The Sports Freak and Big Money Tony recap Redskins vs Cardinals and talk about Capitals Convention weekend including the alumni game and the convention itself.
You can find our podcast on iTunes. All the episodes are there and new ones will be published there. Subscribe so you automatically get it by clicking on the iTunes button on the top right.
The Sports Freak and Big Money Tony discuss Redskins vs Giants, Terps vs WVU, and ACC Expansion
You can find our podcast on iTunes. All the episodes are there and new ones will be published there. Subscribe so you automatically get it by clicking on the iTunes button on the top right.
Opening Kick: Bittersweet
Regular readers of Set Pieces will remember the Rust vs. Rest quagmire that was looming for DC United this weekend. Well just the people that actually read my articles, which I heard as of now has grown to three, me my fiancé and some guy in New York. That's right, what up New York? Anyways, Rest vs. Rust refers to the fact that DC United had nearly three weeks off following hurricane Irene.
Those twenty days off seemed to rejuvenate United as they turned in one of their most complete performances of the season defeating Chivas USA 3-0. I actually saw rust chipping off of Andy Najar as he menaced the Chivas defense bolting down the right flank time after time. United improved their stellar road record to 5-4-4 on the season and gave the United faithful reason to belief that a three year playoff drought may be over.
Now we get to the bittersweet portion of Set Pieces. First the sweet, remember that guy who was re-writing his redemption story after a near fatal car crash near RFK? You know he used to play for the National team and came to DC seeking a fresh start? It's okay if you don't, because the Charlie Davies that started the season scoring eight goals seemed to disappear as of late. Davies has been hampered with reoccurring injuries for much of the season and at times seemed to not have his head where his heart was. That all changed on Saturday as Davies reminded us just how deadly he can be scoring a hat trick and jumping to third place in the race for golden boot. (Author's Note: Golden Boot refers to the guy who scores the most goals in a season).
Before I could even text my buddy about the Davies 'hatty', something bitter crept into my mouth. Chris Pontius, who notched two assists in the game, and who was recently training with the US National team, suffered a season ending leg injury. I know, I know, just when you think it safe to talk playoffs, enter the jinx. Seeing Pontius stretchered off the field really bothered me, here was a guy who was finally blossoming in to a top notch player and it's all over, at least for this year. Initially my gut reaction is to panic, the seasons over, no playoffs, but then I let it marinate a bit. This United team is pretty deep; on the attacking side we still have Najar, Santino Quaranta, Dwayne De, Davies and Josh Wolff. The defense seeming to finally be jelling and Bill Hamid is a solid number one keeper. We'll miss you Pontius, but what doesn't kill, makes you stronger.
United sits in 5th place in the East, but has only played 25 games, two and in some cases three less games than the rest of the East. So there is plenty of time to make up points and move up the conference ladder.
NEXT UP: This Saturday, September 17, in another roadie against the Seattle Sounders (2nd in the West).
At the half: EPL TIME!
It's only week four of the EPL season and I'm already starting to come to some solid conclusions:
The Sports Freak and Big Money Tony talk Terps basketball recruiting, Terps vs Miami, Redskins, Peyton Manning, the NFL opener, and the Terps new uniforms.
You can find our podcast on iTunes. All the episodes are there and new ones will be published there. Subscribe so you automatically get it by clicking on the iTunes button on the top right.
Opening Kick: Rust vs. Rest
DC United will make their return to the pitch after three weeks with little time to shake the cobwebs off. With only nine games remaining, United find themselves in a log jammed Eastern Conference sitting in the six spot only nine points behind Conference leaders Columbus. DC faces each of the top three teams in the East during the final two months of the season giving them ample opportunity to make up points. The key to United making a strong playoff push comes down to the age old debate of REST vs. RUST.
Three weeks is a long time off, especially in a sport dominated by fitness and endurance. A few of the players got a chance to play internationally over this past week, but for the most part the core of United's lineup has been playing tiddlywinks. Coming down the stretch it's good to have fresh legs, but soccer like all teams sports thrives on continuity and repetition. Another thing to think about is going from 0-90 could lead to some pulls and strains, and injuries during the final two months would no doubt finish off any playoff hopes.
NEXT GAME: Saturday 10pm DC UNITED vs. SAN JOSE COMCAST SPORTSNET
At the Half: Baby Come Back
Who makes the schedule for the EPL? It's so erratic. First they start the season in mid-August with the transfer window closing at the end of the month. So for about two weeks we think we know the teams we are routing for, but then two weeks later right before the window closes everyone makes moves. In some cases you have completely different teams then the ones you had two weeks ago. Hang on, here comes the weirdest part. So you have all these new guys coming in, they have a new system to learn, new teammates to meet and new digs to navigate, and all the sudden it's International Break Time. So all those new players, most of which play on their respective National teams, don't even play for another full week.
I mean just writing all of this is giving me a headache. It makes no sense to cram all of this in at once, why not close the transfer window the day before the season starts. Right now the first two weeks of the season have somewhat of a pre-season feel, but they count as real games. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills or maybe it's that I'm not thinking EUROPEAN.
The Maryland Terrapins beat the Miami Hurricanes in the rain 32-24. There was a "theme" for the fans to follow depending on where your seats where. The white section, which was mostly students, used this shirt.
Quality wasn't great due to the rain, but I think we get the idea. More in our podcast later this week.
The Sports Freak and Big Money Tony talk Redskins 53, Terps football and basketball and Unfinished Business.
You can find our podcast on iTunes. All the episodes are there and new ones will be published there. Subscribe so you automatically get it by clicking on the iTunes button on the top right.
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