This weekend was one of those unfortunate ones where the Direct Kick broadcast is from MSG. This means I am treated to Shep Messing, who is a die hard homer for the MetroBulls, no matter how gawdawful or thuggish they are. There are times where I wonder if a Red Bulls player pulled out a morning star and beat an opposing goalkeeper to within an inch of his life Shep would just say, “At worst a free kick…”
Anyhoo, Shep has a halftime rant. In this one, he complained about the new ball. He threw in a couple of shots at low skill preening forwards who now look good because of the weird travel of the ball. It’s been said by others, but you half expected someone to show up to whipe the froth from his mouth. It was like listening to a fan complain about some obscure rule change that no one else would care about. Which, I suppose, is what it was.
Shep had two other parts of his rant. He doesn’t think Shalrie Joseph gets his props. I agree with that. I don’t know how if it’s the league or the penumbra of agents, sponsors and reporters, but it seems that the “star” system we have has little to do with on field performance (Beckham) or actual popularity among fans (Donovan). Actually, Shep, I’d like to see Joseph ignored a bit more. More of him for us.
Part three of Shep’s rant, and possibly the most beautiful: he thought that David Beckham is wasting his time playing for the Galaxy. More than that, he actually suggested that the Galaxy fold so Beckham could play for Chivas USA (!). Even a Galaxy basher like me hasn’t suggested that.
Okay: the game. A couple of things I noticed. Jozy Altidore’s goal rocked. I wish it wasn’t against the Revs, but hey. No biggie, he won’t be there by the time the Revs play New York again, right?
You are a man and a goal up, what do you do? Oh yeah, dribble the ball around to give the other team time to close on your players while putting nearly no pressure on the defense. Sounds like a fantastic idea.
