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Awesome, I love the FA Cup. When Wayne Rooney is going back to his own 18 to receive the ball, you know your midfield sucks. I think Valencia was a poor signing. Yeah, he has pace, but he's not a consistent league scoring threat. Berba needs good service. Rooney's pressing, trying to carry the team and Owen is a great guy to bring in for offense, but they're lacking a midfield scoring option. Park Ji Sung is a sub on a good team-a poor man's Dirk Kuyt. Giggs has played wonderfully, but Gibson isn't ready, Fletcher isn't consistent enough, Carrick isn't good enough and their defense is patchwork. They are going to struggle to break teams down without an extra attacking option. I know it's an obvious and easy thing to say, but I think maybe United fans overlooked how much Ronaldo carried them the past two seasons. He created so much chaos and saw so much extra marking that it freed a ton of space for everyone else, hiding their weaknesses. I didn't notice if the Duke University grad, Mike Grella, saw the field for Leeds. They're going to be back in the Prem in two years, and good for them. I haven't been on NSBB in a while but checked in to see the comments on Dawson in the HOF and thought I'd check in on this thread. My thoughts on MU: To be fair, Rooney often tracks that far back for balls. The desire and effort is nice to see but it's maddening at the same time. The midfield is severely lacking, though, I'll agree with that. Valencia's been getting more comfortable and I don't think he was brought it as a scoring threat. He does need another move aside from knock it forward and beat his man for pace, though. Problem is he refuses to use his left leg so cutting inside doesn't work well. Berbatov needs better service and/or better runs around him, and has had some trouble finishing. Rooney is pressing and has had some awful halves this season. Agree about Owen, Park, Carrick (he's gone downhill drastically in 2 years). Giggs has moments of brilliance sandwiched between his own collection of dreadful halves. Gibson is not United quality - great shot on him but I've never seen him do anything else decent and therefore whenever he gets the ball 30 yards out he's looking for the wondergoal. I love Fletcher but he's one of those guys that fans of the team like a lot more than opposition or neutral observers. The back line has been ravaged by injuries, but should be getting some of those guys healthy soon. Long term needs include a GK, too, but they can probably cope in the Prem this year with what they have. I don't anticipate a deep run in the CL, though. Obviously they miss Ronaldo but what they really need is a creative CM. Strange year over there. Seems like Chelsea should be walking away with it but everyone has enough flaws to make the top 6 + Liverpool pretty interesting. Oh, and I watched the entire Leeds game and don't remember hearing the name Grella, but I didn't know he had connections in the US so I wasn't looking out for him either.

They defended Man U brilliantly. I'm surprised. Also, seems like for such a good player, you can say "Rooney was invisible" too often. May just be me, not like I really get to catch too many Premiership games. I really don't think Rooney goes missing more than any other top forward tends to, it's just that he's so hyped in the English and American circles he often can't live up to it. He has been very influential in many games this year, though. That said, he was pretty invisible on Wednesday. Then again, after 10 minutes most of the United team were poor. Both Barca goals were poorly defended, imo, but I don't mean to take anything away from them. Barca outplayed United and the Barca midfield was dominant. So dominant in fact that it really seemed to help their defense which I too though would be suspect going into the game. Overall I thought Van der Sar and Ronaldo were the only respectable United performances, Xavi and Iniesta were magnificent, Messi wasn't that impressive, and Puyol was really annoying. Congrats to Barcelona, and on to the transfer drama. Btw, I was at Fado for the game and stood right in front of a Fire poster the whole time. It got me thinking about attending a game this year, something I've wanted to do but never have. I don't follow MLS more than background tv when it's on, is there any good rivalry to look for or seating tips or any other random advice for the uninitiated?

It's difficult to really pick next season before the summer transfers. As I United fan I'm admittedly biased, but I really do feel like Liverpool had a bunch of things go their way this year and they still couldn't do it. Next season I don't see them taking 14 points off of the other top 3 teams, for instance. As for United, I'm not so sure that Ronaldo is leaving this summer, or even until Sir Alex leaves. I'd happily take the rumored huge transfer fees for him but 3 PL titles and 2 CL finals in a row? Ronaldo's selfish but he can certainly see that United are in a better position that Real at the moment. I won't be upset if (when) Tevez leaves. I love his energy but he really slows down the attack and certain things just bother me about him. Benzema would be my dream but I do not see that happening. I don't think he wants to go to England. Anyway, we'll see what the summer brings. How about the relegation battle? I'd like to see Newcastle go down a year just for laughs. A Toon friend of mine thinks it'd be good for them, though he mostly thinks that because it might get rid of Mike Ashley.

No. Doubt. Porto could've won this 3-1 easily if not for Van der Sar playing very well and Rooney's gifted goal. I have faith in Evans as the back-up central defender behind Rio and Vidic even though he was completely at fault for Porto's first. However, John O'Shea is just not United quality. With as many injuries/suspensions in the defense and the amount of games to be played in 4 competitions O'Shea has wound up playing a majority of the games. Not saying he's the only liability at the moment but he isn't helping. I can easily see Porto going through next Wednesday. Such a change from United's dramatic win against Villa this past Sunday. btw, Adebayor's goal was outstanding. ESPN's coverage of it, not so much. I'm warming to FSC coverage next season. Of course suffering through Tommy Smyth every game is not helping.

I agree with SSR that the sites to see within Wrigley are part of Wrigley themselves, not something you'll have to seek out. If you can get in early you'll have an easier time getting down to field level. As far as outside Wrigley, there aren't really baseball-related activities aside from just being in the crowds (on the street or in the bars) before and after the game. You could just take a walk around the stadium and check out the rooftop buildings and general feel of the park nestled in the neighborhood. On such a walk you'll also see the Harry Caray statue, Ernie Banks statue, Cubs players' car lot (ooh exciting), some stone/brick tributes to Cubs players and other historical figures in the sidewalk, and the new Captain Morgan Club additions on the south side. Some of those are marginally interesting or baseball-related at best, and I'm completely joking about the CMC being anything worth seeing. As far as Yesterday's, I've walked past that place nearly every workday for the past 5 years and never felt the desire to go in. However, if you're into collecting or memorabilia it's probably worth a peek, it's only a block or so down Addison from Wrigley and they seem to have a bunch of random stuff just based on what's in their windows. The shack it's in looks old and about to fall down, and I've heard that it might not make it much longer (the store, that is, not the shack- although I wouldn't doubt that either.) No clue about the Grandstand place but that's a decent amount of time on the L, especially since it sounds like you're flying in and out in one day. If I were you I'd stick around Wrigleyville until you had to get back to Midway. Bars on Clark will be packed. A few blocks west down Addison will be Southport where the bars might not be as hectic, although Saturday afternoon after a Cubs game will be busy anywhere. I don't think you'd get too much heckling in a Reds uniform, unless maybe you're actually wearing Dusty's. Although considering the Reds won't be playing, I'm sure you'll hear some smartass comments about being lost or something. I doubt it'd be anything you couldn't brush off or turn into some light-hearted back and forth, though. Have a good time, I think it's cool that you're coming 'round just to see/experience Wrigley.

.... Utd............Liverpool 08 Roma.......... Arsenal 07 Roma...........PSV 06 DNQ............DNQ 05 DNQ...........Juve 04 DNQ**.........DNQ 03 Real*...........DNQ 02 Deportivo.....Leverkusen 01 Bayern*.......DNQ 00 Real*...........DNQ 99 Inter...........DNQ * Eventual Champion ** Lost to eventual champion in previous round Utd's winning '99 team played Inter - Juve - Bayern L'pool's winning '05 team played Juve - Chelsea - Milan Utd's winning '08 team played Roma - Barca - Chelsea So, no, it doesn't. :) This year they certainly have it easier, though. Liverpool's side is brutal.

Anyone complaining about the scoring system only has himself to blame for not paying attention to this post. It's pretty much the only reason I picked teams like Arizona and picked all the 9s and 10s since those are usually relatively even games anyway and you might as well gamble on the bonus. Imagine if this tournament had been like just about any other without as many top seeds advancing, the disparity between this scoring and normal scoring would be even greater.

Aside from Torres's first goal, both teams were pretty poor. I watched the whole game and can't remember a single decent chance by Chelsea. Lampard did get harshly sent off in the 60th minute but he wasn't doing much before that anyway. Scolari doesn't seem to handle the big games too well.

As am I with Sporting. As I am not with Inter.

I'll be shocked if Hull do anything against Chelsea on Wednesday. They've certainly had an unexpected start to the season but they haven't exactly played anyone that impressive except for Arsenal. Just looking at the table, the 2nd highest team they've played is West Ham who are currently 10th. Combine that with Chelsea coming off the Liverpool loss and I think Hull will be lucky if it's only 0-3 on Wednesday. That said, go Hull City!

This is true. What? Of course that's part of the equation. You think the players don't know the history? You think they don't want to be part of the team that FINALLY does it? Heck, DeRosa even said (on his blog?) after the playoffs that they wanted so badly to finally do it. Every player in the playoffs wants terribly to win. They wouldn't be professional athletes if they thought otherwise. I don't buy the pressing cause of 100 years. SSR - Wow. I think this is the first time I've ever completely disagreed with something that you have written, usually I think that you've condensed my thoughts into something more intelligent, eloquent, and/or humorous and posted them. I'm sure that everyone wants to win, but certainly there are some athletes that care less than others. I've heard many athletes that talk about how it's just a game or just their job, and yeah it's more fun to make millions and play a game but they don't have an intense passion for the game. How many of us on NSBB would jump at the chance to earn our same salary but do it playing baseball vs. how many major leaguers would be registered at any baseball forum if they never played professionally? I just don't think that all ballplayers have an intense drive that has helped them get where they are. Intense talent, sure. I definitely believe that the pressure affected this team, and I believe that the pressure has risen dramatically in the last 10 years and especially since 2003. Up through around 2000 I think that the team and especially the fans were happy to get anything successful. Of course growing up I wanted those '84 / '89 / '98 teams to do better, but even making the post-season was a treat. Something started changing, though, and I'm not sure when, but the Cubs started having payrolls consistently near the top of the league, every game was sold out or at least sold to the point that you didn't see large expanses of empty seats, fans actually started booing their own players, expectations grew. 2003 was an almost unfathomable heartbreak, 2004 and 2005 saw the Sox teams end their droughts, by the time we get to 2008 the fans have dealt with not only those things above but the 2004 collapse, the Cards and Red Sox again winning the WS, the 2007 playoff whimper. We've had a taste, been close to success for 5 years but have never reached a point greater than the 2003 NLDS. As silly as it is, the change in 'drought years' to triple digits seemed somehow more significant. I think all of those things build up, and I think the players know it. Suddenly the guys that have the "it's just a game/job" attitude see how important it is to the fans. I truly think that this might be the only team in history that wanted to win more for their fans than for themselves. Perhaps the 2004 Red Sox were the same way, but weren't they sorta happy-go-lucky calling themselves the Idiots and even they had reached a point where there was so little chance of a comeback that the pressure was essentially off. I don't think that the pressure was the sole cause of the loss, of course. I don't think that it is impossible for the Cubs to ever overcome that pressure. But watching those three games, it just seemed like the pressure was a factor, and that it was a pressure unlike any I can ever remember or have heard about (in sports).

Dead on! =D> I'd be more impressed if it wasn't the exact same order that started this thread. Edit: :shakes fist at otis:

To be fair, he made that remark before we were losing. he also made it afterwards. But his point was valid. You can jump all over him all you want, but give him credit when he's right. Almost every teams stadium would be going nuts in a 1 game playoff. If I recall correctly wrigley field was going nuts during their one game playoff against sf. He was comparing apples to oranges in my opinion so I feel it belongs in the category of dumb things said. I agree. To point out the crowd was quiet is fair, but to compare it over and over again to the Sox crowd for a 1-off do-or-die game isn't the same thing. Gwynn or Darling did point that out, but this isn't about smart points Tony and Ron say. It was at least as dumb as him mixing up the count or some of the other stuff in here.

I think you're overestimating a vast majority of your fellow fans. I'll probably be like you, but I doubt many will. What? Do you mean they're going to go home or they're going to go into the streets? Because if they go home to drink, there's no problem for the city. If they go on the streets with their own flasks, they won't see the last 2 innings. That's going to happen anyway, and like I mentioned above anyone going into the streets during the 8th or 9th is going to miss the game. Personally I don't have a problem with it. Sure there will still be plenty of drunk people in the streets and bars after the game, but an hour of sobriety is better to curb stupid drunken behaviour than an hour of more drinking. I do agree that sales will spike in the 6th and 7th, but there's only so many people that bartenders can serve anyway. The city, and especially that area, is going to be nuts if they clinch the NLCS or WS, I don't see the harm in attempting to control the crowds. I can drink any other day for the rest of my life, why do I need one or two more beers in me to celebrate what is already going to be one of the happier moments I've ever had?

I can't say that I have a problem with any of those things. The cell phone, strip club, camera and alcohol issues are all issues of safety. The smoking ban could be argued that it's a public health issue, which is kinda crap, but the smoke is annoying to most of the non-smokers. I don't really care one way or another about the foie gras or water tax, but I don't have a problem with not inhumanely killing geese or getting the city some revenue from people that buy water when they probably have a perfectly working tap at home.