UnkNuk

Honestly, you lose one game in 2024 and it costs you the title. Actually, as they mentioned on the telecast, the title was lost between Dec 23 and Dec 31. Three games, a potential nine points, and Arsenal got one point. The draw with Liverpool, in Liverpool, was understandable. But to lose to West Ham and Fulham back-to-back ----- ARRGH! Still and all, the team is going in the right direction. It's just their misfortune to be a very good team at the same time as another team is a super-team. Congrats to Man City. Four titles in a row is remarkable. Now let's see what Arsenal does in the (too short) off-season.

Dunno. But if he doesn't there's going to be 50,000+ pissed-off fans at BC Place.

Whitecaps pretty much stole a point tonight. They did not play well. When even the announcers note that the teams are playing poorly you know it's a lacklustre game. Vancouver dodged a bullet after a penalty kick probably should have been awarded to Seattle when Brown elbowed the ball in the box in the second half. Next MLS game: at home to Miami next Saturday. Hopefully they rise to the occasion because if they play like they've been playing these last few games that game could become a Miami blowout.

The Seattle/Whitecaps game tonight is on TSN3&4 at 7:30.

One question in my mind is: to what extent do the rich influence government policy - including (especially) CRA policy?

Seems like Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes had a decent outing yesterday: Paul Skenes Dazzles in Second Career Start, Re-Writes All Kinds of History As he was when these teams played a week ago, Pirates' pitcher Paul Skenes was the story. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft did not disappoint in his second career start, throwing six no-hit innings against the National League Central contenders. The LSU product dominated the strike zone, throwing 67 of 100 pitches for strikes. He walked just one and struck out 11. https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/history/pittsburgh-pirates-paul-skenes-dazzles-in-second-career-start-re-writes-all-kinds-of-history-01hy5rtfsnrb

I see Southampton beat Leeds both times this season, 3-1 and 2-1.

Colorado 1 Whitecaps 0 Three games in a row without scoring a goal. The Caps had an excuse this time with Utvik being sent off with a red just at the end of the first half. Unlucky bounce as he slid to prevent a goal and the ball hit his arm. Not only a penalty kick but an automatic red card. Harsh. Even down a man throughout the second half the team played gamely but couldn't score. Next up: Seattle on Saturday.

Nice to see that some teams are upgrading their talent. Olivier Giroud signs for LAFC, reunites with Hugo Llori There's a new superstar striker in MLS, with LAFC officially signing Olivier Giroud to a Designated Player deal through 2025 with an option for 2026. He will join the club this summer as a free agent from Italian Serie A side AC Milan. Giroud is France's all-time leading scorer with 57 goals. He is also third in appearances (131) for Les Bleus and is expected to participate in Euro 2024 this summer. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/olivier-giroud-signs-for-lafc-reunites-with-hugo-lloris

Haaland!

American Jesse Marsch named Canadian men's soccer coach through 2026 World Cup American Jesse Marsch, whose coaching resume include stints in England's Premier League, Germany's Bundesliga and Major League Soccer, has been named coach of the Canadian men's soccer team. Canada Soccer said Marsch, the former coach of Leeds United, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and Montreal Impact, takes over immediately with a contract that runs through July 2026 — when Canada will jointly host the World Cup with Mexico and the United States. Marsch, who becomes the 20th Canadian men's head coach, has a 170-66-103 managerial record, according to Canada Soccer. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/american-jesse-marsch-canadian-mens-soccer-coach-1.7203020

What do you think? Does Shoigu go quietly into the night? Or does he command a lot of support in the military?

I think one factor in the decline of military spending would have been the collapse of the Soviet Union back in 1991.