Avoiding the Drop

What were you doing at age 16?

New England Revolution v. Columbus Crew (Saturday)

The big news last week should have been the debut of the Rev’s first “DP,” Milton Caraglio, but it wasn’t. Instead, the Argentine had his spotlight stolen- much to his chagrin, I’d imagine- by a Uruguayan. 16 year old Diego Fagundez, the first product of the club’s youth academy to make his senior debut. Fagundez entered the match in the 66^th minute, drew a penalty kick two minutes later (which Shalrie Joseph converted), and scored a goal of his own in the 86 minute- and it was a peach. Getting back to Caraglio, he looked okay and will look better when Lekic returns. Guess what? While we were all watching the Red Bulls and the Union battling for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Crew slipped in and took it over. “Slow and steady” may just win this race after all.

Ross County F.C. v. Hamilton Academical F.C. (Saturday)

The Staggies face their first away match of the season as they travel down to the Central Belt to face the Accies at New Douglas Park. Though most supporters would be happy with an “away point” from this match, they’d feel a lot better about the situation if the draw included a goal or two from County. Another 0-0 result is going to trigger more not-so-favorable memories of last season’s offensive woes. As most clubs do, Hamilton has a former Ross County player on their books- defender Martin Canning began his career at County and remained there for seven seasons, making 132 appearances. Fun Fact: Despite being relegated from the SPL just last season I have yet to see a single pundit or publication pick Hamilton as favorites to win the First Division and regain their spot in the top flight next year.

Queen’s Park Rangers F.C. v. Bolton Wanderers F.C. (Saturday)

I’m pleased to report that this match will go ahead as scheduled, despite the recent unrest in London. It would have been unfortunate for the club’s first top flight match in 15 years to have been postponed under such tragic circumstances. We’ll save the the-club-is-less-than-committed-to-staying-in-the-Premier-League attitude at a later date. If you’re an American do you just not care at all about Bolton unless Stuart Holden is playing? I take that back, I really like Jussi Jääskeläinen- a massively underrated goalkeeper in my opinion. You don’t play 500+ times for the same club if you’re only “average.” Fun Fact: QPR’s Loftus Road replaces Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road as the smallest stadium in the Premier League. Fun Fact 2: Yes, I am old enough to remember the first time QPR were in the Premiership.

Philadelphia Union v. F.C. Dallas (Saturday)

The rumors are changing minute-by-minute, but according to the most recent one by the time you read this Freddy Adu will be a member of the Philadelphia Union. If it is true, I’m not sure I understand it. Freddy had, by all accounts, his best season in years with Turkey’s Çaykur Rizespor last year, so why would he leave? Whatever the reasoning, if he does return to MLS and with the Union, he will make them a better club and he will be reunited with his first professional coach, Piotr Nowak. The other second place club in this match, F.C. Dallas, better treasure their remaining time with “defender” (he has nine goals!) Brek Shea. Based on his play in MLS and what is sure to be a growing USMNT role under Jurgen Klinsmann, I can’t see him not getting multiple offers to move overseas in the fall.

Wigan Athletic F.C. v. Norwich City F.C. (Saturday)

Yes, I also remember the last time the Canaries of Norwich City played in the Premier League. So, moving on… Of the clubs who were promoted from the Championship last year Norwich may have the most “anonymous” roster of the three. Chances are you’ve only heard of two players- “American” Zak Whitbread (who you may actually see play for the U.S.A. now that there is “new ownership”) and James Vaughn, a frequent substitute during his career at Everton. Beyond that there will be a lot of new names and faces to learn. Wigan will hope to get their season off to a good start against the Premier League newbies- there was nothing fun about their flirtation with relegation last season. Fun Fact: Norwich skipper Paul Lambert was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

Sporting K.C. v. Los Angeles Galaxy (Saturday)

Normally I would not have a lot invested in a match between two clubs I do not support, but wouldn’t it be interesting if Sporting were to win this match? There’s little chance that L.A. will fail to win the Western Conference, but it would be nice to know that, going into the playoffs, there was an Eastern Conference club who “had their number.” It’s not that I don’t think NY, Columbus, or Philly could do it, but there’s nothing like increasing the odds! It probably won’t happen, but the more competition the better, I say! Fun Fact: If Jurgen Klinsmann continues to let L.A.’s Landon Donovan “run free” during international matches the second half of his USMNT career may be even better than the first. Fun Fact 2: Will this be the week that Sporting K.C.’s collegiate star Soony Saad makes his MLS debut?

Alkmaar Zaanstreek v. F.C. Twente ’65 (Saturday)

Did you hear who scored on his debut for AZ in their 3-1 victory over PSV last weekend? That’s right, Josmer Volmy Altidore! Let’s not get carried away, but as I said last week, the one thing that AZ said when they signed him is that the he was expected to start and he was expected to score. So far, so good. Twente, winners of the cup double last year and league runners-up, will be looking to challenge for the league again as they adjust to life under new coach Co Adriaanse.  Adriaanse replaced Belgian legend Michel Preud’homme who left the club after one very successful season to take over as the manager of Saudi Arabian Premier League side Al-Shabab- I wonder how you say “PAY DAY!!” in French? Fun Fact: AZ has a Swedish midfielder named Pontus Anders Mikael Wernbloom- that’s pretty awesome.

Manchester City F.C. v. Swansea City A.F.C. (Monday)

I know it’s a Monday match, but I couldn’t leave the third of the newly-promoted teams out of the preview, could I? Furthermore, I don’t like Swansea any more than Norwich or QPR, but of the three I would LOVE to see the Swans pull the upset in this match. First, I don’t like Citeh at all (except Shaun Wright-Phillips, I like him). Second, this season will probably determine whether Scottish forward Stephen Dobbie can get his international career off the ground and whether fellow forward Craig Beattie can resurrect his, and playing for a winning team with help both players. Fun Fact: Which City player is going to implode first: Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, or Nigel de Jong? My guess? de Jong takes out Balotelli with a Wushu xuan zi, or as the cuddly de Jong likes to call it, a “butterfly kick.”