Soccer (Subtitle: And People Wonder Why Its Not More Popular)
So, the match today between Manchester United and Chelsea was dubbed the “Super Bowl of Soccer”. Ok. Me, I just recently figured out how the whole thing works with teams playing in more than one league at the same time, etc. E.g., ManU and Chelsea play in the same league, yet were facing each other in the finals of a “league of leagues” for Europe. I’m ok with that.
ManU wins on penalty kicks, which I saw the replay of tonight. So that’s pretty exciting. Chelsea captain chokes with the match on his foot. Ok, there’s some drama there.
But I was blown away by this statistic, which to me is proof positive that there’s no way I could have watched this game in its entirety: The ManU goalie made his FIRST save of the game on the seventh penalty kick try by Chelsea. That’s right - 150 minutes of regulation soccer and six rounds of penalty kicks, and he doesn’t make one save. One shot on goal in 150 minutes of regulation for Chelsea - one score. Five of the six first penalty kicks went in the net, and the other was shot wide. Then on the seventh penalty kick, he guesses right, makes his first save of the game, does some sort of chicken-dance-like celebration, and goes home the victor.
Sorry, that’s just not enough action for me. I’ll bet you that each of the goalies makes at least one save in the first two minutes of game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals on Saturday. I’ll take that thanks.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
If you’ll recall, the NHL got bogged down thanks to the neutral zone trap (although I don’t recall an NHL goalie getting to the seventh penalty shot before recording his first save). Since this brought zero action to the viewing audience, the NHL took some steps to try and resolve this. In short, they viewed it as an issue. Now the NHL is far from being on the forefront of professional sports entertainment… but isn’t that the point? If Gary Bettman can figure out that shots on goal are a prerequisite for an entertaining competition, why can’t FIFA? I struggle to believe Bettman is more astute than whoever’s running FIFA… although at this point, that sadly appears to be the case.
Oh, wait, I forget… the rest of the world see’s the beauty of a game of keep away on the pitch - but we ugly Americans don’t. Look… when Cody was six years old, he played soccer. Sometimes, the goalie would go a whole game with getting a shot on goal. I love my kid, and I support his every endeavor - but I’m able to admit that it’s boring when that happens… whether its children or (highly-paid) adults.
But Beckhams’ in the States now - so he’ll bring soccer to its rightful place amongst the (three or) four major sports in America…. right Reverand Lovejoy? Yeahhhhh….. suuurrrreeee!!!!!
On a related note, the Stanley Cup playoffs are quite simply the *best* playoffs of any sport… bar none - and its not even close. I suppose we could debate the point - but anyone who thinks otherwise is a moron… just so we’re clear. In short, the enticing dichotomy of physical and graceful play, due to the high level of intensity and athletic ability, which concludes with a handshake line-up at the end of (up to a) seven-game series where both teams have left everything on the playing surface. It is just the best of what sports should be. Period.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Agreed. I think this finals is going to be simply outstanding hockey. Two fast, highly-skilled teams that love to skate. Should be fun.
Keep your eye on Ryan Whitney, #19 for Pittsburgh in your program. Great young defensman out of Scituate, MA and Boston University. Ryan’s younger brother Sean has one more year at Cushing and then will be headed to Ithaca next year to suit up for the Big Red. No idea if he’s as good as his brother, but supposed to be a very good player. I met him last summer, and while he claims to have enjoyed going to Ruloffs on his recruiting visit, I’m sure Pep and the boys will work that out of his system in, oh, about three days after his arrival on campus.