Busy weekend for soccer fans here in central Massachusetts.
First it was the much anticipated Champions League Final, which for first time ever saw both teams from the same city, Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid. Real was trying to win their #10 title in this competition, while the Spanish title winner this year Atletico has never won. It was only fitting that the final venue was held in Lisbon, another Spanish invasion into Portugal, but this time they left money.
Real is famous for contracting and buying some of the best players to ever play and paying high transfer fees. Five of the top ten most expensive players ever bought were done by Real Madrid and four of them breaking the record at the time.
Under manager Diego Simeone Atletico, in the 2nd finals appearance, has played very tough defense while star striker Diego Costa has caught the attentions of some of the richest teams in the world. Atletico scored first on a corner kick headed in by Godin over Real keeper Iker Casillas, who was caught in no man’s land while trying to intercept the ball.
I believed Atletico was going to pull it off. Real spent most of the 2nd half attacking, getting closer and closer, but could not tie the game. Atletico was making stops on defense, challenging hard for every ball and were still ahead with 2 minuted left in the 5 minute over-time.
Also in a corner kick, Sergio Ramos scored the tying goal with a header perfectly placed to the corner. Atletico keeper had no chance to make the save. At this point, you could see the Atletico players were exhausted and were trying to play for the penalty shoot-out. In addition, Atletico defender Juanfran in the first OT had badly turned his ankle but stayed in, knowing his team was out of subs and didn’t want to put his team down a man. Real scored 3 more goals in the second OT for the final 4-1 win.
Later the New England Revolution played the last team to beat them, DC United, and won 2-1. This win the extends their unbeaten run to 7 games, 6 wins and 1 tie, and their lead in first place to 5 points.
- Jose Goncalves came back into the line up from a quad injury since early April.
- Keeper Bobby Shuttleworth also came back from injury.
- Star player Diego Fagundez had a goal and assist, and was named Santander man of the match.
Santander Man of the Match vs DC United
- Rookie sensation Patrick Mullins scored his 4th goal of the season, extended his goal scoring streak to 4 games now.
- The Revolution has scored at least 2 goals in a game 5 straight games.
- Young defender Andrew Farrell logged another 90 minutes on defense.
Next Saturday the Revolution travel to Montreal and take on the Impact, currently the worst team in MLS. They are tied for most goals against (22), fewest goals scored(9), and overall record stands at 1 win 6 losses 4 ties. Easy to look at this and say win, especially since the Revs are the hottest team in MLS, but I am sure manager Jay Heaps will warn against this.
