So Champions League – the World’s Best Club competition arrives at the Finale this Saturday 2:45 pm on FOX in Cardiff with Real Madrid looking to become the first back-to-back winner in the modern competition vs Italian Champion Juventus and their legendary goalkeeper Gigi Buffon. The story lines are too numerous to count – will Buffon add the only trophy he does not have after World & European Cups, Europa and multiple Serie A titles? Will Real Madrid’s Bale who is from Wales recover from injury in time to play in his home country? Can Renaldo complete his audition for another BallonD Or with another hat trick in UCL play? Can the Juve defense hold Real scoreless after an almost record setting # of minutes without giving a goal in this competition? Should make for a great game on Saturday!
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL: JUVENTUS VS. REAL MADRID
– Bandini: Is this finally Buffon’s year?
– Tale of the tape: Juve hold an edge over Real?
– Lowe: Secret of Ronaldo’s success?
– WATCH: ESPN FC visits the CL final venue
– Ogden: Bale at a crossroads
– Corrigan: Real fans’ struggle for tickets
– Yokhin: Allegri’s journey to Juventus
The US U20s coached by Tab Ramos will face Venezuela in the Quarterfinals on Fox Sports 2 Sunday morning at 2 am (set the DVRs & see full schedules below). They walloped New Zealand 6-0 on Thurs AM to advance. The US Men and Women have games starting this Saturday at 10 pm on Fox Sport 1 as the men face Venezuela before their huge WC qualifier at Mexico on Sunday June 11 8:30 on FS1.
Huge Congrats to former Indy 11 forward Ben Spencer who not only started this weekend for Toronto FC but also notched an assist in the 5-0 shallacking of Columbus.Get your Indy 11 Discounted Tickets and don’t forgot the next home game on June 10th vs Jacksonville features $1 day with $1 hot dogs, pretzels, popcorns, chips, drinks and assorted merchandise.
Good luck to coach Jeff Oberndorfer and the Carmel FC U18 Boys who advance to the President’s Cup Finals this weekend at Grand Park vs Fort Wayne Sport. Winner advances to the Regionals in KC. Carmel FC had 2 teams advance last season.
Carmel FC Travel Soccer Tryouts for 2017-2018 teams begin June 6th! CLICK HERE for Free Registration
Tuesday June 6th – 8U – 10U – 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm – Badger Field
Mon/Tues June 12 &13 11U-13U Tryouts – 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm//14U-19U Tryouts – 7:15 pm- 8:30 pm Shelborne Field
GAMES ON TV
Thur, June 1
FIFA U-20 World Cup
4:00am Mexico U20 vs Senegal U20 Fox Sport1
7:00am France vs Italy U20 Fox Sport 2
7 am USA U20 vs New Zealand Fox Sport 1
Sat, June 3
11 am beIN Sports Portugal vs Cypress (Friendly)
2:30 pm FOX Juventus vs Real Madrid Champions League Final
5 pm ESPN Sporting KC vs Minn United
10 pm Fox Sports 1 USMNT vs Venezuela (Friendly)
Sun, June 4
FIFA U-20 World Cup Quarterfinals
2 am Fox Sport 2 Venezuela vs USA U20s
5 am Fox Sport 1 Portugal vs Uruguay
1:30 pm beIN Sport Netherlands vs Cote d’Ivoire
7:30 pm Fox Sport1 Orlando City vs Chicago Fire
Mon, June 5
FIFA U-20 World Cup Quarterfinals
4 am Fox Sport 1 Italy vs Zambia
7 am Fox Sport 1 Mexico vs England
Thur, June 8
FIFA U-20 World Cup Semi-Finals
4 am Fox Sport 1
7 am Fox Sport 1
1:30 pm FS1 ? Sweden vs US Ladies
8 pm Fox Sports 1 USMNT vs Trinidad and Tobago
Fri, June 9
6:05 am Fox Sport2 Brazil vs Argentina (friendly)
2:45 pm FS1 Sweden vs France WCQ
Sat, June 10
12noon Fox Sport2 Scotland vs England WCQ
2:45 pm FS2 Germany vs San Marino WCQ
7:30 pm ESPN3 My Indy TV Indy 11 vs Jacksonville Armada
Sun, June 11
FIFA U-20 World Cup
3rd place 2:30 am FS1
Finals 6 am FS1
12 noon FS2 Finland vs Ukriane
1 pm FOX USA Ladies vs Norway
2:45 pm FS2 Serbia vs Wales WCQ
2:45 pm ESPN3 Macedonia vs Spain WCQ
8:30 pm Fox Sport 1 Mexico vs USA WCQ
Tues June 13
3 pm ESPN France vs England (friendly)
Sat, June 17
11 am Fox Sport1 Russia vs New Zealand Confederations Cup
Sun, June 18
11 am Fox Sport1 Portugal vs Mexico – Confederations Cup
2 pm Fox Sport1 Cameron vs Chile – Confederations Cup
Mon, June 19
11 am Fox Sport1 Australia vs Gemany – Confederations Cup
Thurs, June 22
2 pm Fox Sport1 Chile vs Gemany – Confederations Cup
U20 – WORLD CUP Schedule on Fox
Confederations Cup Schedule June
International Champions Cup July Games in Nashville and Detroit
Carmel Dad’s Offers co-ed Alumni/College age soccer in June/July on Tues Nights.
Also this reminder to All Seniors this year and current folks in College –gather a team or sign up as an individual just $95. Please click here for the registration form Register – May 10- June 1 Commissioner: Alex Scott scottaf2@gmail.com
Champions League Final – Real vs Juve June 6 2:45 pm FOX
Keys to Victory for Both Teams – Goal.com
Gigi Buffon should win Ballon d’Or says Cheillini if Juve Win
Juve’s coach Allegri says Real are Favorites in Final
Zidane unfazed by Bale vs Isco discussion
Isco or Bale – that’s the Question for Zidane – SI
Bale Works Double Sessions to get back for Final in home Town
Real looks to Continue Dominance over Buffon
What will happen if Real Madrid wins
USA
US Hammers New Zealand 6-0 to Advance to Elite 8 vs Venezuela on Sun 1:50 am on Fox Sport 1 or 2
Bruce Goes with Veteran Core for June Qualifiers and Trip to Mexico June 11 – Armchair Analyst Matt Doyel
Bruce Arena Answers questions on Roster for Qualifiers – US Soccer
US Roster Breakdown – Brian Straus SI
Timmy Howard is #1 Keeper for Now
US Woods hopes to Help Us with his Back Feeling Better
Tim Chandler leaves camp with Injury – thank God!!
John Brooks set for US Record Transfer Fee in trade to Wolfsburg
Pulisic becomes youngest US player to Win League Cup for Dortmund
FulHamerica – A look at the US line of Players to Craven Cottage
US Hammers New Zealand 6-0 to Advance to Elite 8 vs Venezuela on Sun 1:50 am on Fox Sport 1 or 2
US U20s ready for Knock Out Round vs New Zealand – US soccer
US ties Saudi’s 1-1 despite only 10 men
5 things to know about US U20 Luca De La Torre
US Ladies head to Sweden/Norway for Friendlies June 8 + 11
Morgan Brian injured out for Qualifiers – new US Roster Released
Indy 11
Indy 11 fall on road 2-1 to Edmonton
Indy 11 losses weigh heavy on Campatin Falvey– Kevin Johnson – soctakes.com
Indy 11 Dollar Night – June 10th vs Jacksonville Armada FC
MLS
Top US Ref battles Huntington’s Disease
Chicago Fire’s Bastian Schweinsteiger named to ESPN World of Fame 100
Seattle outlast Rivals 1-0 at home
WORLD
Can new Barca Coach Ernesto Valverde Handle Pressure? Sid Lowe ESPNFC
Marcotti’s Musings from closing weekend in World League Play ESPNFC
Dortmund Coach Thomas Tuchel out – who’s next?
Juventus vs. Real Madrid: The Tale of the Tape
BWRAO sizes up each unit of the Champions League finalists against each other.y Sam Lopresti May 29, 2017, 8:05am CEST
The Coppa Italia and the Scudetto have been secured. It’s finally time for Juventus to start turning their eyes to Cardiff, and the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday, June 3.The Bianconeri are in the Champions League final for the second time in three years. Their opponents have made UEFA’s showpiece event two straight seasons and three times in the last four years. Both Juve and Real are champions of their respective leagues, and Juventus have the chance to do something special if they win the cup with the big ears for the first time in 21 years**.(**I refuse to use the “T” word until late in the afternoon — New York time — on June 3. I firmly believe in not tempting Fate, and to speak so would be to invite the wrath of the Whatever from high atop the Thing.)With the final closing in upon us at last, it’s time to take a look at how these teams actually stack up against each other. In order to do that, we’re going to divide each team into units and compare each of them to their opposite numbers.To give each group the detail it deserves, the units will be divided by position. I may mention how different players fit into different tactical systems, but this article isn’t meant to predict what tactics Massimiliano Allegri and Zinedine Zidane will choose 10 days from now. We will simply look at the players in all position groups and give an edge to the stronger unit.Another thing to note: After giving it a lot of thought, I’ve decided to interpret Paulo Dybala’s role less as a trequartista and more as a seconda punta, so he will be included with the striker group and not the midfield group.With all that said, let’s take a look at how these two giants of the game stack up.
GOALKEEPERS
Keylor Navas is not a bad goalkeeper. In fact, he’s very good. His performances for Costa Rica in international competition, particularly the World Cup in 2014, garnered im a lot of attention, and he was eventually signed from Levante when Los blancos triggered his buyout clause.Navas spent his first year in Madrid as backup to the legendary Iker Casillas. Casillas left the club that summer, but Navas was not the first choice to be the successor. Real president had his heart set on Manchester United star and Spain starter David De Gea and even intended to use Navas as part of the deal, both as a makeweight and to make United more secure in the fact that they would have a high-quality replacement. The deal was agreed upon, but the proper documentation wasn’t submitted to FIFA in time, and both players stayed where they were.Navas took over the No. 1 shirt and has played in 83 games between La Liga and the Champions League in the last two seasons. He’s garnered criticism for some mistakes he’s made this year, but he’s also bailed his team out in big ways. He was immense in the semifinal against Atletico Madrid, winning a one-on-one battle in the first leg and denying both Yannick Carrasco and Kevin Gameiro on a fantastic double save in the second.
But Keylor Navas is not Gianluigi Buffon.
Quite simply the best goalkeeper the world has ever known, Buffon is still playing at the very highest level of the position at the age of 39. Anyone who thinks different should be introduced to the save he pulled on Andres Iniesta in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie against Barcelona. The one-handed parry denied the Blaugrana a crucial away goal and allowed Juve to run away with the tie. Also submitted for your consideration: the instant-reaction block to Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe’s tight-angled volley early in the first leg of the semifinal, a stop that kept the game goalless and opened the door for the team’s eventual 2-0 win in Monte Carlo.While he may not be the pure shot-stopper he was 11 years ago when he helped lead Italy to its fourth World Cup, he is supreme in the other, less appreciated aspects of goalkeeping. He’s a commanding presence on crosses, and his ability to marshal a defense — perhaps the least tangible but most important skill of a keeper — is still unmatched.Navas may be an upper echelon goalkeeper, but you can only count the goalkeepers better than Buffon at this moment on one hand, even at his age. The GOAT has the clear edge for Juve.
FULLBACKS
This is a tricky group to judge, because a lot hinges on the health of one man.That man is Dani Carvajal, who hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury just before halftime of the first leg of the semifinal against Atletico Madrid.Real’s back line is already underpowered for a team at this level, but if Carvajal can’t play it will become a genuine weakness in this contest. Zidane’s options to replace him would be either to make a straight swap with the mistake-prone Danilo — who was abused by Atleti in the second leg of the semis — or to move natural center-half Nacho to the right side. Either option would make Juve’s left-sided tandem of Mario Mandzukic and Alex Sandro lick their chops. Nacho would compensate for the physical mismatch Mandzukic tends to create but would be vulnerable to the agile Sandro, while Danilo would simply be an all-around nightmare.
So much is riding on Carvajal’s play because the rest of the fullbacks are all top class. Sandro is in the running for best man in the world at left back, a title his Real counterpart Marcelo is also in the running for.The duel between Marcelo on Real’s left and Dani Alves on Juve’s right is going to be something special. Both have been in excellent form in the latter stages of the Champions League. Alves in particular has been on fire since the end of April, scoring three goals and notching two assists in his last six games. In the semifinals against Monaco he was imperious, assisting both goals in the first leg—one on an outrageous backheel—before sealing the tie just before the half of the second leg with an incredible volleyed goal.Carvajal is the key to this matchup. According to Marca, he passed a fitness test on Wednesday and is back in training. That would put him on track to play. The possibility of a relapse in training or the early stages of the game is there, and if he does make the XI there’s no guarantee he’ll be as effective as usual. For our purposes, we’ll assume he will be until proven otherwise. If Carvajal plays, this is a push. If he doesn’t, or if he’s forced off the field early, it’s a clear advantage to Juve.
CENTER BACKS
Real Madrid’s defensive record in this tournament is curious, considering how talented their top central defenders are.
Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane are, on paper, a top-level pairing. But Real have only kept a clean sheet once in Champions League play this season and have let in 17 goals overall. Both can tackle — they average 1.8 and 1.5 per match, respectively, between La Liga and the Champions League — and Ramos is also adept at reading passing lanes and coming up with interceptions.The defensive issues aren’t isolated to Europe either. The Spanish champions gave up 41 goals in league play — more than three of the next four teams behind them.This has to come down to a lack of chemistry. Varane has been plagued by injuries this year, necessitating the rotation of Nacho and Pepe into the side. There hasn’t been as much time to develop a rhythm this year, and it’s showed when this team has bent.There are no such concerns for the Bianconeri. Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, and Giorgio Chiellini have been playing together for six years, and at times they almost seem to communicate telepathically. With Buffon pulling the strings from the goal, they have formed the best defense in Europe over the last six years. In the quarterfinal they became only the third team in history to hold Barcelona scoreless over a two-legged tie, and they have only allowed three goals all season, at one point putting together a 689-minute scoreless streak.Whether Allegri decides to play with three in the back or four, this group is one of the most tight-knit and stingy in history. Hopefully the three all stay healthy—the fourth man in the rotation, Medhi Benatia, has largely been a disaster this year. But regardless of what combination of the top three ends up on the field, they will give Juventus a clear edge in the back.
MIDFIELD
This is where Real finds some footing.If the two teams play as expected, they will outnumber Juve in the midfield three men to two — and the quality of those three men is outstanding.Casemiro, whose career at the Bernabeu has been revitalized since Zinedine Zidane took over the team, has developed into one of the top holding midfielders in the game. He averages 5.1 tackles per match in the Champions League and another four in La Liga, and he contributes with the ball, too, completing just over 85 percent of his passes and scoring five goals over all competitions, including a screamer against Napoli in the round of 16. He will provide an edge to the midfield that Real didn’t have in the semifinals two years ago.
Another presence who missed out on the last meeting between these clubs is Luka Modric. The Croatian was injured during that tie, and his absence left their midfield — and the team, really — sightly unbalanced. Here, he could be an X factor. Good at clogging up passing lanes defensively and at creating offensively, allowing him the space to work could mean death. The same is the case with Toni Kroos, a true box-to-box player who registered a whopping 12 assists in La Liga this year, second behind Barcelona’s Luis Suarez.
Juve certainly has the quality to compete. Former Real Madrid man Sami Khedira has been the fulcrum of Allegri’s 4-2-3-1 since its inception in January, and he’s finally stayed healthy for a full year. He scored five times in Serie A, and his presence has balanced the squad. His chemistry with Miralem Pjanic, the second man in Juve’s double-pivot midfield, has been phenomenal. The Bosnian has been able to pull the strings far more effectively beside Khedira than he had earlier in the season when Allegri attempted to use him as a box-to-box player or trequartista. He led the team with eight assists, and the danger he poses on free kicks is Pirlo-esque.
What allows Real to pull ahead here is depth. Juve can call on Claudio Marchisio to back up either of their mids, but it’s clear he’s still not all the way back from the catastrophic knee injury he suffered just over a year ago. He has looked better lately, but he’s pretty much it. Behind him is Tomas Rincon, a spare part if there ever was one, and then Mario Lemina and Stefano Sturaro, both of whom are young and capable but haven’t played enough to really develop rhythms on the field.
Zidane, on the other hand, can call on the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Isco, Marco Asensio and even James Rodriguez to fill in, all of whom can change the game if they’re on point. He simply has more options, and that depth gives Real Madrid the advantage.
WINGERS
The fact that Gareth Bale is struggling for fitness since leaving the Classico against Barca in late April would normally be a huge blow for a team. Fortunately for Real Madrid, Isco’s form since taking over for him has cushioned the blow.Bale has never regained full fitness since injuring himself in a Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon in November. His performances after his premature return were lackluster, in stark contrast with Isco, who has registered two goals and three assists in the six games since Bale’s latest setback. An attacking midfielder by trade, the Spain international has taken a sort of hybrid role, part winger, part roaming attacking mid, and in doing so has greatly strengthened the connection between the midfield and forwards.There will be debate as to whether Bale or Isco should play up until the lineups are announced. As for the other wing, that seems more settled. Some dude named Cristiano Ronaldo plays there.Juve’s wing situation is far more complex. On the right, Allegri could either go with a standard winger in Juan Cuadrado or could push up Dani Alves and use Andrea Barzagli in the back, either as a shotgun right back or as part of the 3-4-2-1 that Juve used against Monaco in the semis.You can’t go wrong with either. Cuadrado’s decision making can be frustrating — OK, sometimes it’s downright infuriating — but his speed could be a huge factor in counterattacking against Real’s weak back line. Alves is a better choice if Allegri chooses to try to break Real down from possession. Leaving Cuadrado on the bench would also give Allegri an option up front if he needed to change the game, something he hasn’t had much of since the Marko Pjaca tore his ACL and was shelved for the rest of the season.On the left, the stone-cold lead-pipe lock is Mandzukic. The big Croatian’s wing play is atypical, exploiting the physical mismatches his size usually creates against full-backs rather than the blistering pace of someone like Cuadrado. Against the 5’8” Carvajal, he would be able to exploit that advantage with ease.Juve’s wingers are good, if somewhat unconventional. But regardless of whether Bale or Isco play, an on-form Cristiano Ronaldo gives Real the edge on the wings regardless of anything.
STRIKERS
Real play a single striker in their 4-4-3, but Karim Benzema isn’t having his best year. He’s only scored 11 times in La Liga, and while he’s augmented that record with five in the Champions League, the weakest link of the Real’s BBC has simply not fired on all cylinders this year.His backup, on the other hand, has outscored him by four in La Liga in nearly 600 fewer minutes. You might remember his name — Alvaro Morata.Returning to Real Madrid after his boyhood club exercised the buyback option included in his deal, Morata has scored 20 times in all competitions and a well known knack for scoring goals in huge situations — including the temporary equalizer for Juve in the final against Barcelona in 2015.However, in two games against Italy for Spain, his former Juve teammates Barzagli, Bonucci, and Chiellini have kept him well in their pocket. Whether that’s because they know him so well from two years of training together or simply the right games on the right days is yet to be determined.Juve’s strike force is consisted of a pair of Argentinians, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala.For all Higuain’s goalscoring in Italy — he’s scored 24 times in his debut season with Juve — he’s been relatively quiet in the Champions League this season. His double against Monaco in the semifinal were his first goals in Europe since November, and he’s only tallied five all year. That said, he remains one of the deadliest poachers in Europe, and he could finally approach being worthy of his astronomical fee if he helps Juve to a win here.Behind him is Dybala. Since moving into the hole right behind his compatriot, he has had license to roam the free in the attacking third, particularly to the right, where he has dovetailed nicely with Alves. His set-piece prowess is almost the equal of Pjanic, and he can pull incredible goals nowhere.Benzema isn’t a slouch, but he’s had an off year. Higuain and Dybala have been much better.They give Juve the edge.
Gianluigi Buffon’s form, not reputation, should win him Ballon d’Or – Chiellini
Giorgio Chiellini reckons Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon should win the Ballon d’Or based on his current form, not his reputation.The 39-year-old is a game away from winning his first Champions League title should Juve beat Real Madrid on Saturday in Cardiff.His performances along the way have remained at his usually high level, with the Bianconeri posting one of the best defensive records in Europe this season. And teammate Chiellini believes the longtime Italy No. 1 should be rewarded for his play, not the past.”I don’t agree with people claiming Buffon should win the Ballon d’Or for what he’s achieved — he deserves it for the level he’s showing now,” Chiellini said on Monday.”I’ve been fortunate to play in front of him for almost the entirety of my career and I can’t even remember what it’s like not to have him behind me making the hardest saves look easy.”Buffon, Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli have combined to form one of the world’s top rearguards despite all being in their 30s, and Chiellini hopes their time together will continue into the future.”I don’t foresee wholesale changes coming, at least in the short term,” he added.”Obviously, over the years, the odd player will come and go, but change is part and parcel of football.”
Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale ‘not 100%’ fit for Champions League final
Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale has said that he is not yet 100 percent over a troublesome ankle injury but is happy to help the team in whatever way coach Zinedine Zidane decides in Saturday’s Champions League final against Juventus in Cardiff.Bale first suffered the right ankle tendon injury at Sporting Lisbon in November, derailing his campaign, and a decision rush back from a relatively minor calf problem in time for April’s Clasico against Barcelona backfired when he limped off before half-time.The Wales international has returned to full training with his teammates in recent days, but he said at Madrid’s Media Open Day ahead of the weekend’s game that the ankle injury had been more troublesome than previously revealed and had not yet completely healed.”I am not 100 percent, I haven’t played for six or seven weeks,” Bale said. “I obviously had my operation which still really hasn’t recovered. I have been playing with a lot of pain, even when I came back I was taking tablets to get through games and training.”The last six or seven weeks have enabled me to rest my ankle a bit and really try to get it a bit better, and obviously recover from the [calf muscle] injury which it caused. I am not 100 percent, but I have been working hard, double sessions the last few weeks, to get myself as ready as I can, whether to start, or to be involved at some point.”We had a practice game on Saturday so I come through it all unscathed. I feel strong, feel fit, obviously match fitness is a different thing. I obviously have battled hard to get fit for this. Now I feel finally it is healing, it is right there, almost at 100 percent.”During Bale’s absence Isco has come into the starting XI and impressed hugely as the team saw off Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semifinals and closed out a first La Liga title in five seasons, raising a debate over whether Bale should return to the team even if fit.Bale admitted that he was unlikely to last 90 minutes given he has been out such a while.”If I’m called upon to start, I will start, obviously,” he said. “But to last 90 minutes, I haven’t played a lot of football this year since my operation, so that would be difficult. Obviously Isco has been playing fantastically well for us, in the end of the season, so whatever the manager requires of me I will be there to do it. The most important is to lift that Champions League trophy at the end of the game.”Bale said that there have been times when he had grown frustrated at the progress of his recovery following the ankle injury late last year, and had made a mistake in forcing the issue to try and get back too quickly.”I’ve been very unlucky with my ankle to require surgery, so it has been very frustrating,” he said. “There have been moments when I have had to consider other things with my ankle. I have had to work tirelessly hard, double sessions, being away from my family a lot working hard on it. It has been difficult, physically and mentally.Obviously any surgery is difficult, but in the middle of a season is always that bit more difficult. You want to come back as soon as possible. In hindsight I should have stayed out a bit longer and let it heal and strengthen. But obviously that wasn’t the case, I’ll live and I’ll learn.”Playing a Champions League final in his home city of Cardiff would be particularly special, Bale said.”It is massively special for me personally, as it is where I was born, where I grew up,” he said. “Any Champions League final is special, but obviously this is a little bit extra special. I always dreamed I’d play a Champions League final, but never in my home town. At the time there was not a stadium big enough I don’t think.”Ahead of Madrid’s third final in four years, Bale said he expected a similarly tight contest to the games against Atletico Madrid, which Los Blancos both won after extra-time.”You never expect to win two finals, never mind three,” he said. “I came to this club to play in finals, to win trophies. Hopefully we can add another one now on Saturday. [Although] it is a different team [from the last two finals]. We know it will be a very difficult match, a tight cagey affair as all Champions League finals are. I think there will not be too many chances, but the team who takes their chances will win.”
R. Madrid vs Juventus: CR7 looking to extend dominance over Buffon
The Portuguese striker has some impressive numbers against the legendary shot-stopper. Who’ll come out on top this Saturday?
When it comes to scoring goals, Cristiano Ronaldo is the king in UEFA Champions League history. In order to win the title, Gianluigi Buffon will have to find a way to stop him.
These football titans have clashed against each other four times, with each of them winning once while conceding two draws. The Portuguese ace has always found the back of Buffon’s net, scoring five goals in those four matches. Here’s a quick recap of how things have gone down between them.
Real Madrid 2-1 Juventus (Group stage, 2013-14 season)
CR7 dominated La Vecchia Signora with a brace in the opening match of the UCL 2013-14 campaing, which would end up with Los Blancos winning the title. His first goal against Buffon had Ronaldo showing off his dribbling skills, by leaving Buffon helpless laying on the ground before scoring a tap in.
Juventus 2-2 Real Madrid (Group stage, 2013-14 season)
Los Blancos continued their run in the competition by securing a draw against the Bianconeri in a tough match held in Turin. CR7 scored after a through ball by Karim Benzema, who set his team-mate up in such way that the approaching Buffon couldn’t come close.
Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid (Semi-finals, 2014-15 season)
La Vecchia Signora managed to walk away from their home ground with a crucial advantage, which would eventually send them to their most recent UCL final. Nevertheless, Buffon’s hoodoo against CR7 continued, as the Italian goalie wasn’t able to defend a close-range header by Cristiano, that gave Los Blancos hope for the return leg.
Real Madrid 1-1 Juventus (semi-finals, 2014-15 season)
In what will be remembered as Iker Casillas’ final European game with Los Blancos, the Spanish giants weren’t able to hold on to a one-goal provided by Cristiano Ronaldo’s early penalty against Buffon, his fifth gol against the Italian shot-stopper. That goal would give CR7 one more UCL scoring title, which he had to share with Neymar and Messi.
Juventus’ hopes of winning their third UCL title of all time will rely heavily on Buffon’s skills. But his defense will have to be on their top form to keep the Portuguese player out of range when he tries to hurt them. Will Bonucci, Chiellini and Alves make it happen?
Zidane’s big Champions League final call: Creative Isco or overpowering Bale?
MADRID (AP) – Zinedine Zidane has one last dilemma to solve before Real Madrid takes on Juventus in the Champions League final on Saturday.Will he go with the overpowering Gareth Bale in attack or keep the creative Francisco ”Isco” Alarcon in midfield?”It’s going to be a difficult decision,” Zidane said. ”They are two very good players who have been important for us. Bale has played less minutes but he has recovered from his injury. And we already know what kind of player Isco is.”Bale was a regular starter for Zidane until a right ankle injury sidelined the Wales forward for nearly three months earlier this season. Isco successfully took over Bale’s place in the squad and quickly became an important member in Zidane’s team.”Whatever decision (Zidane) makes, that’s final. I completely understand it,” Bale said. ”I think Isco has been fantastic. He has been playing very well the last few weeks. He has helped the team.”The 27-year-old Bale has the disadvantage of limited playing time in the latter stages of the season. He missed the second leg of the quarterfinal against Bayern Munich and both semifinal matches against Atletico Madrid because of problems stemming from the ankle injury.On Tuesday, he said he has recovered but still wasn’t at ”100 percent.”Zidane said Bale is ready to play, but didn’t give any hints on whether he would include him in the starting lineup or keep him on the bench.Even Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri weighed into the debate, saying the characteristics of the Madrid team change significantly depending on which player is in the lineup.”With Bale, they gain more depth,” Allegri said. ”If Isco plays, he is a lot more technical.”Zidane said there was even a chance that both Bale and Isco would make it to the final.”They can play together as well,” Zidane said. ”It happened in other 16 matches this season and maybe it can happen again in the final.”If Zidane makes that decision, he would likely take Karim Benzema out of the lineup.If only Bale plays, Madrid would have three men in the attack along with Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.But if Zidane goes with Isco, the Spanish national would play between the midfielders and the forwards. Isco thrived in that position, becoming one of the team’s best players late in the season.”With the 4-3-3 you can play more from the sides, with two players on the wings in the front,” midfielder Toni Kroos said. ”And with the 4-4-2 you have two strikers in the middle, of course it changes the way we play, not only on offense, also defense. The coach will tell us what is best against this team on Saturday.”Bale scored a goal when Madrid defeated city rival Atletico Madrid in the 2014 final. He also was a starter in last season’s final. Isco was a second-half substitute in both finals.
USMNT roster announced for pair of World Cup qualifiers
Kyle Bonn,NBC Sports Sun, May 28 4:43 PM EDT
The regulars are all aboard as Bruce Arena has announced a mostly full-strength roster for the World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Trinidad & TobagoThe only true regular missing from the 27-man list is midfielder Jermaine Jones, who is recovering from a knee injury suffered back in early May.Leading the line are Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey up front, with Jordan Morris and Bobby Wood alongside. Fabian Johnson, Michael Bradley, and Christian Pulisic headline the midfield, along with Alejandro Bedoya and Darlington Nagbe. Kellyn Acosta is called up as a like-for-like replacement for Jermaine Jones.Along the back, Geoff Cameron is available for selection after navigating a few injuries this past season. John Brooks is back as well after his muscle tear suffered in late April. DeAndre Yedlin is back as well after missing the last pair of qualifiers with an injury and winning the Championship with Newcastle. Fulham’s Tim Ream is called in after showing improvement all season at the club level. Jorge Villafana returns at the thin left-back position, as is DaMarcus Beasley, who is listed as a midfielder.In goal, Brad Guzan, Tim Howard, and Nick Rimando present an experienced trio, also supported by 21-year-old Ethan Horvath.The US takes on Venezuela in a friendly on June 3rd in a warm-up to the pair of qualifiers. First, they’ll host Trinidad & Tobago in Denver on June 8th. Then, on just a three day turnaround, they head to the Azteca to play Mexico.After earning four points in the last international break, the United States sits in 4th position in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. The top three teams advance automatically to the 2018 World Cup, while the 4th placed team can qualify via a two-legged playoff against a team from the Asian confederation.
GKs: Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFs:DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo),Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Tim Ream (Fulham), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).
MIDs:Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas),Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana),Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)
FWDs:Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Bobby Wood (Hamburg).
Armchair Analyst: Arena goes with the veteran core for USMNT roster
May 28, 20174:00PM EDTMatthew DoyleSenior Writer
Bruce Arena’s approach to team-building is predictable. He identifies a veteran core of guys who he thinks he can win with, and then sloooowly adds and subtracts pieces from the group. Sometimes he waits a little too long to get those new faces into the mix. More often in the past, he’s held on too long to the “loyal, energetic gamer” types who keep their mouths shut, do the dirty work and don’t get overawed by big moments.Arena is probably a better coach now than he was 11 years ago, when he last managed the USMNT. But he is still Bruce, and trust goes a long way, and if you thought that the USMNT squad for the upcoming qualifiers would be anything but “veteran laden,” you were comically mistaken. Arena was not about to leave qualification in the hands (at the feet?) of a group of relative neophytes, no matter how talented.This squad has 16 holdovers from the 2014 World Cup, and the other 11 members are all – with one exception(*) – guys who’ve been through CONCACAF battles with either club or country. Nobody’s going to go out there against Trinidad & Tobago, or go down to the Azteca and be surprised by the intensity, the officiating, the challenges, the crowd, the diving, the pressure, etc. etc. etc.(*)The one exception is Ethan Horvath, who’s either the third or fourth ‘keeper with this group, and will be along for the trip to get some experience just as Tim Howard and Brad Guzan did last decade.
A Few Notes:
The inclusion of Horvath and Nick Rimando doesn’t mean that Bill Hamid or David Bingham or any of the other young-ish ‘keepers who’ve gotten cups of coffee with the US before are on the outs. If Hamid plays in the coming months as he’s played in the last two weeks, he’ll be in every discussion henceforth, and Bingham has bounced back after a miserable start to his 2017 season.
But it doesn’t make sense to tear either of those guys away from their MLS clubs for this extended camp when none of them stands a chance of playing. Horvath’s season is over in Belgium, so bringing him instead makes sense.
Four guys I thought might’ve been on this roster but weren’t are Walker Zimmerman, Greg Garza, Eric Lichaj and Danny Williams.
- Zimmerman’s been part of two camps already this year, and would’ve been fifth on the depth chart at CB for the US this time around. It looks like he’s been replaced here by his club teammate,Matt Hedges, who left the January camp early due to injury and wasn’t called for the March qualifiers (Zimmerman was). This is smart from Arena, who’s getting both guys used to being around the team to varying degrees, and will hopefully call them both in for the Gold Cup.
- It appears thatDaMarcus Beasley beat Garza out for the backup left back spot behind Jorge Villafaña. I’m fine with that, since Beasley’s a guy you are 100 percent certain you can throw into the cauldron without fear of him being overwhelmed by the moment.
- Lichaj’s omission – he’s an in-his-prime fullback who’s equally adept on either side, and who has a ton of top flight experience – but Arena, for whatever reason, preferred Timmy Chandler as (presumably) DeAndre Yedlin’s backup. I disagree, but fair enough. It’s a fair bet Williams gets a featured role with the Gold Cup team this summer. But for the time being it looks like Arena preferred Dax McCarty for the backup d-mid spot.
There is depth everywhere except for the No. 10 position, which is all Christian Pulisic’s. Between him and Clint Dempsey and Fabian Johnson and Darlington Nagbe, there should be enough creativity to go around – with or without Pulisic, there’s more attacking talent here than Arena’s predecessor, Jurgen Klinsmann, habitually called in. Still, if Pulisic picks up a knock, I’d be more comfortable seeing one of Sacha Kljestan, Benny Feilhaber or Lee Nguyen available.
Bobby Wood and Jordan Morris have both been slowed by injury over the last several months, but I can’t profess to being any kind of shocked that they’re both on this roster. I am, though, slightly surprised that the forward pool is only four deep at this time. I could happily have talked myself into a C.J. Sapong or Christian Ramirez invite.
Paul Arriola wasn’t great during the second half of the Clausura, but he’s one of just a few guys on this roster who are comfortable as true, wide midfielders (Pulisic and Johnson are the others). He has a very specific role, and let’s give the kid credit: He’s been very good at filling that role when called upon in Red, White and Blue.
Kellyn Acosta and Alejandro Bedoya are both here to be varying types of No. 8s. Either would be comfortable as a shuttler if Arena opts for the 4-1-3-2 he deployed in that huge win over Honduras, and either would be comfortable as Michael Bradley‘s central midfield partner should Arena opt for the flatter 4-4-2 – with, say, Pulisic and Johnson cutting inside from the wings – that he tried with less success at Panama.
This is the role Jermaine Jones has played for the vast majority of his USMNT career. It’ll be interesting to see how the US go about filling that spot now that Jones is, for the time being, unavailable. (Note from Shane – honestly – Jones being out is good (he won’t be here for World Cup) + he can’t play with Bradley as the #6 – they just don’t mesh. Bradley needs a Nagbe or someone in there to help him relieve pressure- I would put Nagbe in for Bedoya below – I am also missing Eric Lichaj at left or right back as a backup. He’s better than Zusi or Beasley)
Here’s his Best Guess XI vs. T&T:
Altidore/Dempsey
Pulisic
Johnson/Bedoya
Bradley
Villafana /Brooks/Cameron/Yedlin
Howard
Against Mexico, sub in Omar Gonzalez for John Brooks and Wood for Jozy Altidore.
MNT Q&A: ARENA DISCUSSES PLAYER SELECTION FOR CRUCIAL QUALIFIERS
May 28, 2017
ussoccer.com: What are your thoughts on the overall roster that you’ve assembled for this camp?
Bruce Arena: “I think we have a good group, and in my case I’m still in the early goings with this team and I haven’t seen all of our players. This camp gives me the opportunity to see six new faces we haven’t had in with the team yet – Brad Guzan, Timmy Chandler, Fabian Johnson, Ethan Horvath, Bobby Wood and DeAndre Yedlin – which is good. It’s also great that we’re able to bring back 21 players that have been in with our program already in 2017. There’s some continuity there as well as the fact that we’re getting to see some new faces, which is important.”
ussoccer.com: The World Cup Qualifiers against Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico occur in the span of four days. How do you plan on managing the tight turnaround?
BA: “That’s certainly going to be challenging. The reason for that was Mexico’s participation in the FIFA Confederations Cup. It was proposed to us, and as difficult as it is I think it’s a level playing field for both teams. As part of the agreement to switch the day, we have the opportunity to play at night as opposed to the afternoon so I think that’s a plus for us, but it will require that we have a number of players ready to play. I can guarantee we will not be playing the same team from game one to game two. There will be a number of changes for the game in Mexico, so we’ve built a strong roster to allow us to do that.”
ussoccer.com: How will you be utilizing the Venezuela game on June 3 to get ready for the pair of World Cup Qualifying matches?
BA: “It’s part of our preparation for the games against Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico, and we get to play a South American opponent with some very good players. They’re bringing in a number of their first team players, so it should be a real plus. We get a little bit of a taste of playing a game in altitude, and no question about it, it’s low altitude in comparison to Denver and Mexico City, but it’s a starting point. It’s one where we can take advantage of the friendly rules and play up to 16 field players, so it’ll be a real plus in getting our team prepared for the two World Cup Qualifiers.”
ussoccer.com: FC Dallas center back Matt Hedges has earned his first call-up to a World Cup Qualifying Camp. What has he done to impress you and your coaching staff this year?
BA: “Matt has arguably been one of the best defenders in Major League Soccer over the last couple of years. It was unfortunate that he suffered an injury in January Camp and wasn’t able to play in the friendlies against Serbia and Jamaica, but we’ve continued to follow him. He was a consideration for the camp in March, but we decided to go with a couple of defenders that have had a little bit more experience with us. We can’t ignore the fact that Matt’s been a good player and he needs an opportunity with the National Team. Bringing him in is a plus, it’ll get him a foot in the door and hopefully allow him to move forward with a bigger role in the U.S. team.”
ussoccer.com: In Tim Howard, Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando, you’ve called back the MNT’s veteran pool of goalkeepers along with bringing in Ethan Horvath. What do you see with their form coming into camp?
BA: “Tim Howard, Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando are certainly very experienced goalkeepers and have proven that they can play well for the U.S. team. They’re all doing well. Obviously, Brad had an opportunity to play a number of games at the end of the season with Middlesbrough. Playing on a team that got relegated, it’s not surprising to see that his goalkeeping statistics might not be that impressive. I thought in those games he played well and it’s good experience for him. Rimando is back from an injury and played well over the last week, and Tim Howard has had a good start in MLS. Coming off a suspension has played well of late. I think we’re going to camp with three good, experienced goalkeepers. In Ethan Horvath’s case, he’s one of our young, promising goalkeepers that we need to see. We won’t have the opportunity to see him for the Gold Cup, so we wanted to see him in this camp and he’s also from Denver so it worked out pretty well.”
ussoccer.com: With the European season coming to an end and MLS well into their campaign, is it a good time to bring the entire pool together for this camp?
BA: “I think so. The issue with the players from Europe is they’re completing a long season that started last July or August depending on their club team. They’re at the end and they’re probably a little bit beat up, but I know they have another two weeks left in them. It’s no secret that we won’t be using many of them during the Gold Cup because they need to have some rest before they start for the new season. The MLS players are at a point where they’re getting pretty fit and sharp, so I think it’s a good time. We have a roster that has good balance all over, we have good young players and hopefully it’s a team we can put together to get us points in both games.”
ussoccer.com: DaMarcus Beasley continues to stay in the National Team picture. As the person that gave him his first National Team appearance in 2001, talk about his career longevity and the potential for him to become the first U.S. player to appear in qualifiers for five different World Cups.
BA: “I think he’s had a great career and the longevity speaks for itself. He’s still been a good player in Major League Soccer, and that’s why we still have him on the roster. We haven’t found any players that can push DaMarcus out of the position he has right now with the National Team. He’s not only a good player, he’s a good teammate and he’s going to do whatever is necessary to make our team successful. It’s a real plus to have him, and it would be a fabulous accomplishment if he becomes the first U.S. player to appear in qualifiers for five different World Cups. Looking down the road, it would be incredible if he played in another World Cup. My hat is off to DaMarcus. He’s had a terrific career.”
2017 USMNT Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time | Television |
| 06/03/2017 | Venezuela | Sandy, UT – Rio Tinto Stadium | 10pm | FS1 |
| 06/09/2017 | Trinidad & Tobago | Commerce City – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park | 7:50pm | FS1 |
| 06/13/2017 | Mexico | Mexico City – Estadio Azteca | 8:30pm | FS1 |
| 07/01/2017 | Ghana | E Hartford – Pratt & Whitney Stadium | 4pm | ESPN |
| 07/08/2017 | Panama | Nashville – Nissan Stadium | 4:30pm | Fox Sports GOLD CUP |
| 07/12/2017 | Martinique | Tampa – Raymond James Stadium | 9pm | Fox Sports GOLD CUP |
| 07/15/2017 | Nicaragua | Cleveland – FirstEnergy Stadium | 7pm | Fox Sports GOLD CUP |
U-20 WORLD CUP: USMNT 1 – SAUDI ARABIA 1
MAY 28, 2017
The USMNT won Group F at the U-20 World Cup, finishing off group play with a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia. The USMNT advances to play New Zealand in the round of 16 on June 1 (7am ET – FS1). In the other Group F finale, Senegal and Ecuador drew 0-0.Brooks Lennon put the USMNT up in the 40th minute. The USMNT played a man down with a second yellow card to Cameron Carter-Vickers. Abdulelah Almari equalized in the 74th.The USMNT faces a player shortage in their round of 16 game against New Zealand. Carter-Vickers is out with his red card suspension. Joining him are Aaron Herrera and Derrick Jones doe to yellow card accumulation.
GAME REPORT
Match: U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team vs. Saudi Arabia
Date: May 28, 2017
Competition: 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup – Group F
Venue: Daejeon World Cup Stadium; Daejeon, Korea Republic
Kickoff: 5 a.m. ET (6 p.m. local time)
Attendance: 5,460
Weather: 83 degrees; Sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
KSA 0 1 1
USA – Brooks Lennon 40th minute
KSA – Abdulelah Alamri (Sami Alnaji) 74
Lineups:
USA: 1-Jonathan Klinsmann; 3-Danny Acosta, 5-Erik Palmer-Brown (capt.), 16-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 14-Aaron Herrera; 20-Luca de la Torre (7-Eryk Williamson, 89), 18-Derrick Jones, 8-Tyler Adams; 11-Sebastian Saucedo (6-Justen Glad, 46), 19-Josh Sargent (9-Emmanuel Sabbi, 70), 17-Brooks Lennon Subs not used: 2-Auston Trusty, 4-Tommy Redding, 12-James Marcinkowski, 13-Lagos Kunga, 15-Jeremy Ebobisse, 21-Brady Scott
Not available: 10-Gedion Zelalem Head coach: Tab Ramos
KSA : 1-Amin Albukhari; 2-Anas Zabbani (20-Mansour Almuwallad, 73), 5-Abdulelah Alamri, 6-Sami Alnaji (capt.), 7-Khalid Alsamiri (19-Fahad Alrashidi, 58), 10-Ayman Alkhulaif, 11-Abdulrahman Alyami, 13-Hassan Altambakti, 14-Ali Alasmari, 16-Abdulrahman Aldosari, 17-Abdullah Tarmin (15-Naif Kireiri, 68) Subs not used: 3-Mohammad Albassas, 4-Awn Alsaluli, 8-Yousef Alharbi, 9-Hassan Alqayd, 12-Saleh Alohaymid, 18-Nasser Aldawsari, 21-Mohammed Alyami Head coach: Saad Alshehri
Stats Summary: USA / KSA
Shots: 9 / 12
Shots on Goal: 2 / 5
Saves: 4 / 1
Corner Kicks: 4 / 5
Fouls: 14 / 18
Offside: 0 / 0
U-20 World Cup — Round of 16
| Tuesday, May 30 – Round of 16 | |||
| 4:00 AM ET | Match 37: Venezuela 1, Japan 0 | Recap & Highlights | |
| 7:00 AM ET | Match 38: South Korea 1, Portugal 3 | Recap & Highlights | |
| Wednesday, May 31 – Round of 16 | |||
| 4:00 AM ET | Match 41: Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia | FS1 & FSGO | |
| 7:00 AM ET | Match 39: England vs Costa Rica | FS1 & FSGO | |
| 7:00 AM ET | Match 40: Zambia vs Germany | FS2 & FSGO | |
| Thursday, June 1 – Round of 16 | |||
| 3:30 AM ET | Match 42: Mexico vs Senegal | FS1 & FSGO | |
| 7:00 AM ET | Match 43: France vs Italy | FS2 & FSGO | |
| 7:00 AM ET | Match 44: USA vs New Zealand | FS1 & FSGO | |
Quarterfinals
| Sunday, June 4 – Quarterfinals | |||
| 2:00 AM ET | Match 46: Match 37 Winner vs Match 44 Winner | FS tbd & FSGO | |
| 5:00 AM ET | Match 45: Match 38 Winner vs Match 41 Winner | FS tbd & FSGO | |
| Monday, June 5 – Quarterfinals | |||
| 4:00 AM ET | Match 47: Match 43 Winner vs Match 40 Winner | FS tbd & FSGO | |
| 7:00 AM ET | Match 48: Match 42 Winner vs Match 39 Winner | FS tbd & FSGO | |
Semifinals
| Thursday, June 8 – Semifinals | |||
| 4:00 AM ET | Match 45 Winner vs Match 47 Winner | FS tbd & FSGO | |
| 7:00 AM ET | Match 46 Winner vs Match 48 Winner | FS tbd & FSGO | |
Third place
| Sunday, June 11 – Third Place | |||
| 2:30 AM ET Suwon World Cup Stadium |
Semifinal Loser vs Semifinal Loser | FS tbd & FSGO | |
RECAP | INDY ELEVEN CAN’T COMPLETE COMEBACK IN 2-1 LOSS AT FC EDMONTON
“Boys in Blue” concede two in first half, pull one back in the second in tight loss to Eddies May 27, 2017
INDIANAPOLIS (May 27, 2017) – In a tight contest at Clarke Stadium, Indy Eleven fell for the third time in the 2017 season in a 2-1 loss to FC Edmonton.A match that asked plenty of both ‘keepers Jon Busch (IND) and Chris Konopka (FCE), it was Indy who nearly got on the scoresheet in the opening minute. Skipping forward, defender Nemanja Vukovic flicked a touch that set up a beautiful strike, but the ball skimmed off the crossbar and out of play for a goal kick.Indy looked the more likely of the two sides to open the scoring, but momentum shifted the way of the home side in the 24th minute when midfielder Dustin Corea drew a penalty on Kwame Watson-Siriboe. Flying into the box, Corea attempted to strike the ball before hitting the ground and the head official took no time to point straight at the spot after seemingly spotting a foul by the veteran defender. On the first spot kick, Corea ripped a left-footed effort off the underside of the crossbar and out. While Indy thought they were clear of the situation, the head official pulled back play after spotting an infringement and the penalty would be taken again. On the second go-round, Corea calmly placed the ball to his left and sent Busch the wrong way to get on the board first.The visitors continued to press bodies forward, but Edmonton would double their lead in first-half stoppage through Adam Straith. On a free kick from the right flank, Corea was again involved as his cross met the head of Straith deep in the box, who made no mistake heading past Busch.Into the second half, “Indiana’s Team” introduced David Goldsmith and Jason Plumhoff in an attempt to inject some fresh legs. Instead, it was forward Justin Braun who nearly found the scoresheet, but headers in the 58th and 64th minute could not beat Konopka and their chase for a goal wore on. In the 79th minute, Indy would eventually break through thanks to super sub Jason Plumhoff. On a bouncing ball in the area, Plumhoff, a former Edmonton player, produced an acrobatic finish to pull one back for his team.Just two minutes later, midfielder Ben Speas nearly found his team’s second goal, but he sent his left-footed rocket off the bar and away from danger. The “Boys in Blue” kept pushing until the end, but Edmonton’s two first-half strikes would prove enough to earn an important three points.Indy Eleven faces the San Francisco Deltas on the road next weekend but returns home to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium to host Jacksonville Armada FC on Saturday, June 10 at 7:30 P.M. ET. Tickets for the game – and all remaining 12+ NASL matches at “The Mike” in 2017 – can be purchased for as little as $11 online at www.IndyEleven.com or by phone at 317-685-1100.
NASL Spring Season FC Edmonton 2 : 1 Indy Eleven Saturday, May 27, 2017 Clarke Stadium – Edmonton, CAN
Scoring Summary:
FCE – Dustin Corea 27’
FCE – Adam Straith 45+2’
IND – Jason Plumhoff 79’
iscipline Summary:
IND – Colin Falvey 10’
IND – Gerardo Torrado 25′
FCE – Netan Sansara 59’
Indy Eleven line-up (4-2-3-1, L–>R): Jon Busch (GK); Nemanja Vukovic, Colin Falvey ©, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Marco Franco (Anthony Manning 89’); Daniel Keller (Jason Plumhoff 73’), Brad Rng (David Goldsmith 67’); Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Gerardo Torrado, Ben Speas; Justin Braun IND bench: Keith Cardona (GK); Tanner Thompson, Brandon Poltronieri
FC Edmonton line-up (4-1-4-1, L->R): Chris Konopka (GK); Allan Zebie, Abdoulaye Diakite, Albert Watson, Netan Sansara; Adam Straith; Sainey Nyassi (Pedro Galvao 65’), Nik Ledgerwood, Dean Shiels (Mauro Eustaquio 76’), Dustin Corea; Tomi Ameobi FCE bench: Tyson Farago (GK); Shawn Nicklaw, Ben Fisk, Sabri Khattab, Jake Keegan
Its almost Summer – Time to plan your Soccer Camps
Former College Coach and Canadian National Team Goalkeeper & current Carmel FC & Carmel High Asst coach Carla Baker Provides elite-level training for youth players who want to become better technical and tactical soccer players. Our camps focus on individual technical skills and game tactics in pressure situations using advanced training techniques. Come and join our staff of former Division I college coaches, National Team players, experienced youth, high school and college players for a fun learning experience.
Cost: $195 per camper Location: Badger Fields Field Player Camp: July 24 – 27, 2017
Indy 11 Youth Soccer Camp at Carmel Dad’s Club
June 19-22 9 to 12 noon (ages 5-14) $135
Carmel High School Soccer Camps – July 17-20
(called Hounds Soccer Technical/Skills Camp and Hounds Soccer Tactical/Scrimmage Camp) and they are being held at Murray Stadium the week of July 17-20. The format will be where the morning session will run 10:00-12:00. This is the technical skills training – session runs 10 am till 12 pm and it will cost $85. The afternoon session is the tactical/scrimmage session and will run 1:00-3:00 at Murray Stadium both run by Men’s Soccer Head Coach Shane Schmidt. Boys and Girls – 8-14 Cost: $85/per camper per session.
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