The Saturday Action

Football (American and World Style) was definitely in the air on the 15th. The Crimson kicked off their 2007 season and lost to Holy Cross in a last-second heartbreaker, 31-28. Harvard had their way of it for most of the first half, going up 14-0. However a pass-interference call late in the half allowed the Crusaders a chance to get back into the game and after thirty minutes, the Crimson lead had dwindled to 14-10.

Holy Cross came out in the second half, moving the ball at will and taking a 24-14 lead. Momentum swung back Harvard’s way on the ensuing kickoff as Stephen Williams returned the ball to the Crusaders’ 33. A couple of plays later, Liam O'Hagan hooked up with fifth-year senior Corey Mazza to pull Harvard to within a field goal. The Harvard defense then stiffened and stopped HC on successive possessions. Cheng Ho then broke a 47-yard run for a touchdown late, and things were looking great for the visitors. But they let QB Dominic Randolph off the hook. After picking off Randolph late on a fourth-and-ten desperation pass, all the Crimson had to do was move the chains and kill the clock. But they couldn’t, and allowed Randolph one final crack at the end zone. Getting the ball at their own 23, Randolph and The Cross methodically moved the ball to midfield then, as the clock was winding down, Randolph hit Thomas Harrison in the right corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 19 seconds remaining.

On that sorry note, the Crimson look to rebound next Saturday night as they open their home and Ivy schedule against Brown. The biggest disappointment, beyond the defeat, was the failure of the Crimson’s vaunted pass defense to keep Randolph in check, as they surrendered 339 yards on 29 completions. Additionally, the team uncharacteristically played undisciplined football, getting hit with 11 penalties. On the plus side, Cheng Ho carried 24 times for 116 yards, and Corey Mazza picked up over 100 yards on seven catches. The team needs to play smarter, tougher and more disciplined football next time out. Coach Murphy will have the team ready to go next week.

Wrexham & Piacenza, Matches of 15 September:
There were three Saturday matches that occupied Roscoe’s afternoon and evening as well. Now that he has discovered this contraption known as the computer, he has also found the ability to catch up on his two European teams as the matches unfold. He’s like an insufferable child with a new toy; ridiculous is what it is.

Wrexham lost again 1-0 at home to Rotherham United on a late goal by Chris O’Grady (78), continuing their losing streak and regrettably maintain a solid lock in last (24th) place in League Two with a 1-4-0 record. Roscoe has even learned from his moles on the scene that the dreaded “R” word is being whispered about the Racecourse Ground.

Dragons had a chance midway through an otherwise listless first half of play but did not get their game in gear until Manager Brian Carey shook brought in Silvio Spann and Chris Llewellyn as substitutes in the 73rd. Just as it appeared as if Wrexham’s luck would change, they were caught on an offside trap play and O’Grady tucked in the game-winner. Although the season is but a month old, the lads really need to get their act in gear before the season slips away.

On a much brighter note, Piacenza picked up their first win of the season in the 3° giornata of Serie B TIM play with a very determined 1-nil defeat of Bari at the friendly confines of Leonardo Garilli. The Wolves entered the match without first-teamers Nef, Stamilla and Cacia and relied heavily on stalwarts Miglionico and Patrascu to get the job done. Miglionico’s goal in the 61st proved to be the difference for the Biancorossi, who are now 1-2-0 and look to work their way up the Serie B ladder.

Revolution/MLS:

One thing that MLS really needs to foster is deep-seated bitter rivalries, like Red Sox-Yankees, or Bruins-Canadiens (and don’t forget Harvard-Yale). It appears that a nasty one has developed between LA Galaxy and Chivas USA, who both occupy the same venue in Carson. So much so that the squads have taken to labeled their clashes as “the Super Clasico Series”. This year the match and the series belonged to the tenants (Chivas), as they thoroughly routed their landlords (Galaxy) 3-nil before a packed house on Thursday the 12th. Chivas had goals from Ante Razov (23), Francisco Mendoza (88) and Laurent Merlin (90) and the win tied them with Houston for first place in MLS West with 42 points. Chivas has a great squad and appears to be peaking as the regular season moves into its final month of play.

Meanwhile, in Foxboro the Revs had to make do without Coach Nicol in their clash against FC Dallas on Saturday Night. Nicol was suspended for the match after his tirade against the officials last Sunday after the non-call of a foul led to DC United’s game-winning goal.

The Revs had a much happier time of it on Saturday as they grabbed an early lead on Pat Noonan’s goal in the 29th and played well (most especially in the second half) to pull away with a 4-2 victory. FCD’s sniper, Carlos Ruiz tied the match in the 35th and the sides went in square at the half.

In the second, the Revs ratcheted up their game (which was a pleasant surprise) Noonan scored his second of the match in the 58th and Ralston made it 3-1 in the 78th picking up a rebound from a scrum in front of the Dallas net. Carlos Ruiz hit again in the 84th as FCD mounted a serious rally, but this time it was too little, too late. Khano Smith banged in an insurance goal during extra-time (90) as the Revs pulled back to within a point of DC United in MLS East with five regular season matches remaining. Khano was the player of the match as he used his outstanding speed on the left flank helped to set up three of the Revs’ four goals. It’s always great to see the non-superstars step up when it counts. These two sides will next square off in the US Open Cup final on October 3rd in Texas. That ought to be a lot of fun.

Next up for the Revs is a trip to the Meadowlands on the 22nd and a meeting with Bruce Arena’s Red Bull New York.

Wrexham has two matches this week, on Tuesday the 18th, they’re home against Macclesfield in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Tournament and on the 22nd, they return to League Two play on the road in Stockport.

Piacenza also have two road matches in Serie B play in the upcoming week, on 18th at Brescia and the 22nd at Treviso.