosmos face a Sunday trip to the Eleven’s recent opposition, FC Edmonton, while Carolina hosts Miami FC. Also in front of Indy Eleven – and, like Indy, with a game in hand on the leaders – is Minnesota United FC, who will welcome Jacksonville Armada FC.This weekend’s final scores could help shake out who is really in the hunt at the top of the table, and Coach Hankinson is insistent on his “Boys in Blue” escaping Florida with all three points.

Midfield in Question

With Brad Ring questionable for this Saturday, “Coach Hank” has a few things to ponder in regards to his starting XI. If Ring is unable to, does Hankinson stick to his recently-favored 4-4-2 with a flat line in midfield? Ubiparipovic could stay in the middle with Nicki Paterson, but given the nature of the two’s playing styles, would it make more sense for Hankinson to move towards a diamond in midfield with Ubiparipović in the No.10 role and Paterson as a deep-lying playmaker?Out wide, Omar Gordon is set to keep his place in the team following his debut against Rayo OKC and home debut against FC Edmonton, but if Ubiparipovic is shifted back centrally then a spot opens up on either flank – enter Duke Lacroix and Dylan Mares. Hankinson has repeatedly mentioned his belief in rotating players into positions to keep guys fresh and keep the talent continuous, and with Lacroix earning starts in Indy’s first three matches (and playing much of the next when Ring went out injured at Rayo OKC), his return to the XI would not be considered a shake-up by any means.Meanwhile, Dylan Mares has a strong case having impressed both in the starting lineup and as an impact substitution when called upon. However, Mares could also enter the match as a straight swap in the center of the pitch if Ubiparipović works just as well out wide. While the backline is likely to remain as steady as it’s been across the first five contests, the Busch-Vuković-Janicki-Falvey-Palmer line having started every match thus far, it is the midfield and attackers that will have Coach Hankinson keeping people guessing come Saturday night.

Who to Watch, Indy Eleven Edition: FW Justin Braun

Away games require players to have a little higher-revving engine to make things happen, and that’s where Braun can be a game-changer. In his return to the starting lineup last weekend, Braun was buzzing all over the field – and found himself in the right place to almost put things away on the heels of Janicki’s opening salvo, only to see how best look at a first goal in checkers be thwarted.Can he use that as motivation to put one away on the road? Can he do the dirty work that the players around him can feed off of? Can that help grind out three important points on the road? We’ll see what Coach Hankinson has in store line-up wise, but it could be a game that’s tailor-made for the Salt Lake City native.

Who to Watch, Fort Lauderdale Edition: MF Ramon Nunez

American soccer watchers may recognize the talented Nunez from his early-career days with FC Dallas, but are more than likely to have seen him in the blue-and-white of the Honduran National Team. The 2010 World Cup vet was late to the party for Fort Lauderdale having just been added on April 19, but if his two-assist performance in last Saturday’s surprise 3-1 win at league-leading Carolina is any indication, the diminutive playmaker is starting to find his footing.

Match-up to Mark: D Nana Attakora vs. D Nemanja Vukovic

It’s a match-up of attack-friendly wide backs this week … the two-time goal scorer Vuković versus the reigning NASL Player of the Week Attakora. Their side of the field will be active all night long as neither defender is shy about getting forward to support in possession, so don’t be surprised if a pivotal moment comes from one of these two.

THREE THINGS: #INDVFCE

Our weekly ‘Three Things’ from Saturday’s match May 9, 2016

Following every game in 2016, IndyEleven.com will give each game a little time to breathe before going back for one last look at the proceedings, extracting three takeaways to walk away with before taking a look ahead.In our latest “Three Things,” we look at the effects of centrality, the scoring balance, and the impact of Saturday’s substitutions in the 1-1 draw with FC Edmonton …

MATCH CENTER | INDY ELEVEN vs. FC EDMONTON

1) Taking Center Stage
Saturday’s 4-4-2 formation saw Coach Tim Hankinson deploy Omar Gordon and Siniša Ubiparipović on the right and left flanks while fixing Nicki Paterson and Brad Ring in the middle as the center two … to no surprise, as this was the quartet that lined up similarly at Rayo OKC the weekend before. However, as the match progressed both Ubiparipovic and Gordon filed in towards the middle of the pitch to allow Nemanja Vuković and Lovel Palmer space moving ahead on the flanks.The pros of this? Both Gordon and Ubiparipović worked to take advantage of the central space, often working in behind the striking pair of Justin Braun and Eamon Zayed to create attacking opportunities. However, there are shortcomings to the move – including the possibility of getting caught in numbers when the Eddies broke on a counter and increasing difficulty in feeding the forwards with enough space for them to generate chances, especially with thre FCE players patrolling the central midfield area.

When Gorka Larrea and Dylan Mares were introduced in the 62^nd minute as part of a straight swap for Nicki Paterson and Brad Ring, the midfield looked a little clearer as Mares dropped slightly deeper than Larrea as the tandem worked below Gordon and Ubiparipović. Then in the 74^th minute, when “Ubi” made way for Jair Reinoso, the Eleven switched to what looked a 4-3-3 with Braun, Zayed, and Reinoso up top and a trio of Gordon, Mares, and Larrea scattered across the midfield.Though the 4-4-2 appears to be the preferred formation going forward for Coach Hank and Co., the tendencies of Omar Gordon and Siniša Ubiparipović to drift more towards the middle will continue to impact how the Eleven attack as the Spring progresses.

2) Scoring in Defense and Attack
Through the midpoint of the Spring Season, Indy Eleven have scored six goals. Three of those goals have been scored by forwards Eamon Zayed (2) and Jair Reinoso (1), while the other three have come from defenders Nemanja Vuković (2) and Greg Janicki (1). While the “Boys in Blue” remain the only undefeated team in the NASL, this is an area of concern for Coach Hankinson.

After Saturday’s draw when asked about whether his team could pull off a Spring Season title, Hankinson said, “when your defenders are outscoring the strikers, then I would worry about that statement a little bit.

“In order to win the league, you have to have an outstanding defense, but you also have to know that you can get two or three goals from time to time and making sure that the strike force is doing what they’re paid to do.”In full context, Hankinson feels as if the team has the ingredients and tools to win the league, but that they need to find the right way to feed the attackers going forward as all three of Zayed, Braun, and Reinoso are starving for touches in the opposition area. Goals from defenders are rarely a bad thing, but when they begin to outweigh the tally from your striking pair there may be a tweak or two ahead.

RECAP | Eleven draw even with FC Edmonton

3) The Impact of Saturday’s Subs
Coach Hankinson was impressed with his trio of substitutions and their ability to control the game in the final half hour. Mares and Larrea were charged with marshalling the midfield and continuing to link the defense with attack. The Indiana Universityproduct Mares stepped in and made an immediate contribution as he linked with Greg Janicki as the top passing combo from defense to midfield.

“I thought tonight we were more threatening than we had been in previous games. Some of that is the addition of Omar, some of that is Jair coming in with Dylan and Gorka and really starting to control the midfield … we have to get a lineup that settles in.”Reinoso also played a key role in the final 15 minutes as his replacing Siniša Ubiparipović allowed “Indiana’s Team” to stretch the attack wider with three up front. Though the Colombian went without a chance in the opposition third, he will continue to provide Hankinson flexibility as either an impact substitute or starter for the final five spring games – a quad injury suffered last weekend at Rayo OKC limited his training this past week, which limited his chances of being included in the first XI on Saturday.

HIGHLIGHTS | IND 1:1 FCE

3.5) Two Points Lost … Or a Point Gained … or Both?

We’ll throw a bonus “Half-Thing” at you this edition to commemorate hitting the halfway point of the Spring Season. Overall, the point earned against FC Edmonton might not have been what Indy Eleven wanted, but it was indeed important as the team’s pursuit of a Spring title remains a distinct possibility.On one hand, Hankinson and his team saw Saturday as a missed opportunity for three points at “The Mike,” as “win your home games” is a familiar mantra when it comes to competing for trophies. However, after seeing then second-place Minnesota United FC drop points late via its 2-2 draw with Ottawa Fury FC, followed by the then-league leader Carolina Railhawks falling in surprise fashion to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at home, the night turned into a net-positive for the “Boys in Blue.” Indy Eleven remains in fourth place, but its nine points now has it within three points of first-place sharers Carolina and New York.

The good news is the Eleven are in position to control their destiny, as Indy has a game in hand on both teams currently on top and have a home meeting with MNU, which sits just a point ahead in third. A road contest at the Strikers awaits this coming Saturday before that home clash with Minnesota on May 21, a game that could ultimately determine whether or not a Spring title is still on the cards for “Indiana’s Team.”

Leicester City wins EPL, La Liga race, Champions + Europa Finals, TV Games

May 6, 2016 gatorbest

Wow what a week so far – for the underdogs – first Chelsea comes back from 2-nil down to shock Tottenham launching 5000-1 odds against Leicester City to winning the EPL Championship. Listen this would be like the Indy Indians winning the World Series in baseball. Its honestly the biggest upset in perhaps in the history of sport – not just soccer or the English Premier League. Anyway congrats Foxes – bandwagon Shane has put my order in for Leicester Jersey baby !

Turning to Champions League – unbelievable drama at Alliance Stadium in Germany as Bayern Munich could not overcome the deficit and loss on away goals to Atletico. Simeone and Atleti were brilliant with their counterattacking style again bringing down giants of football back to back in Barcelona then Bayern. Real Madrid moves into its 2^nd final in 3 years and a second match-up against city rival Atletico Madrid in Milan, Italy on May 28 on Fox. In Europa action – Liverpool used the home field of Anfield again this time to put up a 3-0 mark on Villareal as they advance to the finals vs Sevilla who will be making their 3^rd straight appearance. Finally its Carmel FC Night at the Indy 11 game this Sat Night at up at the Mike 8 pm – make plans to be there!

GAMES ON TV

Saturday, May 7

7:45 am NBCSN Norwich vs Man United

10 am USA Sunderland vs Chelsea

10 am NBCSN Aston Villa vs Newcastle

10 am Extra time Crystal Palace vs Stoke City, West Ham vs Swansea

8 pm Ch 8 Indy 11 vs FC Edmonton

Sunday, May 8

8:30 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Southampton

11 am NBCSN Man City vs Arsenal

11 am Extra Time Liverpool vs Watford

3:30 pm ESPN LA Galaxy vs New England Revs

7:30 pm fox Sports 1 DC United vs NY City FC

Tues, May 10

2:45 pm NBCSN West Ham vs Man United

Wed, May 11

3 pm NBCSN Liverpool vs Chelsea

Sat, May 21

12 noon Fox FA Cup Final

2:30 pm Fox NYC FC vs NY Red Bulls

Wed, May 25

8 pm United States men vs. Ecuador, international friendly

Sat, May 28

FS1 United States men vs. Bolivia, international friendly

Fri, June 3 COPA AMERICA 100

9:30 pm Fox Sports1 USA vs Columbia

Tues, June 7

8 pm Fox Sports 1 USA vs Costa Rica – Solider Field – Tix Available!

Fri, June 10 European Cup

3 pm ESPN France vs Romania

Bale an Example of Madrid Success

COPA AMERICA 100 –GAMES IN CHICAGO – still seats left for USA Game , Argentina game and Semi-Finals.

International Champions Cup – ICC – @ Chicago – Bayern Munich vs AC Milan Soldier Field Wed 7/27 @ 8 pm Tix still available $35 to $135

Congrats to a Bunch of Carmel FC Teams that Excelled at Red Lion last weekend !

U16 Boys Coaches Jeff Oberndorfer (Lft) and Mike Pickard (Rt)

U13 Girls Blue – Coaches Carla Baker, Jim Hawkins, and Cathy Gregory (not pictured)

U11 boys Gold Coaches Doug Latham (Rt) and Jeremy Slivinski (Left)

U10 boys Gold Coaches Joshua Mason (left) and Curt Nielsen (Rt)

U10 Girls Gold and Blue -Ft. Wayne Shoot for the Cure Champions Coaches Andy Martin and

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Real Madrid shows gap between Man City and Europes Elite – Corrigan ESPNFC

Fine Margins cost Bayern in lost to Atletico

Simeones Atletico Madrid is not a Tactical Revolution

UCL Team of the Week

EPL and World Leagues

Most Unlikely Feat in Sports History – Leicester Wins the EPL –Marcotti ESPNFFC

Unforgetable Party Starts in Leciester

Why Leicester City Won’t Sink Next Yr – EPSN FC

Twitter Reaction to Leicester

Here’s the Video from Vardy’s house

Raneiri is Vindicated as Foxes win EPL – David Hirshey ESPNFC

Tom Hanks put $100 on Leciester City to win Title

Claudio Ranieri’s secret to Leicester winning

19 yo Kelechi’s breakthrough at Man City gives them hope

EPL Table

LaLiga Table

Around the World’s Leagues

USA

US Clint Dempsey Could COPA be his last major Tourney?

Bob Bradley – Champions League is every coaches Dream currently 4^th in League 2 France

Bradley on his time in France so far

Indy 11 & NASL

Former Chelsea and England Star Cole Joins Tampa Bay Rowdies

Soccer Camps – Boys and Girls -Ages 6 – 14

Ok so its almost Summer Camp time – below are some nice options for Soccer Camps this summer

Post2Post GOALKEEPER – Soccer Camp – May 31-June 3 – 9 am till 3 pm

CFC and Carmel High Coach Carla Baker – former National Team Goalie for Canada will run her annual GK camp June 1-4 9 am to 3 pm $195 each @ Badger Field

Indy 11 Soccer Camp June 20-23 — 9 am till 12 noon Ages 5-14 $135 @ Badger Fields

Kick in the Grass – 3 v 3 Soccer Tour at Badger Field July 9^th

Goal2Gol Soccer Camp
CHS Men’s Head Coach Shane Schmidt, a former U-20 US National Team player, runs his annual camp from 9 am to 2 pm July 11-16. $150 before 6/30 @ River Road Fields.

Tim Howard to receive two-match Goodison Park curtain call

By Rob Usry  @RobUsry on Apr 29, 2016, 12:03p 4

United States goalkeeper Tim Howard was ousted from theEverton starting spot in February after injuries and bad form handed the role to Joel Robles. Now that the club legend has announced his signing with the Colorado Rapids, effective in July, he’s getting two more matches in front of his beloved fans.Toffees manager Roberto Martinez announced on Friday that Howard will be given the start in the club’s final two home matches at Goodison Park of the season while Joel Robles will handle the final two away matches.“In our last two home games of the season we will be able to honor and acknowledge the outstanding contribution and unforgettable role that Tim Howard has made to our football club in the last 10 seasons,” said Everton manager Roberto Martinez.”Tim will be joining Colorado Rapids at the end of the season but his legacy will live on for many years in the work that he’s done not just on the pitch but in helping young players to understand just what it means and what it takes to be an Everton player. We wish him well and he’ll be a true blue ambassador wherever he is.”

It’s a classy move by Everton and Martinez and a logical move. Things haven’t gone well Howard this season, but he’s been a valuable and loyal member of the club for the past decade. Giving him one final send off on the field in front of the fans in something all parties involved deserve.

All-American Clint Dempsey nearing the end with the USMNT

Copa America Centenario could be the last major international tournament for the 33-year-old.

By Aaron WestFOX SoccerMay 5, 2016 at 1:00p ET

It seems as if Clint Dempsey’s been around forever. Maybe that’s because he has been around for 12 years. Or maybe it’s because he’s been a star for nearly as long. Or maybe it’s because he rapped. But probably more than anything, it’s because he was spectacularly ambitious and unquestionably tough in an era when that was rare for an American player.Now at 33 years old, Copa America Centenario might be the last major international tournament he will play for the U.S.Dempsey made his full debut for the USMNT in 2004 and has since not only scored 49 goals for the Yanks, but also established himself as one of the greatest players in American history. Landon Donovan may be the most talented player we’ve ever seen in a U.S. shirt, but Clint Dempsey is perhaps the most quintessentially American to turn out for the Stars and Stripes.Growing up in Texas, Dempsey was a star for the Dallas Texans, whose illustrious alumni includes current national teamers Brek Shea, Omar Gonzalez and Lee Nguyen. But playing for the Texans wasn’t so easy for Dempsey, who lived in little Nagodoches and had to drive hours to and from training each day. Money was also a problem and at one point Dempsey had to quit soccer because of financial constraints.Tragedy also struck the Dempsey family when Clint was 12 years old. His 16-year-old sister Lindsey, a standout tennis star, died from a brain aneurysm. But that didn’t stop Dempsey, who later attributed much of his success on the pitch to his faith and a renewed determination to succeed after his sister’s death.That determination is Dempsey’s trademark for the USMNT. While his fellow American star Donovan always appeared the more naturally skilled player, ghosting past defenders with subtle feints, stepovers and flicks, Dempsey was his polar opposite. The Texan shouldering past, nay, through defenders, never shy to toss an elbow or two to protect himself from more physical opponents. Donovan was the unique character, sensitive and sometimes uncomfortable in his stardom, there was never any doubt that Dempsey was a stereotypical American, tough and too single-minded to give a you-know-what about what people said.In the words of Bruce Arena, “he tries [expletive].”Dempsey made it into MLS in 2004 from Furman, a small liberal arts college in South Carolina. And he left MLS in 2007 for then-Premier League club Fulham to become the league’s most expensive export at the time. He starred there, then tested himself at Tottenham. Whether things went well or not, and there were hard times at every step, Dempsey was never afraid to step outside of his comfort zone. There were no “what ifs” with him. He always aimed higher, to the next club, the next stage, or even simply by trying to nutmeg a defender when most Americans defaulted to the “safe play.”In 2013, Dempsey returned to MLS and join the Seattle Sounders on a Designated Player contract. A position that made him the captain, leader and backbone of a team for the first time.Now he’s in the twilight of his career. Still good, but for how much longer? No one knows, but he won’t go out quietly. He will claw every last bit he can out of his career, just like he has every single day so far.

Check out The Ole Ballcoach online https://theoleballcoach.wordpress.com/
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4/29/16 Champ + Europa Semis, Carmel FC nite at Indy 11 May 7, Games of Wk on TV

April 29, 2016April 29, 2016 gatorbest

So interesting 1^st legs in the Champions League Semi-Finals as Athletico takes a 1-0 lead back to Germany Tues 2:45 pm. Unbelievable move by Bayern coach Pep G not starting forward Thomas Mueller in the game – sounds like Pep was way too clever for his shoes on this night. Meanwhile the Caulderon (Athletico home stadium) was rocking at the egging from head coach Diego Simeon as he once again outmaneuvered his counterpart. Atleti’s sit back and counterattack approach which stymied defending champs Barcelona in the last round worked once again. Huge pressure on Pep heading back home for next week’s home stand down 1-0.

In England – Man City escaped with a 0-0 tie as their Goalie Joe Hart stood on his head to preserve the shutout with multiple point blank saves against a Real Madrid team missing Renaldo and Benzema. It should make for an exciting visit to Real Madrid on Wed 2:45 pm Fox Sports 1. Remember the games are being repeated on both Fox Sports 1, 2 and Fox Soccer as well as the 30 minute hi-lights show each night. Heartbreak city for Liverpool Thurs as they played Villarreal to a 0-0 tie for 93 min on the road in Europa Cup action before conceding a goal with 1 minute left, while Sevilla tied Shakhtar Donetsk on the road 2-2. Liverpool return home next Thurs 3pm FS1 looking for a couple of goals to advance to the finals. (A few of us headed to Stacked Pickle on 96th St for Real Madrid vs Man City game Wed 2:45 if want to join in. Thurs Liverpool game @ Brockway Pub 3 pm off Old Meridian)

So with Tottenham’s choke and tie last Monday Leicester City now has to win just 1 of its last 3 games to secure the EPL title for the 5000-1 long shot. The Foxes can secure the title this weekend in the Big Game at Old Trattford vs Manchester United on Sunday at 9 am. A quick glance at the EPL table has Man City and Arsenal tied for 3^rd with 64 pts while Man U is just 5 pts back of at 59 with West Ham and Liverpool battling for the final Europa League spot at 56/55 points respectively. In the relegation zone – (yes if you stink in Europe the bottom 3 -you move back a division) Norwich @ Arsenal NBC 12:30, Sunderland @Stoke City 10 am NBCSN, and New Castle hosting Palace USA 10 am. Totteham plays the darby @ Chelsea Mon 2:45 pm NBCSN. Spain’s La Liga has just 1 pt separating Barcelona, Atletico and Real Madrid and they all play back to back starting at 10 am on beIn Sports. Back in the US – defending Champs Portland host eastern division leaders Toronto FC and US stalwarts Michael Bradley and Jose Altidore at 3 pm on ESPN, while our 4^th place Indy 11 travel to Oklahoma Saturday night for an 8 pm battle on beIN Sports.

GAMES on TV this WEEK

Saturday, April 30

9:30 a.m., Fox Sports 2 Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
9:30 a.m., Fox Soccer Plus: Borussia Dortmund vs. VfL Woflsburg
9:30 a.m., Fox Deportes: Darmstadt vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

10:00 a.m., NBCSN               Stoke City vs. Sunderland
10:00 a.m., USA                    Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace
10:00 a.m., Extra Time:       Everton vs. Bournemouth, Watford vs. Aston Villa

10 am beIn Sports Real Sociadad vs Real Madrid

12:15 pm beIn Sports Athletico vs Raya Vallencano
12:30 p.m., NBC Arsenal vs. Norwich City

2 pm ESPN 3 Ottowa vs Miami

2:30 pm beIn Sports Real Betis vs Barcelona

8 pm beIn Sports Rayo OKC vs Indy 11

Sunday, May 1

6:30 am beIn Sports Juve vs Carpi

7:00 a.m., NBCSN                 Swansea City vs. Liverpool
9:05 a.m., NBCSN                Manchester United vs. Leicester City
11:30 a.m., NBCSN               Southampton vs. Manchester City

12:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1 Bayer Leverkusen vs. Hertha Berlin

3:30 PM espn Portland Timbers vs. Toronto FC
8 pm FS1 Sporting Kansas City vs. Los Angeles Galaxy

Monday May 2

2:15 p.m., Fox Sorts 1 Werder Bremen vs. VfB Stuttgart

3:00 p.m., NBCSN Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Tues, May 3 (CHAMPS LEAGUE)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Bayern Munich vs Athletico Madrid

Weds, May 4 (CHAMPS LEAGUE)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Real Madrid vs Man City

Thursday, May 5

UEFA Europa League (Semifinal first leg)

3:00 p.m., Fox Sports 1: Liverpool vs. Villarreal
3:00 p.m., Fox Sports 2: Sevilla vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

Saturday, May 7

7:45 am NBCSN Norwich vs Man United

10 am NBCSN Sunderland vs Chelsea

10 am ET Crystal Palace vs Stoke City, Villa vs Newcastle

Sunday, May 8

8:30 am Tottenham vs Southampton

11 am NBCSN Man City vs Arsenal

3:30 pm ESPN LA Galaxy vs New England Revs

7:30 pm fox Sports 1 DC United vs NY City FC

Tues, May 10

2:45 pm NBCSN West Ham vs Man United

Wed, May 11

3 pm NBCSN Liverpool vs Chelsea

Sat, May 21

12 noon Fox FA Cup Final

2:30 pm Fox NYC FC vs NY Red Bulls

Wed, May 25

8 pm United States men vs. Ecuador, international friendly

Sat, May 28

FS1 United States men vs. Bolivia, international friendly

Fri, June 3 COPA AMERICA 100

9:30 pm Fox Sports1 USA vs Columbia

Tues, June 7

8 pm Fox Sports 1 USA vs Costa Rica – Solider Field – Tix Available!

Fri, June 10 European Cup

3 pm ESPN France vs Romania

GK Joe Hart saves Man City vs Real

COPA AMERICA 100 –GAMES IN CHICAGO – still seats left for USA Game , Argentina game and Semi-Finals.

International Champions Cup – ICC – @ Chicago – Bayern Munich vs AC Milan Soldier Field Wed 7/27 @ 8 pm Tix still available $35 to $135

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Carmel FC Night @ Indy 11 Game May 7 –7:30 pm vs Edmonton

Ask your manager about discount tickets in our group – our just show up and come find us in the stands!

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Champions League + Europa

City and Real Tie 0-0 at City as Renaldo does not play ESPNFC

Hart the Hero for Man City – Player Ratings

Was City approach correct? EPSNFC

Mueller not happy with Coming off Bench in Loss ESPNFC

Questions for Bayern’s Pep in Defeat

Talking Points Athletico vs Bayern – Eufa

· Bayern v Atlético facts

· Real Madrid v City facts

· Simeone, Guardiola hail Saúl

Alicia Keys Will Perform at the UCL Final in Milan as over 350 million watch

Liverpool Collapses Late to give up 1-0 loss at Villarreal

Klopp explains why Daniel Sturridge didn’t play in loss to Villareal

USA

US Players updates from the club teams

Predicting the US Roster for Copa America Part 2 Mat Doyle MLS.com

US Youth U18 Kyle Scott request transfer from Chelsea

Brad Friedel lead US U19s advance to Slovakia Cup Finals

US 17 Year Old Dortmund Mid Christian Pulisic youngest Bundesliga player to Score Twice

See Pulisic Score again for Dortmund

Pulisic impresses Klinsmann

Morris Scores Again for Seattle

Klinsmann admits youngsters are pushing to make Copa Roster

Europe + EPL

Power Rankings of European Teams –Shaka Hislop

Trending – ESPNFC

What’s Trending – Wenger blames pundits

Leicester City on Bring of EPL Glory

Top Moments in Leicester City’s Run SI

EPL Predictions

INDY 11 + MLS

Mr Hat Trick – Eamon Zayed making friends in Indy –Indy Star Kevin Johnson

How the 11 are Shaping Up

MLS Expansion for Indy 11 not likely

MLS Expansion Cities – who’s Next – SI

Zayeds Game winner is Play of the Week

NASL Saves of the Week

Permanent Relegation podcast welcomes Indy 11 Eamon Zayed

Permanent Relegation Indy 11 Justin Braun and Jon Busch

Indy 11 Newcomer Eamon Zayed on TV 8 Interview

Furballs and Football – May 7 Indy 11 vs Edmonton FC 7:30 pm Also Carmel FC Night!

MLS Power Rankings

MLS Road Warriors – TFC – pretty cool video

Altidore Adjusting to playing with Gionvincho at Toronto

Soccer Camps – Boys and Girls -Ages 6 – 14

Ok so its almost Summer Camp time – below are some nice options for Soccer Camps this summer

Post2Post GOALKEEPER – Soccer Camp – May 31-June 3 – 9 am till 3 pm

CFC and Carmel High Coach Carla Baker – former National Team Goalie for Canada will run her annual GK camp June 1-4 9 am to 3 pm $195 each @ Badger Field

Indy 11 Soccer Camp June 20-23 — 9 am till 12 noon Ages 5-14 $135 @ Badger Fields

Goal2Gol Soccer Camp
CHS Men’s Head Coach Shane Schmidt, a former U-20 US National Team player, runs his annual camp from 9 am to 2 pm July 11-16. $150 before 6/30 @ River Road Fields.

MLS team in Indy? Probably not in near future

Phil Friend, phillip.friend@indystar.com5:13 p.m. EDT April 22, 2016

Whenever the discussion of Major League Soccer expansion comes up, Indianapolis soccer fans’ ears perk up.But rarely is Indianapolis at the top of the list – or even on the list at all.On Thursday, MLS Commissioner Don Garber rattled off a group of cities in consideration for expansion. Speaking at a meeting with the Associated Press Sports Editors, Garber said of Sacramento and St. Louis, “It’s fair to say they’re front-runners.”Other candidates, in order of priority he said, were Detroit, San Diego, San Antonio, Austin and Cincinnati.No Indianapolis.Indianapolis already has a professional soccer team, the Indy Eleven, which plays in the North American Soccer League, the U.S’s official second division. The Eleven recently began their third season and have led the league in attendance each of their first two campaigns in the NASL. Both home games this season have brought in more than 9.000 fans each.MLS is currently at 20 teams and will increase to 24 when Atlanta, a second Los Angeles team, Minnesota and Miami are expected to join by 2018. Garber has stated his goal is to eventually reach 28 teams.Contacted by IndyStar on Thursday, an Indy Eleven spokesperson said the club is happy with its situation in the NASL.”Indy Eleven continues to work toward first division standards in every facet of the organization, both on and off the field, and we look forward to continue doing that as a member of the NASL. We believe in the NASL’s business model and are pleased with the direction and growth of the league and look forward to help continuing that growth in the years to come.”Just how large the team can grow could coincide with attempts to secure a new soccer-specific stadium. The Eleven struck out the past two years with stadium proposals, including an $82-million stadium deal, though they still hold out hopes for securing a new home.”We look forward to continuing to work with local and state officials to establish details for a stadium proposal that will be responsible to the taxpayers of Indiana and result in a positive outcome during this legislative session,” the team said in a January statement.When the Eleven franchise came into existence, former team President Peter Wilt said the goal was to eventually reach MLS. He re-emphasized that in an article on ESPN.com last May when mentioning the efforts for a new stadium, stating:”I think it sets the table for Indy Eleven being a first-division team,” Wilt said. “Whether that’s with the NASL or another league is to be determined.” Joshua Mason, president of Indy Eleven’s support group, The Brickyard Battalion, stressed they won’t push the club to move to MLS.”We are here for this club in our city. Our goal is not to be MLS,” Mason wrote in an email to IndyStar. “Our goal is to make professional soccer sustainable in Indiana, and that we have a team to support every week. This culture will only grow, and the Eleven will be as recognizable as the Colts and Pacers are to Indiana throughout the world.”It’s no coincidence the new proposed stadium seats 18,000 – the minimum required for entrance into MLS. Having deep-pocketed owners and an established youth academy would also be necessary. But at this point, it looks like an MLS-Indy marriage is a long shot.

Manuel Pellegrini’s pragmatic approach the right call for Manchester City

Managers often say that if a team cannot win a game, they have to make sure that they don’t lose it. That was ultimately the feeling among Manchester City fans as they left the Etihad following Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Real Madrid after it was clear that the home side were the less adventurous of the two teams.

Supporters were hardly disappointed with the result and the display was rightly cautious. City managed just one shot on target in the entire match, though manager Manuel Pellegrini probably won’t be too upset because the ultimate aim of the evening was to make sure Madrid didn’t beat goalkeeper Joe Hart.

The Chilean sacrificed attacking flair and threat for defensive organisation and, while his side didn’t play badly, they certainly played well within what they were capable of and it was a deliberate move to stifle the Spanish side.That was an understandable approach from Pellegrini and one that demonstrates an element of pragmatism that he’s perhaps not shown in the past. For the first time ever, City are now preparing for the second leg of a Champions League tie that is still winnable following a first leg in Manchester.

Lessons have clearly been learned about being too open and too offensive against the competition’s elite when playing at home first. The only other times City have opened a knockout tie at the Etihad, Barcelona each time pretty much made sure they were through with 2-0 and 2-1 wins. Pellegrini learned the hard way that conceding away goals cheaply can leave a mountain to climb and the best European sides defend well, especially at home.As a result, he’s transformed a team that couldn’t keep a clean sheet in Europe into one that defends quite resolutely. Before the knockout phase of this season’s competition, it was four shutouts in 34 attempts. In the five games since, City have added three more and all of them have been at the Etihad, in 0-0 draws with Dynamo Kiev and Real Madrid, and a 1-0 win over PSG.The goalless stalemate at the midpoint of this semifinal tie leaves City in a strong-ish position. They can’t now go out on the away goals rule, but they can still advance because of it, and a single goal at the Bernabeu in a 1-1 draw, especially one to open the scoring, could really swing the second leg in their favour.Yet with all that in mind, there’s a nagging doubt that Tuesday’s bore draw was a missed opportunity. It seems increasingly likely that Real will be able to field a fully fit Cristiano Ronaldo in the away leg on Wednesday, while below par performances from the likes of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema and some good stops from Hart won’t come along each week.Gael Clichy and Manchester City heeded the words of manager Manuel Pellegrini to keep Real Madrid scoreless on Tuesday.

When it comes to the reverse fixture, both sides will perhaps be backing themselves to score and will fancy their chances of progressing. Madrid have home advantage, while City know that anything they can get into Keylor Navas’s net will be boosted by the lack of away goals for Zinedine Zidane’s team. It’s quite finely poised.However, it’s likely to be City that comes under the most pressure — Madrid are yet to concede at the Bernabeu in the Champions League this season and have netted themselves 18 times there in five games.As a result, Zidane’s team were equally as cautious as Pellegrini’s for the opening hour and criticism of City’s attack has to be tempered by Madrid’s equally stoic set-up.Above all, though, there’s an element of trust about the club’s recent performances in the Champions League that hasn’t been there for some time. Many winced when they saw the starting line-up for the eventual 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in the round of 16 last season because Pellegrini had opted for a 4-4-2 system, leaving gaps in an attempt to impose his style on the match.You wouldn’t catch him doing something that naive now. These days, the manager accepts that he A goalless draw with Real Madrid isn’t the perfect way for City’s chances, but they are still in a strong position — and a position that shows the continuation of the club growing up in the Champions League.David Mooney is a writer and a radio journalist based in Manchester.

Pep Guardiola changes the game to leave Bayern boss open to question

RAPHAEL HONIGSTEIN-ESPN FC =-n many ways, Bayern Munich’s 1-0 first-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday panned out just as the visitors had feared.They dominated possession and probed at the Vicente Calderon, but the Spaniards got on the score sheet with one devastating attack from Saul Niguez.Bayern’s 1-0 defeat at Atleti’s neighbours, Real Madrid, two years ago followed a similar pattern. That night, Pep Guardiola’s men hardly troubled the Spanish goal despite all their passing brilliance, and although the manager kept praising his team for creating “so many” openings against Diego Simeone’s notoriously battle-hardened side, in truth only a couple of them amounted to clear-cut opportunities from inside the box.Bayern left Madrid saying all the things they had to say about making amends — the way they did after their 3-1 defeat at Porto in the round of 16 last season, for example — but they knew they had failed in their two key objectives, pointed out by executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “We want to score a goal and not lose the game.”At this level in the competition, you don’t just lose games — the opposition make you lose them. The more that your opponent is able to implement its game plan, the more your own game falters. Neutrals would have noted that Atleti made Bayern give the ball away in the opening exchanges with high pressing and superb positioning.Later, as the Bavarians exerted pressure, the home side defended with a calmness and precision that is simply unmatched in Europe. Bayern hardly talked about that after the final whistle, however, because to do so would have threatened to plant more doubts into their minds.Guardiola was the one member of the travelling party to admit the 1-0 score line presented a “complicated result,” whereas the players preferred to look at the positives.”We created more chances than we thought we would,” said Philipp Lahm, while David Alaba added: “There’s a second game, everything’s possible.”Manuel Neuer said: “We weren’t brave and aggressive enough at the start,” and Xabi Alonso agreed: “We didn’t play well in the beginning.”Bayern are still in charge of their destiny, despite Atleti’s achieving a near-perfect result in the first leg. It could have easily been perfect, too. Fernando Torres came tantalisingly close to killing off the tie with his shot against the post in the second half. Considering the quality of the opportunities both teams created, Bayern weren’t unlucky to lose 1-0; they were fortunate. That realisation was too damaging psychologically to be given voice in Madrid.The public postmortem in Munich immediately concentrated on the non-inclusion of Thomas Muller, Bayern’s talisman, in the starting lineup.Guardiola explained that he wanted “more control” in midfield, by virtue of an additional midfielder. The idea was to withstand early pressure from the home side, Lahm revealed. Leaving out Muller made theoretical sense in that respect, and Guardiola’s decision-making process would have been helped by the fact that the 26-year-old hasn’t been playing all that well recently.Muller, a second-half substitute with limited impact, took his omission with a shrug. “I have to be professional about it,” he said.”I’m not happy, but it’s important to realise what’s important for the team. If everybody who’s not playing goes crazy, we can forget about the whole season.”In light of Bayern’s futility in the opposition box, blaming it all on the surprise absence of Muller (and Franck Ribery) was easy to do. It’s been a feature of Guardiola’s reign at the Allianz Arena that many supporters and most media outlets have readily found fault with his lineups and tactics in the handful of big defeats his team have suffered.In the past, when far fewer conceptual managers were in charge, the players would cop most of the criticism after big disappointments in the Champions League. The way people look at the game has changed in Munich, though. Guardiola has transformed football into a manager’s game, with all the pitfalls that entails. He knew he’d be personally blamed for a bad result, just as he was at Barcelona. Muller and Ribery will be two sticks to beat him with should Bayern fail to qualify for the final next week. There’s no way around it; that’s how it works.As far as an analysis of the team’s problems on Wednesday goes, however, focussing on one or two players who weren’t on the pitch is a distraction. The German champions-elect had bigger issues, and not for the first time. Firstly, their buildup play was far too easily interrupted in the opening stages, when the hosts pressed them high. Despite fielding a central midfield triangle of Alonso, Arturo Vidal and Thiago Alcantara, Bayern’s pressing resistance was poor, and they had to resort to long balls that were easily intercepted. This flaw has been in evidence throughout the season, to varying degrees, and it will have to be addressed, both tactically and in terms of personnel.The second, most important cause for their underperformance might be harder to fix in the next five days. Too many players are short of their best form at the moment. Robert Lewandowski, Douglas Costa, Muller … the list goes on. Only Vidal has been playing at a level approaching full capacity. On top of that, left-back Juan Bernat was well below the required standard at the Calderon, Kingsley Coman’s poor choices betrayed his inexperience and Alcantara merely floated through the match, uninvolved and ethereal. You don’t tend to win the Champions League that way.Next week, Jerome Boateng’s possible return promises to bring more stability, without the ball as well as with it. His long-range passes have been sorely missed in recent weeks. Muller and Ribery should be back from the start as well, against an Atletico side that will defend even deeper than before.It’s not a lost cause, this Bavarian remontada, but it will need a strong performance over the whole 90 minutes.And that’s precisely the worry. For all their squad depth and tactical sophistication under Guardiola, Bayern haven’t mustered one of those in the Champions League knockout rounds this season.Raphael Honigstein is ESPN FC’s German football expert and a regular guet on ESPN FC TV. He also writes for the Guardian. Twitter: @honigstein.

Atlético v Bayern: key talking points

Published: Thursday 28 April 2016, 0.58CET

Augusto Fernández looks a shrewd January buy, Bayern and Josep Guardiola must be sick of playing in Spain, and is Saúl Ñíguez an option for Spain’s UEFA EURO 2016 tilt?

by Joseph Walker

Augusto the great
Since joining Atlético in January, Argentinian international Augusto Fernández has made a name for himself as a tough-tackling, no-nonsense midfielder alongside skipper Gabi. If it took him a few games to develop an understanding with his team-mates, he has now become a fixture in the middle of the park – and this was his best display yet for the Rojiblancos.

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The 30-year-old covered every blade of grass, charging down shots, breaking up play and getting in the right place at the right time. His efforts helped subdue an opposition midfield containing Arturo Vidal, Xabi Alonso and Thiago Alcántara – no mean feat. It was a world-class performance on the biggest stage.

Bayern’s unhappy hunting ground
This is the third season running that Josep Guardiola’s Bayern side have been drawn to face a Spanish team in the semi-finals, with the first leg away on each occasion. The German champions lost 1-0 across town at Real Madrid in 2014, then 12 months ago were blown away 3-0 by Barcelona. This year it was Atlético’s turn.With Guardiola promising that his charges would chase an away goal, Diego Simeone played the Bavarians at their own game, attacking early on and taking the initiative – and then the lead. Bayern huffed and puffed, but could not blow the house down. Yet again, the precious away goal they so desperately sought proved elusive.

Simeone v Guardiola: at a glance Who has a full set of trophies?

Home comfort for German side?
With the visitors unable to find the away goal, the emphasis is very much on Bayern to come out and attack in next Tuesday’s return match. Tonight was only the fourth time in 23 UEFA Champions League outings they have failed to score and they have managed 74 in the Bundesliga already this term – cause for hope. So too is the spirit they showed against Juventus in the last 16.

Weighing against that, however, is the knowledge that at this point in the past two campaigns they could not overturn a first-leg defeat in Spain. In fact, their rivals went on to lift the trophy both times, which is ominous indeed. Then there is Jan Oblak and Europe’s meanest defence: Atlético having shipped just 16 goals in 35 Liga games this season.

Saúl Ñíguez making EURO 2016 case
The Spain Under-21 man has enjoyed a stellar campaign in the capital, netting nine times in 42 appearances in all competitions. Calls are growing for Vicente del Bosque to include the right-sided midfielder in his UEFA EURO 2016 squad, despite the 21-year-old being untested at senior international level.

He described his latest Vicente Calderón strike as “the most important goal of my career and the best too”, yet that was merely one part of an impressive all-round contribution. Guardiola says “Spanish football has a great new talent” and it is impossible to disagree. Worryingly for Bayern, Simeone reckons there is much more to come.

Armchair Analyst: Predicting the USMNT Copa América roster, Part 1

April 27, 201610:37 PM EDTMatthew DoyleMLSsoccer.com

Jurgen Klinsmann has called this summer’s upcoming Copa América Centenario “the biggest men’s soccer tournament in the US since the 1994 World Cup.” For once, Jurgen and I have found common ground.This is the real deal, quite literally a once-in-a-century opportunity. The US can use a great performance, as in 1995’s trip to the Copa, to launch into a new era of competitiveness on the global stage, building an identity and blooding a new group of stars. A bad performance, however, would solidify the downward trend of Klinsmann’s years — a program getting lapped by Mexico in CONCACAF, being passed by Costa Rica and caught by the likes of Jamaica and Honduras; and a program that’s not competitive globally outside of friendlies.A team that fails to make it to the final of the Gold Cup, and doesn’t qualify for the Confederations Cup despite multiple chances. A team that loses winnable games at home. A team that plays like minnows — something the US haven’t been since 1990.So there is a lot riding on this summer’s performance, especially in light of the Olympic and Confeds Cup failures.Here is Part 1 of a three-part series predicting Klinsmann’s 40-man preliminary roster (these aren’t my picks — these are the guys I think Jurgen will go with).We’ll start with the goalkeepers and defenders, move to the midfielders tomorrow and the forwards on Friday.

(4) Goalkeepers: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, David Bingham, Ethan Horvath

Alternates: William Yarbrough, Nick Rimando

Howard and Guzan are still Nos. 1 & 2 in some order. Bingham took advantage of the opportunity he earned this winter in Bill Hamid‘s absence, and he’s strengthened his situation with a strong start to the season for San Jose. Horvath, a 20-year-old who starts for Molde in Norway and already has Champions League experience, gets the final spot for this camp.Yes, that leaves Rimando on the outside looking in. I’m not going to stake my life on this decision, and I think he can still play at the international level. But he’s caught up in the numbers game here, and the potential/production combo of Bingham & Horvath pushes him out of the mix.

(8) Fullbacks: DeAndre Yedlin, Brek Shea, Edgar Castillo, Timmy Chandler, Brandon Vincent, Tim Ream, Kellyn Acosta, Desevio Payne

Alternates:Jorge Villafana, DaMarcus Beasley, Brad Evans

Can we finally list DeAndre Yedlin as a fullback now? Or will Klinsmann insist upon deploying him primarily as a winger? Given his play for Sunderland, this shouldn’t even be a question… yet it is.You can see that while Yedlin is the obvious answer at right back, there are more questions at left back. Castillo got the most recent starts, but he’s been inconsistent-to-poor for the US; Chandler is a Jurgen favorite, but he also regularly haunts the inconsistent-to-poor spectrum (and is a natural RB anyway); Shea is still learning the position; Ream is more of a center back; Acosta is definitely not a fullback of any stripe despite the insistence of the US U-20 and U-23 coaches to the contrary.I think those guys all get the call, as does Vincent. Klinsmann hasn’t really shown any interest in Villafana despite his form over the last 12 months — ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ — and Beasley seems retired for real this time. Vincent’s previous camps, then, give him the leg up and into the mix, even if he’s adjusted quite slowly to MLS thus far.

(7) Central Defenders: Geoff Cameron, John Brooks, Matt Miazga, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler,Steve Birnbaum, Michael Orozco

Alternates: Ventura Alvarado,Tommy Redding, Tim Parker

This should be easy. Cameron’s a proven commodity for club and country who’s in the prime of his career; the same can be said for Brooks. Besler and Gonzalez are there as well, and Birnbaum has been effective in his brief USMNT run so far.That leaves two spots for Miazga, who’s the most promising young defender in the pool, and Orozco, who’s been a security blanket for Klinsmann since Day 1. Given reports that Alvarado didn’t train well at the last camp and the fact that both Parker and Redding still need more experience, those three cuts are pretty easy to make.I think, anyway. It’s Klinsmann, after all — he may go in an entirely different direction on a whim.

Armchair Analyst: Predicting the USMNT Copa America roster, Part 2

April 28, 20164:22 PM EDTMatthew DoyleMLSsoccer.com

Yesterday’s Part 1 looked at the goalkeepers and defenders I think will be called into the 40-man USMNT roster for this summer’s Copa America Centenario, which will be announced at halftime ofSunday’s match between Sporting KC and LA Galaxy (8 pm ET; FS1).

Today we will look at the midfield. Tomorrow we will look at the forwards.And here is where it gets interesting, because I have to merge how I see “midfield” with how Jurgen Klinsmann sees “midfield,” and how different formations — the 4-3-3, the flat 4-4-2, the 4-4-2 diamond — force different roles onto different players.There is, for example, no purely defensive midfielder in a flat 4-4-2, but there will be guys who are listed purely as d-mids on the below list. That doesn’t mean they won’t play in a 4-4-2, it just means that they probably shouldn’t.Wide players are even trickier. In a 4-3-3 they’re wingers, and have an offensive/possession/re-pressing workload more akin to that of a second forward than that of a midfielder. But in a 4-4-2, they’re almost — to a man — more likely to be deployed wide in the midfield, asking for a different application of their respective mental and physical skillsets. Formations are not everything in our game, but they’re significant. Bear that in mind when looking at the list below, and bear in mind that Klinsmann has used four different formations (4-3-3, 4-4-2 flat, 4-4-2 box, 4-4-2 diamond) in the last five US games. The team as he’s built it has no repeatable style or tactical approach, so it’s hard to say “Piece A fits into Slot B” with any sort of confidence. It would take a fool to try to predict what he’ll do next.And thus, here I go…

(3) Defensive midfielders: Kyle Beckerman, Danny Williams, Perry Kitchen

Alternates:Wil Trapp, Fatai Alashe

This is “specialist alley.” None of the guys listed here should ever play anything outside of a traditional No. 6 role for the US, and I say that in spite of the fact that Kitchen and Alashe have both played primarily box-to-box roles in their respective careers.Beckerman is a lock for this tournament for all the obvious reasons, and Williams — despite his recent suspension — should be as well. I think Kitchen gets the final spot ahead of Trapp, who’s struggled so far in MLS and was poor for the U-23s in the Olympic qualifying failure. I can’t claim to have seen Kitchen since his move to Hearts, but he’s won a starting job as their No. 6 and they’ve just qualified for next year’s Europa League. That’s the kind of career move Klinsmann applauds, so I think Kitchen gets rewarded here.Worth noting that I included FC Dallas’s Kellyn Acosta as a fullback, since that’s where Klinsmann & the rest of the US soccer coaches prefer to play him, even though he’s pretty clearly a d-mid (or perhaps a box-to-box mid). Also worth noting that the two best d-mids in MLS this year have been the guy who heads the next list, and another FC Dallas Homegrown kid, Victor Ulloa.Ulloa’s never gotten a look by the US at any level, so I’m not holding my breath.

(7) Central Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Alejandro Bedoya, Lee Nguyen, Alfredo Morales, Emerson Hyndman, Mix Diskerud

Alternates:Luis Gil, Gedion Zelalem

I have to admit that I’m kind of dying to see a classic 4-3-3 with Williams at the base of the midfield triangle, then Bradley and Jones given free rein ahead of him. This would be the pregame tactical talk:Bradley as a No. 6 had me worried for TFC at the start of the year, but he’s been really responsible and really, really good. So while I’m kind of dying to see the above, I’m really dying to see Bradley given a shot in the role Beckerman has so often played over the last six years. This is another “but I’m not holding my breath” situation, unfortunately.The rest of this midfield group fills itself out pretty comfortably. Nguyen is the only specialist, coming in exclusively as a No. 10. Diskerud, who hasn’t been playing all that well, gets the last spot over Gil, who hasn’t been playing at all.For what it’s worth I really think Sacha Kljestan should be here. And Benny Feilhaber, but — well, you know.

(5) Wide Midfielders/Wingers: Fabian Johnson, Darlington Nagbe, Graham Zusi, Christian Pulisic, Ethan Finlay

Alternates: Joe Corona, Miguel Ibarra, Jerome Kiesewetter

Repeat after me: Fabian Johnson is a winger. Fabian Johnson is a winger. Fabian Johnson is a winger. Fabian Johnson is a winger. Just keep saying it until we’ve removed all temptation of playing him at fullback. Johnson’s played only two games on the backline all year in Germany, and has been a Champions League-quality winger for the other 24.After him we get to have some fun. Nagbe’s clearly at his best as a central midfielder, but in his brief USMNT run, Klinsmann has preferred to use him out wide — so that’s where he’s listed. There’s been a metric ton written about why Christian Pulisic should start as a No. 10, but… nah. Kid’s been a legit two-way force on the wings for Borussia Dortmund, so let’s keep him in his current comfort zone (heh).That leaves Zusi the reliable and Finlay the specialist. Zusi is the best defensive player of the bunch and is an absolute grinder made for games like Costa Rica and Paraguay, while Finlay exists to stretch the field and brings little value in possession. Both are easy calls over Corona, Ibarra and Kiesewetter — none of whom has actually played much this season, and all three of whom are probably on the move this summer.

Leicester on brink of fitting Premier League glory at Manchester United

Premier League Spotlight previews the weekend’s fixtures and highlights five key points to keep an eye on.

Will Leicester seal glory at the home of England’s most dominant club?

Leicester City are so close to glory that they have the sweet scent of it in their nostrils. Win at Manchester United on Sunday and the 2015-16 Premier League title is theirs. No matter how many times you hear that, Leicester’s feat still has a feeling of the surreal. But this is where we find ourselves after the Foxes’ 4-0 thumping of Swansea City was followed by Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at home to West Brom on Monday night. The result against Swansea was yet another example of manager Claudio Ranieri calmly guiding his team through supposedly troubled waters. Jamie Vardy’s suspension was anything but the disaster it was anticipated to be.Vardy, scorer of 22 league goals this season, will again be missing for the trip to Old Trafford. It was he who opened the scoring in November’s 1-1 draw between Leicester and United. A repeat of that stalemate could still be enough for the Foxes, if Tottenham fail to win at Chelsea on Monday. Perhaps in this fixture Ranieri will feel Vardy’s absence, because as the away side their counter-attacking game will be more relied upon. Yet, considering how the season has gone, it would be of little surprise if Ranieri still found a way to defeat Louis van Gaal’s side, who themselves need a win to keep their top-four hopes alive. Whatever the means, this has the makings of quite the moment as Leicester gear up to realise their dream at the home of a club who have lifted 13 Premier League titles.

Did Tottenham really choke in the title race?

You could not move for schadenfreude in the wake of Tottenham’s 1-1 draw against West Brom on Monday night. Spurs had, apparently, bottled it and gifted the title to Leicester. Granted, this was a must-win game, but the circumstances were a side running out of steam, not a weak and late capitulation. There must also come a point when Leicester’s impending success is put down to their excellence rather than the shortcomings of Spurs. For Tottenham not to be able to compete with a team who have lost three times all season and have won seven of their last nine is hardly embarrassing. Perhaps those pointing and guffawing might want to consider whether their club have at least pushed the leaders up until matchday 36. Tottenham are a club going places, boasting a young and talented squad overseen by an exciting and inspiring 44-year-old manager in Mauricio Pochettino.

How will Arsenal cope amid a toxic Emirates Stadium atmosphere?

To say the natives at Arsenal are restless would be a significant understatement. A growing number are spitting bile. Indeed, a coordinated protest is planned in Saturday’s match against Norwich, and, as the face of the club for 20 years, manager Arsene Wenger can be expected to bear the brunt of the toxicity. The club can finish on no more than 73 points this season, if they win their remaining three matches, and that total would see them two points worse off than last campaign. There is the cold evidence of the Gunners going backwards, rather than standing still as has been their usual, frustrating way. For now, Wenger’s focus will be securing Champions League football for next season, before a significant postmortem in the summer. To get back on track they must display more fight than what was on show in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

Predict the outcome in our polls.

MAN UNITED: All eyes are on Old Trafford this weekend to see if the Premier League title will be won, but unlike so many other years, it’s not United in the running. Leicester proved against Swansea in their 4-0 win that they aren’t a one man team, impressing in Jamie Vardy’s absence. But they still might struggle on Sunday. United have the best record in the league at home and there are lots of players eager to prove to Louis van Gaal they should start in the FA Cup final.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Leicester — Scott Patterson

LEICESTER: This is the biggest game in Leicester’s history. Fans will be pinching themselves at the prospect of winning the title at Old Trafford, a particularly poignant place of potential glory for Kasper Schmeichel, son of United legend Peter. The Foxes could win the title even with a loss, if Spurs fail to beat Chelsea on Monday. Claiming the three points they need to secure the league is a big ask without Vardy, but a draw wouldn’t be a bad result at all.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Leicester — Ben Jacobs

CHELSEA: Chelsea and their fans would like nothing more than to be the team that definitively ended Tottenham’s title challenge, though to do so they will have to show greater organisation and defensive commitment than they have of late. Tottenham’s confidence will have suffered a setback following the surprise home draw with West Brom, and the absence of Dele Alli through suspension could damage their prospects further.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham — Phil Lythell

TOTTENHAM: Spurs have acquired the useful knack this season of coming back strongly after a poor performance, but Monday’s game will be a tough test. Chelsea players will need no extra motivation to win this from their outgoing manager, Guus Hiddink. The visitors have a terrible record at Stamford Bridge and it is hard to see them getting more than a point.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham — John Crace

‘Mr. Hat Trick’ making new friends in Indy

Kevin Johnston, IndyStar correspondent8:51 a.m. EDT April 29, 2016 Indy Eleven at Rayo OKC, 8 p.m., Saturday, BeIN Sports

He’s Irish-born, represented Libya’s national team and has played in leagues as far away as Norway, Iran and Malaysia.So how did Eamon Zayed wind up in Indianapolis scoring goals for Indy Eleven?Simple: Tim Hankinson.The Eleven’s new manager tried to lure Zayed to the U.S. in 2012 at a previous coaching stop in San Antonio, but was unable to land the striker because he was still under contract.”At the time, I was in Iran. I was in contract, and there was no way of me getting out of it,” Zayed said.While in Iran, Zayed received the nickname “Mr. Hat Trick” – a flattering name for any striker. In 2012, he scored a hat trick off the bench in front of 80,000 fans in the Tehran derby – a heated in-town rivalry. Adding to the legend, his team was losing 2-0 at the time and down a man from a red card.“That’s where I got the name ‘10-10-3’ which means 10 minutes, 10 men, three goals. And then ‘Mr. Hat Trick’ came a month later,” Zayed said. “We had another game, my first Asian Champions League game, and I scored three again. A few weeks later, I played a league game and I scored three again. So it was three hat tricks there in like 2-3 months.”When Hankinson, who also has a well-traveled resume, got the Eleven job in December, he wanted to add punch to Indy’s offensive attack. So he dipped into his contacts list.”The reason I’m, here is because of coach Hankinson,” Zayed said. “I’m delighted to work with him and I think we have a good relationship. I just want to repay his faith that he’s shown in me.”Zayed did just that April 16 against the New York Cosmos. He scored the game-tying goal in the final minute of regular time and added the game-winner in stoppage time in front of the Eleven’s supporters group, The Brickyard Battalion, setting off bedlam in the west end of Carroll Stadium.“It was 10,000 people, but it still felt like it was packed,” Zayed said. “The Brickyard Battalion was an unbelievable atmosphere behind the goal. It reminded me slightly of (my hat trick in the Tehran derby). “It brought back a few memories because it was quite similar the way the game ended. It was beautiful. The fans were brilliant. And the celebrations – I’m sure you’ve seen it – the celebrations with a lot of players jumping into the fans. It was a great moment.”Added Hankinson: “For him to climb up into the Brickyard Battalion after scoring the eventual winner and share that moment with the fans, that capped a great night both for Eamon and for the team.”Following its dramatic win over the Cosmos, Indy (1-0-2) enjoyed a week off, allowing for a few players to nurse injuries. The Eleven return to action Saturday at 8 p.m. on the road against NASL expansion franchise Rayo OKC in Oklahoma City. Zayed’s performance against the Cosmos not only gave the Eleven their first win of the young season, but also earned him North American Soccer League Goal of the Week and Player of the Week honors.The well-traveled 32-year-old was an academy product for unlikely English Premier League leaders Leicester City from 2000-02 and shared a microphone with Cameroonian soccer star Samuel Eto’o as part of FIFA’s Fair Play initiative prior to Libya falling one game short of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. He has played at corners across the globe, but is settling into his new Indianapolis surroundings.”The people are very friendly. I don’t know if it’s a Midwest thing,” Zayed said. “I’ve traveled to New York before, Las Vegas, Florida, and the people are friendly enough, but here, I definitely notice the difference in terms of the people and how friendly they are.”If Zayed keeps scoring, he’ll find Indy increasingly friendly. And if you see him on the street, his name is pronounced AYE-mon ZYED (rhymes with dyed). Or you can just call him “Mr. Hat Trick.”

Indy 11 bY THE NUMBERS: WEEK FOUR

A statistical look at how “Indiana’s Team” is shaping up Apr 27, 2016

Now four weeks into the NASL Spring Season, Indy Eleven sit 4th in the table with a game in hand having enjoyed its bye week during Round 4. The opening three performances have given fans of the “Boys in Blue” a little bit of everything – a look at the team’s defensive ability in the opening 0-0 draw with Tampa Bay, the scratch-and-claw nature of the 1-1 draw with Ottawa in 30-ish degree temps, and the total team fightback in the 2-1 win over the Cosmos most recently at Carroll Stadium. IndyEleven.com breaks down the individual and collective numbers so far …

Both individually and as a team, the numbers for “Indiana’s Team” are shaping out nicely. Eamon Zayed sits T-4 in the NASL with two goals, just one off the pace of the league’s leading trio of Dario Cvitanich (MIA), Austin Da Luz (CAR), and Christian Ramirez (MNU).In the midfield, Nicki Paterson sits in the top 15 in total crosses (11) and is part of a midfield that is trending upwards in distribution having completed over 75% of their passes against the Cosmos, the highest team total to date.And in defense, Jon Busch and the rest of the back line are responsible for the team’s two total goals conceded, the team’s corresponding 0.67 goals against average placing only behind Minnesota United FC’s 0.50 conceded rate. Since the start of his tenure, coach Tim Hankinson has billed his side as one who seeks to control possession and tempo, and that work-in-progress style has indeed seen some progression. In the season opener at Tampa Bay, the Eleven had just 40.7% possession despite registering a league-high 22 interceptions in the 0-0 draw.Against Ottawa in the home opener, possession climbed to 43.5% in the near-freezing temperatures of Indianapolis. Fury FC did their best to break up passing lanes and forced the Eleven to a last-gasp 1-1 draw, but the real progress came about in Week 3 against New York. In the 2-1 home win, the Eleven enjoyed a deceptive 45.8% possession while completing 75.3% of their passes. It was their best two combined halves by far, going to prove Hankinson’s repeated point leading up to the season that, while the preseason results were less than the club desired, the work they were putting in would soon pay dividends.And let’s be clear – coach Hankinson fully expects this improvement to continue. Through changes in formation, personnel, and a slight modification in attacking approach, team possession is on the rise. It’s not the only thing, either.The attack has steadily risen since the season opened at Tampa Bay, with shot count, percentage on target, and goals scored all trending upward. In the first game, the “Boys in Blue” registered just seven shots, two of which were blocked, with one on target. The very next week, the shot count rose to 11 total, two of which were blocked, with three on target and one Nemanja Vukovic effort on the scoresheet. Finally, it all came together against New York, where they fired 12 total shots, one of which was blocked, with four on target. This includes two very important looks that found their way in the back of the net.True, one of these was a penalty, which is about as clear-cut a chance as an attacker can be presented. And yes, the second goal was a tap-in from four yards out (be it a rebound off an excellent strike by Dylan Mares). What still stands out here is the overall push in attack that has grown week-by-week as the spring season continues.Defensively, the Eleven have been as strong as any unit in the league thus far, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. “Indiana’s Team” is flying into challenges and winning the ball consistently, winning an average of just under 77% of their tackles. Continuing, after leading the league in interceptions in week one with 22 total, the “Boys in Blue” have kept up that pace to register 35 more over two weeks, bringing that number to a peak of 57 through the three games.In the spring sprint, with just ten total matches it’s imperative to maintain a sort of consistency in team performances, even if different individuals stand out in different matches. For example, the back five (including Busch in goal) has been unchanged in the opening three weeks. Consistency. But as far as individual performances, Greg Janicki was one of the stars of the Eleven in the opening match, repelling the whole of the Rowdies attack in a stalemate. However, Nemanja Vuković’s effort in that game earned him a NASL Team of the Week nod, and his goal-scoring effort a week later against Ottawa allowed him to double up that plaudit. Two solid showings from two individuals as part of a successful collective team performance.Even if a Spring Season title isn’t in the cards, Indy Eleven will need to keep up the results in the first third of the 2016 slate if it wants to challenge for a spot in The Championship at season’s end. Consistency in style and play, sprinkled with individual displays of excellence, can provide a roadmap of sorts as.

MLS expansion to 28: Pecking order for potential next cities in line

After losing Rams, St. Louis is ready for MLS –Grant Wahl talks with MLS coaches and executives about which cities they feel are right for expansion.

BY BRIAN STRAUS

ADD FAVORITETwitter EmailPosted: Wed Apr. 20, 2016Updated: Tue Apr. 26, 2016

Get all of Brian Straus’s columns as soon as they’re published. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.Last week, the city of Sacramento shut down a section of L Street just off the Capitol grounds and hosted a mid-day block party for a few thousand soccer fans. They ate, drank, watched the UEFA Europa League on a big screen and welcomed MLS commissioner Don Garber for a rally designed to demonstrate the city’s support for an expansion team. The Republic, now entering its third season in USL, has won a championship, attracted record crowds and established a youth academy. And now it wants to make the leap.While in California’s capital, Garber met with city and business leaders, toured Republic’s stadium site at the Sacramento Railyards and answered questions from fans and media. He confirmed the league’s intention to expand to 28 clubs after Atlanta United FC, Los Angeles FC, Minnesota and Miami come aboard and even mentioned several additional candidates. MLS intends to convene an expansion committee of four-to-six owners who will assess the options this year and make recommendations concerning when and how to proceed. MORE: Atlanta United FC to build $60 million training complex

None of those candidates is as far along as Sacramento but as the Republic have demonstrated, the expansion landscape is volatile. They were nowhere close to the conversation three years ago. Now, Sactown practically is a shoo-in. We can only assess the race as it stands now, however, so here’s a breakdown of where potential expansion cities stand following Garber’s visit to California. And we have little choice but to place the markets he mentioned in the lead.

Nearly a done deal

Sacramento

The club and city have checked every box, and last week Garber himself said, “We hope and really we expect Sacramento will be one of the next four [additions].” Now it’s just a matter of when Republic gets the green light. While it waits, it’s continuing to move ahead on its plan to construct a stadium at the Railyards. The facility, which will seat up to 25,000, will anchor a $226 million public-private partnership that’s already been approved by Sacramento’s city council.Just about every concern the league once had about this unexpected expansion candidate has been resolved. Fan interest isn’t an issue. The robust ownership group led by pharmaceutical investor Kevin Nagle features local real estate executives and representatives from the Sacramento Kings and San Francisco 49ers, among others. And politicians appear to be just as unified.Although no Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the city, there’s sufficient corporate presence and support thanks to its role as the state capital. “I’m actually very encouraged, having sat with some corporate leaders,” Garber told The Sacramento Bee. And for a league eager to expand its TV presence, Sacramento’s place as the country’s 20th-largest media market should be more than adequate for a circuit comprising 24-28 teams. STRAUS: Drogba makes impact felt on Sacramento training stint

Republic obviously would like to come in as soon as possible, but there’s almost no chance MLS will permit it to do so while still playing at 11,400-seat Bonney Field. The Railyards stadium should be ready to go by 2019. PODCAST: Quakes’ Wondolowski on his latest goal-scoring spree

The best bet for team No. 26

St. Louis

MLS wants to be in St. Louis, and when MLS wants to be in a market, it finds ways to get it done. The city’s long-term love affair with soccer is well known, and the league took note of the 43,000-plus who showed up for the U.S. national team’s World Cup qualifier against St. Vincent and the Grenadines last November. St. Louis FC of the USL sold out its home opener in suburban Fenton on Saturday.In 2008, a bid led by Jeff Cooper and anchored by a potential stadium in Collinsville, Illinois, lost out to the Philadelphia Union. Interest in other markets was increasing as well, and Cooper’s timing and location weren’t exactly right. The city fell off the radar for a bit and focus eventually turned to keeping the NFL’s Rams in town. Ultimately, $400 million in public funding for a downtown stadium, plus a naming rights deal, weren’t enough to keep the team from leaving for LA. But that doesn’t mean the effort was a failure. It demonstrated that the city and local business leaders could get things done, and it certainly captured the eyes of MLS.People gradually are moving to downtown St. Louis again, and there’s land about a half dozen blocks north of the Arch and a short walk from the riverfront that’s earmarked for a stadium. In February, local sports and business executives formed a task force that could work with the league, politicians and potential investors. It includes the presidents of the Blues and Cardinals, the owner of St. Louis FC and the chairman of the St. Louis Sports Commission, among others.Plenty still needs to happen. But where there’s a will on both sides, there’s likely a way.

Best of the rest

Detroit

Size does matter, especially when it comes to TV markets. MLS’s bid to compete worldwide depends on an increase in TV revenue, and that depends partly on appealing to more homes in bigger cities. And once Atlanta enters the league, the largest media markets without a team will be Tampa-St. Petersburg, Phoenix and Detroit. Tampa has the NASL’s Rowdies and is quite close to Orlando, while whatever interest there may be from the USL’s Arizona United is very preliminary.

WAHL: Behind the MLS Ambition Rankings–Atlanta United FC

That leaves the Motor City, an established sports town with a downtown that’s returning to life. It’s the largest market Garber mentioned last week. MLS has had conversations with potential owners in Detroit, although they remain unidentified. It also just so happens that Mayor Mike Duggan has a brother in the business. Dan Duggan owns the two-time PDL champion Michigan Bucks, who play in nearby Pontiac.[UPDATE: MLS has confirmed Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores are teaming on a bid for an MLS team in Detroit.]The city’s soccer fans have made news recently for their support of the NPSL club Detroit City FC, which raised some $740,000 recently to fund renovation of a 6,000-seat stadium in Hamtramck. DCFC’s games draw crowds in the thousands, but it remains to be seen whether those fans will support an MLS effort or stick with their current team.

San Antonio

There’s no question San Antonio wants to be part of MLS—the city expressed interest five years ago—and there’s now an ownership group with the sports smarts to get them there. The dissolution of the NASL’s Scorpions and the sale of Toyota Field paved the way for the Spurs, arguably the NBA’s best-run franchise, to get into the soccer business. The Spurs are leasing and managing the stadium. They launched a USL team, hired veteran administrator Tim Holt away from Orlando City to run the show and committed to paying a $5 million penalty to the city and county if they don’t own an MLS club within 10 years.There are two significant issues with San Antonio, however. One is that it’s only the 32nd-largest media market in the U.S. The other is that Toyota Field isn’t the sort of stadium MLS is looking for. Now that it can afford to be a bit more choosey, the league likely is imagining playing a few minutes from the River Walk and the Alamo, not 12 miles north in the suburbs.

Further down the list

San Diego

The gorgeous weather and potential stadium construction shuffle involving the Chargers, San Diego State and the University of San Diego is appealing. But there are questions about whether the 28th-largest media market, which is sandwiched between soccer hotbeds in L.A. and Tijuana, has the wherewithal to support an MLS club. The league is keeping tabs, however, and Garber told SI.com in January that there have been conversations with interested parties. Those are preliminary, however, and there’s plenty to sort out with San Diego’s existing teams before an MLS bid can take shape.

Former Padres owner John Moores saw his bid to buy into Everton thwarted in February. He had expressed interest in perhaps launching an MLS club that might partner with a Premier League outfit, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune, and his real estate company remains a factor as the city, Chargers and universities ponder their futures.

Austin

The Texas capital would be the smallest market in MLS. It ranks 39th overall, just below Greenville, S.C., and West Palm Beach, Fla. Its USL team, the Aztex, is taking the season off after its House Park stadium was damaged by floods last year. There’s political interest but no potential ownership, at least publicly. Nevertheless, Garber mentioned Austin last week, so it’s mentioned here as well. Institutions like the University of Texas and SXSW certainly boost the city’s profile, and the fact that it’s less than two hours from San Antonio might leave some hoping it’s a viable south Texas option. But Austin is the least likely expansion site among the cities Garber referenced.

Unmentioned, but worth watching

As Sacramento has shown, and Orlando before it, sometimes a city or team can rise quickly as an expansion candidate. Although Garber didn’t mention these cities, they’re worth keeping an eye on. In alphabetical order:

Charlotte – At No. 22, Charlotte boasts a market size and a potential base of corporate support that should appeal to MLS. The USL’s Independence launched last year and already is talking to city officials about the possible renovation of Memorial Stadium, an 80-year-old facility on the western edge of downtown. Owner Jim McPhilliamy, a former Hornets executive, has been in touch with MLS and there’s a lot of empty space on the league map between D.C. and Atlanta.

Cincinnati – USL expansion team FC Cincinnati drew a league-record 20,497 fans to Nippert Stadium on Saturday night, a figure that dropped jaws around the American soccer community. It’s early days, of course, but sustaining that sort of support will go a long way toward establishing some MLS traction. Club executives have said they’re interested in pursuing MLS, and coach John Harkes and MLS veterans like Austin Berry, Omar Cummings and Antoine Hoppenot lend additional legitimacy. Owner Carl Lindner III comes from a family worth billions and is co-CEO of investment and insurance giant American Financial Group.

Indianapolis – Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir has met with Garber and MLS executives, but there’s no indication he’s considering taking his club out of the NASL. The Eleven led the league in attendance each of the past two years but it’s been unsuccessful securing land for a downtown stadium. Former club president Peter Wilt has returned to Chicago, where he helped launch the Fire, to lead the city’s NASL expansion effort.

Las Vegas – A bid to bring MLS to Sin City was rebuffed early last year when uncertainty over the timing and funding for a publicly-subsidized stadium in the downtown Symphony Park district prompted the league to look elsewhere. MLS said that it wouldn’t consider Vegas for the current round of expansion, leaving the possibility of a post-2020 return possible—at least rhetorically. Considering the potential competition, MLS may have moved on permanently from the country’s 40th-largest media market. But then again, publicly funded stadiums can prove very persuasive.

Phoenix – Arizona United owner Kyle Eng said in February that he’d like to take his USL team to MLS by 2020 and he told KPNX he has investors lined up. Hiring coach Frank Yallop looks good, but playing in suburban Peoria won’t cut it. If the land and funding come together, however, you can bet MLS will pay attention. Phoenix anchors the country’s 12th-largest media market.

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4/25/16 Champions League Final 4 Tues/Wed + Europa Semis Thur

April 25, 2016 gatorbest

Anyone want to gather this week to watch games – late lunch 2:45?

GAMES of the WEEK

Mon, Apr 25

3:00 p.m., NBCSN Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Bromwich Albion

Tues, Apr 26 (CHAMPS LEAGUE Final 4)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Man City vs Real Madrid A huge home game for City looking for Champs League home Glory vs UCL stalwart Real

Weds, Apr 27 (CHAMPS LEAGUE Final 4)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Athletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Can Atletico pull the upset again at home vs Pep G in his last Champ League with Bayern?

Thurs, Apr 28 (Europa League-Semis)

3 pm FS1 Villareal vs Liverpool – Klopp looks to bring a trophy to Anfield in his first few months – this on the road

3 pm FS2 Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sevilla FC – Can Spain put another team into the Finals?

Champions League Semi’s Tues/Wed 2:45 pm FS1

Champions League Predictions

Champions League W2W4

Fitness a concern for Ronaldo and Benzama who both sat this weekend head of Semi’s

USA

US 17 Year Old Dortmund Mid Christian Pulisic youngest Bundesliga player to hit Brace

See Pulisic Score a Brace for Dortmund

Morris Scores Again for Seattle

Klinsmann admits youngsters are pushing to make Copa Roster

Bayern face Atletico battle, Cristiano Ronaldo questions as Madrid face City

The Champions League has reached the semifinal stage, with four clubs just one step away from the final.

Can Atletico Madrid’s defence shut down Bayern Munich’s high-octane attack? And can Manchester City capitalise on any lingering fitness issues Cristiano Ronaldo may face with Real Madrid?The Champions League semifinal first legs take centre stage for Europe’s heavyweights — predict the outcome in our match polls …

ATLETICO MADRID: After taking down Barcelona in the Champions League and chasing them down in the La Liga title race, Atletico go into this game riding the crest of a wave and will be full of confidence when the Bavarians come to town. Fernando Torres has eight goals in his last 14 appearances, while Antoine Griezmann has been the matchwinner in a number of big games of late. Going forward, Los Rojiblancos are a side who can just manage to conjure up a goal out of nothing, and in front of what is bound to be a raucous Calderon they will feel they can once again upset the odds.The watertight backline will note Diego Godin’s absence, but the return of Jose Maria Gimenez could not be better timed. The young Uruguayan, along with 20-year-old Lucas Hernandez, will be faced with the biggest battle of their short careers against Robert Lewandowski and co. They have both risen to all the challenges put before them and Diego Simeone will have every confidence they can do so again this time round.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich — Joe Walker

BAYERN MUNICH: Whisper it quietly but Bayern would probably much rather have played Real Madrid than their “noisy neighbours” Atletico. Simeone’s tenacious, defensively-sound side love a scrap and were hardly the plumb draw in the last four. Bayern expect the sternest challenge against opposition dubbed “a passionate monster” by director of football Matthias Sammer. Pep Guardiola will have to ensure his treble-seeking side are up for a real dogfight in the Vicente Calderon in what he describes as “the best atmosphere in Europe.”The Bavarians must improve on a woeful record on Spanish soil against La Liga sides, winning only two of 12 previous clashes and suffering a whopping eight defeats, including successive semifinal first leg losses against Real (1-0) and Barcelona (3-0) in the past two seasons. Guardiola will hope to avoid an unwanted hat trick in his final crack at the Champions League with Bayern.The opening joust in Madrid is likely to be a cagey affair. A 0-0 draw is not beyond the realms of possibility, which would be a much healthier result for the Rojiblancos, who’ll be content to sit back, defend deep and strike on the counter. Guardiola’s side must take advantage of Godin’s probable absence at the heart of the Atletico defence and strive for a crucial away goal to take back to Munich. Atletico Madrid 0-1 Bayern Munich — Mark Lovell

REAL MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo trained with the squad on Sunday and should be fit to play but Karim Benzema is doubtful after limping off against Rayo on Saturday. Gareth Bale rescued Madrid with a virtuoso performance and appears to have found devastating form at just the right moment. Lucas Vazquez also excelled and if Benzema is ruled out, the former canterano should get the nod to start as his willingness to hassle defenders and direct running on the ball can unsettle City at the back.Casemiro will be reinstated and charged with the onerous task of shackling Kevin De Bruyne, but the Brazilian’s presence allows Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to get forward in support of the front three. Sergio Ramos and Pepe are likely to start at the back to keep an eye on Sergio Aguero, who is worth a goal a game in the Premier League but hasn’t replicated that form in Europe this season, scoring just twice. This is City’s debut semifinal, and Real’s sixth in a row. The visitors’ greater experience will tip the balance of the tie, particularly if City concede first on Tuesday and are forced to chase a result at home.Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid — Rob Train

MAN CITY: City’s form in the league has picked up markedly over the last three weeks and they reach this unprecedented milestone in their history in good shape, with confidence growing. They have reserved all their best performances for the Champions League this season and in opponents Real Madrid they have the best suited opposition of those left in the tournament. Real will leave spaces at the back which Aguero, De Bruyne and David Silva will be able to exploit if they can all find their very best form.The likes of Borussia Monchengladbach, Sevilla and Dynamo Kiev will testify to the fact that City in full flow are a real handful, capable of inflicting damage away as well as at home with a coruscating ability to counter attack with speed and numbers. The steep Champions League learning curve is gradually being tamed by Manuel Pellegrini’s side. However, a big question mark must be placed alongside City’s ability to withstand the nerves such an occasion automatically brings. The club has never reached such exalted heights before, while their regal opponents stand tall in the semifinals for the 27th time.Will experience hold out or can the novices rock the boat? Manchester City 2-2 Real Madrid — Simon Curtis

Champions League, Europa League W2W4: Real’s hopes rest on Ronaldo

With the Champions League and Europa League semifinal second legs this week, Miguel Delaney recaps the storylines worth watching.

How important is Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid’s chance of progress?

The big storyline ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to Manchester City on Tuesday is Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness

, but it leads to an even bigger question about the Spanish team, and one that could decide the entire Champions League season itself. Do Zinedine Zidane’s team have any chance without the Portuguese even at his best? He’s been that good again, that dominant. Ronaldo’s recurring injury problems and flatter performances had actually led to a growing suspicion he could be definitively past his peak. Certainly, when Lionel Messi recaptured the Ballon d’Or in January, it didn’t feel like the Real striker would ever be getting it back. That could change, because Ronaldo has changed the tone of this season.

While Messi’s Barcelona are now out of the Champions League, his great rival ensured the same fate did not befall Real by scoring a brilliant hat trick to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 on aggregate, again canceling out his team’s problems on his own. It symbolised a comeback in so many ways, and only followed his fine first-leg goal against Roma in the round of 16. It also felt like he was on something of a one-man mission, but that is possibly because he knows so much of this will decide one man’s legacy. Because, for all the goals that Ronaldo has hit in his seven years in Madrid, he has only really won two major trophies: one league and one Champions League.It is oddly underwhelming given his personal contribution, but another European Cup — and second in three years — would clearly overrule that. If he is not even fully fit, however, he will have to depend on his teammates to temporarily step up. That is because, so far in this knockout stage, Real’s games have come down to a balance between the team’s problems and Ronaldo’s prolific strike rate.

Can Manuel Pellegrini claim revenge and redemption by readjusting?

So much of Manchester City’s run to a first Champions League semifinal has been framed around what might unexpectedly be the ultimate happy ending for manager Manuel Pellegrini before he leaves in the summer — but even that has taken on a deeper dimension. The Chilean could yet win the competition by eliminating the last team that sacked him in Real Madrid, and then his successor, if Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich get past Atletico. It would be some redemption tour.To get that far, though, Pellegrini is probably going to have to come up with something rather different. Most of his management — and particularly his respectable time at Real in 1999-00 — has been characterised by getting an array of attacking players into a workable and attractive system. If he leans on that against the current Real, though, City are likely to be torn apart on the break. So, he has to innovate a bit, and probably defensively. There were signs of it in the second half of the quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain, when City’s defence held firm. They will have to get even tighter here. Pellegrini is likely going to have to show Real something they didn’t see during his time there. It could yet see him into the final.

Can Pep Guardiola figure out how to successfully attack Atletico Madrid?

As he seeks to finally win what would be a career-defining Champions League with Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola fittingly faces a legacy-defining challenge. The Catalan probably would have been the first manager to retain the trophy since Arrigo Sacchi had it not been for the intense defending of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in the 2009-10 semifinals, in what was the ultimate clash of opposing philosophies.Guardiola now comes up against a side that might actually be an upgrade on that Serie A defence, and are certainly the closest to them in style. It was actually the attacking style the Catalan himself instilled at Barcelona that initiated a new era in Champions League football, influencing goal averages to shoot up. The newly open football of the competition seemed to favour attacking teams — until Diego Simeone started shutting them down.The modern game hasn’t seen locked-down defending like it for some time, and it is as if they’ve given modern attacks problems they’ve forgotten how to solve. The new Barca certainly found that in the quarterfinals, as not even Messi could get past Atletico’s supreme defence. Guardiola is now going to have to figure out how. It represents possibly the most intriguing tactical duel the competition has seen in half a decade, and is a challenge so fitting of this stage. If Guardiola gets through this, he will really have earned this Champions League.

Will Antoine Griezmann go from a productive player to properly dominant one?

Atletico aren’t all about brilliant defending, and neither was their win over Barcelona. It was settled by the growing star that gives that defending the ultimate outlet: Antoine Griezmann’s burning pace. Barca couldn’t handle it, and it has even been a factor in releasing Fernando Torres to return to levels more like his old self. It is little wonder Chelsea and Manchester United are now chasing the French star, as are so many trailing defenders.He is so promising. He now just needs to properly fulfil that promise, by producing even bigger moments. Beating Barcelona should be the start. He now needs to make it even more consistent against the top sides, although Bayern could suit him in that regard. Guardiola’s high line could be especially susceptible to his speed. Atletico need him to fly. The only possible criticism you could have of Simeone’s side is that they are too dependent on narrow wins, that there is always a danger the 1-0s could become 0-0s, and they aren’t quite cutting enough. If anyone can change that, an evolving Griezmann can.

Can Liverpool continue a special campaign to split the Spanish?

After Liverpool’s sensational comeback against Borussia Dortmund, it seemed like their Europa League campaign enjoyed another boost, as they avoided competition specialists Sevilla. That could be a dangerous line of thought, because it’s possible Villarreal are a bigger threat than anyone. Sevilla may be aiming for a third successive Europa League, but they are three Liga places below Marcelino’s side, who have arguably put in better performances this season than Dortmund.Villarreal have beaten both Real and Atletico — who they are unbeaten against in the league — and also claimed a draw off Barcelona. If they replicate those performances, it will likely be too much for Liverpool, who made need another epic response. Either way, it sets up a tie that could yet, somehow, be as entertaining as the quarterfinal.Miguel Delaney is a London-based correspondent for ESPN FC and also writes for the Irish Examiner and others. Follow him on Twitter@MiguelDelaney.

Cristiano Ronaldo fitness a key point in Manchester City vs. Real Madrid semi

Manchester City face Real Madrid for a place in the Champions League final.

A place in the Champions League final is at stake. Who will make it to the San Siro — semifinal debutants Manchester City or 10-time winners Real Madrid?

David Mooney (City) and Ed Alvarez (Madrid) debate the last four showdown.

Who has the edge ahead of this one?

David Mooney: Manchester City have never really got going throughout the Premier League 2015-16 but Manuel Pellegrini’s side have really excelled in Europe. It feels like their breakthrough season in the competition.

Ed Alvarez: The semifinals couldn’t have arrived at a better moment for Real Madrid. Since Zinedine Zidane’s team won at the Camp Nou three weeks ago, they have finally started to play at the level that was expected from such a talented squad. The French coach has found a solid lineup and has also instilled a sizeable dose of motivation into the side. The positive results have fuelled a great atmosphere.

How key is Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness?

DM: This could be a crucial factor in the tie. Madrid could be without one of their most influential players and missing Ronaldo would be huge. He was the man who turned the tie at the Bernabeu in 2012 when City lost 3-2 and he’s got more goals than he’s made appearances for the Spanish side. With City’s struggling defence, it’d be a relief to see him miss out.

EA: Two stats show how instrumental Ronaldo is for Real Madrid, as well as how the team fare without him. In the last seven seasons, Real have scored 2.95 goals per match when he played and 2.47 when he was absent. As David mentioned, Ronaldo scores more than one goal per match, so numbers say the team only picks up half of that when he is not available. On top of his scoring, the Portuguese has recovered his ability to tear teams apart on the left flank. Although Real Madrid’s bench is strong, Ronaldo is irreplaceable.

Who would make for a better finalist?

DM: This is new ground for City and it would be fresh for the competition to see them go all the way to the final. Whether or not it’s romantic that Pellegrini’s side are progressing is a different matter, especially given the money that’s needed to be spent to do it, but it would be a fairytale ending for the season, especially with it being the manager’s last year in charge. What better legacy could he leave than overcoming the odds and getting past his old team to win the competition?

EA: Real Madrid have played 13 Champions League or European Cup finals, winning 10 of them. In terms of credentials to play a final of the tournament, those are second to none. In addition to that, making the final with the scorer of that stunning winning goal back in 2002 in the dugout and the competition’s top scorer ever on the pitch — Ronaldo has scored 93 times in this competition — and a whopping 16 this season — seems fair.

Has Pellegrini been unfairly treated at both clubs?

DM: For his time at City, the answer is both yes and no. In his first season, he didn’t get the credit he deserved for turning around a divided dressing room and pulling the squad together to win the club’s first league and cup double. However, since then, he’s underwhelmed. City shouldn’t be scrambling to make the top four and they shouldn’t be out of the title race by February.

EA: In Madrid, absolutely yes. In his first and only season with Real Madrid, he took the team to 96 points in La Liga. In the history of the league, only Jose Mourinho’s side two years later and two Barcelona teams have earned more points. That Pellegrini squad also scored more than 100 goals in La Liga for the first time since 1990. He paid the price for a shocking Copa del Rey elimination to Alcorcon, at that point in the Spanish equivalent to the third division, which prompted a sector of the media to go after him mercilessly.

Let’s also remember that Pellegrini competed with the best Barcelona side in history. Many still wonder what would have happened had he kept his job for one more season.

Who needs a place in the final more — Pellegrini or Zidane?

DM: This has to be Pellegrini. Zidane is still in the infancy of his managerial career and building a great reputation, having turned around Madrid’s fortunes. Pellegrini, meanwhile, has been going downhill at City for two of his three seasons. The Chilean needs to make the final to protect his legacy with his club.

EA: I agree with David. Zidane has already shown enough promise to keep his job next season. However, Pellegrini’s unclear future at this point would become less daunting if he takes City to the Champions League final. He would leave on a very high note.

Prediction

DM: 1-1. It won’t be an easy match for City and they might struggle if they concede an away goal.

EA: 2-2. Both teams have average defences. The match should become a frantic, two-way contest, with plenty of scoring chances and a great watch for the neutrals.

The Ole Ballcoach Blog – http://www.theoleballcoach.com

Earn Your Degree at ½ the Cost and Time of Traditional Schools @ www.Achievetestprep.com

4/22/16 Carmel FC DOC leaving, FA Cup, EPL + Spain Title Races Heat Up, Indy 11 beat NY Cosmos, Champ League Semi’s next wk

April 22, 2016 gatorbest

Sad to announce that Carmel FC DOC Paul Telfer will step down as Director of Coaching at the end of the season in June. He’ll be returning to his native home in the UK. “Paul has been instrumental in raising the level of training and credibility of the Carmel FC Program,” says Carmel FC Commissioner Jeremy Slivinski. “The groundwork he has laid in less than two years as our DOC was expected to take closer to five years. He will be greatly missed by our coaches and players. It is important to note that Paul’s departure will not stop the club’s commitment to continuing our progress and growth. We are excited that a new DOC will be joining us as we open our training office at Shelborne Fields which will support new training opportunities for all of our players and coaches.” Telfer’s thoughts on the club when sharing news of his departure. “This club is special. The volunteer coaches have a level of commitment that you don’t normally see in paid coaches with the same experience and background. The commitment by Carmel Dads Club to see this program grow is exceptional. Whoever is hired as the next Director of Coaching is stepping into a fantastic opportunity. I will keep tabs on the club from back home. My family and I will miss all the friends we have made and thank you for the welcome you have provided us in the community during our time here.”

Now on to our Indy 11 – wow what a ballgame on Saturday night at the Mike – the Indy 11 – came from behind in dramatic fashion to pull of a 2-1 victory over the defending NASL Champion New York Cosmos with new signee and NASL player of the week forward Eamon Zayed scoring the game winner in extra time. Perhaps this team is turning the corner – you can certainly see we have better players this season, the defense is much more stout and the offense is coming along. See video here of the excitement from the BrickYard Briggade. Carmel FC’ers don’t forget its Carmel FC Night at the next home Indy 11 game – on 7:30 pm May 7 vs Edmonton – ask your team manager about discount tickets to sit in our section.

Not a ton of huge games this weekend or week – FA Cup Semi’s on Sat 11 am on Fox Sports 2 with Everton facing Man United, and Sun 11 am again on FS2 with Crystal Palace facing Watford. The EPL title race continues of course with Leicester City 5 pts ahead now without their star Vardee who’s out at least 1 game on suspension after his controversial Red Card for “Diving” in last week’s thrilling come from behind 2-2 tie by the Foxes. Leicester hosts Swansea on Sunday at 11 on NBCSN, while Tottenham host West Brom on Monday at 3 pm on NBCSN. In Spain’s La Liga – Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are tied with 79 pts, while Real Madrid are just 1 pt back with 4 games left in the season. Champions League Final 4 – resumes the next 2 weeks with Man City vs Real Madrid Tues at 2:45 on Fox Sports 1, and Athletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich on Wed same time and channel.

Europa league Semi-Finals has Liverpool vs Villareal, and Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sevilla FC 3 pm Thurs on Fox Sports 1 + 2.

Shout out to former Carmel High and Carmel Dad’s Club star Matt Hedges, Defender and Captain for FC Dallas – as he recovers from a meniscus injury in his left knee-he’s expected to be out 4-6 weeks.

I saw this quote from Megan Rapinoe this weekend and thought I should share with everyone. Quote from Megan Rapinoe US Women’s National Team Star

What did you do at a younger age, like at age 12 (like me) to be able to play on the U.S. Women’s National Team. – Erica

Listen, Erica: I’m going to tell you something you probably don’t hear enough … HAVE FUN! Don’t just concentrate on soccer. Play all kinds of sports. It will help you be more well-rounded athletically and help you have a more well-rounded life. I was lucky from a young age to have coaches who valued creativity on the field and who let me make mistakes. Don’t worry about being perfect out there. Use your imagination. Be creative with the ball. Can I tell you a secret? My teams lost all the time when I was growing up. Don’t worry too much about winning yet. My teams didn’t start winning until I was midway through high school. Oh yeah, and watch a ton of soccer on TV. Listen, Erica’s parents: People are starting to take youth soccer way too seriously. Don’t have your kids play year-round. They need a break. In reality, 99 percent of kids aren’t going to make it to the pros. But there’s a misconception out there that you can plot your kid’s road to stardom. I sympathize with parents, because I think they’re sold this idea: If you do this, this and this … if you have your child join this club, then do this camp, then meet this coach, then they will be on the path. The only true path is this: Give your child the freedom to have fun and be a kid and see what happens. See Full Story Here

GAMES of the WEEK

Sat, Apr 23

7:45 a.m., NBCSN Manchester City vs. Stoke City – Man U continues push for Final 4 Champions League Spot

9:30 am Fox Sports 2 Hertha Berlin vs. Bayern Munich – Can US defender John Brooks help Hertha win at home vs German League leaders?
FA Cup (Semifinal)

12 pm Fox Sports 2 Everton vs. Manchester United – Can Van Gaal bring home a FA Cup Trophy to help save his job?

Sun, Apr 24

9:05 am NBCSN Sunderland vs. Arsenal

FA Cup (Semifinal)

11 am Fox Sports 2 Crystal Palace vs Watford
11:15 am NBCSN: Leicester City vs. Swansea City

2:45 pm beIn Sport Fiorentina vs Juventus
3:30 pm ESPN3 San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City 3:30 p.m. US stars Matt Beasler and Zuzi look to stay near top in the West.

Mon, Apr25

3:00 p.m., NBCSN Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Bromwich Albion

Tues, Apr 26 (CHAMPS LEAGUE Final 4)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Man City vs Real Madrid A huge home game for City looking for Champs League home Glory vs UCL stalwart Real

Weds, Apr 27 (CHAMPS LEAGUE Final 4)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Athletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Can Atletico pull the upset again at home vs Pep G in his last Champ League with Bayern?

Thurs, Apr 28 (Europa League-Semis)

3 pm FS1 Villareal vs Liverpool – Klopp looks to bring a trophy to Anfield in his first few months – this on the road

3 pm FS2 Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sevilla FC – Can Spain put another team into the Finals?

FULL – GAMES THIS WEEK ON TV –

Sat, Apr 23

7:45 a.m., NBCSN Manchester City vs. Stoke City

9:30 am Fox Sports 2 Hertha Berlin vs. Bayern Munich
10:00 a.m., NBCSN     Liverpool vs. Newcastle United
10:00 a.m., USA          Bournemouth vs. Chelsea
10:00 a.m., ET:             Aston Villa vs. Southampton

10 am beIn Sport Rayo Vallencano vs Real Madrid

FA Cup (Semifinal)

12 pm Fox Sports 2 Everton vs. Manchester United

12:30 p.m., Fox?? Schalke 04 vs. Bayer Leverkusen

2:45 pm beIn Sport PSG vs Lille – League Cup

7 pm ESPN 3 Ft Lauderdale Strikers vs Jacksonville (NASL)

7:30 pm beIn Sport Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Carolina (NASL)

8 pm EPSN3 Minn vs NY Cosmos

Sun, Apr 24

9:05 am NBCSN Sunderland vs. Arsenal

FA Cup (Semifinal)

11 am Fox Sports 2 Crystal Palace vs Watford
11:15 am NBCSN: Leicester City vs. Swansea City

2:45 pm beIn Sport   Fiorentina vs Juventus
3:30 pm ESPN3             San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City 3:30 p.m.   (US stars
7:30 pm FS1                   New York Red Bulls vs. Orlando City, 7:30 p.m.

Mon, Apr 25

3:00 p.m., NBCSN Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Bromwich Albion

Tues, Apr 26 (CHAMPS LEAGUE)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Man City vs Real Madrid

Weds, Apr 27 (CHAMPS LEAGUE)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Athletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich

Thurs, Apr 28 (Europa League)

3 pm FS1 Villareal vs Liverpool

3 pm FS2 Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sevilla FC

Sun, May 1

3:30 PM espn Portland Timbers vs. Toronto FC
8 pm FS1 Sporting Kansas City vs. Los Angeles Galaxy

Tues, May 3 (CHAMPS LEAGUE)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Bayern Munich vs Athletico Madrid

Weds, May 4 (CHAMPS LEAGUE)

2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 Real Madrid vs Man City

Wed, May 25

8 pm United States men vs. Ecuador, international friendly

Sat, May 28

FS1 United States men vs. Bolivia, international friendly

Zayed’s Game Winner is Play of the Week

COPA AMERICA 100 –GAMES IN CHICAGO – still seats left for USA Game , Argentina game and Semi-Finals.

NASL

Andrew Luck was at the Game

This Team Defeats NYC – Permanent Relegation Aaron Gunyon

Indy 11 Recap – win vs NY

3 Things Indy vs NY

Talking Tactics – Indy 11 vs NY Cosmos – BYB – CFC Coach Josh Mason

Eamon Zayed from PR

Furballs and Futbol Nite May 7

Indy 11 Stands in 4^th place

USA

US 17 yr old Christian Pulisic scores 1^st goal for Dortmund in 90 minute display

US Hot List – Watch the Video here on Christian Pulisic and the Great Yellow Wall of Dortmund

US Soccer Perception Problem

US Ladies Get Path During Olympics France/Columbia/New Zealand

US Leads in 2026 Bidding for World Cup –Grant Wahl SI

Klinsmann deny’s interest in Everton Job

Fulham’s US youngster Emerson Hyndman just needs more Time

Man U excited with young US teen Matt Olosunde

US Carli Lloyd – A Day in the Life Of – the Goal Keeper Jon Tannenwald

NWSL Starts Season as the US Ladies Shine

Champions League

European Clean Sweep for England or Spain?

Are Bayern and Real Madrid Big 2 Now?

Real vs Man City

Real Madrid favorites vs Man City – ESPN FC

Athletico vs Bayern Munich

EPL + World Leagues

Leicesters Vardy Faces Suspension of 1 to 3 games?

Foxes Rely on the Longball

How SPURS Manager Pochettino transformed Tottenham into Contender

EPL Table

La Liga Surprising Title Race

Barcelona Still Slipping

Who will Win Goal Race Messi or Renaldo?

Atletico full of confidence in title Race

La Liga Table

MLS

MLS Review Week 7

FC Dallas Captain Matt Hedges (former Carmel High School and Carmel Dad’s Club Player out 4-6 weeks with knee – MLS.com

MLS not a Retirement League Says Tim Howard

Jordon Morris Scores his first Pro goal for Seattle

Orlando’s Keeper Bendik raises status with strong play – MLS.com

David Bingham wins Save of Week 6

Atlanta promises 1^st Class Facility

Former US Soccer striker Charlie Davies – Recovery from Deadly Car Crash – Unrelenting Video

Wondo back at the top of the MLS scoring chart

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Carmel FC Night @ Indy 11 Game May 7 7:30 pm vs Edmonton

Ask your manager about discount tickets in our group – our just show up and come find us in the stands! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Scene from the Mike – Sat Night – BYB style at the Indy 11 game

Soccer Camps – Boys and Girls -Ages 6 – 14

Ok so its almost Summer Camp time – below are some nice options for Soccer Camps this summer

Post2Post GOALKEEPER – Soccer Camp – May 31-June 3 – 9 am till 3 pm

CFC and Carmel High Coach Carla Baker – former National Team Goalie for Canada will run her annual GK camp June 1-4 9 am to 3 pm $195 each @ Badger Field

Indy 11 Soccer Camp June 20-23 — 9 am till 12 noon Ages 5-14 $135 @ Badger Fields

Goal2Gol Soccer Camp
CHS Men’s Head Coach Shane Schmidt, a former U-20 US National Team player, runs his annual camp from 9 am to 2 pm July 11-16. $150 before 6/30 @ River Road Fields.

THREE THINGS – INDY VS NEW YORK

Three things from three points at home v. Cosmos

Apr 18, 2016

Following every game in 2016, IndyEleven.com will give each game a little time to breathe before going back for one last look at the proceedings, extracting three takeaways to walk away with before taking a look ahead.In this week’s edition of “Three Things,” we praise “Coach Hank’s” switch to the 4-4-2, Eamon Zayed’s total show, and the team composition to overcome a 1-0 deficit to take all three points.

1) Coach Hank throws two up top in formation switch

Despite what we wrote last week about Hankinson’s love affair with the 4-2-3-1, his clear switch to the 4-4-2 brought both Eamon Zayed and Justin Braun to the apex of the attack – and it worked.The distribution of personnel saw Indy Eleven complete over 75.7% of their passes, their highest total through three games, and swing in more crosses (20) than The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception during mass. Brad Ring and Nicki Paterson were at the heart of the midfield line of four and were especially influential in the successful distribution, completing a combined 78/94 (82.9%) of their passes.Despite the Eleven largely playing out of the back in the first two games, this week’s midfield domination saw top passing combinations go to Dylan Mares, Brad Ring, and Nicki Paterson, as the team charged through the center often – and successfully.

Ring, Mares, Paterson chart

Up top, Eamon Zayed and Justin Braun played tight as a tandem and hardly drifted from each other. Braun will be disappointed not to have opened his Indy Eleven account after having a goal called back on a close offside call (and just missing a potential game-winner on a diving header), but his flick forward sent Dylan Mares in on goal in the 95^th minute. Mares rifled the shot at Cosmos ‘keeper Kyle Zobeck who saved well, but Zayed was there to tap in the rebound and put the “Boys in Blue” in front with seconds to spare.

2) Eamon Zayed’s total show

Speaking of the Irishman, Zayed showed two facets of a good striker with his composed penalty finish and quick thinking in front of goal to complete his two-goal performance. In the 88^th minute, Cosmos defender Hunter Freeman fouled Eleven defender Greg Janicki in the area following an excellent delivery from Don Smart on a rushed corner. This allowed Zayed to step up to the spot with a dream chance to equalize against Zobeck, and the No. 9 would bury it to his right, despite the fact the regular Cosmos backup netminder correctly guessed his decision.

How the winner unfolded

Just a few minutes later, Braun started the afore mentioned bang-bang turn of events inside the area that ended with Zayed sweeping up Zobeck’s spilled save of Mares’ shot on the doorstep, causing madness to ensue yards away in the West Stand.The pair of goals were the new man’s first in an Eleven kit, but if he continues to work for his chances like he did on Saturday, they surely won’t be his last.

3) The fight back continues

Coming back from a deficit is ideal for no one, but it’s also something that “Indiana’s Team” is familiar with. It was a theme in the preseason on separate occasions, it happened during the home opener against Ottawa, and the opportunity to fight back once again presented itself on Saturday against New York.After the offside flag went up against Justin Braun in the 49^th minute, New York countered on the other side like lightning. Juan Arango dashed out on the wing and swung in a cross towards Sebastian Guenzatti, but before the attacker could reach the cross Greg Janicki’s sliding challenge drew a whistle from the head official – penalty to New York. At that point, it was new Cosmos midfielder and Croatian international Niko Kranjcar with the chance to put the visitors in front, and he did so beating Jon Busch to his right with a fine spot-kick.The fight was on. Coach Tim Hankinson examined the circumstances and decided to bring on Don Smart to replace Duke Lacroix in an adjustment on the wings. After nine more scoreless minutes, the Eleven were forced into their second substitution of the night as Nemanja Vukovic went down with an injury allowing Marco Franco into the match. Three minutes later, the final substitution was made as midfielder Nicki Paterson made way for forward Wojciech Wojcik in an all-out-attack move by the veteran coach. The fact that Hankinson did not wait until late to fill out all three of his substitute cards – all subs were used by the 76^th minute – smacked of a coach willing to force good things happen rather than wait for them to do so.Like last week against Ottawa, the Eleven left it late as Zayed notched his brace. All in dramatic fashion, it appeared the “Boys in Blue” had swept the rug from under the Cosmos’ feet to send them home empty-handed.

Zayed Heat Map

The three points were extremely valuable for Indy Eleven as the sprint through the spring season advances. The win puts “Indiana’s Team” in fourth place through three games with five points, just behind Minnesota United FC and the New York Cosmos (6 pts) and four off the leaders, the Carolina Railhawks (9 pts).Having staked their claim to what was perhaps the biggest “statement win” to date in franchise history, the Eleven will use their Spring Season bye and root for favorable results across the league this weekend before heading west to the Sooner State to face new franchise Rayo OKC in Yukon, Oklahoma.

RECAP – IND 2 : 1 NYC

Eleven knock off Cosmos thanks to late brace from Zayed

Apr 16, 2016

Indy Eleven Collects First Win in Comeback Fashion over New York

Eamon Zayed’s Pair of Stoppage Time Goals Lifts “Boys in Blue” to 2-1 Win over First-Place Cosmos

INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, April 16, 2016) – Indy Eleven turned a potentially disappointing defeat into a breath-taking victory during second half stoppage time against the New York Cosmos, as Eamon Zayed’s late brace gave the home side a 2-1 comeback win in front of 9,067 fans at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium.Indy Eleven looked poised to end its six-game draw streak against the Cosmos with a loss after going down on Nico Kranjcar’s 51^st minute penalty kick, but it instead snapped the run with a victory thanks to Zayed’s late-game dramatics.Neither side could break through during a stingy first 45 minutes of play. Indy Eleven had some early joy in attack through wide play and the crosses that came from it, but only one opportunity – Nemanja Vuković’s sidewinder off a Brad Ring service that bounced just wide in the 31^st minute – would result in any danger. New York’s four shots in the half would all come from distance, with Sebastian Guenzatti’s 33^rd minute effort from 20 yards out that missed high looking the most threatening.Indy Eleven’s Dylan Mares would have the best chance of the stanza in stoppage time when he turned inside on his defender and fired a left-footed blast from 15 yards that forced Cosmos netminder Kyle Zobeck into a two-handed parry over for a corner.The home side looked to get the go-ahead goal in the 49^th minute when Justin Braun nodded home another Ring cross at the top of the six, but the offside flag came up on a bang-bang call. That wave-off would loom large just a minute later, as New York countered on the other end to set up the game’s first tally. Guenzatti’s lunge for Juan Arango’s cross inside the six was judged to be altered by the sliding tackle of Greg Janicki, which drew a penalty kick for the visitors that Kranjcar slammed past the right of Indy goalkeeper John Busch to put New York up 1-0.While Indy would push numbers forward for an equalizer, it was New York that would get the better chances on the counter up through the end of the regulation 90 minutes. Jairo Arrieta would get a good look in the 56^th minute, but Busch did well to cut off the angle and force the shot to be pushed into the outside netting. Lucky Mkosana almost made an immediate impact following his insertion for Arrieta in the 81^st minute, as he slipped through the Indy center backs and fired off a shot from 20 yards out that missed just wide of the right post.The home side would enter the five minutes of injury time by taking its own trip to the penalty spot, ironically with Janicki being fouled by New York defender Hunter Freeman as he tried to track a looping corner that was sent into the heart of the area by Don Smart. While Zobeck would correctly guess to his left on the PK, Zayed placed it just out of reach and inside the right post to even the proceedings at 1-1.Indy fans might have thought the seventh straight draw between the two sides was meant to be after Justin Braun’s diving header off of Smart’s exquisite first-time cross four minutes into stoppage flashed just wide left. However, the home side’s push wasn’t over, as on the game’s final attack Mares’ sent a shot that Zobeck did well to block, but the rebound fell right to Zayed, who swept home from the doorstep to give Indy Eleven its first win of the Tim Hankinson era.Indy Eleven will enjoy its Spring Season bye week next weekend before getting back to action on Saturday, April 30, when “Indiana’s Team” will travel to Oklahoma for its first meeting with Rayo OKC (8:00 p.m. ET, live on beIN Sports). The squad will return home to Carroll Stadium on Saturday, May 7, to take on FC Edmonton; tickets for the match are available starting at $11 in the Brickyard Battalion and East Goal Top sections atwww.IndyEleven.com or over the phone at 317-685-1100 (Mon.-Fri., 9:00a.m.-5:00 p.m.).
NASL Spring Season
Indy Eleven 2 : 1 New York Cosmos
Saturday, April 16, 2016 Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN Attendance: 9,037

Indy Eleven:
Spring Season: 1W-2D-0L (5 pts.)

New York Cosmos:
Spring Season: 2W-0D-1L (6 pts.)

Scoring Summary:
NYC – Nico Kranjcar (penalty kick) 51’
IND – Eamon Zayed (penalty kick) 90’
IND – Eamon Zayed (unassisted) 90+5’

Discipline Summary:
IND – Nemanja Vuković (caution) 50’
IND – Justin Braun (caution) 57’
IND – Greg Janicki (caution) 65’
IND – Hunter Freeman (caution) 89’
IND – Brad Ring (caution) 90+5’

OPTA STATS: See the full array of statistics available at the Opta MatchCenter

Indy Eleven line-up (4-4-2, L–>R): Jon Busch; Nemanja Vuković (Marco Franco 73’), Greg Janicki, Colin Falvey (capt), Lovel Palmer; Duke Lacroix (Don Smart 63’), Nicki Paterson (Nicki Paterson 76’), Brad Ring, Dylan Mares; Justin Braun, Eamon Zayed

Eleven bench: Keith Cardona (GK), Cory Miller, Neil Shaffer, Daniel Keller

New York Cosmos (4-2-3-1): Kyle Zobeck; Ayoze, Carlos Mendes (capt) (Gabriel Farfan 86’), Jimmy Ockford, Hunter Freeman; Michael Lahoud, Adam Moffat; Niko Kranjcar (Andres Flores 70’), Juan Arango, Sebastian Guenzatti; Jairo Arrieta (Lucky Mkosana 81’)

Cosmos bench: Brian Holt (GK), David Ochieng, Yohandry Orozco, David Diosa

Talking Tactics: Indy Eleven v New York Cosmos

ByJoshua MasonUpdated: April 18, 2016

Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat: This is a tactics blog on a fan site. The writing, in spite of the writer’s personal affinity for a particular team, aims to be objective and even handed. The numbers are the numbers and they don’t change even if the writer is pulling for a certain team. To indulge in an over used and tired phrase, it is what it is. That said, Saturday’s match against the Cosmos was something to behold. Has Indy ever earned a more delicious three points? It’s a rhetorical question, but the answer is no.Now that that is out of the way…

Credit the Tims

Making a philosophical shift in the way your team approaches a match is a tough thing to do if you’re a coach and said shifts usually only happen after a series of dire results. With only two matches out of the way in the spring season and a point to show in each match prior to the Cosmos tilt, an unchanged approach would have been understandable. Tim Hankinson took the reigns of the Eleven committed to a 4-2-3-1 formation and assembled a squad with that shape in mind.Tim Regan, in his time as the head coach, most often deployed a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond, but he didn’t have the players available to him that Hankinson does. I don’t know what the conversations were between the Tims following the Ottawa match, but it was clearly not lost on them that the Eleven looked better, more dangerous, and more composed with two forwards in advance of the midfield. With arguably the best team in the NASL coming to town in only your third match of the season, it takes a little sand to scrap the formation you’ve sold to the club owner and fans as the best way forward and go with something completely different, but that’s exactly what they did and Eleven supporters will be basking in the wisdom of that decision through next week’s bye.

A Closer Look

Following Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win, Éamon Zayed said he had many more touches in a two front system than he’d had in the previous two matches as a lone striker. However, looking at the numbers, Zayed had 23, 21, and 28 touches against Tampa Bay, Ottawa, and New York, respectively. Yes, he had more touches, but not that many more. Why then did Indy look so much more dynamic and dangerous against the Cosmos than they did against Tampa Bay and most of the match against Ottawa?

The answer lies in where those touches were had. Consider the heat maps below. In each of the previous two matches as the lone focal point of the Eleven attack, Zayed was often starved for service and, when he did receive the ball, he had no one with whom to connect.

Zayed against Tampa Bay.

Against Tampa Bay, Zayed was forced to drop deep to receive the ball at his feet, but struggled to find anyone with whom to combine. the result was that the focal point of the Eleven attack had difficulty doing anything of substance in the final third.

Zayed against Ottawa.

Zayed found better balance against Ottawa and had more of a presence in the final third, but remember that a significant portion of the second half was played with two strikers in a 4-4-2 and then a 3-5-2. Now look at the heat map for Zayed and Braun in a two front system.

Zayed and Braun versus New York Cosmos.

It may seem like apples to oranges including two players instead of just one, but it isn’t given that those two players served as joint targets for the Eleven moving forward when in the previous matches there was just Zayed – we’re comparing attack to attack. Zayed’s passing statistics reflect the improvement. Against Tampa Bay, Zayed was 6/12 passing. Against Ottawa, he was 7/12 passing. Against New York, Zayed was 13/17 passing. His ability to receive the ball in more dangerous areas and then combine with another Eleven player, more than anything, led to the Eleven’s increased dynamism in attack.As a whole, the team received the ball and combined in more advanced areas. In both the Tampa Bay and Ottawa matches, Indy’s top passing combinations all originated with a defender and often times ended with a defender. Against Tampa Bay, the top combinations were Colin Falvey to Lovel Palmer, Colin Falvey to Nicki Paterson, and Nemanja Vukovic to Greg Janicki. Against Ottawa, they were Janicki to Vukovic, Ring to Janicki, and Falvey to Janicki. However, against New York, with two front runners stretching the field vertically and creating space, the combinations were created in more advanced areas – Mares to Ring, Paterson to Palmer, and Ring to Vukovic. This may seem like a small distinction, but receiving and creating combinations in the middle third rather than the defensive third has huge consequences with concern to a team’s ability to create chances and get forward.Comparing the two matches in which Indy played exclusively in a 4-2-3-1 and exclusively in a two front system (against Tampa Bay and New York, respectively) Indy had 7shots to 13 shots; 1 on target to 4 on target; 4 inside the box to 9 inside the box. Long story short, they were on the ball more in more dangerous positions with two front runners as compared to a lone striker.To beat a dead horse, check out the two images below comparing attacking play in the New York and Tampa Bay matches. Attempted crosses from open play, both successful and unsuccessful, key passes, shots, and successful dribbles are included.

Attacking play versus New York.

Ditto Tampa Bay:

Attacking play versus Tampa Bay.

The takeaway here is not so much in the end result as it is in where passes, shots, and crosses originated and the volume of said actions.

Chemistry

Lastly, I think it’s worth touching briefly on the intangibles of a team’s performance. There aren’t numbers to back up these kinds of observations, but in a flow based sport like soccer the intangibles can sometimes provide the small percentages between getting a result and failing. When the Indy players celebrated Zayed’s first goal on the sideline with Jair Reinoso’s jersey I think everyone got a sense of the team ethos with which this iteration of the Eleven plays.Having been lucky enough to spend some time around the team last season, I can say it isn’t that the team in the last two seasons was dysfunctional or that they didn’t fight for one another, but that they were a team starving for the majority veteran influence that dictates what professionalism and “playing for the shirt” looks like. That sounds sappy and those sorts of observations will not be the norm for the tactics blog, but after a signature win like that which occurred on Saturday night, I think it’s worth noting. There is a significant amount of young talent still on the Eleven – Wojcik, Mares, Lacroix, Cardona, Franco, Miller, Smart (not young, but a young pro) – and having veterans like Falvey, Janicki, Ring, Zayed, Busch, Paterson, Palmer, Ubiparipović, and Larrea to guide the team will pay dividends for them moving forward.

Amid complex times and growth, U.S. Soccer faces perception problem

Tension between USMNT, USWNT reaches highest level in long time

SI senior writer Grant Wahl looks at how the rising tension within US Soccer could affect the women’s national team’s wage discrimination complaint.

BY BRIAN STRAUSADD FAVORITETwitter EmailPosted: Wed Apr. 6, 2016Updated: Fri Apr. 8, 2016

Anyone wondering whether all publicity really is good publicity might want to check in on the folks at the U.S. Soccer Federation. They administer and govern a sport that doesn’t hit the pop culture mainstream too frequently, and they’d normally be thrilled with hearing their name and seeing their new logo on a program like The Daily Show. Tuesday’s segment, however, was meant to skewer rather than celebrate. And host Trevor Noah dispensed with the nuance and went for the jugular. “Even those children that make iPhones are like, ‘Wow, that’s unfair,’” Noah said while discussing the wage discrimination complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by the U.S. women’s national team. “Not only have the U.S. women’s soccer team proven that they’re the best in the world, they’ve made America feel like they’re the best in the world. I know you can’t put a price on winning and national pride, but maybe you should try.”The federation and its all-conquering women already were engaged in a legal battle over the existence and duration of their collective bargaining agreement. And they’d jousted over equal treatment and field conditions, culminating in the team’s refusal to play a scheduled December friendly on a substandard surface in Honolulu. Then came the EEOC complaint, which pitted the talented and telegenic world champions against their corporate overlords. “I don’t want to use the word ‘deserve’ in any of this,” U.S. Soccer president and Columbia University economics lecturer Sunil Galati said about the women’s national team’s pursuit of equal pay. “I’d reverse the question. Do you think revenue should matter at all in determination of compensation in a market economy? If we look at the track record of teams, a lot of different things go into the compensation for the players. Part of it is based on revenue. Part of it is based on revenues that accrue from international competitions. Part of it is based on incentives and the performance of the teams.” PODCAST: U.S. men’s mixed World Cup, Olympic qualifiers

Well, that sounded pretty corporate. And whether it’s correct or fair or not, the public doesn’t want to hear about “compensation in a market economy” when it comes to treatment of their heroes. Spreadsheets are boring. What we know is that the men just lost to Guatemala while the women earned a ticker tape parade and still get a per diem that’s somehow 20% less. And that makes it easy for The Daily Show to compare U.S. Soccer with the managers of a Chinese sweatshop, even if the federation spends more on the women’s game than anyone else in the world.But Noah let the federation off lightly compared to Paul Gardner, the Soccer America curmudgeon-in-residence who’s the country’s longest serving active soccer writer. On Monday, he penned a shocking column comparing U.S. Soccer’s tagline, “One Nation. One Team,” with a popular slogan that emerged in 1930s Germany: “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer”.Gardner called for a change and wrote, “I have total faith in the slogan-makers ability to quickly conjure up alternative banalities.”But should he? While there’s no chance that anyone affiliated with the USSF or Nike intended to link American soccer to 20th-century fascists, the derivative slogan does fail to reflect the fractured state of the domestic game. In 2016, it’s anything but harmonious.How did U.S. Soccer, a non-profit organization established to grow and govern the game in the 50 states, reach the point where it’s being mentioned—even in lazy and absurd satire—alongside child laborers and Nazis?The answer certainly may lie between a misstep or two, but it’s more likely simply an uncomfortable symptom of soccer’s growth.For so many decades it was a foreign game, popular only in specific regions or ethnic enclaves located a million miles from the mainstream. But its rise over the past quarter century has been meteoric, fueled by the youth soccer boom, globalization, cable and satellite TV, video games, viable and expanding professional leagues, a men’s national team that’s been to seven straight World Cups and a women’s juggernaut that’s won three.There’s now money to be made in soccer, and money made inevitably leads to competing claims. American soccer’s fiefdoms, especially at the youth level, no longer have the autonomy they once enjoyed. Well-funded by TV networks and sponsors, the USSF has become more professionalized while bringing an increasing number of facets of the sport under its control.When there’s growth, and that growth rubs up against old boundaries and spheres of influence, friction inevitably ensues. On one level, those are good problems to have. Being an American soccer fan, player, administrator or coach (or journalist) is far more fruitful today than it was 30 years ago. But with prosperity comes increased visibility, higher stakes and deeper scrutiny. More people are interested and more people want a say. Accelerated growth can be painfully awkward. Anyone who knows a middle schooler can tell you that.So, pick your controversy or source of frustration. We can start with the women. They may have a strong case for more compensation and better working conditions, but they’ve made a few unflattering headlines as well. Goalkeeper Hope Solo’s legal issues are well documented. Recently retired forward Abby Wambach, the national team’s all-time leading scorer, was arrested for DUII in Oregon last weekend and admitted in court documents to using cocaine and marijuana earlier in her career. One of her sponsors, Mini USA, has pulled ads featuring the former star.Meanwhile, the men have struggled recently. Jurgen Klinsmann is being paid more than $3 million per year and was promoted to technical director in 2013, but his team has failed to demonstrate much progress.The senior squad finished fourth at the 2015 Gold Cup, it’s worst showing in 15 years, then lost to Mexico in a match that sent the winner to the 2017 Confederations Cup. Last week, it faced a do-or-die World Cup qualifier against Guatemala, its fate hanging in the balance more than two years before the tournament kicks off. But while Klinsmann’s team was trouncingLos Chapines, the U-23 side was losing its Olympic qualifying playoff to Colombia.The American men will miss the Olympics for a second straight time. And neither the U-23, U-20 nor U-17 team even reached the final of its most recent CONCACAF championship.Once considered a savior, or at least a breath of fresh air, Klinsmann now is the subject of frequent analysis and criticism. He’s blamed his own players, referees or MLS for some of the national team’s misfortunes and has questioned U.S. fans’ soccer knowledge—none of which went over well. His methods remain confusing and opaque, and perception of the team hasn’t been good.Friction between the national team coach and the country’s most prominent league may not be ideal, but the relationship between his employer and MLS on a corporate level also rubs many the wrong way. SUM, which is MLS’s marketing and promotions arm, works closely with the federation and handles many of its sponsorship, promotional and broadcast rights.

WAHL: USA a favorite to host 2026 World Cup

The league and federation are intertwined, and that gives Gulati, who’s run unopposed in the two most recent USSF presidential elections, and MLS commissioner Don Garber an enormous amount of influence. They’ve grown the game considerably, but that sort of concentration of power makes some uncomfortable. The second-tier NASL, for example, has threatened legal action over the possible implementation of rising league standards that would make it harder to achieve first-division sanctioning. The perception that the USSF is protecting MLS from competition because of their financial relationship is not the best look.All of that leads to the scandals and indictments that have wracked FIFA and CONCACAF over the past year. While the USSF remains unblemished, its relationship with indicted and convicted executives like Chuck Blazer is unfortunate. The scandals drew the interest of the U.S. Senate, which, like The Daily Show, doesn’t typically pay attention to soccer. It held a hearing last summer that touched on corruption, the Qatar World Cup and pay inequity, among other troubles facing the sport.USSF CEO Dan Flynn testified and admitted to a “level of discomfort” when working with some of soccer’s more unsavory characters. Meanwhile, Gulati has been successfully swimming with sharks. He’s emerged as a key player in FIFA politics—look no further than his effective work lobbying for eventual winner Gianni Infantino in last month’s presidential election. Naturally, Infantino wound up defending himself this week when he was linked to contracts signed by UEFA and indicted Argentine promoters.The grass roots are just as volatile. The USSF’s effort to improve player development naturally has ruffled feathers throughout the youth soccer community. Whether it’s varying standards across the Development Academy and its prohibition of high school soccer, controversial new age and birth-year mandates, issues over heading and concussions or more potential legal action over U.S. Soccer/MLS’s withholding of solidarity payments and training compensation to youth clubs that produce pros, there’s plenty of drama and disagreement that might be further from the headlines but still is vital to the future of the sport. It all may be necessary, but that doesn’t make it comfortable.Shortly after news of Wambach’s arrest broke, U.S. midfielder Alejandro Bedoya and forward Jozy Altidore took to Twitter. They did not offer their support. But wait, aren’t they One Nation, One Team? Bedoya, the son of Colombian immigrants, didn’t think so. He referenced comments Wambach made in December, when she called for Klinsmann’s dismissal and said, “The way that he has brought in a bunch of these foreign guys is not something I believe in wholeheartedly … It seems to me there are too many egos in our men’s program right now, and the bigger ego of all of them is the one who is leading the charge.”Altidore, the son of Haitian immigrants, responded with a joke about the incident in January 2015 when Solo’s husband was arrested for DUI while driving a USSF van during a women’s national team camp. The goalie, who was a passenger, was suspended.Perhaps those tweets reveal something akin to sibling rivalry. Or perhaps it’s time for a new slogan.At the 2014 World Cup, Nike sold T-shirts in Brazil’s yellow and green reading “One Nation. One Soul. One Team.” During last year’s Rugby World Cup, the #OneNationOneTeam hashtag was used by Namibia. Apparently the Toronto Blue Jays think they’re Canada’s de facto national baseball team. You can buy “One Nation. One Team. TOgether” apparel at MLB’s official shop. Gardner was right about one thing. U.S. Soccer is trying to put its best foot forward by relying relentlessly on a “fatuous catchphrase.” It’s marketing speak conjured by MBAs and not something that accurately reflects this juncture of American soccer history. The U.S. is comprised of many soccer nations, many teams and many interests, and those entities are coming into conflict.The USSF, along with MLS and the other pro leagues, should be proud of its trajectory. American soccer is unrecognizable compared to what it was just a few years ago, and that’s exciting, compelling and fun. It can’t be easy to manage, and there’s nothing wrong with benefit of the doubt. After all, if there’s fighting over money, that means there’s money to fight over. That’s preferable to the alternative.But recent months illustrate the dark side of prosperity. If “One Nation. One Team,” isn’t an authentic representation of the current state of affairs, maybe it’s an ideal—a goal. And if that’s the case, then there’s a lot of work still to do.

Christian Pulisic scores first goal for Dortmund in win vs. Hamburg

MF Christian Pulisic, 9 — Pulisic introduced the “Dab” dance to the Bundesliga after scoring his very first goal for the club, making him the fourth youngest goalscorer in Germany’s top flight (and Youngest Non-German) — the category is still led by teammatei Sahin. It was Pulisic’s first home start and the first time he played the full 90 minutes. But his cracking goal, that served as a can opener for his team, wasn’t the only highlight of his performance, as he was a handful for Hamburg’s defense all game long.

Borussia Dortmund played themselves into a better place for Wednesday’s cup semifinal against Hertha BSC in a dominant 3-0 home win over their bogey side HSV Hamburg following Thursday’s devastating loss to Liverpool.As has been the case in recent weeks, Thomas Tuchel rotated heavily, making eight changes from Thursday’s Europa League starting XI. Both 17-year-old youngsters Christian Pulisic and Felix Passlack were awarded a start, while Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan didn’t even make the squad.Yet, Tuchel’s lineup was still far from being experimental. Both Pulisic and Passlack proved that they were rightfully picked by their coach, turning in mature and reliable performances.The match started out as a stale affair, with Dortmund not asking many questions of Hamburg’s defence. It was newly minted United States international Pulisic who paved the way for an easy victory by scoring the opener in the 38th minute.There is no doubt that the Americany will see more playing time under Jurgen Klinsmann in the national team very soon.Hamburg’s goalkeeper Rene Adler got sent off on 51 minutes for bringing down Shinji Kagawa on the outside of the box. A debatable call, as there were still two HSV defenders in range to stop the Japanese from scoring, but it meant that the guests had no measures to put BVB under pressure from that moment on.Hamburg were forced to finish the final 12 minutes with only nine players on the pitch as Albin Ekdal picked up an injury after HSV coach Bruno Labbadia had already made three substitutions.In the end, the comfortable win was just what the doctor ordered after Thursday’s collapse at Anfield.

U.S. Hot List: Christian Pulisic, Jordan Morris lead the way; Gonzalez down

Listen to what Christian Pulisic and others have to say about what makes Borussia Dortmund’s ‘Yellow Wall’ one of the most unique fan bases in football.Don’t look now, but the striker competition within the United States national team is beginning to get interesting. Assuming coach Jurgen Klinsmann selects the usual four forwards to the 23-man roster he’ll name next month ahead of June’s Copa America Centenario, two of the following players — Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris, Bobby Wood, Chris Wondolowski and Gyasi Zardes — won’t be on the squad.Granted, one should never assume anything when it comes to Klinsmann, even if Altidore, Dempsey and Wood look like no-brainers. After all, the unconventional coach picked five frontrunners — all of the above except Morris — for last month’s World Cup qualifying home-and-home against Guatemala. He’s also used Zardes, who was listed as a forward in March, on the wings more often than not.Still, it’s hard to see all six surviving Klinsmann’s final cut. That could leave ballyhooed MLS rookie Morris battling against domestic league lifer Wondolowski for the final spot over the next four weeks, an intriguing competition to be sure.Both players are coming off notable games last weekend. They aren’t alone. Youngster Christian Pulisic continues to make headlines in Germany, with his stature growing by the day. And a number of U.S. regulars returned to action last weekend after significant layoffs. Others, meanwhile, are down on their luck at the worst possible time. The biggest movers on either side of the divide make up our latest Hot List.

Warming up

John Brooks, D, Hertha Berlin (Germany)

Why he’s here: The sore knee that sidelined him last month healed enough for the 23-year-old to start and go 90 minutes in Friday’s 2-1 loss to Hoffenheim, Brooks’ first match since Mar. 19. What this means: Provided he’s healthy — injuries have cost Brooks caps on several other occasions, too — the imposing German-American is a first choice center back for Klinsmann.

Alejandro Bedoya, Nantes (France)

Why he’s here: The U.S. vet had been out since sustaining an ankle injury in Guatemala City last month, but Bedoya returned to action for his Ligue 1 club in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Montpellier.What this means: It’s the second time the 28-year-old’s career season has been interrupted after returning from international duty (an illness forced him to miss all of October), but that actually could benefit the U.S. if the hard-running Bedoya’s legs are fresher than normal heading into the summer.

Matt Besler, D, Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

Why he’s here: The concussion he sustained just before the first of last month’s two qualifiers forced Besler to miss both matches and the first three games in April for his club. But the 29-year-old was back in the heart of SKC’s defense for Sunday’s 2-1 loss at FC Dallas.

What this means: Recovering from a concussion can be tricky, so seeing Besler — a 2014 World Cup starter who is slated to back up Brooks this June — on the field again is a big relief for the U.S.

Jermaine Jones, M, Colorado Rapids (MLS)

Why he’s here: In his first game back following a six-match suspension for shoving an official during last year’s MLS playoffs, when he was a member of the New England Revolution, Jones led the Rapids to a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls in his debut for the club.

What this means: Now that he’s playing again, there is no reason to think that Jones, now 34, won’t man his usual central midfield spot for the U.S. during the tournament.

Jordan Morris, F, Seattle Sounders (MLS)

Why he’s here: The highly-touted rookie scored his first professional goal in his sixth MLS game (eight in all competitions) in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.What this means: Morris remains in a dogfight to make the Copa roster and probably needs to add to his tally to stay in the hunt. That said, the 21-year-old should be more relaxed in front of goal after opening his account in Seattle.Jordan Morris’ goal vs. Philadelphia helped Seattle extend their unbeaten streak to three games.

Christian Pulisic, M, Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Why he’s here: The 17-year-old made his second consecutive Bundesliga start and became the fourth-youngest scorer in the history of Germany’s top flight when he got BVB off the mark in Sunday’s 3-0 over Hamburg.What this means: With 10 appearances in all competitions since making his pro debut Jan. 30, Pulisic has gone from Copa America roster long shot to possible U.S. starter — IF he keeps playing for Dortmund. Now that the club is eliminated from the Europa League, it will be interesting to see if Pulisic keeps his place for Wednesday’s DFB Cup semifinal versus Hertha.

Tim Ream, D, Fulham (England)

Why he’s here: The slick-passing lefty, who lost his place with the Cottagers following the late December arrival of new manager Slavisa Jokanovic, has gone the distance in each of Fulham’s past four league games.

What this means: Fulham were routed 5-0 by Brighton in Ream’s most recent start, and the American was involved in two of the goals against. But if Ream keeps his lineup spot in West London, he could still warrant a first-hand look from Klinsmann before the May 20 roster deadline.

Chris Wondolowski, F, San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

Why he’s here: Wondolowski has started yet another MLS season on fire, with a league-topping six goals from his first seven games in 2016.

What this means: The 33-year-old is making a serious case for inclusion, and Klinsmann adores his attitude and work ethic. Bet against Wondo at your peril.

Cooling down

Timmy Chandler, D, Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)

Why he’s here: With U.S. technical advisor Berti Vogts watching from the stands, Chandler had a rough outing in Eintracht’s 3-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen, picking up a second-half yellow card and getting beaten on two of the host’s goals.

What this means: Poor form hasn’t kept Klinsmann from calling in Chandler and others before, so don’t be surprised if the 26-year-old gets an in-person audition when the European-based players report to Miami the week before the coach’s final cut.

Omar Gonzalez, D, Pachuca (Mexico)

Why he’s here: The 27-year-old sustained an undisclosed injury and was substituted in the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 win versus Morelia.

What this means: The former L.A .Galaxy star has been terrific in Liga MX since joining the Tuzos in January, but Gonzalez’s international future is unclear after he marked his U.S. return with a subpar showing in Guatemala. Getting hurt now won’t help.

Omar Gonzalez has enjoyed a stellar first season in Liga MX, but an injury sustained over the weekend could complicate his national team summer.

Alfredo Morales, M, Ingolstadt (Germany)

Why he’s here: Morales was ever present for the Bundesliga club until he lost his place in early February, and then got hurt. He’s now gone more than two months since his last start for Ingolstadt, and hasn’t come off the bench since mid-March.

What this means: Playing in one of the world’s elite leagues was supposed to make Morales into a U.S. regular, but it hasn’t worked out that way. “We’re still waiting for Alfredo,” Klinsmann said recently. Unless things change soon, the wait figures to continue.

Danny Williams, M, Reading (England)

Why he’s here: Williams was already out of favor with Klinsmann, who left the German-American defensive midfielder off of his past two full-strength rosters dating to last November. Now Williams is serving a three-match ban for scuffling with a teammate during last week’s loss to Middlesbrough.What this means: With mainstays Jones and Kyle Beckerman aging but still serviceable, the odds of Williams making the Copa squad were slim to begin with. Now they’ve slimmer, even if Williams will be available for the Royals’ last two games of 2015-16.ESPNFC’s Tom Marshall contributed reporting.Doug McIntyre is a staff writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @DougMacESPN.

Fulham’s Emerson Hyndman praised after American scores winner

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic said Emerson Hyndman is worthy of more playing time after the U.S. international scored a late winner on his birthday against Cardiff on Saturday.Deep into stoppage time, Cardiff failed to clear the ball following a corner kick and Hyndman finished off a scramble in the visitors’ penalty area as Fulham won 2-1.The goal was Hyndman’s first of the season in just his seventh start, and Jokanovic said he regretted not getting Hyndman into more games.”Today is his birthday. It’s a great present for himself and for all of us in the last moment of the game,” the manager said of the American.”He’s probably one of the more talented players. I am little bit disappointed with myself that I haven’t found more minutes for him this season.”He probably needs to be a little bit stronger for the Championship. But he’s a young guy and he will be a very good footballer for us.”Hyndman, who turned 20 on Saturday, was the U.S. captain at the Under-20 World Cup last year and also featured for the under-23 team that failed to qualify for the Olympics last month.He made his only appearance for the U.S. senior team in 2014.

Barcelona’s slide has opened Spain’s title race for Atletico, Real Madrid

ESPN FC’s And so it comes to this: three teams, three and a half weeks and a five-match dash for the finish line. Barcelona, Atletico, Madrid. “The team that wins the league will be the best over 38 games, not five,” Barcelona manager Luis Enrique insisted on Tuesday, but that’s not really true anymore. Whatever happened then happened; what matters is what happens next, and it all starts in A Coruña on Wednesday night.They line up alongside each other, no tactics, no doubts: flat out to the finish, no room for error, a single slip and it’s over; five games to play, five games to win.The obstacles they face are uneven and the start is staggered, sure, but barely: The gaps between them now are so small that they’re only really there as tiebreakers. Barcelona have 76 points, Atlético 76 and Madrid 75. When it comes to head-to-head, Atletico beat Madrid, and Barcelona beat them both. Asked whether his team would have to win every match to take the title and whether they could do exactly that, Enrique answered, “yes and yes.”None of them ever truly expected to be in this position. At the end of Week 29, just four matchdays ago, Barcelona had a 12-point lead over Real Madrid and an eight-point lead over Atletico. Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane had already admitted it was over after defeat in the Madrid derby. When Gerard Pique headed the opening goal in the clasico in Week 31, it put Barcelona 13 points ahead of Madrid and nine above Atletico. But Madrid came back. They both did. Barcelona allowed them to, picking up just one of the last 12 points on offer. So now, here they are.How it happened has occupied everyone’s thoughts: How did Barcelona invite their rivals to run? Maybe one of the reasons it’s not over is precisely because they thought it was over; maybe they didn’t win because, deep down, they knew they didn’t have to. Maybe they should ignore advice from The Jackson Five and blame it on the good times? Or maybe it’s the inability to step up again afterward. If you conserve energy, do you lose the ability to draw upon it?Maybe it’s simpler, maybe it’s fatigue; just don’t tell Enrique that. “What’s your surname?” he asked of the last journalist to ask. “Malo [Bad],” came the reply. “Correct, next question,” he said.Maybe it’s psychological: Valencia manager Pako Ayestaran talked of Barcelona’s “anxiety” on Sunday. Maybe it’s the short squad and the lack of variety: Against Valencia, Luis Enrique didn’t even send anyone out to warm up. There was no point. Maybe it’s the calendar: The timing hasn’t been on Barcelona’s side, and these small details perhaps make a big difference. Maybe it’s trans-Atlantic travel before the clasico. Maybe it’s tactical: Atletico manager Diego Simeone admitted earlier in the season that “we tried to annoy [Sergio] Busquets” — now they’re all doing it. Maybe it’s bad luck, bad finishing, bad football.”It’s incredible that the stars have aligned against us like this,” Pique said. And if anyone in football believes in the stars, it is Simeone, the manager who admits he checks the zodiac before signing a player. His team have a chance now. So do Zidane’s.Maybe it’s all of that or none of it. Maybe. But how they got here doesn’t matter much now; what matters is how they’re going to get there, and what condition they’re in to run. Given how they got here, Barcelona’s obligation is everyone else’s opportunity, but this new situation, and this sprint that is about to begin, may have turned that back into an opportunity again.Enrique says that he is convinced that they will win the league “or else I wouldn’t be sitting here,” he said at the pre-match news conference. It’s a familiar phrase; it’s also false, of course, and it is impossible for there not to be doubts.Neymar’s form has dropped. Luis Suarez is missing chances. Lionel Messi just scored his 500th career goal, but getting there took longer than anyone imagined. They have racked up no wins in four league games and just one win in six in all competitions — an ultimately worthless one, at that. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have won seven in a row in La Liga, Atletico seven of the last eight. Madrid look fit and are gathering momentum, resurrected.Atletico are not just winning, either; they are dominating. They’re scoring goals and lots of them. Fernando Torres has not been in scoring form this good since he was Liverpool’s No. 9. Enrique made no changes at the weekend; against Eibar, Madrid made eight and still hammered them while against Getafe, their “subs” James and Isco both scored. No one has gotten as many goals off the bench as Atlético.It’s in Barcelona’s hands, but that hasn’t been a great place to be of late. And if it is said that not playing in Europe could help them, thereby giving them seven days to prepare for each game, that’s not actually true.The sprint starts in midweek, three days on from their latest defeat; for Barcelona, it would be the second of three games in six days. There will be only two league games that they can prepare with a week’s work when Atletico and Madrid cannot: away at Betis and at home to Espanyol. And besides, Madrid are in a five-match run of games in the city, not needing to travel.Barcelona open Week 34 at Deportivo. Then they face Sporting (H), Betis (A), Espanyol (H) and Granada (H). Atletico go to Athletic and then play Malaga (H), (Bayern), Rayo (H), (Bayern), Levante (A) and Celta. Madrid are up against Villarreal at the Bernabeu, then they go to Rayo (A) before playing Manchester City, Real Sociedad (A), (City), Valencia (H) and Deportivo (A).Not so long ago, Barcelona’s official Twitter account said that it appeared that they had the “easiest” run in. Quite apart from being a rather daft thing to say, or a red rag to temptation, it’s not so easy to judge. Not least because of injuries, morale and shifting objectives. A team that’s safe is not the same as one that’s fighting for survival; a team with European ambitions is not the same as one without them. And that changes as weeks pass.

There may be something in that Camp Nou hope, though: Barcelona’s five opponents are 18th, 17th, 15th, 14th and 13th in the table, respectively. Yet one of them is a local rival, while Sporting and Granada are fighting for their lives. Real Madrid face fourth, 10th, 12th, 13th and 16th. Atletico go to fifth tomorrow and also face sixth, eighth, 16th and 19th. Celta and Athletic are competing for fourth and Levante are battling relegation but may not be by then. Atletico do, though, have more home games than the other two.

According to Sport, if the remaining fixtures went the way they did in the first half of the season (where all the home games were away and the away games home), Atletico would finish at the top. If they went the way they did last season, Barcelona would win the league. And if they went the way they have historically, Barcelona would win the league, too. But only just.

Only just. Whatever happens, it is likely to be only just. “We will have to fight until the last minute,” Zidane said. And that might not even be enough: Zidane added that he can see both Atletico and Barcelona winning all five games. Simeone, by contrast, said that it is “in our hands … we depend on ourselves,” suggesting perhaps that he thinks Barcelona will slip up and that his players will be given the chance to climb above them.

And so the race starts with what may be the most interesting Jornada of them all, the one round of games when all three teams have potentially difficult games, the one where change appears the most likely and which may, a priori, end with someone else on top for the first time in 11 weeks. Barcelona (without Pique) at Depor, Atlético at Athletic and Madrid against Villarreal. But if this season has taught anybody anything it is that you never know; nothing is done until it’s done, even when it appears done. Especially when it appears done.”Who is the favourite?” Zidane was asked. “No one,” he said. All those weeks, all those games and it’s come to this. All those certainties have gone to leave just one certainty. No one expected it, but that’s how it is. For all the combinations, permutations, figures and fears, the ambiguity has been stripped away to leave something seemingly simple. Beautifully, dramatically simple: a start line, a finish line and three teams with no second chances, just a single, shared objective: win every game or it’s over. And if they all do? Well, then, for two of them it will be over anyway.”It’s extremely difficult, but I am such a d— that I like adversity. I’m from Gijon; I love this dance,” Enrique said. “And if we win every game, we’re going to throw some party …”And if not? “If not, we’ll congratulate the champion.”Sid Lowe is a Spain-based columnist and journalist who writes for ESPN FC, the Guardian, FourFourTwo and World Soccer

How Mauricio Pochettino transformed Tottenham into true title contenders

ottenham Hotspur’s 4-0 thrashing of Stoke City on Monday evening was among the most overwhelmingly one-sided Premier League games of the season. It was a victory so comfortable that Tottenham managed to hit the bar and miss an open goal, yet still triumph easily.Identifying a single man of the match was difficult: there were simply too many options. You could say something similar about Spurs’ Player of the Year, too: as many as five players could deservedly take that award. In situations like this, it’s obvious that the man who deserves most praise is, in fact, the manager.Tottenham’s success has been built not upon individual brilliance (although Harry Kane provided some last night) but upon collective organisation from a truly excellent young coach. Mauricio Pochettino’s organisation has been impressive all season, but there’s been a positive shift in recent weeks. Spurs are improving, mainly in an attacking sense.This season, Pochettino’s players have primarily impressed with their efficiency in regaining possession, pressing intensely and cohesiveness. Opponents haven’t been allowed to settle into a possession thanks to a combination of Spurs’ limitless energy and solid structure.In some matches, Spurs’ dominance of midfield has been truly remarkable — their first-half performance in the 1-1 draw at Arsenal in October showcased organisation that would be the envy of any club in Europe. But they tired and Arsenal eventually equalised. On that occasion, Spurs’ weakness was arguably their attacking play: they’d dominated with their ball-winning, but hadn’t created enough to finish the contest.In recent weeks, Spurs have created more. Two months ago they had the Premier League’s best defence but only its third-best attack; now Pochettino has created the best side in both respects and again, it’s been about organisation.heir individuals have been performing the same jobs: Kane banging in the goals, Dele Alli showing tremendous intelligence and technical quality, Christian Eriksen drifting inside dangerously and Erik Lamela pressing quickly and passing efficiently. But their combination play has improved dramatically, particularly in terms of movement, with Stoke City ripped apart continually by a succession of relatively simple passes that were ony possible because Spurs were dragging opponents out of position and creating space so consistently.The movement started from the defence. Eric Dier has spent most of the season dropping back between Spurs’ centre-backs but on occasion at the Britannia, his midfield colleague Mousa Dembele followed suit: the duo both dropped back when Spurs had goal kicks. This meant Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld could push even wider, the full-backs could advance higher and the central midfielders moved inside.Central midfielders at centre-back, full-backs in wide midfield and wide midfielders in central midfield. Tottenham were using their starting system, simply with three pairs of players in entirely different roles, and that’s a perfect demonstration of movement: retaining your shape despite everyone being on the move. It’s trickier than it sounds, and it’s unusual to see a side implement this so successfully. The Villarreal team of 2010-11 did something similar; it’s not unreasonable to think that Pochettino, then managing Espanyol, was inspired by his La Liga rivals.Pochettino’s integrated movement works so effectively in part because so many of his players are accustomed to playing different roles. This is particularly evident along the spine: Dier is comfortable in defence because he’s played frequently at centre-back, Alli plays as a No. 10 but has also been deployed deeper, Kane can come short because he’s a natural No. 10 rather than a number nine. They all like coming short, with the full-backs providing reverse movement by bombing forward. Even by their standards, Danny Rose and Kyle Walker were terrifyingly direct last night.The ease with which Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld can play in wide positions helps Tottenham’s organisation.Pochettino is also lucky that Belgium have regularly fielded Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in wider roles over recent years owing to their lack of natural full-backs, something that helps Tottenham “split” their centre-backs comfortably. No other Premier League side has two centre-backs so comfortable outside the width of the penalty box or so comfortable in possession.With the centre-backs wide, the full-backs playing as wingers and Kane continually making runs into the channels on the outside of the centre-backs, Pochettino’s “real” wide players had license to drift inside. As a result, the three attacking midfielders in Spurs’ 4-2-3-1 system combine regularly to put Tottenham into goalscoring positions.This is a proper 4-2-3-1 system featuring three attacking midfielders buzzing around behind a lone striker. Pretty much everything is termed a 4-2-3-1 these days even if it’s essentially a 4-4-2, albeit with one deep-lying striker. But Eriksen, Alli and Lamela rotate and combine effectively, playing as a unit rather than three individuals.On Monday night, three of Tottenham’s most penetrative passing moves featured those three exchanging passes, usually when located close to one another. In the first half, Lamela’s neat through-ball found Alli just outside the box and his backheeled pass to Eriksen prompted the Dane to smash the ball against the crossbar. The trio weren’t filling more than 10 metres of width but with Kane wide on the right and Rose charging down the left, there was no danger of being too narrow.Tottenham’s second goal again featured those three: Lamela gained possession of the ball, an attempted back-heel broke loose to Eriksen and he immediately chipped over the Stoke defence for Alli, who strode onto the ball and dinked it past Shay Given. Their third goal featured Eriksen in a deep position feeding Alli, who transferred the ball onto Lamela: two forward passes in the inside-left channel. Once through on goal, Lamela selflessly squared it for Kane, who converted into an empty net.Spurs were attacking with great purpose, and in great numbers, for the majority of the campaign, but this level of cohesion in possession is a relatively recent development. It owes much to natural progression as Pochettino works with his team on the training ground more, but it’s also about the Tottenham coach being able to name a consistent starting XI.The fluent movement and free-roaming roles of Erik Lamela, Dele Alli and Harry Kane also help Spurs overwhelm opponents.Pochettino has managed to creative an impressive defensive unit despite being forced to rotate regularly while Spurs were battling for the Europa League. But now that he’s capable of fielding his best side every week and the players are fresher as a result, the attacking quality is at another level.Over the past six games, Pochettino has deviated only from his favoured starting XI in two ways: first when Kevin Wimmer performed admirably in place of the injured Vertonghen, and second when Son Heung-min played at Anfield to allow Lamela a rest. Otherwise, the XI has been almost as consistent as Leicester City’s. From these six matches, Spurs have recorded four victories, each of them convincing, with two draws in impressive performances against Arsenal and Liverpool.Everything has slowly come together in brilliant fashion over the course of the season. We started to see partnerships in “natural” positions: Alderweireld and Vertonghen, Dier and Dembele. Then we saw less obvious partnerships: Alderweireld and Alli, Kane and Alli, Lamela and Eriksen. Now players have productive relationships with multiple teammates, and there are effective trios and a settled back four, maximising individual ability and making Spurs better with each passing match.Maybe the best is yet to come: Pochettino should be around for a while, and the age of Spurs’ key players suggests they’ll improve too. But the last six performances have been superb, and that level of defensive solidity and attacking ruthlessness should, over the course of a whole season, be enough to win the Premier League.Michael Cox is the editor of Zonal Marking and a contributor to ESPN FC. Follow him on

MLS not a retirement league – U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard

United States goalkeeper Tim Howard told NBC Sports that he expects to play in a much-improved league when he leaves Everton and returns to Major League Soccer on July 8 after 13 years in the Premier League.Howard, 37, who was under contract with the Toffees until 2018, was cleared by Everton to move to Colorado for a transfer fee of about $600,000,sources told ESPN.He began his career in 1998 with the MetroStars — now the New York Red Bulls — and on Monday was part of an NBC sideline analysis team for Tottenham’s 4-0 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.Howard is already shifting his focus to Denver, where he will make his home after representing his country in the Copa America Centenario, and insisted that the MLS is no place for old men.I think the quality of play has gotten better. The fan-base has grown and is more knowledgeable,” Howard told NBC Sports. “Some of the players that have gone back over, this ain’t a retirement league. Now you have players going over like [Sebastian] Giovinco, he is incredible.”Giovani dos Santos, probably one of the top Mexican players of all time who is playing there in his prime. That’s exciting because for me, when I was a 21-year-old in MLS, that wasn’t the case.”Howard last played in MLS in 2003 before moving to Manchester United. He started at Old Trafford until the club bought Edwin van der Sar in 2005, and United loaned him to Everton the following year.He completed a permanent deal to Everton in 2007 and started there for nearly a decade until this February, when a brief knee injury allowed Joel Robles to replace him. And he acknowledged that the summer will be busy.”It is one thing after another,” he said. “I finish here, then go to training camp with the national team and obviously we have a huge tournament which is important for us. When that finishes I will go out to Denver and start life.”The Americans, one of four seeded teams as host of the June competition that marks the 100th anniversary of South America’s championship — the world’s oldest international football tournament — will open the event with their first Group A match against Colombia on June 3 in Santa Clara, California. (Argentina, Brazil and Mexico are the other seeds.)Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad then travels to Chicago to face CONCACAF rival Costa Rica on June 7, before concluding its first-round slate June 11 against Paraguay in Philadelphia.

Carli Lloyd: ‘I think we’ve proven our worth over the years’

Updated: APRIL 13, 2016 by Jonathan Tannenwald, STAFF WRITER @thegoalkeeper

If you were driving on Route 70 on your way into work Wednesday morning, you wouldn’t have known that Carli Lloyd was working out just down the road.While South Jersey’s highways were a cacophony of noise, the Marlton Memorial Park was quiet and still. You might not even have known that Lloyd was on the property if you were walking your dog on the sun-splashed playground nearby.But if you happened to be near the indoor recreation center when the side door opened, you would have heard the rhythmic thumping of a soccer ball repeatedly hitting a foot, then a hard floor, then a foot again, then the floor again…And if you took a moment to look at the roof of the building, and the doors, and the color of the paint on the inside walls, you’d have no doubt about where you were.Lots of people in South Jersey know about the famed “Blue Barn,” of course especially within the local soccer community. There’s a banner above one of the three basketball courts under the giant vaulted roof that reads: “Carli Lloyd Court / 2015 World Champion.”But if you’re an outsider, you might be surprised at just how simple the building is that Lloyd so often credits as the place where it all started.(And if you, like me, spend most of your life on the other side of the Delaware River, you’re an outsider. My colleague Kate Harman could probably drive to the place off muscle memory; I almost missed a few turns after crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge, even though my phone gave me step-by-step instructions.)I got there just after 8 a.m., and was one of five people in the building. Lloyd and Galanis were joined by Wayne Coffey, a former New York Daily News sportswriter who’s ghostwriting Lloyd’s forthcoming autobiography; and his daughter Samantha.That was the entire crowd for most of the morning, until a janitor showed up to clean the other courts that weren’t in use. I wouldn’t have seen him had if not for his bright yellow vest. Otherwise, the place was vacant.Samantha’s presence wasn’t just a matter of personal courtesy. She’s a serious soccer prospect in her own right, and was just invited to join the U.S. under-18 girls’ national team at an upcoming training camp in southern California.The drills were low-key, and understandably so. Lloyd was fresh off playing two games for the U.S. women’s national team, and was soon to leave for Houston to begin the National Women’s Soccer League Season with the Dash.So there was some dribbling, some shooting, some practicing of first-touch passes and harder hits at targets. Everything that Lloyd did, Coffey did too. Not always as precisely, but Galanis’ point was clear: the fine-tuning you need to do in order to become an elite soccer player is mental as much as it is physical.And even though none of the drills was out of the ordinary, you could tell when the person performing them was the reigning FIFA Women’s Player of the Year.You may have heard that Lloyd’s autobiography will be called “When Nobody Is Watching.” That title wasn’t chosen only because it sounds catchy.At one point, Lloyd embarked on a drill of dribbling the ball up and down the court in a zig-zag form. Her eyes were constantly focused on the ball. Something in that look caused my mind to flash back to that epic night in Montréal last summer when Lloyd stared at the Olympic Stadium penalty spot for almost a full minute before scoring thegoal that put the U.S. ahead of Germany.Later, Galanis ran a routine where he played low, rolling passes for Lloyd and Coffey to hit first time into a retractable curtain that separated this court from the next one over.When Galanis started to deliver the ball, Lloyd crouched slightly in anticipation. I watched her laser-focused eyes again. It was as if she was trying to use the Force to compel the ball to move according to her will.As far as I know, Lloyd isn’t related to Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill or Sir Alec Guinness. But I’ve seen Lloyd (and some of her teammates) do things on soccer fields that resemble Jedi mind tricks. So I’m not ruling anything out.The training session wrapped up after about two hours of work. Lloyd and Galanis had a short conversation at mid-court, then Galanis pulled Coffey aside to offer a few points of advice.Once everyone had cooled down and all the equipment was packed up, I got to chat with Lloyd for a while.For once, there were no minders, agents, PR flacks or other people around to hang over anyone’s shoulders. Getting that kind of access to U.S. women’s national team stars is increasingly harder to do – and for good reason, because they’ve become just as high-profile as professional athletes in other sports.(Though not as well-paid for their labor, and we’ll get to that in a minute.)But so many players on the national team, even its biggest names, remain the same down-to-earth people they were before they became famous. That includes Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and so many others.You could have come to the rec center just like anyone else on Wednesday, because it’s a publicly-owned facility. Of course, Lloyd and Galanis knew that 8 a.m. was the only time they could get the place to themselves, but there weren’t any gates or security guards keeping people out.And if you were outside the Blue Barn just after 10 a.m., you’d have seen Lloyd carry the bag of practice balls out to the adjacent parking lot herself.When she came back inside, she was ready to talk for a while. Our conversation covered a wide range of subjects on and off the field. Here’s a transcript, lightly edited for clarity.

So the reigning FIFA Women’s Player of the Year carries the bag of balls to her own car at the end of a practice session?

Ha. I shag balls, I carry the balls, I do it all. Yeah. It’s part of the job, part of the responsibility. Nobody is going to come here and do it. We arrive here on the side of the Barn and walk to the front, open the door, and then open the side door. That’s just really what it’s about.

What does it mean to you to be able to come back here still, and be able to train in some amount of anonymity?

It’s honestly priceless to be home. People may not realize and really grasp the full effect of why I need to be home, but when I’m home, James makes adjustments. If I’m not shooting properly, he makes one minor adjustment in training and then it’s fixed.

It’s where I get my reps, it’s where I get my touches, where I get my confidence. It’s really everything. It’s a huge part of my game. When I’m here training on a daily basis – then I go away, I’m sharp, fit, and I’m ready to go. But it’s just so important to put in the work behind the scenes.

When you look up on the wall in here and there’s that banner with your name on it, what’s that like for you?

This Barn has been really special to me. This journey that James and I have been a part of. It’s been a livesaver here, with the surface, getting the right touches, using the walls. James is able to design so many different things that we can use, whether it’s knocking the ball off the wall and practicing side volleys, shooting, we just basically do it all in here. It’s really helped my touch and my game so much.

You’re heading down to Houston on Thursday to get the NWSL season started with the Dash. What are your expectations for the league as it begins its historic fourth year?

I think it’s going to be good. The league is definitely growing. With the national team and the whole equal pay [discussion], everything is really at the forefront right now. I’m curious to see how ticket sales are going to be this year. I’m wondering if they’re going to be any better. Hopefully they are.

But overall, I’m looking forward to the season kicking off. I know we’ll probably be around for nine or 10 game [before the Olympics], and we’ll have four more games with the national team. That’s 14 games before Rio, and every game is very important.

After the Olympics end, people are going to start looking at the league to see which other players could be worthy of national team consideration for the 2019 World Cup.

The Dash have a few players who could make that leap: Kealia Ohai, a 24-year-old forward who was a star on the U.S. under-20 team that won the 2012 World U-20 World Cup; and Amber Brooks, a 25-year-old midfielder whose lone career cap to date came in 2013. What do you think of them as prospects?

Kealia is the type of player who is raw. You don’t know what she’s going to do. She’s got really great pace up top. She’s done well, and I think the more that she can focus and keep on doing what she needs to do, the more goals she’s going to score. I know that’s her goal this year. She’s definitely a threat up there. We have a good front six going on right now. We’ve got Amber Brooks coming in, Morgan Brian is there, myself, [Brazilian midfielder] Andressa…

With Amber, we’ll see how it goes. The tricky thing is, can these players do it consistently? That’s the biggest thing, I think, when you get in the national team. And I think that’s the biggest thing that people don’t realize. They see some of these players in the league doing well. Maybe they come in for a national team camp or two, do well, but the overall consistency of being able to grind it out, day in and day out, that’s where people don’t quite understand that’s what it takes.

Even now, it seems that Jill Ellis has worked to expand the senior women’s national team player pool. And I say that knowing there are collective bargaining ramifications to the ways in which players get called in to the national team, because of the salaries and benefits that the U.S. Soccer Federation pays, and that can restrict the size of the pool. Maybe that changes in the new CBA. But for the moment, as I said, it does seem that Ellis has become more flexible with who she calls in.

Yeah. I think it’s great. When Jill took over after Tom [Sermanni], she had a short window to get everybody ready [for the 2015 World Cup]. We hadn’t won a World Cup in 16 years. It would have been very tough for her to just start all of a sudden ripping the team to shreds and experimenting. It would have been really tough.

I give her a lot of credit, because she knew what this team was about for so many years, and she made do with what she had. And we won, and we did well. With players retiring, now there’s a new influx and wave of players, and that’s the most important thing: preparing for 2019.

You brought up the equal pay thing before I could. Let’s get into that. Obviously, the public relations aspect of the campaign has been a huge boost to you and your fellow players, starting with the big announcement on the Today Show when the Equal Opportunity Commission complaint was filed. But did you think it would catch fire to as much of a degree as it has?

It was a pretty historic moment. It all kind of happened very quickly. We were in Orlando, and we had a few discussions with our attorney, Rich Nichols. Getting up really early for the Today Show – what was it going to be like? And it just was absolutely huge. With Equal Pay Day being [Tuesday], and everything.

The amount of support that we have received has been just unbelievable. That’s why, in my New York Times essay as well, there were some things that needed to be clarified. Because this isn’t a lawsuit, this is a complaint, and this isn’t beef with the men’s national team – we respect them. And I think people need to understand that yes, we did do our CBA –

A long time ago, though.

Yes. But I even felt back then that it wasn’t good enough. It’s hard to kind of change things when your whole team is not united, and this was the right timing for everything. So it was good.

Did Jeffrey Kessler, the high-powered sports attorney who’s now part of your campaign, come to you? Or did you go to him?

When Rich Nicholls came on board, he sought out a team. He’s good friends with Jeff, and we’ve got a bunch of great attorneys on our side working for us.

I don’t want to make you betray too many private conversations, but it seemed from afar that you all felt like it was time to take things from a different direction than the one that your previous union attorney – Philadelphia-based John Langel of Ballard Spahr – had gone in.

Absolutely. I think Rich isn’t here to be buddy-buddy with Sunil [Gulati, U.S. Soccer’s president] or Dan [Flynn, U.S. Soccer’s CEO], or anybody at U.S. Soccer. He’s here to do a job, and that’s to get the best CBA that we can for us players. He’s working for us very diligently. He’s very smart, concise with what we deserve to get.

That’s what it’s really all about. I think our team has finally realized the disparity between the men’s and the women’s contracts, and it’s gut-wrenching to see that. We didn’t get a hold of their contract and the figures five or six years ago. We had no idea. So when you have nothing to compare it to, and you don’t know, I think it really opened up a lot of people’s eyes – especially on our team. And I think our team finally realizes that we can fight for a lot more.

There have been some notable incidents in the last few weeks of men’s and women’s national team players getting into public disagreements with each other. Do you think the men’s player’s union is on your side in your quest for better pay?

I think the overall support is great. We respect the men’s team, I respect the men’s team and what they’re doing. They’ve been bringing in revenue. They’ve been really helping us as well. I think it’s a “One nation, one team” kind of a thing, and I think we’ve proven our worth over the years. We’ve won championships, multiple championships. It’s just only fitting to keep fighting for the next step.

This question stems, admittedly, from my own perspective having covered the various people involved in the wage dispute for a while. I find it a bit hard to believe that anyone at U.S. Soccer sat there and said that the federation would intentionally pay the women less because they are women.

Instead, there’s a kind of unintentional sexism that leads to what we see in other industries where men are more likely to consider men for higher salaries, bonuses, promotions and so forth – and they just don’t see the ramifications of the bigger picture until someone calls them out on it. Is that fair to say in this case, or do you see things differently?

Hmm. Well, it’s tricky. Where we started [compared to the men’s national team] is totally different. In 2005, when I first came on to the team, there were no health benefits, which are provided by the U.S. Olympic Committee. There were no salaries. [Players] were basically getting paid per-game.

The women then fought to have guaranteed salaries, so they could not have to rely on anything else [for income], because some years there weren’t many games being played by the national team. I thought that was a great step. Each CBA, we just increased it a little bit more.

But there’s no marketing deal. The CBA has never been signed by a [player] representative. There are so many missing parts to this contract.

So you’re saying that John Langel signed that 2005 through 2012 CBA on the players’ behalf, but no players put their signatures on it? Or do you mean the memorandum of understanding that was meant to cover 2013 through 2016?

The CBA has not been signed by any representative on our team… I believe you need a representative from the team as well.

[At the time of the posting of this story, I was not able to independently verify either Lloyd’s claim about a lack of player signatures, nor whether such signatures are required. A copy of the 2005-12 CBA was included in documents filed in the lawsuit over whether that CBA is still valid. Some pages contained the signatures of Langel and Flynn; others contained no signatures, which traditionally means they are not scanned copies of the original documents. Lloyd may be right, but I feel a need to put this disclaimer out there,]

They’ve said that the MOU – that’s when Langel went and said in his deposition that the MOU is valid. But as far as the CBA goes, it’s really not a CBA. It’s really not signed. There’s no marketing deal. There’s so many things that are just left out on the table. I don’t know if they purposely did it, but I just think that we didn’t have somebody like Rich who was going for the throat.

Let’s get back to on-field matters. Do you think Megan Rapinoe will be back on the field in time for the Olympics?

I’ve talked to her. She said she’s doing well. She’s running. It’s a tough one. You just don’t know. I really am a big believer that injuries take a year for you to be fully, fully back from. With an 18-player roster, it’s a tough call. I’m not sure.

What has it been like integrating Lindsey Horan into the midfield triangle alongside yourself and Morgan Brian, who you know so well from playing together both for the national team and the Dash?

Lindsey has done well. I really enjoy playing with three in the midfield. I thought it was effective. I felt like I was involved, on the ball. I think the next step, though, is being able to split passes, being able to not always play the ball backwards, get somewhere with a purpose. If we can split lines and move the ball, I think that’s where we’re going to be effective. Lindsey has come on, she’s done well.

Allie Long showed well. I enjoy playing with her. I think Sam Mewis has been doing well too. So it’s going to be an interesting battle. Obviously, not all of us can be part of the Olympics. Jill’s going to have to make some decisions. I like what I see with Lindsey, I’ve enjoyed playing with her, and I think that she can continue to get better.

It sounded from Jill Ellis’ various remarks this past weekend that when the national team gathers for the two June friendlies against Japan, she’ll start turning the focus towards honing the lineup for the Olympics instead of trying the new things. Do you also get that impression?

Yeah. I think that Jill has done a great job of managing everybody so far. She has tried to give equal playing time – I’ve come off, Becky [Sauerbrunn] has come off, Hope [Solo] hasn’t played in a game [specifically, this past Sunday against Colombia in Chester]. So I think she’s doing a really good job of managing everybody, and putting players in positions where it’s time for them to shine, time for them to show what they can bring.

But I would agree, as we get closer and closer to those two Japan games, and then we’ve got two more. So there’s really not a whole lot of time to prepare for the Olympics. Those games would be a perfect point to start focusing on that.

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4/15 Indy 11 host NY Cosmos, UCL Final 4, TV Games of Wk, #bebraveBrooks event

April 15, 2016 gatorbest

So as the Travel and Rec Soccer Season’s Kick into full gear – its time to bring you up to date on happens around the World of Soccer. After some exhilarating games last week we are down to the Final 4 – the Semi-Finals of the best Club teams in the world. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Athletico Madrid and Manchester City (yes that’s not a misprint there is an EPL team in the final 4 and for the 1^st time ever its Man City. Of course last season’s Champion Barcelona were eliminated by fellow La Liga side Athletico on a controversial no hand call in the box in the last 5 minutes of play. (Man I wish they could figure out Re-Play in Soccer somehow – I’m still hoping MLS tests that soon). Anyway the final pairings have Man City facing Real Madrid (Hat Trick Man Renaldo) and Athletico hosting Bayern Munich to start the first legs Apr 26/2, the Final is May 28 in Milan, Italy. Europa Cup action had Liverpool fans jumping as they scored 3 huge goals in the last 15 minutes to upset Dortmund and advance to the Semi-Finals.

The Leagues In Europe are wrapping up their seasons with PSG and Juventus running away with the French League 1, and Italian Serie A respectively. Bayern Munich holds a 7 pt lead on Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. It’s the EPL and Spain’s La Liga where things are heating up- Barcelona’s lead has slipped to just 1 game and 3 pts over Athletico and 4 over Real Madrid. Meanwhile, the GREATEST UPSET IN SPORTS IN THE LAST 50 YEARS Maybe – In the English Premier League – little Leicester City holds a 7 pt (that’s over 2 games) lead over Tottenham, Arsenal (59), Man City (57) hold a slim lead over Man United (53), West Ham (52), Southhampton (50) and Liverpool (48) for Champions League (top 4) and Europa League (top 6) spots.

Closer to home MLS, is just a few weeks in, and of course our Indy 11 are on to week 3 of the season and haven’t lost a game yet. The 1-1 tie on the road at Tampa Bay was followed by a last second goal saving tie 1-1 last weekend in the home opener. We should know more about this Indy 11 team after Saturday night’s battle with NASL defending champs NY Cosmos. I plan to be on hand in the BYB section making noise – tickets still available. Speaking of Indy 11 don’t forget Carmel FC night on May 7, 7:30 pm for Indy 11 vs Edmonton –ask your manager about group discount tickets in the special Carmel FC Section.

CFC_bebravebrooks

A great night to be part of Carmel FC soccer club as Coach Mark Stumpf helped set up a ‪#‎bebraveBrooks Fundraiser to help raise money for Brooks Blackmore, a 6 yr old Carmel boy who is fighting for his life right now against cancer!! The U 11 and U12 Girls players, coaches, and families came out in support of the event -8 teams & 4 games = Total amount raised: $1826.04!!!! Special thanks to Dynamo FC, for putting in a team – Coach Tom’s U11 Girls -They not only helped us get a 4th game in, but also raised $251 on their own!! Special thanks to Mark, the parents who helped volunteer, Lisa Martin for setting things up on the U12 side and all the parents and kids who donated. ‪#‎bebraveBrooks https://www.facebook.com/BeBraveBrooks/?fref=nf

Buy One/Get One Free This Saturday at Chipotle Mexican Grills Nationwide – Just wear your Soccer Uniform in Sat, Apr 16 (Kids 14 and Younger only)

GAMES THIS WEEK ON TV Sat, Apr 16

7:30 am NBCSN Norwich vs Sunderland

9:30 am Fox Sp 2 Leverkusen vs Frankfurt

10:00 a.m., NBCSN     Manchester United vs. Aston Villa
10:00 a.m., USA           Everton vs. Southampton
10:00 a.m., Live Extra: Newcastle United vs. Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion vs. Watford
12:30 p.m., NBC          Chelsea vs. Manchester City (Arlo White/Robbie Mustoe)

12:30 pm Fox Bayern Munich vs Schalke 04

7:30 pm YES Columbus Crew vs NYCFC

7:30 pm ESPN3 +Ch8 Indy 11 vs NY Cosmos

Sun, Apr 17

8:30 a.m., NBCSN Leicester City vs. West Ham United (Arlo White and Robbie Earle)
8:30 a.m Live Extra: Bournemouth vs. Liverpool

9:30 am fox Sp 1         Dortmund vs Hamburg
11:00 a.m., NBCSN    Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace
3:30 pm ESPN              Orlando City vs. New England Revolution

7:00 p.m Fox Sports1 FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City

Mon, Apr 18

3 pm NBCSN Stoke City vs Tottenham

Tues, Apr 19

2:45 pm NBCSN Newcastle vs Man City

Wed , Apr 20

2:45 pm NBCSN Liverpool vs Everton

3 pm NBCSN Extra Man U vs Crystal Palace

Thur, Apr 21

2:45 pm NBCSN Arsenal vs West Brom

COPA AMERICA 100 –GAMES IN CHICAGO

INDY 11

Matchday Preview vs NY Cosmos

Indy Star Preview

Indy 11 BYB- Indy 11 – Talking Tactics with Carmel FC Coach Josh Mason

Indy 11 Ads Jamaican Striker

This 89^th minute goal Salvages Tie for Indy 11 in home opener

11 Survive the Cold in Home Opener for Tie vs Last Season runner Up-Bloody Shambles

Indy 11 Salvage Point from Home Opener Indy sports Report

3 Take Aways Ottawa vs Indy 11 – home Opener – Midfield Press

Indy 11 Draw 1-1 in Season Opener – Kevin Johnston Indystar

Indy 11 Recap 1-1

Kicking it With the BYB from Indy Star Sat

Indy 11 to train at Grand Park

Wine and Cheese Night, Bring a Used Soccer Ball to donate to Sat Night Game

Champions League + Europa

Champ League Predictions

Man City offer Discount on UCL tickets after backlash

Man Cities Road to 1^st ever Semi Finals

DeBruynes tally leads Man City to Victory

Renaldo Hat Trick Leads to Real Comeback Win

Zidane claims Renaldo is the Best in the World

Athletico knock out Barcelona espn fc

Barcelona Season Might End Incomplete

Athletico knocks out Champs

Greizmann leads Athletico

Bayern Munich tie Benefica to squeek thru to Semis on Aggregate

Bayern Advances

Renaldo Dah Wins Player of the Week

Around the World in Soccer –

Liverpools Miracle at Anfield

Crowd Carriers Reds Thru

Liverpools draws Seinna

CR 7 is Magistarial in Hat Trick Magical Win + Advance to Semi’s

Pretty Cool Trailer before the game

EPL

Leicester City Claudio Renieri First hand account of Season of Dreams – ThePlayersTribune.com

How Tottenham could spoil Leicester’s Quest SI

Man City must bring focus back to EPL Spot

Weekend EPL News

Everton in Peril

Leicester City the Dream Continues =- Grant Wahl

MLS

Vicious Nigel DeJong Tackle may put US and Portland Midfielder out for months?

Darlington Nagbe Injury and its impact on MLS

Kaka Player of the Week

MLS Power Rankings, De Jong Suspension – SI

Columbus Crew host NYCFC on YES Sat 7:30 pm

USA

Wood’s Scores, Pulisic Starts for Dortmund

What is Klinsmann thinking – US Soccer Players

Playing the Attendance Game with Pro Soccer in the USA

Kickin’ It With The BYB: Eleven, Cosmos quite the draw

IndyStar Sports, sports@indystar.com1:12 p.m. EDT April 15, 2016

Two games into the season, and the Indy Eleven have two draws in the ledger.f history is any indicator, expect a draw again Saturday when the Eleven welcome the New York Cosmos to Carroll Stadium at 7:30 p.m. New York and Indy have faced off six times. And all six games have ended in a draw.The Cosmos are atop the North American Soccer League standings with two wins in two games. Scorers of five goals already, New York will test Indy’s newly-steeled defense. Here are three things to know courtesy of the Eleven’s supporters group, The Brickyard Battalion:

COSMOS STILL HAVE NAME RECOGNITION.

The Cosmos are one of the most historic teams not only in the NASL, but all of North America. While the current version of the Cosmos is a far cry from the 1970s club that featured soccer royalty Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia, the Cosmos still trot out some of the league’s most recognizable names.”The talent on this team is always top notch, accented by Nico Kranjcar and Jairo Arrieta,” said BYB president Joshua Mason. “But the man to watch based on current form is Juan Arango. Already with two goals and one assist in the first two games, the former Venezuelan national team captain, who also played in Spain and Mexico’s top leagues, still knows how to find the back of the net at 35 years old.”

WHAT’S NEW?

How about some defense?During the Eleven’s inaugural 2014 season, a leaky D allowed 46 goals in 27 regular season matches. In 2015, the club gave up 48 goals in 30 games.So far, through two matches under new manager Tim Hankinson, the Eleven have only conceded once. Not bad for a team with basically an entirely revamped starting lineup.”Generally we defend pretty well,” Hankinson said. “That’s going to keep us in games in most cases.”Last week, midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic limped off with a hamstring injury midway through the second half and was replaced by former Indiana University standout Dylan Mares. Mares will likely slide into Ubiparipovic’s attacking midfield role in Saturday’s starting lineup.”Dylan held his own last week really pressing forward, and is not new to starting for the Eleven,” Mason said. “It also demonstrates how much deeper this bench is versus previous years, as coach wants a strong, healthy level of competition.”Mares, a Zionsville grad who led the Eleven with five goals a season ago, is one of only three players remaining from Indy’s 2014 opening day roster.Earlier this week, the Eleven, in search of more offensive firepower, added Jamaican forward Omar Gordon on loan from Montego Bay United in Jamaica. The 24-year-old led the Jamaican Red Stripe Premier League in scoring a season ago with 18 goals.

THE WEATHER WILL BE FANTASTIC.

Despite 30-degree temperatures and flirting with snow, the Eleven drew more than 9,000 fans to last week’s home opener. With Saturday’s forecast of mid-70s temperatures, The BYB expects a sell out and people lining the roof of the parking garage across the street. To those who arrive early to tailgate, The BYB will introduce a new game to the masses: Futpong. What is Futpong? Imagine ping pong and soccer, played with a size one ball and hitting it over a small net.”This week you really have no excuse not to fill the stands, and its wine and cheese night,” Mason said. “So go get your finest red and blue ascot, smoking jacket, and GET TO THE GAME!”

CHARITY PARTICIPATION: Slaughterhouse-19, one of the BYB affiliate groups will be collecting gently used purses and toiletries for a non-profit called “Project Purse.” These purses are then filled with toiletries and are given to women in need. These will be collected at the BYB tailgate area.IndyStar correspondent Kevin Johnston contributed to this story.For more on The Brickyard Battalion visit the group’s website and follow them on Twitter: @The_BYB.

GAMEDAY PREVIEW: #INDVNYC

Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview Indy Eleven vs. New York Cosmos
Saturday, April 16, 2016 – 7:30 p.m. ET Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indy Eleven

MEDIA GAME NOTES:

TICKETS:

Seats as low as $11 still available – CLICK HERE
$22 Wine & Cheese package, featuring ISU Networking Night – CLICK HERE

WATCH LIVE:

Local TV: WISH-TV 8
National TV: ONE World Sports
Online: www.ONEWorldSports.com
Watch Parties: Union Jack Pub, Chatham Tap, St. Joseph’s Brewery

LISTEN LIVE:

Local Radio: Exitos Radio 1590 AM (Spanish)
Online: www.Exitos1590.com (Spanish)

“Death. Taxes. Draw the Cosmos.”

As Monday’s tax deadline and Saturday’s first meeting of 2016 between Indy Eleven and New York approaches, that phrase adopted by the Indy faithful couldn’t be any timelier. The two sides have vast differences in many metrics, but when it comes to the results on the field it’s been split right down the middle every time, with all six prior meetings ending in ties, including a trio of 1-1 affairs last season.Both teams will look to break that mold when the first of their three match-ups in 2016 occurs at “The Mike” on Saturday. While there are no “must-win” games in Week 3 of a season, if Indy Eleven is to seriously contend for the Spring Season title at will at the very least need another draw against the front-running Cosmos. However, a breakthrough win would not only keep “Indiana’s Team” within distance of New York and the co-leading Carolina RailHawks – both on a maximum six points from their first two games – but it would also count as a “statement win” the side has long been looking for.
Last Time Out – Indy 1 : 1 Ottawa

In their first home match of the season, the “Boys in Blue” fought out to a draw with Ottawa Fury FC in chilly conditions at Carroll Stadium. After a scoreless opening first 45 minutes, the second half saw both goals as Fury FC found the back of the net first. Just over ten minutes in from the break, the deadlock was broken by Israeli striker Idan Vered. The Red Star Belgrade signing broke through the center of the defense to get on the end of a great service from Jonny Steele on the heels of a counter-attack to put the visitors one-up. As the pressure mounted on Ottawa’s goal, the Eleven maintained their press and pushed the Fury defense further and further into their own territory. In the 89^th minute, left back Nemanja Vuković found his way towards the near post and stuck a foot on the end of a bouncing ball, which came about when Ottawa ‘keeper Romuald Peiser’s made a low save of Greg Janicki’s header inside the six.
Continuity in Question

Through two games this season, Indy Eleven has allowed just a single goal with the same eleven on the pitch to start both matches. However, against Fury FC, Sinisa Ubiparipovic limped off with a hamstring injury, making it likely there will be at least one fresh face in the first XI to kick things off when the league leaders visit the Circle City on Saturday.
Defense Rules the Day

What remains constant is the effort from the Indy Eleven back five, including ‘keeper Jon Busch, as they are one of just four teams to have let in a goal or less in the opening 180 minutes. The resulting 0.50 goals allowed clip is tied with Tampa Bay for second in the NASL through Week 2 – behind only this weekend’s opposition, with the Cosmos posting clean sheets in each of their first two affairs. Indy’s defensive moxie will be put to the test against the high-flying Cosmos, whose attack led by Jairo Arrieta has put up a league-best five goals through two rounds.
Who to Watch, Indy Eleven edition: FW Eamon Zayed

In Indy Eleven’s first two games, Zayed has gone hungry up top, getting just 23 and 21 touches against Tampa Bay and Ottawa, respectively. There is no one culprit on the “Boys in Blue” responsible for feeding the big Irishman at the point of the team’s 4-2-3-1 attack – only one player (Justin Braun in the opener) has completed more than one pass to Zayed in a match – so it will take a collective effort to get the job done. It will be interesting to see, should the trend continue early on, if he’ll drop deeper and deeper to get into the game or if he’ll remain higher up the field to keep the Cosmos center backs honest.
Who to Watch, New York Cosmos edition: MF Juan Arango

While names like Nico Kranjcar and Jairo Arrieta might be more familiar to American fans of the beautiful game, perhaps the biggest threat among the Cosmos newcomers this offseason is Arango. Boasting two goals and one assist in two games, the former Venezuelan National Team captain and performer with Spanish La Liga side Mallorca and Liga MX’s Xolos de Tijuana still very clearly packs a punch at 35 years of age.A true attacking threat, Arango is known more for his ability to get forward than his distribution but has the ability to produce a peach of a pass at the drop of a hat. His two goals have him level for second in the league with teammate Adam Moffat and just behind Railhawks midfielder Austin da Luz, who leads the league with three.Look for Arango to try and exploit the space in front of the Eleven defense, leaving the task of marking him to midfielders Brad Ring and Nicki Paterson, who have impressed in their own right so far.
Match-up to Mark: Indy GK Jon Busch v. New York Attackers

Jon Busch arrived in Indianapolis just ahead of the 2016 season after 14 years in MLS, but had just one thing on his mind – winning a trophy. So far, Busch has been huge for “Indiana’s Team,” making three saves and numerous other massive plays on the ball in the season opener against Tampa Bay and doing his part in last week’s home opener against Ottawa.Now stands his biggest NASL test so far – facing the attack-laden lineup of Cosmos looking to continue their scoring ways. Speaking highly of the defense in front of him this week, Busch knows that he’ll get a good amount of help – but even the best defense can’t totally clamp down on New York for 90 minutes, so he’ll need to come up big on some occasions keep Indy Eleven’s stout defensive numbers intact for another week.
2015 Overview vs. New York Cosmos: 0W-3D-0L

IND 1 : 1 NYC – April 11, 2015 – Indy Eleven opened up the 2015 home slate at Carroll Stadium against the New York Cosmos in the first of three one-all stalemates that year. After drawing even with the Atlanta Silverbacks a week prior, the focus shifted to securing three points at home – and things looked bright early. Brian Brown opened the scoring in the 12^th minute when Cosmos ‘keeper Jimmy Maurer took one too many steps away from home while clearing his lines, and the ball found its way to the feet of the Jamaican, who took a touch before lobbing an effort inside the right post from 30 yards out. However, in the 65^th minute, the legend known as “Raúl” fired home a header from close range to bring the tally to 1-1. A brief chance in the 78^th minute came towards striker Charlie Rugg, but his contested effort sailed over the crossbar and the match ended even. Theme continued.

NYC 1 : 1 IND – July 5, 2015 – An early July encounter on Long Island to open the Fall Season, the Cosmos and “Boys in Blue” again couldn’t find a winner in the fifth tie in as many meetings. Again “Indiana’s Team” went ahead first as Wojciech Wojcik put a stronghold on the match after collecting a forced clearance and flushing on a volley from 12 yards out. The unwritten rule of a one-goal limit was nearly broken by the Eleven just a few minutes later when midfielder Dylan Mares popped a free kick across to the far post, but Duke Lacroix could only force a fantastic save out of netminder Jimmy Maurer, who forced the effort over the top of the bar.The Cosmos’ equalizer would come from Walter Restrepo in the 78th minute when he absorbed a through pass on the right side of the pitch to rifle an effort at Nicht. The big German would get a strong hand on it, but the rebound ricocheted back off Restrepo’s head and into the back of the net to level the score. Then came New York’s opportunity to break the deadlock in the 88^th minute when Sebastián Guenzatti stuck out a leg to finish a cross from Marcos Senna, but after consulting the linesman the head official called the goal back and ruled Guenzatti as offside. After a tense five minutes of stoppage – played without the late-ejected Indy interim skipper Tim Regan on the bench – the full-time whistle blew and the pair once again settled for a point apiece. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

IND 1 : 1 NYC – July 25, 2015 – It was less than three weeks later that the two would meet, this time back in the Hoosier State at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. As over 10K packed into “The Mike” once more, a set of two goals separated by a couple minutes of first half stoppage time would settle the match. The Cosmos capitalized first as Raul played through Walter Restrepo, and the Colombian picked up his second goal of the year against “Indiana’s Team” having placed an effort between Nicht and the far post. On the ensuing kickoff, momentum would swing back in favor of the “Boys in Blue” when Dylan Mares took a streamlined pass from Dragan Stojkov down in the area and fired low into the right side netting with his left boot. Both sides would have chances in the second half that did not come to fruition. The final 45 minutes weren’t without excitement though as both Erick Norales and Sebastian Guenzatti saw red for trading blows, and the 1-1 score that held at full-time would be the third of the 2015 season. Same old, same old … a familiar result.

Talking Tactics: Indy Eleven v Ottawa Fury FC

ByJoshua MasonUpdated: April 11, 2016

Doug Starnes dissects Saturday’s draw against Ottawa Fury FC. As always, you can follow Doug and/or shake your fist at him on Twitter at @GrassInTheSky1.

If you braved the weather Saturday to support Indy Eleven at The Mike, good on you. I’m sure a win would have warmed your bones a little more than did the draw, but imagine how cold you would have felt had Nemanja Vukovic not smashed home that equalizer? Hoth cold, that’s how cold.The match was interesting in that it forced Indy to chase a goal by changing their formation and tactics. In so doing, Hankinson may have discovered some useful alternatives to the way the team has thus far been set up to begin matches. I’m not suggesting that the 4-2-3-1 will suddenly be scrapped in favor of a more attacking formation, but their were a number of adjustments to the side in the second half Saturday – in role, personnel, and formation – that jump started the Eleven’s attack and led to the late goal.

4-2-3-1 Status Report

I imagine not a small number of Eleven supporters are unconvinced that this formation is the best way forward (pun intended). Through two-and-a-half matches, the 4-2-3-1 (with an unchanged lineup) has not produced much of substance in attack. It’s been difficult for the team to combine with Éamon Zayed and much of the team’s attacking play has centered around playing Duke Lacroix in down the flank and then trying to catch up. With Brad Ring and Nicki Paterson playing as dual pivots, the numbers getting into the attacking third in a timely manner are somewhat limited. On Saturday, Paterson seemed to have a little more license to get forward – he was even the Eleven player closest to the goal in the 18th minute when Braun’s header led to a half chance inside the Ottawa six-yard box – but that amount of box-to-box running is tough to maintain and can lead to dangerous counterattacking moments if your team is not especially adept at maintaining possession in transition.The real problem for Indy in the current 4-2-3-1 is that they cannot bring their front four players into the match in any meaningful or consistent way. With limited options going forward, opponents can sit in their defensive shape and let Indy give them back the ball with forced passes or long balls.

Long story short, I’d expect the 4-2-3-1, or at least its current iteration, to be on a fairly short leash.

Ottawa Goal

Expanding on my previous point regarding Nicki Paterson getting forward more in Saturday’s match, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. In the Tampa Bay match, with Paterson and Ring sitting behind the front four as dedicated numbers six, it’s much easier for the two of them to balance one another and keep the game in front of them. With Paterson playing more like a number eight on Saturday, Ring had a more complicated job with concern to balancing Paterson, especially in transition moments.On Ottawa’s goal, as Julian de Guzman switched fields from Indy’s right to left with a square pass to Rafael Alves, Ring made a bending run through the center circle from right to left as he started to follow the next ball from Alves to Idan Vered. In the Tampa Bay match, with Ring and Paterson playing as dual sixes, one could reasonably expect Paterson to be sitting behind Ring in a more central position. On Saturday, as Ring started to make his recovery run, he realized too late that Paterson was in fact just as high as he was and well to the Indy’s left. Because of this, Vered was able to play Gerardo Bruna, who had ghosted into the space behind Ring and Paterson, with the killer pass of the move.

Pardon my weak Photoshop game, but bear with me. The arrow line marks Rings recovery run and the “X” represents Paterson.

So far, the 4-2-3-1 has been tough to break down, but if the answer is to allow Paterson license to play box-to-box, Indy will be perhaps more prone to exposure in transition moments than they might otherwise be with a tweak of formation or the roles of the front four players.

Dylan Mares? Or Two Strikers?

Ubiparipović’s completed passes and key passes.

It’s unfortunate that Siniša Ubiparipović picked up a hamstring injury and had to leave the match at the beginning of the second half, but Dylan Mares stepped in and arguably became the most influential player in the match. If you compare Ubiparipović’s statistics to those of Mares, the difference is interesting.

Ubiparipović:

51 minutes played

22 touches

9/11 passing

1 Chance created

Pass direction – 18.2% forward, 36.4% left, 36.4% right, 9.1% backwards

Mares:

Mares’s completed passes and key passes.

39 minutes played

28 touches

14/18 passing

1 chance created

Pass direction – 38.9% forward, 11.1% left, 22.2% right, 27.8 backwards

I’ve bolded what I believe to be the really important statistic here, but there are others that are certainly worth noting. The fact that Mares had more touches and was on the ball more than Ubiparipović in fairly significantly fewer minutes is interesting.Before you get all “Team Ubi” or “Team Mares” on me, let’s talk about what those statistics actually reflect. I don’t believe it’s that Mares is a more dynamic attacking player than is Ubiparipović. They’re both good, but they bring different skills and abilities to the match.If you look closely at Mares’s statistics, he didn’t really start to catch fire until around the 70th minute. Prior to that, Mares was a straight swap for Ubiparipović in the 4-2-3-1 and he didn’t do much. In the 63rd minute, Jair Reinoso came on for Justin Braun and things started to get interesting. This, however, was not a straight swap. Indy shifted their formation to accommodate Reinoso as a second striker and moved into a 4-4-2 with Mares playing on the right side of a midfield diamond that included Brad Ring at the base, Nicki Paterson at the point, and Duke Lacroix on the left. Suddenly there were options forward and Indy started to look more dangerous.In the 74th minute, Don Smart came on for Duke Lacroix and another formation shift followed. Vukovic and Smart became left and right wing backs, respectively, and Mares was moved to a number ten role behind Reinoso and Zayed. In this role, he staked a legitimate claim to player of the game. I think Ubiparipović would have as well.

Average starting positions for Indy Eleven prior to any change.

Average starting positions of the substitutes compared to the starting Eleven.

The shift worth noting – and I think what Hankinson will be mulling over moving forward – was the addition of a second striker. Whether in a 4-4-2 or a 3-5-2, a second threat playing off of Zayed opened up many more options in advance of the midfield that simply were not there in the Tampa Bay match and much of the game versus Ottawa.

Takeaways

This is a work in progress, but I’m sure Hankinson took some valuable lessons from Saturday’s match with concern to Indy’s attacking play. It’s likely too early in the season to completely scrap some form of the 4-2-3-1, but the danger Indy presented once they shifted to a two forward system cannot be denied. If the team continues to struggle to create chances in the 4-2-3-1 with which they’ve started the first two matches of the season, the systems deployed at the end of Saturday’s match will likely inform any changes that are made.

Eleven survive, don’t thrive, on cold night against Ottawa. Indy Eleven V Ottawa Fury Review (4/09/16)

By: Caleb Ramp – Bloody Shambles

“Not the three points we were after, but it’s good to see our team not [lie] down and keep the fight to the end.”
Coach Hankinson’s post-game comments epitomize the mixed emotion of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ottawa Fury. The opportunity for a statement victory may not have been realized, but a statement was still made: a statement that this team, while still a work in progress, is resilient.2014 and 2015 Indy Eleven don’t draw that game. When Ottawa — who were kept in relative check by Indy’s stout defense — open the scoring in the second half, previous iterations of this squad crumble.his team didn’t.
That Nemanja Vukovic — the man who lost his mark at the back post on Ottawa’s goal (and admitted as much after the game) — was the same who brought the Eleven level, is a poetic microcosm of the side’s ability to overcome adversity: an important trait if they’re to make a legitimate playoff push.Among the positive takeaways, Jair Reinoso continues to impress. His technical proficiency and comfort on the ball were evident again after coming on for a less-than-impressive Justin Braun in the 63rd minute. Once fully fit, it’s hard to imagine the Colombian isn’t a staple starter.
Dylan Mares also stepped in admirably for Indy maestro Sinisa Ubiparipovic. Indy’s #10 exited in the 51st minute with a hamstring injury, and will be evaluated during the week to determine his availability for this week’s match against the Cosmos. I was critical of Dylan during the preseason: he was taking too many touches and ignoring the easy pass. He would dribble into opponents and summarily be dispossessed. Saturday he showed flashes of the player which led the team in assists in 2015. He needed a few minutes to get settled (earning a deserved yellow card almost instantly), but Vukovic’s equalizer wouldn’t have been possible without an intelligent pass which split two defenders and put Don Smart in a position to swing the deciding ball into the box.
Consistent possession continues to be a struggle, however. “Players are standing and not taking good care of the ball,” Hankinson said after the game. “When you do that, you’re going to give the ball away often enough where all you can do is defend.”Indy finished with less than 50% of possession for the second time in as many games.

Random Thoughts and Opinions:

Miscommunication continued on crosses and angled balls into the box. There were multiple occasions when an excellent ball was played toward the back post, but the attacking player had made an ill-advised cut to the inside (into traffic).
Width is still an issue. Zayed was left on an island several times and was forced to take the ball outside himself and attempt to put a dangerous ball in the box. He should be on the end of these, not trying to generate them. Statistically, he finished with three crosses, while starting outside attacking midfielders Justin Braun and Duke LaCroix both finished without even one.

James Cormack’s Take:

We seem to be having a real problem with transition between defense and attack. We are still defending very well indeed, but even more so this week the ball is not coming out of the back well.

We are sitting way to deep for long periods in the game, Hankinson likes players to drop back and cover rather than chase and get tired, but I think on evidence of the first two games we are now perhaps over indulging in this tactic.Towards the end of the first half we are defending corners with 11 players. Zayed is having to try and make a break from 15 to 20 yards inside our own half with nobody in front of him. Ubiparipović again is way too far back to help build a meaningful attack.The 4-2-3-1 is good in theory, but our players don’t seem to be understanding it so far, we are not using the corners or getting crosses in nor are we stretching the other team with this formation so far. We get very few crosses in and when we do there are not enough players on the end to make a difference. All I see from this setup and the way we are playing it so far is we don’t let a lot of goals in. That’s it.As most people know, the longer you go without scoring the higher the chance is the other team will score first. We have to be that team that scores first and not put ourselves in a position to require two goals for a win. We gave Ottawa too much respect, they were okay but not fantastic, we made them look better.We pulled it back, this will be a huge point looking back on it. It should not have come to that but it would have been very disappointing to lose this game. It is early enough in the season where we can recover from things like this. The most positive thing for me in the game was Coach Hankinson’s willingness to change the tactics and formation not once but twice during the game. Switching to a 4-4-2 and then moving to a back three and pushing Vukovic forward showed both he and the team would not give up. This is something we have completely lacked in previous years. Historically we have never had a clue how to adapt during a game, this is very encouraging to me. Hankinson is also highly active during games and very animated, I also like that!Very impressed with our defense again, Falvey and Janicki were superb. We seem to have that part of our game under control. I admired Lacroix for probably being the most aggressive player in the first half and Mares and Reinoso for showing the same aggression in the second. Reinoso looks like a real handful, I think he will be starting games real soon.Keep up to date with all things Shambles at BloodyShambles.Com, you can follow us on twitter@Bloody_Shambles

INDY ELEVEN TAKE A POINT FROM HOME OPENER

Mark D. Anderson | April 10, 2016 | Indy Eleven | No Comments

INDIANAPOLIS- The “Boys in Blue” played a thriller in front of over 9,000 fans at Michael A. Carroll stadium on a brisk Saturday night. Ottawa Fury scored in the 56′ off an Idan Vered run. Thirty more minutes of tense play with numerous opportunities for the Eleven finally sawNemanja Vuković net Indy’s first goal of the year. The draw gives Indy two points out of two games. Their next game is also at home next Saturday to the dreaded New York Cosmos.

Vuković Giveth and Vuković Taketh Away
Nemanja has had an eventful season with the Eleven so far. He was second only to central midfielder Nicki Paterson in touches against Ottawa with 59. His strong, physical presence has augmented Indy’s back four, making their defense one of the best in the league to date. Vered scored for Ottawa while Vuković was caught ballwatching and beaten on the backside, but Vuković’s perseverance forward and dedication to following the play helped the team build pressure and resulted in a dramatic goal in the 89′ after a cross from super-sub Don Smart.

Eamon on an Island
Indy played a 4-2-3-1 with Eamon Zayed the lone striker. Zayed does well in his movement and played in a dangerous cross nearly resulting in a Duke LaCroix goal on a back-post run early in the first half, but often he looks to be alone up top. Either he needs to be stronger in holding up the ball, more decisive on when to attack, or the midfield needs to be more patient in distributing to him when he’s in need of support.

Captain Falvey and Unstoppable Paterson
Colin Falvey wore the captain’s band for the Eleven on Saturday; a well-deserved honor for the center back. Nicki Paterson showed his work-ethic being seemingly everywhere on the field. He led the team with 64 touches on the ball and nearly equalized with a shot in the second half.

Noteworthy
Jair Reinoso came on in the 63′ minute and provided positive minutes for the second straight game. The Colombian striker, signed last week, has shown more poise in the final third than anyone on the team. Coach Hankinson will need to weigh whether the offensive capabilities of Reinoso are valued over the defensive and aerial abilities of Justin Braun.

Siniša Ubiparipović went off with a hamstring injury in the 51′. His injury will be re-evaluated Monday. Eleven fans hope to see their most creative player back on the field soon.

Indy Eleven: 3 Take Aways from Ottawa

ByLogan David AyersonApril 10, 2016

On a fantastically cold spring night at the “Mike” The Indy Eleven took on 2015 NASL Fall Champions in week 2 of the NASL Spring Season. The match was built up to be a closer one with the Eleven coming in off a 0-0 draw to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and the Fury coming off a devastating loss to the Champions New York Cosmos away last week. The Eleven would improve with 2 points following the 1-1 draw setting them up for a fantastic show down with the New York Cosmos at Michael A. Carroll Stadium, under the lights next Saturday at 7:30 PM ET. Here are a few take aways from the match from our editors.

The Brickyard Battalion’s tifo game is on point:

The Brickyard Battalion show cased an awesome tifo last night depicting the Indianapolis Flag with banners saying “Back Home Again” paying homage to the famous Hoosier Classic “Back Home Again in Indiana” composed by Ballard MacDonald and James F. Hanley. The song is most famously played at the Indianapolis 500 every year before the race. Jim Nabors made the song famous beginning in the 1970’s. (Listen to Jim Nabors’ version of the song here)

Possession Possession Possession

Possession was key to the success in this match which made it go both sides in the first half alone there was 8 shots from both sides of the ball. In the 59th Minute Idan Vered scored for Ottawa assisted by Jonny Steele making the Eleven struggle until the final 20 minutes when Nemanja Vuković would equalize giving the Eleven the draw.

Offsides killed the Eleven

Multiple offsides calls were made against the Eleven in this match. Many times the Club would attack the flanks to get the ball into the box to attack on goal. This of course is a good strategy but it can hurt the team with offsides calls, giving the opposing team a chance to begin a new attack. Sometimes when the Club scores it can not be counted due to offsides calls. Of course if this was the case otherwise the Eleven would have won the match 2-1.

Contributor’s Thoughts:

I believe the Eleven has done fairly well thus far in their 2016 Spring Season Campaign. The Club’s overhaul is definitely showing it’s worth and Tim Hankinson is definitely proving to be the figure the Eleven needs to be successful this season. When it comes to the last few matches it’s important to remember we are facing the 2015 “Big 3” with Tampa Bay, Ottawa (2015 NASL Runner Ups), and the New York Cosmos (2015 NASL Champions). 2 Draws is definitely a good start to the Club’s Campaign and a win against the Cosmos would be HUGE for the club. Tim Hankinson said in the post match press conference “In order to be the Champions we must beat the Champions” Which should add a little fuel to the fire as the Eleven prepares to host the New York Cosmos next week. At the end of it all the Fans also had a major victory last night with 9,000+ Fans in attendance along with a fantastic tifo presentation by the Brickyard Battalion it will only get better from here.

Match Notes: (Courtesy of Indy Eleven)

Scoring Summary:
OTT – Idan Vered (Jonny Steele) 56’
IND – Nemanja Vuković (unassisted) 89’

Discipline Summary:
OTT – Jonny Steele (caution) 18’
IND – Dylan Mares (caution) 55’
IND – Nicki Paterson (caution) 66’
OTT – Gerardo Bruna (caution) 83’
OTT – Dennis Chin (caution) 84’
Line ups: (including substitutions)

Indy Eleven line-up (4-2-3-1, L–>R): Jon Busch; Nemanja Vuković, Greg Janicki, Colin Falvey (capt), Lovel Palmer; Nicki Paterson, Brad Ring; Duke Lacroix (Don Smart 74’), Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Dylan Mares 51’), Justin Braun (Jair Reinoso 63’); Eamon Zayed

Eleven Substitutes: Keith Cardona (GK), Marco Franco, Cory Miller, Gorka Larrea

Ottawa Fury FC line up (4-3-3): Romuald Peiser; Marcel de Jong, Timbo, Rafael Alves, Kyle Porter; Jonny Steele (Lance Rozeboom 79’), Julian de Guzman (capt) (Mauro Eustaquio 84’), James Bailey; Paulo Junior, Gerardo Bruna, Idan Vered (Dennis Chin 71’)

Ottawa Substitutes: Andrew MacRae (GK), Mozzi Gyorio, Carl Haworth, Bryan Olivera

Next week the Indy Eleven will take on defending NASL champion New York Cosmos at “The Mike” for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff (live on WISH-TV, ONE World Sports and http://www.ONEWorldSports.com).

Indy Eleven open home season with 1-1 draw

Kevin Johnston, IndyStar correspondent9:06 a.m. EDT April 10, 2016

The Indy Eleven opened their 2016 North American Soccer League home slate Saturday night with a 1-1 draw against Ottawa Fury FC on an unseasonably chilly evening at Michael A. Carroll Stadium.First-year manager Tim Hankinson trotted out the same starting 11 that he used in the season opener — in his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation. In the first half, the Fury got the better of the run of play, out-possessing Indy 63 percent to 37 percent, but the Eleven generated the more dangerous scoring opportunities. Hankinson’s characterization of the first half wasn’t exactly glowing.“It just seems like players are standing and not taking good care of the ball, and when you do that you’re going to give the ball away often enough that all you can do is defend,” he said. “And we found ourselves defending a lot in the last part of the first half.“Obviously the possession has got to be better. There was a period of about 20 minutes in the first half when (midfielder) Sinisa (Ubiparipovic) never saw the ball,” he added.Ottawa opened the scoring in the 56th minute when forward Idan Vered collected a pass from midfielder Jonny Steele and buried the ball in the bottom right corner past Eleven goalkeeper Jon Busch. Indy immediately cranked up the pressure in the attacking third and showed a sense of urgency to equalize.The hosts nearly did so in the 78th minute when midfielder Nicki Paterson fired a right-footed shot toward goal, but it sailed just over the crossbar. Finally, the Eleven tied the match 1-1 in the 89th minute when defender Nemanja Vukovic put away a rebound after a shot on goal by fellow defender Greg Janicki.The Eleven defense again turned in a sharp performance with 13 interceptions after producing a clean sheet and an NASL-leading 23 interceptions in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Indy defender and captain Colin Falvey, who played for Ottawa last season, described the importance of having cohesion on defense.“If you want to get clean sheets and be defensively solid, I think it comes from your shape and your structure, and the way that you’re going to play,” he said. “I think our system and some of the personnel that we have is going to help us be very, very competitive and very compact and making sure we’re in games.”On the injury front, Ubiparipovic was replaced by Dylan Mares in the 51st minute due to a hamstring injury. He will be re-evaluated by the club Monday. Hankinson confirmed that Mares is in contention to start in the central attacking midfield spot if Ubiparipovic is unable to go next weekend.“(Mares) did a good job tonight so he’ll be in strong consideration,” Hankinson said.Despite the less-than-ideal weather, the home opener produced a solid turnout with an announced attendance of 9,104. The Eleven will look to nab their first win when they return to Carroll Stadium on Saturday to host the defending NASL champion New York Cosmos.

Nemanja Vukovic’s Late Goal Gives Indy Eleven Draw with Ottawa

89^th Minute Equalizer Brings “Class of ‘14” Reunion with Fury FC to 1-1 Conclusion in Home Opener INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, April 9, 2016) – Ottawa Fury FC looked destined to spoil Indy Eleven’s home opener by taking the full three points out of IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium, but Indy defender Nemanja Vukovic’s 89^th minute rebound goal forced a share of the spoils from a 1-1 draw in front of 9,104 fans in downtown Indianapolis. Ottawa forward Idan Vered opened his Fury FC account in the 56^th minute to put the visitors ahead – and nearly for good, until Vukovic’s late tally evened the “Class of 2014” reunion.Indy Eleven would come out the aggressor in its home debut, pushing forward well in the opening 20 minutes. The best look for the “Boys in Blue” would come in the 19^th minute when winger Justin Braun nodded Sinisa Ubiparipovic’s cross to the back post, the shot bouncing just wide left.Ottawa would work its way into attack as the half progressed, but the Canadian club’s shots would come mostly from distance and be blocked before they could challenge Indy goalkeeper Jon Busch. In fact, neither he nor his opposite number, Romuald Peiser, would be forced into a save on any of the teams’ eight combined shots in the first 45 minutes.The second half would open up with an early injury to Indy Eleven midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic, the #10 forced to leave due to a hamstring injury just six minutes into the stanza. Ottawa would go ahead in the 56^thminute through Vered on a play that began with nice hold up work by Gerardo Bruna. His post up at the top of the area allowed Jonny Steele to streak into the left side of the area, accepting Bruna’s pass with a first time cross inside the six where Vered was able to redirect home to take the lead.Vuković pressed Peiser into action with a looping ball from the left that forced the Ottawa netminder into a safety-first tip over his bar in the 66^th minute, which seemed to spark the Indy attack into life. Nicki Paterson made the home crowd gasp in the 78^th minute, when he first-timed a laid off ball at the top of the area, his dipping shot skimming off the top of the crossbar.The pressure would mount on the home side until the release came in front of the Brickyard Battalion a minute from time. The scoring play started when Don Smart’s cross from the left was nodded down by defender Greg Janicki, forcing Peiser into a reaction save. The ball would fall straight to Vuković, who made no mistake with a shot from eight yards out that gave the Eleven their first goal of the season and a hard earned point.he result didn’t allow Indy Eleven (0W-2D-0L, 2 pts.) to notch its first home win against Ottawa (0W-1D-1L, 1 pt.) in now its fourth try, but it did stop Indy’s three-game losing streak to its expansion mate, which spanned the 2015 season.Indy Eleven will stay in the Circle City for its Spring Season Week 3 affair next Saturday, April 16, when it welcomes the defending NASL champion New York Cosmos to“The Mike” for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff (live on WISH-TV, ONE World Sports and www.ONEWorldSports.com).

We Do Not Dream

CLAUDIO RANIERIMANAGER / LEICESTER CITY

I remember my first meeting with the chairman when I arrived at Leicester City this summer. He sat down with me and said, “Claudio, this is a very important year for the club. It is very important for us to stay in the Premier League. We have to stay safe.”My reply was, “Okay, sure. We’ll work hard on the training ground and try to achieve this.”Forty points. That was the goal. That was the total we needed to stay in the first division, to give our fans another season of Premier League football.Back then, I did not dream that I would open the paper on April 4 and see Leicester City at the top of the table with 69 points. Last year on this same day, the club was at the bottom of the table.Unbelievable.I am 64 years old, so I do not go out much. My wife has been with me for 40 years, so on my off days, I try to stay close to her. We go out to the lake by our house or maybe if we are feeling adventurous we watch a movie. But lately, I have indeed been hearing the noise from all over the world. It is impossible to ignore. I have heard we even have some new supporters in America following us.To you, I say: Welcome to the club. We are happy to have you. I want you to love the way we play football, and I want you to love my players, because their journey is unbelievable.Perhaps you have heard their names now. Players who were considered too small or too slow for other big clubs. N’Golo Kanté. Jamie Vardy. Wes Morgan. Danny Drinkwater. Riyad Mahrez. When I arrived my first day of training and I saw the quality of these players, I knew how good they could be.Well, I knew we had a chance to survive in the Premier League.This player Kanté, he was running so hard that I thought he must have a pack full of batteries hidden in his shorts. He never stopped running in training.I had to tell him, “Hey, N’Golo, slow down. Slow down. Don’t run after the ball every time, okay?”He says to me, “Yes, boss. Yes. Okay.”Ten seconds later, I look over and he’s running again.He’s unbelievable, but he is not the only key. There are too many keys to name in this incredible season.Jamie Vardy, for example. This is not a footballer. This is a fantastic horse. He has a need to be free out there on the pitch. I say to him, “You are free to move however you want, but you must help us when we lose the ball. That’s all I ask of you. If you start to press the opposition, all of your teammates will follow you.”Before we played our first match of the season, I told the players, “I want you to play for your teammates. We are a little team, so we have to fight with all our heart, with all our soul. I don’t care the name of the opponent. All I want is for you to fight. If they are better than us, Okay, congratulations. But they have to show us they are better.”There was a fantastic electricity in Leicester from the very first day. It starts from the chairman and goes to the players, the staff, the fans. It was unbelievable what I felt. In the King Power Stadium, there was a terrific energy.Do the fans sing only when we have the ball? Oh, no, no, no. When we are under pressure, the fans understand our pain and they sing their hearts out. They understand the complexity of the game, and when the players are suffering. They are very, very close to us. We started the season very well. But our goal, I repeat, was to save the club from relegation. The first nine games, we were winning, but we were giving up many goals. We had to score two or three goals to win every game. It concerned me very much.Before every game, I said, “Come on boys, come on. Clean sheet today.”No clean sheet. I tried every motivation.So finally, before the game against Crystal Palace, I said, “Come on boys, come on. I offer you a pizza if you get a clean sheet.”Of course, my players made a clean sheet against Crystal Palace. One-nil.So I stood by our deal and took my players to Peter Pizzeria in Leicester City Square. But I had a surprise for them when we got there. I said, “You have to work for everything. You work for your pizza, too. We will make our own.”So we went into the kitchen with the dough and the cheese and the sauce. We tossed our own pies. It was very good, too. I enjoyed many slices. What can I say? I’m an Italian man. I love my pizza and my pasta.Now, we make a lot of clean sheets. A dozen clean sheets after the pizza, in fact. I think this is no coincidence.We have six games remaining, and we must continue fighting with our heart and our soul. This is a small club that is showing the world what can be achieved through spirit and determination. Twenty-six players. Twenty-six different brains. But one heart.There was a fantastic electricity in Leicester from the very first day. It was unbelievable what I felt.Just a few years ago, many of my players were in the lower leagues. Vardy was working in a factory. Kanté was in the third tier of the French league. Mahrez was in the French fourth division.Now, we are fighting for a title. The Leicester fans I meet in the street tell me they are dreaming. But I say to them, “Okay, you dream for us. We do not dream. We simply work hard.”No matter what happens to end this season, I think our story is important for all football fans around the world. It gives hope to all the young players out there who have been told they are not good enough.RIFFITHS/GETTY IMAGES

They can say to themselves, “How do I arrive at the top level? If Vardy can do this, if Kanté can do this, maybe I can too.”What do you need to arrive?A big name? No.A big contract? No.You just need to keep an open mind, an open heart, a full battery, and run free.Who knows, maybe at the end of the season, we will have two pizza parties.

CLAUDIO RANIERI- Manager leicester city -CONTRIBUTOR

USMNT: What Klinsmann is thinking about… as far as we know

Posted on April 7, 2016 | By Charles Boehm

By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 7, 2016) US Soccer Players – With disaster averted in last week’s World Cup qualifying home win over Guatemala, theUSMNT has returned to club duty until preparations for Copa America begin in late May.The USMNT news cycle, however, has effectively reached 24/7 status, or something close to it, with millions of fans thirsty for content to consume. So the next few weeks of coverage will be marked by running evaluations of the fitness and club form of next month’s most likely call-ups, and speculation about who’s on Jurgen Klinsmann‘s mind and in his plans.How do we know? Because he told us so.Dispensing with the media conference calls of past USMNT regimes (and occasionally, the current USWNT technical staff), US Soccer has made a custom of interviewing Klinsmann with their own list of questions and topics, then distributing the video clips to their media list via email.

Other than attributing the video to USSF’s in-house production company, outlets are free to use it. Writers and analysts can digest the substantial bank of quotes from the head coach as they formulate their columns and news articles. The clips normally end up on the federation’s website for fans to consume directly.This week’s edition of Klinsmann soundbites revolved around the recent performances of leading US soccer players:

Fabian Johnson’s return from injury: “It was great to see him being back in his club side … he had a very good game against Hertha Berlin”
John Brooks’ injury status: “He was still not 100 percent … hopefully we see him back next weekend”
Timmy Chandler has “a shot, maybe, at Copa America” thanks to his improved club form, while “we’re still waiting for” Alfredo Morales
Mexico-based players: “We’ve got to be patient” with those not getting regular playing time, though William Yarbrough “is doing really well at Club Leon”
Clint Dempsey’s strong displays for Seattle: “You want your players to stand out, to make their mark”
Jordan Morris’ rocky start at the professional level: “It’s important that we are patient … over time he will settle”
Brek Shea’s “up and downs” for Orlando vs Portland, as he scored “a beautiful goal” but also earned a yellow card for a brutal tackle that subsequently drew a one-game suspension
His England-based contingent: “It’s great to see Geoff Cameron starting for Stoke,” DeAndre Yedlin is “trying everything to keep Sunderland up” while Brad Guzan and relegation-bound Aston Villa are in “a very, very tough situation right now,” and Matt Miazga’s “huge milestone” in making his debut for “such a prestigious club as Chelsea” after Olympic playoff disappointment
His revelation that U-23 players like Miazga, Ethan Horvath, Kellyn Acosta, and Morris are “legitimate” candidates for his Copa America squad because of the failure to qualify for the Olympics

Like so many aspects of the federation’s current modus operandi, the wisdom of this approach is in the eye of the beholder. As you can see, Klinsmann is sharing timely information here. If we assume he’s speaking sincerely, the coach is dropping potentially significant hints about his future selections. It’s hard to beat the convenience this format offers for time-pressed, overworked journalists. And it’s certainly much better than nothing.This system also suits Klinsmann personally. He speaks often of the importance of educating US fans, but isn’t the type to slog through lengthy, inconvenient media availabilities – and that’s understandable, given some of the dreary and/or bewilderingly useless questions that have at times been posed to him in press conferences. He does also post regularly from his personal Twitter account, and takes time to connect with fans via Facebook Q&As with the help of the federation’s communications staff, both admirably progressive entries into social media.But something is missing in this formula. Even if the questions raised in Klinsmann’s distributed clips largely overlap with what reporters would ask him, the format removes any trace of surprise or spontaneity.The topics – and depth of their treatment – are pre-selected. Klinsmann is able to rehearse his answers if he so desires and the federation maintains full control of the proceedings at all times. No one intrudes with less-savory subjects. Nobody gets to ask about FIFA and CONCACAF corruption, or how the technical staff’s accountability for the program’s second consecutive failure to qualify for the Olympics. Though fuller access occasionally happens via roundtables or conference calls, usually only a tight group of veteran journalists representing a small number of media outlets receive an invite.Control: It’s been a recurring theme around the USSF lately. Consider the Women’s National Team’s increasingly bitter struggle for a collective-bargaining breakthrough. Or, the fed’s ongoing power play in the youth realm, where they have asserted their organizational and financial muscle with a my-way-or-the-highway approach to player development in recent years.On the latter front, frustrations have elevated to the point that in February a broad-based group of leading youth organizations took the unusual step of publicly calling USSF to task for its failure to connect, collaborate or even notify them in advance onseveral hugely important policy decisions. They requested a “formal, institutionalized communications process to ensure that an ongoing dialogue is established.”Control has been a priority for most of Klinsmann’s tenure, especially in the wake of the 2013 Sporting News article that highlighted the confusion and discontent behind the scenes during 2014 World Cup qualifying. Like most top-level coaches, he holds strong convictions and does not hesitate to take an active role in his players’ lives, whether it’s during USMNT camps or beyond. He’s committed to his methods and conclusions, and expects those around him to follow suit.That’s all quite understandable. Still, in rocky times like the present, the overall impression is of Klinsmann as a carefully guarded celebrity coach, not the change agent and beacon of reform. Remember what Klinsmann represented when he took the job.In the 1960s, political scientist Bernard Cohen helped build the theory of agenda-setting, noting that the media “may not be successful much of the time in telling people what to think, but it is stunningly successful in telling its readers what to think about.”His words prophesied the influence and ubiquity of modern journalism, and provide us with a fitting reminder at this juncture in Klinsmann’s tenure: The USMNT’s coach doesn’t expect everyone to agree with him, but he’s not interested in having a discussion on anyone else’s terms, either.Charles Boehm is a Washington, DC-based writer and the editor of The Soccer Wire. Contact him at:cboehm@thesoccerwire.com. Follow him on Twitter at:http://twitter.com/cboehm.

US Players – More goals for Bobby Wood and a start for Pulisic

Posted on April 11, 2016 | By US Soccer Players

We start the weekend roundup for USMNT players in Europe and Mexico with Bobby Wood scoring again in the 2.Bundesliga. At this point, it’s safe to assume that if Union Berlin is playing, Wood is probably scoring. He bagged two goals in the 4-0 win at Paderborn on Friday night, opening the scoring in the 7th minute and finding the back of the net again in the 13th. Damir Kreilach made it 3-0 in the 21st with Toni Leistner finishing off the scoring in the 36th. Union Berlin is 7th in the 2.Bundesliga table, tied on points with 8th-place Greuther Furth.

A league, up, Christian Pulisic started for Borussia Dortmund in their 2-2 draw with Schalke in the Revierderby on Sunday. For Americans not up on their German geography, which in fairness is most of us, Schalke’s home town of Gelsenkirchen and Dortmund are about half an hour from each other. Thus the local rivalry for a game where Dortmund took the lead through Shinji Kagawa in the 49th minute. Schalke equalized two minutes later. Matthias Ginter had Dortmund up in the 56th minute with Schalke equalizing from the penalty spot in the 66th. Pulisic subbed out in the 73rd minute. Here he is talking about the game courtesy of Bundesliga.com.

Also in the Bundesliga, Timmy Chandler and Eintracht lost 2-0 to Hoffenheim. Fabian Johnson subbed out in the 78th minute for Gladbach‘s 1-0 loss at Ingolstadt.

Moving to the Premier League, it was another loss for Aston Villa as relegation seems a foregone conclusion. Brad Guzan was in goal for the 2-1 loss to Bournemouth at Villa Park. Trailing 2-0 from the 74th minute, Jordan Ayew pulled a goal back for Villa in the 85th. Matt Miazga played the first-half for Chelsea in their 1-0 loss at Swansea City.DeAndre Yedlin and Sunderland lost 2-0 at home to Leicester City. After making it 1-1 with an equalizer form Bojan in the 22nd minute, Geoff Cameron and Stoke City lost 4-1 to Liverpool at Anfield.

In the Championship, Emerson Hyndman scored in Fulham’s 2-1 win over Cardiff City at Craven Cottage. Trailing from the 41st minute, Scott Parker equalized in the 46th. Hyndman won the game three minutes into stoppage time. Danny Williams and Reading lost 2-0 to Birmingham City. Cody Cropper was in goal for MK Dons’ 4-0 loss to Rotherham. On Monday, Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest lost 2-1 to Brighton. Dexter Blackstock equalized for Forest in the 50th minute but Brighton scored in stoppage time.

Perry Kitchen and Hearts beat Aberdeen 2-1 in the Scottish Premier League. Falling behind at home in the 4th minute, Juanma equalized for Hearts in the 33rd and won the game in the 61st. Hearts are 3rd in the table, nine points behind Aberdeen.

Liga MX, and Omar Gonzalez and Pachuca beat Tigres 2-1 at home after trailing from the 7th minute. Franco Jara equalized in the 74th and Gustavo Ramirez scored in the 86th minute. William Yarbrough was in goal for Leon’s 2-1 win at UNAM Pumas. Hernan Burbano put Leon up in the 10th minute and Maxi Morales scored in the 34th. Pumas pulled a goal back in the 44th minute.

Did Not Play: Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt 1- Gladbach 0), Jerome Kiesewetter (Stuttgart II 1- Aalen 1), Tim Howard (Everton 1 – Watford 1), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City 2 – Reading 0), Tim Ream (Fulham 2 – Cardiff City 1), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht 3 – NEC 1), Jose Torres (Tigres 1 – Pachuca 2), Michael Orozco and Greg Garza (Tijuana 1 – Club America 6), Miguel Ibarra (Leon 2 – Pumas 1), Edgar Castillo (Monterrey 6 – Chiapas 0), Jonathan Bornstein (Queretaro 0 – Toluca 0)

Injured: John Brooks (Hertha BSC 2 – Hannover 2), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen 1 – Augsburg 2), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes 1 – Reims 2), Josh Gatt (Molde 1 – Start 1)

Playing the attendance game in American soccer

Posted on April 13, 2016 | By Jason Davis

By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 13, 2016) US Soccer Players – Simply stated, there are two easy ways to judge the interest in soccer in the United States of America, a country that spent more than a few decades sticking its fingers in its ears and pretending like the sport didn’t exist at all: attendance and TV ratings.Both are fraught with problems as decent measures of soccer’s engagement of a fickle sports-watching public. TV ratings have been notoriously unreliable for years, even before things like streaming and DVRs completely complicated viewing habits. When it comes to soccer, certain games prompt communal viewing, parties that help fans share in the experience of watching games on television from long distances away. Whether or not the TV ratings company can accurately gauge the audience for any given game is at the very least suspect.Attendance might be even stickier. At least with TV ratings, all of the interested parties (programming producers, networks, and advertisers) have agreed to accept the ratings despite their imperfections. There is one standard, no matter how poor that standard might possibly be. A shared acceptance of the numbers allows for something approaching a fair market for TV rights and ad time, pushing along an industry that is simultaneously wrestling with paradigm-shifting technology.That’s not the case for counting the people that show up to watch pro soccer. If we see people filling all the available seats, it’s easy. In others cases, reported attendance numbers are a complete a fabrication, as make-believe as King Friday and his subjects. Teams don’t typically report the number of human bodies through the turnstiles, but rather the number of tickets distributed. While that practice isn’t unique to soccer, it’s impact on how we view the popularity of the sport in America is immense.The key word when it comes to attendance numbers reported is “distributed”, which includes, but is not exclusive to, the number of tickets sold. Sports attendances defy the word “attendance” more often than not because they aren’t attendances at all. Instead, they represent the number of tickets sold, comped, or flat out given away. When perception of your club operations (and further, your league) can turn on attendance numbers reported the next day, there’s pressure to put people in the stands by whatever means necessary. In perfect world, every ticket sells at face value and every fan shows up to use his or her purchased tickets. In the real world, even “sell outs” come with caveats and all games feature no-shows.With that situation firmly in mind, the numbers already look promising for the lower divisions in North American soccer. Just this past weekend, Miami FC got over 10,000 for their home opener. San Antonio FC set a Toyota Field record by drawing 8400 in the team’s USL debut. FC Cincinnati, a first-year USL club in a town with no recent professional soccer history, attracted over 14k. Sacramento Republic has continued to be a lower division juggernaut, bringing in the usual (for them) crowd of over 11k.On the surface, those attendance numbers seem to indicate a robust American soccer scene, even at the third division level. They’re not MLS-caliber numbers, but neither are they the attendance numbers of old, when hitting mid-five figures was something of a coup for anyone outside of the top league. Attendance numbers that flirt with or fly past five figures make clubs look good, they make markets look good, and they signal to the mainstream soccer public that professional soccer’s future goes well beyond the biggest cities in the country.Attendance numbers like that are the surest sign of a market’s potential. Big crowds make the push for MLS easier. Big crowds help sell any league to new investors.Still, knowing what we do about reporting standards, how much stock to put in attendance numbers is it’s own question. The eyeball test says Miami FC and FC Cincinnati had large crowds, but without an excruciating and frankly impossible headcount, there’s no way to know if the crowds they disclosed were the crowds they got, or how many of the people who showed up actually paid something for their ticket. At some point the numbers don’t matter as much, but when the question is just how popular soccer is across the country, and whether the cities in question can support teams who don’t get on TV or attract big name stars, these sort of details matter.American soccer clubs, from USL all the way up to MLS, are fighting a war for respect. All is fair in love and war, so the need to be spot-on with reported attendance is secondary to putting forward a vision of strength.The odd thing is that there’s plenty of gray area between “soccer teams are exaggerating their attendances” and “wow, look at those huge crowds” as signals of what’s happening at various levels of American soccer. The game is growing in America, and more fans are (probably) attending games than ever before. But it’s also probably not as good as the numbers might indicate. When it comes to filling seats, the truth is in the eye of the beholder.Jason Davis is the founder of MatchFitUSA.com and the host of Soccer Morning. Contact him: matchfitusa@gmail.com. Follow him on

4/6/16 Indy 11 Home Opener Sat, Champ League, TV Games

April 7, 2016April 7, 2016 gatorbest

Our Indy 11 embarks on season #3 with its first home game of the Spring Season this Sat, 7:30 pm at the Mike and on Ch 8 locally and ESPN3 Nationwide. Lots of changes including more money spent on players and a new Head Coach in charge – Tim Hankinson. It will be interesting to see if the changes lead to more wins, especially home wins, and perhaps a visit to the playoffs. Also interesting to watch will be does attendance hold up if the team is not doing well? On the surface it appears the Eleven have shored up the D a little, and picked up a proven striker in Eamon Zayed. I will miss saying DAS BOOT – on goalkicks – but honestly I think we’ll see better play with Jon Busch between the posts overall this season. The 11 kept most games close last season so anything they can do to find just 1 goal more per game could well make the difference between a playoff team and not. I for one plan to be there in the BYB when I can – as the Flex Pack of 11 vouchers for games is too good to pass up.

So Champions League has had a twist here in the Round of 8 – as Wolfsburg shocked Real Madrid – 2-0 in Germany just days after Real beat Barcelona in El Classico 2-1 at Camp Nuo. In Paris – Man City took it to the homeside PSG as Joe Hart saved a Zlatan PK to preserve a 2-2 draw scoring 2 huge away goals with a trip back home next Tuesday on Fox Sports 1 2:45 pm. Bayern and Barca both won their games and return to play Wed at 2:45 with the semi-finals within reach.

Tickets on Sale for ICC Bayern vs AC Milan in Chicago & PSG vs Real in Columbus

INDY 11

Indy 11 Bring Back the Tie with Tampa Bay

Indy 11 Tie Rowdies on Road – Tampa Paper

Talking Tactics with BYB and Carmel FC coach -Josh Mason

Bi-Centenial Picnic Pack – Features ticket and Hooiser Picnic meal for the 1^st home Game Sat for Just $20

Indy 11 – Free Popcorn – when you download the Indy 11 App

Indy 11 – 11 game Ticket Pack – way to go!

Indy 11 player named to NASL Team of the Week

New Look Indy 11 Raises Expectations –Indy Star

Indy 11 Full Roster

NASL Preview Show – Bloody Shambles True Indy 11 Fans will love this site!

Wish TV to cover more Games this Season

After the Whistle Week 1 NASL

Players to Watch this season in NASL

BYB Site

Ready For NASL Prime Time ON TV : The first of 34 NASL matches – Fort Lauderdale vs. Miami FC – was carried by beIN SPORTS on Saturday, marking a new era and new opportunity as the league embarks on its sixth season. The beIN partnership is only one of the spokes in the NASL’s TV strategy that now encompasses ESPN3.com, ONE World Sports (which does a “Game of the Week” and weekly highlight show), the Fall Season debut of the league on CBS Sports Network and the myriad local deals of each team. In fact, Miami FC matches will be carried in more than 100 countries. Whether it is via cable TV or streaming to a tablet or smartphone, all NASL games are ready for prime time.

Champions League

PSG leaves too many chances at home in 2-2 tie with Man City

Real Madrid collapses at Wolfsburg Stunned 2-0

Suarez leads Barca to 2-1 win over Athletico

Vidal lifts Bayern over Pesky Benefica 1-0 at home

Joe Hart saves PK vs Zlatan – turns tide for City

EPL and World

US 20 yr old Matt Miazga starts for Chelsea

History says Spurs and Gunners still have a chance

Leicester goes 7 clear in title race

Clásico: How Real Madrid beat Barcelona

GAMES of the Week

Thurs, Apr 7

Europa Cup

3:00 p.m., FS1? Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund – Will Anfield help vs German Powerhouse?

Sat, Apr 9

7:30 am NBCSN West Ham vs Arsenal -West Ham looks to break into the top 4

7:30 pm ESPN3 +Ch8 Indy 11 vs Ottawa (Home Opener) –make plans now to get out to the Jake

Sun, Apr 10

7:30 am NBCSN Sunderland vs Leciester City – Can Leciester continue magical run at a team fighting relegation?

11 am NCBCN Tottenham vs Man United – Can Spurs keep pressure on Leciester and knock Man U out of top 4?

11 am Extra Liverpool vs Stoke City – 2 teams locked In battle for Europa League Top 6 finish

4:00 p.m ESPN Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders – Can Seattle stop 0-3 Start?

9:30 pm Fox Sports 1 Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers –Playoff Contenders in Early battle

Tues, Apr 12

Champions League Elite 8

2:45 p.m FoxSport1 Man City vs PSG

Wed, Apr 13

2:45 p.m., Fox Sport1 Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid

Sat, Apr 16

7:30 pm ESPN3 +Ch8 Indy 11 vs NY Cosmos (H)

GAMES THIS WEEK ON TV

Thurs, Apr 7

Europa Cup

3:00 p.m., FS1? Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund

3:00 p.m., FS2? Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao

3:00 p.m., TV TBD: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Braga

3:00 p.m., TV TBD: Sparta Prague vs. Villarreal

Sat, Apr 9

7:30 am NBCSN West Ham vs Arsenal

9:30 am Fox Sport 1 Schalke vs Dortmund

11:30 am FS2 Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen

12:30 pm NBC Man City vs West Brom

7:30 pm ESPN3 +Ch8 Indy 11 vs Ottawa (Home Opener)

Sun, Apr 10

7:30 am NBCSN Sunderland vs Leciester City

11 am NCBCN Tottenham vs Man United

11 am Extra Liverpool vs Stoke City

4:00 p.m ESPN Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders

7:00 p.m Fox Sports1 New York City FC vs. Chicago Fire

9:30 pm Fox Sports 1 Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers

Tues, Apr 12

Champions League Elite 8

2:45 p.m FoxSport1 Man City vs PSG

2:45 p.m., TV TBD: Real Madrid vs. VfL Wolfsburg

Wed, Apr 13

2:45 p.m., Fox Sport1 Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid

2:45 pm, TV TBD: Benfica vs. Bayern Munich

Thursday, April 14

UEFA Europa League (Quarterfinal second legs)

3:00 p.m., Fox Sports Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund
3:00 p.m., TV TBD: Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao
3:00 p.m., TV TBD: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Braga
3:00 p.m., TV TBD: Sparta Prague vs. Villarreal

Sat, Apr 16

7:30 pm ESPN3 +Ch8 Indy 11 vs NY Cosmos

Sun, Apr 17

3:30 pm ESPN Orlando City vs. New England Revolution

7:00 p.m Fox Sports1 FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City

Mon, Apr 18

3 pm NBCSN Stoke City vs Tottenham

Tues, Apr 19

2:45 pm NBCSN Newcastle vs Man City

Wed , Apr 20

2:45 pm NBCSN Liverpool vs Everton

3 pm NBCSN Extra Man U vs Crystal Palace

Thur, Apr 21

2:45 pm NBCSN Arsenal vs West Brom

COPA AMERICA 100 –GAMES IN CHICAGO

Sun -June 5 4 pm Jamaica vs Venezuela, Tues June 7 – 7 pm (USA vs Costa Rica), Friday, June 10 Argentina vs Panama 8:30 pm.

Wed, June 22 Semi Finals – 7 pm – Argentina vs Brazil maybe?

Soldier Field Chicago Venue Passes – If interested in planning a trip over – reach out to me (shanebestsoccer@gmail.com)

RECAP – TAMPA BAY 0 : 0 INDY ELEVEN

Busch’s three saves, stout defending help Indy to road point in season openerApr 2, 2016

Indy Eleven Earn Gritty Road Point in Season Opening Stalemate at Tampa Bay

Goalkeeper Jon Busch’s Three Saves, Steady Defensive Effort Help “Boys in Blue” to 0-0 Draw, Clean Sheet to Open 2016 Season

PETERSBURG, Fla. (Saturday, April 2, 2016) –For the third season opener in as many years, Indy Eleven would earn a point from its NASL season opener, this time securing a road point from a 0-0 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium. The new look Eleven squad featured ten “Boys in Blue” making their Indy debut, including goalkeeper Jon Busch, who made three saves in securing the clean sheet.“There’s no question that defensively we’re a very solid unit. I feel like in all games this year we’ll be able to defense well and stay in games until the very end certainly,” said Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson. “Certainly the possession tonight was a lot better than we’ve seen in our preseason games, so I’m pleased with that, and the patience we showed was very solid. That’s the way you have to play on the road, so the point tonight was a very well taken point.”The first half was dominated by the defenses as just one of the teams’ five combined shots would force a save, Busch doing the deed five minutes in with an easy grab of Tamika Mkandawire’s header 10 yards straight out from goal. That’s not to say Busch wasn’t active, as he darted off his line on several occasions to frustrate the Rowdies attack, most notably sliding in to thwart a couple of through balls intended for runs by new Tampa Bay striker Tommy Heinemann.The sides finally traded solid chances early in the second half, Busch going low to stop Heinemann’s shot from space in the 52^ndminute and Indy midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic seeing his dipping effort from 25 yards miss just high four minutes later.The visitors looked more and more content to secure their road point as the half continued, but a flurry in the 78^th minute would almost see the Eleven sneak into the lead. However, Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens came up big, first steering aside a corner kick that somehow got through traffic in the six yard box before making his only save of the night on Indy forward Eamon Zayed’s volley from the right side of the area.The physicality of the Eleven defense would pay off time after time, as solid challenges and timely slide tackles throughout the evening helped keep Tampa off the board. However, Busch was called into service one last time in the 92^nd minute when Eric Avila’s sidewinding shot from outside the area was hit with pace, but right at the Indy netminder in the center of goal.Indy Eleven (0W-1D-0L, 1 pt.) will take the road point back to the Hoosier State and prepare for its home opener next Saturday, April 9, against Ottawa Fury FC (0-0-0). Kickoff from Michael A. Carroll Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and tickets remain available for Bicentennial Celebration night at “The Mike” starting at just $11 at www.IndyEleven.com. In addition, a $20 Bicentennial Picnic Pack featuring a ticket to the match and a meal full of Indiana favorites are on sale at bicentennial.indyeleven.com.

NASL Spring Season
Tampa Bay Rowdies 0 : 0 Indy Eleven
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Al Lang Stadium – St. Petersburg, FL
Attendance: 5,740

Indy Eleven:
Spring Season: 0W-1D-0L (1 pt.)

Tampa Bay Rowdies:
Spring Season: 0W-1D-0L (1 pt.)

Scoring Summary:
None

Discipline Summary:
TBR – Neill Collins (caution) 40’
TBR – Darnell King (caution) 43’
IND – Brad Ring (caution) 53’
IND – Gorka Larrea (caution) 87’
TBR – Zac Portillos (caution) 87’
Indy Eleven line-up (4-2-3-1, L–>R): Jon Busch; Nemanja Vukovic, Greg Janicki, Colin Falvey (capt), Lovel Palmer (Marco Franco 82’); Nicki Paterson (Gorka Larrea 63’), Brad Ring; Duke Lacroix (Jair Reinoso 73’), Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Justin Braun; Eamon Zayed Eleven bench: Keith Cardona (GK), Cory Miller, Dylan Mares, Don Smart

Tampa Bay Rowdies (4-2-3-1): Matt Pickens; Zac Portillos, Neill Collins, Tamika Mkandawire (capt), Darnell King; Justin Chavez, Michael Nanchoff; Kalif Alhassan (Darwin Espinal 67’), Junior Burgos (Georgi Hristov 73’), Eric Avila; Tommy Heinemann Rowdies bench: Michael Langer (GK), Jeremy Hall, Ben Sweat, Juan Guerra, Danny Mwanga

Rowdies open NASL season with 0-0 draw

By Darek Sharp, Times CorrespondentSaturday, April 2, 2016 10:38pm

PETERSBURG — The Rowdies dominated possession the entire second half on Saturday but could not solve Indy Eleven, settling for a scoreless draw in their NASL season opener before 5,740 at Al Lang Stadium.Tampa Bay ended with a 12-6 shot advantage, nine coming in the second half.”Honestly, the last pass killed us,” midfielder Eric Avila said of Tampa Bay’s inability to finish after steady buildups.The last pass was actually perfect in the 52nd minute but Indy’s goalkeeper, Jon Busch, was there to stop the Rowdies’ most dangerous chance. Kalif Alhassan’s feed to Tommy Heinemann was perfectly crafted but Busch dove to stop it. Alhassan continued to serve as main creator along with Avila, and had another in-close setup for Junior Burgos six minutes later.All four are new to the roster. Avila posed a threat several times in the second half, but Indy’s defense proved sturdy. He had a shot from 20 yards in stoppage time but it went right to Busch.”Frustrated we didn’t get three points. We didn’t turn our dominance into goals,” Rowdies coach Stuart Campbell said.Several players more familiar to Rowdies fans either came on late, like Georgi Hristov in the final 20 minutes, or didn’t even make the list of eligible subs — namely Freddy Adu and defender Stefan Antonijevic, who started every game on defense when not injured last season.Indy’s best threat came in the 78th minute on a corner kick but Rowdies captain Tam Mkandawire came up with a necessary clearance.”We didn’t give up a lot of chances … we’ll take that. Of course you want to win every game but in reality that’s not going to happen,” Rowdies keeper Matt Pckens said.There was one shot on target combined in the first half and that was five minutes in. Mkandawire’s header off Michael Nanchoff’s corner kick was saved.In the 39th minute Heinemann one-timed a pass from Alhassan but it was blocked away.”We were a little nervous, little jittery early on,” Avila said.The field was in excellent condition despite heavy rain early in the day, the new tarp at Al Lang coming in quite handy.

New faces, same challenge

With many unfamiliar faces on the 2016 roster, “Indiana’s Team” takes on a fresh look under new head coach Tim Hankinson. Aware of the challenges ahead, Hankinson & Co. feel that the team they have assembled are more than capable of challenging for a place in the NASL’s four-team postseason tournament.Under the leadership of players brought from all realms of North American soccer – from MLS to the NASL to the USL – this year’s squad faces high expectations under Hankinson, who won the NASL’s regular season title with the San Antonio Scorpions during their 2012 expansion season. Bottom line, Hankinson knows how to get things going, and quickly, and nothing less will be expected.

Preseason difficulties stay in the preseason

After battling what seemed to be an abundance of preseason injuries, the Eleven are almost completely healed of their wounds from February and March.Going 2W-4D-3L during their nine game preseason slate, Coach Hankinson emphasized that the concepts sinking into his players’ brains take more time than just a month or two to settle, and that with an entire new group comes a gelling period that isn’t easily put on a timetable. Momentum is on their side, however, after a 1-0 win over Butler University compounded a 0-0 draw with the University of Louisville to cap off a defensively staunch early era. If the need is to grind out results until the goals come, the fact that the “Boys in Blue” let in more than a goal just once in those nine preseason exhibitions is a great sign.

Who to Watch, Indy Eleven edition: MF Nicki Paterson

Paterson comes to the Circle City as one of three to convert from expansion mate Ottawa Fury FC to the Eleven in the offseason. A human metronome, Paterson will bring a stability to the center of the park that will be necessary in the possession style Hankinson wants his charges to evolve towards.Though Paterson was one of many fighting a nagging injury, the now fully healthy Scotsman is relishing the opportunity to fight in Indianapolis and to earn a consistent place in Hankinson’s starting XI. Starting seven of nine games for the Fury while tacking on two goals, Paterson’s 2015 was brought to an early end by a knee injury. Now the true No. 8 has the perfect chance to prove why all his rehabilitation to return was worth it. While his possession game is key, it might be his tenacity on the defensive side of the ball against a dangerous Rowdies midfield that will be more important on Saturday night.

Match-up to Mark: Indy F Eamon Zayed

Indy’s new target man and true No. 9, Eamon Zayed’s early reputation has been as much about the Irish accent as it has the goal scoring, though there has been plenty of both. Zayed poked home three goals during the preseason slate to back up his reputation as a true goalscorer, and Coach Hankinson is ecstatic about the possibilities for the Irishman as he embarks on his 2016 campaign. With an eye for goal and ability in space, Zayed is a tough task to mark when in and around the area.

Talking Tactics: Tampa Bay Rowdies v Indy Eleven

by Joshua Mason Updated: April 6, 2016 http://brickyardbattalion.com/talking-tactics

Doug Starnes will be popping in this season for a weekly tactical discussion of the weekend’s match. You may recognize him from his previous work at Eleventh Heaven. Doug is an assistant coach with DePauw Women’s Soccer, Goalkeeper Coordinator for the Indiana Olympic Development Program, and volunteered his time scouting NASL opposition for the Indy Eleven coaching staff last season. You can follow Doug on Twitter at @GrassInTheSky1. Welcome, Doug!

New look Indy Eleven now have a match in the books under Tim Hankinson, and while the 0-0 draw may not have set the world on fire, it does give us a very good look at how this side will be set up and where Hankinson will likely be focusing his efforts to further develop what the team did well Saturday night while also improving in areas that fell a bit flat.

The 4-2-3-1

Hankinson made no secret of the fact that he wanted to play in a 4-2-3-1 system as soon as he arrived in Indianapolis and he proved true to his word when Indy took the field against Tampa Bay Saturday night. Brad Ring and Nicki Paterson were named to the two holding midfield berths (or double pivot or double six…semantics) with Duke Lacroix playing left midfield, Sinša Ubiparivović filling the number ten role underneath Éamon Zayed, and Justin Braun set up as a right-sided midfielder.What you need to know about this system if you’re not terribly familiar with it is that it provides lots of protection for the back four and, ideally, makes it difficult for the opposition to find space centrally in attack. The two sixes provide a shield in front of the back four that limits penetrating passes and space between the midfield and back line. It can, however, be exploited by teams with pacey and creative wide players (coincidentally, not unlike Tampa Bay) and it can sputter a touch in transition moments from defense to attack as the two holding midfielders are often unable to join the attack quickly enough.Interestingly, Tampa Bay countered Indy’s 4-2-3-1 with nearly the same system. Kalif Alhassan and Eric Avila , left and right midfielders respectively, were forced to take up positions significantly narrower than perhaps they – or at least Alhassan- would have liked. With Avila narrow, Darnell King had space to run in to, but he also had to worry about Lacroix’s pace behind him and the two somewhat canceled one another out. The end result of all of this was a match with limited opportunities for both sides and a very crowded midfield third.

Note the six players all with an average starting position inside the center circle. #Crowded

A Blunt Spear

As the match developed, it became increasingly clear that both teams were going to have issues transitioning to meaningful attacking moments. For much of the first half, Indy possessed the ball in the back, built forward, stalled, and then won the ball back immediately after Tampa Bay cleared their lines. The positive to take from this is that the Eleven looked more composed, organized, and confident across the back line than they have since the club became a club. The acquisition of veteran leaders like Colin Falvey and Jon Busch undoubtedly has much to do with this. As Chris Anderson and David Sally point out in their book The Numbers Game, when it comes down to it – at least statistically speaking – the goals you don’t concede are worth much more at the end of the season than the goals you score. But no one’s heart bursts for 0-0 draws either, and building meaningful attacks is something Hankinson will likely be working on in the coming weeks.

The real issue Saturday is that the two sides’ systems of play mostly canceled one another out and the crowded midfield made it difficult for Indy to find passes to their attacking players. As the match wore on, this situation was exacerbated by Braun moving centrally and Ubiparipović dropping deeper to get on the ball. There were moments in the match when Ubiparipović was picking up the ball from the back four behind both Ring and Paterson. You can’t blame your number ten for wanting to get on the ball, but once he was on it, his options forward were too far away and too isolated to create much of substance. Even Zayed started to drop further to get on the ball as he became more and more isolated.

Consider this, for the whole match Ubiparipović combined with Zayed, ostensibly the focal point of the Eleven attack, only four times. Of those four times, only one started and was completed in the Tampa Bay half. Braun combined with Zayed only once and Lacroix didn’t combine with him at all. To show how isolated Zayed was during the match, he had only 20 touches on the ball in 90 minutes. The next lowest total belongs to Duke Lacroix, but he was subbed in the 74th minute for Jair Reinoso. Indy mustered only one shot on target on six total shots.

This heat map shows all Indy Eleven players with the team attacking right to left. No threat high enough centrally, either due to denied service or starting position, to connect with and very little flank play in the attacking third.Conversely, Indy’s top passing combinations were Falvey to Palmer, Falvey to Janicki, Vukovic to Janicki, and Janicki to Vukovic. Notice anything?The sky isn’t falling. Scoring goals is the hardest thing to do in the game, especially when only three of the starters on the field Saturday night were returning players, but Hankinson will be disappointed the team didn’t create more chances and maybe a little uneasy knowing that the lack of goal scoring has carried over from the preseason.

Round Plugs, Square Holes

It may have slipped under the radar for some Eleven supporters considering he never played an official match for the team, but the release of Stephen DeRoux was a pretty big deal. DeRoux played last season for San Antonio Scorpions as a very useful attacking left back. He was no Justin Davis, but he would have provided Indy with a legitimate attacking threat from the left side. As it is now, Nemanja Vukovic has been enlisted to fill the void, but one gets the sense that he’s really a center back playing on the left side with a defense first and last approach. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it certainly limits the number of potential opportunities going forward.

Another player seemingly playing out of his preferred position Saturday night was Justin Braun. His natural inclination was to move inside to find the ball and he clearly still has the pace to run the channels. He seemed less comfortable trying to find space wide and then attack inside or make runs down the flank to provide service. It would have been interesting to see what Don Smart could have done toward the end of the match if Zayed had made way and Braun had been moved centrally.

Takeaway

Firstly, this was the first match of a long, hard season. Rarely does a team look at this stage how they will look at the end of the season.Secondly, Indy’s composure defensively and ability to limit Tampa Bay’s chances was actually pretty awesome to watch. Tampa Bay spent big in the offseason and acquired three of the best attacking players in the league in Tom Heinemann, Junior Burgos, and Kalif Alhassan. All three of those guys gave Indy fits last season when they were with their old teams, so limiting their chances when they were playing together at home is something to put in the bank.Lastly, the veteran leadership Indy acquired in the offseason was much needed and will pay dividends as the season unfolds. It may have seemed like a little thing, or perhaps went totally unnoticed by many supporters watching the match, but late in the second half Colin Falvey absolutely lit in to Tom Heinemann when he dribbled the ball out of bounds rather than passing it back to Jon Busch after Indy had been in possession and played the ball out in order for a player to receive treatment for an injury. It was a suspect thing for Heinemann to do, although not strictly wrong. These guys were teammates just a few months ago, but Falvey didn’t hesitate to let him know exactly what he thought of the play. There weren’t a lot of guys on the team last season who had the professional confidence and/or willingness to make demands and give direction to their teammates let alone players wearing a different shirt. The thing about that kind of leadership is that it empowers younger pros to do the same things and creates a clear standard. You can build on that.

Indy Eleven overhauls lineup, raise expectations

Tom Moor, IndyStar correspondent7:59 p.m. EDT April 1, 2016

WESTFIELD – A lot has changed since the Indy Eleven last took the field in a regular-season game Oct. 30.The Eleven have a new training facility at Westfield’s Grand Park, new president, new coach and 11 newcomers on the roster.Yes, the Indy Eleven certainly have a new look this season — and raised expectations.Coach Tim Hankinson is hoping an overhauled lineup will lead to a better product on the field. Despite leading the North American Soccer League in attendance their first two years in the league, the Eleven haven’t produced the on-field results they’ve been seeking. But that could soon change.Hankinson essentially gutted the team. The result is the Eleven — who open their season Saturday at the Tampa Bay Rowdies — have their most veteran and experienced team since debuting in Indianapolis in 2014. It’s a product Hankinson hopes will make the Eleven faithful proud.“Everywhere in soccer, there’s a lot of buzz about the Indy Eleven,” said Hankinson, a 36-year coaching veteran whose most recent stops include San Antonio and Jamaica. “We’re excited to come here and fight for a championship. There is great fan support here and an owner that is committed to winning.“Fans know the game and make it a great atmosphere. It’s great to have fans that truly love this.”The Eleven’s lineup features 11 new players, as well as 10 holdovers from last year’s team that finished 8-13-9 over the fall and spring seasons. Several of those players have Major League Soccer experience, and about five or six have served as captains on previous teams.The most notable, perhaps, is the signing of 39-year-old goalie Jon Busch, who spent 14 years in the MLS and was Goalkeeper of the Year in 2008.“The way things went last year with it being up and down, I think we brought in some stability and veteran leaders that will be good for the team,” said defender Greg Janicki, a returnee from last year’s squad. “Last year was my first year with the club, and I didn’t know what to expect. We had such a young team. We have more veteran leaders now, and we brought back a great group from last year.”Of the 21 players on the roster, 15 are at least 27 years old and several players are in their 30s — giving the Eleven a wealth of experience.Of the 11 newcomers, as many as eight could start Saturday. Hankinson has publicly stated that many of the holdovers would come off the bench because the quality of play last year wasn’t starting caliber.“I thought the first two years, the win column wasn’t strong enough for the fans who supported this team,” Hankinson said. “In many ways, I came in to replace the starting lineup with a better starting lineup.”Eleven public relations director John Koluder said the experience on this year’s team starts with players such as Busch, defender Lovel Palmer, midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic and forward Justin Braun — all of whom have considerable MLS experience. Players such as defender Colin Falvey, midfielder Gorka Larrea and forwards Eamon Zayed and Jair Reinoso have played for teams around the world.Many of the players also have the ability to play multiple positions, which gives the Eleven versatility.“The first two years (the Eleven) didn’t finish in the top four, but we expect to be in the top four this year, which means we’re a playoff team,” Hankinson said. “That can put yourself in position for the Cup. We really don’t have excuses. We’re not a developing team.”The Eleven received a setback when they lost defender Stephen DeRoux with a broken leg in a preseason game. That injury and inclement weather, Klouder said, may have played a role in finishing just 2-3-4 in the preseason.“The players are getting to know each other and their nuances,” Hankinson said. “They’ll get that figured out.”The Eleven host the Ottawa Fury FC in their home opener April 9 at Carroll Stadium at IUPUI.

INDY ELEVEN 2016 ROSTER

NUMBER	NAME	POS	AGE	PREVIOUS CLUB
1	KEITH CARDONA	GK	23	FC LEIFERING (AUSTRIA)
2	Neil Shaffer	D	27	Harrisburg (USL)
4	Brad Ring	M	28	Portland (MLS)
5	Lovel Palmer	D	31	Chicago (MLS)
6	Dylan Mares	M	24	Indiana (NCAA)
7	Don Smart	M	28	RVA FC (NPSL)
8	Nicki Paterson	M	31	Ottawa (NASL)
9	Eamon Zayed	F	32	Sabah FA (Malaysia)
10	Sinisa Ubiparipovic	M	32	Ottawa (NASL)
12	Greg Janicki	D	31	San Antonio (NASL)
14	Duke Lacroix	F	22	Penn (NCAA)
15	Daniel Keller	M	24	Chicago U-23 (PDL)
16	Cory Miller	D	27	Orange County (USL)
18	Jon Busch	GK	39	Chicago (MLS)
19	Wojciech Wojcik	F	23	Ilves-Kissat (Finland)
20	Justin Braun	F	29	Sacramento (USL)
23	Marco Franco	D	24	Chicago (MLS)
24	Jair Reinoso	F	30	Zhejiang Yiteng FC (China)
32	Colin Falvey	D	30	Ottawa (NASL)
33	Gorka Larrea	M	31	Montreal (MLS)
82	Nemanja Vukovic	D	31	Sacramento (USL)

AFTER THE WHISTLE | WEEK 1 MOMENTS

A quick look back at some of the high points from last weekend’s action in the NASL’s 2016 Spring Season.Jack Bell (@JackBell} | Apr 4, 2016

Cosmos Hit The Ground Scoring: Same place. Same teams (with different players, of course). Way different result from The Championship Final last November.

New York, using a new cast of characters after the retirements of Spanish stars Raúl and Marcos Senna, plus other changes, played like a seven-time NASL Champion. A couple of early key saves by goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer led to some uncharacteristic miscues in the Ottawa end in New York’s convincing 3-0 victory in the final game of Week 1. Veteran midfielder Juan Arango, the career goalscoring leader for Venezuela’s national team, tallied first-half goals two minutes apart and the substitute Adam Moffat added one from distance (with Romuald Peiser way off his line). With a solid back four and Niko Kranjčar coming off the bench for 13 classy minutes, the Cosmos served noticed that they have a deep squad that may be even better than the one that went unbeaten in the 2015 Spring Season, finished first in the Combined Standings and hoisted the Soccer Bowl Trophy.

Fast Times: Last year, Jemal Johnson scored 12 seconds

into expansion Jacksonville’s inaugural match, setting a Modern Era NASL record.

A forward for another expansion team – Dario Cvitanich of Miami FC – came close to matching Johnson’s feat when he came within inches of scoring only seconds into the club’s South Florida Derby match at Fort Lauderdale. The double debut – the first NASL game on the beIN SPORTS and the first league match in Miami FC history – ended in a 1-1 draw and Cvitanich will still go down as the first goalscorer in club history after he converted a penalty kick in the 12th minute.

There were also early fireworks in Cary, N.C., in the season’s curtain-raising game between the Carolina RailHawks and Minnesota United. Inside the first minute, Carolina’s Kareem Moses lofted a cross into the penalty area that was headed wide by Austin da Luz. Seconds later, the Loons’ Christian Ramirez scored a highlight-reel goal (that was No. 3 on the list of ESPN’s Top 10) on his first touch of the season.

Oklahoma Is OK: The stars seemed to be aligned during Rayo OKC’s debut in the NASL against visiting FC Edmonton on Saturday night.

A new, pristine playing surface at Miller Stadium in Yukon, Okla., with a packed house of more than 6,000 fans. Rayo OKC had a man advantage for 60 minutes, nearly 70 percent of possession and an astonishing 620 passes completed, but no goals to show for their efforts. Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel kept the Eddies in the match, saving a point late in the game when the substitute Georgios Samaras, Greek international, had his point-blank shot stopped.

Ready For Prime Time: The first of 34 NASL matches – Fort Lauderdale vs. Miami FC – was carried by beIN SPORTS on Saturday, marking a new era and new opportunity as the league embarks on its sixth season. The beIN partnership is only one of the spokes in the NASL’s TV strategy that now encompasses ESPN3.com, ONE World Sports (which does a “Game of the Week” and weekly highlight show), the Fall Season debut of the league on CBS Sports Network and the myriad local deals of each team. In fact, Miami FC matches will be carried in more than 100 countries. Whether it is via cable TV or streaming to a tablet or smartphone, all NASL games are ready for prime time.

We Got The Stats Right Here: Soccer has not been particularly known as a stat-heavy or dependent sport, unlike a slew of North American sports. After all, soccer is the simplest game. Opta has been out to change that and now with its new partnership with the NASL, the statmen cometh. Available on clicking on the match center tab for each match, the graphical representations and deep dive into the info enriches our understanding of games and is great fodder for discussion.

Chelsea: Guus Hiddink heaps praise on Matt Miazga following debut performance

By Arunava RayApril 4, 2016 14:58 BST

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink is impressed with the way January signing Matt Miazga has carried himself against Aston Villa this weekend and believes that the 20-year-old will get a lot of opportunities to prove himself until the end of the season, with John Terry and Gary Cahill out through injury. The Blues signed Miazga in January from MLS franchisee New York Red Bulls andHiddink believes that he still has to attune himself to the rigours of the Premier League.

“To be honest this wasn’t the toughest game,” Hiddink said, as quoted by ESPN. “You have to consider also when a real good war is going on how you cope with that, but it’s a good first step up for him.”He’s coming from a league that is a bit naive compared to the Premier League, and he has to get used to a little more freedom given to the attackers by the referees, which I like. He has to cope with a little bit of a shuffle, of a push that in other leagues the referee would give free kicks for. That’s the naivety he has to leave as soon as possible but I didn’t see much of that [against Aston Villa].”The defending Champions made easy work of Aston Villa, beating them 4-0 with goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Alexandre Pato and a second-half brace from Pedro Rodriguez to close the gap on Liverpool, who drew against Tottenham. A top four finish looks off the table, with the Blues now 10 points behind fourth placed Manchester City, with only seven games left in the season. However, Hiddink believes it is a great time for him to bring in a few youngsters to the squad and experiment with them for next season, especially with their fate all but decided in the league.”This club has brilliant players — world-class, experienced players and also young and up-and-coming players like Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] and Jake [Clarke-Salter] that train with the first team,” Hiddink said. “The club’s in good hands so we’ve just got to work hard on the training pitch, focus on ourselves and contribute in any way we can.”I just control what I can control, which is to work hard in training and hopefully give the manager a decision to make. If I get chances, I’ll take them,” he added.

4/2/16 US Gets Must Win, Champion League back, Full TV Game Schedule

April 4, 2016April 5, 2016 gatorbest

Champions League

Tuesday’s previews: Bayern v Benfica, Barcelona v Atlético
Wednesday’s fixtures: Paris v Manchester City, Wolfsburg v Real Madrid
Tuesday’s team news: Who is in, who is out and who is a doubt?
Clásico: How Real Madrid beat Barcelona

GAMES of the Week

Tues, Apr 5

Champions League Elite 8

2:45 p.m., Fox Sport1 Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid – Classic Spanish Showdown

Wed, Apr 6

2:45 p.m FoxSport1 Man City vs PSG – Can City use Home Field to sneak up on Ibra and PSG?

7 pm Fox Sports 1 US Women vs Columbia – US ladies continue home Olympics Prep

Thurs, Apr 7

Europa Cup

3:00 p.m., FS1? Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund – Will Anfield help vs German Powerhouse?

Sat, Apr 9

7:30 am NBCSN West Ham vs Arsenal -West Ham looks to break into the top 4

7:30 pm ESPN3 +Ch8 Indy 11 vs Ottawa (Home Opener) –make plans now to get out to the Jake

Sun, Apr 10

7:30 am NBCSN Sunderland vs Leciester City – Can Leciester continue magical run at a team fighting relegation?

11 am NCBCN Tottenham vs Man United – Can Spurs keep pressure on Leciester and knock Man U out of top 4?

11 am Extra Liverpool vs Stoke City – 2 teams locked In battle for Europa League Top 6 finish

4:00 p.m ESPN Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders – Can Seattle stop 0-3 Start?

9:30 pm Fox Sports 1 Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers –Playoff Contenders in Early battle

Tues, Apr 12

Champions League Elite 8

2:45 p.m FoxSport1 Man City vs PSG

Wed, Apr 13

2:45 p.m., Fox Sport1 Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid

Sat, Apr 16

7:30 pm ESPN3 +Ch8 Indy 11 vs NY Cosmos (H)

GAMES THIS WEEK ON TV

Tues, Apr 5

Champions League Elite 8

2:45 p.m., Fox Sport1 Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid

2:45 p.m., Fox Sport 2 Bayern Munich vs. Benfica

Wed, Apr 6

2:45 p.m FoxSport1 Man City vs PSG

2:45 pm Fox Sport2 Real Madrid vs VFL Wolfsburg

7 pm Fox Sports 1 US Women vs Columbia

Thurs, Apr 7

Europa Cup

3:00 p.m., FS1? Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund

3:00 p.m., FS2? Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao

3:00 p.m., TV TBD: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Braga

3:00 p.m., TV TBD: Sparta Prague vs. Villarreal

Sat, Apr 9

7:30 am NBCSN West Ham vs Arsenal

9:30 am Fox Sport 1 Schalke vs Dortmund

11:30 am FS2 Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen

12:30 pm NBC Man City vs West Brom

7:30 pm ESPN3 +Ch8 Indy 11 vs Ottawa (Home Opener)

Sun, Apr 10

7:30 am NBCSN Sunderland vs Leciester City

11 am NCBCN Tottenham vs Man United

11 am Extra Liverpool vs Stoke City

4:00 p.m ESPN Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders

7:00 p.m Fox Sports1 New York City FC vs. Chicago Fire

9:30 pm Fox Sports 1 Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers

Tues, Apr 12

Champions League Elite 8

2:45 p.m FoxSport1 Man City vs PSG

2:45 p.m., TV TBD: Real Madrid vs. VfL Wolfsburg

Wed, Apr 13

2:45 p.m., Fox Sport1 Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid

2:45 pm, TV TBD: Benfica vs. Bayern Munich

Thursday, April 14

UEFA Europa League (Quarterfinal second legs)

Sat, Apr 16

7:30 pm ESPN3 +Ch8 Indy 11 vs NY Cosmos

Sun, Apr 17

3:30 pm ESPN Orlando City vs. New England Revolution

7:00 p.m Fox Sports1 FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City

Mon, Apr 18

3 pm NBCSN Stoke City vs Tottenham

Tues, Apr 19

2:45 pm NBCSN Newcastle vs Man City

Wed , Apr 20

2:45 pm NBCSN Liverpool vs Everton

3 pm NBCSN Extra Man U vs Crystal Palace

Thur, Apr 21

2:45 pm NBCSN Arsenal vs West Brom