Blog Archives
Bayern Munich Is Not Loyola-Chicago
Lionel Messi and Barcelona did not earn their way into the final four of the UEFA Champions League after a shocking 3-nil defeat against Roma that sent Roma to the semifinals based on away goals. Whoa.
“Of course that was a warning,” Robben told reporters. “It shows that everything can happen in football.”
And you thought college basketball had a monopoly on madness this time of year.
Soccer is the world’s game and one of this sport’s eternal truths is that anything can happen. The biggest clubs can dominate or stumble in spectacular fashion (see above). That’s part of soccer’s beauty. Another part of this sport’s amazing DNA is that–if approached with hard work, tact, talent, and patience–teams can set themselves up to peak at exactly the right time.
Enter the 2017/2018 Bayern Munich squad.
(Click “Watch this video on YouTube” and then return back to Jimmy’s Daily Planet to finish the article!)
Will Bayern Munich win the Champions League en route to another treble under the management of world-class coach Jupp Heynckes? We’ll see soon.
Most pundits have been critical of Bayern Munich this season outside the Bundesliga. Fair points have been made here and there, I suppose. Still, they’ve been tagged–as a result of a few less than stellar/perfect performances–with an underdog tag for the Champions League.
Well, those same “experts” may want to review the tape and “underdog” roster of Bayern Munich one more time…
because Liverpool, Roma, and Real Madrid certainly are.
The draw for the semifinal matchups is this Friday. Stay tuned to Jimmy’s Daily Planet for the must-see fixtures.
P.S. Bayern Munich has dominated the Bundesliga and has qualified for the UEFA Champions League semifinal without Manuel Neuer. Or, in other words, the world’s best goalkeeper. How many other clubs could do that? Just saying.
Columbus Doesn’t Want 12 Varieties of Jelly
The word “crew” takes on so many important meanings, including family.
Christmas provides the special opportunity to spend time with family and loved ones. Reconnecting on a myriad of levels can be heartwarming and critical. It sharpens and ironically broadens our perspective on what’s valuable in the present and in the future.
In the broad sense, the Columbus Crew needs to be saved from snakes Crew SC owner Anthony Precourt, Crew SC President of Business Operations Andy Loughnane, Precourt Sports Ventures President Dave Greeley and complicit MLS Commissioner Don Garber by remaining in Columbus for this city (America’s soccer capital and beating heart) and for the very identity and promise of U.S. soccer.
Yes, that’s at stake.
In the sharpened sense, a popular clip from a Christmas cinematic classic translates all-too-perfectly for what is happening between the Columbus Crew faithful and its greedy, deceitful and heartless boss. Specifically, the surprise, sleazy announcement by Mr. Precourt a couple months back to Crew fans, employees and sponsors detailing the forthcoming lame-duck season in 2018 reminded me —
You know the scene of…pure passion (yes, I’ll go with that) from Christmas Vacation.
We’re not done yet.
A lot of people happily consider themselves to be a version of Clark W. Griswold and/or that their family is Griswold-esque. It’s a funny, yet proud comparison. Count me and my family in for this exercise! Speaking of the latter, Clark is a proud man, despite his many goofy characteristics. He works hard and wants what is best for his family. Just as stand-up comedians are able to say things in public we only wish we could, maybe Clark W. Griswold is doing that for us (although, my previous blog posts have shown I’m pitching in in that regard) during the holidays.
Now that is the gift that can keep on giving the whole year of 2018 that will not be the last of the Columbus Crew.
#SaveTheCrew
Winter is Definitely Coming to Columbus
Feels like there’s a Game of Thrones vibe with the ongoing battle with #SaveTheCrew vs. Precourt and Co. and MLS.
The #SaveTheCrew movement is far from over and continues to build in power and argumentative prowess and influence against scumbags Crew SC owner Anthony Precourt, Crew SC President of Business Operations Andy Loughnane, Precourt Sports Ventures President Dave Greeley and MLS Commissioner Don Garber as the quieter post-season schedule descends into the winter months.
There’s a popular sign from Magnolia Farms of Fixer Upper with the saying “Today is a good day for a good day.” A great catchphrase. In that spirit, tomorrow is a good day…to save the Crew. I couldn’t swing a rhyme from that but you get the idea.
Here’s another idea to consider.
We aren’t done yet and we need to #SaveTheCrew for Columbus, which is the capital, and beating heart of American soccer.
And for Lamar Hunt. His legacy isn’t done yet either.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 