After a tumultuous last couple of weeks I'm ready to talk soccer with you folks again. It's been awhile since I could just talk about the exciting games that we have been blessed with so far this year. Not to mention the fact that some of these excellent games have been played in front of cameras so we could watch these games even if we aren't in the area where they were happening. Really, have I told anyone lately how much I love this Fox Sports World deal? If you saw Rochester - Charleston a couple of weeks ago or last week's "phoenix" act that was pulled off, in more ways than one, by Hampton Roads against Pittsburgh then you should be just as enthused as I am.
Speaking of the Mariners, go watch this team, people. Ricardo Villar is one of the most exciting players in the A-League when he has the ball at his feet and he's surrounded by a group of hard workers. If they can avoid losing their tempers or getting overly frustrated in a game's waning minutes they will really be a sleeper team for the second half of the season. If they can't tone it down their reputation will precede them wherever they go and cards will be sure to follow.
Then there's the race "down south" with Richmond, Charleston, and Atlanta playing as well as, if not better than, advertised. Atlanta stormed out of the gates to a seemingly commanding lead but then had a slight stumble against the Kickers, which aided the charging Battery. Are you getting this? With Atlanta signing on six former Battery players and Richmond the defending regular season champs this rivalry looks set for a landmark run this year. Of course this triumvirate will also have to fend off a stiff challenge from the Charlotte Eagles who quietly stunned high-flying Rochester earlier this month.
Charleston opened their schedule with early games against some tough opposition in Pittsburgh, Rochester, and Richmond and the experience of playing those sides seems to be paying off. Meanwhile, Richmond and Atlanta have faced stern tests all their own but it is the Battery that have been picked by many to lead this charge from the South.
With a large number of recognizable names filling their roster some believe that this is the team that can knock off Rochester. The question still remains, though, are they the team that can wrestle the trophy away and back to the confines of Blackbaud Stadium? The results so far this year seem to suggest that they can do it… but they are not the firm favorites some would like to believe. After all, Atlanta does have a very talented squad and a coach that can squeeze every ounce out of his men. Then there' s a Richmond club that is still trying to find that missing puzzle piece: how to succeed in the playoffs.
Throughout the rest of the league there's much to enjoy with the unlikely success of clubs like Indiana, Cincinnati, and the as of yet undefeated Seattle Sounders. Both the Riverhawks and Blast have taken up residence in the media's eyes as perennial doormats but this year they are looking to prove a lot of people wrong by putting together some results on the field. Cincinnati will also eventually have their home at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds up and running which promises to be a unique place to visit. I'm sure both clubs have been using all of the negative comments to fire themselves up for this season and it appears that right now either club could slide into playoff contention.
Out West Seattle is riding a perfect start into this weekend's action and if they can keep up this pressure on the chasing pack they could be clear by the midway point in the season. Seattle looks in good shape at the moment but the season is long and anything can happen. If they have some crucial players take knocks or get called up to MLS it could put the Sounders in a precarious position. In the end, though, this team looks like they will contend when the playoffs come around.
Of course there is some bad news mainly in the form of disappointing runs by both Portland and Minnesota. So far this year each team has been far less than convincing despite the Thunder improving by leaps and bounds over last year's start. The Timbers are a whole other story as they can't seem to get going in the right direction. Matt Napoleon has been left all by his lonesome in the back of the defense too many times so far this season to be as effective as possible. At the other end of the field one has to wonder what the strikers are shooting at because it sure doesn't seem to be the opposing goal. Not to mention there are some people whispering about the future of Bobby Howe. Stay tuned.
Overall, there have been a lot of outstanding things to take away from this young season and there's much more that we should all be coming back for throughout the season ahead. It's been extremely good to be able to finally talk about the on-field stuff again now that the situations in Vancouver and Hampton Roads appear to be working themselves out. Hopefully with Bob Lenarduzzi back in town the Whitecaps will begin to settle. As for tonight? I'm going to kick back with a cold beverage and enjoy another great A-League match on the tube thanks to the good folks at Fox Sports World, the USL, and Sportsio. Make sure you tune in to catch Pittsburgh's attempt to break out of their slump against regional rival Rochester tonight unless you're heading out to the park. If you're going out, though, why not set up the VCR?
Send your comments to the author or
Join us to discuss this article at usldiscussions.com
