Free Kicks - 11 November 2006

No Excuses

I was going to come up with some sort of clever line to explain my absence over the past few weeks by pointing a finger at Newcastle's awful form and how I didn't want to have to think about it or face the taunts from Brian and all our favorite readers, but there really is no excuse. Jobs, the "real world", blah blah blah. It's been too long, and it won't happen again. Unless I am sent to cover the World Cup again.

As for the state of affairs on Tyneside, somehow, it's either Graeme Souness' fault, or possibly Freddy Shepherd's (just ask the boys at NUFC.com). The truth is, this team stinks. Third from the bottom after today's results in the EPL is simply not good enough. Maybe going after Martin O'Neil would have been better than bringing back Glen Roeder. Maybe securing the services of Jonathan Woodgate or another central defender would have made a difference (keeping Boumsong was not an option). Maybe things would be different with a healthy Michael Owen.

The truth is, something is fundamentally wrong with this club. Yes, Harper has often looked bad filling in for Shay Given, but the problems with this team are more often than not the central pair in front of the 'keeper, and not the man between the posts. Given certainly erased a huge number of errors last year, but counting on the last line of defense to win games every week just won't cut it on this level.

The other problem has been finishing chances. While things aren't quite as bad as Wayne Rooney's "finishing" (in quotes because it hardly qualified) against Blackburn today, putting the ball in the back of the net has been a huge problem. The fact that Sibierski has been singled out for praise by the manager raises any number of questions about the Toon "strike force" (ditto).

Something needs to change, and fast.

Is it Over Already?

Tomorrow afternoon on ABC, literally hundreds of viewers will tune in to see the MLS Cup championship match in Frisco, Texas. The game pits two-time bride's maids New England and two-time winners in a previous life, Houston, in what could prove to be a well-played, entertaining affair. However, given the Revolution's recent finals performances, it could turn out to be a slowed down slug fest.

In an ideal world, this game wouldn't be happening because DC United won the Supporters Shield for the best regular season record (see my MLS prediction in a Weekend Mailbag from April), which should determine the league winner. That, and the Dynamo would still be named the San Jose Earthquakes and they would have been properly viewed as the best team in MLS history since the dominant DC United teams of yesteryear.

However, since the game must be played, looking back at my predictions back in April, I still think New England will come out victorious. I like their depth and possession game, as well as the fact that they didn't stab anyone in the back and move the team during the off-season to some god-forsaken pollution monster in Texas. As much as I would like to see certain players in Orange lifting the trophy again, I would much rather not let their fans experience victory. Ever.

Eme Ve Pe

In other MLS news, Christian Gomez of DC United was crowned league MVP after turning in 14 goals and 11 assists for the Supporters Shield winners. The Argentinian midfielder (think Peckerman would like to reconsider that final World Cup roster now? Me neither.) was a dominant force, despite not being the league's fastest or flashiest player. He is just a crafty distributor and wily veteran with a nose for goal. iFelicitaciones!

Becks on Tap?

Could next year's league MVP be another foreign import? With contract talks with Real Madrid stalled while soon-to-be Sir Becks fights for a chance to remove those splinters from his backside by getting back in the starting eleven, rumors are circulating that the LA Galaxy are preparing to make a bid for David Beckham's services next season. If ever a player would fit in in Hollywood, Becks is certainly it. While I thought Red Bull would be more likely to arrange to break MLS salary rules to bring his services to New York, there would be something fitting about the former England captain landing in LA. It remains to be seen how long it would take him to realize that not having a center forward to speak of to cross to might affect his output, but if he were really willing to join MLS, would the quality of play really be an issue anymore?

The Old Lady Creeps Back to Life

And lastly, despite the point reductions for match fixing and signing Jean-Alain Boumsong, Italian giants Juventus are well on their way back to Serie A. With the point reduction reduced to 9, Del Pierro and Company are only 2 points behind first place Piacenza. It looks like talk of the Turin club's demise was a bit overzealous. In fact, AC Milan appears to be having a more difficult time adjusting to life with their point reductions in the top flight, as they currently sit in 16th place.

Pictures courtesy of revsnet.matchnight.com, football.guardian.co.uk, washingtonpost.com, and afrogoal.com.