Random Soccer Musings
This post by Paul a couple weeks ago has inspired me to post more about soccer. I’ve sporadically written about it in the past, including every major international tournament, occasional mentions of clubs I support or otherwise follow (Celtic, Arsenal, and to a lesser extent Plymouth Argyle, FC Twente, and Seattle Sounders FC), and other random topics. I naively hope to make this a semi-regular feature.
First, the USWNT defeated Germany 2-0 last night to win the Algarve Cup in Portugal. They’re on a pretty decent run of 29 matches without a defeat. I have a ticket to see the Alex Morgan and the Portland Thorns to play in the new NWSL this upcoming summer, and you bet I’m looking forward to it.
The past week has seen the winnowing down of the UEFA Champions League field to the final eight, including three clubs from Spain (Barcelona, Malaga, and Real Madrid), two from Germany (Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich), and one each from Italy (Juventus), France (PSG) and Turkey (Galatasaray). The big news is that England do not have a side in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1995-6, which is atypical for a league that has had a club in the final seven of the past eight tournaments (Liverpool 2, Arsenal 1, Man U 3, Chelsea 2), and won it three times in that span (Liverpool, Man U, Chelsea). The draw for the quarter finals is held tomorrow.
EPL sides were dumped out in the group stage (Chelsea finished third in their group hence parachuted into the Europa League, while reigning English champion Manchester City finished a miserable fourth on only three points), or the first knockout round: Manchester United went down to Real Madrid 2-3 on aggregate, while Arsenal went out last night to Bayern Munich on the away goal rule in an aggregate 3-3 draw even though they won in Munich 2-0). Celtic, of course, were humiliated by Juve 5-0 on aggregate, but when they qualified for the group stage (itself not a given) my best optimistic hope was a third place finish, and I was expecting fourth. Thus to finish second in the group (including a magnificent victory over Barcelona in Glasgow) and to even qualify for the concomitant schooling by Juventus was bonus.
It should also be noted that England’s absence in the tournament at this early stage is ironic given that Wembley is the hose to the final this year.
In the North American version of that tournament, the much heralded CONCACAF Champions League (six syllables that make one’s hair stand on end), Seattle became the first MLS side to defeat Mexican opposition in the knock out round since the tournament adopted its current format in 2008. Going into Tuesday’s match in Seattle down 1-0 from the first leg, Seattle defeated Tigres 3-1 for a 3-2 aggregate victory. This Guardian piece on the match includes a clip of Djimi Traoré’s (yes, that Djimi Traoré) amazing goal from well outside the box. Their reward is a tie against Mexican side Santos Laguna, who knocked Seattle out the previous year. The other semi final has LA Galaxy against current holder Monterrey, so it’s MLS v Mexico, as it should be.
The absolute unconditional faith that Arsenal supporters have had in Arsène Wenger has been attenuating the past several seasons, and this year there have been vocal calls for his removal. The season has been a disaster by Arsenal standards of the past 15 years. Arsenal are five points from fourth place in the Premiership with ten matches to go, which matters because the 1st through 4th place teams qualify for the Champions League the following year. Arsenal have qualified for the Champions League the past 15 seasons. Arsenal have also lost to Bradford City of the fourth tier in the League Cup, and were knocked out of the FA Cup to second tier Blackburn Rovers. Embarrassment would be warmly received compared to those two defeats.
What to do about Wenger, who has managed Arsenal since 1996? The NYT article linked above correctly suggests that a large degree of the malaise since winning the FA Cup in 2005 results from the financing involved in building their new stadium, The Eremites. Unlike American sports, clubs are expected to finance, own, and maintain their stadia themselves. The Emirates opened in 2006, and cost between £390 and £470 million. It’s difficult to imagine a baseball or American football team happily paying $600 million for its stadium. Wenger has deserved reputation for buying talent young and cheap, and some go on to be club legends (Thierry Henry), while others are turned around for decent profits (Nicolas Anelka). Lately, though, Arsenal are degrading into a farm club (Cesc Fàbregas, Robin van Persie). In the past, Wenger was able to hold onto his best players (I remember the annual calls from Manchester United and Real Madrid for Patrick Vieria) but this appears to be no more (Manchester City have particularly benefited from Arsenal in recent seasons).
Wenger has always had a blind spot for defense, and it can legitimately be argued that he inherited the backfield on which his initial success was built (Seaman, Adams, Bould, Winterburn, Dixon, Keown). It now appears that his nous for midfielders and forwards is waning (Giroud?), and for whatever reason, tactical, lack of success, lack of money, he’s no longer to hang onto the players he develops (at least Theo Walcott signed an extension in January). At 63, it might be possible that where he had identified and exploited a market weakness in player acquisition int he past, others have caught up to him; equally, his tactical innovations from the past may likewise no longer afford a competitive advantage. While it’s impossible to argue that Wenger and Arsenal are what they were ten years ago, and few retain the comforting faith that “Arsène Knows”, my question for the detractors is “who?” A fifth place side, out of the CL, not winning a trophy since 2005, is not an obvious destination for an ambitious, known commodity. And Pep Guardiola has already signed to take over Bayern Munich at the end of the season anyway. The other alternative is to Wenger route itself: pluck a relative unknown from some obscure league or division. But does anybody trust the current board to make an inspired selection? As a Celtic supporter, I’ve long since tired of the naive belief that David Moyes is the solution, since he’d be foolish to downgrade from the EPL to the SPL, but perhaps Moyes could be enticed to Arsenal? It’s far more likely that he’s biding his time for Ferguson to finally retire at Man U.
Finally, it could be worse. A lot worse. Plymouth Argyle, my local club in England, drew 0-0 to Bradford City on Tuesday (the same Bradford City that dropped Arsenal out of the League Cup, made it to the final of that tournament, only to get thrashed by EPL side Swansea). These clubs play in League 2, or the fourth tier in the English pyramid. What was remarkable about this unremarkable goalless draw is with the single point earned, Argyle have progressed above last place in the 24 team division for the first time in a few weeks, if only on goal differential. They’re still in the relegation zone (the bottom two places in this division), two points from safety with only nine matches to play. I agree with Paul on the many benefits of promotion / relegation, but this relegation is different. It would drop Argyle out of the “League” and into the fifth tier Football Conference. While the lowest fully national division, the Conference still includes some clubs that are semi-professional.
My time in Plymouth has corresponded with a particular roller coaster in Argyle’s history. They won the third tier my first year here, then spent six years in the second tier (including one season where a majority of it was spent in the promotion zone to the Premiership), four at mid table obscurity and two facing relegation up to the last match of the season. When they were finally relegated from the second tier in April 2010, I wrote about it here at LGM. From 2010-12, they were relegated two successive seasons, and narrowly avoided a third relegation last season by two points on the last day. This year they’ve spent a significant chunk of the season in 24th, or the 92nd placed of the 92 clubs in League football.
The Ultimate Drop is a collection of chapters that chronicle different teams that have experienced relegation into the abyss. A couple weeks ago, my wife and I (during one of her rare visits to England) had a couple over for dinner, including a friend who is a passionate Argyle supporter, cofounder and occasional member of the board of the supporters’ trust. I offered to loan him the book. He declined the invitation, saying it would be best to wait until the end of the season.
In all his time in England, Wenger has signed exactly two defenders that were worth a damn (Campbell and Vermaelen), and his vaunted youth system came up with one (Cashley).
Sagna, Gallas..of the top of my head. I think the defender thing is overplayed, (he’s had his mistakes in every position, Reyes for example) it was just so difficult to find replacements for Adams Keown etc, particularly the seasons they had when he first came (and, coincidentally, after they’d all given up boozing)
There are a few things, I think,that explain the decline, the unwilligness to spend money being the most important, especially when competing with the influx of oligarch money. But when he first came he had a specific plan, had identified a number of players and for the first time in his career (I assume) had the resources to buy them. Those circumstances cant be replicated, anymore than that generation of United youngsters in the late 90s can. Thing is Arsenal dont have United’s resources so cant protect themselves from that reality, so there you go.
They always looked like declining after the invincible season. They had to build on it but didnt. I’ll always give Wegner the benefit of the doubt though, I assume he couldnt. And there’s little you can do when top player after top player starts to move.
Moyes would be a terrible fit I think. Much better for United, although I do agree he’s a great manager
“after they’d all given up boozing”
Offside traps are like line dancing; works better when you’re half pissed.
I’ve never thought much of Sagna. The Gallas-for-Cashley swap seemed more a case of “We’ll take your locker-room cancer if you take ours” than Wenger getting someone he wanted.
Regarding American soccer, I found this article interesting. It argues that growing the game in the US requires not only expanding MLS, but expanding and strengthening the NASL and USL Pro (second and third tier pro soccer, respectively). My devotion to an NASL team (Tampa Bay Rowdies) might have made me biased, but I found the argument convincing.
Seems to be a problem with your link – would love to read the article.
We’ve got the revivified NY Cosmos starting up in NASL this year, which is exciting, but they seem to be talking about building a stadium in Long Island – my hope was that they were positioning themselves to become the Queens MLS team, which seems to be happening on a parallel track. That may still be their play, but it would be a shame for them to miss the opportunity to become the only top-flight, or even second division, soccer team within the city of New York.
URL instead of link: http://www.xiquarterly.com/2013/03/12/a-bohemian-footprint-supporting-american-soccer-nationwide/
I only wish that the Cosmos weren’t treating the NASL as an unpleasant stepping stone toward MLS.
Thanks – it’s an excellent piece and I agree with the argument wholeheartedly.
That said, I don’t have a problem with the Cosmos using NASL as a stepping-stone on the way to MLS – promotion, American-style. There needs to be a top-flight team within the five boroughs, and speaking as someone who thought the original Cosmos were cool as hell back when I was playing youth soccer, I’d love for it to be them. But if they’re building a stadium in Long Island and expecting to be an MLS side, they’re doing it wrong.
It’s not that I object to the Cosmos wanting to move up. It’s that they (the front office and the supporter groups) seem to regard the NASL as something unpleasant they have to step in on their way.
Nevertheless, I’m really looking forward to the road trip to watch Cosmos v. Rowdies at Hofstra this fall, and I’m just as thrilled to see that iconic franchise reborn (whatever league they play in) as I was to see the reincarnation of the Rowdies.
You mentioned Giroud when you talked about Le Professeur’s waning nous for mid-fielders and forwards, but come on! Giroud shouldn’t even be mentioned before you talk about Chamakh and Gervinho, whose hairstyles are more interesting than anything they do on the pitch. And I agree that he has a real blind spot for defense, almost like he thinks that worrying about it is some sort of betrayal of his commitment to free-flowing football. But if Barca and Real Madrid can think about it and have decent defenders who press and harry and can mark men and space, why can’t Arsenal? I also agree about relegation – I think it freshens the game, but that’s not a lot of consolation when it happens to your club. I felt particularly bad the last few years when a couple of proud old clubs like Blackburn and Portsmouth went down from the EPL, and you could tell it was like someone reached inside the fans and ripped their hearts out. 2 points from safety with 9 games left isn’t the worst, though – I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
A free-flowing club demands at least one or two stay-at-home defenders who can, you know, defend the guy with the ball. Ask any hockey team.
Koscielny….grrrrrr….and Santos were not effective, full stop, Santos so bad Wenger basically stopped using him.
On Man U going out, I admit that I don’t like them, so maybe it comes from that when I say that it’s been hilarious to note that every time the TV broadcasters discuss it, it’s like it’s contractually required to say that they were Controversially Eliminated! Almost like it didn’t count, that If There Were Any Justice they’d still be playing in the Champions League of The Imagination if not for the horrible unprecedented injustice (yeah, whatever) of the Nani call. Although I did read one item about a Sky TV broadcaster announcing the result and then weirdly cackling about it on the air (he explained on Twitter later that he was a lifelong City fan). So that was cool.
Yeah, even as a Man U fan I found the rending of garments a bit overdone. The Barca comeback is sort of a relief: for a brief shining moment MU could see themselves as favorites for the Big Cup if they got past Real and Milan finished the job, but reality has bitten hard. Basically Fergie played scared, relying on tactical scheming to beat a better team, which nearly worked; but it’s hard to see them beating Barcelona.
Yet Mourinho did say the better team lost. Not often you hear that.
Depends on your definition of “better” I think (seriously). If it means, following the plan, yeah maybe until the sending off. But I don’t think MU came close to dominance or even (which saddens me) tried to. Anyway, Jose was probably job-hunting.
Everything Mourinho says is calculated for effect. He is positioning himself to come back to the Premier League.
United had played well and were in the better position with 35 minutes left in the tie. Maybe that is what Mourinho meant. Not happy with the decision/result but a bad red card seems to happen every year in the UCL and Mourinho has had his share of them.
Arsenal?
Dude, I used to like this site. :)
COYS!
Christ, it’s Lawyers, Gooners and Money. I blame Loomis.
Leeds. Now there’s a fandom to appreciate, sticking with the side through that awful crash out of the Premier, and always a nightmare come FA Cup time (for Spurs, anyway! :) ). I love Leeds fans, and always respect the club.
“I love Leeds fans”
Not sure I’ve ever seen those words together. We’re used to being reviled, for reasons which are sometimes valid.
I took no great pleasure from the Spurs knockout, since I’ve always liked them, and the only Leeds man on the pitch was Aaron Lennon. Old Trafford, January 2010, on the other hand…
It helps, probably, that I was too young for the Don Revie years. :)
Don’t worry, this Spurs fan still has a disdain for dirty Leeds.
Yeah, but we can afford to be magnanimous, we’ve got to be among the favourites to bring That Other Euro Competition home this year now.
As long as Bale’s legs don’t fall off, anyway.
Aaah, that’s more like it. Back in my comfort zone.
Don’t Millwall fans have a song/chant with lyrics like “No one likes us/We don’t care!”? Almost heart-warming to see that you can embrace being reviled and wear it like a badge of honor…..
Not so much a badge of honour as the natural order of things as I have come to know it. And who the fuck cares what Millwall supporters do?
When do pine martens become the new rats, octopuses, and monkeys of soccer ?
Arsenal is really pissing me off this year. I know they like to buy low and sell high, but if you’re going to require two players to replace a van Persie, you’re buying high and selling low. And don’t get me started on letting Alex Song, one of the best service men in the sport, get away.
Don’t get me wrong, Cazorla and Giroud have pretty much pulled their weight (and Walcott has stepped up) but it’s embarassing the way they keep losing with shitty defense. And Podolski? Really?
(Manchester City have particularly benefited from Arsenal in recent seasons).
Agreed. The Gunners are to ManCity what the KC Athletics were to the NY Yankees of the 40s and 50s
While you are mostly correct, the Athletics were in KC from 1955 to 1967, so the 40s are right out
Point taken
their new stadium, The Eremites
Hit this phrase and thought, “My God, Arsenal may have gone upscale, but they haven’t lost their squirrelly British roots after all!”
Then I spotted that it was a typo. Disappointing.
I noticed that too and was all poised to compliment Dave on a rather clever turn of phrase (it still could be) when I saw he spelled it correctly in the next sentence.
Sadly, all typo. Was rushed.
and Seattle Sounders FC
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
The bluest skies you’ve ever seen… are in Seattle
And the hills the greenest green… in Seattle!
Also looking forward to NWSL. I did everything I could, as an Arbitron household, to keep WUSA going back in its day.
BTW, “Portland Thorns”. We’re on the cusp of another womens’ NCAA hoops tournament filled with Lady Bulls, Bucks, Knights, Cavaliers, Boilermakers, Friars, Peacocks, Cowboys (except for Okla St), Spartans, Rams, Minutemen, and such.
On the other side are just a few: Cowgirls, Red Foxes (Marist), Fighting Blue Hens (Delaware), and Lady Vols (TN).
In the midst of that, how freaking cool a nickname is “Thorns”?
The mind boggles. What’s their logo? A bull being milked?
The Tom Sermanni era promises to be an interesting one. I thought he did a great job mixing up players and giving new (or not-so-new) faces a shot at being on the USWNT. Morgan will definitely be a fixture on the team. She doesn’t just score goals (just missing a hat trick in the Algarve Cup final), she’s also prolific in her assists.
Re: college sports, I hate those “Lady” team names. Thankfully that practice seems to be fading (U of SC = Gamecocks, NOT Lady Gamecocks(!), U of Kentucky = Wildcats), though too slow to my liking. And of course, I don’t know how Lady Vols will ever be revised, considering its history.
If you’re going to call it soccer, why on earth use the other Britishy terms for things like “side” etc.?
Because football is Football in America, and no sense drawing the wrong crowd who will merely poke fun at our beautiful game.
This comes up occasionally. I call it Soccer because this is an American-based blog with a predominantly American audience. I also try to use exclusively American spelling when writing for LGM (and for publication / conference papers etc.). The other linguistic quirks are a function of having lived in England for over nine years, Europe for over 12, and they’ve become ingrained — I teach in an English setting, my colleagues are (mostly) British, and my six year old daughter is culturally English. That said, I haven’t lost, nor will I lose, my west coast accent, and I do try to shed most of the quirks when I get off a plane in the US. I don’t always succeed, especially when talking footie down the pub.
The Portland Thorns are going to be the favorites for the NWSL next year, if just for having Morgan and Sinclair up front (Side note: it was ridiculous that Marta finished ahead of both Morgan and Sinclair for Fifa’s World Player of the Year).
The new league will be subsidized by the United States, Canadian, and Mexican soccer federations, so hopefully it will enjoy a better fate that the last two (and hopefully no Dan Borislow-like creature will emerge.
[...] to my periodic consideration of the fortunes of Plymouth Argyle FC here in LGM, which started about six weeks ago, they’ve been on their best run all season, a run that has seen them improve from 24th to [...]