Entries from March 2004 ↓

The US Men’s National Team earned it’s virst victory in Europe since 1998 with a 1-0 win over Poland in Polsk this afternoon.DeMarcus Beasley’s 26th minute goal was all it took for the US to notch win number one in 2004.

WOW!

.Wachovia Center Philadelphia March 29, 2004

01. Rebel Rebel
02. Hang On To Yourself
03. New Killer Star
04. Fame
05. Cactus
06. All The Young Dudes
07. China Girl
08. Reality
09. The Man Who Sold The World
10. Hallo Spaceboy
11. Sunday
12. Heathen (The Rays)
13. Under Pressure
14. Quicksand (aborted)
15. Life On Mars?
16. Quicksand
17. Looking For Water
18. Days
19. Blue Jean
20. Ashes To Ashes
21. White Light, White Heat
22. I’m Afraid Of Americans
23. “Heroes”
Encore:
24. Five Years
25. Suffragette City
26. Ziggy Stardust

I’m too exhausted to do a report right now (worked last night, stayed up to watch the match), so I’ll rely on the mothership’s version of events to tide you over.

From Arsenal.com

1 - 1

By Richard Clarke

Louis Saha struck with five minutes left to deny Arsenal victory against Manchester United at Highbury on Sunday.

The Frenchman slotted home at the far post just when Arsenal fans were starting to believe that Thierry Henry’s spectacular 30-yard drive soon after half time would be enough to seal all three points.

Even after Saha’s late goal the drama was not over. Lauren popped up alone in the box a minute into injury time but, with acres of space, allowed Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll to save.

This result sees Arsenal’s lead over second-place Chelsea cut to seven points with eight games left. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are still third and still 12 points adrift of the leaders.

But avoiding defeat means Arsenal are now 30 games unbeaten since the start of the season and that breaks the record held jointly by Leeds and Liverpool.

It also equalled Burnley’s 83-year-old record for the longest unbeaten streak within a season. That was recorded in the 1920/21 season when the Turf Moor club went on to lift the title.

And despite the disappointment of that late leveller, Arsenal are still well on course to emulate that feat.

There were two changes to the Arsenal side that had drawn 1-1 at Chelsea on Wednesday night. Gael Clichy replaced Ashley Cole (knee) and Reyes started up front so Dennis Bergkamp dropped to the bench.

The good news was Patrick Vieira (knee), Robert Pires (Achilles) and Sol Campbell (groin) had passed fitness tests on niggles either picked up or aggravated at Stamford Bridge. They all retained their places in the starting line-up.

The days when Arsenal and Manchester United can play a low-key affair are long gone. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, the dominant force in English football for more than a decade, came to Highbury well adrift of Ars�ne Wenger’s leaders. One sensed they needed nothing less than victory to have any hope of pulling back that lead.

And whatever happened today, there would be another locking of horns next Saturday for the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park.

The start was the normal one seen in these games - fast, frantic and pressurised with no space for flowing football.

It took eight minutes for the game to settle enough for a chance to be created. Henry clipped a clever through ball for Ljungberg to conjure a yard of space for himself in the area. The Swede got his shot away but Wes Brown slid in with a wonderful block to smother the danger. A minute later Roy Carroll had to deny Ljungberg’s shot high at the near post after the midfielder had scampered through on the right.

The frenzy was ebbing away and the football was starting to find some fluency.

In the 13th minute, Giggs decided not to float his corner into the crowd area but spotted Eric Djemba-Djemba on the edge of the area. The Cameroon midfielder flicked the ball over the head of Vieira and then unleashed a powerful low shot that forced Jens Lehmann into a sharp save just inside his right-hand post.

Arsenal replied immediately when Reyes raced through and powered a low shot goalward only for Carroll to save with his legs. Then, midway through the half, Henry ran onto a loose ball to a rising rocket of a shot that flew narrowly over the angle of post of bar.

Five minutes before the break, Henry raced clear on the right. He burst into the area and cut inside his marker and keeper Carroll. The Arsenal striker went to ground as the home crowd screamed for a penalty. Referee Graham Poll waved play on.

Within five minutes of the restart, Henry put Arsenal ahead - and this time it was all his own work. Some 30 yards out, he nudged a high pass to Reyes who nodded it back into his path. The Frenchman looked up and spanked, that is the only word for it, a viciously swerving shot that bemused Carroll and arrowed high into the net.

It was his 31st in total this season, his 22nd in the Premiership and his 104th in the League overall. The last figure was significant because that overtook the tally struck by Ian Wright, the club’s record-scorer.

Within a couple of minutes, the visitors might have been level when Campbell tangled with Giggs as the Welshman burst into the area near the byline. Again no penalty was given.

Soon afterwards Reyes, who was having arguably his best game in an Arsenal shirt, chased a lost cause, won the ball and poked it ball wide of the upright.

But, now they were trailing, Ferguson knew he had to go for it. That is why he replaced Djemba-Djemba with Saha just before the hour. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer followed not long afterwards.

In the 63rd minute, Lauren and Pires combined for Ljungberg to clip a tantalising cross to the far post. But the sliding Edu arrive just too late to convert. With 20 minutes left, Reyes nearly profited from a kind rebound to poke another goal.

The Spanish striker was replaced by defensively-minded midfielder Gilberto with 13 minutes left as Wenger looked to close off the game.

Ljungberg might have killed it with 10 minutes left but, after galloping clear on to Pires through ball, he lost his footing and prodded a meek shot into the arms of Carroll.

But Manchester United were pressing and Lehmann had to rush out to deny Giggs near the byline then Brown nodded over.

Still Arsenal seemed to coasting home until, just after Bergkamp had replaced Pires, they allowed substitute Saha to steal in and slot home at the far post.

Henry nearly restored Arsenal’s lead immediately. He twisted in the area and then brought the best of Carroll as his shot looked like it might sneak in at the near post.

A minute injury time, the Frenchman set up an even better chance for Lauren, who had appeared in the area. The right back dithered and then saw his shot by the legs of Carroll.

So late disappointment and the lead is now down to seven points but , with eight games to go, Arsenal are still in the driving seat in the Premiership.

Robert Pires scored the all-important away goal when his glancing header in the 59th minute earned the Gunners a draw in a tough London-derby Champions League quarter-final first-leg match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Eidur Gudjohnsen had put Chelsea ahead just six minutes earlier, winning the ball back from Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann’s attempt to clear, and shooting into the open net.

This sets up a huge encounter in two weeks time at Highbury. Arsenal are definitely the heavy favorites thanks to Super Bob’s goal.

Next up for the Gunners are the ManUre scum at Highbury this Sunday. The match is on PPV at 10 AM ET here in the US.

Here’s the full monty on today’s match from the BBC:

1 - 1

Ten-man Chelsea avoided a fourth consecutive defeat to Arsenal to set up an enthralling Champions League quarter-final second leg in two weeks.
Eidur Gudjohnsen put the home side in front in the 53rd minute after an error from Gunners goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

But that lead lasted just six minutes as Robert Pires levelled, heading home an Ashley Cole cross.

Neither side could seal the win, though, even after Marcel Desailly was sent off with 10 minutes remaining.

Chelsea had gone into the game on the back of three defeats to Arsenal this season.

And it was the Gunners who marginally edged an initially bright half, which gradually petered out as attack after attack was snuffed out by both sides.

KEY MOMENTS
53 mins: Gudjohnsen scores after Lehmann error
59 mins: Pires heads home Cole cross
84 mins: Desailly sent off for second bookable offence

The Stamford Bridge crowd were, at times, treated to end-to-end running but had to wait until the 34th minute for the first chance on goal.

Dennis Bergkamp struck relatively tamely from the left flank, but with just enough force for Marco Ambrosio to fumble the ball before gathering at the second attempt.

Chelsea had their only real opportunity of the half two minutes later from a Damien Duff corner.

The Republic of Ireland international’s cross bounced back to Scott Parker, who sent William Gallas clear inside the box.

The Frenchman duly lofted the ball to Gudjohnsen but it bounced awkwardly and he failed to make good contact.

Frank Lampard nearly put Chelsea into an early second-half lead when his innocuous strike was almost headed into the Arsenal goal by Sol Campbell.

Lampard then turned provider for the game’s first goal in the 53rd minute after sending Gudjohnsen clear and forcing a Lehmann error.

Gudjohnsen, free of defenders, charged down Lehmann’s clearance which bounced kindly for the Finnish striker, with the German keeper left stranded outside the box.

Gudjohnsen then whipped the ball from the edge of the area into an empty net.

The lead lasted just six minutes before John Terry was caught out of position and Pires comfortably headed home a deft Cole cross.

Both sides continued to push for the win, each bringing on fresh legs to break the deadlock.

Gudjohnsen had a slim chance for a second but his shot was comfortably saved by Lehmann before team-mate Desailly got his marching orders in the 80th minute for a second bookable offence.

The loss did little to shake Chelsea, who comfortably held on for the draw.

The greatest closer of all-time re-ups with the greatest baseball team of all-time

From Yankees.com:

03/23/2004 2:11 PM ET
Rivera, Yankees agree on new pact
Deal with team saves leader could run through 2007
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com Tickets Scoreboard Fantasy

TAMPA — For Mariano Rivera, the Yankees’ premier closer, it’s case closed as far as negotiations on a contract extension are concerned.
The Yankees held a press conference Tuesday at Legends Field, where they announced a contract that could run through 2007 with the club’s all-time saves leader.

The sides agreed to a two-year contract with a club option for 2007, which can vest based on performance.

“We’re excited,” said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. “Mo’s been a big part of this organization from the beginning, when things turned around for us in 1996 with the tremendous setup job he did. Without question we’re talking about the best reliever in the history of baseball, and that’s how this organization sees him and I think that’s how the baseball community sees him.”

Rivera, who has 283 career saves, is believed to have agreed to $21 million over the first two years of the deal.

If the option is exercised, Rivera will also earn $10.5 million in 2007, making the annual salary close to John Smoltz’s $11 million. That figure is tops among relievers.

“I thank Mr. George for giving me the opportunity to stay with the Yankees forever,” Rivera said, referring to team owner George Steinbrenner. “This is the team I want to be with. I was born to be a Yankee.”

Cashman had been negotiating with agent Fernando Cuza throughout the spring, as the two sides worked to keep Rivera in the only uniform he has ever worn in his Major League career.

“The ingredients were there because we wanted to keep him and he wanted to stay,” Cashman said. “If we could work something out that made sense for both sides, there was no reason not to get it done.”

A five-time All-Star legendary for his postseason record, Rivera is entering the final season of a four-year, $39.99 million contract. He saved 40 games last season, compiled a 1.66 ERA, and was named Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series, won by the Yankees over Boston in seven games.

“He’s the best I’ve ever been around,” said manager Joe Torre, himself reported to be in negotiations for a contract extension. “Not only his ability to pitch and perform under pressure, but the calm he puts over the clubhouse is very important to us. He’s a special person.

“A closer is more than a pitcher, he’s an everyday player for us. You can’t win a game unless you get those last three outs.”

Rivera, 34, came up to the Yankees as a starter in 1995 but developed into a reliever the following season, setting up for closer John Wetteland as the Yankees won their first world championship since 1978. In 1997, Rivera became the team’s closer. He is 7-1 with a Major League-record 30 saves and a 0.75 ERA in 61 career postseason games. He also has a record nine World Series saves.

“I could’ve tested the [free agent] market, but that was not my goal,” Rivera said. “My goal was to remain a Yankee. I’m really happy we got the deal done. I hope I have a chance to get to the Hall of Fame in pinstripes.”

Rivera, who is 10 appearances shy of Dave Righetti’s record for most appearances by a Yankees pitcher, embraced Steinbrenner at the end of the press conference. The two left together.

“I know you’re going to do fine,” Steinbrenner told Rivera. “Now we have to get Joe and we’ll have everybody.”

Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Official site updated with more info regarding highly anticipated release…

StarWars.com was updated today with a feature on the artwork for the upcoming four-disc boxset which will be released on September 21. It was anticipated around the net that pre-orders were to begin today, but from what we can tell, that hasn’t started yet.

To find out more, visit StarWars.com