04/26/24
November 23, 2003
One for the Thumb!: Captain Jeff Agoos, Honda National Team Player of the Year Landon Donovan and MLS Keeper of the Year Pat Onstad led the San Jose Earthquakes to their second Cup Finals win in three seasons today. Donovan had a brace, Onstad stopped a Razov PK that would have tied the match at 3 in the 54th minute and Agoos, winning his fifth MLS title, made all the necessary defensive stops.
posted by billsaysthis to soccer at 05:27 PM - 23 comments
I hear that SF. All of Razov's shots looked weak, especially that penalty kick. It was definitely an exciting game, and the Fire had plenty of chances, but just couldn't convert. Halftime marked the beginning of all Adu, all the time.
posted by trox at 08:33 AM on November 24, 2003
It was my first MLS cup, and it impressed. I'm not sure if I agree about Razov sucking, but he didn't seem to have a good game: selfish shooting can't win many games. His teammates were excellent at getting him the ball. And that goal tender in blue is freaking huge. Is he a cross-over athlete, coz I didn't think they made soccer players in that size?
posted by garfield at 09:24 AM on November 24, 2003
Goal tender in blue? Which team?
posted by StarFucker at 09:46 AM on November 24, 2003
Blue team. Donovan's team.
posted by garfield at 10:00 AM on November 24, 2003
Did you not see Thornton? He's twice the size of that guy...
posted by StarFucker at 11:01 AM on November 24, 2003
Zack Thornton (Chicago) is a monster between the posts. I'm sure that'w who he is discussing. What amazes me most about him is that he is so damn quick for a big dude.
posted by trox at 11:03 AM on November 24, 2003
Did I get any MLS fantasy points? Hahahaha. Hey, trox, did Adu show do some half-time show? What happened?
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:08 AM on November 24, 2003
He looks like a defensive tackle.
posted by garfield at 11:28 AM on November 24, 2003
sorry guys...trying to talk to the footie.
posted by garfield at 11:51 AM on November 24, 2003
"Zack Thornton (Chicago) is a monster between the posts. I'm sure that'w who he is discussing." How could you not know which keeper you are discussing?!
posted by StarFucker at 12:10 PM on November 24, 2003
Thats Thornton...is that the guy you are talking about garfield? 
And thats sorry ass Razov...
posted by StarFucker at 12:24 PM on November 24, 2003
Yeah, that's the guy. He misread the play on the pic above, but other than that was solid. Zack Thornton.
posted by garfield at 12:45 PM on November 24, 2003
Thornton was so sollid he let in four goals? He does look (and move) like a (really good) linebacker or maybe power forward, to mix sports metaphors. Razov missed eight shots including a PK. Later commentary suggested that he can often be faked out by keepers, as in this instance, because of known tendencies. Late in the match (84'), the crappy ABC commentator JP Dellacamera mentioned that Razov had the flu all week and might not be in the best shape, hence the poor shooting but I think that was an excuse someone made up and passed to them, otherwise it would have been mentioned early on. I'm starting to think that, much as I love Landon and want more Cups in SJ, for the sake of our national squad he needs to go play in Europe; the two goals show that he is just on another level than MLS. His contract is owned by Bayern Munich though I think his MLS loan deal has one more year to run, but I would love to see him on the front line for, say, Barca or--dare I suggest it?--Liverpool.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:35 PM on November 24, 2003
wc2002, yeah, they had a brief interview with him during half time at the match. Some DCU fan keep yelling Freddy! Freddy! in the background--so much the interviewer commented upon it. It was kind of amusing.
posted by trox at 02:59 PM on November 24, 2003
Actually billsaysthis, Donovan's is under contract to Bayer Leverkusen, but the rest of your recollection of his contract status is right. Leverkusen needs him a heckuva lot more than Bayern does. I thought sure they'd get him back for last season to help them avoid relegation (which they barely managed without his help).
posted by trox at 03:01 PM on November 24, 2003
Thornton hadn't let a single goal in leading up to the final, so I was being nice, bill. Landon's run on the ball to score in the above pic was a thing of beauty. Starting 5ft onside, and bursting through at an angle...and what a finish. That 2 seconds is what makes him special.
posted by garfield at 03:38 PM on November 24, 2003
Trox, my bad. I have a hard time with those furrin names, you know? Still, I think Donovan would be better off in Spain or England than Germany but that's just my uninformed opinion. Garfield: I am being a poor winner and feel no need to be nice when the poofters gave coach of the year the Fire's coach when clearly Yallop should have had it. Bad enough they gave MVP to Preki since he only won the scoring title because he had no national team (of any country) callups while Donovan missed 1/3 of the season.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:05 PM on November 24, 2003
Why is lilnemo doing so badly in the Yahoo League? Half his team is suspended or injured... And where are the tables? I want to brag and gloat.
posted by StarFucker at 05:21 PM on November 24, 2003
I didn't get to watch the game (had to help my girlfriend move), but I'm happy for the Goose, who is one of my all-time favorite nat'l team defenders. Good on him.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:34 PM on November 24, 2003
lilnemo has been slacking with the yahoo league. I think he is distracted by the NBA league. >:-(
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:10 AM on November 25, 2003
Thats very disappointing... It will take away from my celebrations when i win the league. Anyway, great MLS Cup. Anyone know anything else about expansion this year?
posted by StarFucker at 05:29 AM on November 25, 2003
Expansion for MLS is for 2005, not next year. Cleveland gets a team, with the new operator/investor planning a soccer-specific stadium. Chivas will get an American affiliate but the home has not yet been set--could be San diego, San Antonio, Phoenix or elsewhere in the Southwest--and they may get some flexibility in regards to the requirements for American players.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:48 PM on November 25, 2003
Best MLS Cup ever! I wanted the Fire to win, but Razov sucks ass. How many times did he miss?! Its the highest scoring MLS Cup and I think its a good sign that 2 attacking teams were in it.