I’ve finally begun to come down off my high from Wednesday. Even yesterday afternoon while sitting at my desk I couldn’t help but hum “Glory Glory Man United.â€
But really, what better a day to draw out as long as possible?
The United game, for all the joy it brought, was admittedly a crap game. The first half should’ve seen United up 3-0 and they second half should’ve seen Chelsea score at least two. To those who say that Chelsea deserved to win, I say that in a perfect world where all good attempts on goal are rewarded and no goals are got cheaply, Chelsea was looking at a 3-2 defeat. Going into extra time at 1-1 was, unfortunately, as good as either side deserved on their 90 minute performances.
On the two periods of added time, I would have said skip them because neither side was going to really go all out on the attack, but if we had skipped them I would’ve missed out on the delight of seeing that petulant-man-child Drogba get sent off. What a joke, see you in Italy.
On the penalty-kicks, I can’t say much as I was hiding behind my hands for most of them while waiting for the reaction of the crowd. Ronaldo I did watch, however, assuming it would be safe. Instead it was over-thought and under-taken. It was a poor and even illegal attempt. Terry’s miss, I couldn’t watch, but I almost had a heart attack when I heard the screams.
Not the worst guy ever and probably deserved better. But thems the breaks, and fate had its mind set on a United victory.
I haven’t felt that way over a win in a long time (I’m thinking 2002 Men’s Hockey Gold medal game.) It wasn’t necessarily the ideal win, but it was a fitting win. On the season and the tournament, United deserved their Premiership Crown and European Championship. Congrats to the gents that make getting up on a weekend morning a little easier.
Oh, and Calderon needs to back off Ronaldo. Great quote by Ferguson:
“Real Madrid are not the only club interested in Ronaldo. But the others are not saying so. They don’t get into this nonsense.
Calderon makes that great statement ’slavery was abolished many years ago’.
Did they tell General Franco that? Give me a break.
The simple fact is Cristiano has another four years left on his contract.
United v. Chelsea for the glory of the best team in Europe. I think this will be a fantastic game of pace and skill. Of course, it may end up being a slow and methodical game in the end, but I hope not.
If both teams are running and gunning, I think that United will come out on top. A defensive struggle could go either way but I don’t think Sir Alex is going to allow that to happen.
I’m predicting a 2-1 win for the good guys.
If I had to put money on it, I’d also predict a 2-1 win for Toronto FC tonight against D.C., but what I actually want is a 5-0 thrashing. I was never embarrassed to be a TFC fan last year, but the loss to D.C. in the second game of the season was definitely something to be ashamed of. Make no mistake, however, both teams have shown themselves to be different from the second week squads. Toronto FC is much more strong team defensively and in the midfield. We should be able to contain DC tonight, and hopefully surprise them on the counter. Look for Cunnigham to start today giving TFC that quick attack that will be needed.
That’s it - I can’t wait for these games to start!
This isn’t a season-has-ended-time-for-a-summary-post.
The season hasn’t ended yet for Manchester United as they still have (arguably) their most important match left to play. But, having just won the Premiership Crown (on points, too) it seems like a good time to give some thoughts and a look ahead to the 21st.
When Ronaldo won the PFA Player of the Year I wrote about how he’s matured into a player that deserves respect both for his play and his maturation. He’s just too good at this point for anyone to say that his success is based on anything other than talent and drive. He scored some tremendous goals for the club this year, and if anyone else was in his place I don’t think that United would have walked away with winner’s medals. I have to say, it’s always nice not to have to hate someone anymore. I still wouldn’t rock his jersey though, but that has more to do with loyalty to Ole than anything else…This year, the team supported Cristiano, as he willed another Crown. Argue otherwise. Please.
Speaking of the Solskjaer, it was tough this season not seeing his out there for the first time in a decade. It’s definitely going to be hard to get used to…
Along the same lines – I was very pleased with the maturity and leadership that certain players demonstrated in the absence of Gary Neville. Vidic and Ferdinand became defensice leaders and were phenomenal all season – toughest duo in the EPL. Scholes barked orders all season and Giggs – well, Giggs gets a whole ‘nother paragraph.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first – Giggs is not the player he used to be. Fine. But, Giggs has the potential to become a great contributor to the team for at least another season, and perhaps more. The role he played yesterday was vital to the win, and I’m not even talking about his goal. In Moscow he will become the most capped-player in Manchester United history and it is that experience that gives him the composure that United will continue to benefit from. He may not have the pace or stamina for a full 90 minutes, but he can play to role of the super-sub (and perhaps make me miss Ole a little less.) Oh, and about his goal yesterday: Fitting. That’s a Semi-final winner for Scholesy and a trophy-clincherl for Giggs – couldn’t script this stuff better.
We also played the year short of a true striker. Let’s be honest, Rooney and Tevez are amazing but neither is a van Nistelrooy type of player. We very much benefited from Ronaldo free roaming but I fear the days when one or more of Tevez, Rooney, or Ronaldo is out. I’ve completely written off Saha at this point. Sir Alex isn’t an idiot (no matter what you may think as a supporter of any other club) and he’ll pick up another forward during the transfer window. Berbatov maybe? Finally?
The mid-field was dynamic, to say the least, this year. I suppose what we were witnessing was a changing of the guard – Scholes will be making way for Anderson and Giggs, increasingly, for Nani. It’s the sad but predictable reality of professional sports. What isn’t always so predictable, or possible even, is a seamless transition. Yet Fergy has managed to ruffle very few feathers with his squad selections and it appears that the players understand their roles. The odd man out, however, appears to be Carrick and his role is the only one that I don’t fully understand at this point. I wonder how he feels…
There’s talk of this squad becoming a Dynasty and I can understand why. Chelsea will look a lot different by opening day next season with many big names rumoured to leave. Arsenal is still too young and inexperienced, and Liverpool is, well, just a fourth place team at this point. Manchester United will be looking to build on this success by filling in gaps that they were already able to work through. There’s depth and a favourable mix of young and old. One more defender and another goal-poacher up front, and we’re laughing.
I know this is predominantly a Toronto FC blog, and I thank your indulgences when it comes to United. There’s one more game to win, yet, so there’s more to come. In between now and then, expect a post about my new, adjusted expectations for TFC’s season.
If they didn’t want me to expect them to win it all, they shouldn’t have started to only drop 2 of the past 12 points….
Pretty much the best that could have been asked for at the beginning of the day. Manchester United win the EPL Championship on points, not just goal differential.
It’s been a long season, but more thoughts on that in a future post. All that matters right now is that we won and Chelsea scum didn’t.
I know we still have Moscow on the 21st (and also, I think it’s a good idea for United to bring their own food - never know how many people Roman owns over there..) but I’ll be posting a season summary between now and then.
So to summarize, United are amazing, Chelsea are scum, and Wigan fans get a thumbs up for recognizing they were seeing the best team in the world and showing their appreciation by applauding the win.
Darren Huckerby and Norwich City have officially parted ways. Darren had asked late last week that they settle on a new contract by the end of this week, but Norwich management have decided that one will not be offered.
It sounds like he’s limiting his options to an MLS side as he says he does not want to play against Norwich and he’s not likely to play up or down a level.
Could we see talk of a move to Toronto resume? I hope so…
Here’s a tribute video that City fans have already put together for him:
…I’ve been hearing a thing or two from people (indirectly) in the know about a possible opponent for an International Friendly…
Now, I’m going to tentatively go out on this limb, because should it turn out to be true I’d love to have reported it first, but I’m still sceptical.
Here’s my indirect way of saying it - we’re talking big four from the EPL. We’re not, however talking my other favourite team. Nor are we talking anyone Addidas sponsored (which I was assuming would be the case for promotional purposes.)
Now, I haven’t gone out and named names, but there’s one former Toronto FC blogger that’d be pumped if this team came.
(If you haven’t put it together yet, you’re just dim.)
So there you have it…take your best shot (get it yet?) at me if you like, but we’ll see.
I used to Hate (and no, that’s not an overstatement) Cristiano Ronaldo. Every year when I got a copy of Fifa, my first move would always be to trade him from United. I’d accept the first offer just to be rid of him. When watching the Euro 2004 finals in a bar in Paris, I was one of two guys in the entire bar that was rooting for Greece. The other guy, a hilariously drunk Englishman was rooting for them because he had placed a large wager against Portugal and was hoping for a big payday. I was rooting for Greece specifically because I didn’t like Cristiano and his ridiculously large diamond stud earrings nor his ridiculously large swagger. He was too young, too petulant, and maybe too promising for my liking.
I openly said that I’d be happy to see him leave United after the World Cup 2006 fiasco. Seeing England go out was terrible, but his involvement in Rooney’s sending off was almost unforgivable.
But then something happened.
Cristiano grew up.
Over the past two seasons he’s matured considerably, and I defy anyone to say otherwise. Gone are the days of theatrical dives, of cry-baby faces at every non-call. There is not one player that I see in any league fouled more than him, but he now gets up quickly and then makes the opposition pay. He’s earned a lot of begrudging respect over the past season and even the one prior. He’s atoned for his previous sins and won-over the crowd at Old Trafford.
I guess that all this is to say that players can change. I love seeing him score now because it is as though he knows he is working to pay off a debt to the fans. He scores now to earn respect of his peers and the fans of the game, and when he does you can see the expression on his face is not one of joy but one of a person overcoming a burden.
He is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best player in the world right now. He will win the World Player of the Year honours as well and no one will have legitimate argument against it.
I won’t forget his past - I still hate that kid - but I love the player he’s become and I respect his ambition and drive and how he’s carried a team full of greats.
In a month, either this post or United’s season will be all for nought.
I’m a little worried. There, I said it. My confidence in the team’s killer instinct is wavering because of their past two results. I’m trying to figure out what’s missing that has kept them from finishing off teams off - leadership maybe?
Here’s the thing, we should’ve beaten Chelsea on Saturday and we should’ve played more aggressively on Wednesday against Barcelona. I mean Chelsea don’t even like playing together - they bicker on the field, they play selfishly, they’re chumps (for the most part…)
And suddenly when the EPL crown seemed tied up for a second straight year, we’re now in a must win situation for the next two games.
BUT
I might be worrying for nothing. Chelsea’s been known to play poorly away against opponents they should beat and United can definitely take Wigan and West Ham. So a loss from the chumps coupled with a win from United should be enough to set the ship right.
And, hopefully, Fergie was playing for the draw in Barcelona knowing that Old Trafford is a fortress. A strong performance at home and we’re off to Moscow for the Champion’s League final.
It’s ideal, but I think both results are attainable.
BUT
Let’s hope Riise doesn’t shank another one into his own net, because playing Chelsea for both trophies is a bit boring. Nothing’s better than a Liverpool-United final. Nothing.
7:30 am: roll out of bed and onto the couch, turn TV on, and watch as Amazing takes place. United to finish Chelsea off 1-0 at the Bridge. Championship is sewn up.
10:00 am: roll off couch and into boots. Go outside and play as though Ronaldo and Rooney could learn a thing or two. Claim every shank was a calculated curl. Well done.
12:00 pm: Beer #1 and some tasty. Watch some highlight videos on YouTube (Michael Caine’s Goals Galore should do to start) and slowly start working yourself up for the TFC match. Didn’t take much, did it?
2:00 pm: Beer #Perfection, and make your way to BMO. Sing out loud, everyone loves your voice. Especially neighbours as you pass.
2:45 pm: Arrive at BMO, Queue for Beer #Perfect +1.
3:30 pm: Delight in the fact that you’re about to see TFC history. (Beer #Perfection +4, btw.)
5:30 pm: TFC is one game over .500. You’ve earned it just as much as the players on field, delight in the fact that we’re moving up.
6:00 pm: Clean yourself up, it’s been a long day and you look like crap. Except that smile, it’s amazing. Take it to the bar and show it off a little.
It’s been a long season, but more thoughts on that in a future post. All that matters right now is that we won and Chelsea scum didn’t. 
Cristiano Ronaldo has been 
