Random Soccer Thoughts

It was an interesting weekend in the soccer world:

• Being a keeper is dangerous: I knew this already (and still have the bruises to prove it), but English giants Chelsea learned that lesson in a particularly harsh way this weekend. In a Saturday match against Reading, Chelsea lost not one but two world class keepers in collisions with the opposing team. Starter Petr Cech suffered a "depressed fracture" in his skull, while backup Carlo Cudicini left the game later with another head injury. As a result, Chelsea's third-string keeper, Hilario, will be between the pipes for Wednesday's Champion's League showdown with Barcelona. And, no, I did not make up that name!

• In America . . .: ESPN's Andrea Canales had an interesting article over the weekend about how foreign players adapt to playing in MLS. In spite of the rather small salaries (in global terms), the South Americans are enjoying MLS due to such small luxuries as grass (as opposed to pure dirt or broken glass) fields and getting paid with regularity. Ah, the glorious life of a professional athlete!

• We're doomed: If you just looked at the final MLS standings, you'd think that DC United would be in good shape for the playoffs. Best record in the league, home field advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs, etc. Unfortunately, most of DC's points came during a blazing early season run and the standings mask the fact that they've been playing like shite for the last few weeks. After watching the 3-2 loss to the Fire yesterday, I'm convinced we'll bomb out of the playoffs again. Hopefully not in the first round against the Metroscum, er, Red Bulls, but I wouldn't be surprised.