May 9, 2008

Final whistle

The ref has blown the final whistle on Alive and Kicking and the blog is being canceled. I just wasn’t getting enough hits on a regular basis to justify assigning an editor and having the space on the Web site.

I confess that I am not the ideal blogger. I belong to two indoor teams, two outdoor teams and play pickup on Saturdays. I coach a Howard County women’s team on Sunday and, of course, try to watch the Premiership, MLS and international soccer, usually on tape after midnight.

When most people are up and reading their favorite blogs, I am still in bed trying to ignore the pain and soreness of aching muscles. Alive and Kicking was squeezed in when time permitted.

There is a huge interest in soccer throughout the region -- a more internet-savvy writer needs to tap the interest on a regular basis for Baltimore. There are so many choices of what to watch and who to support. The US Women are playing at RFK this Saturday at the same time Palace USA is playing at UMBC. This is the final weekend for the Premiership and Crystal Palace (the English team) will be playing in the League Championship playoffs for promotion in Fall 2008. Oh yeah, and the Blast won the MISL championship.

Supporting the professional game is important. So many talented youth players simply lose interest when they turn 12, thinking soccer is for kids. Soccer is the world’s game and the US needs to challenge other nations with confidence in the future. That can only be done through adult professional sports.

I would like to thank those readers who supported the blog and posted their comments, especially Eileen Ambrose, a business columnist for the Sun who suggested I write a soccer blog. Eileen, after talking tons of trash in our Saturday pickup game near Hopkins, scored a brilliant goal last weekend. Special thanks as well to Dave Baker, who wrote such in-depth comments that people thought he was a second blogger, and Steve Bien-Aime, who wrote while I was away on vacation.

April 30, 2008

Partying with the Blast

The team is celebrating its fourth MISL championship in six seasons May 7 outside the 1st Mariner Bank Tower in Canton at 5:30 p.m. Are you planning to go and does celebrating championships get old?

I wouldn’t know, being from the Philadelphia area. The only consistent championship team I had was the Philadelphia Wings lacrosse team.

Steve Bien-Aime is a Sun sports copy editor and a contributor to Alive and Kicking. He’ll be blogging this week while Wes is away. E-mail him at steve.bien-aime@baltsun.com.

April 24, 2008

Blast has eyes on the prize

The Blast is heading to Milwaukee to face Monterrey La Raza in the Major Indoor Soccer League championship Saturday night and I was able to sit down with a few members of the team and get their thoughts.

One thing is clear, the Blast players seem to be willing to sacrifice their bodies, statistics — pretty much anything — to win their fourth MISL title in six years.

Goalkeeper Sagu

How did you become first-team All-MISL?

We work together. Without [goalkeeper coach Karim Moumban and fellow goalie Dave Kern], you don’t make the first team.

What is the key to winning this Saturday?

Strong defense. If you defend strong, you’re going to have a shot at the championship.

Are you concerned about the travel, having just come back from Milwaukee and having to head out there again?

No. This is like the regular season when you play away Saturday, come back here and then go again. … It doesn’t matter if it’s here Milwaukee, Monterrey, Chicago, you go over there and step on the field and play. Nothing’s more important than the trophy.

Forward Machel Millwood

How is the final unlike any other game?

It’s a different atmosphere. This is where all of the killer instincts have to come into play. … You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to come out with a win.

Is there a key to winning a title game?

It’s all about your effort to make the team win the game. All the guys are prepared to win. There’s only one game left. You have to put your body on the line.

Having Blast fans strongly support the team and travel to Milwaukee this Saturday, does that give you extra motivation to win?

That’s a lot of motivation. I think we have the best fans. As far as fan base, I think this is the first team [I have been on] that the fans really care about the team. To have fans willing to fly to Milwaukee and spend their hard-earned money, that’s a great motivator.

Coach Danny Kelly

Are there a few nerves before a title game?

Obviously we know this is the most important game of the season. This is what we worked for — to hold the trophy. So we’re anxious to play the game. … It’s more like, “Let’s go.”

It seems like your team is a cohesive unit. How important is that?

If you’re going to be successful in a team game, you have to be a team. It’s not just one guy. … We’ve got good chemistry and everybody’s got a role and appreciates what the other guys do.

What would it mean for the Blast to win its fourth title in six years?

I don’t like talking about that. We’ve got to get there. The past meant a great deal to our fans. We as a team have a great amount of pride bringing those three championships back to Baltimore, and we will do our best to bring another one back.

Steve Bien-Aime is a Sun sports copy editor and a contributor to Alive and Kicking. He’ll be blogging for the next two weeks while Wes is away. E-mail him at steve.bien-aime@baltsun.com.

April 23, 2008

Blasting off

Baltimore indoor soccer has a special meaning for Kevin from Glen Burnie. He e-mailed me to say he has been supporting Baltimore soccer teams since 1984. He was going to games with his father when he was 5 years old and now goes with his wife.

His better half actually suggested they go to Milwaukee to support the Blast in the MISL title game against Monterrey on Saturday. "You can tell why I married her," he said in his e-mail.

He said with game tickets, flight and hotel, they are spending about $650.

Are there others traveling or doing anything special for the Blast game?

Steve Bien-Aime is a Sun sports copy editor and a contributor to Alive and Kicking. He’ll be blogging for the next two weeks while Wes is away. E-mail him at steve.bien-aime@baltsun.com.

April 22, 2008

Week in Review

A quick glance at last week’s action in the United States and Europe.

MISL

The Blast advanced to the MISL finals by beating the Milwaukee Wave, 13-8, and 14-13. In the second game, Sagu came up huge for the Blast as it hung on.

The Blast will play Monterrey, which advanced by beating Detroit via golden goal, in the final Saturday in Milwaukee.

MLS

D.C. United continues to struggle, losing 2-1 at home to Columbus. At 1-3, United clearly isn’t out of contention, but it needs to improve its defense in a hurry.

Premiership

Because of the poor play of Arsenal and Everton, the only race worth watching is between Manchester United and Chelsea for the Premiership title.

Chelsea added to Everton’s struggles by winning 1-0 on the road. The Blues got further help as United needed a late Carlos Tevez goal to earn a tie against host Blackburn.

With three games to go, Chelsea trails by three points, but the Red Devils have an overwhelming lead in goal differential.

Serie A

Inter Milan struggled, but got a 1-0 road victory over Torino. Inter is up six points over second-place Roma and barring a collapse should cruise to the league title.

Kaka’s hat trick against last-place Reggina keeps AC Milan’s slim Champions League hopes alive. AC Milan trails Fiorentina by four points for the final slot.

La Liga

The race for Spain’s final Champions League spot is intense as Atletico Madrid (54 points), Racing Santander (53) and Sevilla (51) are bunched together. However, all three were pounded at home this past weekend.

Are you kidding me?

Real Betis should never beat Atletico Madrid, 3-1, on the road. Almeria is seventh in the league, but Sevilla shouldn’t lose, 4-1.

Racing Santander ran into the league leader Real Madrid and lost, 2-0, so I won’t rip Santander as much as its other foes for the final Champions League position.

It’s disappointing that these teams have the opportunity to play on Europe’s biggest stage and are trying to give that chance away.

Steve Bien-Aime is a Sun sports copy editor and a contributor to Alive and Kicking. He’ll be blogging for the next two weeks while Wes is away. E-mail him at steve.bien-aime@baltsun.com.

Baltimore's Best?

The Blast is going for its fourth MISL title in six seasons. Its success far outpaces the results of the Orioles and Ravens, leading to the conclusion that the Blast is Baltimore’s best team.

Do Baltimoreans feel that way? If somebody asked you which teams are you proud of, would you say the Blast?

Also, are there Blast fans heading to Milwaukee for Saturday’s championship game?

Steve Bien-Aime is a Sun sports copy editor and a contributor to Alive and Kicking. He’ll be blogging for the next two weeks while Wes is away. E-mail him at steve.bien-aime@baltsun.com.

April 15, 2008

Kelly, Sagu talk Blast playoffs

I just spent a few minutes with the Blast before today’s practice and the team seems focused for tomorrow’s semifinal matchup with the Milwaukee Wave.

Coach Danny Kelly shared his thoughts.

Is your preparation different for the playoffs?

Kelly: We were working on our mind-set before the playoffs started. ... On the face of things, [some people thought] the last two [regular-season] games didn’t mean anything because we were locked into third. It was quite the opposite. We knew we needed to play well going into the playoffs. You can’t switch it on and off.

kelly.jpg

Do you take pride in knowing that the Blast is probably Baltimore’s best team, having won three championships in the past five seasons?

Kelly: This organization ... feels a tremendous amount of pride of the way we represent the city of Baltimore. We appreciate the support of the 7,000-plus fans to come out to support us.

This will be a successful season if ... ?

Kelly: Our goal every year is a championship. That’s what we set our sights on. You’re going to be hard-pressed to find someone in the organization to say right away, "We didn’t win a championship, but it’s been a great season."

Goalkeeper Sagu also shared his thoughts

Does your preparation change for the playoffs?

Sagu: I need more concentration. Every game you will prepare for. In the playoffs, if you make a mistake, you’re going to pay for it. And maybe you don’t have a second chance.

Having beaten Milwaukee two out of three times in the regular season, are you confident?

Sagu: We’re confident, but every game is a different story. It’s 0-0. We just started the season. I don’t think since we beat Milwaukee twice, it will be easy. Milwaukee is a very strong team.

This will be a successful season if ... ?

Sagu: For me, we have to be champions. If doesn’t matter who’s MVP. ... This is very important for us. You look to be champions.

Steve Bien-Aime is a Sun sports copy editor and a contributor to Alive and Kicking. Read Kent Baker’s preview of tomorrow’s match between the Blast and Wave in tomorrow’s Sun and on www.baltimoresun.com.

April 13, 2008

Time to panic for DC United?

Real Salt Lake defeated DC United 4-0 in Utah on Saturday.

APSteveWIlsonFabianEspindol.jpg

Fabian Espindola celebrates after scoring on United Saturday, April 12. (AP Photo Steve Wilson)

Fans getting nervous

Is it time to panic yet? United has yet to win on the road, having been shut out in three of four away games. So is it time to panic yet? If the answer is yes, what is the solution? Where does the team make adjustments?

The “Fire Soehn Now!” Thread has been resurrected on the Big Soccer forum, but as with most demands to fire the coach, there is very little in the way of solutions.

APStWilsonNRimandoKyleBecke.jpg

Nick Rimando celebrates Salt Lake's victory with Kyle Beckerman. Rimando and Dema Kovalenko, who had two assists, join a long list of soccer players who have come back to hurt old employers. (AP Photo Steve Wilson)

Fatigue

The team was thoroughly outplayed in many different ways. Four goals points to a team-wide, collective guilt. It's difficult to isolate any one problem, It was clear from Saturday’s humiliating defeat that the team was fatigued, probably from the CONCACAF Champion’s Cup games against Pachuca. It makes sense. Even players on billion dollar teams like Manchester United, which almost lost to Middlesbrough a week ago, suffer from overwork. Arsenal is the most obvious case of a great team wearing down from a heavy schedule.

DC United, however, is at the beginning of their season, a little early to start suffering from the fatigue of midweek and weekend games. A heavy schedule early in the season should actually help as the team with so many new players works to find its rhythm and style. Obviously that is not the case in DC where United has dropped a series of games after Champion’s Cup exits in the past.

The deep roster was supposed to help, but it backfired. Soehn rested some of his starters and fielded bench players during the opening whistle. Well, I guess that didn’t work, but it's better that the team and coach figure that out early in the season rather than during the playoffs.

When judging the team’s potential, it is important to remember the good performances against championship teams like Pachuca and their victories at home when they were well-rested. It appears that top MLS teams are still too thin to handle multiple commitments.

April 11, 2008

Blast crush Ironmen

The Baltimore Blast overwhelmed the New Jersey Ironmen, as expected, at 1st Mariner Arena last night. But the home team found scoring difficult initially.

The Blast usually come out strong against opponents at home games, but they felt the initial pressure this time. The Ironmen unleashed a full-court press on the home team and scored seemingly by accident in the first minute. An off-target shot toward the left deflected off of a defender into the right side of the net.

Success encouraged the visitors, who threw caution to the wind. Urged on by 15 to 20 visiting fans with signs reading “Iron Army” (which is a slight exaggeration, the signs should really say “Iron Platoon”) the Ironmen unleashed a series of shots around the eight-minute mark. After a short play-stoppage, Blast goalkeeper Sagu rolled the ball out and the home team scored on its first breakaway. Giuliano Celenza was the catalyst for this goal, racing down the left side and crossing the ball in, but the Ironmen got credit for the final touch. It was an own goal, or at least a deflection.

The Blast's first three goals were each finished under special circumstances. The second goal, a three-pointer scored by P.J. Wakefield, came during a power-play. Machel Millwood scored the Blast's third goal on another deflection. Celenza made another aggressive run from the left side in the second quarter. The ball found its way to the right side where a visiting defender, under pressure from the wing, tried to turn the ball to the center. The clearance rebounded off of Millwood’s legs into the goal. The Blast had stumbled to an 8-6 lead, the goals all counted, but the game did not have one clean goal -- not a good sign for a coach looking to take his team to the championship.

Adauto Neto finally scored a clean goal with four minutes remaining in the first half. From the left, he faked a run down the wing, cut inside to his right, and with a clear look at the goal from the center, he shot the ball into the right side of the goal. The Blast had a 10-6 lead at half time. The Blast was patient and moved the ball well to all members of the squad, in contrast to the Ironmen, who were trigger-happy and did not pass well. The only spot where the Blast looked vulnerable was banking shots off of their boards. Two of the Ironmen’s goals came from rebounds, where the central player was unmarked.

The Ironmen came out hard in the second half, challenging every play with shoulder charges and hard tackles. This produced no results. Denison Cabral and Millwood scored and set up multiple goals from a multitude of different angles. P.J. Wakefield added another goal.

When the Ironmen scored their lone goal in the fourth quarter, a Baltimore forward stole the ball from a visiting defender during a fast-break, turned and shot the ball into the Newark net. There was time for Millwood and Cabral to add another goal apiece near the end.

Baltimore made a statement at home, but must be careful of Newark’s initial burst of energy and hard tackling on the road. The Blast has a good second-half record against the Ironmen. They have one win against their opponents on the road, but lost another of the road games after allowing too many goals in the first half.

The second leg of the competition will be at Newark on Saturday at 7 p.m. EST.

D.C. United comes up short

CONCACAF Champion’s Cup result, April 9

D.C. United 2, Pachuca 1

United lost 3-2 on aggregate, but it wasn’t as close as the numbers show.

Playing aggressively

The difficulty with playing aggressively in a game where goal-differential is important is that your opponent can sit 11 players in the defensive end and counter attack through open spaces. The amount of offense generated by a team also depends on the stability of a team’s defense. United used what amounted to a three-man back line against Pachuca and did not create an unusually high number of chances against the visitors. United forward Emilio was presented with a number of scoring chances, but no more than the Pachuca forwards at the other end.

You see this offensive type of strategy more in American sports, like football where the offenses and defenses are separate, or basketball where a coach can call a timeout to set up an offensive play, then sub them out to get defenders back on the floor, or baseball where an offensive player can pinch hit for a pitcher, then have a reliever replace him. But in soccer, starting an “offensive” line-up sounds better than the reality. A team with a weakened defense spends much of its time scrambling to cover openings in its lines rather than patiently controlling the ball to look for a weakness.

It is often a better idea to start in a more familiar formation, wear an opponent down for 60-70 minutes, then send in fresh strikers, or sub out midfielders and replace them with more offensive players. Arsenal has done this effectively all year, scoring important last-minute goals in injury time.

Aggressive play/grass diving

United tried to make up for any lack of defense by aggressively challenging the visiting players in the midfield. This seemed to work for the first ten minutes of the game when the referee allowed both teams to play. A hard tackle in the 11th minute, however, led to a complete change in the game momentum as the referee blew the whistle on average once every two minutes -- Emilio was whistled in the box in the 11th minute, then again in the 13th minute Emilio was given a yellow card for minimal contact, Clyde Simms in the 14th minute, Simms again in the 16th minute for a hip check, Moreno in the 19th minute for a clean tackle, Bryan Namoff in the 19th minute, and Fred in the 22nd minute.

United was, without a doubt playing physically, but a physical challenge and foul are not the same. It was clear from Game One that Pachuca players were well versed in the art of grass-diving, so the United management needed to either adjust their tactics or complain to the league. Fans do not expect fouls like these to be called in a home game just because a visiting player falls down.

Right or wrong, Pachuca’s ability to sell fouls to the referee killed United’s momentum. By the time the referee seemed to recognize the transparency of the play-acting, the initial surge of energy of the home players seemed spent. The same level of physicality was allowed later in the game without penalty. I do, however, hate to blame the referee.

Player selection United head coach Tom Soehn surprised fans who were speculating on which forwards he was going to use by starting Emilio, Jaime Moreno and Santino Quaranta.

United’s goals

The offensive strategy did not pay off until the last ten minutes of the game when Rod Dyachenko scored in the 85th minute and Franco Neill scored in the 90th minute. Both were assisted by Fred.

Pachuca scores

Unfortunately, the home team’s goals came after Pachuca scored, giving the visitors a 3-0 lead on aggregate. Pachuca’s chance came in the 76th minute when Simms, United’s holding midfielder, crossed a ball from the right side to Emilio. It was a good play, but it opened the United center to counter attack. Emilio dropped a pass from the front line to Gallardo in the center. It was a good idea, but slightly off target and it caught the playmaker leaning the wrong direction. The pass was intercepted by a Pachuca player and run back into the United half. The home team, with only three players back, could only hope to contain a four-player break, but could not commit to marking any of the players. Damian Alvarez shot the ball in from the top of the box to the left.

Time runs out on D.C. Pachuca, with a three-goal lead, fell back into a defensive shell, allowing United to take full control of the game. To their credit, the home team was able to score two goals. Pachuca’s strategy could have backfired, but the referee seemed to cut the amount of injury time short and left United just one goal short.

It was important, even in a loss, that United was able to score two goals to win the home leg. Honestly, how many fans expected to win this competition? The offseason changes to the team could make this the best United squad in team history, but we won't be seeing that until September and October. With any luck, this CONCACAF Champion’s Cup run is just a preview of next year’s competition, when D.C. can have higher expectations.

United plays next at Real Salt Lake on Saturday 9 p.m. EST.

About this blog


Alive and kicking: Wes Harvey is a graphic journalist for The Sun. A competitive amateur soccer player who has participated in local and national tournaments, and longtime fan of the "world’s most popular game," he will blog about regional, national and international professional "football."
E-mail Wes.

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