Top Stories

Soccer Thursday: Your Running Commentary

IsraelCastro1 (Imago7)

By DAN KARELL

The Americas capture the world’s attention in soccer matches on Thursday, with a Liga MX playoff final, Copa Libertadores duals, and a high powered international friendly on tap.

Club America and their strike duo of Christian Benitez and Raul Jimenez travel ten miles up the road to face their Mexico City rivals Cruz Azul in the first-leg of the Liga MX Clausura playoffs finals.

Cruz Azul have only failed to pick up three points in a match once since the start of April, but they meet their match in America, who have managed to put goals in the back of the net despite poor performances in defense at times.

Also in Mexico, Club Tijuana host Ronaldinho and Atletico Mineiro in a crucial first-leg quarterfinal match in the Copa Libertadores. In Argentina, a battle between Buenos Aires and Rosario ensues as Boca Juniors host Newell’s Old Boys.

Chelsea take on Manchester City in a friendly match at a sold out Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):

8:30pm – Fox Deportes – Club Tijuana vs. Atletico Mineiro

8:30pm – ESPN2/ESPN3 – Chelsea vs. Manchester City

10pm – ESPN2/ESPN3 – Cruz Azul vs. Club America

Comments

  1. Corona is making amazing save after save for La Máquina, idk how Memo’s season was but he has serious competition this summer

    Reply
  2. Joe corona,caught it in the 15 yard box with a clear chance at goal but his touch,let him down,and he squandered the chance

    Reply
      • That play came from the right and if Castillo makes that run down the left wing he’s in on goal alone. Though the camera never really shows if that was his run or the LM/LW’s run to make.

  3. ….and as I post they go and make it 2-zip!

    I still feel like they should be routing this Brazilian side. Tijuana looks very good tonight.

    Reply
  4. During the halftime of the Chelsea v Man City game, they went to Alexi Lalas for his opinion on JK’s roster choices for the upcoming games. Interesting to me was he talked about Stu Holden as if he would play over these next few games. Said how interesting he would be to watch and how great it would be if he played at the level he was at 2 years ago. I can never really take what Lalas says seriously, I just wonder how close (or not close at all) he is to the situation to talk like that.

    Anyone else watching the game see that?

    Reply
    • Yeah I saw that. I didn’t give it much weight though because he has no idea what JK’s intentions are. He’s just giving his opinion.

      Reply
      • Alexis and Taylor tellman,are exactly what they call themselves on there podcast: fat red head and lack there of a head.

        “Stay true to the American identity”. What!?!

        Not ’94 anymore boys

  5. Edgar Castillooooo
    Edgar Castillooooo
    Booming down the wing
    Gonna score some goals
    Edgar Castillooooo

    On a more serious note…the kid looks pretty good out there tonight. The Brazilians are fouling pretty hard and Gaoucho has had a dive or two.

    Reply
    • Yea that sounds about right

      And for all the naysayers to castillos inclusion in us camps for the past two years. This IS Castillo! He’s been this for two years!

      Reply
  6. Fernando Arce gets it all wrong in a clear cut,chance to make it 2-0.

    Nothing but Tijuana in the first half. Hats off to the,supposed underdogs

    Reply
  7. I’m really surprised with the activity level on this page.

    This is as big as any yank abroad in a European competition and with the lack of soccer tonight. Suprising.

    Speaks to the demographics of the site really.

    Reply
    • As well as the coverage available to us. If Central and South American was covered as well (in English) I’d be more willing to check it out, at least the big games. I feel the same way about Asia too, but that’s more because I’ve been to a couple K-League games rather than its really high level. Either way, go Xolos!

      Reply
      • Advice? If the the confusion from the language is too much, just mute the tv. I’ve done it plenty of times with Taylor tellman.

        I don’t quite speak concussion syndrome.

      • Zing! (But I meant more coverage as in blogs and news so you feel more invested in what you’re watching.)

      • Now I see. Well again IMO its again demographics. How many ppl who aren’t Hispanic does the average person (or American journalist) are personally invested in Liga MX.

        I should point out prominent American journalists

    • I’m following along! Can’t add to the conversation because I don’t have the channel but I’m highly interested/excited to hear about our two yanks and how they’re doing. All updates greatly appreciated.

      Reply
      • ; ) . If Castillo and Tijuana win the series to get to the semi finals, then he should be on every all American abroad XI of the year.

    • the game was not given much coverage so a lot of people probably dont know about it. I was disappointed when I was reminded upon checking that I dont get fox deportes, otherwise I would watch.

      Reply
      • It’s so weird and I hate that this is the case. I’m getting it on basic cable for god sakes. But then again! I have the benefit, in this particular case,of living in Texas

      • Coaches and tactics. What can u say. The man’s guided a team to a sudamerica championship though, so he must see something in it.

        Like Bob Bradley and Pablo Mastroeni

        …or Jurgen and Danny Williams for that matter

      • i know. that does not change the fact that im bummed he didn’t start. i’m not questioning the coach. not asking why. like you said, coaches make decisions and while Corona has started a lot of games, he has started on the bench a lot too.

    • Most definitely.

      The only reason I can imagine it hasn’t translated to the nats I can only contribute to limited appearances and,lack of developed continuity with partners on the left.

      30 minutes in to the first half he’s putting in a man of the match like performance

      Reply
      • Those Latin American leagues tend to play soft defense and allow ball movement. That’s why the best defenders in the region go overseas to develop for their national squads. The international game is much tougher on defenders.

      • I do, actually. The pace of play is slower and less physical than at the international level. I’m not sure how anyone would argue otherwise…

  8. Geez

    Castillo is looking very good in the early going sharp first touches and nice crisp pa$$es.. What a duo he and Fabian Johnson could potentially creat on the left!

    Reply
  9. Wow Tijuana on the forefront early on. Already a couple of quality chances at goal in the first 15. Possession is probably 70 – 30 in their favor

    Reply
  10. Castillo is looking very good in the early going sharp first touches and nice crisp passes. What a duo he and Fabian Johnson could potentially creat on the left!

    Reply
  11. @ives – isnt the 35 man roster for Gold Cup due at CONCACAF today? I feel that US Soccer should publish it even if CONCACAF will not.

    I am looking at a sold out Busch Stadium on ESPN where Chelsea will play ManCity. Who says soccer cant make money in the USA?

    Reply
  12. Lot’s of good footy on tonight. I’m looking forward to seeing our gringos play against the unmistakable Ronaldinho Gaucho.

    Reply

Leave a Comment