The Yorkies' Regular Features

Starting 11       The Word       The Matchup       After 90       The South Stand Report

Friday, July 31, 2009

Match Preview: New England And Some Old England Too

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION VS. TORONTO FC
Gillette Stadium ("The Best a Man Can Get") - Saturday 7:30PM EST
TV: GOL-TV

Personally, I'm partial to the old version of England. New England... it's like New Coke. Travel tips aside, it's time for The Reds to once again invade Boston (see what I did there?) as TFC take on The Revolution. A key matchup with major playoff implications against a team who is trudging through mediocrity much like Toronto. The Revs should really be a major rival to TFC but its never really felt that way. Oh well - TEA PARTY!!!

NEW ENGLAND REVS -6-5-5 23 pts - 5 in EAST (11th Overall)
The Revs have had a slow start to the season much to the chagrin of manager Steve Nichol who is truly one of MLS's all-time great managers. They have managed to steer the ship in the right direction lately and are in the midst of a streak that has seen them not allow a goal in 352 minutes. That's 3 shutouts for the solid GK Matt Reis and a strong showing for the back four. TFC might catch a break as NER has caught the injury bug and will be without offensive force Taylor Twellman who has concussion isssues as well as a possible miss for talented MF Shalrie Joseph. Without those two, the Revs may very well depend on that scoreless streak.

TORONTO FC -7-5-7 26 pts - 4th in EAST (9th Overall)
So far, the week that could "make or break" TFC's season is breaking - and not in a cool Electric Boogaloo way. Losses to Columbus and the dreadful mess against Puerto Rico have exposed big holes in Toronto's defence and offence. Oh, and the midfield and goalkeeping are shaky too. So...no major worries then. Chris Cummins must find a way of making Ali Gerba the hitman for this team and pick an offensive strategy once and for all. If not, the mid-season wall is going to make us East Berlin. Attakora, Serioux and Guevara will all be game day decisions. Julian De Guzman will not be dressing for the Reds - until he is 33 years old.


_________________________________________________________

In an aside from the silliness that is this site sometimes, The Yorkies would like to briefly make note and honour the passing of Sir Bobby Robson. The great manager was a true giant of football and passed away at the age of 76 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

------------------------Sir Bobby Robson 1933-2009 RIP

1 comment:

  1. Yes a very sad day, not only for English football but the game as a whole.

    Sir Bobby was a well loved, respected and professional football manager who dedicated his life to making football better. He fought his battle with cancer with the same level of comitment as he did to the game, nothing less than 100%, which makes his passing even harder to swallow.

    I had the very great pleasure to meet with Sir Bobby on numerous occasions, not only at Portman road but socially as well and he was without doubt one of the nicest people I have ever had the honor to meet.

    While driving past Portman Road stadium earlier today I noted that the road which passes his statue had been closed off to all traffic. I decided to park up and see why. As I approached his statue I noted that a fan has carefully draped an Ipswich Town scarf around Sir Bobbys neck and at his feet a sea of floral tributes had been placed. Such is the respect for Sir Bobby in the town a constant stream of supporters have visited the site since early yesterday to pay their respects.

    There is little more one can say about this icon of football, yet to the people of Ipswich they loose a much loved football manager who took the team to both the FA and European cup finals. To those supporters of the Engliah national team we loose a manager who produced one of the best international squads we have ever seen.

    Sir Bobby Robson - A true gentleman, exceptional manager.

    Keith - Earl of Mendlesham

    ReplyDelete