My U16 Boys – practice tonight is pushed back to 8:15 till 9:30 tonight Murray Field !!
CFC GoalKeepers – U13-U18 Wed Night moved to 8:20 till 9:30 pm at Murray !!
Anyone want to gather to Watch Champions League this Week? Tues or Wed 2:45 pm? I am thinking of heading over to Brockway Pub across from Meyer’s Today for Liverpool vs Man City.
Holy crap – I just watched in disbelief as Roma scored 3 goals at home to Barcelona’s ZERO as the Italians pulled the biggest upset in Champions League history. Down 4-1 on aggregate Roma needed a 3-0 win at home to advance to the Final 4 of Champions League against a Barca team that had only lost 1 time in the last 38 games – a Barca team with Messi, with Ter Stegan playing like a god between the pipes – still Roma found a way. They were even in possession against a team that never loses the time of possession game – they outshot, and outworked Barca, 6 corners on the night. Honestly they dominated and deserved the win vs Barca. It kind of makes our Liverpool 2-1 win over Man City look pedestrian. I will admit the ref missed a PK call in the 1st half without doubt. But still for Liverpool to score 2 and only give up 1 at Man City – wow. So 2 teams thru Liverpool and Roma – who would have thought that ??? Oh and both Liverpool and Roma are owned by American companies. Hum. I love Champions League Futbol!
Champions League Elite 8 – Tues/Wed
So let me start with I love Champions League soccer – the best players in the world playing for the best teams in the world. So on one side we get the goal of the Year as Renaldo hit this bicyle wonder goal vs my Juve. So good that ever the Juve fans gave him a standing ovation as legendary goalie Gigi Buffon admitted it was one of the best goals he had ever seen. All Renaldo did was score 2 goals including the wonder goal – breaking the record of scoring in 10 straight Champions league games along with lots of other records. Still the Defending Champs – beating my Juve 3-0 at Turin – takes a little off the return leg this Wednesday at 2:45 pm on Fox Sports 1. Now Liverpool winning 3-0 at Anfield with Klopp’s high press attack and the Egyptian god Mo Salah scoring again while the Anfield throng was at a fever pitch – was exciting. It sets up a huge game at Man City on Tues 2:45 pm Fox Sport 1 as Pep tries to figure out how to score 4 while not giving up any goals at home. I will be nervously watching wearing my red! Barca slammed Roma 4-1 at home so the return trip to Rome should be no issue for Barca Tues at 2:45 on FS2 and Bayern should squeeze past Sevilla on the road leading 2-1. If you have have Univision it should be fun to watch the MLS teams as they battle the Mexican teams in the CONCACAF Champ League games Tues night at 8 pm and 10 pm and of course Europa League featuring my Atletico Madrid at 3 pm Thurs on FS2, and Arsenal vs Moscow at the same time on FS1.
Tues, Apr 10 – Champions League
2:45 pm FS 2/FBlive Roma vs Barcelona (4-4) Roma Advance (facebook live – https://www.facebook.com/FOXSportsChampionsLeague/videos/1809865909051593)
2:45 pm FS 1 Man City vs Liverpool (1-5) Liverpool Advance
10 pm Univision America vs Toronto FC (Concacaf Champ League) (1-3) (watch live)
8 pm Univision NY Redbulls vs Guadalajara (Concacaf Champ League) (NY loses 0-1)
Weds, Apr 11 – Champions League
2:45 pm FS1 Real Madrid vs Juventus (3-0)
2:45 pm FS 2 Sevilla vs Bayern Munich (1-2)
Thurs, Apr 12 – Europa League
3:05 pm FS1 CSKA Moscow vs Arsenal (1-4)
3:05 pm FS 2 Sporting CP vs Atletico Madrid (0-2)
3:05 pm Fox Sport2 Marseille vs RB Leipezig (0-1)
MLS
So MLS has a chance for the Best Week in MLS History this week – as they look to get 1 and maybe even 2 teams into the CONCACAF Champions League finals on Tuesday Night. Toronto takes a 3-1 lead into Azteca vs Club America @ 10 pm while the NY Red Bulls host Guadalajara trailing just 1-0 at 8 pm both games on Univision. Man getting 2 teams in would really, really speak to MLS quality jumping up big time! So I watched the LA Galaxy vs SKC game Sunday night –yes to see IBRA – he came on down 2-0 again in the 60th minute – and immediately had a blazer of a shot. Later in stoppage time he had a breakaway and was pushed down in the box –horrible no call !! Amazing to me that MLS does not protect its stars – horrible no call (despite what the idiots on TV said). Anyway a huge win for Sporting KC, he saves by their keeper who had 10 plus saves in the 2nd half along – and disappointment for the LA Galaxy who fall to 1-3 overall.
EPL
The Manchester Derby lived up to expectations on a day that Man City could celebrate winning the League at home but Man United somehow, someway found a way to win a game that City just dominated early on 3-2. Now the refs missed a lot of calls – certainly 2 PKs should have been given to City and man De Gea was spectacular in Goal as Pogba scores 2 and Man U capitalizes 3 times on 5 shots in the 2nd half and Man City scores just 2 on 20 shots. City will have to wait 1 more week before they get to celebrate winning the English Premier League.
World
So I watched some soccer on Sunday – man the Madrid Derby Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid rarely disappoints – it was a battle of great goalkeepers as Real’s Costa Rican GK Neylar Navas outdid Atleti’s Jan Oblak in the end in the 1-1 tie. It was disappointing to see Renaldo come off in the 60th minute or so after scoring the first goal for Real – as Atleti came battling back at the home of Real to tie and almost win it.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Preview Man City vs Liverpool ESPNFC
Can Klopp Contain Man City on the Road to Advance Steve Kelly ESPNFC
Liverpool pressing game will be key vs Man City
Man City can get past Liverpool video
What Records does Renaldo Hold Now – 10 in a Row
Renaldo passes Van Nisterlrooy
MLS
Toronto Travels to Azteca with 3-1 lead
NY Red Bulls Preview vs Guadalajara down 1-0
- Chivas invasion at RBA? No worries, say Red Bulls
- Concacaf suspends Jair Pereira; fines TFC, América
- Boehm: A salute to the relentless, ego-free BWP
- Red Bulls positive after CCL Leg 1 loss at Chivas
- Robles upbeat about RBNY’s CCL hopes after loss
Goalkeeping
Sporting KC GK Tim Melia is MLS Player of Week for win vs LA Galaxy
Atletico Madrid Jan Oblak Spectacular Saves vs Real Madrid in Derby
Real GK Keylar Navas saves vs Real in Derby
De Gea Saves Man United vs City
Here’s the Full Highlights – with De Gea’s Saves included
EPL
Man City of the Best EPL Teams Ever? – No Way – ESPNFC
Pogba Disapointed despite victory over Man City
Indy 11
Indy 11 Hi-Lites of 1-0 win over NC
Indy 11 Take 3 Pts and lose 3 players at NC FC – Bloody Shambles James Cormack
Recap Indy 11 beat NC 1-0 on Road –Indy 11
Season: IndySoccerTix.com (save on ticket fees!)
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Soccer Saturday – Radio Show 9-10 am on 1070 the Fan
Watch the Away Games for the Indy 11 and All USL Games on YouTube
GET READY TO TAILGATE WITH THE BYB – Brick Yard Battalion Indy 11 Soccer Fan Club
Park and Tailgate for indy 11 Games with the BYB – Parking in the Gate 10 BYB Section is OBVIOUSLY more fun! Located at 343 W McCarty Street, Gate 10 is just across the street from Lucas Oil Stadium. Gate 10—the 2018 official home of the BYB–is convenient and affordable. Parking is $15 per car for single games, $150 for the season! Click HERE to purchase your pass today and join the BYB in the Endzone – it’s a memorable experience! You won’t want to watch the game in any other section after standing and screaming and singing with the best supporters section in the US!
GAMES ON TV
Tues, Apr 10 – Champions League
2:45 pm FS 2/FBlive Roma vs Barcelona (1-4) (facebook live)
2:45 pm FS 1 Man City vs Liverpool (0-3)
8 pm Univision America vs Toronto FC (Concacaf Champ League)
10 pm Univision NY Redbulls vs Guadalajara (Concacaf Champ League)
Weds, Apr 11 – Champions League
2:45 pm FS1 Real Madrid vs Juventus (3-0)
2:45 pm FS 2 Sevilla vs Bayern Munich (1-2)
Thurs, Apr 12 – Europa League
3:05 pm FS1 CSKA Moscow vs Arsenal (1-4)
3:05 pm FS 2 Sporting CP vs Atletico Madrid (0-2)
3:05 pm Fox Sport2 Marseille vs RB Leipezig (0-1)
Fri, Apr 13
8 pm ESPN Philly Union vs Orlando City
Sat, Apr 14
7:30 am NBCSN Southampton vs Chelsea
9:30 am FS2 Leverkusen vvs Frankfurt
10 am NBCSN? Burnley vs Leicester City
10:15 am beIN Sport Barcelona vs Valencia
12 noon Indy 11 vs Nashville SC (@ the Luke)
12:30 pm NBCSN Liverpool vs Bournemouth
12:30 pm Fox Sport2 Bayern Munich vs Borussia M’Gladbach (Johnson)
2:45 pm NBCSN Tottenham vs Manchester City
3 pm Fox 59 Chicago Fire vs LA Galaxy (Zlatan in Chicago)
3 pm ESPN3 Colorado Rapids vs Toronto FC
3:30 pm Lifetime Utah Royals vs Chicago Red Stars (Women’s NWSL)
7:30 ESPN3+youtube Louisville City vs Richmond Kickers (USL)
Sun, Apr 15
8:30 am NBCSN Newcastle (Yedlin) vs Arsenal
9 am beIN Sport Milan vs Napoli
9:30 am FS1 Schalke (McKinney) vs Dortmund (Pulisic) battle for 2nd
11 am NBCSN Man United vs West Brom
2:45 pm beIN Sport Malaga vs Real Madrid
4 pm ESPN Sporting KC vs Seattle Sounders
6 pm FS 1 Atlanta United vs NYCFC
Tues, Apr 17 –
2:45 pm NBCSN Brighton vs Tottenham
2:45 pm ESPN3+Desp Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich – (German Cup)
Weds, Apr 18
2:45 pm NBCSN Bournemouth vs Manchester United
2:45 pm ESPN3+Desp Schalke (Mkkensie) vs Frankfurt (German Cup)
3:30 pm beIN Sport Real Madrid vs Athletic Club
Sat, Apr 21
9:30 am FS2 Frankfurt vs Hertha
9:30 am FS1 Hannover vs Bayern Munich
10 am NBCSN Watford vs Crystal Palace
12:15 pm Fox 59 Man United vs Tottenham (FA Cup Semis)
12:30 pm Fox Sport 1 Dortmund (Pulisic) vs Leverkusen
3:30 pm ESPN News Barcelona vs Sevilla (Final Copa del Rey)
7 pm ESPN3+Youtube Cincinatti FC vs Pittsburg Riverhounds (USL)
10:30 pm ESPN3? Atlanta United vs LA Galaxy
Sun, Apr 22
8:30 am NBCSN Arsenal vs West Ham
9 am beIN Sport Milan vs Napoli
11:30 am NBCSN Man City vs Swansea
12 noon FS1 koln vs Schalke (McKinney)
4 pm ESPN Seattle Sounders vs Minnesota United
6 pm FS 1 Portland Timbers vs NYCFC
Liverpool collapse would be worst ever but Jurgen Klopp can contain Man City
6:50 AM ETSteven Kelly
Liverpool couldn’t have done much more against Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. Three goals and an equally-important clean sheet have given them a good chance of progression on Tuesday.Will it be enough, though? There may still be people surprised the question is being asked but this isn’t the disciplined, methodical Liverpool of old or even the smooth machine of the Rafa Benitez era.Where Europe is concerned it is rare for any discussion of Liverpool to avoid mentioning history. At least that is on their side: they’ve never lost a tie when three goals in front from the first leg.That’s where Manchester City come in. Domestically at least they’re a team with record-breaking on their minds. Scoring goals has come so easy for them that having to get another three won’t faze them in the slightest. However, they do have problems at the back — as further demonstrated by their amazing collapse against Manchester United on Saturday.Really, both City and Liverpool should come with a cast-iron guarantee: expect the unexpected.Liverpool’s own game this weekend could not have been planned better, with some players rested and the usual fiery tackling of a Merseyside derby notable by its absence during a drab goalless draw which contained not a single yellow card for either team.Fingers will be crossed for the swift recovery of Mohamed Salah, because Jurgen Klopp’s striking options when the Egyptian goes missing are disconcerting to put it mildly.It’s also naive to suggest Liverpool only need their defensive players to be on top form this Tuesday for all to go smoothly. This has been a nerve-wracking season for supporters, who love the attacking football Klopp has provided, but remain mistrustful of his game management.In the second half of the first leg there was, in fairness, a disciplined response to City’s determination to get an away goal but it could hardly be claimed the opposition played to their full potential.Most fans believe that Liverpool still need an away goal, the earlier the better, as they are facing opponents fully capable of wiping out that deficit.The Reds have already had several collapses this season. Their 5-0 hammering at the Etihad in the league encounter is often dismissed as a direct consequence of Sadio Mane’s red card but there have been other calamitous moments even with 11 players on the pitch.Thumped by Tottenham at Wembley, conceding three goals in five minutes at Arsenal and even letting West Brom score three in one half at Anfield in the FA Cup. Manchester United should really have been three up at half-time in the recent league match at Old Trafford too.The counter to those examples, bar City away, is that the final results would still see Liverpool emerge victorious if repeated in this one.Despite their two recent collapses, City are the best side in the country and containing them is Klopp’s biggest challenge so far. Some will claim United’s weekend comeback exposed City’s weakness yet the two situations are not similar at all. City clearly felt 2-0 was enough on Saturday and that United didn’t possess the firepower to hurt them, while they will not think any of that if given a similar start against Liverpool.On the whole Virgil van Dijk has helped the Reds look a little more secure at the back but he and his teammates will be stepping into a whole new situation now.Forget all those tired jokes about the “Emptihad,” Anfield’s atmosphere last week has thrown down a gauntlet to City supporters tired of having their own loyalty and fanaticism casually dismissed.The huge cash injection that helped City get where they are is too often used as a way to dismiss all they’ve ever stood for as a passionate, important football club. Their fans’ chants at Anfield certainly didn’t help, of course. “Just like United, you live in the past” helped goad Liverpool into a frenetic response.Now the boot is on the other foot, with City’s pride dented not just in one game but two. An already talented team has the impetus it may have always needed to go through; being written off and discounted before a ball is kicked. Underdogs, as bizarre as that may seem.Klopp won’t be one of those doubters, obviously, but nor is it his way to instigate a shutdown of any football match. It hasn’t been up to now, anyway.Some fans have continuously complained about the lack of efficient game management whenever Liverpool are in front against quality opposition. Sevilla, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and even City to an extent have all made comebacks against them this season. To lose this tie from such an advantageous performance wouldn’t just be the worst collapse of the season, it would be Liverpool’s worst ever.If Liverpool can perform as well as they did in the first leg though, they will go through whatever City do.
Liverpool pressing game will be key at Manchester City – James Milner
Apr 8, 2018PA Sport
Liverpool’s coordinated approach and pressing game will be vital to to keeping Manchester City at bay in the Champions League, James Milner has said.Jurgen Klopp’s side take a 3-0 lead to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for the second leg of their quarterfinal, on the verge of a place in the last four for the first time since 2007.Klopp’s side have registered back-to-back clean sheets, following up their European win with a goalless draw in the Merseyside derby at Everton on Saturday.Milner has been a key player in both games, but the 32-year-old stressed that he was just a cog in the whole machine.”My running numbers are pretty consistent throughout the year, we get them regularly but I think it was slightly higher the other night [against City],” he said.”That is part of the midfield job and it’s been part of my game being able to cover ground, and it is something that’s needed in this team.”We are always pressing and you can’t leave your mate to press on his own, you have to press in numbers and if one person doesn’t do their job or get on the front foot and cover the ground and close the gap then the team gets out and you are under pressure.”Everyone puts a shift in and it’s very easy to see when someone isn’t doing it — and it doesn’t happen very often.”City’s dramatic defeat in the Manchester derby on Saturday made it the first time a Pep Guardiola side had conceded three goals in successive games in his 514-match managerial career.Liverpool know an away goal would leave City needing to score five on Tuesday, but Milner said the first priority was to keep their opponents at bay for as long as possible.”They are a top team, we know that. There are a lot of things which could affect it but we are in a good position,” he said.”But we know it is not over yet as they are a special team and good going forward, and we have to be ready to defend well and hopefully get a goal.”We’ve got a 3-0 advantage at half-time so it’s down to us not to sit back and to be on the front foot.”
Pep Guardiola calls for ‘perfect’ Manchester City performance
10:55 AM ET
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has told his players they will have to produce “the perfect game” if they are to reel in Liverpool and reach the Champions League semi-finals.
City will run out at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening trailing 3-0 from the first leg and knowing their European dream will be over for another season if they cannot engineer a remarkable turnaround.
Guardiola said: “Of course to go through, you have to make the perfect game, create chances, be clinical, concede few chances – all the conditions have to be perfect.
“The result is tough, but we have 90 minutes and in football, everything can happen. What we are going to do is try.”We don’t need to talk about motivation. The way they play in every game shows what they want to do. My team is extraordinary, not comparable to many others.”Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists City remain as dangerous as ever despite the worst week in Guardiola’s 18 months at the club.City’s first-leg defeat was followed by a 3-2 loss in the Manchester derby as United came back from 2-0 down at half-time.However, despite Liverpool being favourites to progress, Klopp has not seen much to change his opinion of how good a team City are.Asked if he thought City were more vulnerable, he said: “No, I didn’t think anything like that.”They had a fantastic season but they are human beings, thank God. They had two results which maybe no-one really expected.”When we lost here 5-0 at the beginning of the season, everybody saw the quality of City even when we were one man down, the preparation for the season, signings, the best coach in the world.”It is clear they would be outstanding but there is no perfect football team in the world.”Most of the people think Liverpool will go through but will lose the game. We have the chance to win.”Liverpool’s chances of doing that will be enhanced if 38-goal forward Mohamed Salah (groin) is fit.Klopp added: “We train at Melwood at 5pm (Monday) and then we have to wait for the reaction tomorrow and we will make a decision.”Reds captain Jordan Henderson is suspended, while Klopp is still awaiting updates on left-backs Andrew Robertson and Alberto Moreno.Sergio Aguero could make his first start for more than a month for City, for who left-back Benjamin Mendy (knee) is the only definite absentee.
Forget the narratives, Toronto FC only focused on getting to CCL final
April 9, 20185:28PM EDTJames GrossiContributor
On the eve of potentially the biggest match in club history, Toronto FC know that talent alone will not suffice.Having taken a 3-1 advantage from the home leg, TFC head into Mexico City’s famed Estadio Azteca on Tuesday night for the decisive match in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions League against Club América (10 pm ET | UDN, go90.com in US; TSN1/4 in Canada).“You can’t win the games as we have over the last two years just on talent,” said Greg Vanney following the first leg. “You have to have a great mentality, be organized, have a plan both defensively and offensively; have a group that buys into it, works for each other.”“For sure you have to have talent, guys who make plays in big moments, but I don’t know any league anywhere where a team wins consistently just on talent,” continued Vanney. “You’ve got to have a lot of other aspects.” Over those two years, whether it be in the regular season, MLS Cup Playoffs, the Canadian Championship, or the MLS Cup final itself, Toronto have risen to the occasion more often than not. They will need to do so once more come Tuesday.“Our group is motivated more by big moments than the average game, so you see our guys step up,” said Vanney. “When the occasion gets big, they become bigger. That’s been great for our group.”For Michael Bradley, that is born of “the understanding that on nights like this not every play is perfect.” “You have to have a group that is committed to staying after it, playing, reacting, and moving together, trusting in how you play; knowing that if you can do that over the course of 90 minutes you give yourself a real chance,” he said.That this night comes against an historic Mexican opponent only adds to the occasion.“We’re all very proud of what is going on in MLS,” said Bradley on Saturday. “It’s clear for everybody to see that there continues to be big improvement.”But Bradley and his side refuse to see the match as a referendum on MLS-Liga MX supremacy.“That’s something that is probably more interesting for the media and people on the outside,” said Bradley. “Our mentality is we’re representing ourselves, [our] club and [the city of] Toronto. MLS and US and Canada, as well, but when we step on the field, the goal is to lift this trophy, not to prove that MLS is better than Liga MX.”That said, Bradley did admit, “The rivalry is real.” “For a large part of the last 10 years, teams from MLS have had a difficult time in this competition; Mexican teams have had a lot of success,” continued Bradley. “For us, this has been a big goal, to first qualify and then make sure we gave ourselves a chance to play until the end. We’ve done a good job so far. We understand nothing is finished yet, there is still a long way to go. We’re excited by that.” “As competitors, there is nothing better,” said Bradley. “These are the types of games you want to play: second leg of a Champions League semifinal in Azteca, against a very good team… it’s something we’re all very excited for.”That Toronto’s scheduled league match against D.C. United this past weekend was moved is evidence of the place this competition holds in the imagination of MLS. Conversely, Club América played, drawing 1-1 away to Necaxa on Saturday.“Around the world, different leagues find ways to help their teams. It’s up to each federation to decide how much they want to do,” noted Bradley. “On one hand, it’s an advantage for us to be here, start to prepare for the game and not play this weekend. On the other, the calendar of Champions League still heavily favors Mexican teams. They are [several] weeks farther into their season than we are.”“When you step on the field, these are all excuses,” added Bradley. “These things mean nothing. When the whistle blows, you have two good teams on the field, who are going to give everything to win.”Should Toronto get past Club América, and the New York Red Bulls overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their series against Chivas, an all-MLS Champions League final would loom.While Vanney was adamant he hasn’t looked that far into the future, he did admit: “From an MLS perspective it would probably be happy.”“To have two teams in semifinals and have some good results along the way shows that MLS is making progress,” explained Vanney. “The league is still very young. The measure in the Concacaf region is against Mexican opponents. To show that we’re making some progress is positive for the league.”“From a personal perspective the only job to get ourselves to the final,” added Vanney. “New York can take care of themselves and we’ll see what happens. Our emphasis is on ourselves, trying to get past Club América.”
New York Red Bulls vs. Chivas de Guadalajara
2018 Concacaf Champions League — Semifinals, Leg 2 Red Bull Arena — Harrison
8 pm ET — April 10, 2018 WATCH: UDN, univisiondeportes.com, go90.com
The difference in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League semifinals was razor-thin, with Chivas de Guadalajara capitalizing on a midfield miscue by Tyler Adams to put away one of their few clear chances, while Bradley Wright-Phillips was unable to finish his late in the second half as Chivas emerged with a 1-0 victory at Estadio Akron.
The scene shifts to Red Bull Arena, where the Red Bulls are comfortable and have outscored opponents, 12-1, in four overall 2018 matches. However, there is expected to be a sizable Chivas contingent in the stands Tuesday night, possibly giving it a less-than-ideal feel for the home side.
New York Red Bulls
In the first leg, Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch altered his starting XI, going with three central defenders as he did to see out the quarterfinals against Club Tijuana in a 3-1 second leg win at Red Bull Arena. New York attacked more directly to take advantage of its size advantage and neutralize the hosts’ strength of one-v-one defending in the midfield.
After failing to secure an away goal for the first time in the competition, the Red Bulls feel confident in their ability to score in Harrison, where they are 5-0-2 all-time in CCL play.
“With the 1-0 deficit, we should feel strongly that coming back to Red Bull Arena we’re going to be aggressive, we’re going to find our chances and we’re going to find a way to take care of this series,” Marsch said following training Saturday.
The Red Bulls will be without Aurelien Collin and Alex Muyl, who are serving a one-game suspension due to yellow-card accumulation, but central defender Fidel Escobar is back training fully following a hamstring injury suffered with Panama during the international break last month.
- Suspended: Aurelien Collin, Alex Muyl
- Suspended after next caution: Tyler Adams, Danny Royer, Luis Robles, Derrick Etienne, Michael Murillo, Kemar Lawrence
- Injury Report: None
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Luis Robles — Kemar Lawrence, Tim Parker, Aaron Long, Michael Murillo — Tyler Adams, Marc Rzatkowski — Danny Royer, Sean Davis, Florian Valot — Bradley Wright-Phillips
CD Guadalajara
Rodolfo Pizarro helped provide the seminal moment of the first leg when he intercepted an errant Adams pass and ran at the young American midfielder, twisting him before slipping a pass to Isaac Brizuela, who fired past an onrushing Luis Robles in the 26th minute. Rodolfo Cota’s lone save was a huge one, when he raced off his line to deny Wright-Phillips of a late equalizer.
Chivas, though, suffered a blow Friday when central defender Jair Pereira was banned two gamesby Concacaf for putting his hand around Sean Davis’ throat in a late scrum. Carlos Salcido will likely slot in as his replacement.
While the Red Bulls had their match against the Houston Dynamo moved from Saturday to better prepare for the second leg, Chivas weren’t as fortunate, playing Veracruz in the 14th round of the Liga MX Clausura Saturday night. Matias Almeyda made eight changes and utilized a mostly reserve lineup in a 1-0 loss that essentially crushes Chivas’ fleeting playoff hopes.
- Suspended: Jair Pereira
- Suspended after next caution: Jesus Godinez, Rodolfo Cota, Carlos Cisneros, Orbelin Pineda, Edwin Hernandez, Rodolfo Pizarro
- Injury Report:OUT: D – Jesus Sanchez (right knee); M – Alan Cervantes (left knee), D – Hedgardo Marin (right thigh)
Projected Starting XI
(4-4-1-1, right to left)
GK: Rodolfo Cota — Carlos Cisneros, Carlos Salcido, Oswaldo Alanis, Edwin Hernandez — Eduardo Lopez, Michael Perez, Orbelin Pineda, Rodolfo Pizarro — Alan Pulido — Jose de Jesus Godinez
All-Time Series
- Chivas defeated the Red Bulls, 1-0, in the opening leg April 4 at Estadio Akron. The teams previously met in a preseason friendly on Feb. 15, 2011, with Chivas claiming a 3-2 home victory.
- CONCACAF Champions League history: Guadalajara – 1 appearance (2012/13) 6 wins, 2 losses, 1 ties (18 goals) … New York Red Bulls – 3 appearances (2008/09, 2014/15, 2016/17) 6 wins, 4 losses, 7 ties (20 goals)
Indy Takes Three Points And Lose Three Players – North Carolina FC V Indy Eleven REVIEW (4/7/2018)
| Several changes and starts for Ayoze, Lewis, Ring, and Justin Braun. |
| Prior to the match, Martin Rennie had called for his team to create more goalscoring chances and in the early stages, they did not disappoint. Considering the changes made Indy Eleven settled into a comfortable rhythm quite early. On the evidence of the short period of time we had to see Nathan Lewis play, he played two great through passes to Justin Braun, the first in the third minute Braun was unable to convert. For the first fifteen minutes of the game, the broadcast commentators spoke mostly about Tyler Pasher, and for very good reason. Pasher was finding huge amount of space on the left in Carolina’s final third. A giveaway ball by Futty Danso was pounced upon by Justin Braun who laid off the perfect pass to find Pasher advancing on the box, he struck a sweet left low past Tabakis to put Indy Eleven in the lead early. Unintentional contact to the head of Nathan Lewis in the 20th minute saw an early exit for the Trinidad international, most unfortunate to see him leave the field so early but a concussion is not something to take chances with. Zach Steinberger entered the game and Rennie had to reshuffle the pack. Soony Saad moved to the right wing and the Eleven shifted to a 4-5-1 with Braun the lone forward. The dynamic of the game changed for Indy and the injury caused six minutes to be added to the first half. This wasn’t the last knock we would see in the game, poor weather can bring a lot of problems including skiddy balls, mistimed tackles, and injuries. In the 34th minute of the game Marcel Kandziora followed through hard on Carlyle Mitchell’s knee which I think he felt for the rest of his time on the field |
By: James Cormack – Bloody Shambles
A lot to unpack from a game marred by adverse weather conditions and a few unnecessary flashpoints. In a match where we knew Indy Eleven would have to call on their roster depth, there were a lot of positives to come out of the game, but the overall play was dictated at times by things out of our control.Rennie put forward a different formation and numerous lineup changes forced by injury and suspension. Ayoze Garcia made his first competitive appearance for Indy at left back allowing Tyler Pasher to advance to midfield. Nathan Lewis also made his first start on the right of midfield and Justin Braun started in a front two pairing with Soony Saad. Brad ring continued where he left off last week in what is now known as the Ring Back position.As we know Lundgaard and McInerney were not available. Venegas, Starikov, and Ferreira did not travel. On the bench for the Eleven were Farr, Rusin, Moses, Steinberger, Speas, Guerra, and Amankona.
North Carolina had chances to level the game during the first half, most notably from Daniel Rios who had the beating of Fôn Williams in the 29th minute from the edge of the 18 after a spin but only found the crossbar and again found the woodwork before the end of the half.
The second half was not much to write home about, Indy Eleven played a little more conservatively and North Carolina began to apply pressure throughout but could not find the elusive goal despite bringing on more attacking players and switching firstly to a 4-4-2 from their initial 4-1-4-1 and eventually to a 3-5-2 packing the midfield and getting more bodies in front of goal. All came to nothing.
After a crunching tackle on Steinberger in the 75th minute followed shortly by a card for Bekker who booted a ball at Saad while he was on the ground waiting for treatment, things just got chippier from then on in. This came to a rather bizarre boiling point in the final minute of the game.
A few minutes after Carlyle Mitchell sadly had to leave the field clutching the back of his leg, NCFC were awarded a penalty after Karl Ouimette clipped the side of Rios’s leg, it was a very light call but not one I would argue, it could have been given or not given, it was not an incorrect decision.
If Tyler Pasher scored a game-winning goal then Owain Fôn Williams can certainly be credited with a match-winning save. Owain chose correctly and went right to tip Kyle Bekker’s shot off the upright and out for a corner. Carolina took the corner quickly but could not find a goal. After the dust had settled North Carolina defender Aaron Guillen was found on top of Karl Ouimette, the two players locked together in a wrestling match. Both were red carded by the referee. I’ll talk more about this shortly.
The whistle was blown, Indy Eleven had won their second consecutive road match giving them six points from three games. The entire team and subs rushed to congratulate Fôn Williams on his penalty-saving heroics.
What we learned from this game…
Despite numerous changes to the starting lineup and a change of formation, Indy Eleven adapted quickly and continued to play good technical football. Rennie is not afraid to tinker and has confidence in his roster. The players have stepped up and produced no matter what changes have made and shown great unity and determination and confidence in each other.
Indy Eleven had to adjust throughout the game and the question is what could have been. Had Nathan Lewis not left the field forcing a pack shuffle I had the feeling Indy would score again quite soon and possibly score more before the end of the first half and buried this game. It’s encouraging and hopefully, Lewis is fine and we see more of him very soon.
Weather conditions continued to deteriorate in the second half and given our forced changes I think the team, on the whole, played very well, we may have become more conservative in the second half, but we never once panicked, made very few mistakes and tried whenever possible to always keep the ball on the ground.Ayoze is not Pasher and Pasher is not Ayoze. Having seen Pasher’s performance in the first couple of games I suspected it would be very difficult to displace him from the team. Having Ayoze and Pasher on the field is a whole new trick from the bag and it’s good to see that we can do that. Ayoze was solid, composed and creative but he did not need to venture very far forward, and neither did Ring. We probably will witness many more good combinations of players in the coming games, considering we have not seen Venegas at all and not much of Guerra.Justin Braun looks to be getting back to his old self, he is a danger on his own but also a danger with his creation, with continued time on the field, and I am sure he would have liked more yesterday, we will see more goals and assists and we need those.
The negatives, the complaints, flashpoints, and the aftermath…
Over the full ninety minutes, I would say the officiating was passable, I’ll give the benefit of the doubt that maybe the horrible weather wasn’t only affecting the players. However, there were two or three really horrible decisions during this game.
I am not a big fan of complaining about refereeing, well not most of the time anyway, but if USL seems to like handing out retroactive decisions then I think Indy Eleven if they have the ability should contest both Carlyle Mitchell’s yellow card in the first half and Karl Ouimette’s red card in the second.
Carlyle Mitchell had his knee as good as wrecked in the 35th minute of the game and had to leave the field. No sooner had he re-entered the match he made a tackle on Daniel Rios and won the ball cleanly. Even the match commentator said it was a GREAT tackle. It should not even have been called as a foul but to add insult to injury (see what I did there) the referee gave him a yellow card. Very poor.
Having had time to re-watch the game again in its entirety I scrutinized the situation that led to Karl Ouimette’s sending off. Karl should never have been given a red card and considering we may only have one center back left for next week this suspension should be appealed.
At the point of Bekker’s penalty kick, Guillen takes up a position on the edge of the area beside Ouimette. As the ball is kicked Ouimette extends his arm to block the defender from moving past him, Guillen pulled his arm and tried to force Karl down and around to the ground.
After the quick corner is taken Guillen later finds himself in the box trying to gather the ball with Ouimette behind him, Karl is holding his arm but not pulling him, both fall over. Aaron Guillen immediately turns over and pins Ouimette to the ground and the two lock together. Ouimette is shown red for violent misconduct.
I am sorry officials but if you have not seen or called anything up to this point and you don’t know how the situation has started and one player has another pinned to the ground, how can you give the player who was pinned to the ground a red card for violent misconduct. Was Karl completely innocent? No, not entirely, but he did nothing to even warrant a yellow card. Ridiculous.
The aftermath for Indy Eleven is now heading into their second home game against Nashville with the possibility of three center backs missing. Ferreira already did not travel because of injury, Mitchell had to limp off with a few minutes to go and Karl Ouimette is now suspended leaving us with only Brad Rusin remaining. This is a tight spot.
Hopefully Mitchell’s injury is not too serious, he did take a knock to the knee earlier but in the end, it looked like he was clutching the back of his lower thigh, possibly hamstring but maybe just cramp, it’s difficult to tell. It will be interesting to see the starting lineup this Saturday and how we adapt to this. We really could do without a mounting injury list this early in the season, if we thought our depth would be tested this week, it certainly will be in the next game.
But anyway, not much to be negative about, we won, we have six points and two wins from three matches and for now we are in a good place!
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