The Beautiful Game 2023 Chapter 6: Multitasking
Manchester United? More like Multitasking United. (Crowd Boos)
The first of nine games in a busy April didn’t go so well to say the least.
St. James’ Park: Newcastle United 2–0 Manchester United
1–0 Joe Willock (Allan Saint-Maximin)
2–0 Callum Wilson (Kieran Trippier)
NEW XI: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier(c), Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn; Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff(84’ Elliot Anderson), Bruno Guimaraes; Jacob Murphy(68’ Anthony Gordon), Alexander Isak(80’ Callum Wilson), Allan Saint-Maximin(68’ Joelinton)
MUN XI: David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez(83’ Victor Lindelof), Raphael Varane(83’ Facundo Pellistri), Luke Shaw; Marcel Sabitzer, Scott McTominay(82’ Fred); Antony(62’ Anthony Martial), Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Wout Weghorst(62’ Jadon Sancho)
If you could only win one, would you rather win the fourth most important trophy available to you or a crucial league match that could determine Champions League qualification? That’s the dilemma I’ve been giving a lot of thought to since this match ended. I honestly don’t regret winning the Carabao Cup, but we are seeing the toll of those extra games on this squad. This extends to the substitutions. Bringing in Lindelof and Fred while Manchester United was losing was simply Erik ten Hag managing fitness levels for players that played a lot of minutes lately. Scott McTominay was also very active during the international break, scoring multiple goals which included a brace against Spain.
Whatever the motivation or fitness levels were, there’s no excuse: Newcastle United simply were the better team. 2–0 might’ve been flattering considering how many chances Newcastle United squandered particularly in the first half. If Joe Willock didn’t score in this game, he would be kicking himself for his missed chances in particular. Everyone looked sharper from top to bottom for Newcastle, with the exception of Nick Pope only because he was not needed nearly as much as his opposite number David de Gea. Sven Botman and Fabian Schar were rocks at the back, Sean Longstaff was confident and took some shots, and the front three which was lacking Miguel Almiron looked just as lethal without the Paraguayan.
Manchester United’s form since the Carabao Cup final has been woeful, including a horrendous 7–0 loss to main rivals Liverpool. When a team loses a tough game in the NBA, the old adage goes “the good thing about games coming so frequently is you don’t have time to dwell on a loss”. This logic doesn’t work one for one with soccer/football, but one part remains true: Erik ten Hag needs to find a solution fast. The players stepping up would be helpful too, because managers can’t do everything themselves (something Leicester City and Chelsea seem not to understand).
Observations from Other Games
Friday, March 31
11:30 am Bundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt 1–1 Bochum
Bochum continue to be scrappy and take points away from more established clubs in their division, and their latest victims of that trend are fortunate to finish the match week in 6th and in a European spot.
Saturday, April 1
7 am Premier League: Arsenal 4–1 Leeds United
David was no match for Goliath in this one, and you can’t blame Arsenal for their ruthlessness. That’s the quality you need to survive a title race against the relentless Manchester City.
7:30 pm MLS San Jose Earthquakes 2–1 Houston Dynamo
If you love penalties, this was the game for you! All three goals were scored from the spot as San Jose Earthquakes continue to rely on their home turf to collect points. That could be an issue as they fly to the Big Apple (ok technically New Jersey) for this next match week.
Sunday, April 2
11:45 am Serie A Napoli 1–4 AC Milan
Defending champion pride is alive and well in Italy. AC Milan will not pass the baton until they have to and they reminded everyone why they won last season’s Serie A: loads of attacking talent. Maybe we’ll get to see them more next season provided Rafael Leao isn’t sold in the summer. Like Manchester United, Napoli will hope a humbling can somehow help them get back on track.
What I’m Watching This Week (All Times PST)
Monday, April 3rd
12 pm La Liga: Valencia vs Rayo Vallecano
In most seasons you would assume Valencia were in 8th and Rayo Vallecano were in 19th when these sides meet in April, but it’s a role reversal in 2023. La Liga without Valencia is unfathomable but they need to shape up and fast.
Tuesday, April 4th
7 pm US Open Cup: Oakland Roots vs El Farolito
It’s been six years since I’ve last been to a US Open Cup match, but that drought ends here with a battle of Bay Area soccer clubs!
Wednesday, April 5th
12 pm Premier League: Manchester United vs Brentford
Brentford are looking to sting a wounded Manchester United side. A heavy fixture list can snowball into a world of hurt if United’s form doesn’t improve soon.
Also Wednesday Afternoon: “Flipping Channels” checking out US Open Cup games.
Thursday, April 6th
4 pm US Open Cup: Richmond Kickers vs Cleveland SC
I may or may not be rooting for Richmond Kickers because of their cool names.
Friday, April 7th
12 pm Serie A: AC Milan vs Empoli
What do AC Milan have coming for their encore? Empoli are hoping to spring a trap game on a red hot club.
Saturday, April 8th
9:30 am Bundesliga: Hertha Berlin vs RB Leipzig
Disappointing seasons for both clubs lead Berlin and Leipzig to this showdown. RB Leipzig are two points off SC Freiburg for the 4th Champions League spot and Hertha Berlin are 1 point clear of Schalke from automatic relegation.
11:45 am Serie A: Lazio vs Juventus
Lazio currently sit 2nd in Serie A but they’re 16 points off league leaders Napoli, so their priority is keeping the challengers at bay. The next one is an in-form Juventus side, not shaken by their points deduction. A win against Lazio could elevate Juve’s bid for an unlikely European spot finish.
Double Screen Special
4 pm USL Championship: Indy Eleven vs Oakland Roots
4:30 pm MLS: New York Red Bulls vs San Jose Earthquakes
I’m spreading the Bay Area love as my local clubs face challengers in the Eastern Time Zone.
Sunday, April 9th
8:30 am Premier League: Liverpool vs Arsenal
Liverpool know how it feels to win a Premier League during the Pep Guardiola Manchester City era, but they’ll have to do better than they showed against Bournemouth to take on the Citizens’ current title challengers.
10:30 am Bundesliga: Hoffenheim vs Schalke 04
Two big German clubs are duking it out in this relegation scrap. Which blue will be truest, and who will be singing the blues? (Alright fine I’ll stop).
Goal of the Week
Douglas Luiz’s chip goal against Chelsea was simply special. Starts: 3:53
Runner Up: Robert Mak Sydney FC to make it 3–3 at the end. A curling effort from outside the box in clutch time for the former Slovenia international. Starts 3:08
Thank you as always for reading. Let me know what games you are planning to watch, if you think you’re better at multitasking than Manchester United (low bar to clear at the moment), and keep loving and living the beautiful game!
