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Soccer Banter

Off the Ball

5/2/2014

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1.  On Saturday the red side of Merseyside will be cheering for Everton, but will the Goodison Park faithful be hoping the Toffees lose?

2.  At the end of the 2012 season, many people would have predicted Scott Sinclair to be in the England squad headed to Brazil in 2014.  Following a successful season with Swansea City, Sinclair made the move to a big club - Manchester City - and has rarely been heard from again.  Note to English players at smaller clubs: the grass isn't always greener - the pay might be better, but playing time should be more important. 

3. One of the issues facing the USMNT leading up to the World Cup seems to have been resolved: Clint Dempsey has moved past his 7-month slump and is scoring goals regularly for the Sounders. But honestly, who is going to be the starting back four against Ghana?

4.  Through eight MLS games, Porter Ball, I mean the Portland Timbers are winless, but yet barely a peep from the US media questioning Mr. Caleb Porter. If it was Sigi that was winless in Seattle, his name would be smeared through the media and most likely out of a job. Why the special treatment for Coach Porter?

5.  On May 11, what could be worse for a Manchester United fan: their noisy neighbor hosting the Premier League trophy or Liverpool returning to their perch?


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6.  Agree with Will Parchman, it's time to put the MLS All-Star game to bed.

7.  Could Lewis Baker be the first attacking player from the Chelsea academy to finally make a name for himself in the first team? Probably not, but he will always have this goal to remember. 

8.  That preseason prediction of Seattle Reign winning NWSL this year is off to a good start, but wonder if the lack of subbing could come back to hurt the club - injuries and team chemistry?

9.  Dempsey is getting the deserved attention, but Gonzalo Pineda, could be the final piece of the puzzle for the Sounders to win MLS.  Pineda provides the perfect compliment next to Osvaldo Alonso. His vision, passing, and ability to influence the tempo, make the Sounders a much better and more creative team in the midfield. But, where does Brad Evans play now?

10.  The Tim Ream to Brazil campaign continues. Any other American in Europe named Player of the Year for their club? Make it happen, Jurgen.  

11.  It's May and Liverpool has a chance to be crowned Premier League Champions. Thank you, Brendan Rodgers and company. 



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    Brendan Faherty

    Faherty is currently the Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at the University of Washington. He passionately supports four clubs, but is always following the game at many different levels. 



    Off the Ball
    Random observations from the last week of soccer. 



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Soccer Banter: Been Kicking Since March 1, 2011