Welcome to “The Thread” a fair bit of action this weekend as a few of the European leagues brush the snow off their shoulders, and join the UK with a full set of matches.
A bit of news for this weekends games; Carlos Bocanegra will not be playing for Racing Santander this week because of a visa problem, but Racing’s coach assures us that Carlos is now back in training. Michael Bradley will have to watch his step this weekend, he has only one more Yellow Card to go, then he will face a mandatory 1 game ban for accumulated cards.
The early game in the EPL has Tottenham visiting QPR, expect to see Dempsey start, after his 2 goals in the week. Not so certain is Friedel, he started for the FA Cup game in the week, but, unfortunately, that seems to be his position at Spurs, 2nd in the pecking order, so I don’t expect Brad to be starting this weekend. Aston Villa takes on Southampton, in a game that will have relegation implications, Guzan was dropped for the Villains last game, after that disastrous holiday patch, and could find himself on the bench again today, Eric Lichaj has solidified his position in the Villa defense who are really struggling this season. Tim Howard should start for Everton as they welcome Swansea to Goodison Road, Tim’s numbers are not as good as previous seasons with the Blues, he will need to show his stuff, to maintain his #1 spot, especially with the January window open. We will also be following West Ham’s adventures as they visit Sunderland. Hoping that Sebastien Lletget get a chance. Stoke will host Chelsea this week – I think this is SoccerOverThere.com GOTW. Maurice Edu looks to be heading out on loan, so Geoff Cameron will be, as he has all season, the lone American.It will be a mighty test for Geoff with likely Hazard playing on his flank, if not, Mata. Hazard fast, Mata a ballerina. Good luck to Geoff. Outside of the EPL, we have other English action from the Championship and League One.
The weekend will also see matches from Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Italy amongst others. Malaga host Barcelona, Roma visit Catania and Racing Santander visit Hercules on Sunday. So stay with us for the weekend, chat, debate or just plain, give your opinion as we follow our US players overthere………
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In Israel
Ironi Kiryat Shmona 1 – 1 Hapoel Haifa (90)
Maccabi Netanya 2 – 0 Ashdod (90)
In the Club Friendlies Today:
Essen 0 – 1 Mainz 05
Genclerbirligi 1 – 1 AZ Alkmaar (Game Abandoned)
Wolfsburg 5 – 1 Hertha
Nurnberg 3 – 1 Mons
Hannover 1 – 2 Utrecht
Full Time in Israel
Ironi Kiryat Shmona 1 – 1 Hapoel Haifa
Maccabi Netanya 2 – 0 Ashdod
OK that’s it for me today
Don’t forget a full menu of Mexican later today (including Howie’s Pick, Tijuana v Leon)
Not a lot of American games tomorrow, will Gooch play for Malaga against Barca?? will Bradley stay out of the book ?
I will be here off and on to see what the answers will be and to track any other games I can find.
Thanks for the follows today, it was an interesting day, despite the EPL
good chat good opinions.
See you tomorrow
cheers
Good Morning all, lets see what has happened so far today.
Racing Santander are missing Carlos Bocanegra, they will be happy for his defensive skills in their next match. But today, without Carlos they fell 2 – 0 to Hercules in Spain’s Segunda Division.
Alex Smith played the final 17minutes in Wellington’s 2 – 0 loss to Western Sydney in Australia’s A League.
Michael Bradley and Roma are visiting Catania in Italy’s Serie A. The game is in progress,and scoreless after 25 minutes
NON USOT: Half Time at Old Trafford where Manchester United are leading Liverpool 1 – 0 on a goal by RVP in the 17th minute.
Half Time in Catania:
Catania 0 – 0 Roma
NON USOT: Second Half at Old Trafford where Manchester United are leading Liverpool 2 – 1 on goals by RVP (17) and Evra (54). Sturridge has scored for Liverpool (57)
In England’s League One, Frank Simek is starting for Carlisle as they welcome visitors Coventry.
No changes (so far) for Roma as they start the second half in Catania
Carlisle get off to a fast start (2)
Carlisle 1 – 0 Coventry (9)
Frank Simek gets the ASSIST on Carlisle’s first goal
Score Update:
Catania 1 – 0 Roma (63)
Carlisle 1 – 0 Coventry (20)
NON USOT:
Manchester United extend their EPL lead with a 2 – 1 win over Liverpool.
Score Update:
Catania 1 – 0 Roma (75)
Carlisle 1 – 0 Coventry (33)
That’s it in Catania. Roma and Michael Bradley don’t get it done today, losing 1 – 0. A disappointing result for Roma who will fail to move into one of Serie A European Play positions
Half Time in Carlisle where the home team lead 1 – 0 on a goal assisted by Frank Simek
Carlisle 1 – 0 Coventry
It’s a pretty slow day today – but don’t forget we still have Malaga v Barcelona later today.
Second Half under way at Carlisle
60 Minute Score Update:
Carlisle 1 – 0 Coventry
NON USOT:
Arsenal and Manchester City are going at it
Red Card Koscielny (Arsenal) – Dzeko misses resulting penalty.
Milner scores for City (21) and Manchester City lead Arsenal 1 – 0 and are keeping the distance between them and United at 7 points
James Milner’s goal for Man City. is the 1st EPL goal(for City) at Arsenal since DaMarcus Beasley in 2007.
Score Update:
Carlisle 1 – 0 Coventry (75)
Wow!
Non USOT:
City double down – Dzeko gets Man City 2nd goal – Arsenal are in big trouble
On the day that Manchester City last won at Arsenal in the league, David Essex took over at #1 from Rod Stewart.
(Psy of Gangnam fame wasn’t even born).1991 – 17 games.
Carlisle get through 6 minutes of ET, and hold on for a valuable 1 – 0 win v Coventry.
Frank Simek assists on Carlisle’s goal
Well done Frank!
No US OT matches until later when Malaga takes on Barcelona…time to rest
DeMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco both starting for Puebla in Liga MX
DeMarcus Beasley goes 68, M Orozco goes 90 in a 1 – 1 draw
Oguchi Onyewu in 18 for Malaga, doesn’t look like he will make the field, as Barcelona hold a 2 – 0 lead over Malaga, with 15 minutes to go.
Malaga 0 – 3 Barcelona (87)
Subs are done for Malaga – no Oguchi Onyewu
Guess he is just for Cup games and Friendlies.
Needs Playing Time!!!!!
OK, Malaga get one back
Malaga 1 – 3 Barcelona (88)
That’s a final in Spain
Malaga 1 – 3 Barcelona
and…
That’s a final for me as well!
Promised to be an exciting weekend, ended up being slow, and sometimes quite boring (thanks EPL)
Thank you for joining SoccerOverThere.com for this weeks “The Thread” I enjoyed the chat on Saturday and the differing opinions. Sunday was slow, but with so few games I guess that’s understandable.
Waiting to hear if Stuart Holden will play on Tuesday, if so, see you then, otherwise I’ll be here next weekend for the Weekend Commentary Thread.
Cheers