Well, another week, and another dismal record in my attempts to predict results using PowerScore technology. I went 2-5 on predictions, with one perfect score prediction (the Red Bulls beat Toronto 2-0). Not good. I haven’t done any looking yet to see who else predicts scores on a weekly basis, but I can’t imagine that Joe Prognosticator would do much worse than a combined 3-9 of weeks 19 and 21 of MLS action.
So, I’ve done the only thing I can — attempted to innovate further. Up until now, one portion of the PowerScore was based on an average PPG for a team’s five most recent matches. I’ve changed that, so now the more recent one of the last five matches is, the more it’s weighted. Thus, I’m trying to further emphasize how “hot” a team is in an attempt to capture a sense of momentum. That may turn out to be the wrong move — who believes that New England is as bad as its last two results? — but we’ll see. I also automated a bit the update to the PowerScores using Visual Basic. I’m inordinately proud that I figured out how to do that.
Edu is set for Rangers. Good for him. The guy deserves to play overseas and will be a better player for it.
Result: Columbus 2 - 1 FC Dallas
Well, what a game! I think (though I’m not sure and I’m too lazy to check) that Columbus already led the league in come-from-behind victories (or points, at least), and this one only adds to that record. Once again, Columbus came out sluggish, gave up the earlier opportunities, only to come roaring back in the second-half with opportunistic, occasionally-attractive, and ultimately effective soccer. What fun! No, it’s not the sort of domination that makes images of the MLS Cup dance in one’s dreams, but it’s a world of difference from last season (my first in Columbus). Anyway, I’m going to move right to player ratings in a second, but two notes first.
I skipped Week 20; so sue me. I guess that I could claim that I spent the week of rejiggering my formula, but I didn’t. I spent it watching the Olympics and working. But, I’m back now and ready to give it a go. My record on predictions so far is 1-4. There’s almost nowhere to go but up. Here’s hoping that I don’t find that down.
So, I’ve finally cooled down from the U.S. men’s 2-1 loss to Nigeria that booted them out of the Olympics. What a quick turnaround in fortunes — in five minutes of game time, the U.S. men went from 2-1 up on the Netherlands with the quarterfinals in sight to down a man against a decent to good Nigeria team with 85+ more minutes to try to manage at least a tie. Originally, I had wanted to do a post-game review and player ratings, but I’m going to admit that I fastforwarded through the final 55 minutes of the match (after Nigeria scored it’s first goal), stopping only for apparent highlights and score changes. So, a player-by-player rating wouldn’t be fair. That being said, I do have some thoughts that I want to put out there.
Alright, so I’ve been a little out-of-touch with MLS this past weekend, because of the Olympics and the fact that the Crew was idle. Fortunately, the actual PowerScore rankings have nothing to do with my personal opinions, but with results. The only thing that will be lacking will be the insight that I normally provide in the narrative section. Get that? That’s sarcarsm! Anyway, there’s definitely been a shake-up at the top of the rankings, as Chicago continues to come on strong and New England tried unsuccessfully to shake off some rust. And L.A.’s continued residency at the bottom of the rankings seems to justify the firing of Lalas and Gullit. Hopefully, the U.S. men’s team will still be in action this coming weekend, which would mean less time devoted to MLS, but since the Crew is at home, I’ll at least be paying attention to that match.
Anyway, on with the rankings:
Sorry I’ve not been posting, but PowerScore rankings will be up today or tomorrow and I’ll also do a preview and review of the U.S. game against Nigeria. In the meantime, ESPN is reporting that Gullit has resigned as coach of the Galaxy for “personal reasons” (read: because he got fired and felt it would be personally awkward for him to continue reporting to work) and that Alexi Lalas is out, too. Cobi Jones takes over as interim coach.
Frankly, I’m not sure that this makes the Galaxy better in the short term (it may, in that way that most teams get immediately better after a coaching change, I guess) but I can’t see this being good for the team’s chances to make the playoffs overall. Still, in the long-term, the Galaxy need some coherent strategy in team development and getting rid of Lalas seems to be the first step in that direction.
So, the U.S. gets three points in a largely okay performance against Japan. Overall, the U.S. didn’t do much in the attack, focusing mainly through the center of the pitch and ignoring the wings, where the space seemed to be. Moreover, they showed way too much vulnerability on the wings, particularly on the left, where Rogers and Orozco didn’t work terribly well together and Orozco was often nowhere to be found on some dangerous crosses. That being said, the biggest thing that stood out for me in the match was Marcel Balboa’s incredibly annoying commentary. I love when former players share their insight into the strategy of a match or what it’s like to be playing in such a situation, but I hate it when they spend inordinate amounts of time (like Balboa did — much of the second half in fact) discussing their views on whether this play or that play should have been called as a foul. To be frank, I don’t what Marcel Balboa thinks on such things as an initial matter, and he sounded like an idiot in most of his comments, too.
