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Morning Ticker: Arsenal-Liverpool draw, Fenerbahce wins and MLS lays down the law

Good morning everybody. It is the day after the first leg of the UEFA Champions League and if you’re like me, you’re going through a little UCL withdrawal.

If you are an MLS fan you are probably asking yourself how it is that two of the best teams in MLS can’t score a single goal in the first legs of their CONCACAF Champions Cup series. D.C. being beaten 2-0 by Pachuca on the road is one thing, seeing the Dynamo held scoreless by Deportivo Saprissa last night was troubling.

Here is a rundown of some stories and replays to get your day started:

Liverpool ties Arsenal

The Reds do it again. I’m not sure what Liverpool drinks or eats before Champions League matches but it might want to include it for before EPL matches after tying Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, 1-1, in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal series.

The biggest controversy surrounding the match was a questionable no-call on what appeared to be a penalty-worthy challenge by Dirk Kuyt on Alexandr Hleb. You make the call:

Now Arsenal must go to Anfield next week and either draw by a score of more than 1-1, win outright or play to a 1-1 draw to force overtime. Can the Gunners really expect to go to Liverpool and win a game? If you were wondering, Liverpool is 6-0 in its past six matches at Anfield, with the last loss being the 1-0 shock FA Cup upset loss to Barnsley. Arsenal drew at Anfield, 1-1, last Oct. 28.

Fenerbahce downs Chelsea

When Deivid sent a hard deflection into his own net early in Fenerbahce’s Champions League quarterfinal vs. Chelsea the Brazilian looked destined to be the match’s goat. That all changed with one unbelievable blast of a goal that helped Fenerbahce come back from a goal down to post a 2-1 victory in Istanbul.

If you haven’t seen Deivid’s goal yet, prepare to enjoy:

Now Chelsea must post a victory at Stamford Bridge next week to avoid the upset and earn a semifinal match-up against the Arsenal-Liverpool quarterfinal.

O’Brien and Xavier suspended

Colorado rookie Ciaran O’Brien and LA Galaxy defender Abel Xavier were both issued suspensions by MLS on Wednesday for their actions in Colorado’s 4-0 win against LA on Saturday.

O’Brien was handed a two-game suspension for his ugly tackle from behind on Carlos Ruiz late in the match, a tackle that resulted in Ruiz suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee that will keep him out for four to six weeks. He was also hit with a $250 fine.

Xavier was suspended for one game for his red card and was issued fines totaled $1,600 for infractions ranging from excessive dissent, failure to leave the field following a red card and post-game public criticism of officiating, or as I like to call it, the Amado Guevara hat-trick.

Comments

  1. As a keeper myself, I would have to say that Cudicini should have done better. Especially on the first goal. He stayed frozen on his line on a breakaway, which is a cardinal sin. And as to the 2nd goal, yes it was a great shot, but (and this is the dirty little GK secret) that’s the glory shot keepers love. If you look at his dive, it lacked lift and extension. Whether due to a late reaction, or old legs, there are plenty of keepers no taller than CC that could have made that save. Just my 2¢. But remember, we keepers think we can save anything! 🙂

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  2. Doesn’t anyone think it was just a little funny that it was Carlos Ruiz that was on the receiving of the hard tackle? After all of his shenanigans lo these many years, being on the boots-end of many soft tackles and then flopping around like caught fish, I think the resulting injury is maybe the karma gods paying him a little visit.

    Not that I’d ever root for an injury, but with Carlos Ruiz maybe I would…

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  3. A.S- i call bs on this statement…. it was a beautifully struck ball… id challenge any keeper in the same position to stop it…. only way he couldve stopped it is if he was a few inches taller…

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  4. As a Fener fan, I can say Chelsea was better side for the first half, but you should consider the dissapointment of the own goal on Fener team, The own goal ruined Fener’s game strategy for the first half.

    For the second game, Fener’s one of the best players, Gokhan and R.Carlos will play, and Fener will NOT play defensive, and I’m sure they are gonna score at least one. I expect a high score game for the secnd leg,a nd I guess Chelsea will need more than luck!

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  5. “No Way Cech would have saved the 2nd goal.”

    A truly world class keeper should be able to stop a shot from 35 yards, regardless of placement or how hard it is struck.

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  6. Yeah…and no English team had beaten AC Milan on Italian soil. But, guess what? Arsenal snapped that streak. 1-0 to the Arse at Anfield.

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  7. to steve;

    Dynamo were more worried of making sure Saprissa didnt score. A tie was fine due to the key injuries they had. Dynamo wins in costa rica 2-1.

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  8. Ed Ho- how do you know that O’Brien had “intent to injure”??? i could understand if it were a seasoned vet… But seriously, this is a rookie getting his first PT on 1st team… a clumsy poor decision at best…

    “All he did was get in the guy’s face.”??? check the replay again Ed, he did more then just get in the guy’s face… arms were stretched and shoving was involved… i understand why LD was upset, but anyone else wouldve received a straight red (or at least a yellow) for such actions…

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  9. I share equal disdain for both ‘Pool and the Gooners, and that was not a penalty.

    Like I said about Eddie Johnson, even if you are fouled in the box, when you are BLATANTLY playing for a penalty and not bothering trying to play the ball, you are absolutely NEVER going to get the call. That’s just how the sport works. A lot of refs hate calling penalties…and by flopping as Hleb did (even though he was fouled), he gave the ref an out.

    For Hleb to get that call he would have had to at the very least attempt to continue playing the ball, not go to ground the second he is touched by Kuyt.

    And I hate both of these teams.

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  10. A.S. No Way Cech would have saved the 2nd goal. You can down play the shot or talk up Cech which ever you intended by your statement. but that was truly a world class shot.

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  11. Granted Xavier is a clown, but he was just frustrated. He deeserves what he got.

    O’Brien on the other hand, pulled a completelt classless move and should have been suspended longer. Let’s face it, fouling with intent to injure is more serious than dissent anyway. Plus, talent is a serious problem in this league. Having worthless players like O’Brien taking out your better players isn’t a recipe for success. And, its even more aggregious because the ref had alreayd ejected Xavier who just comitted the foul on O’Brien. So, justice was handed out for when he was fouled, he didn’t need to seek it out on his own.

    BTW, Ryan’s suggestion that Donovan should be suspended is a reach. All he did was get in the guy’s face. Watch a few games and I’m pretty sure you’ll see the same thing anytime a cheap foul is committed.

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  12. The bigger question on the ‘penalty’ is what Dirk Kuyt’s doing back there as the last defender?

    You know who should be fined? Dom Kinnear and Tom Soehn. As an MLS fan I was really disappointed by the tactics employed the last couple fo nights. It reminded me of USMNT ~6-10 years ago when they would always have the game dictated to them by their opponenets.

    I know there’s a talnt difference and a conditioning difference but DC bunkered in for 90 minutes hooping to sneak a draw. Then used didn’t show any urgency last night and despite creating more chances Saprissa always seemed more likely to score in my view.

    I guess I hoped for progress in this competition based on the step forward last year. But clearly there was no progress. Its hard to envision anything but Saprissa v. Pachuca in the final.

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  13. Oh, also, I know Cudicini is the backup, but I don’t see how anyone would have any confidence in him. I think Cech saves both Fener goals.

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  14. Chelsea wasted a prime opportunity. They dominated most of the first half, but their finishing was gawdawful. It’s like they weren’t really into the match and were just fooling around out there. They had great opportunities for crosses and couldn’t connect with anyone in the box, and their corners and other set pieces didn’t present any threat whatsoever. Just a waste. And they paid dearly for it, as Fener was clearly better in the second half. You could see the Chelsea players – especially Drogba – get completely frustrated by their lackluster play.

    I have to say that I don’t think the Ballack-Lampard experiment is working out. Like Lampard-Gerrard, Lampard just disappears when he’s paired with another attacking midfielder. Ballack was nothing special either (he blew at least one wonderful opportunity to score), but Lampard was a complete zero.

    And, also, Florent Malouda is a waste. Somebody get rid of him, please.

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  15. Erik, I also agree that Grant is not the right man for the job and also, yes, the only thing that matters is the final score and in the biggest games…

    Carling Cup Final: Loss 2-1

    FA Cup Quarterfinal: Loss 1-0

    Champions League Quarterfinal: Loss 2-1 (he does have a chance to redeem this though in the second leg)

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  16. Ryan, u should know better. Donovan is the poster child for MLS. Thou I don’t think he deserve anything there. Just FYI

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  17. O’Brien is probably on a developmental deal, right? so 20k? $250 is 1/80th of his gross salary. Xavier made $156k last year, so his fine was 1/160th of his salary. O’Brien got the bigger hit. especially since he makes about $800/game and lost $1600 for that, too.

    yes, in a fair world, salaries would be high enough to give standard fines like the overpaid sports do, but even then, what’s $10k to someone making $3m? it’s like telling me I can’t have a venti latte today, I can only have a grande.

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  18. tedhill,

    As is football, the only result that matters is the end score. As to your point Chelsea playing unatractive football to get results. I totally concede your point. While Arsenal is very pleasing on the eyes to watch, they still couldn’t get a 2nd goal against Liverpool. Chelsea was exciting with Duff and Robben on the wings, but I don’t think Grant is the man for the job.

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  19. Nice work, Ives. My take?

    Liverfool got away with one there and here’s hoping karma shows up at Anfield (though I don’t think the Gooners will need it)

    I don’t see how a team that was gifted a goal ON THE ROAD can somehow end up getting beat 2-1. The best team did win that game. Now Chelsea has to chase this thing at the Bridge and they may want to think twice about playing an open game with Fener. Yes, it was a WONDER goal.

    O’Brien’s penalty was a bit harsh – young rook coming into a sweet macth in front of the home faithful, com’on. Rash tackle? Yes, but adding another day? I dunno. Yes, Ruiz was injured but there is no sign of malice in that incident. Xavier? Please…

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  20. First the display against Salt Lake last season and now this. When did the Colorado Rapids become MLS’s version of the Philadelphia Flyers? What a bunch of goons.

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  21. It is funny, but it is directly tied into his salary. He may be hurting more than Xavier due to his fine. You don’t want to lay a $5000 fine on him and make him leave the league to take a better paying job as a business analyst, do you?

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  22. Erik,

    I say that because Chelsea were supplying all the pressure and most of the first half was spent in the final third of the pitch. They had some chances and should have had more if Drogba wasn’t being selfish. Just because we didn’t score doesn’t mean we should have, such is the nature of football. As for being boring, yeah compared to Man Utd or Arsenal, right now they seem boring. It’s because they aren’t as good as those clubs and to produce the results they need they must do it playing somewhat unattractive football. If it produces trophies then no one should complain.

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  23. You really can’t fine O’Brien much. That fine reflects his salary. He is a rookie and probably only makes 40k in a year.

    I would also agree Donovan deserved something. I understand being upset about watching your teammate get taken out. But you have to handle it better. The second you put your hands on another players neck should be a straight red.

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  24. Donovan may have deserved a fine for his actions, but O’brien deserved a bit more punishment than two games and $250 bucks.

    In a just, albeit unrealistic world, O’brien wouldn’t play again until Ruiz does.

    Although, if every player who fouled Ruiz had to sit out until Ruiz stopped rolling around, MLS might grind to a halt.

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  25. I think Chelsea will go through. If not people will be calling for Grant to get the axe. The possible PK on Kuyt at first glance I thought for sure. But after the replay at first there is a grab, but it kind of looks like the guy goes down on his own. And tries to sell it instead of fighting to stay up. I am more likely to give the call if I can tell they are trying to stay up instead of just flopping.

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  26. tedhill,

    How can you say that Chelsea should’ve won 3-1 when they didn’t even score a goal of their own? I think they are in for an upset at Stamford Bridge and can’t wait. They are the most boring team to watch at the moment.

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  27. Arsenal are very capable of winning at Anfield and making the semifinals but given Liverpool’s track record, it’s hard to pick against them. Can you imagine a Champions League semifinal matching the 4th place English team with a Turkish team? Who would have thunk it?

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  28. I’m still heartbroken about the Chelsea result this morning. I give Fenerbahce all the credit in the world, but Chelsea were the better side and should’ve won 3-1. I’m confident for the return leg at Stamford Bridge but there is no margin for error, and with Avram Grant in charge, that’s not good.

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  29. In other exciting news – the RBNY webiste actually has news about RedBull Park – they have finally gone beyond pounding piles in and are pouring some concrete.

    I was in harrison yesterday and wanted to check it out but i’m not sure exactly where the park is and could not find it.

    I am in the design and construction business and this is one painfully slow project – I’m not quite sure why they are going so slow. I am not optimisitc about summer 09 at this rate

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