Prost Amerika columnist Alan Hinton reviewed the latest soccer news. In this week’s Hinton Unleashed, he shared his thoughts on the tight Major League Soccer races for the playoffs, the upcoming National Soccer Hall of Fame inductions, Osvaldo Alonso’s reunion with his father after eight long years, UEFA Champions League matches, and several intriguing English Premier League clashes this weekend.
Major League Soccer
“On Sunday Sounders play Los Angeles, which will be a donnybrook, a battle royale.”
The upcoming clash between the Seattle Sounders FC and LA Galaxy will showcase the league’s top players: Seattle’s Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, and LA’s Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane.
Hinton noted the importance of the game, and how tight the races were to determine the post-season participants and eventual opponents. The top six teams in each conference are separated by six points.
Saturday’s National Soccer Hall of Fame inductions ceremony will be held in Seattle. Hinton commented on the well-deserved recognition for current Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid, former keeper Kasey Keller and the late Glenn Myernick.
Seattle midfielder Osvaldo Alonso was reunited with his father after eight years. Hinton provided a brief history on Alonso’s journey from Cuba to playing in Major League Soccer, and the emotional impact of playing in front of his father this weekend.
UEFA Champions League
“I think Arsene Wenger’s playing with numbers too much…He does play head games with his lineup. He plays head games with his players, and I don’t think it’s working that well. He’s in trouble now.”
Arsenal’s home loss to Olympiakos and Chelsea’s defeat to Porto in this week’s UEFA Champions League matches put both respective managers in the hot seat. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s decision making was questioned by Hinton. Chelsea’s head man Jose Mourinho watched his side lose to Porto, the team he led to the 2003-04 Champions League title.
English Premier League
“I thought McClaren really lost the plot by playing at home for the tie.”
Hinton criticized Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren for his decision to settle for a draw in the late stages of the match against Chelsea. With three points on the line, McClaren decided to play it safe on several corner kicks and earn a single point.
The former Derby County winger was intrigued by Sunday’s EPL matchups: Manchester United travels to Arsenal, while Everton hosts Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby.
