

Filed under: March 26, 2011, 10:01 pmFiled under: Uncategorized

Pregame Idea – lots of white hats for the fans of the Vancouver team (The Whitecaps). Or, for the opposing team, wear a hat that is any other color and, written on your shirt, the slogan, “Note How My Cap Is Most Certainly Not White. Go Union.”

My one memory of Carlos Ruiz is that in old Fifa video games he seemed to be the only guy on the Galaxy who could pull off a shot that ended up on-frame.

I’m eating Pepperidge Farm Bread while seeing all these Bimbo Bakery sponsorships. I sort of feel like a cheater. My apologies.

Pregame I’m not just saying this because my home team is doing it, I will always root for the 4-3-3 team if they are playing a 4-4-2 team. I prefer my games to be exciting and my half-backs to be better conditioned.

2 minutes in – Never underestimate the importance of a first touch for a striker. It seems small but if they do not have it mastered you can have the most frustrating game, no matter how tremendous your midfield is.

4 minutes in we have a Vancouver-heavy highlight reel. About 3 touches for Union strikers, no shots for us yet.

I’ve noticed in the past ten years professional soccer players have shown a lot of improvement in free kicks while simultaneously a lot less focus on good corner kicks. Did Beckham start a trend?

I often wonder if these guys ever have a post-game pizza party, and the same questions come up regarding orange slices at half-time. And as a final point, could you picture a player’s mother bringing kit-kat bars after the game? Why not? I’m 23 and I would still like these things if I played pro.

20 minutes in I was hoping Le-Toux would score by now. On that note, I was hoping for one goal by either team by now. And it’s not for a lack of chances. In my humble opinion both sides’ strikers need to start shooting, even if the shots are wild.

Idea for a sign to hold in the stands – “Fear the Mutton-Chops. Califf Pride!”

27 minutes in, a hard yellow for Nakazawa.

33 Minutes in the fans are chanting USA. I guess because the Whitecaps are from Canada? Or something odd against the international players on the field? In my editorial opinion that’s a bit of a stretch.

35 minutes in somebody decides to argue with the ref on the sideline. Apparently he didn’t get the memo that in the history of the game that’s never worked.

43 minutes in and there have been 4 total shots on frame. 3 for Vancouver, 1 for Philly. I said this as well at the 20 minute mark, even if the shots are wild the strikers need to give the keepers more of a workout.

It’s half-time and there are more yellow cards than goalie saves. Let’s chalk it up to early-season jitters.

It’s still halftime and I’m hearing about how Mondragon likes cheese steaks. Good stuff.

49 minutes in and a wasted free kick from about 25 yards out.

52 minutes in a second try at a free kick. Over and wide for the second time in a row.

54 minutes in The Union strikers look like they had a few shots of espresso in the locker room. It’s looking to be a good half.

Bad joke time while they are paused for an injury – “Is there confusion between the Philadelphia team and the Players Union? Heyo!” (See, it’s funny because they’re both called union).

58 minutes in the game’s first red card. With all these yellows it was bound to happen.

An hour in and still 0-0. If the keepers get bored they can always start doing some mid-game pushups.

65 minutes in and the first moment of worry for either keeper. Good save.

68 minutes in my prediction for the final score is 1-0 in favor of the Union.

71 minutes in and we are getting more and more shots off. It’s just a matter of patience now.

77 minutes in Union score their first goal, Ruiz gets a confidence boost, and I take a deep breath.

83 minutes in and Vancouver is getting slightly nervous. A few more long kicks and a few more fouls.

88 minutes in – there is nothing more frustrating than an injury in garbage time.

Injury Time – Ever wonder how injury time goes by so quickly when you are losing but takes forever if you are up a goal?

End of Game – Stick this one in the W column for Philly. See you all next week.



