Avoiding the Drop

New England Revolution v. Chicago Fire S.C. (Saturday)

I’ve been saying for a week that if the Revolution made the playoffs, I wasn’t going to burden them with any further expectations. I haven’t changed my mind, but knowing that all that New England needs to progress to the next round is a draw against the Fire, can anyone blame me if I’ve started to feel a little…hopeful? The fact is, however, that in beating Chicago last week the Revolution did not stray from their regular season approach to each match- want it more than the opponent, follow the captain, and expect a contribution from an unexpected player. There’s no reason that this can’t or won’t happen again. Chicago has too much talent not to make a game out of it on Saturday, but with the exception of Brian McBride, do they have the heart?

Atletico de Madrid v. Real Madrid (Saturday)

Welcome to the latest edition of El Derbi madrileño, and if you believed all of the press reports, Real’s season has been an abject failure to this point and that Manuel Pellegrini’s job is in dire jeopardy. Really? They are one point behind first place Barcelona- one! I’m sure the news that Chrissy-pants will be out for two more weeks with his ankle boo-boo hasn’t helped the situation either. I don’t know much Spanish, but I’d like to take a walk around the Bernabeau and whisper “tranquilo” into a few ears. As for Atletico, they’re already in danger of being relegated to the Segunda Division. Many of you may remember Atletico striker Dieo Forlan as a “bust” when he played for Manchester United, but he’s averaged a goal every other match since moving to Spain, and that’s an outstanding strike rate.

Heart of Midlothian F.C. v. Hiberian F.C. (Saturday)

There are a lot of matches I’d like to witness first-hand and this one is high on the list. I’ve seen both teams play and been to both grounds, but I’ve never seen an Edinburgh Derby. How consistent are the outcomes of these matches? Since the derby’s inception, the Jam Tarts have won 130 matches to the Cabbage’s 85- since the turn of the current century Hearts have won 13 times and Hibs 8. Normally the winner of this derby walks away with little more than bragging rights as both teams are usually just behind the Old Firm in the SPL table. While that remains the case for the Hibees- who are actually in second at the moment- Hearts are currently in the bottom half of the table, and if Falkirk could manage a few wins in their next few matches, Hearts could find themselves in relegation trouble.

Ross County F.C. v. Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. (Saturday)

Another Highland Derby? So soon? Woooo! This weekend’s tilt will be the third time the clubs have met this season. In the first match- a league match- the Staggies ran roughshod over Caley, 3-1. Later ICT managed to exact a small measure of revenge when they knocked County out of the Challenge Cup by a score of 1-0. Perhaps more important than either of those individual outcomes is the fact that County currently sit two places above ICT in the First Division table. A win over their Inverness rivals will ensure that County will stay in one of the league’s top four places. Fun fact: Next Saturday Don Cowie- now with Watford, but a product of the Ross County Youth System- will be in line for his second cap as Scotland play Wales in an international friendly. Get in there, Don!!

Swindon Town F.C. v. Woking F.C. (Saturday)

We’ll talk about the teams in a minute, but before then there is something you have to know about Woking in Surrey- it’s the birthplace of Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton, and Rick Buckler. If you don’t know who they are, get off my website!! Right Two Yellows?! Back to the footie…here’s everything you need to know about Woking F.C.: they’ve never played above the “Conference” level and you’ve never hear of anyone who has played for or managed them. As for Swindon Town, they are one of the former clubs of Scott Leitch who later went on- as manager- to lead Ross County to the 2006 Scottish Challenge Cup. Of course, he was also in charge the only time County was ever relegated from the First Division, so he got fired. Fun Fact: “Precious” (12” version) maybe my favorite song…ever.

Shrewsbury Town F.C. v. Staines Town F.C. (Saturday)

Massive. The Wheatsheafers of Staines Town F.C. face off against the Rubbishers of Shrewsbury Town F.C. in the second of our F.A. Cup First Round Proper matches this weekend. Neither of these teams could be called “fashionable,” though if you know anything about either side it’s probably the identity of Staines’ most famous supporter. Perhaps, however, you are a football savant- or dedicated metalhead- and you know the connection between Shrewsbury town and Spinal Tap. Fun fact: Shrewsbury have won numerous…Welsh Cups, despite being…an English team. Sure, they’re near the border, but they’re still in England and have always played in English leagues. I’m sure that there is a good reason for this, but I have no idea what it is. Respeck.

Oldham Athletic F.C. v. Leeds United F.C. (Saturday)

It’s shocking that either of these clubs are even taking part in the First Round Proper of the F.A. Cup.- especially Leeds, who once won the Cup. It may be shocking, but it can’t be surprising as both clubs were featured in our They’ve Fallen and They Can’t Get Up series earlier this year. If there’s a silver lining here it’s that, in league competition, both clubs seem to be pointed in the right direction again. Oldham are in the middle of the League One table, but only four points out of a playoff promotion spot. Leeds are doing even better- seven points clear of second place Charlton after only fifteen matches and threatening to run away with the League One title. Clearly the renaissance at Leeds is solely down to the arrival of American Mike Grella, who has featured 18 times since joining the club last spring.

Chivas U.S.A. v. Los Angeles Galaxy (Sunday)

This match leaves me conflicted. The evil little part of me wants Chivas to win so that the whole Beckham, Donovan, “this will be the league’s marquee franchise whether you like it or not” attitude that surrounds the side will go away. I’m sick and tired of having it all shoved down my throat. I don’t remember feeling like this at all when D.C. United was winning everything in the late 1990s- do you? And yet… what if the Galaxy winning and then going on and winning the Cup turns out to be the boost that the league needs to grow in stature and quality? The flip-side is that Chivas U.S.A. wins, probably loses in the next round regardless of their opponent, and then where are we? Fun Fact: Chivas U.S.A. is probably the only team outside of Croatia that has two players named “Ante.”

Seattle Sounders F.C. v. Houston Dynamo (Sunday)

Unlike the above match, this one doesn’t leave me conflicted at all. I have nothing against the Dynamo, but I think that Seattle winning this match and eventually making it to the Cup (where they will lose to New England) would be good- really good- for MLS. While I believe that MLS has moved slowly in the right direction since it was founded, the kick in the pants that the Seattle franchise has provided was long overdue. If Philadelphia (and then Portland and Vancouver) can keep this (sold out stadiums, loyal and vocal supporters, ownership that includes “soccer people,” etc.) going over the next two years MLS can only get better. A Seattle win would also show teams like Houston (and D.C., and Columbus, and Chicago, etc.) that being competitive in this league is going to be a lot harder in the future.

Olympique Lyonnais v. Olympique de Marseille (Sunday)

While it may seem like this is a derby match, it’s not. I know! I just assumed it was too, because, you know, both teams are from big cities and have “Olympique” in their names. Lyon are currently in second place in Ligue 1 and I find this kind of surprising as I have heard of only one player on their roster. Then again, I’ve only heard of three players on the Marseille roster. I have kind of a “thing” for a good football crest, and OM has one of the best there is, plain, simple, and stylish. Fun Fact: Until his death this past July, Robert Louis-Dreyfus was the majority shareholder of Olympique Marseille and one time president of Adidas. He was the cousin of Elaine Benes Julia Louis-Dreyfus of Seinfeld fame. Julia and Robert are also distant relatives of Alfred Dreyfus. Don’t know him? Look it up!!

Chelsea F.C. v. Manchester United F.C. (Sunday)

I hate to admit it, but I’m kind of sick of both of these teams. Okay, I’ve always been sick of Chelsea, but anyway… I think it’s because I’ve grown tired of listening to the “complaints” of teams that, essentially, have everything. It’s getting so that I’d rather watch Burnley, Sunderland, Stoke, or another team who play like they mean it. So, Chelsea lead the Premier League by two points over Manchester United and this or some version of it will likely be the case for the rest of the season, with the occasional threat coming from Arsenal- maybe. In the meantime, I’m going to take the opportunity to learn more about the teams in the bottom half of the EPL. Fun Fact: Chelsea once played a home match wearing red shirts.

Swansea City A.F.C. v. Cardiff City F.C. (Sunday)

It’s the South Wales Derby- between two teams that play…in England! Most likely these are two teams that you’ve only been exposed to when they’ve made a good run in the F.A. Cup, but if you dig a little deeper you’ll see just how many quality players and managers have been produced by these sides in recent history. Among the are Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander (Cardiff), Burnley striker Steven Thompson (Cardiff), current Wigan manager Roberto Martinez (Swansea), current Coventry and former Fulham manager Chris Coleman (Swansea), and, of course, MetroStars “legend” Giovanni Savarese (Swansea). Fun Fact: Some very common surnames that people assume are English, are actually Welsh: Davis (Davies, Davidson, etc.), Jones, Evans, Williams, Thomas, Hughes, Owens, etc..