Tuesday, August 25, 2015

2015/2016 KHL Season - Day 2

There's a bigger slate of games today, a total of seven to play, beginning with...

Barys Astana hosting Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Jan Laco protect the nets. Astana started in the first period on a Konstantin Rudenko goal, assisted by Roman Savchenko and Martin St. Pierre. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the third period on a Chris Lee goal, via Tomas Filippi and Wojtek Wolski. Metallurg took the lead as Wolski scored, thanks to Filippi and Oskar Osala. This made it a 2-1 win for Metallurg, with the three stars going to Wolski, Filippi, and Koshechkin (21 for 22 in saves).

Along to Omsk, where Avangard welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Dominik Furch are the new goalies in the KHL. Ufa began in the first period on a Denis Khlystov goal, fueled by Nikolai Prokhorkin. Omsk tied it with a Sergei Shirokov power play goal in the second period, powered by Denis Parshin and Ilya Zubov. Avangard took the lead with a Jonas Ahnelov goal, passed from Alexander Perezhogin and Vladimir Sobotka on the power play. Omsk added on with an unassisted goal by Perezhogin. Salavat Yulaev chipped back on a third period power play goal from Sami Lepisto, coming off of Linus Omark. Avangard answered with an Alexander Popov shorthanded goal, set up by Sobotka. This held up for a 4-2 win, with the three stars given to Perezhogin, Sobotka, and Ahnelov.

North to Finland, as Jokerit Helsinki brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Henrik Karlsson receive the starting nods in goal. Cherepovets got going in the second period on a Yury Trubachyov power play goal, powered by Andrei Shefer and Ondrej Nemec. Helsinki tied it on a Philip Larsen goal, guided in by Pekka Jormakka and the goalie Karlsson. Jokerit took the lead on a power play goal by Ville Lajunen, fueled by Juhamatti Aaltonen. Helsinki added on in the third period on a Tomi Maki goal, helped along by Jesse Joensuu and Jani Rita. Severstal got one back on an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, assisted by Andrei Konev and Sergei Monakhov. They couldn't find an equalizer, falling 3-2. The three stars belonged to Maki, Lajunen, and Larsen.

Back in Russia, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Ivan Lisutin are in the blue paint. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period with an unassisted goal by Carl Klingberg. Yaroslavl tied it with a Patrik Hersley goal in the second period, with a lone assist from Denis Mosalyov. Lokomotiv took the lead as Mosalyov scored in the third period, with the help of Hersley. Torpedo tied it again with an Alexei Potapov goal, via Dan Spang. In the shootout, Vladimir Galuzin of Nizhny Novgorod was answered by Petri Kontiola of Yaroslavl before Torpedo took the game 3-2 on an Alexander Frolov tally. The three stars went to Mosalyov, Hersley, and Frolov.

Moving along to Latvia, where Dinamo Riga brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Joacim Eriksson are the masked men. Riga dented the scoreboard with a Kaspars Saulietis goal in the second period, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Kazan tied it on an unassisted goal from Alexander Svitov. Dinamo took the lead back in the third period with a Miks Indrasis goal, guided in by Mikelis Redlihs and Kristaps Sotnieks. Riga added on with a Gunars Skvorcovs goal, with a lone helper by Krisjanis Redlihs. This produced the 3-1 final score, with the three stars handed to Indrasis, Skvorcovs, and Eriksson (30 for 31 in saves).

Into Moscow, where Spartak returns to the KHL welcoming Dinamo Minsk. Jeff Glass and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Moscow struck first with a first period goal by Maxim Potapov, assisted by Evgeny Bodrov. Minsk tied it on a second period goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, passed from Alexei Kalyuzhny and Lukas Krajicek. Spartak took the lead back on a third period goal from Potapov, fueled by Sergei Shmelyov. Dinamo tied it again with an Alexander Materukhin goal, made possible by Sergei Drozd. Minsk took the lead with a Matt Ellison goal, coming off of Cheechoo and Krajicek. Moscow tied it again on an Igor Radulov goal, courtesy of Alexander Mereskin. Spartak won 4-3 with an overtime goal by Casey Wellman, helped along by Dmitry Korobov and Lukas Radil. The three stars went to Cheechoo, Krajicek, and Wellman.

Finally, the Sochi Leopards host Lada Togliatti. Ivan Kasutin and Konstantin Barulin are the experienced goalies. Sochi opened in the second period on an unassisted Nikolai Zherdev goal. Togliatti tied it on a third period goal by Alexander Bumagin, guided in by Tobias Viklund. The Leopards retook the lead on a power play goal from Andre Petersson, powered by Ben Maxwell and Sergei Kuznetsov. Sochi added on as Mikhail Anisin scored, with a lone assist by Max Warn. Lada got one back on a Mark Flood goal, via Igor Magogin. The Leopards iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal from Pyotr Schastlivy, set up by Clay Wilson. The three stars belonged to Anisin, Petersson, and Zherdev.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, August 24, 2015

2015/16 Premier League Week 3

The third round of games kicks off with six on Saturday, beginning with...

Manchester United hosting Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Sergio Romero are in goal. Matteo Darmian of Manchester United had a yellow card for his nineteenth minute foul. Newcastle United took the next yellow card for a Massadio Haidara foul in the twentieth minute. Gabriel Obertan of Newcastle United received a yellow card for his fifty-seventh minute foul. Manchester United saw a yellow card assessed to Luke Shaw in the seventieth minute for a foul. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Down to London, as Crystal Palace welcomes Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Alex McCarthy are in the six-yard boxes. Crystal Palace saw a yellow card given to Joel Ward in the eighteenth minute. In the fiftieth minute, Yohan Cabaye took a yellow card for his foul for Crystal Palace. Aston Villa's Rudy Gestede took a yellow card for his foul in the fifty-fifth minute. In the seventy-first minute, Crystal Palace dented the scoreboard with a Scott Dann goal, via Jason Puncheon. Aston Villa tied it on an own goal from Crystal Palace's Papa Souare. Aston Villa took yellow cards for a Ciaran Clark foul in the eighty-fourth minute and Leandro Bacuna in the eighty-sixth minute. Crystal Palace took the lead as Bakary Sako scored, with the help of Dann in the eighty-seventh minute. Crystal Palace's Puncheon got a yellow card for his ninetieth minute foul, but the hosts held on for a 2-1 win.

Back north, Leicester City brings in Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Kasper Schmeichel man the nets. Tottenham Hotspur had two yellow cards in the first half, for Mousa Dembele in the twenty-ninth minute and Erik Lamela in the thirty-first minute, both for fouls. In the sixtieth minute, Eric Dier took a yellow card for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur got going late with an eighty-first minute goal by Dele Alli, passed from Nacer Chadli. Leicester City tied it very quickly on an eighty-second minute goal by Riyad Mahrez, assisted by Jamie Vardy. In the eighty-third minute, Ryan Mason of Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card for a foul. Leicester City saw a yellow card for a stoppage time foul by Andy King. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Moving along, Norwich City hosts Stoke City. Jack Butland and John Ruddy are the gloved men. In the eleventh minute, Stoke City opened on a Mame Biram Diouf goal, coming off of Xherdan Shaqiri. Norwich City tied it on a twenty-eighth minute goal from Russell Martin, set up by Nathan Redmond. In first half stoppage time, Martin received a yellow card for his hand ball. Norwich City took three yellow cards in the second half, for Sebastien Bassong in the forty-seventh minute, Alexander Tettey in the sixty-second minute, and Steven Whittaker in the eighty-second minute, all for fouls. Stoke City had a yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute for Erik Pieters. The final held at a 1-1 draw.

Next up, Sunderland welcomes Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Costel Pantilimon are the oddly-named goalies. In the eighteenth minute, Sunderland's Jeremain Lens had a yellow card for persistent infringement, followed by a twenty-first minute Lee Cattermole foul that also gave Sunderland a yellow card. Swansea City struck first two minutes into first half stoppage time on a Bafetimbi Gomis goal, assisted by Kyle Naughton. In the forty-seventh minute, Sunderland saw a yellow card go to Sebastian Coates for his foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Andre Ayew of Swansea City received a yellow card for his foul. Sunderland tied it on a sixty-second minute goal from Jermain Defoe, dished from Lens. Patrick van Aanholt of Sunderland had a yellow card for his eighty-second minute foul. Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City took a yellow card for his foul in second half stoppage time. The final stood at 1-1.

Ending Saturday, West Ham United brings in Bournemouth. Artur Boruc and Darren Randolph protect the nets. Bournemouth started in the eleventh minute on a Callum Wilson goal, assisted by Simon Francis. Bournemouth added on as Wilson scored again in the twenty-eighth minute. West Ham United got on the board with a forty-eighth minute Mark Noble penalty kick goal. West Ham United tied it on a Cheikhou Kouyate goal in the fifty-third minute. In the sixty-sixth minute, Bournemouth took the lead back on a Marc Pugh goal, made possible by Max Gradel. In the seventy-fifth minute, the Bournemouth goalie Boruc took a yellow card. West Ham United went down to ten men in the seventy-ninth minute for a foul in the box by Carl Jenkinson that drew a straight red card. Bournemouth's Wilson converted the penalty kick to complete his hat trick in the same minute. West Ham United got one back with a Modibo Maiga goal in the eighty-second minute, courtesy of Aaron Cresswell. The game ended with Bournemouth taking the victory at an exciting 4-3 score.

Sunday has three games, beginning with West Bromwich Albion hosting Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and Boaz Myhill are in the six-yard boxes. Nemanja Matic of Chelsea had a yellow card for his seventeenth minute foul. Chelsea began in the twentieth minute with a goal by Pedro, courtesy of Eden Hazard. Chelsea added on with a thirtieth minute goal from Diego Costa. In the thirty-fifth minute, West Bromwich Albion got on the board with a James Morrison goal, via Salomon Rondon. James McClean of West Bromwich Albion took a yellow card for his foul in the thirty-seventh minute. Chelsea answered with a forty-second minute goal from Cesar Azpilicueta, set up by Costa. In the fifty-fourth minute, Chelsea went down to ten men when John Terry took a straight red card for his foul. West Bromwich Albion got one back on a fifty-ninth minute goal from Morrison, coming off of Callum McManaman. In the seventy-first minute, McManaman took a yellow card for his foul. Chelsea held on for a tough 3-2 win.

Continuing along, Everton welcomes Manchester City. Joe Hart and Tim Howard. Manchester City saw yellow cards for Eliaquim Mangala in the forty-second minute and Fernandinho in first half stoppage time, both for fouls. Manchester City struck first in the sixtieth minute on an Aleksandar Kolarov goal, made possible by Raheem Sterling. Manchester City's Samir Nasri took a yellow card for an eighty-sixth minute foul. Nasri made up for his transgression in the eighty-eighth minute, adding onto the Manchester City lead with his goal assisted by Yaya Toure. Manchester City emerged with a 2-0 victory.

Sunday's last game is Watford bringing in Southampton. Maarten Stekelenburg and Heurelho Gomes are the keepers. Southampton's Victor Wanyama took a yellow card for a twenty-eighth minute foul. In the fifty-seventh minute, Oriol Romeu of Southampton received a yellow card for his foul. The game stayed mostly clean and calm, with the final standing at 0-0. 

The Monday game this week has Arsenal hosting Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Petr Cech are the keepers. Liverpool took a yellow card for a sixty-first minute foul by Martin Skrtel. Arsenal had a yellow card given to Gabriel Paulista in the sixty-fifth minute for his foul. The last three yellow cards went to Liverpool players, to Emre Can in the sixty-sixth minute, Joseph Gomez in the seventy-ninth minute, and Mignolet in the eighty-fifth minute. The first two were for fouls, while the other one was unspecified. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

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.