Roscoe’s September Soccer Report:
September’s a great month for soccer as the UEFA Champions’ League moves into group stage, there are World Cup qualifiers, the European calendar kicks into high gear and MLS is moving toward the playoffs.

US Men’s National Team:

USMNT had a nice month, with two victories in Group 1 play. On the 6th, they defeated Cuba 1-nil on Clint Dempsey’s goal late in the first half Four nights later, they demolished Trinidad & Tobago 3-nil at Bridgeview on goals from Bradley (9), Dempsey (18) and Ching (57).

Revolution/MLS:

Match 23 at Columbus (9/6/08):

Coming off their humiliating defeat last Tuesday night at home against Joe Public FC, Revs traveled to Columbus for an important date with the Crew. Revs are currently two points behind Columbus for first place in MLS East, and they'll have to go the rest of the way this year without Adam Cristman, who had season-ending surgery on his toe earlier this week. Khano Smith will be filling his spot up front. Kheli Dube and Steve Ralston were also unavailable for this match, so the be going in without three of their primary cogs. They were forced to line up in a 4-4-2, which isn’t their desired formation. The Crew are well coached by Sigi Schmid, and while they do not boast a lineup of superstars, they're well-balanced and it's no accident that they're currently in first place. Heaps was carded in the fifth for tripping Eddie Gaven as he cut across the middle toward the box. It was all Columbus in the early going, as Lenhart's spectacular bicycle kick went just over the net and Schelotto's ensuing corner came dangerously close. Schelotto was fouled in the 12th by Nyassi. The indirect free kick that followed hit the bar and so did the rebound, as Columbus has done everything so far but score. Robbie Rogers has created a number of opportunities for Columbus breaking wide on the left flank. In the 17th, Twellman was fouled, setting up an indirect free kick. Larentowicz' free kick was headed out of bounds setting up corner that was snared by the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Reis stopped Carroll's rebound of Schelotto's free kick.

In the 23rd, Albright was carded for a very hard tackle on Rogers. Through the first quarter of the match, Columbus has 7 shots to New England's 0. Twellman had a great chance in the 28th on a nice feed from Castro, but his kick was turned aside by Hesmer. From minutes 30-35, Columbus threw everything they could at New England, and didn't score. Gaven's header in the 39th went just over the bar. In the 40th, Schelotto scored the first goal of the match when he picked up the loose ball in the box and banged it behind Reis. The goal was set up by another break by Rogers down the left flank; his cross into the box was fought between Larentowicz and Lenhart. Neither could get possession and the ball popped free to Schelotto. In minutes 41-43, Columbus had two more opportunities that seriously tested Reis as the Revs defense has become virtually nonexistent. Iro scored his first MLS goal in the first minute of stoppage time when he headed an indirect free kick over Reis, and it was 2-nil Columbus at the half. The way New England played it should have been 6-0.

Hopefully Nicol gave his team an ass-chewing in the dressing room at half-time, because the boys looked like they were sorry and ragged lot out there in the first 45 minutes. It should be noted that Columbus Crew Stadium is a nice, small venue filled with an energetic crowd (though perhaps they could do without the cheerleaders). Joseph was booked in the 49th for inadvertently kicking Robbie Rogers in the head while chasing after a ball in the air. Iro nearly scored again in the 52nd when his header from a corner when it just went wide left. Igwe entered for Tierney in the 58th, and within about 30 seconds, kicked Gaven picking up a yellow card process (he's now reached his limit and will be suspended for Thursday night's match against Chivas USA). In the 67th, Garey (who stepped onto the pitch not even a minute earlier) broke in alone on a pass from Schelotto and bounced the ball beind Reis to make it 3-0. This one cannot end sooner for the Revs. Iro almost scored again in the 73rd when his header whistled over the net. Pat Noonan entered for Columbus in the 74th, and it's really strange not to see him in a red and blue kit, but that's business. Schelotto was substituted in the 83rd, leaving with a goal and two assists. Garey scored his second of the match in the 90th when he broke in alone behind the defense and pushed the ball through Reis’ five hole. The final whistle mercifully blew seconds later. What a 90 minutes to forget.

Match 24 v. Chivas USA (9/11/08):

Prior to the match, there was a moving tribute in honor of the victims and heroes of September 11. This is a very important match for the Revs, as they seriously need to right the ship now as the season turns toward the final stretch. Of late, they have played poorly as would be the case for any side that has played 11 matches in just over five weeks. Preki has his team playing well, (8-9-6-30, 3d Place MLS West) but this is a real opportunity for Revs to pick up some badly needed points. With Ralston back in the starting XI, things in the midfield ought to be far more settled than last Saturday night's disaster in Columbus. Twellman had a great chance in the fourth when he picked up a rebound on a defensive breakdown but fired just wide right of Dan Kennedy in the Chivas goal. Over the first 10 minutes, Revs had much the better of possession and control. Larentowicz took a hard foul from Flores in the 15th leading to a free kick. Twellman headed Ralston's floater into the box and it went just high to the left. Ralston was booked in the 21st for inadvertly kicking Nagamura while chasing after a loose ball at midfield. Revs had a pair of shots on Kennedy in the 25th as they continued to press things in Chivas' end. Ralston had a great chance at the 27th, fighting off a defender and breaking down the left flank but he shot one just over the bar. Albright was carded in the 28th for a rough tackle on Atiba Harris. Moments later, Razov struck a line drive with his left foot from 25 yards out that tested Reis. Around the 30 minute mark, Chivas started to gain momentum and had a few minutes of sustained possession in the Revs' end. In the 35th, Harris and Heaps cracked heads going after a ball and Heaps appeared to have the gotten worst of the collision. Razov was booked in the 43rd for a nasty kick that led to another really good scoring opportunity for Revs. Although revs did not score any goals, this was their most consistent half of football since SuperLiga.

As the second half opened up, Chivas' Curtin had a nice header from an indirect free kick that led to a couple of corners as both sides came out with a lot of energy. In the 53rd, Revs finally put one up on the board when Twellman scored on a give n' go with Ralston. Twellman broke toward the middle into the Chivas end and found Ralston, who crossed on the right flank. He quickly passed the ball to Ralston and broke toward the box. Ralston slipped Twellman the ball and Kennedy was defenseless. They could not have drawn it up any better on a chalkboard. Curtin nearly committed an own goal in the 60th when Khano Smith's drive deflected off his leg and Kennedy was called on to make a really nice save. Mansally entered for Phelan in the 70th, and it's really good to see him back out there after a few weeks out of the lineup with injuries. Phelan played well in his absence, but as the season approaches the playoff hour, the team needs its best players hitting on all cylinders. Mendoza was carded in the 79th for clipping Khano Smith as he attempted to make a break with the ball, as the play started to get a little chippy. Wells Thompson came on fall Nyassi in the 81st to give Revs some fresh legs out there. Moments later, Harris had a great header chance from Razov's corner but it went just wide. In the 84th, Larentowicz put Revs up 2-nil when his line drive from 25 yards out found the goal. It was initially set up on Khano Smith's indirect free kick that targeted Twellman. The rebound bounced back to Ralston, who alertly discovered Larentowicz about 5 yards behind him and slid the ball back to Larentowicz. Bang! Just as the match went to stoppage time, Khano Smith broke down the left flank fought off one attacker and banged the ball low to Kennedy's right to make it 3-nil. Any time Khano gets a little bit of room to operate it is able to build a head of steam, he can be a dangerous weapon. In the third minute of stoppage time, Ralston made it 4-nil when he took a pass from Twellman at midfield and kicked a curveball from 20 yards out that bounced off the right post and into the net. Revs must now feel about 10 feet tall heading into a nine day break and back into the thick of things in the playoff race at 12-7-5-41. This has to be one of the best wins of the year.

Match 25 at Colorado (9/20/08):

After a nine-day rest, Revs traveled to Commerce City for Saturday night date with the Rapids. Whether it's a matter of thin air, or just plain or poor performance, Revs have generally not fared well whenever they travel to Colorado, not having won there in over six years. This is a match in which they need to take some points as Columbus already has a six point lead and there are only five matches remaining in the regular season after tonight. Badilla returned to the Revs' back four after a couple weeks away on international duty with Costa Rica. The Rapids played considerably better since Gary Smith took over from (former Revs' gaffer) Fernando Clavijo in August. In the opening minutes, the Rapids came out with a high tempo and definitely had the advantage in play. Cory Gibbs was carded in the fifth for a very hard tackle on Shalrie Joseph. In the 11th, Colin Clark fouled Nyassi, giving Ralston free kick from about 25 yards out, but Larentowicz' header went wide left. Reis made a leaping save in the 18th off of Labrocca's line drive from 20 yards directly in front. Reis made another save in the 22nd off of Cummings' volley from Clark's cross on the left flank. Revs did not have their first real opportunity until Khano Smith's cross in the 28th. Smith was aiming for Twellman, who broke toward the box but the kick went too high. In the 35th, Colin Clark took a beautiful cross from Cummings and headed it just wide left. Clark finally beat Reis on a header that went low to the left in the 43rd on a great cross. Right before the half, Mastroeni took down Twellman hard.

Mansally entered for Nyassi to begin the second half, and he equalized in the 50th when he picked up a rebound in the middle of the box and flipped it over Preston Burpo. After having missed a number of matches with an adductor strain, it's really nice to see out there again making a big contribution. Clark was carded in the 56th for a high kick on Joseph as he was attempting to boot the ball out of the Revs' end. Khano Smith had to come off in the 71st with leg cramps and Wells Thompson entered in his stead. In the 74th, Twellman's low drive really tested Burpo, as things really began to open up. Moments later, Badilla completely shut down Cummings as he tried to break toward the box with the ball. In the 78th, Reis made a great stop on a cross as Colorado pressed in the Revs' end. In the 83rd, Reis tipped Ballochy's deflection over the bar with a spectacular save. Around this time, Revs appeared to be gassed and holding on for dear life. Parkhurst fouled Cummings and the 88th setting up a free kick in the box to the left of Reis, but the kick sailed over the mass of bodies in front of the Revs' goal. Thompson fouled Clark in the 90th setting up another free kick in the far right-hand corner. Heaps and Clark clashed in the box, and Heaps was irate that a foul was not called. With a minute remaining in stoppage time, Revs had a corner, but Ralston's kick was nowhere near the target. The referee blew the whistle for full time just as the Rapids were making a break with the ball toward the Revs' goal. The Colorado players and bench erupted in fury at the referee's decision, but over 30 additional seconds had elapsed beyond the four minutes that were alotted. Revs may not have played their best tonight, but they can't be all that disappointed with the outcome. Next week, Revs return home for a very important divisional showdown with Columbus.

Match 26 v. Columbus (9/27/08):

Revs returned home on the 27th for what was perhaps their biggest match of the year with Columbus Crew. Columbus sits atop MLS East with 47 points, while Revs have 42. A Columbus win virtually guarantees them first place in the division while Revs can draw to within a couple of points if they prevail. The crew feature a number of top-notch players in Robbie Rogers, Eddie Gaven, Frankie Hedjuk and old friend Pat Noonan. The match was being played in a heavy rainstorm as Hurricane Kyle raced up the eastern seaboard. In a bit of a surprise, Maurcio Castro got a start on the left side, as he's been in Nicol’s doghouse for a while now. Frankie Hedjuk was booked in the sixth for a hard trip on Mansally. In the first 10 minutes, the match was highly spirited despite the pouring rain. Columbus got dangerously close to the 11th with a couple of chances that Reis pushed aside. In the 14th, Twellman nearly scored on a flip kick from Castro's cross but Hesmer knocked it away. In the 19th, Twellman's low drive to the left went just wide of the post. Rogers had Columbus' best opportunity in the 23rd when he took Moreno's cross but kicked the ball about a foot over the bar. A couple of minutes later, Badilla made a great tackle of Noonan as he broke with the ball into the box. Moreno had a great drive in the 34th that Reis tipped away. On the ensuing corner, Chad Marshall scored on a driving header to put Columbus up 1-nil. Reis was incensed because it appeared as if Gaven impeded his progress as he went to grab the ball. Over the course of the last 25 minutes, Columbus really took control of things, especially on plays at midfield. Overall, Revs played as poorly as the weather.

Revs came out for the second half with a much higher level of intensity. In the 53rd, Hesmer came out and broke up Mansally, who broke in alone. A minute later, Castro's drive from the left flank hit the side of the net. Nyassi and Dube entered in the 60th for Dube and Badilla, and Revs moved into a 3-5-2. Perhaps this formation will enable Revs to use their speed on the wings. In the 65th, Hedjuk's drive was blocked by Heaps, then Hedjuk banged into Reis and was sent off with his second yellow, putting Columbus a man down for the rest of the match. Wells Thompson then entered for Castro, and the Crew made a corresponding move when the huge defender Iro replaced Noonan. Hesmer made a great stop of Nyassi's chance in the 71st, when he was sent in all alone with a beautiful pass from Ralston. Anytime Revs got any where near the box, the Crew defenders crowded en masse in front of Hesmer. Heaps' left footed blast from 20 yards out in the 81st went about a foot wide. Dube's shot in the 84th didn't trouble Hesmer.
As the match headed into stoppage time Hesmer was booked for dissent and the Crew’s gaffer, Zigi Schmidt, was sent off for giving the referee a hard time, but his team came away with the three points, and barring the unforeseen, have a lock on the division. Columbus played a very smart game and were well deserved winners of this one.

Wrexham:

Tue. 2 Wrexham 0 - 1 Burton Albion
Sat. 6 Cambridge Utd 2 - 0 Wrexham
Sat. 13 Wrexham 3 - 2 Ebbsfleet United
Sat. 20 Grays Athletic 2-1 Wrexham
Tue. 23 Wrexham 0-3 Rushden & Diamonds

Following two dreary defeats to Burton and Cambridge, Dragons finally came through with a 3-2 win against Ebbsfleet.

At Grays Athletic Sept. 20:
So far, everytime it appears as if Dragons are ready to go on a roll they stumble. Grays picked up two goals by Kieron St. Aimie (40), (45) late in the first half and held on to a 2-1 win. Levi Mackin’s tally in the 51st brought Wrexham close, but the Grays defenders held down the fort and came away with the three points.

Wrexham 0-3 Rushden & Diamonds 9/23/08:

Dragons’ offensive woes continued with another miserable outing at home against R&D.
Daryl Clare scored in the 11th and Chris Hope followed with two second half goals.

The locals are now calling for the gaffer’s scalp as the club has fallen to 13th place in the Blue Square Premier table. Little has expressed disappointment with the team’s recent run of defeats but is determined to hang in for the long haul.

Additionally, there is renewed tension between the Supporters’ Trust and the owner over the refusal of the owner to allow the Trust to purchase an equity stake in the club.

Those who wanted Little's departure got their wish on the 26th when the club announced that he had stepped down by mutual consent.

This is a move that doesn't make very much sense financially or strategically. Although Dragons were relegated after last season, Little performed well enough to earn a two-year contract extension, yet he's gone within two months. The club has had a rough go in the month of September, but one bad month does not a season make. There appeared to be a considerable number of supporters who thought that Wrexham would breeze through the Blue Square Premier and return to the FA after one season. But Little always sounded like a voice of reason, constantly cautioning supporters that the task of returning to League Two was going to be difficult and wouldn't happen overnight. He was asked to do a complete rebuild with a considerably smaller payroll, and it's not as if the most talented footballers in the UK are clamoring to earn a spot on a BSP side. It may prove to be the case that Wrexham needed Little more than he needed them. So, now it’s back to Brian Carey and Martin Foyle running the show and Wrexham fans are well aware of their track records. Moving forward, who knows?

Wrexham 1-1 Torquay 9/27/08:

Dragons needed to come back from one goal deficit to earn a draw with Torquay at the Racecourse. Tim Sills put the visitors ahead in the 35th, but Simon Brown equalized just before the first half came to a close. The team may have been feeling the effects of Little's stunningly sudden departure from the club. By the sound of things, it wasn't the most inspiring draw in the annals of Welsh football.

Piacenza:

Sun. 7 Grosseto 3 - 0 Piacenza
Fri. 12 Piacenza 1 - 1 Livorno
Sat. 20 Ancona 0 - 1 Piacenza
Tue. 23 Piacenza 0 - 0 Rimini
Sat. 27 Albinoleffe 0 - 0 Piacenza

Biancorossi had a busy month of September with five matches, winning one, losing one and playing three draws. The 3-nil defeat at Grosseto was tough to swallow, but they’ve played passably well since though the lack of goal scoring (two in a month) has raised a few eyebrows in the old country. We’ll just have to wait and watch the team jell before commenting further. After the first full month of the calendar, they are 2-1-3-9, good for eighth place on the Serie B table. They next face Salernitana at home on Saturday the fourth.