Since, we have a negative thread going on about the EPL football teams, I thought I would mention, two EPL teams, Manchester City and Chelsea are in contention to play in the Champions League final.
Manchester City, probably the best club in the world, beat Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semi final 2-1 and then my club Chelsea tied Real Madrid 1-1 in the first leg of the other semi. And the loan goal for Chelsea was scored by none other than the top American player, young Christian Pulisic. See below. Pulisic has now scored six goals for Chelsea in his last 8 starts.
BTW, it is the first time that two Americans have appeared in the Champions League semis. Zack Steffen, the USMNT goalkeeper is the backup goalie for Manchester City.
I believe the opposition was practicing social distancing. Where was the defense? That was unbelievably bad defense. I saw defenders dropping behind keeper. So Christian just dribbled to space. Thanks for the link. Watched it several times.
When I was watching the game live, I wondered if the defense thought Pulisic off-side and the flag would go up. It looked like the defense kind of froze.
True about the Champions League. Could also have an all-English Europa League final (kinda the NIT of Euro soccer). ManU appears to be safe with a 6-2 lead halfway through the semifinal tie. Arsenal trails 2-1 but got a critical away goal late in the first match. Winning the second match 1-0 would send them into the final. Away goals are the tiebreaker in two-game total goals ties. If they win 2-1, extra time and penalties follow. If they win 3-2, Villarreal advances on away goals.
American angle? MU and Arsenal are both owned by Americans.
Weird note: Villarreal is coached by Unai Emery, who was fired by Arsenal to hire its current coach, Mikel Arteta.
I had forgotten about Emery coaching Arsenal. I remember now being surprised that he was sacked. I thought he had a good run that season with Arsenal till the very end.