’10 to Track’ soccer matches – MLS and USL playoff hunts lead the way

it’s International Break for much of the league world.  That means we get MORE America and extra CONCACAF-feination in today’s Track!

Today’s Track may not be up much in advance, but I’m now Nine-Fingered Noob.  Went all Gollum on my own left ring finger at work last night.  OK, not really, did just slice off the tiniest bit.  Typing’s been hard.  Almost left all the inadvertent caps-lock stuff in just for fun.

  1. D.C. United vs. FC Dallas – Major League Soccer

With three regular season matches to go, #1 Dallas lead KC and LAFC by four points in the Western Conference.   Kansas City is and has been the better team on paper all season.   But they’re getting draws late, whole Dallas hasn’t lost in about six weeks.   In fact, only one team has even managed to get a goal on them in the last four matches.

Wayne Rooney & Co. are now only two points out of 6th place and the East’s final playoff berth.  They, too, haven’t lost in six weeks.  They’re success has been realized on the offensive end.  But it troubles Noob that they haven’t kept a single clean sheet in that entire stretch.

Defense travels, so I’m saying Dallas gets the road win in what is likely considered an even matchup in the District.  As badly as MLS likely wants DCU in the playoffs, today is when they’re comeback dreams die.   (4:55 PM EST, Univision)

RESULT:   D.C.   1-0

B.  Netherlands vs. Germany – UEFA Nations League

This is a League A match.  There are four separate Groups of three in League A.  In each one, the teams play four matches, double-round-robins.

France leads this one with four points after two matches.  This is the second match for these two today.  If they draw, France ends up in the driver’s seat.  Only the winner of each Group makes the Playoffs.

Since League A is pretty much the dozen best clubs on the continent, they’re all likely making the 2020 European Championships anyway.  But this event is another avenue towards qualifying for that.  In the world, they’re ranked #17 and 12.   In the Netherlands, this should be a toss-up.   (2:45 PM, Univision Deportes)

RESULT:   Netherlands   3-0      

Image result for font invented in 2018

 

A new tournament deserves a new-look Number B!

(Braille typeface front)

  1. Ireland vs. Denmark – UEFA Nations League

These two are part of League B.  Mirror image of A, just the next dozen down the rankings in Europe.

Denmark are actually 10th ranked in the world today.  UEFA rankings were used from a specific date, so the Danes must’ve been more down on their luck.  If the win this Group, they get promoted for League A when this event happens again, presumably, in two years.  And they’ll win it.

Ireland are FIFA-ranked just 30th.  They lost badly to Wales in their first match in this tournament.  Eire should be considered at least a full-goal underdog today.

RESULT:   0-0

  1. Reno 1868 vs. Orange County – United Soccer League

Usually Noob gives the American second division it’s due other times of week.  But so much of the world is on International Break, we have room.  With the Playoffs nearly here, perfect timing!   Teams have just this last regular season match to go.

Top eight finishers in each Conference make the Playoffs.  OC all but has the #1 seed wrapped up, home field advantage galore.  They’d have to lose today and Phoenix would have to win their last game by five goals for another tiebreaker to even come into play between them.

Reno have more on the line.  They’re #5 in the West.  They’re only a point behind Real Salt Lake, so they could still end up with the four-seed and a home game to start the postseason.  In fact, it wouldn’t necessarily even require a win.  A tie and an RSL loss-combo would do the trick.

RESULT:   Reno   3-1

Image result for reno 1868 supportersSo Noob’s jumping on the Reno bandwagon today!

Anything to go against stupidly-named Real Salt Lake.

  1. Ottawa Fury vs. Charleston Battery – United Soccer League

Charleston can’t lose or move up from the four-seed in the East.  Noob suspect they’ll rest starters given that.

Ottawa has been gritty and gutty all year – not truly good though.  They’re in 9th place, two points and a ton of tiebreaking GD behind Bethlehem for the last Playoff berth.  They should be able to net a win against the Battery reserves.  Unfortunately for them, Bethlehem hosts the hapless Tampa Bay Rowdies.  And the Steel will be motivated.  They could jump as many as three spots in the standings with a win.

RESULT:   Charleston   0-2

  1. Puerto Rico vs. Martinique – CONCACAF Nations League qualification

You can catch a few particulars in yesterday’s and previous posts.

This match is the first of four for these two teams.  Martinique aren’t members of FIFA, being part of the French football system.  But they’re in our region’s federation and they’re pretty good, considered 12th-best among national team here.

PR are just #175 in the world, well in the bottom half of CONCACAF.

RESULT:   Martinique   0-1

Image result for Puerto Rico national football team 2018

 

 

And since Puerto Ricans are Americans, Noob gives them the “gofightwin” cheer.

  1. Vorkuta vs. SC Scarborough – Canadiaian Soccer League

Welcome to the Track, CSL!   Don’t be fooled by the name though.  This league is really mostly or entirely Ontario-based teams.  Starting next year – unless it is pushed back again – the Canadian Premier League begins.   These teams won’t be a part of it, not unless they’re changing names and Noob’s missed it.

In any case, this is the playoff final for the current top league in Canadia!  It’s at a neutral stadium in Ontario, though since all the teams are from greater Ontario  *shrug*  They finished #B and #4 in the regular season, respectively.  The league was kind of top heavy.  Scarborough will do well to keep this within a goal.

RESULT:   Vorkuta   1-0

  1. Vorkuta II vs. Halton United II – Canadiaian Soccer League Division II

And here’s the undercard!   Also the playoff championship.  Same stadium, just two hours before the D1 championship.   These were the top two in the division regular season.  This match should be a little more competitive, but once again is Vorkuta who are moderately heavy favorites.

RESULT:   V II   3-2           chamPEENS!

Image result for so much canada

 

 

 

Just how much Canadia can you handle at once?

  1. DR Congo vs. Zimbabwe – Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Once again, Noobites can look at yesterday’s or past posts for some specifics on this event.

These two are both tied for the lead in their four-team Group (top two finishers make the Knockout Stage.  Congo (not DR) are tied with them, but have played one more match than these two so far.   They are ranked #40 one of Africa’s best – and #117 by FIFA.  So naturally, DRC are expected to lay waste to their guests.

RESULT:   Zimbabwe   1-2        Upset city!

  1. Central Cordoba de Santiago vs. Gimnasia LP – Copa Argentina

FA Cups are all about looking for Minnows – non-premier league underdogs.  And here in the quarterfinals we get one to root for.  Cordoba were relegated to the second division last year.  In fact, they’re below average even there early this league season.

Gimnasia are just a midtable team.  But they’re top -flite, should be considered a 1-2 goal fave on the road in this one-off match.  The winner will face River Plate in the Semis – an historically excellent team, but one that’s been more midtable themselves of late.   (2:00 PM, TyC Sports International)

RESULT:   Gimnasia   1-1  /  3-4  PK

Image result for santiago del estero funny

 

 

So long from Santiago del Estero!

Noob’s terrified to translate the parts he doesn’t know.  Blessedly rusty Spanish for meeeee.

’10 to Track’ Globetrotting Friday (10/12) soccer matches – from MLS to, well, everywhere

This was such a fun Track to write.  No one match jumps out above all others, but there’s a ton of fun and learning in today’s soccer travelog.

As always on Fridays, Noob starts us at or close to home, then we jet-set off to corners of the football globe ignored by most of the interwebs.  Feast.   Feast!!

  1. LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo – Major League Soccer

Los Angeles have pulled onto a tie for #B in the Western Conference with just three matches to go in the regular season.  Since the top two finishers get a bye out of the first round, that is high drama!   They’re actually still in 3rd, behind Sporting Kansas City on goal differential.

The Falcons suffered a puzzling loss two matches ago, getting blasted by the hapless Chicago Fire.  Even on the road, that’s not a club Playoff times should be getting blown out by.  But they did bounce back in their most recent match, skunking Colorado at their place, 0-3.

Houston have been eliminated from Playoff contention already.  They’ve played better ball of late, certainly highlighted by their U.S. Open Cup victory over Philly in the Final.  With that trophy in hand, it’s hard for Noob to imagine this the Dynamo matching LAFC’s energy, motivation.

For LAFC, the names to know have been Diego Rossi and Adama Diamonte.  The one Noob’s seen coming up more recently is Walker Zimmerman, a young defender from Georgia.  If he continues to be a consistent help in goal-scoring, this team will be hard to stop now and in the postseason.   (10:00 PM EST, ESPN+)

RESULT:   LAFC 4-2         The winning goal?    Walker Zimmerman

Image result for Walker Zimmerman funny

 

 

Hey, Walker, could you talk to Heinken about sponsoring Noob?

B.  Croatia vs. England – UEFA Nations Cup

Noob’s given some details a while back on this new European tournament, but I did not revisit them when previewing matches from it during this last Midweek Edition Track.  Here’s a wee bit:

This is a new event is meant to largely replace a bunch of friendlies all the teams are already playing anyway.  UEFA plans on having this played every other year.  All the men’s national teams in Europe may participate. The top 12-ranked teams play in four Groups comprising League A.  The next dozen play in League B, and on down the line.

Noob will detail particulars another time, but teams from all the Leagues within this Cup can use this tournament as another qualifying route into the next (2020) European Championships, the premier tournament for national teams which is held every four years.

So!  Croatia and England are currently FIFA-ranked #4 and #6 in the world, respectively.  In this competition, they are in League A (top league), Group 4 (arbitrarily numbered).   Both have a lot of catching up to do with the other Group member – Spain.`

Spain beat England 1-2 on the road and walloped World Cup runners-up Croatia 6-0 at home.  Only 1st place in each of these Groups get to move on to the League Playoffs.  The other two shall receive NO fruit cup.  None whatsoever.   (2:45 PM, ESPN2)

RESULT:   0-0     The draw all but guarantees that Spain will win this League A Group

Image result for letter B fruit

 

 

 

Number B – taunting those who will not receive fruit cup.

  1. U.S. Virgin Islands vs. Curacao – CONCACAF Nations League qualification

The six teams that played the final 2018 World Cup qualifying event (Hexagonal) already qualify for League A in the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League.  This tournament is being used to determine which other six teams will join them in League A.  The other teams will be placed in Leagues B and C, based on how they do this in qualifying tournament.

Each of the 34 teams in this event will play four matches, so goal differential could end up meaning a lot.  They’ll each play a match against another team club from each of the quartiles, which are based on a CONCACAF Rankings Index.  In other words, each team will play a roughly even cross-section of opponents, for fairness.

U.S. Virgin Islands are at a bit of a disadvantage.  On top of being only ranked #201 in the world, they don’t get to play any true “home” matches.  This is presumably because of the damage from Hurricane Maria.  So this and their other are being played in Bradenton, Florida.  They’re in the bottom quartile, lost their first match to Canadia 8-0.

Curacao – a country a ways off the coast of Venezuela and affiliated with the Netherlands politically – has a much stronger team, ranked #81.  In this event, they’re in the second quartile.  But their 10-0 trouncing of Grenada has them in 3rd place for now.

RESULT:   Curacao   0-5

Fun Fact:   US VI are “The Dashing Eagle”

  1. Algeria vs. Benin – Africa Cup of Nations

Unlike the above two tournaments, this is the premier national teams tournament for Africa, held every to years.  it is currently in its Group Stage.  Pods of four, double round robin, top two finishers will advance to the Knockout Stage.

They’re two matches into the Group Stage.  To no one’s surprise, the Algerians are 2-0.  Perhaps to the mild surprise of some, Benin have a win and a draw.  FIFA ranks them reasonably close together (#69. #88).  But the CAF lists Algeria as the fourth best team while not even listing Benin in the rankings (top 18).

This above discrepancy makes this tough for Noob to handicap.  But Algeria is good enough in a vacuum that at home they should be easily favored by a goal.  Benin would celebrate a draw, keeping them well ahead of Togo, probably the Group’s most likely candidate to advance as runner-up.

RESULT:   Algeria   2-0

Image result for benin surprise

 

 

Has to be this guy’s, oh, third Track appearance. 

Noob wants him on staff.

  1. CSD Macara vs. Delfin – Ecuador Serie A

HooWHEE!   That was a lot of mumbo-jumbo to try and digest.   Let’s cleanse our palate with some league action.

Macara are #1 in this Second Stage of the season.  The winners of each of the two stages vie for the league title.  They finished just 8th in the First Stage, so are something of a surprise here.  The defense has looked much better.   Their GD, however, belies a club that could easily be slipping back to midtable soon.

Delfin are tied for #B with another traditional league power, First Stage champs Emelec.  Statistically, they’re a little better than Macara.  Since that’s where the match is, this should be a dandy to watch – if you have a deep enough satellite package to catch this on GOL TV (9:00 PM).

RESULT:   1-1

Fun Fact:   Macara play in the city of Ambato.  They are named for an army fort.

  1. Tajikistan vs. Palestine – Bangabandhu Cup

The Final!   But the Final of what?

This tournament is a standalone event in Bangladesh.   Their football federation hosts this event every so often as a tribute to their nation’s founder, for whom it is named.  It was last held in 2016, the year before, and then before that last in the mid-90’s.

In the past, most participating countries have sent their national men’s teams reserves squad or elite youth teams.  This year, however, five of the six nations sent their A-clubs, including our two finalists.

Tajikistan’s team is ranked #120 in the world, while Palestine’s is #100.  They both advanced out of the same Group in that Stage.  Palestine won their matchup there 2-0.  But Noob smells a penalty shootout to decide this one!

RESULT:   Palestine   0-0  /  3-4 PK        Hail to the victors!

Bangabandhu Gold Cup logo.png

 

 

 

The pure, unadulterated joy of having started your own nation.

  1. Basque Country vs Venezuela – men’s international friendly

Noob proffers as mission statement that these Track’s embody “the ten most important matches to follow, for us – the newish American fans of the global game”.  Fridays, even I must confess the matches I include may not match up with that perfectly.

But this site is the outgrowth of my own soccer learning journey.   I think this is important because I didn’t know about it.  Let’s be global-game citizens!

The story here is “Basque Country”.  This team represents the autonomous, adjacent Basque areas of both Spain and France.  That said, the players are all from top Spanish clubs right now.  This team has existed since 1930, though they’ve only played an average of maybe three matches every two years.  Early in their existence, had Elo ratings been a thing, this team would’ve ranked #4 in the world!

The biggest non-FIFA football organization in the world is CONIFA, which represents peoples and teams from autonomous regions, national and regional diasporas, and stateless peoples.  Yet Basque Country has never been a member.

But they’re trying to get into FIFA!  And there’s at least indirect precedence for a team like theirs to be represented.   The United Kingdom serves as an example of one nation with multiple countries having membership.  And then places like Faroe Islands display that an autonomous country that is still truly a part of another nation (Denmark) can have membership.

Basque Country’s situation is apples to oranges to both examples above.  Still, they have commonalities with both.

As for today’s match?  It’s a friendly.  No idea how often BQ practices together.  The result isn’t what’s important, at least to Noob.   It’s that it’s happening at all that I love.

RESULT:   Basque Country   4-2

  1. Faafu Nilandhoo vs. New Radiant – Maldives Dhivehi Premier

And now we continue our journey to comparative footyball hinterlands once again with some far-flung leagues!   Maldives is an islands-nation southwest of southern India.  Their league is ranked just below average in Asia, 24th of 46 associations.

New Radiant are in 3rd place, but look statistically like the league’s best team.  Best offense and defense both.  Faafu Nilandhoo are in 8th of 10 clubs, on spot above the Relegation line.   Noob’s simply stunned that there’s at least one more league in the Maldives to which anyone could be sent down.

RESULT:   New Radiant   0-1

Fafà Picault.jpg

 

Never mind that he’s an American born to Haitian immigrants.

Noob thinks Philadelphia’s Fafa Picault needs to someday play for Faafa Nilandhoo.

  1. RC Bobo-Dioulasso vs. Comoe – Burkina Faso Premiere Division

This west African country’s league isn’t ranked on the continent.  And these two teams are low-midtable at #10 and #11.  And the season is just a few matches in.  But hey, they’re playing!

RESULT:   0-0

Fun Fact:   The Bobo language-speaking natives of Bobo-Dioulasso refer to the city simply as “Sia”.  Soooo much easier to pronounce.

  1. Al-Jaish vs. Al-Taliya – Syria Premier

This league is so fresh into its new season, Noob looked more at last year’s standings.  Al-Jaish won the league – by one goal in differential as a tiebreaker over Al-Ittihad.  And as the #15 league in Asia, they only get one club into their Champions League.  Al-Taliya finished 6th.

RESULT:       now listed for Monday, 10/29

Image result for Damascus funny

 

 

So long from Damascus, home of Al-Jaish!

Yeah, Noob doesn’t recall any banana peel-slippage story from the New testament.

’10 to Track’ Midweek Edition soccer matches – USMNT, El Tri lead the way

Noob’s had to quick-and-dirty the Thursday mini-previews.   My new work sched continues to wreak havoc with my sleep sched.  It os, of course, the fault of The Management.

Um, Noob?  That’s your “real” job.  The only sched I try to keep you to is the one related to taking your clearly under-dosing head-meds.

Just because you’re right, The Management, doesn’t mean you don’t need to pipe down.

Tuesday and Wednesday match results follow further down now.

To arms!

Thursday

  1. U.S.A. vs. Columbia – men’s international friendly

#22 and #14-ranked in world by FIFA, facing off for the nineteenth time since 1961.  Americans have one just four.

After the U.S. failed to qualify for World Cup, new, interim coach Sarachan has been mixing in a lot of youth.  This may be a particularly challenging evening for the U.S. on the defensive side.  Three of the backline players are getting their first USMNT experience tonight.

With top offensive threat Christian Pulisic out with an injury, the player to watch may be his fill-in.  Fafa Picualt played six years for Italian club Cagliari before returning stateside where he has remained.  He currently stars for the Philadelphia Union.   (7:30 PM EST, FS1)

RESULT:   Colombia   2-4         The U.S. actually fought back to take a 2-1 lead after falling behind 0-1.

  1. Mexico vs. Costa Rica – men’s international friendly

#15 hosts #37.   Mexico is mixing in a lot of youth as well.  They made the world cup, and even had a win over Germany.  Still, they feel it’s time for something of a changing of the guard as well.

A couple interesting side notes on this one.   Mexico typically prefers to play the in the U.S. (which they just did) as much as possible during the annual international break during October.   They sell an absolute crapton of tickets.

Also, this is the first time in three years their men’s team has played a friendly anywhere but Mexico City.   This match will be at club team UANL Tigres’ stadium in Monterrey.   (9:30 PM, Univision)

RESULT:   Mexico   3-2

  1. Costa Rica vs. Canadia – CONCACAF Women’s Championship / World Cup qualification

Canadia the second Group of four clubs here in the Group Stage.  Heading into this last match, they haven’t mathematically wrapped up a top-two finish, which would send them to the Knockout Stage.  But they’re 2-0 and have outscored opponents 14-0.  They’re going.

To not make it, they’d have to lose by 8+ today.  it’s more likely to be the other way around.  Also, Jamaica would have to beat Cuba by 15+.  Given how awful Cuba’s team is (outscored 0-20 so far), that’s not an impossibility.

Costa Rica and Jamaica are tied on points in the table, but C.R. lead by eight on tie-breaking GD.  These two are ranked #34 and #5, respectively, by FIFA.   (Edinburgh, TX – 10:00 PM, FS1)

RESULT:   Canadia   1-3

  1. Israel vs. Scotland – UEFA Nations Cup

UEFA’s newest league returns!   Noob is pressed for time at this hour, so Noobites will want to do a site search (or span the interwebs) for some details on this tournament, what and why it is.

These two are in League C of this event.  32 men’s national teams ranked above them are playing in A and B.  The three-team Group they’re assigned to within their League also features Albania.  They’re playing a double-round-robin.  The winner will get promoted to League B for next year, provided UEFA decides to continue with this event.

Scotland beat Albania 2-0 in their first and only match so far.  Israel lost to Albania 0-1.  FIFA ranks them #94 and #39, respectively.  In Europe they may be close-ish together ordinally, but that’s quite a gulf really.  Israel should consider it a moral victory if they can keep with a goal of the Scots.

RESULT:   Israel   2-1      Come from behind upset

Wednesday

  1. Trinidad and Tobago vs. U.S.A. – CONCACAF Women’s Championships / World Cup qualification

Teams are now heading into their last matches of this Group Stage.  The world #1-ranked U.S. women have already advanced to the Knockout Stage, outscoring their two opponents so far 11-0.  T&T carried the third-best FIFA-ranking (#52) in this group of four, but are already eliminated.  They’ve been outscored 7-1.

This match will not be competitive.  But that doesn’t mean it won’t be a treat to watch!   Catch the blowout in Cary, NC on FS1 at 7:30 PM EST tonight.

RESULT:   U.S.A.   0-7       Ms. Morgan and Rose Lavelle with two goals apiece

Image result for Alex Morgan drunkLadies, keep Alex Morgan from trying to catch a flight to Orlando to celebrate after.

(Kicked out of Disney World last year, drunk and screaming.)

 

(Google you up some particulars on this 2017 gem of a story at your convenience, Noobites.)

  1. Panama vs. Mexico – CONCACAF Women’s Championships / World Cup qualification

Now this one is a lot more meaningful.  Only the top two advance to the Knockout Stage, and these two are in the same Group as the teams above.

#66 Panama and #24 Mexico are knotted up at three points each.  Panama leads on goal differential by one teeny tiny goal.  If they draw tonight, Panama gets the surprise berth in the next Round.  Meanwhile, the Mexican women will wear the sad pants.  No World Cup.   (5:00 PM, FS2)

RESULT:    Panama   2-0       They’ll still have to win a match in two tries in the Knockout Round to earn a bid to World Cup.   But what a year for Panama!    First, their men’s team makes their first-ever WC, and now the ladies are on the doorstep.

Image result for wearing the sad pants

 

 

What does Noob mean by “the sad pants”?

Let’s address more important pants-questions first.

  1. Cruziero vs. Corinthians – Copa do Brazil

Brazil’s FA Cup has reached its Final!   This is the first match of a home and away two-legged tie for the title.  The winner automatically qualifies for next year’s Copa Libertadores (S. America’s version of Champions League).

This should be fiercely fought.  These are storied clubs, but neither is nearly high enough in their league table to qualify for CL without this title.  Both have struggled mightily to score all season, leaving them in 9th and 11th place, respectively.

Cruziero just fell to Argentinian Boca Juniors in the current CL, managing just one goal in the two matches.  And Juniors aren’t even playing that well in their own league this year.  Corinthians haven’t scored a goal since three outings ago.  It may be a defensive slog, but the action is available on Fox Soccer Plus at 8:45 PM.

RESULT:   Cruziero   1-0

Tuesday

  1. Louisville FC vs. North Carolina FC – United Soccer League

No MLS matches these three days, so we turn to the second division for our fix of American league action.  None of the matches over the Midweek feature playoff-slotted (top eight in conference) clubs.   So instead we have a Hiccup Watch.

Defending champs Louisville are currently #B in the East, which should be good for two home postseason matches.  They’ve scored 14 goals in their last four matches, of which three were on the road.

North Carolina are down in 10th.  But they should be plenty motivated – only two points behind 8th-place New York Red Bulls II.  And their GD is positive, even higher than Indy Eleven’s, and that club is in 4th!

So, we Track to see if Louisville can avoid having a Hiccup here, potentially falling behind Pittsburgh.

RESULT:   L’ville   2-1      Come-from-behind win for the favorites.  Cameron Lancater with two second half goals.

B.  Monterrey vs. Queretaro – Copa MX

Second-tier Juarez lost here in the Quarterfinals Round, so we’re down to all Liga MX clubs.   The winner of this last QF match will face 11th-in-the-league Pachuca in the Semis.

Monterrey and Queretaro are 6th and 8th-place in the league currently.  Given that only the top eight teams make the league’s postseason tournament, Noob is forced to wonder if Queretaro will partially or completely rest some starters.  League seems to always trump club in importance, anywhere you go.

On the other hand, Monterrey have been on a skid of late.  They’ve only won once in their last six matches across all competitions.   This could be a wild match and Noob dares not make any kind of prediction.

But guess who would?!   Resident prognosticator Noobstradamus has had a Vision.    Lay it on us unseeing mortals, oh, ancient one.

RESULT:   Monterrey   1-0        Guess it was the raw goat meat and cervezas after all, eh, Noobstradamus?

Image result for Noobstradamus

 

 

I am, indeed, older than dirt.   Thanks for the reminder.  But the setting of my Vision regarding this game was set in modern Monterrey. 

 

I was jamming with famous local alt-rock band Plastina Mosh, right on the Santa Lucia Riverwalk.  We were pounding out “los Oxidados” – the opening song from “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”.  I was on bongos, extending that instrumentation beyond the traditional intro and wailing away throughout!

Suddenly Jonás and the boys shifted into a slow, surprisingly sad, nameless norteño tune.  The bongos didn’t belong in this.  I shrugged my silent question of why at Alejandro.  A tear ran down his eye as he nodded towards the drum kit.  The bass drum now had painted on it “Queretaro 1-2”.

It was a powerful seeing, one I trust completely.  Except that I vaguely remember pounding Tecates the night before, and partaking in what was surely undercooked cabrito.   I often confuse food-related illness-born hallucinations  and Visions.  No one’s perfect.

OhhhhKAY.   While we try to ourselves divine what the fruit THAT was, please enjoy a musical interlude.  “Los Oxidados!”

  1. Switzerland vs. Belgium – UEFA Women’s World Cup qualification

The Group Stage is done and the winners of those seven pods of four have qualified for World Cup next year.  The top four second-place finishers from that round now start competing for one final berth.

So in these semifinal “Playoff Rounds”, the series will be two-legged ties, home and away.  Switzerland carried the higher FIFA ranking (#18), but they’re hosting this first leg.  Belgium aren’t far behind with a #23 ranking.  But given the lack of parity often seen in the women’s game, the Swiss should be considered a full-goal favorite today.

RESULT:   1-1       The two-legged tie ends 3-3.  Switzerlands advances on away-goals tiebreaker!

Wednesday and Thursday

coming soon!

 

’10 to Track’ Relegation Monday – the matches of Suckitude

Soccer scheds far and wide tend to run a little lighter right after the weekend.  Natch.

We here at Noob take advantage by taking you on a journey of Suckitude!  Embrace the darkness of a Monday.  Let’s get to know some teams on the edge of getting Relegated from their leagues.

Or will we see Monday Miracles?

  1. Seattle Sounders vs. Houston Dynamo – Major League Soccer

Houston is about to put a wrap on their season.  They just won the U.S. Open Cup.  But they’re in 10th here in the West, need a win to stay even mathematically alive for a postseason berth (top six from each conference get in).

Noob’s hoping they can manage exactly that!   When the opponent is Seattle, Noob will root for almost any team.  Little would please Noob more than to see the Sounders just lose and lose until they drop from 5th to out of the playoffs.

Noobites, I can’t ask you to join me on this journey of scorn.  The first hardcore soccer fan I met long ago was a college T.A. of mine.  A bandwagon-jumping Seattle fan with no connection to the area.  I love to imagine his sad face when woe comes to his team.   (10:30 PM EST, ESPN+)

RESULT:   Seattle   4-1      Victor Romero Rodriguez with two second half goals.

B.  Cuba vs. Canadia – CONCACAF Women’s Championship / World Cup qualification

Reminder:  Two Groups of four, top two finishers advance to the Knockout State.  Top three of those four make World Cup!

Cuba is not likely to be advancing.   They lost their first match 8-0.   Good LAWD.  88th in the world gets no respect.

The Canadiaians are one of the world powers, ranked #5.   Noob handicaps this match at Canada minus, oh, 15.   Unless a lot of Cuban national team fans are showing up to Edinburgh, Texas to turn it into a home-match feel.   (8:30 PM, FS2)

RESULT:   Canadia   0-12        not a typo.   really.

Image result for Canadian alphabet

 

 

Number B, a literary star the world over.

B is for bear, and bacon.  So much the bacon.

  1. Cork City vs. Bohemian FC – FAI Cup (Ireland)

The Irish FA Cup semifinal!   Winners gets runaway league champion Dundalk for the Cup.

Cork City won the 2017 league title and finished #B this year.   They’ll present a nice, clean changing facility and some lovely parting gifts to midtable Bohemian before whomping them by a goal or two.

RESULT:   Cork    2-1         On to the Final!

  1. Once Caldas vs. Leones – Colombia Primera A

Let’s move through the Sadness Soccer in order of likelihood of an upset, least to most.

Leones are last in the current league season and in the multi-year aggregate Relegation table.  They’re the only club that averages less than a point in the table earned per match.  They’re getting Booted to Primera B, if B will even have them.

Once Caldas are just a point out of 1st place currently.  Noob think’s favoring them by a goal and a half is generous.  To Leones.

RESULT:   0-0

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You’re darn right Noob is.

  1. Guayaquil City vs. Deportivo Cuenca – Ecuador Serie A

Seven goals in 12 matches.   Is Quayquil even trying?   Really, they need not.  Last in their stage and the season’s aggregate table.  To avoid Relegation, they have to leapfrog two teams.  The second one is 14 points ahead of them.  Quayaquil has only scored seven points this entire Stage.

Cuenca are below average themselves, so this might be one of GC’s few chances to get a full-fledged win, being at home today.   (8:15 PM, GOL TV)

RESULT:   1-1

Fun Fact:  The second time Europeans went to loot Quayaquil, they had to suddenly quit the expedition when a yellow fever epidemic broke out.

  1. Fluminense vs. Parana Clube – Brazil Serie A

Only one team in the league hasn’t scored twice as many goals as Parana, and that club misses that mark by just two scores.  The bottom four get kicked out of this league, and Parana are ten points behind second-to-last place.

They’re not just getting Relegated.  They’re going to get forced to all retire, take up Tiddlywinks.

Fluminense are utterly average, and that’s good enough to expect them to coast to a two-goal win today.   (7:00 PM, Premiere Futebol Clube)

RESULT:   Fluminense   4-0

Image result for tiddlywinks world championship 2018

 

 

 

World Tiddlywinks Championships.  Real.

[insert joke HERE]

 

  1. Tigre vs. Estudiantes – Argentina Primera

Argentina uses a three-season table to determine which clubs offend them most.  Tigre are second-to-last in that.  But so far this early season, they’re actually playing just bad soccer, instead of their usual horrific variety.

Estudiantes are playing horrifically.  Surprising.  This is typically a midtable club.   Noob’s forced to consider this a toss-up at worst for Tigre!   (6:00 PM, TyC International)

RESULT:   Tigre   1-0

Fun Fact:  The team no longer plays in the actual town of Tigre, bur rather in Victoria, Buenos Aires.

  1. Nittaidai vs. NTV Beleza – Japan Nadeshiko 1

In Japan’s top women’s league – one of the world’s strongest – they automatically Relegate just one team.  But the next team up the table will have to play in a Relegation Playoff with a second-tier team for the right to play N1 next year.

Nittaidai are in that latter position.  The season is young, but it appears there will be a big gap between the bottom three teams and everyone else.  Noob makes no prediction on which wins this game of Melancholy Musical Chairs and survives.  They’re all equally crappy.

Oh, and Beleza win the league every year of late and should beat them by 2-3 in their own house.  Wheeee!

RESULT:   Beleza   0-4

Image result for nittaidai fc

“Yay – successful huddle!”

  1. Botosani vs. Dinamo Bucaresti – Romania Liga I

This is one of the European leagues that separates into Championship and Relegation subdivisions later in the season.  Just under a dozen matches in, it appears these two aren’t among the top candidates to actually get Relegated.  But they’re not far above them (11th and 12th of 14).

Both can actually score about as well as low-end midtable teams.  But they defend like wet papier-mache.

Not Exactly a “Fun” Fact:   The stand Dinamo’s ultras use is named after Catalan Hildan, a player who died at age 24.

RESULT:   Botosani   2-0         Maybe the tiniest of Miracles!

  1. Hapoel Tel Aviv vs. Ashdod – Israel Premier

We finish the Track with the least likely Relegation candidates that still qualify for today.   These two are two pretty average clubs that currently fall just below that Championship/Relegation line, same as Romania has.

HTA look to be trying to make every game 0-0.  It’s not an uncommon strategy for teams like them that were just Promoted, but that style of play rarely holds up over a whole season.

Ashdod don’t score much more.  Noob thinks they’re more likely to drop then climb into the top half and avoid danger.  This may be the Suckitudiest match of all, as Noob looks for it to be 0-0.

RESULT:   0-0       Ding!

Image result for hapoel tel aviv funny

 

 

 

Heavens!  Is that Hapoel’s junk just fallen clean off and sitting there IN the crest?

’10 to Track’ soccer matches for Sun. (10/7) – MLS playoff hunt, and an EPL doozy!

The ten most important matches to follow, for us – the newish American fans of the global game.

And today, introducing the efforts of a new staff member,  sort of.  🙂

  1. D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire – Major League Soccer

Saturday, #6 Montreal clubbed Columbus.  This leaves 7th-place D.C. United five points in back of that last Eastern Conference playoff berth.

But as late as the season is getting, this is in no way a done deal.  Montreal may have only two matches left now, but D.C. have five.  And speaking of five, that’s how many in a row DCU haven’t lost.   Chicago are down in 10th.   They haven’t won on the road since June.

But the Fire pulled a home upset last match out against the West’s #3, LAFC.  If they want to make it two surprises in a row, Serbian international Nemanja Nikolic needs to follow up on his super September.  He’s their scoring leader.  The star last in the last win was American Djordje Mihailovic.   (1:00 PM EST, ESPN)

RESULT:   D.C.   2-1       Wayne Rooney strikes again.  And then again.

Image result for nemanja nikolic

 

 

 

In Amuricuh, Nemanja, we keep the pants on to play the footyball.

B.  Liverpool vs. Manchester City – English Premier League

6-1-0.  The last two undefeated clubs in England face off.  Raspberry scones for everyone!   It’s a watch party.

Defending champs Man City have to be licking their chops though.  Undefeated in the league Liverpool may be, but they’re just 0-1-2 across all competitions in their last three.  The offense has stagnated badly.

Man City have one four in a row.  They’re scoring like the pitch is a pinball machine.  That said, they haven’t faced a difficult league team mid-August.   (11:30 AM, NBCSN)

RESULT:   0-0

Image result for eating letter B

 

 

SoccerNoob’s six year-old daughter — PersonNoob! –thinks this bee is licking it’s chops and about to eat Number B.

  1. Toluca vs. Pachuca – Liga MX

Top eight will make the Liguilla (postseason).  Toluca are tied for 5th, while Pachuca lead a four-way tie for that eight-spot.

Toluca should be in better shape, but they just handed Atlas their first win of the season.   When each half-season tournament is just 17 matches long, can’t give up “easy” points.

Pachuca do look like the best of their clump of four, but Noob thinks their margin for error is extremely thin.  I don’t expect them to climb any higher than 8th.  Tigres lead them by three for 7th, are better on both sides of the ball.   (1:00 PM, Univision)

RESULT:   Toluca   2-1

  1. Panama vs. U.S.A. – CONCACAF Women’s Championship / World Cup qualification

Earlier this week, the American women pummeled Mexico 6-0 to open the Group Stage.  Noob’s primary source site still doesn’t list that match on the correct date.   But mea culpa.  No excuses, only reasons.  Part of my learning journey is where to get the raw info.

So!  The top two from each Group of four will advance to Knockout Stage, where three of the teams will earn their World Cup berth.  The Americans are the #1-ranked team in the world and will advance easily.

Panama is ranked just #66.  They did pull a minor upset in their opening match of this stage, taking down Trinidad and Tobago.  But the US are a whole different deal, even without being the hosts (the match will be in Cary, NC).  Noob favors them by 9.5 goals.   (5:00 PM, FS1)

RESULT:   U.S.A.   0-5          Wow, they held up better than Mexico

For your mid-Track listening pleasure – Panama!   But covered by Foo Fighters, so as not to be entirely cliche.  (FFW to 0:40 if you like)

  1. Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago – CONCACAF Women’s Championship / World Cup qualification

So if either of these teams loses the nightcap in Cary, that’s about all for them.  A draw would give both a little hope, presuming Panama doesn’t pull off an all-timer miracle in the above match.  They are ranked #24 and #52.

Given the lack of parity in the women’s game, that should mean Mexico is a two-goal fave.   (7:30 PM, FS2)

  1. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Lyon – Ligue 1

No one has beaten or earned a draw against PSG.

Lyon are in 5th.  Noob thinks they’re at least the third-best team in the league, but it’s hard to see them proving that today.  Both teams allow just under a goal per match, so defense hypothetically gives the visitors a shot.  The problem?  PSG average’s 3.5 per of their own.

RESULT:   PSG   5-0        Mbappe with four goals

Image result for that's too many gif

 

 

Sorry, Edward Norton.  The number is what it is.

  1. Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Krasnodar – Russia Premier

Noob was surprised to see Krasnodar helping headline a #1-#B match.   But upon further review, I see they’ve finished 4th in the league three straight years.  That doesn’t put them in the league leader’s class, but not far out!   The #6-ranked league in Europe deserves and will keep getting more of our attention.

Could it be Krasnodar’s time?  They’ve won seven straight over all competitions.  Meanwhile, Zenit just lost to bottom-feeder Makhachkala before sneaking out a home win over a Czech team in the Europa League.

  1. Benfica vs. Porto – Portugal Primeira Liga

Portugal’s top domestic league is just a notch behind Russia’s, but it means they only get two into the CL.  These two perennial powerhouses are #B and tied for #3.

Despite being behind two teams, Benfica are undefeated.  #1 Braga and their guests today have each been just a touch better on offense to date.  But – stunningly to Noob – Porto haven’t lost to Benfica in seven consecutive matches.   (12:30 PM, GOL TV)

RESULT:   Benfica   1-0     the streak is ended!

Image result for FC porto funny

 

Noob does speak Portguese.

But I’m pretty sure “inscrever” is a foul, foul verb…

 

 

Noob?  That means “register”. 

Fine, The Management.  Spoil all my fun.

  1. Kashima Antlers vs. Kawasaki Frontale – Japan J1 League

The Management puts in long hours keeping Noob’s inanity in check.  Solid job today.  Bet ya’ sweated off five pounds.  Our Japanophile’s reward?   J1 match stays just above the honorable mention-line.

And this is an important match.  With just a half dozen matches to go, Kawasaki have pulled into a tie with suddenly-spiraling Hiroshima.  They’ve not lost in four straight matches.  But the two matches before that?  0-1-1 in the League Cup, with both matches against Kashima.

The Antlers just won the first leg of their AFC Champions League semifinal tie.  But even winning that whole shebang doesn’t get them entry into next year’s.  They’re #3 in the league and need to finish at least that high to get in.   They’ve won five consecutive domestic matches, peaking at exactly the right time.  They haven’t even allowed a league-goal in two weeks.

RESULT:   0-0

Honorable Mention:    Canadiaian Soccer League (non-FIFA, Ontario-nased)- two playoff Semifinals;  #2 Vega Real vs. #3 Atletico de SF – Dominican Republic Liga Mayor ligulla;  #1 Racing Club vs. #6 Boca Juniors – Argentina Primera;

#3 Stumbras Kaunas vs. #1 Suduva – Lithuania A Lyga;  #4 Muang Thong United vs. #2 Bangkok United – Thai League 1;  #3 Ulsan Hyundai vs. #1 Jeonbuk – South Korea K-League 1;  #1 Al-Sadd vs. #3 Al-Sailiya – Qatar Stars League

  1. Verdes vs. Bandits – Belize Premier

No mere honorable mention for Belize – we finish the track with more CONCACAF-feination!

Even just eight games in, these two are about finished with the rest of the league.  It’s #1 versus #B and the rest of the back is eight points back of the latter.  Bandits haven’t lost, but two draws have them a point behind the pacesetters.

Both score three times a game on average and give up about jack squat.  Hard to think there will be an internet streaming of this match, but let’s all try to find one.  Pirate it if you must!  Yaaaargh.

RESULT:   Bandits   0-1       And we have a new #1!    (Oh, and for the record, this match may well have been played Saturday it turns out.)

Image result for benque viejo del carmen funny

 

So long from Benque Viejo, home of Verdes!

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church.

’10 to Track’ soccer matches for Saturday (10/6) – MLS playoffs are nigh!

What is Noob?  Well, I’m Noob, and the site is Noob.    Here, delight in the ten most important matches to follow for us – the newish American fans of the global game!

But be prepared.  My perspective is a little like the Sunday funnies — if the funnies were all just Farside comic strips.

  1. Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers – Major League Soccer

Just three matches to go in the regular season for these two clubs, 6th and 4th place in the Western Conference.  Top six make the postseason, so things are getting hairy.

It pleases Noob to no end that RSL hasn’t won in their last three matches.   From our Constitution:

Article 1, Section 9: “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States”

The “Royal” RSL are as un-Amuricuhn as a club can be!   Noob’s almost torn between wanting them to just lose every match, or sneak into the playoffs than get blown out.

I’ve thought it over.  Just lose every match.  People would rather see Zlatan and the L.A. Galaxy (just two points back in the standings) anyway.

Portland are treading water in 4th place, 1-1-1 in their last three against a solid slate of competition.

RESULT:   Portland   1-4      Sebastian Blanco with two goals

B.  Montreal Impact vs. Columbus Crew – Major League Soccer

A couple weeks or so back, Noob wrote that there were such big gaps between Columbus and both the 3rd and 5th-place clubs that they should just be penned in for the four-seed in the Playoffs.

Apparently, I’m still building my sense of how quickly teams can move up and down.  The Crew are still #4 and been playing ok, but Philly is now within a point of them.  And it’s not like the Union have been on a Seattle Sounders-like winning streak (they won something like nine straight recently).

More, NYCFC have struggled so much of late, Columbus could even catch them for #3.

Montreal, meanwhile, are going to be the six-seed or bust.  “Bust” would mean Wayne Rooney and D.C. United (two points out) completed their sensational comeback and caught them.  It will be interesting to see how the Impact look tonight, given that their Evan Bush-led defense just gave up a five-spot to D.C. while getting skunked.

RESULT:   Montreal   3-0         The Impact looked juhhhst fine!    This doesn’t secure them that six seed mathematically, but they’re on the brink now.

Image result for Evan Bush goalie funny

 

 

Um…. Evan?

The ball?

  1. Cruz Azul vs. Monterrey – Liga MX

They’re over halfway through the Apertura (first half-season) in Mexico.

Santos just slipped ahead of Cruz Azul for 1st yesterday, courtesy of a win over last-place Atlas.  But this is a good matchup for the home team today.  Cruz Azul succeed on defense, the league’s best.  Monterrey, though in 4th, have struggled on offense compared to the other title contenders.

RESULT:   Cruz Azul   2-1       It was 1-1 at 24′ when Monterrey went down a man to a red card.

  1. Watford vs. AFC Bournemouth – English Premier League

It’s not Noob-bias – my beloved Fightin’ Cherries are in the best-looking English match of the day!

AFCB recently suffered a harrowing defeat to then last-place Burnley, 0-4 on the road.   They’ve rebounded nicely with wins in the EFL Cup over D2 Blackburn and in-league over Crystal Palace.   Neither was a dominant performance.  The defense isn’t looking fantastic.   But at least things didn’t completely unravel.

They’re tied for 6th with Watford, who started the league season on fire.  But they’ve not won a match since beating Noob dreaded Tottenham  Sir Topham Hatt Hotspur two weeks back.   Watford, if you never win a match outside of beating those traitorously-named yahoos (Harry Percy – boooooo!), you’ve still done the Lord’s work.

RESULT:   Bournemouth   0-4      Watford had a fellow red-carded in the first half with AFCB up 1-0.   Josh King scored the next two goals.

Image result for Watford crest

 

 

But your crest still looks like a vaginoplasty waiting to happen.

Sorry, Watford.

  1. Lille vs. St. Etienne – French Ligue 1

PSG are running away with the league title already, even with the season just eight-nine matches in.  But with AS Monaco more than struggling, the other league invite to the Champions League group stage is wide open!  (France gets a third club in, too, but that one has to get through the qualification stage there.)

That brings us to Lille.  They’re #B, looking good on both sides of the ball.  If not for PSG, they’d have the league’s best offense among current table-toppers.

St. Etienne are tied for 3rd, but they’re weaker on the both sides of the ball than the teams around them in the standings.  They’re a midtable club-in-waiting.

RESULT:   Lille   3-1        Jonathan Bamba with two goals and an assist.

  1. Sao Paulo vs. Palmeiras – Brazil Serie A

Sao Paulo started this season on a surprising run, but have fallen back to earth a little of late.  They led the league for some time, now sit in a tie for 3rd.  Three straight draws have kept them afloat, but these were against teams that a club serious about the title should’ve been winning.

Palmeiras are a more traditional power, at least recently. They’re back in 1st, haven’t lost since 9/12.  They’ve won four straight over Sao Paulo.

RESULT:   Palmeiras   0-2

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Sao Paulo’s nickaname is “The Battle Monkeys”, so maybe they can get serious once again!

OK, that might not be factual…

  1. Herediano vs. Saprissa – Costa Rica Premier

Welcome back to the third-best league in CONCACAF!   Save your hate mail, Costa Rica, Noob knows you think you’re better than MLS.  Can we agree it’s close?  Bueno.

#3 hosts #1 today in a classic battle from this league, two mainstays of power there.  Herediano are six points back of 1st.  They need to make a showing on offense today, get a W, or they’re about to fall nearly out of the trophy-running.

Saprissa won’t make that easy – league’s best D.

RESULT:   Herediano   2-0

  1. Cosmopolites vs. Cavaly – Ligue Haitienne

Haiti?   Noob, is this really more important than #2 Kansas City against #7 L.A. Galaxy?

Great question, voice in my head.  But look.  Noob could call all the MLS matches “more important” from the American perspective.  But we’re going to get to know our federation neighbors.

Noob’s never found official rankings for CONCACAF domestic leagues.  But if league strength corelates to GDP (and it usually does), this one is probably not that great.  Come on in to the Track party anyway, Haiti!   There is acceptance with Noob.  And look!  Noob brought out the fine meats and cheeses platter.

Haiti splits their year into two-half season, just like Mexico and so many others.  They’re just a few matches into the second half-season now.  The league is just a few matches into the season.  Cosmopolites are #1, Cavaly in 3rd.  Both are surprises, as Cavaly didn’t make the top six and postseason during the first half, and Cosmo finished second-to-last.

Cosmo still doesn’t have much defense, so their stay at the top will probably be short-lived.  If Cavaly can keep up a 2:1 GD ratio somehow, they’ll make the Playoffs.

RESULT:   0-0

Image result for traditional Haitian snacks

 

 

How thoughtful, Haiti!   You brought wayal– cassava flatbread and hot pepper-spicy peanut better.

  1. Vardar Skopje vs. Academy Pandev – Macedonia Prva Liga

“We’re below average, but we just passed Moldova in the UEFA rankings!” – discarded Macedonian football league slogan

This will at most be a three-club race for the title – these two and Shkendija.  Since Shkendija kicks butt, but is just in 3rd now because of some draws, this is a hypercritical match.   V.S. have yet to lose, but don’t look better really than Pandev.  And Shkendija won’t lose at home today to a midtable team.

RESULT:   Vardar Skopje   3-0

  1. Albirex Niigata vs. DPMM Brunei – Singapore Cup

It’s the FA Cup Final in Singapore —  and being contested by a Japanese reserve team and one from Brunei.  Anarchy, woohoo!

Both teams play in Singapore’s top flite, the S.League.  Niigata are the reserve team of a now-D2 club in Japan.  They have yet to lose on the league season.  Brunei’s entrant is midtable and should be considered a two-goal underdog.

The match may not end up being competitive, but Noob is always down for two soccer-y things:  #1-#B league matchups and for Cup finals.

RESULT:   Niigata   4-1         Hail to the victors of the non-Singaporean Singapore FA Cup!

Image result for Singapore disco club

 

 

 

So long from ClubV, Taiwanese disco club, Singapore!

’10 to Track’ Globetrotting Friday soccer matches – Muricuh, Europe, then soccer paths less traveled

It’s another somewhat quick and dirty-job  on another Track.  Some of the matches below have already been played (and results are noted).

So, no zany images.   No specially designated Fun Facts, though you’ll still learn a little fun stuff all over the place here.   But it’s ten of the most important matches from our perspective, with some vibrant color tossed in at the end.

Get down.  Boogie.

  1. Brighton & Hove Albion vs. West Ham United – English Premier

West Ham, you saucy little minxes!

Started the league season in your mom-jeans – four straight L’s.  Then you juice cleansed, got a healthy glow about you.   You dared to be called cliché and brought out the little black dress, and oh my!   2-1-0 in the last three league matches.   Did you sharpen those red stilettos?   Heart go pitter PAT.

More, those W’s came on the road (Everton) and then at home against (admittedly a hot mess at present) Man Utd.   If the defense stays on form like it’s been for two straight weeks, they won’t be #15 or close to it for long.  At #14 BHA represents a chance to move to midtable.

RESULT:   B&HA   1-0

B.  Toronto II vs. Louisville FC – United Soccer League

No MLS matches today.  The other USL game involves two bottom-rung teams.   So Noob presents another edition of “Hiccup Watch”.

Defending champs L’ville are tied for #B in the Eastern Conferences.  Cinci has run away with the East title already, but the runner-up will get a First Round playoff bye.

The last place Toronto FC reserve team shouldn’t a challenge to them.  Then again, that’s probably what Charleston Battery thought their last outing, and then lost.   If Louisville has a Hiccup on the road tonight, they may well fall behind Pittsburgh.

RESULT:   L’ville   1-3      And so they jump to #B

  1. Santos vs. Atlas – Liga MX

When Noob was a pre-teen, I played on a local youth basketball team.  I was terrible.  Worse, in a way, I played with a bunch of classmates of which many went on to be division one college athletes.  But one day, I made a basket.  At the quarter, when our coach always switched out who was on the court wholesale, I was rushed by teammates and told I was staying on the floor.

Atlas, even though you’re still in last place, welcome back to the Track!   You’d not won a single match until pulling an upset in your last outing.  You’re staying on.

Of course, in the little story above, I stayed on.  But I missed the shot or two that I took going forward, and moved on from organized basketball to other activities after that season.  Santos is in 3rd place and this is just a “Hiccup Watch” match for them.

RESULT:   Santos   3-1       Jonathan Rodriguez with one of the goals, a player who had option to actually play with USMNT before going with Mexico.

  1. France vs. Australia – women’s international friendly

The 2019 World Cup is being hosted by France, which means their national team isn’t playing in the ongoing qualification tournament.  They’re automatically in.  Not that they wouldn’t survive that event, mind you.  They’re the #4-ranked team in the world.  Australia is 6th and coming to help them tuneup.

RESULT:   France   2-0

  1. Shamrock Rovers vs. Cork City – League of Ireland Premier

Dundalk are your Irish 2018 league champs!  And Cork City have already secured #B and a Europa League invitation.

But there’s one more EL berth on the line, and Rovers are #3.  Waterford is just two points back.  Noob thinks Shamrock is as good as Cork City.  Well, maybe not quite as strong on offense.  But especially given that it’s hard to know how many starters Cork will play on the road with nothing on the line for themselves that Rovers will get this by a couple goals.

RESULT:   0-0

  1. Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Consadole Sapporo – Japan J1 League

Noob’s sleep schedule is all out of whack of late.  At time of writing, this match is already done.  Yokohama, which had a much stronger season last year than this go-round, took it 2-1.

Three clubs from Japan will qualify for the next Champions League.  This loss leaves Sapporo in 4th, a point behind Kashima.

  1. Go Ahead Eagles vs. Sparta Rotterdam – Netherlands Eredivisie

Sparta has won the last three times these clubs have faced off.  They would never love more to add to a streak then now perhaps.  The season is young in the Dutch second division, but these two are part of a four-way tie for 1st.  And only one gets promoted to top-flite at season’s end.

If the score stays low, Sparta takes it.   Noob thinks it’s Go Ahead’s time.  They have the offensive firepower to be one of the top two candidates for moving up.

RESULT:   2-2      Lars Veldwijk with the equalizer for Sparta at 90′

  1. Bentleigh Greens vs. Adelaide United – Australia FFA Cup

Here was the last Minnow in Australia.  They finished four last year in one of the country’s second division leagues (National Premier Leagues Victoria).  They got almost as favorable a draw as they could’ve for their Semifinal – midtable A-league team and at home.  Alas, the Green fell today 0-2.

  1. Sepahan vs. Nassaji Mazandaran – Iranian Hazfi Cup

This is Iran’s FA Cup and it has reached its Round of 16.  Sepahan have more league titles than anyone in the nation’s top tier, though they haven’t won it is 2013-14.

Nassaji are one of the best-attended clubs in the whole country.  This, despite the fact that they were only just promoted to the top division.  They’re the only team – or only team that’s any good at all – from their province is likely the reason.

RESULT:   Sepahan   1-1  /  4-3  PK

  1. Bangladesh vs. Philippines – Bangabandhu Gold Cup

This is the second and final Group Stage match of this standalone tournament  – no repercussions regarding other international events.   It was founded to celebrate Bangladesh’s founder and is hosted there.

Six countries competed in this year’s version.  Host Bangladesh are barely ranked in FIFA’s top 200, but home pitch advantage has meant a lot to the lowest-ranked team here.  Philippines only brought their B team for some reason, but there they are in the final.

This match isn’t so much “important” to Americans, but Noob gets to define the word however he wants.  This is my learning journey.  I’m glad you’re here.  it’s important to me and I hope in turn important to you that we get to know at least a little bit about soccer from all over.

RESULT:   Philippines   0-1       But both advance to the Semifinals as the top two finishers of their Group

’10 to Track’ Midweek Edition soccer matches – “It’s finished. It’s done! — Frodo Baggins

The ten most important matches to follow, for us – the newish American fans of the global game.

For the three Midweek days, Noob teases things out from one to three days.  When you have this many Champions League matches from around the world, they needs be spaced out.  Safety first, Noobites.

(Also, Tuesday and Wednesday matches and some resultd are now at bottom.)

Thursday

  1. Trinidad and Tobago vs. Panama – CONCACAF women’s World Cup qualification

This tournament is the women’s CONCACAF Championship, but as it has for many moons, it is also the qualifying event for World Cup.

The Central American and Caribbean teams have finished their opening round of play.  The top finishers from there now join the big North American teams in a Group Stage, hosted in the U.S.  Two Groups of four, top two from each make the Knockout Stage.  Out of that, the top three will go to 2019 World Cup.

These two teams join America and Mexico.  No one from here is beating the US, so it’s about trying to get to #B in the table.  If either of these two wants a shot at what should be Mexico’s slot, it must start with a win today.  That will probably be T&T.  They outscored their opponents 26-1 last stage.

Noob would guess they’re a heavy favorite against Panama, with an 11-5 GD and only finished #B in their pod last round.

  1. Qarabag vs. Arsenal – Europa League

Group Stage, pods of four, top two move on to the Knockout Stage.  That’s where we are in Europe’s secondary international club tournament.

There are two English teams in action today.  Arsenal’s match gets the Track-nod since they’re playing a stronger team and having to go on the road.  Not that today should be much of a for the Brits.

Qarabag’s been having to play qualifications matches to get to this Round, while Arsenal enter the competition only now.   The Azerbaijanis should easily be considered a two-goal underdog on their own pitch.

RESULT:   Arsenal   0-3

  1. Managua vs. Real Esteli – Nicaragua Premier

At least when Noob scouted this match a few days ago, it was #1 vs. #B.   I’m pressed for time over my real job to go to, so can’t even confirm that those table positions are still accurate.   But Noob does recall that the league was starting to turn into a three-horse race, so neither should be any worse than 3rd.

This isn’t one of even Central America’s stronger leagues.  But we’re CONCACAFfeinating ourselves this year, getting to know our federation neighbors.  Noob may add a little extra info here early evening.

Wednesday

  1. Tottenham Sir Topham Hatt Hotspur vs. Barcelona – UEFA Champions League

Scroll down to Tuesday’s mini-previews for some general tournament details.

Then scroll back up and witness Noob’s ire!   Hotspur are named for the historical, traitorous villain Harry Percy.  King and countrymen both, no one could trust him.   Yet he gets a football club named for him.   Maybe MLS will get Benedict Arnold FC as an expansion club someday.   Noob won’t root for them, either!

Team Bile and Vitriol are only about an even match for reigning La Liga champs at home. They’re going to be in bad shape if they can’t get a result of some kind, as they lost 2-0 to Inter Milan in their Group Stage match.  Barca walloped Dutch PSV Eindhoven 4-0 to open their Round.

Napoli hosting Liverpool is just as intriguing, but Noob’s gotta feed his raaaage.   (3:00 PM EST, TNT)

RESULT:   Barca   2-4

Image result for angry fat controller

 

 

 

Hotspur’s making us all Very.  Cross.

  1. Palmeiras vs. Colo Colo – Copa Libertadores

Quarterfinal match in South America’s version of Champions League.   This is the second leg of their home-and-away.

Things are looking grim for the #16 seed, Chilean Colo Colo.   They’re all the way down in 6th in their league, losers of five straight matches over all competitions.  They lost 0-2 to Brazilian behemoths Palmeiras.  They’ve not lost in five straight, have taken over #1 in the continent’s best league.

The winner will get Brazilian Cruziero, or underdog (and up 2-0!) Argentinian Boca Juniors.   (8:45 PM, Fox Deportes)

RESULT:   Palmeiras   2-0

  1. Kashima Antlers vs. Suwon Bluewings – AFC Champions League

So much CL, you’re going to have to inject it between your toes!

Asia’s version is into its Semifinal, and this is the first Kashima is your 2017 league runner-up from Japan, while Suwon finished 3rd in South Korea.  South Korea’s is the more highly-ranked league in the AFC, but Kashima would still be the favorite, even on a neutral pitch.

The winner will get either Persepolis out if Iran or Qatari club Al-Sadd.

RESULT:   Kashima   3-2       Suwon led 0-2 early

Image result for high on heroin funny

 

 

Replace “heroin” with “soccer”.   

You’re nodding.  I’m nodding.

  1. FCI Levadia vs. Nomme JK Kalju – Estonia Meistriliiga

#B against #1.  Double I’s in the league name.   Meistrliiga, you always bring the sweet relief.

Mr. Rogers once asked kids to do nothing for one minute, just watch the clock on the tv and see how long a minute was, what it felt like.   This is like that for Noob.   Let the high drama of hating Hotspur and all the Champions Leagues action come down a notch.

That’s a good stopping point for today.  Quality, if smaller domestic league match.  Noobites, see you tomorrow when we round out the Ten.

RESULT:   0-0

  1. Manchester United vs. Valencia – UEFA Champions League

A reminder of where we are:

The “competition proper” is begun.  We’re seeing the Group Stage now.  Some teams qualified to enter only now, while others had to advance through tournament qualifying round/s.

There are eight groups of four clubs each.  Each club will play a double round robin, home and away matches with each other on in their pod.  Top two finishers move on to the bracketed Knockout Stage.  Third place clubs will get dropped down into a late round of the Europa League.  Last-place sad sacks have to rent halls and serve at table during fine catered dinners for the other three.

(All of that may not be true.  But if Noob ran UEFA…)

All the matches are “important” in this event, and there are eight today.  It’s the top club tournament in the world.  We’ll lean towards our cousins from England in coverage.  Hoffenheim from Germany and Manchester City are a dandy matchup today.  But this is the more interesting one for a particular reason.

Group H looks like a wicked-hard one.  Euros might even be calling it a “Group of Death”.  That seems unnecessarily dark, but ok.  They’ve played just one match each so far.  Man Utd blasted a Swiss club while Spain’s Valencia went down against the defending Italian league champs.

Based on their Elo ratings (Noob hearts footballdatabase.com), Man Utd should easily be a goal favorite at home.   But what makes this match intriguing is the drama going on with the Red Devils.  One of their stars – the Frenchman Pogba – and their manager – Mourinho – are at terrible odds.  The locker room is divided and the club is playing just .500 ball and sitting midtable in the Premier League.

Man Utd does.  Not.   Do.   Midtable.  They vie for titles.  They spend the money.  They finished #B in the EPL last season.  Pogba’s going to get a new team or the manager is going to be out soon.

Noob doesn’t even know what they’re fighting about.  My interest doesn’t run quite that deep.   It’s more fun to imagine the team ordered some sammiches in for a meeting and someone got someone else’s sammich but wouldn’t give it up.  Anyway, it’s perhaps THE story in English football, so our caring-needle is moved.   (3:00 PM EST, TNT)

RESULT:   0-0

Image result for pogba vs mourinho funny“You go over there and eat the turkey on rye you ordered!

I’m staying here with my corned beef.  You work for me!”

B.  Monterrey vs. Zapatec – Copa MX

A reminder of where we are:

Mexico’s leagues have two half-seasons annually – Apertura and Clausura.  We’re in the Apertura.  Concurrent with league play, they also run a Cup tournament during each half-season.  Only teams from the top two leagues compete.

The Group Stage is done.  We’re now seeing the Round of 16 in the bracketed Knockout Stage.  One-off matches, no home-and-away.

Part of the fun of Cups is watching for Minnows – underdogs, teams from leagues other than top-flite – to make deep runs.  Ascenso MX (D2) Juarez has already advanced to the Quarterfinals.  Tonight, we get to see if peers of their will join them.

Zacatepec are in 10th in the Ascenso.  That’s not even high enough to qualify for that league’s Ligilla (postseason)!   Yet here they are, facing mighty Liga MX’s Monterrey.   The only good news for Zaca is that Monterrey has been scuffling a tiny bit of late.  They’re just 1-1-2 in their last four matches.

But they’ve allowed no goals in their last two.  So it’s probably Monterrey by a couple on their own pitch today.   (8:00 PM, Fox Deportes)

RESULT:   Monterrey   4-2

Image result for Letter B fish

 

 

Number B makes friends with a Tanzanian blobfish.  

Not into Minnows, eh?

  1. Al Ahly vs. ES Setif – CAF Champions League

They’ve reached the Semifinals in Africa!  Here, they play home-and-away series to see who advances.  The #1 team on the continent hosts the first leg today.   Any and everyone would and should favor them by a couple goals.

Why?

ES Setif are the defending Algerian champs.  It’s a strong league there, ranked 4th.  But Egypt’s is #1.  Setif had to enter the tournament earlier than Ahly, may be more tired.  Setif only finished 2nd in their Group to advance.  Ahly won theirs.

But ES Setif just knocked out the defending CAF CL champs last round.   Here we go.

RESULT:   Al Ahly   2-0

’10 to Track; Relegation Monday soccer matches – so much suckitude. Embrace it

Noob’s daily endeavor is to bring us the ten most important matches to follow for we newish American fans of the global game.

Monday’s we take a different tack.   Each featured match (except one today) allows a look into the dark, horrible world of a team or teams about to get Relegated.  Kicked out of their leagues.

Let’s learn about them before the fade into the mists.   Fun Facts await!

First, one match of comparative happiness:

  1. AFC Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace – England Premier League

Noob’s beloved Fighting Cherries of Bournemouth bounced back at least a tiny bit from their blowout loss to Burnley.  A 90’, 3-2 escape act over second division Blackburn in the EFL Trophy tournament doesn’t exactly quell my concerns though.  Still – three wins in six matches mean they’re still in the top half of the table.  This isn’t a big-budget team and that’s a nice start.

Crystal Palace defeated two future also-rans by an aggregate score of 1-0.  Their 0-3 win against recently demoted and now second-division #1 West Brom was quite possibly more impressive.   This should be a competitive match.  And it’s most def the only EPL match today.  Winner!

RESULT:   Cherries!   2-1

And now, your Matches of Suckitude!

B.  Rubin Kazan vs. Krylya Sovetov Samara – Russia Premier

Welcome back, second-to-last place KS Samara!   That 0-3 thumping you took from Krasnodar was nasty.   Noob admires your resiliency.  More, you’re record is wondrous.  Two goals and two wins (plus a draw!) on the season.  That’s efficiency.

So presumably it’s 0-1 or bust at #10 Rubin Kazan today.  Good luck with your super-specific strategy.

RESULT:   RK   2-1

Image result for Strategic letter B

 

It’s no longer this, Noobites.  

The Quest for Number B runs as follows:    1, B, 3, 4, 5, etc.

  1. Aves vs. Portimoense – Portugal Primeira Liga

Aves, you’ve managed three goals on the season and don’t have a single win to show for it?  You’re getting Relegated so hard, you’ll end up in Russia’s second division next season.   That’s like getting sent to a gulag, except with more soccer and not at all.  *bonnnnggggg*

Porti have twice as many goals and a win.  Don’t let them lord if over you.  Your league demotes three teams at season’s end and your hosts today are in position to be one of them, too.

Fun Fact:   Aves stunned the country and won the FA Cup last season.  But they didn’t get to play in Europa League for failing to obtain a license for European international tournaments.   Whoops.

RESULT:   Aves   3-0       It’s a Monday miracle!

  1. Parana Clube vs. Vasco da Gama – Brazil Serie A

It’s a Suckitude double-feature!

VdG won their Relegation feature match last week, but that only ties them on pints in the table with #15 Vitoria.  And da Gama are down to them by some tiebreaker or other.

Parana Clube has zero bite.  They’ve not won in a dozen league matches.  Looks like they’ve scored multiple goals in a game exactly once all year.   Noob can tell you table soccer is fun, guys.  Might be a nice fallback plan.

Oh, but do NOT play it with only a strobe for lighting.  Good LAWD.  Noob tried that once year’s ago.   This site is just one of may proofs of the effect that had on my brain.

RESULT:   1-1

Image result for table soccer strobe light

 

 

LED lighting would’ve been just as easy and so much safer. 

  1. San Martin de Tucuman vs. Banfield – Argentina Primera

There are two teams in this league named “San Martin”.  Apparently, that ghost is the patron saint of crappy-ass footyball.  This particular San Martin isn’t even the better of the two.  Dead last in the multi-year Relegation table.  No wins this league season.

Banfield are a very average team.  Since this is an away match for them, should mean SM(T) only loses something like 8-1.

Fun Fact:   San Martin de Tucuman play in San Miguel de Tucuman.   This explains much.

RESULT:   1-1

  1. Rudes vs. NK Istra 1961 – Croatia First Division

Wow but today is extra Suckitude-y.

Istra are in second-to-last, a position with would put them in a Relegation Playoff with a second-tier team for the right to play top-flite next season.  They’ve managed one win in eight league tries.  Yet that actually puts them above there hosts today.

As ghastly as Istra are, they score half again as often Rudes.  Noob would say they Rudes plays slightly better defense, except that neither plays any.

RESULT:   Istra   0-3

Image result for no defense soccer“First, don’t bother kicking the ball.  Just stare at it.   

Then, lamely use a military font to promote yourself…”

  1. General Diaz vs. 3 de Febrero – Paraguay Primera

OK, credit where it’s due.   3dF may be so deeply in last place in two-year aggregate Relegation table that they’ve forgotten how to even spell “hope”.  But they’ve earned three victories in eleven matches and look a heckuva lot better than Independiente (Campo Grande).

Could we be looking at a miracle?  Diaz are actually below 3dF in the Clausura (second half-season) table.

RESULT:   3dF   1-5       Monday-miraculous!

Image result for aguara'i

After watching stinky 3dF football, venture out to the Tati Yupi Refuge in the same state (Alto Parana) to see animals like this South American skunk, the aguara’i.

  1. ENPPI vs. El Hodood – Egyptian Premier

Hello, this is The Management.  I’m cordoning off this space, keeping it Noob-free.  He seems a little rough around the edges today.  RoughER perhaps is more accurate.

I’m usurping Noob’s place for Feature Match #8.  ENPPI are a mid-table team.  El Hodood are in 16th place out of 18 clubs.  The bottom three will get demoted many months from now.  Hodood has shown the most stagnant offense.  But the data set is small, as the season is young.

That may be a little more straight forward than Noobites are used to in this little corner of the soccer world.  But you can you imagine the sad, middle-school humor Noob would display here with en-peepee-I and Ho-dude?

*snicker*

RESULT:   0-0

  1. Jagiellonia Bialystok vs. Slask Wroclaw – Poland Ekstraklasa

This league is one that divided into Championship and Relegation subdivisions later in the season.  Slask Wroclaw will be in the latter, but Noob will will them to not get The Boot.   The world needs them in the top division!   They have the second-most villainous sounding club name I’ve run across yet.  We’re not losing them, dammit.

Today’s match against the league #1 won’t help their cause or confidence though.

Oh, and it’s Lithuanian club Zalgiris Vilnius who carry the supervillain club name top honor to date.

Fun Fact:   It’s still not uncommon to see anticommunism signs at Slask matches.  Many of their fans fought the Red regime in Poland back in the day.

RESULT:   Slask   0-4

  1. Ingolstadt vs. Union Berlin – 2. Bundesliga

We finish today’s bitter pill-of-a-Track in German’s second division.  Two teams will get automatically moved down from this one, with another having to play a Relegation Playoff against some D3 Bavarian pub team or other to stay this high.

Ingolstadt are equal hot mess parts D and O.  Duisburg being even more putrid in-goal is all that keeps them from last place.  Union Berlin are the league’s last undefeated team, though only in 4th place for that (3-4-0 record).  U.B. expecting  them to win by a goal on the road today.

RESULT:   U.B.  1-2

Image result for that was awful gif

 

What, the “U.B.” pun?

Noob will not apologize to you, Timberlake, not to anyone.

’10 to Track’ soccer matches for Sunday (9/30) – MLS, Liga MX, Premiere League, and a superdose of CONCACAF

No zany image inclusions today.  No honorable mention-matches.  No stateside TV listings.

Noob is dozing in the overstuffed chair that serves as my throne from which I reign over all I survey.  So no extra bells and whistles today.  Sleep comes for Noob unbidden, stalking me like a lion in the rushes.

But the soccer action is hawt.   Marvel at the quality matches leading the way.  Linger longer and savor the deep hits into CONCACAF domestic leagues we make.   And have blessed footyball Sunday!

  1. New York Red Bulls vs. Atlanta United – Major League Soccer

#B hosts #1, two teams that have finally bot separated themselves a little bit from the Eastern Conference pack.  it’s very unlikely either team will get caught for one of the top two Playoff seeds.  If either wins today, that team will be all but guaranteed that bye and home field advantage.

Red Bulls had given up six goals in two matches – a loss and a draw – before shutting out Toronto last time out.  Bradley-Wright Phillips has been the star offensive-player all year.  Argentinian national winger Alejandro Romero’s surging contributions may be the key to a strong regular season finish.

For scoring sensations ATL, Josef Martinez has been the star, breaking the league scoring mark.  But if Hector Villalba (Argentinian by birth, currently affiliated with Paraguay) keeps getting involved like he has of late, no one is stopping this club from getting the #1 seed.  Or probably the MLS Cup.

RESULT:   NYRB   2-0    Daniel Royer and Tim Parker with goals, Alex Muyl with an assist.  Noob….doesn’t know these names!  These were not my names I wrote.     Such noobishness.

B.  Sporting Kansas City vs. Real Salt Lake – Major League Soccer

First, the Noob-angles.   KC as a supporter in The Management.  RSL stokes Noob’s ire just by being “Real.  Find Noob the monarch that formally blessed this team and I’ll accept that name.  Until then, scorn for them!

OK, with that business out of the way  — KC is back behind #1 Dallas again in the West.  They’ve got the best GD in conference.  Bias aside, Noob thinks they’ll overtake Dallas again for #1.

Salt Lake has slipped down to 6th, and the last postseason slot.  They still lead LA Galaxy by four points for that honor though.  If they do fall below 6th, they’ll look at their recent home draw against lowly Minnesota harshly.

RESULT:   1-1

  1. CF America vs. Guadalajara – Liga MX

CFA may have just lost to an Ascenso side in the Copa, but it’s hard to put a ton of stock in that necessarily.  They’re vying for the Apertura (first half-season) title and #1 seed for the Liguilla (playoffs) and may well have been sitting or going light on some starters.  Prior to that match, they’d been on a four-match winning streak.

Guadalajara are down in 11th, though only a point behind a slue of teams tied for the eight and final playoff berth.  They don’t have the quality defense necessary to leapfrog enough teams to get there though.

RESULT:   1-1

  1. Cardiff City vs. Burnley – English Premier League

Second-to-last place Cardiff earned promotion from the second-division last season.  And their last win came when playing in that league.  #17 Burnley were winless as well, until stomping all over Noob’s beloved Bournemouth Fighting Cherries and my heart.

Burnley have the experience to move up towards midtable over the next couple weeks.  Cardiff are probably going right back down to Championship League.

This is a matchup far better suited for a Relegation Monday.  But it’s the one EPL match we have today.

RESULT:   Burnley   1-2

  1. Lille vs. Marseille – Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain are 8-0-0.   The league race may end up anything but.   But there are two other Champions League berths to be had.

These two are tied for 4th, just a slot shy of one.   Today, Lille will try taking the air out of the ball, as is their wont.  PSG aside, Marseille have the best offense running in France.

RESULT:   Lille   3-0    So much for the no-air ball theory

  1. BATE Borisov vs. Dinamo Minsk – Belarus Premier

This is a league on the rise, will just crack the #20 in UEFA in the 2019 rankings.   That’s still just good for one Champions League invite, however.

Two thirds of the way through the season, BATE has nearly achieved a double-digit lead in the table.  This is never a surprise.   Dinamo are tied for #B, though they have the advantage of having played one less game than their peer.  The #B’s have the league’s best defenses, but BATE is in their class there and much more powerful up front for scoring.

RESULT:   BATE   2-1

  1. Saprissa vs. San Carlos – Costa Rica First Division

This has always been one of Noob’s sneaky-favorite CONCACAF domestic leagues.  They are every bit as good as America’s.

Saprissa are in a deadlock with Alajuense at #1, even tied on GD.  They do it on defense, allowing just a teeny half goal per game-average.

San Carlos were just promoted for the first time ever to top-flite.  They’re #3 currently, and top four clubs will make the domestic playoffs.  They don’t have the defense to stay quite this high (Herediano will pass them, and soon), but the offense has been terrific.  Perez Zeledon probably pose the biggest threat to knocking them out entirely.

RESULT:   3-3       Each side squandered a lead today.  Jairo Ariette and Marcos Mena each with a pair of goals

  1. Olimpia vs. Marathon – Honduras National League

#1 Olimpia are the one undefeated team remaining here.  But they’re not ahead of the pack by much at all, courtesy of five draws in their 10 matches so far.

Marathon are tied for #B.  More importantly today, they are 4-2-0 against Olimpia in their last six.

This league isn’t Costa Rica, but it’s very good in Central America.  Noob thinks when in another 2-3 week the league race will look like these two and Motagua.  Those three are a full notch better on defense in than the others outside that group.

RESULT:   Olimpia   2-1     Jerry Bengtson with both goals for the winners.  Things got chippy let, as Marathon lost one guy to a second yellow on the day, then another to a straight red shortly after.

  1. W Connection vs. Central – Trinidad and Tobago Pro League

Noob assumes this is one of the best teams from the Caribbean region, based on the trouble their national team always seems to give the U.S.  Whether or not that corelates, a shiny 1-B matchup always hits the spot.

W Conn are #1, undefeated.  a 28-5 GD says they may not lose anytime soon, either.  Central trail them by just four, and are every bit as good when it comes to goal-scoring at least.

Top two finishers qualify for the Caribbean Club Championship next year.  Police FC are the only team likely to give Central a challenge, and Noob wouldn’t bet on it.

RESULT:       now listed for 10/5

  1. Cibao vs. Atletico de SF – Dominican Republic Liga Mayor

#B vs. #1 from the regular season, and they remain so in their postseason subdivision.  After that, the league’s top six move on, start over on points.

But they’re #B and #1 again just the same.  AdSF’s goal-scoring has been fading a little.  Not the case with Cibao.  Today, they’ll switch places in the standings.

RESULT:   1-1