Monday, August 24, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 1

Welcome back to the KHL, the Russian-based hockey league that provides high-level hockey to Europe. We begin with one game on the opening day of the season, with...

SKA St. Petersburg hosting CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Mikko Koskinen protect the nets. Moscow got going in the second period with an Alexander Radulov goal, assisted by Jan Mursak and Igor Ozhiganov. St. Petersburg tied it on a Joakim Lindstrom goal, fueled by Dmitry Yudin. CSKA retook the lead as Nikita Zaitsev scored a power play goal, thanks to Geoff Platt. SKA retied it on a Maxim Chudinov goal, coming off of Anton Belov and Vadim Shipachyov on the power play. Moscow pulled ahead again in the third period with an Ozhiganov goal, made possible by Ivan Telegin. St. Petersburg tied it again with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Shipachyov. CSKA won 4-3 in overtime on a Platt goal. The three stars belonged to Platt, Ozhiganov, and Shipachyov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 25

Another nine-game week this time around, beginning on Friday with...

The Portland Timbers hosting the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are in goal. Houston's Oscar Garcia had a yellow card for a thirty-second minute foul. The Dynamo began with a fortieth minute Garcia goal, passed from Will Bruin. Houston added on in the forty-fifth minute as Bruin scored, thanks to Brad Davis. The Dynamo saw a yellow card for a Luis Garrido foul in the seventy-third minute. Portland got on the board with a seventy-sixth minute goal by Darlington Nagbe, via Lucas Melano. The Timbers tied it in the eighty-sixth minute when Melano scored, with the help of Diego Valeri. Portland went down to ten men in stoppage time as Diego Chara received a straight red card for his foul. The score held at 2-2, with Melano as the man of the match for hauling the Timbers to a draw.

The first of seven games on Saturday features Toronto FC welcoming Orlando City SC. Tally Hall and Chris Konopka are the goalies. Toronto saw a yellow card for a twenty-third minute foul by Sebastian Giovinco. Orlando City had a yellow card for a thirtieth minute foul by Servando Carrasco. In the thirty-sixth minute, Orlando City went down to ten men when Rafael Ramos picked up a straight red card for his foul. Orlando City took another yellow card for a Kaka foul in the thirty-ninth minute. Toronto's Ahmed Kantari had a yellow card for a forty-second minute foul. Toronto got going in the forty-sixth minute with a Marco Delgado goal, assisted by Michael Bradley. Orlando City's Adrian Winter took a yellow card for a fifty-sixth minute foul. Toronto added on in the fifty-seventh minute with a Giovinco goal. Toronto extended the lead with a Justin Morrow goal in the seventy-first minute, assisted by Bradley and Giovinco. In the eighty-second minute, Orlando City went down to nine men when Winter committed his second yellow card-worthy foul in the penalty area, earning himself an ejection. Jozy Altidore converted the penalty kick in the next minute to pad the Toronto lead. Orlando City saw a yellow card for an eighty-fourth minute foul by Cristian Higuita. Toronto kept the attack going with an Altidore goal set up by Robbie Findley and Bradley in the eighty-fifth minute. This made it a 5-0 final score, with Bradley's three assists earning him man of the match honors.

Next up, DC United brings in the San Jose Earthquakes. Andrew Dykstra and David Bingham are the gloved men. San Jose opened with a fourth minute goal by Chris Wondolowski. The Earthquakes added on as Shea Salinas scored in the fifty-second minute, with the help of Quincy Amarikwa. San Jose's Anibal Godoy took a yellow card in the ninetieth minute for time wasting. The final remained at 2-0, with the man of the match being Bingham for a four-save clean sheet.

West to Columbus, as the Crew SC host Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Steve Clark are between the posts. Kansas City began in the fourteenth minute on a Marcel de Jong goal, via Saad Abdul-Salaam and Dominic Dwyer. Sporting's Dwyer took a yellow card for a thirty-third minute foul. Columbus tied it on an Ethan Finlay goal in the thirty-fifth minute, coming off of Kei Kamara. In the thirty-ninth minute, Jimmy Medranda of Kansas City had a yellow card for his foul. Sporting retook the lead in the sixty-second minute with a Graham Zusi goal, passed from Matt Besler. Mikey Lopez of Kansas City took a yellow card for his foul in the seventy-ninth minute. The Crew tied it on an eightieth minute goal by Tony Tchani, courtesy of Tyson Wahl and Federico Higuain. Columbus took the lead in the eighty-eighth minute on a goal by Jack McInerney. The Crew's McInerney took a yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time, but they still won 3-2. The man of the match was McInerney for his winner.

Up in Montreal, the Impact welcome the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake is mismatched with Evan Bush in goal. Montreal had a yellow card given to Marco Donadel in the twenty-fifth minute for a foul. Philadelphia's Fabinho took a yellow card for his seventy-third minute foul. The Union dented the scoreboard in the seventy-eighth minute on a Sebastien Le Toux goal, made possible by Eric Ayuk Mbu and C.J. Sapong. In stoppage time, the Impact's Dominic Oduro took a yellow card for dissent. The final remained at 1-0, with Blake named man of the match for a clean sheet with four saves.

Back stateside, the Chicago Fire bring in the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Sean Johnson are the veteran keepers. Colorado got a dream start on a Dillon Serna goal in the first minute, courtesy of Gabriel Torres and Kevin Doyle. In the tenth minute, Irwin of the Rapids took a yellow card for a handball outside the box. Chicago had a yellow card for a Jeff Larentowicz foul in the thirty-fifth minute. The Fire saw a yellow card go to Patrick Nyarko for a fifty-first minute foul. In the eighty-second minute, Colorado had a yellow card for a foul by Drew Moor. The Rapids' Torres took a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-ninth minute. The final held at 1-0, with the man of the match being Irwin for his four-save clean sheet.

Northwest to Vancouver, as the Whitecaps FC host FC Dallas. Jose Gonzalez and David Ousted protect the nets. Vancouver had a yellow card go to Cristian Techera in the twenty-fourth minute, for a foul. The Whitecaps led off in the thirty-second minute as Techera redeemed himself with a goal, via Kekuta Manneh. Dallas had a yellow card go to Atiba Harris in the thirty-fifth minute for his foul. Vancouver took a yellow card when Christian Dean received a yellow card for his eighty-fifth minute foul. The final stood at 1-0, and Techera was the man of the match for his critical goal.

Rounding out Saturday, Real Salt Lake welcomes the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Nick Rimando tend the nets. Salt Lake struck first in the twelfth minute on a Javier Morales penalty kick goal. Real added on with a Sebastian Jaime goal in the nineteenth minute. In the twenty-fifth minute, Erik Friberg of Seattle received a yellow card for dissent. In the thirty-ninth minute, the Sounders' Andy Rose took a yellow card for a foul. Seattle saw a yellow card given to Oniel Fisher in the fiftieth minute for his foul. Salt Lake's Olmes Garcia took a yellow card for his eighty-third minute foul. Real took a yellow card for time wasting by Tony Beltran in stoppage time. The final remained at 2-0, with the man of the match being Morales for his game-winner.

The week finishes with the Los Angeles Galaxy bringing in New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Donovan Ricketts will play in goal. Los Angeles got going with a thirty-sixth minute goal by Gyasi Zardes, made possible by Robbie Keane and Juninho. In the fifty-fourth minute, the Galaxy added on with a Keane goal, passed from Giovani dos Santos. Los Angeles extended the lead on a dos Santos goal in the sixty-seventh minute, via Keane. The Galaxy padded the lead with a Sebastian Lletget goal in the seventieth minute, assisted by Steven Gerrard and Zardes. In the eightieth minute, David Villa got New York City on the board with a penalty kick goal. Los Angeles shot right back with a Keane goal in the eighty-first minute, set up by Robbie Rogers and Lletget. New York City's Ned Grabavoy took a yellow card in the eighty-third minute for a foul. The final stood at 5-1, with Keane's two-pair of a brace and two assists earning him man of the match honors. 

Thursday, August 20, 2015

MLS Midweek Games August 20, 2015

Two games on in midweek for MLS action, beginning with...

Columbus Crew SC hosting New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Steve Clark are in goal. Columbus led off with a Kei Kamara goal in the twenty-fourth minute, with the help of Ethan Finlay. New York City saw a yellow card for David Villa in the fifty-first minute for a foul. New York City tied the game on a Kwadwo Poku goal in the fifty-seventh minute, set up by Villa. New York City took the lead on a Poku goal, via Andrew Jacobson and Andrea Pirlo. In the seventy-second minute, Cedrick of the Crew tied the game with his goal, coming off of Kamara. New York City had yellow cards in stoppage time for time wasting by Saunders and a foul by Andoni Iraola. The final stood at 2-2, with Poku named the man of the match.

Over in Kansas City, Sporting hosts the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Tim Melia man the nets. San Jose began in the third minute on a Cordell Cato goal, from Shea Salinas. The Earthquakes added on with a seventeenth minute Chris Wondolowski penalty kick goal. San Jose extended the lead as Anibal Godoy scored in the twenty-seventh minute, via Quincy Amarikwa. The Earthquakes padded the lead on a Cato goal in the fifty-eighth minute, courtesy of Salinas. San Jose kept going on a Wondolowski goal in the sixty-first minute, made possible by Fatai Alashe. Kansas City went down to ten men when Benny Feilhaber was sent off with a straight red card for denying a goal scoring opportunity in the seventy-first minute. In the seventy-fourth minute, Krisztian Nemeth took a yellow card for his foul. The final stood at 5-0, with Cato the man of the match for a brace in the run of play.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, August 17, 2015

2015/16 Premier League Week 2

The second round of games gets going on Friday, beginning with...

Aston Villa hosting Manchester United. Sergio Romero and Brad Guzan man the nets. Manchester United opened in the twenty-ninth minute on an Adnan Januzaj goal, assisted by Juan Mata. In the seventy-first minute, Jordan Ayew took a yellow card for Aston Villa. Manchester United had a pair of yellow cards given to Ander Herrera in the seventy-fourth minute and Matteo Darmian in the eighty-fourth minute, both for fouls. In stoppage time, Idrissa Gueye of Aston Villa received a yellow card for his foul. Manchester United took the game 1-0.

On Saturday, things get going with Southampton welcoming Everton. Tim Howard and Maarten Stekelenburg are in goal. Southampton had a yellow card given to Matt Targett in the sixth minute for a foul. In the twenty-second minute, Everton struck first on a Romelu Lukaku goal, passed from Arouna Kone. Graziano Pelle of Southampton received a yellow card for a thirty-eighth minute foul. Everton added on in the forty-fifth minute with another Lukaku goal, assisted by Ross Barkley. Southampton's Oriel Romeu took a yellow card for his forty-ninth minute foul. In the seventy-fifth minute, James McCarthy of Everton took a yellow card for a foul. Southampton had another yellow card assessed to Steven Davis in the seventy-seventh minute for his foul. Everton extended the lead with a Barkley goal in the eighty-fourth minute, made possible by Seamus Coleman. This produced the 3-0 Everton win.

Along to Sunderland bringing in Norwich City. John Ruddy and Costel Pantilimon are in the six-yard boxes. Norwich City took a yellow card for a seventh minute foul by Sebastien Bassong. Sunderland's Jeremain Lens took a yellow card for his ninth minute foul. Norwich City led off with a twenty-sixth minute goal by Russell Martin. Norwich City added on in the thirty-seventh minute with a Steven Whittaker goal, passed from Wes Hoolahan. In the forty-eighth minute, Alexander Tettey of Norwich City received a yellow card for a foul. Norwich City extended their lead in the fifty-seventh minute on a Nathan Redmond goal, coming off of Hoolahan. Sunderland got on the board in the eighty-eighth minute on a Duncan Watmore goal. The final favored Norwich City 3-1.

Out in Wales, Swansea City hosts Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Lukasz Fabianski are the gloved men. In the ninth minute, Swansea City started on a Bafetimbi Gomis goal, assisted by Jonjo Shelvey. Newcastle United took a yellow card for a Daryl Janmaat foul in the seventeenth minute. In the forty-first minute, Janmaat picked up another yellow card for a foul, putting Newcastle United at ten men as he was ejected. In the forty-ninth minute, Andre Ayew took a yellow card for his foul for Swansea City. Ayew made up for his transgression with a fifty-second minute goal to add onto the Swansea City lead, with the help of Jefferson Montero. Swansea City's Kyle Naughton took a yellow card in the sixty-first minute for a foul. In the eighty-fourth minute, Aleksandar Mitrovic took a yellow card for Newcastle United. The final stood at 2-0 Swansea City.

Into London, where Tottenham Hotspur welcomes Stoke City. Jack Butland and Hugo Lloris are between the posts. Stoke City had a yellow card given to Glenn Whelan in the eighth minute for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur was first to score in the nineteenth minute on an Eric Dier goal, passed from Christian Eriksen. In the twenty-fourth minute, Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur took a yellow card for a foul. In first half stoppage time, Nacer Chadli added on for Tottenham Hotspur, with a goal guided in by Ben Davies. In the forty-eighth minute, Tottenham Hotspur's Davies took a yellow card for his foul. At the seventy-three minute mark, Marc Muniesa of Stoke City took a yellow card for a foul. Stoke City got on the board with a seventy-eighth minute Marko Arnautovic penalty kick goal. In the eighty-third minute, Stoke City tied it with a Mame Biram Diouf goal, via Stephen Ireland.

Continuing along, Watford brings in West Bromwich Albion. Boaz Myhill and Heurelho Gomes are the oddly named goalies. Jonas Olsson of West Bromwich Albion had the first yellow card of the game in the thirty-first minute for his foul. West Bromwich Albion saw another yellow card for Rickie Lambert's sixty-sixth minute foul. Watford had a yellow card given to Nyom in stoppage time. The final stood at 0-0.

Rounding out Saturday, West Ham United hosts Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and Adrian are the veteran goalies. In the eleventh minute, Jamie Vardy of Leicester City had a yellow card for his foul. In the twenty-seventh minute, Leicester City dented the scoreboard on a Shinji Okazaki goal. Leicester City added on with a Riyad Mahrez goal, passed from Marc Albrighton. In the fortieth minute, Carl Jenkinson of West Ham United took a yellow card for his foul. Okazaki of Leicester City received a yellow card in the fifty-fourth minute for a foul. In the fifty-fifth minute, West Ham United got on the board with a Dimitri Payet goal, assisted by Cheikhou Kouyate. Leicester City saw a yellow card for Yohan Benalouane in the eighty-eighth minute for a foul. West Ham United finished the game at ten men when their goalie Adrian was sent off in stoppage time. The final stood at 2-1 for Leicester City.

On Sunday, the first game has Crystal Palace welcoming Arsenal. Petr Cech and Alex McCarthy man the nets. Arsenal led off with a sixteenth minute Olivier Giroud goal, passed from Mesut Ozil. In the twenty-eighth minute, Joel Ward tied it for Crystal Palace, with his goal coming off of James McArthur. In the forty-first minute, Francis Coquelin of Arsenal had a yellow card for a foul. Crystal Palace saw a yellow card for a McArthur foul in first half stoppage time. Arsenal took the lead back in the fifty-fifth minute as Crystal Palace's Damien Delaney put the ball in his own net. Arsenal took the game 2-1.

Ending Sunday, Manchester City brings in Chelsea. Asmir Begovic and Joe Hart are the keepers. Manchester City got going at the thirty-one minute mark with a Sergio Aguero goal, passed from Yaya Toure. In the thirty-third minute, Vincent Kompany of Manchester City had a yellow card for his foul, as did teammate Fernandinho in first half stoppage time. In the forty-eighth minute, Branislav Ivanovic took a yellow card for a foul. Manchester City had a yellow card go to Toure in the fifty-first minute. Manchester City added onto their lead on a Kompany goal, made possible by David Silva. Chelsea's Eden Hazard took a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-first minute. Manchester City extended the lead with a Fernandinho goal, via Silva. In second half stoppage time, Manchester City's Eliaquim Mangala received a yellow card for his foul. The final stood at 3-0 for Manchester City. 

Finally, on Monday, Liverpool hosts Bournemouth. Artur Boruc and Simon Mignolet handle the goalkeeping duties. Liverpool was first to score on a Christian Benteke goal in the twenty-sixth minute, via Jordan Henderson. In the thirty-fourth minute, Bournemouth's Eunan O'Kane took a yellow card for his foul. Liverpool had a yellow card go to Joseph Gomez in the seventy-fifth minute for a foul. Bournemouth took the next two yellow cards, given to Matt Ritchie in the seventy-sixth minute and Lee Tomlin in the seventy-seventh minute, both for fouls. In stoppage time, Steve Cook of Bournemouth had a yellow card for his foul. The final favored Liverpool 1-0. 

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 24

It's another week of nine games, beginning on Thursday in...

New York, as NYCFC hosts DC United. Bill Hamid and Josh Saunders are in goal. New York City had a yellow card for Shay Facey's thirty-first minute foul. DC started in the thirty-sixth minute on an Alvaro Saborio goal, passed from Chris Rolfe. New York City tied it on a fifty-first minute goal by Thomas McNamara, guided in by Kwadwo Poku and David Villa. In the seventy-fifth minute, McNamara received a yellow card for his foul. New York City took the lead with a Villa goal in the eightieth minute, assisted by Andrea Pirlo. Villa received a yellow card for his excessive celebration. New York City added on with a Poku goal, via McNamara in the eighty-eighth minute. This produced the 3-1 final, with the man of the match being Villa for his game-winner and assist.

On Friday, the San Jose Earthquakes welcome the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and David Bingham are the goalies. San Jose's Victor Bernardez took a yellow card for a forty-ninth minute foul. The Earthquakes began with a Clarence Goodson goal in the fifty-third minute, assisted by Quincy Amarikwa. Colorado had yellow cards assessed to Bobby Burling in the sixty-fifth minute for a foul, Sam Cronin in the seventy-fourth minute for persistent infringement, and Maynor Figueroa in the eighty-fourth minute for a foul. San Jose had a yellow card handed to Marc Pelosi in the eighty-eighth minute for his foul. The final stood at 1-0, and Goodson was the man of the match.

The first of five Saturday games comes from New York, as the Red Bulls bring in Toronto FC. Joe Bendik and Luis Robles are set to start in goal. Toronto's Michael Bradley had a yellow card for a twenty-third minute foul. New York led off with a twenty-seventh minute Bradley Wright-Phillips goal, passed from Mike Grella. The Red Bulls saw a yellow card for a Dax McCarty foul in the thirtieth minute. Toronto had a yellow card assessed to Jozy Altidore for his thirty-seventh minute foul. New York's Lloyd Sam took a yellow card for his sixtieth minute foul. The Red Bulls added on in the sixty-fifth minute with an Anthony Wallace goal, via Sacha Kljestan. New York's Connor Lade had a yellow card for his foul in the seventy-eighth minute. The Red Bulls made it 3-0, the final, on a stoppage time goal by Gonzalo Veron. The man of the match was Wright-Phillips for his game-winner.

Over in New England, the Revolution host the Houston Dynamo in a weather-plagued game. Tyler Deric and Bobby Shuttleworth are between the posts when lightning isn't striking. Houston's Luis Garrido took a yellow card for his fifty-ninth minute foul. New England got going in the sixty-ninth minute, about four and a half hours after kickoff, with a Jose Goncalves goal. The Dynamo's David Horst took a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fifth minute. The Revolution added on as Juan Agudelo scored in the eighty-eighth minute, via Lee Nguyen. This produced the 2-0 final, with the man of the match being Goncalves for his winner.

Down in Texas, FC Dallas welcomes the Los Angeles Galaxy. Donovan Ricketts and Dan Kennedy are the veteran keepers. Dallas opened in the thirty-third minute with a Michael Barrios goal. In the thirty-eighth minute, Dallas had a yellow card given to Kellyn Acosta for his foul. Los Angeles tied it in the fifty-first minute with a Robbie Keane goal, assisted by Robbie Rogers. In the fifty-sixth minute, the Galaxy took the lead on a Keane goal, made possible by Giovani dos Santos. In the fifty-seventh minute, A.J. DeLaGarza took a yellow card for a foul for Los Angeles. Dallas had a yellow card go to Blas Perez in the sixty-first minute for his dissent. The Galaxy had the last two yellow cards, for time wasting by Ricketts in the seventy-seventh minute and an argument from Gyasi Zardes in stoppage time. Los Angeles took the game 2-1, with the man of the match being Keane for his brace.

Backtracking to Sporting Kansas City bringing in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Tim Melia protect the nets. Vancouver struck first in the ninth minute on a Kekuta Manneh goal. The Whitecaps added on as Manneh scored again in the forty-first minute, with the help of Steven Beitashour. Kansas City got one back with a Kevin Ellis goal in the fifty-third minute, courtesy of Soni Mustivar. Sporting saw a yellow card for an Amadou Dia foul in the sixty-first minute. Vancouver's Matias Laba took a yellow card for his sixty-fourth minute foul. The Whitecaps responded with a seventy-fifth minute Pedro Morales goal. Kansas City shot back on a Dominic Dwyer goal in the eighty-first minute, fueled by Krisztian Nemeth. Sporting tied it on a Paulo Nagamura goal in the eighty-seventh minute, helped along by Chance Myers and Benny Feilhaber. Kansas City took the lead four minutes into stoppage time with another Nagamura goal, dished from Mustivar. Sporting's Nagamura took a yellow card delay of game a minute later, but Sporting still won 4-3 and Nagamura's tying and winning goals earned him man of the match honors.

The final Saturday game has Real Salt Lake hosting the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Nick Rimando are the gloved men. Salt Lake's Demar Phillips took a yellow card for a twelfth minute foul. Portland had a yellow card given to Liam Ridgewell for his eightieth minute foul. The Timbers won 1-0 with a last gasp goal by Nat Borchers, passed from Diego Valeri in stoppage time, earning Borchers man of the match honors.

The first Sunday game has the Seattle Sounders FC welcome Orlando City SC. Tally Hall and Stefan Frei are the reliable keepers. Seattle began with a seventeenth minute Obafemi Martins goal, via Lmar Neagle. Orlando City went down to ten men after Tyler Turner ended up with two yellow cards, for fouls in the twenty-third and fortieth minutes. The Sounders added on with a fifty-first minute goal by Nelson Valdez, guided in by Erik Friberg. Orlando City took a yellow card for a Darwin Ceren foul in the sixty-first minute. Seattle extended the lead as Martins scored again in the sixty-second minute, thanks to Thomas. Bryan Rochez of Orlando City had a yellow card for his foul in the seventy-seventh minute. The Sounders iced it at 4-0 with a stoppage time goal by Thomas, set up by Roman Torres. Martins is the man of the match for his brace.

Finally, the Philadelphia Union bring in the Chicago Fire. Sean Johnson and John McCarthy are between the posts. Chicago led off with a ninth minute goal by Kennedy Igboananike goal, coming off of Patrick Nyarko and Jason Johnson. Philadelphia tied it in the twenty-first minute as Fernando Aristeguieta scored, thanks to Cristian Maidana. The Union took the lead in the thirty-first minute on a Fabinho goal, via Maidana. In the thirty-fourth minute, Warren Creavalle of Philadelphia had a yellow card for a foul. The Fire retied it in the fifty-fourth minute on a Nyarko goal, made possible by Igboananike. In the fifty-fifth minute, the Union had a yellow card assessed to Tranquillo Barnetta for a foul. Nyarko of Chicago had a yellow card for his foul in the seventieth minute. Philadelphia took the lead on a Sebastien Le Toux goal in the ninetieth minute. In stoppage time, Le Toux got a yellow card for delay of game. He didn't delay enough, as Igboananike scored to tie it again for the Fire in the next minute, with helpers from Mike Magee and Harry Shipp. The man of the match was Igboananike, who had a brace and assist in salvaging a point for Chicago.

Monday, August 10, 2015

2015/16 Premier League Week 1

The Barclays Premier League is back in action for their new season, and they begin with a ten-game week, including six on Saturday, beginning in...

Manchester, as United hosts Tottenham Hotspur. Michel Vorm and Sergio Romero man the nets. Manchester United received a gift early as Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur put the ball in his net for an own goal in the twenty-second minute. Tottenham Hotspur's Jen Vertonghen took a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-seventh minute. Manchester United saw a yellow card for Bastian Schweinsteiger in the sixty-ninth minute. In the seventy-sixth minute, Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card for his foul. In the ninetieth minute, Juan Mata of Manchester United received a yellow card for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli took a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The final held steady at 1-0 for Manchester United to get their season off on the right note.

Down to Bournemouth welcoming Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Artur Boruc are the gloved men. Bournemouth had two yellow cards in the first half, for Joshua King in the twenty-fourth minute and Steve Cook in the forty-second minute, both for fouls. Aston Villa saw a yellow card given to Ciaran Clark for his foul in first half stoppage time. Aston Villa got going in the seventy-second minute with a goal by Rudy Gestede, helped along by Ashley Westwood. Aston Villa took yellow cards for Leandro Bacuna in the seventy-fourth minute and Idrissa Gueye in the seventy-fifth minute, both for fouls. Bournemouth's Dan Gosling took a yellow card for his eightieth minute foul. Westwood of Aston Villa had a yellow card in second half stoppage time. Aston Villa held on for a 1-0 win.

Back north, Everton brings in Watford. Heurelho Gomes and Tim Howard guard the woodwork. Watford opened with a fourteenth minute goal by Miguel Layun. Troy Deeney of Watford took a yellow card for a forty-second minute foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Seamus Coleman took a yellow card for his foul for Everton. In the sixty-sixth minute, Jose Holebas took a yellow card for Watford. Everton tied it in the seventy-sixth minute on a Ross Barkley goal, passed from Arouna Kone. Watford retook the lead in the eighty-third minute with a Odion Ighalo, courtesy of Deeney. In the eighty-sixth minute goal by Kone, coming off of Romelu Lukaku. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Backtracking to Leicester City hosting Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Kasper Schmeichel protect the nets. Leicester City started with an eleventh minute Jamie Vardy goal, coming off of Marc Albrighton. Sunderland had a yellow card for a Jack Rodwell foul in the seventeenth minute. Leicester City added on with a Riyad Mahrez goal in the eighteenth minute, set up by Albrighton. In the twenty-fifth minute, Leicester City extended the lead through a Mahrez penalty kick goal. In the forty-second minute, Billy Jones of Sunderland had a yellow card for a foul. In the forty-ninth minute, Vardy of Leicester City had a yellow card for a foul. Sunderland got on the board with a sixtieth minute Jermain Defoe goal, passed from Adam Johnson. Leicester City responded on an Albrighton goal in the sixty-sixth minute. Sunderland pulled back as Steven Fletcher scored in the seventy-first minute, thanks to Jeremain Lens. Sunderland received yellow cards for fouls by Yonues Kaboul in the seventy-third minute and Sebastian Coates in the eighty-fifth minute. Leicester City took a yellow card for a Jeffrey Schlupp foul in stoppage time.

Further east, Norwich City welcomes Crystal Palace. Alex McCarthy and John Ruddy make the starts in goal. Norwich City took a yellow card for a twenty-third minute foul by Alexander Tettey. In the thirty-ninth minute, Wilfried Zaha scored for Crystal Palace, coming off of Jason Puncheon. Crystal Palace added on with a Damien Delaney goal, made possible by Pape Souare in the forty-ninth minute. Norwich City got one back on a Nathan Redmond goal in the sixty-ninth minute, assisted by Wes Hoolahan. Crystal Palace made it 3-1 in stoppage time on a Yohan Cabaye goal, via James McArthur. This stood for the final score.

Ending Saturday, Chelsea brings in Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Thibaut Courtois are in the six-yard boxes. At the eighteen minute mark, Jonjo Shelvey of Swansea City took a yellow card for a foul. Chelsea started on a twenty-third minute Oscar goal. Swansea City tied it in the twenty-ninth minute with an Andre Ayew goal. Chelsea shot back in the thirtieth minute, taking the lead on a Federico Fernandez own goal. Swansea City's Jack Cork received a yellow card in first half stoppage time for his foul. In the fifty-second minute, Chelsea keeper Courtois was shown a straight red card for his challenge in the box, and in the fifty-fourth minute, Chelsea's John Terry took a yellow card. Asmir Begovic came on in goal as a sub, and promptly gave up a penalty kick goal to Bafetimbi Gomis of Swansea City in the fifty-fifth minute. In stoppage time, Ashley Williams of Swansea City had a yellow card for a foul. The final remained 2-2.

Three more games go Sunday, beginning with Arsenal hosting West Ham United. Adrian and Petr Cech are in goal. West Ham United had three yellow cards in the first half, for Mark Noble's fifth minute foul, a foul by Angelo Ogbonna in the seventh minute, and James Tomkins' foul in the thirty-seventh minute. West Ham United dented the scoreboard on a Cheikhou Kouyate goal in the forty-third minute, passed from Dimitri Payet. West Ham United added on with a Mauro Zarate goal in the fifty-seventh minute. Arsenal took a yellow card as Nacho Monreal committed a foul in the sixty-ninth minute. West Ham United held on to win 2-0.

Up to Newcastle United welcoming Southampton. Maarten Stekelenburg and Tim Krul are the gloved men. Southampton had a yellow card for Cedric Soares in the twelfth minute. Southampton led off with a Graziano Pelle goal, via Soares in the twenty-fourth minute. Newcastle United tied it on a Papiss Demba Cisse goal in the forty-second minute. Newcastle United took the lead as Georginio Wijnaldum scored in the forty-eighth minute, with the help of Gabriel Obertan. Newcastle United took a yellow card for a fifty-fifth minute Jack Colback foul. Southampton's Jose Fonte picked up a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. In the seventy-fifth minute, Newcastle United's Aleksander Mitrovic received a yellow card for a foul. Southampton tied it in the seventy-ninth minute on a Shane Long goal, dished from Dusan Tadic. Southampton had two more yellow cards for Steven Davis' eighty-seventh minute foul and Pelle's foul in stoppage time. The score held at 2-2 for the final.

The last Sunday game sees Stoke City bring in Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Jack Butland are the goalies. Stoke City took the first yellow card to Ibrahim Afellay in the fourth minute. Liverpool had two first half yellow cards for Martin Skrtel in the twenty-eighth minute and James Milner in the thirty-ninth minute, both for fouls. Liverpool had another two yellow cards in the second half, for Dejan Lovren in the fiftieth minute and Joseph Gomez in the sixty-third minute. Stoke City had a yellow card given to Charlie Adam for his seventy-third minute foul. In the eighty-sixth minute, Liverpool began with a Philippe Coutinho, assisted by Gomez. This stood as the 1-0 game winner to get Liverpool off to a good start. 

Finally, on Monday, West Bromwich Albion hosts Manchester City. Joe Hart and Boaz Myhill get the nods in goal. Manchester City was first to score in the ninth minute with a Yaya Toure goal, via Jesus Navas. Manchester City added on with a goal by Toure in the twenty-fourth minute, passed from Wilfried Bony. In the thirty-ninth minute, Darren Fletcher of West Bromwich Albion had a yellow card for a foul. In the fifty-first minute, Fernandinho of Manchester City received a yellow card for his foul. West Bromwich Albion had yellow cards for a foul by Craig Gardner in the fifty-seventh minute and another foul by James Chester in the fifty-eighth minute. Manchester City extended the lead on a fifty-ninth minute goal by Vincent Kompany, set up by David Silva. In the sixty-second minute, West Bromwich Albion's Claudio Yacob received a yellow card for a foul. The final held at 3-0 for Manchester City. 

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 23

The games are back for this weekend, with a total of nine games over the next three days, beginning with Friday's game in...

Portland, as the Timbers host the Chicago Fire. Sean Johnson and Adam Larsen Kwarasey man the nets. Chicago took a yellow card for a forty-fourth minute foul by Matt Polster. Portland was first to score with a forty-eighth minute goal by Fanendo Adi, passed from Diego Valeri. The Timbers had a yellow card for a Lucas Melano foul in the seventy-first minute. The final stood at 1-0 for the Timbers, with Adi being the man of the match.

The first of six Saturday games features Toronto FC welcoming Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Joe Bendik are in the six-yard boxes. Kansas City began with a Benny Feilhaber penalty kick goal in the twenty-second minute. A minute later, Toronto tied it through a Michael Bradley goal, via Sebastian Giovinco. Sporting retook the lead in the twenty-ninth minute on a Krisztian Nemeth goal, passed from Feilhaber. Kansas City added on in the eighty-seventh minute on a Jacob Peterson goal, courtesy of Amobi Okugo. Toronto had a yellow card for a Collen Warner foul in the eighty-eighth minute. The final was 3-1, with Feilhaber named man of the match with his goal and assist.

Down in Florida, Orlando City SC brings in the Philadelphia Union. John McCarthy and Tally Hall protect the nets. Orlando City had a yellow card for Luke Boden in the sixty-sixth minute for a foul. The score remained 0-0 throughout the game, with Hall being the man of the match with his four-save clean sheet for Orlando City.

Back in Canada, the Montreal Impact host DC United. Bill Hamid and Evan Bush are the gloved men. DC started in the thirteenth minute on a Chris Rolfe goal, assisted by Jairo Arrieta. Montreal had yellow cards for unsporting behavior by Ignacio Piatti in the fortieth minute and dissent by Johan Venegas in the forty-fifth minute. In the sixty-fourth minute, United's Davy Arnaud took a yellow card for unsporting behavior. Marco Donadel of the Impact had a yellow card for his dissent in the seventy-fourth minute. In the seventy-eighth minute, DC had a yellow card given to Sean Franklin for time wasting. The final held at 1-0 for United, impressive since they were outshot 25-1, with Hamid as the man of the match for an eight-save clean sheet to deny all attempts.

Southwest to Colorado, where the Rapids welcome the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark and Clint Irwin guard the woodwork. Colorado saw yellow cards for fouls by Kevin Doyle in the seventh minute and Jared Watts in the thirtieth minute. The Rapids led off with a forty-second minute Bobby Burling goal, fueled by Vicente Sanchez. Colorado had another yellow card as Axel Sjoberg committed a foul in the fiftieth minute. Columbus got on the board in the fifty-second minute as Kei Kamara scored, thanks to Tony Tchani. The Rapids saw a yellow card given to Marc Burch in the sixty-first minute for a foul. The Crew took the lead as Kamara scored again in the sixty-fourth minute, with the help of Hector Jimenez. Columbus received the next two yellow cards, for fouls by Chris Klute in the sixty-seventh minute and Chad Barson in the seventy-third minute. In the ninetieth minute, Colorado went down to ten men as Sjoberg received a second yellow card for a foul and was ejected. The Crew's Federico Higuain had a yellow card for his stoppage time foul. The final was 2-1, with the man of the match being Kamara for his brace.

Backtracking to Houston, where the Dynamo bring in the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Joe Willis are between the posts. San Jose had the first three yellow cards, given to Victor Bernardez in the twenty-eighth minute, Marc Pelosi in the thirty-fourth minute, and Fatai Alashe in the forty-third minute, all for fouls. Houston dented the scoreboard in the fifty-fifth minute on a DaMarcus Beasley goal, assisted by Giles Barnes. In the sixtieth minute, Alashe of the Earthquakes was sent off on his second yellow card for a foul, putting his team at ten men. San Jose still tied the game in the seventieth minute despite the disadvantage, on a goal by Quincy Amarikwa passed from Shaun Francis. Raul Rodriguez of the Dynamo received a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-first minute. Houston retook the lead in the seventy-seventh minute as Alex scored, with the help of Sheanon Williams and Oscar Garcia. In the eighty-second minute, Sanna Nyassi of the Earthquakes received a yellow card for his foul. The 2-1 score became a final, with Alex being the man of the match for the game winner.

Ending Saturday, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC host Real Salt Lake. Jeff Attinella and David Ousted are the keepers. Vancouver struck first on a seventh minute penalty kick goal by Octavio Rivero. The Whitecaps added on with a fortieth minute goal by Pa Modou Kah, assisted by Kekuta Manneh. Salt Lake had a yellow card for a foul by Phanuel Kavita in the forty-fifth minute. Vancouver extended the lead with a Cristian Techera goal in the fiftieth minute, made possible by Jordan Harvey and Nicolas Mezquida. The Whitecaps saw a yellow card go to Kendall Waston in the sixtieth minute for his foul. Vancouver padded the lead as Techera scored again in the sixty-eighth minute, thanks to Harvey and Pedro Morales. Real took went down to ten men when Abdoulie Mansally took a straight red card for his eighty-eighth minute foul. The final held at 4-0, with the man of the match being Techera for his brace.

On Sunday, the first game sees the Los Angeles Galaxy welcome the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Donovan Ricketts are the veteran goalies. Seattle started on a first minute goal by Chad Barrett, assisted by Erik Friberg. Los Angeles tied it in the thirteenth minute on a Gyasi Zardes goal, via Juninho. The Sounders had a yellow card given to Friberg in the thirty-eighth minute. The Galaxy took the lead on a forty-seventh minute goal by Robbie Keane, coming off of Giovani dos Santos and A.J. DeLaGarza. In the sixty-second minute, Seattle's Oniel Fisher had a yellow card for a foul. Los Angeles added on with a dos Santos goal in the sixty-fourth minute, made possible by Keane and Sebastian Lletget. The final remained 3-1, with the man of the match being Keane, with the winner and an assist.

Finally, the New York Red Bulls bring in New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Luis Robles tend the nets. New York began with a twenty-first minute Bradley Wright-Phillips goal, courtesy of Kemar Lawrence and Sacha Kljestan. In the forty-fifth minute, NYCFC had a yellow card given to Thomas McNamara for his foul. NYCFC had another yellow card given to Shay Facey in the fifty-ninth minute for a foul. The Red Bulls added on with a Felipe goal in the eighty-fifth minute, passed from Mike Grella. In stoppage time Patrick Mullins of NYCFC had a yellow card for a foul and Connor Lade of New York took a yellow card for an argument. The final stood at 2-0, with the man of the match being Robles for his three-save clean sheet.

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