#evan friedell

[weclassybouquetfun]

Oscars tonight,

but while the awards are preparing to be handed out, who are the red carpet fashion winners?

Spoiler Alert: Disappointingly, not Colman Domingo who has been killing all awards season. This is too moderate for me.

He still looks tremendous, though.

It's Eugene Lee Yang of NIMONA!

MORE FASHION

Ryan Gosling (with sister and parents)

(Ken) Kingsley Adir

(Ken) Ncuti Gatwa

(Ken) Scott Evans

(Ken) Simu Liu

Cillian Murphy

Robert Downey Jr.

Double dating with Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky

SOCIETY OF THE SNOW Enzo Vogrincic

Bradley Cooper - I love the flared pants

Matt Bomer

Omar Rudberg (in Prada)- hate, hate, hate, hate. You don' have your tits out at the Oscars. That's a Golden Globes thing!

Sterling K. Brown (love the sash effect)

Teo Yoo (Past Lives)

John Magaro (Past Lives)

Ramy Youssef

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Dominic Sessa in Tom Ford

Christian Friedel (Zone of Interest)

Milo Machado Graner (Anatomy of A Fall)

Mamoudou Athie

Taylor Zakhar Perez in Prada. Love the cornsilk.

[beautifulgiants]

Amelia Dimoldenberg reporting at the Oscars '24

Jennifer Lawrence, Billie Eilish, Finneas, Florence Pugh, Becky G, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Cord Jefferson, Ke Huy Quan, Alex Consani, Sandra Hüller, Diane Warren, Ramy Youssef, Liza Koshy, Ludwig Göransson, Amber Midthunder, Christian Friedel, Anya Taylor-Joy, Cynthia Erivo, Simu Liu, Scott Evans, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooks, Josh Hartnett, Tamsin Egerton, Celine Song, Justine Triet

[alittlemorevodka]

You’ve got to love this band! Jimkata,  is a three-piece synth-based pop band, that transcends that label, mixing in echos of Motown, modern-rock and funk, within that framework. It’s a formula that definitely works, as demonstrated by Roots Down (seen / heard here), a single that was released back in March. This track is full of dance-beat goodness, but not the thump-thump of the modern DJ driven spinners, replacing that instead with a genuine beat that compliments the music perfectly. The band’s vocals are very pleasing. 

If you are looking for information on the band members, all I can say is that the three piece is made up of Evan Friedell, Aaron Gorsch and Packy Lunn, friends since middle-school. They’ve been making music together since at least 2009, with their most recent long-player (aside from a “hits” album) 2016′s In Motion. Coming up (perhaps even released by the time you read this) is the band’s 2021 release Bonfires. Hopefully that will include Roots Down. 

The band’s web site is fairly complete, aside from a sketchy biography and a missing link to their bandcamp.com site. Otherwise the social and streaming links are there. 

Check out this fun-loving three piece band that is destined to get you moving. Pick up some Jimkata music now!

[pakcricwiz]

Football quiz: can you pick the oldest or youngest players in these quartets?

From Ronaldo to Beckenbauer, how good are you at ageing current and former players?

More quizzes: commentators, globetrotters, managers and keepers

Which of these footballers is the eldest?

Cristiano Ronaldo

Leighton Baines

Gary Cahill

Scott Carson

Three of these former players were born in the 1950s. Who is the only one born in the 1960s?

Nigel Spink

Mirandinha

Lee Chapman

Diego Maradona

Which of these legendary strikers was born first?

Robbie Fowler

Andriy Shevchenko

Ruud van Nistelrooy

Patrick Kluivert

Three of this quartet were born in the 1970s – but who was born in the 1960s?

Steve Stone

Cafu

Dennis Bergkamp

Brad Friedel

Who is the youngest of these four players?

Dean Ashton

Ben Foster

Glenn Murray

David Bentley

Four more prolific strikers here – but who is the eldest?

James Beattie

Emile Heskey

Thierry Henry

Miroslav Klöse

These four players were born in different years. Can you pick out the youngest?

Olivier Giroud

Aaron Lennon

Jonny Evans

Phil Bardsley

Three of these players were born within nine days of one another, in August 1988. Who wasn't?

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Nemanja Matic

Erik Pieters

Willian

Four players beginning with J here – who's the youngest?

Joe Hart

Jamie Vardy

Jan Vertonghen

Juan Mata

Who is the oldest player in this continental quartet?

Lars Bohinen

Tomas Brolin

Robert Prosinecki

Uwe Rösler

These four were all born within five months of one another. Who is the eldest?

Chris Kirkland

Peter Odemwingie

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Shaun Wright-Phillips

Four more Js here. They were all rising stars at one point and may be a little older than you thought. Who is the eldest?

Jonjo Shelvey

Jack Wilshere

Jesse Lingard

Jack Rodwell

Who is the eldest of this quartet?

Chris Armstrong

Rob Jones

Shaun Goater

Jari Litmanen

Who is the youngest of these youthful players?

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Ismaïla Sarr

Declan Rice

Christian Pulisic

Finally, which of these legends was born first?

Pelé

Bobby Charlton

Eusébio

Franz Beckenbauer

2 and above.

It's the taking part that counts

4 and above.

It's the taking part that counts

5 and above.

You're a glass-third-full kind of quizzer

6 and above.

Good in a box of eggs, not so hot in a quiz that's out of 15

7 and above.

Agonisingly short of half

8 and above.

Well it's more than half

9 and above.

That "just shy of double-figures" feeling

10 and above.

Two-thirds of the way to astonishing

11 and above.

Very decent indeed

12 and above.

Losing the fourth-place play off

13 and above.

Winning the fourth-place play off

14 and above.

Almost suspiciously good

15 and above.

All that time in Championship Manager finally paid off

0 and above.

Well, thanks for coming anyway

1 and above.

It's the taking part that counts

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[torentialtribute]

What happened to Federico Macheda, 10 years after his wondergoal for Manchester United?

In a parallel universe, Liverpool would not be trying to end nearly 30 years of hurt and misery in the Premier League title race.

That particular drought would have ended a decade ago, when a team led by Rafael Benitez hunted down their bitter rivals Manchester United to proudly restore the Reds of Merseyside to their perch.

All this could quite feasibly happened – were it not for the intervention of a 17-year-old kid from Italy making one of the most cinematic debuts in football history

Federico Macheda, making his first- team debut for Manchester United, his crucial goal against Aston Villa in 2009

With United set to drop two important poi nts in the title race with Liverpool, Macheda scored a stoppage-time winner

The 17-year-old Italian had been promoted from the United reserve team by Sir Alex Ferguson amid a striker shortage

Danny Welbeck (center) goes wild while Macheda runs off to celebrate his goal – his first ever in the Premier League

Believe it or not, this Friday marks 10 years since Federico 'Kiko' Macheda spun sharply inside an Old Trafford penalty area and curled home in front of the Stratford End the goal that kept United a nose in front of Liverpool until the end of the season.

It was a delirious moment for the teenager, but really Macheda was merely the latest in the lineage of United players scoring decisive stoppage-time winners. Bruce '93. Cantona '96. Solskjaer '99. Macheda '09.

From that launchpad, Macheda's United career briefly soared like a rocket, only to soon run out of fuel and crash down into numerous loan spells and injury setbacks.

The striker would eventually leave Old Trafford in 2014 and now plays for Panathinaikos in Greece, where he is scoring regularly again. But before all that, back to the beginning.

Early April 2009, and while United were the reigning champions of England, Europe and the World, they were in a spot of bother.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side had an uncharacteristically blown seven-point advantage at the top of the table following a catastrophic 4-1 home defeat by challengers Liverpool and a 2-0 defeat at Fulham.

Macheda took in a pass from Ryan Giggs, turned Villa defender Luke Young, and curled a shot beyond keeper Brad Friedel

The important goal sparked delirious celebrations at Old Trafford as Macheda wa s mobbed by his team-mates

With Benitez's side winning 1-0 at Craven Cottage 24 hours earlier – thanks to a 92nd-minute goal no less – United entered their Sunday afternoon match with Aston Villa in second place.

Ferguson's squad was severely depleted. Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic were all suspended, while Dimitar Berbatov, Rio Ferdinand and several others were out injured.

Gary Neville finally had a center-half in a makeshift back line. Carlos Tevez started up front alongside Ryan Giggs but the Argentine was just back from international duty and unlikely to last the full 90.

Six days earlier, Ferguson, conscious of his threadable forward line, had told Macheda ahead of a reserve outing at Newcastle: "If you do well tonight then there's a big chance you're going to be on the bench on Sunday."

Macheda duly scored a hat-trick and Ferguson was true to his word.

Liverpool had thrashed Villa 5-0 a week earlier but United found it going much tougher. Cristiano Ronaldo gift themed early lead but goals by John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor, both enjoying their mismatch with Neville, meant Villa led with 10 to play.

Ferguson had thrown Macheda into the fray for Nani after 61 minutes and , although the youngster had tasks to do the enormous stage with chest-out confidence, those inside a tense Old Trafford could see the title slipping through United's fingers.

Ronaldo equalized with 10 minutes to play but it still would have been advantage Liverpool with seven games to play.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson congratulates Macheda on his decisive goal following the crucial 3-2 win over Villa

Macheda, wearing the No 41 shirt, celebrates with United's Po rtuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo during the win over Villa

The goal proved important in holding off the challenge of Liverpool in the Premier League title race – Macheda (second left) is a celebrating with his teammates and the trophy following confirmation of their success

Match facts

MANCHESTER UNITED 3

ASTON VILLA 2

April 5, 2009 – Premier League

Manchester United (4-4-1-1): Van der Sar; O’Shea, Neville, Evans, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Nani (Macheda 61); Giggs; Tevez (Welbeck 87)

Substitutes not used: Foster (GK); Eckersley, Gibson, Park, Martin

Scorers: Ronaldo 14, 80; Macheda 90

Booked: Macheda

Aston Villa (4-4-2): Friedel; Luke Young, Cuellar, Davies, Shorey; Milner (Reo-Coker 76), Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young; Carew, Agbonlahor

Substitutes not used : Guzan (GK); Knight, Gardner, Albrighton, Delfounesco, Salifou

Scorers: Carew 30; Agbonlahor 58

Booked: Agbonlahor, A Young

Attendance: 75,409

Referee: Mike Riley (Yorkshire)

More seconds remained when Giggs slipped a pass into Macheda just inside the box. He spun with a Cruyff turn and are his shot, on the stretch and while falling backwards, beyond the reach of Brad Friedel.

In the Sky Sports commentary box, Martin Tyler's voice turned into a squeak as he mouths the last couple of syllables or 'MACHEDA !!!'.

The youngster showed remarkable poise amid the delirium to find his father, Pasquale, in the stands and ran to embrace him. In the press box, the scramble to find out who on earth Federico Macheda is ground.

Born and raised in 'a crazy area of ​​Rome', Macheda's upbringing had been tough. Pasquale worked night shifts as a security guard so he could take his talented son to football training in the day; his mother Loredana was a maid in a hotel.

'Money was tight for my family. We didn't have holidays. Never, "Macheda said in an interview with ESPN in 2017." Once every few years, we'd do the sea for a day.

"We had social housing and there were lots of crazy people around. I made a lot of mistakes as a kid, which I look back on and think "you can't do that". But I did do that; petty stuff that got me in trouble. "

He failed miserably at school, having to repeat the same year four times as a teenager. Luckily, his football talent offered an escape route to better fortunes.

A Lazio fan who revered Alen Boksic, Matias Almeyda and Juan Sebastian Veron, Macheda was playing for their academy when a United scout started watching him aged 16.

When United played Roma in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2007, Ferguson invited Macheda and his family back to the team hotel. The interest was serious.

Often forgotten that Macheda also scored another winning goal for United – at Sunderland a week after his Villa strike

Macheda trains alongside United's star s triker Wayne Rooney – for a while it looked as though he may crack the first team

'He gave me a shirt with my name and the No. 9 on the back. They also gave me one from Cristiano Ronaldo, "Macheda recalled. "And this was Ferguson doing this. At Lazio, I'd never speak to the first team manager. "

Macheda was soon on the move to Manchester, but it was far from smooth. A misunderstanding about money left the player on just £ 600 per month. He didn't speak any English, hated the food and the weather was depressing.

"I wanted to leave after one day," he later admitted.

Luckily, the following day, Macheda reported for training and had breakfast with Ronaldo and Giggs. Soon he was scoring regularly for the youth team and then the reserves, who were coached by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

With hindsight, we know that Macheda's United career peaked with that one moment. What is often forgotten is that he also scored United's winner at Sunderland the following weekend.

He played a bit-part role for the remainder of the season, starting the FA Cup semi-final with Everton at Wembley, and actually signed a four-year contract in December 2009.

Like the flicking of a switch, Macheda's life had transformed. He recalled being swamped by 100 people while shopping in the Trafford Center, while a photo emerged of the teenager looking awkward while surrounded by glamorous women in a nightclub.

Ferguson did his best to keep the youngster grounded, but the manager knew the deck was very much stacked against Macheda.

United, after all, European champions and would reach another final in 2009. They had Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez and Danny Welbeck. He was always destined for a bit-part role.

Macheda's winner against Villa transformed his life – this photograph of him surrounded by girls in a nightclub emerged

Macheda made occasional first-team appearances for United in the next few seasons, scoring against Villa again in 2010

The Italian celebrates scoring for United in a League Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in November 2011

Macheda career

Manchester United 2008-2014

36 games, 5 goals

Sampdoria 2011 (loan)

16 games, 1 goal

Queens Park Rangers 2012 (loan)

6 games , 0 goals

Stuttgart 2013 (loan)

18 games, 0 goals

Doncaster Rovers 2013 (loan)

15 games, 3 goals

Birmingham City 2014 (loan)

18 games, 10 goals

Cardiff City 2014-2016

33 games, 8 goals

Nottingham Forest 2016 (loan)

3 games, 0 goals

Novara 2016-2018

52 games, 11 goals

Panathinaikos 2018-

23 games, 8 goals

Midway through the 2010-11 season, with Macheda still only 19, it was suggested he take some time out on loan. Unfortunately it was here the teenager's bravado proved his downfall.

"I had a few runs of games but I needed to be playing every week," he said in the ESPN interview. 'Fergie wanted me to go out on loan; I could see that was sensible.

'Many Premier League clubs came in for me including Everton and Sunderland. But I wanted to play in Italy, in Series A.

'Fergie did not agree and said I should play in England, where he could keep an eye on me. He said he didn't have the same power in Italy.

"I insisted on Italy and that was the worst mistake of my life."

In ignoring Ferguson, Macheda quickly found himself sucked into a vicious cycle of loan spells, often curtailed by untimely injuries and punctuated by poor spells of form.

He scored just once for Sampdoria and didn't score at all for Queens Park Rangers or Stuttgart.

Before Macheda knew it, it was September 2013, Ferguson had been replaced by David Moyes and he rocked up at Doncaster Rovers in the Championship.

"The town of Doncaster was different to anywhere I'd lived and not the best, "Macheda reflected. 'My girlfriend was my savior; she came everywhere with me. "

He started well, scoring twice against Nottingham Forest on debut and then again at Sheffield Wednesday. He then pulled his hamstring and the vicious cycle took another turn.

"I started getting back problems in pre-season," he told Sportsmail two years ago. 'I'd be out for six weeks, come back, struggle again. It got to the stage where I couldn't move or just feel my legs, especially the right one.

'Eventually, I had an operation. I had a disc pushing on my sciatic nerve and they cut it out. Looking back I wish I'd had it a lot earlier. It was basically two years out of my career. "

The first of Macheda's various loan spells came with Italian club Sampdoria but he later admitted the move was a mistake

Loan spells with Queens Park Rangers (left) and Stuttgart (right) followed for Macheda but he failed to find the net at either

He took a step down to the Championship in order to play for Doncaster Rovers, but was once again cursed by injury

Macheda regained momentum with 10 goals in 10 starts on loan at Birmingham City in his final contracted season at Old Trafford and then joined Cardiff City in 2014. It was a soft landing because Solskjaer was in charge.

He was still only 23 but continued to be plagued by injuries. Solskjaer was sacked just a few weeks after his arrival and successor Russell Slade was less keen on him. In and out of the side, the drift continued.

It was in 2016 that Macheda decided to take a 'Year Zero' approach. Just 25, he felt like he was on the scrapheap. That euphoric moment at Old Trafford seemed a distant dream.

'I was very worried. I couldn't find anyone who wanted to take me and I'm a good player, "he said.

Returning home to Italy and dropping down a level to play for Series B club Novara proved the kick-start he needed. A small city between Milan and Turin, in the shadow of the snow-capped Alps, it was the ideal under-the-radar setting to start afresh.

In the final year of his contract at United, Macheda rediscovered his scoring touch during a loan spell at Birmingham City

In 2014, Macheda was sold to Cardiff City, where Old Trafford favorite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the manager. However, Solskjaer was sacked shortly after the Italian's arrival and chances in the first team became scarce thereafter

In the end, Macheda had to adopt a" Year Zero "approach to his career by returning to Italy and second division side Novara

Macheda, now 27, made the transfer from Novara to Greek club Panathinaikos at the beginning of the current campaign

The Italian has scored eight goals in his first 23 matches with Panathinaikos as he rediscovers his touch in front of goal

'I don't think I failed in England. I was 15, nearly 16, when I came to Manchester with a dream to play in the Premier League, and I did it, "he told Sportsmail in 2017.

" The expectations for a 17-year-old were always unrealistic – not from inside the club but outside. "

Away from the spotlight, with the added responsibility of looking after baby son Lorenzo, Macheda started scoring again.

When his contract expired last summer, he signed a three-year contract with Panathinaikos in Greece and has scored eight goals in 23 matches so far.

A career that started with such a stratospheric high 10 years ago only likely to go downhill. But at least Federico Macheda will always be remembered for THAT moment. Not least on Merseyside.

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[365footballorg-blog]

Wiebe: Eyes on the prizes - Who are the early 2018 MLS award favorites?

May 18, 20181:48PM EDT

We’re 30 percent of the way through the 2018 season – 114 of 391 games in the books – and there’s no easier way to take an easily digestible snapshot of the year so far than to handicap Major League Soccer’s award season far, far in advance.

Below are my top three candidates, a dark horse choice, my current pick for the award and a prediction for who will actually take the hardware home in November when we vote for real.

Agree? Disagree? Have your own ballot? Drop it all in the comment section below and enjoy your weekend! If you only watch one game, make it Atlanta United vs. the Red Bulls on Sunday (7 pm ET | FS1, TSN – Full TV & streaming info). Or watch them all. Your choice.

Rookie of the Year

Orlando City SC’s Chris Mueller is off to a stellar start to his MLS career | Isaiah J. Downing -USA TODAY Sports

Top 3: Chris Mueller (ORL), Alex Roldan (SEA), Corey Baird (RSL) Dark horse: Handwalla Bwana (SEA) My pick? Chris Mueller (ORL)

You only get to “borrow” celebrations if you score goals, and Mueller’s got three already while proving he can be productive at the next level after a jaw-dropping senior season at Wisconsin (9 goals, 20 assists). He’s still raw, but he’s direct and fearless. For the time being, Jason Kreis appears to prefer Mueller to Josue Colman.

Who will win: Grant Lillard (CHI)

Surprise! If Lillard isn’t on your radar, then you just haven’t been watching the Fire. He’d be in my top three, but I don’t hear much chatter about the Homegrown central defender out of Indiana, thus the switcheroo above.

Since coming back from a left knee injury, Lillard has five starts under his belt as he eases into what Chicago hope is the beginning of a long career anchoring their backline. He’ll win, because few first-year attacking players are able to sustain their production over a full season and Lillard will fill a huge hole all year long in Chicago. Consistency and impact wins out.

Newcomer of the Year

Kaku leads Major League Soccer with seven assists | Brad Penner -USA TODAY Sports

Top 3: Carlos Vela (LAFC), Ezequiel Barco (ATL), Kaku (RBNY) Dark horse: Felipe Gutierrez/Johnny Russell (SKC) My pick? Carlos Vela (LAFC)

Six goals, five assists in 10 games while leading LAFC to the best start in expansion history … and I expect him to get even better as the season goes on. More on that in a bit.

Who will win: Kaku (RBNY)

Barco is going to make a run at this one if he stays healthy, but it’ll be his countryman (errrrr, of a fashion) in New York who ends up with the honor. The Red Bulls dropped serious coin on Kaku, and their new No. 10 already has three goals and seven assists in his first eight MLS games.

Says here he’ll end the season with a double-double and somewhere around 25 goals scored and created plus a U.S. Open Cup triumph. You better believe that’s a straight-up guess. I’m sorry for cursing you, Red Bulls fans.

Defender of the Year

Jonathan Mensah has anchored the Crew SC defense | Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Top 3: Michael Parkhurst (ATL), Tim Parker (RBNY), Harrison Afful (CLB) Dark horse: Jonathan Mensah (CLB)

C’mon – you knew I would get him in here after that 2017 prediction tire fire. Seriously, though, he’s been a beast. Adapting to MLS took the Ghanaian about six months. Granted, those were a tough six months …

My pick? Michael Parkhurst (ATL)

Is Parkhurst the most under-appreciated player in MLS? His career is something else – go look at the year-by-year breakdown for a lesson in consistency – and being 34-years-old doesn’t seem to have slowed him down at all. If anything, he’s even more calm and composed. Atlanta’s current dominance is a two-way street, and Parkhust’s side of the block is spick-and-span.

Who will win: Harrison Afful (CLB)

I have no idea who the defender with the most shine on them will be in the fall. That mostly depends on goals allowed and where the narratives take us. Yes, this is a bit of a cop out.

Admittedly, this is a tactic to soften up voters. Center backs get all the love, and it’s time an outside back won the award. Afful has been the best in MLS this season, and Crew SC’s story this year will revolve around Gyasi Zardes and team ethos. Afful ought to feed the former and embody the latter.

Goalkeeper of the Year

Matt Turner entered preseason as the Revs No. 3 goalkeeper and has started every game | Troy Taormina -USA TODAY Sports

Top 3: Tim Melia (SKC), Zack Steffen (CLB), Jimmy Maurer (DAL) Dark horse: Matt Turner (NE) My pick:? Tim Melia (SKC)

Turner’s been quietly excellent. Who would have thought Brad Friedel would have a feel for goalkeepers? Same for Steffen and Maurer. On a more random note, pour one out for the Impact’s Evan Bush. Poor guy has already faced 85 shots on goal, 29 more than any other ‘keeper in MLS.

My pick is still Melia. He makes the routine look routine and has a knack for the spectacular when the game demands it.

Who will win: Tim Melia (SKC)

You thought that Sporting KC backline had lost a step, huh? Yeah, nahhhhh. Melia and the boys appreciated your concern, but they’re back to piling up shutouts and wins. Same as it ever was. That means a back-to-back for Melia. He’ll have earned it.

Coach of the Year

Bob Bradley has LAFC firing on all cylinders | Kirby Lee -USA TODAY Sports

Top 3: Tata Martino (ATL), Peter Vermes (SKC), Bob Bradley (LAFC) Dark horse: Brad Friedel (NE) My pick? Bob Bradley (LAFC)

Best start in expansion history, a smidgen better than the 1998 Chicago Fire, who were coached by … you guessed it. All those questions we had about LAFC? Answered, and now they’re reloading with even more talent. It’s nice to see a Bradley team play week-to-week again.

Who will win: Tata Martino (ATL)

LAFC are going to be finish third in the Western Conference, an expansion season that gets mentioned in the record books, but Atlanta United run away with the Supporters’ Shield, challenging the all-time points per game mark (2.13; LA Galaxy, 1998). For that sort of dominance, the Argentine gets his just reward.

Most Valuable Player

A healthy Mauro Diaz is back to his influential self with FC Dallas | Kevin Jairaj -USA TODAY Sports

Top 3: Bradley Wright-Phillips (RBNY), Carlos Vela (LAFC), Miguel Almiron (ATL) Dark horse: Mauro Diaz (DAL) My pick? Miguel Almiron (ATL)

I remain baffled by the fact that Almiron often finds himself in enough space to turn and run at opposing backlines. Mark that man! Or don’t, because when the Paraguayan turns and runs, there’s no better viewing in MLS. He’s the best player for the best team in the league. Depending on your taste, he’s the best player in the league. That = MVP. Just ask Martino.

Asked if Almiron is #mls mvp one-third of way through season, Martino said absolutely.

— Doug Roberson (@DougRobersonAJC) May 18, 2018

For the record, I love BWP. He’s having a magnificent season that I expect will be indicative of his entire campaign. Please hold your outrage.

Who will win: Carlos Vela (LAFC)

Almiron hasn’t been shy about his European ambitions, and clubs are going to be beating the door down this summer, testing the resolve of Atlanta United – and perhaps more importantly – the player and his representation. The Five Stripes aren’t afraid to cash in (see Carlos Carmona), but moving Almiron midseason with the Shield, USOC, MLS Cup and a Concacaf Champions League berth at stake would be surprising (and require a whole lot of coin).

For the sake of this column, they sell. Too much money, time to reinforce in the transfer window and a stacked squad that picks up the slack to win the club’s first silverware.

That means Vela is your Landon Donovan MLS MVP, the most dominant singular attacking force in the league. The Mexico international comes back from the World Cup, gets a quick breather to jell with the team’s new faces and then eviscerates all comers through October as LAFC grab a home playoff date in Year 1.

Series: 

Topics: 

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MLSsoccer.com News

Wiebe: Eyes on the prizes – Who are the early 2018 MLS award favorites? was originally published on 365 Football

[totalsoccershow]

Portugal vs USA preview — play your kids!

Daryl and Taylor pick their favored USMNT starting XI to face Portugal on Tuesday, but not before outlining why this game is a big challenge for the next generation of US players.

31:09 — Today's show is sponsored by Away Days, an independent soccer clothing brand based in Boston. Go to http://awaydaysfootball.com and use code "TSS" for 15% off anything you see, including the intriguing Mystery Kit, which you'll hear about on today's show.

36:59 — World Cup qualifying roundup! We talk Senegal's second chance, Australia showing us how to get a result in Honduras, Corry Evans handball that possibly wasn't for Northern Ireland, Croatian goals and glory, and why Ireland's Martin O'Neill might make a decent USMNT head coach. You read that correctly.

55:15 — Today's show is sponsored by SeatGeek. Download the SeatGeek app, click "Settings" and enter promo code "TSS" for $20 off your first purchase.

58:30 — The TSS Scouting Network! Featuring reports about Sam Rogers, Ryan Gauld, Ethan Ampadu, Katie Cousins and Junior Flores. Want to join the TSS Scouting Network? Go to http://totalsoccershow.com/join

To close, we talk Brad Friedel's surprise appointment as head coach of the New England Revolution.

PLAY

[jimkatamusic]

No rest for the weary! During our Thanksgiving break, Evan chatted with Waster Inc. about the origin of Jimkata, Die Digital and who is going dressed as Bif at the Back To the Future NYE show. Give it a read, REBLOG and see you on the road! Say your prayers because Church of Boston, we're coming for YOU on Thursday!

 The best music comes from letting your guard down and trying to completely be you. I think the more we make music the more we become ourselves and form a sound unto itself regardless of our influences.

-Evan Friedell

[desertislandcloud]

Swirling analog synths, infectious pop hooks and candid lyrics

Swirling analog synths, infectious pop hooks and candid lyrics. --- #musicblog #music #newmusic #musician #musicislife #musicblogger #hiphop #musiclife #musicvideo #blog #rap #musiclover #spotify #instamusic #hiphopmusic #musicproducer #musicians

Jimkata are a three-piece anthemic, synth-washed, electro-rock band based out of Ithaca. With a triumph of swirling analog synths, infectious pop hooks and candid lyrics, Jimkata have built a distinct sound which has been resonating with listeners across the country. Friends since middle school, Evan Friedell, Aaron Gorsch and Packy Lunn infuse Jimkata, (named after the so-bad-it’s-good 1985…

[desertislandcloud]

Jimkata are a three-piece anthemic, synth-washed, electro-rock band based out of Ithaca and Los Angeles. With a triumph of swirling analog synths, infectious pop hooks and candid lyrics, Jimkata have built a distinct sound which has been resonating with listeners across the country.

Friends since middle school, Evan Friedell, Aaron Gorsch and Packy Lunn infuse Jimkata, (named after the so-bad-it’s-good 1985 gym-fu caper Gymkata) with both an adventurous musical streak and relatable lyrical themes. Mixed in with the modern synth sensibilities and hard-driven indie rock are influences drawn from the likes of Motown, singer-songwriters like James Taylor and even old country songs, where storytelling and a quick turn of phrase share priorities with melody and the beat. Jimkata have concocted an unusually rich and rewarding mix and one that’s evolved naturally.

After taking a two and a half year hiatus following the release of six studio albums and the successful building of a vibrant, grassroots fanbase, Jimkata are preparing for their next chapter.

Their latest single entitled “Wait For You" narrates the feeling of being in limbo - sitting around waiting and feeling restless while navigating uncertainty. Singer Evan Friedell shares, "I didn’t realize at the time I wrote it how prescient and universal that feeling would become as we experience a global pandemic and a world in chaos." The video was created by animator Ben Clarkson, who brings further depth and dimension to the notion of waiting. While "Wait For You" is on one level a heartbreak inspired pop song, it is also a commentary on helplessly waiting and hoping for the world to get its shit together.  

https://www.facebook.com/jimkatamusic https://twitter.com/Jimkatamusic https://www.instagram.com/jimkata

[desertislandcloud]

Jimkata is a three-piece anthemic, synth-washed, electro-rock band based out of Ithaca and Los Angeles. With a triumph of swirling analogue synths, infectious pop hooks and candid lyrics, Jimkata has built a distinct sound which has been resonating with listeners across the country.

Friends since middle school, Evan Friedell, Aaron Gorsch and Packy Lunn infuse Jimkata, (named after the so-bad-it’s-good 1985 gym-fu caper Gymkata) with both an adventurous musical streak and relatable lyrical themes. Mixed in with the modern synth sensibilities and hard-driven indie rock are influences drawn from the likes of Motown, singer-songwriters like James Taylor and even old country songs, where storytelling and a quick turn of phrase share priorities with melody and the beat. Jimkata have concocted an unusually rich and rewarding mix and one that’s evolved naturally.

After taking a two and a half year hiatus following the release of six studio albums and the successful building of a vibrant, grassroots fanbase, Jimkata is preparing to release their next album, Bonfires. The 10 track album is set for release as a series of singles every month with accompanying visuals and merch line.  Thematically, Bonfires touches on poignant themes of uncertainty, being in limbo, and looking for an anchor of hope in these trying times.

Bonfires is set for release Spring 2021 worldwide.

LInks https://www.facebook.com/jimkatamusic/ https://twitter.com/Jimkatamusic https://www.instagram.com/jimkata/

[365footballorg-blog]

Montreal Impact vs. New England Revolution | 2018 MLS Match Preview

May 2, 20181:04PM EDT

Montreal Impact vs. New England Revolution 2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 10 Stade Saputo — Montreal May 5 — 1 pm ET WATCH: TVAS, ESPN+

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The Montreal Impact will attempt to plug a defense that is leaking goals at an alarming rate and snap a four-match losing streak against a New England Revolution team that defeated surging Sporting Kansas City, 1-0, at home in Week 9.

The Revolution have won their last five games against Montreal in league play, outscoring them 14-3 in the process, per Opta. That includes a 4-0 victory at Gillette Stadium on April 6 over an Impact team reduced to 10 men after Saphir Taider was sent off in the 13th minute. Teal Bunbury, Andrew Farrell, Diego Fagundez and Wilfried Zahibo scored one goal apiece for the Revs.

Montreal Impact

It was a positive start for Montreal (2-6-0) when Taider scored his first MLS goal in the 13th minute. It was a lead that held up for more than an hour. But a Miguel Almiron penalty kick opened the floodgates for Atlanta United, which struck four times in the final 20 minutes.

It was the second consecutive game the Impact conceded four times after halftime with 13 goals against over the last four games coming in the second half.

Remi Garde made one change to a side that lost 5-3 to LAFC the previous week, with Ken Krolicki replacing Victor Cabrera in an altered 4-5-1 formation.

“I think if we would’ve had that effort last week we would’ve won that game,” goalkeeper Evan Bush said. “And if we have that effort moving forward – the month of May – I think there’s a lot of games in there that we can win with this effort.”

Suspended: None

Suspended after next caution: None

International duty: None

Injury Report: OUT: D – Zakaria Diallo (ruptured Achilles tendon), D – Kyle Fisher (tibia), M – Marco Donadel (gluteal muscle injury), M – David Choiniere (ankle surgery); QUESTIONABLE: D – Rod Fanni (thigh)

Projected Starting XI (4-5-1, right to left) GK: Evan Bush — Chris Duvall, Rudy Camacho, Jukka Raitala, Daniel Lovitz — Alejandro Silva, Ken Krolicki, Samuel Piette, Saphir Taider, Jeisson Vargas — Ignacio Piatti

Notes: Ignacio Piatti has scored just two goals in seven appearances against New England, tied for his second fewest against a MLS club has faced at least five times. … Dating back to last season, the Impact have lost 15 of their last 18 MLS matches (3W). They’ve allowed 2.3 goals per game over the 18 games and have allowed 3+ goals in four straight matches.

New England Revolution

New England (4-2-2) are off to a strong start under Brad Friedel in the first two months of the MLS season, but the Revs made a statement Saturday by snapping Sporting Kansas City’s seven-match unbeaten streak.

Bunbury scored the lone goal one minute before halftime and the Revs stifled a Sporting offense that scored 20 goals in their first eight games. It was only the second time SKC have been held scoreless this season.

Claude Dielna sparked that solid defensive effort, and was named to the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi for a second straight week.

“You guys saw from minute one, the game was intense,” defender Jalil Anibaba said after the game. “The tempo was extremely high, [and] they almost scored off the kickoff. We were all emotionally invested in this one – like we always are – but this one needed a little bit of extra motivation and emotion to be put into it.”

Late Tuesday night, the Revs put an end to the Lee Nguyen saga by trading the playmaker to LAFC in exchange for at least $ 350,000 in General Allocation Money and $ 350,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. 

Suspended: None

Suspended after next caution: None

International duty: None

Injury Report: OUT: M – Isaac Angking (illness)

Projected Starting XI (4-1-4-1, right to left) GK: Matt Turner — Andrew Farrell, Jalil Anibaba, Claude Dielna, Gabriel Somi — Wilfried Zahibo — Juan Agudelo, Luis Caicedo, Diego Fagundez, Cristian Penilla — Teal Bunbury

Notes: Bunbury has four goals in his last five appearances for the Revolution, as many as he had in his previous 17 appearances. … New England are 2W-1L-1D in their last four league road games, averaging 1.8 points per game. They had lost eight straight on the road prior to this stretch, averaging 0.5 goals per game.

All-Time Series

Overall: Montreal Impact 7 wins, 22 goals … New England Revolution 6 wins, 21 goals … 2 ties

At Montreal: Impact 4 wins, 15 goals … Revolution 4 wins, 13 goals … 1 tie

Last meeting at Montreal: Montreal Impact 2, New England Revolution 3 (Oct. 22, 2017)

Officials

Referee: Baldomero Toledo Assistant Referees: Adam Garner, Matthew Nelson 4th Official: Ted Unkel VAR: Edvin Jurisevic

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Montreal Impact vs. New England Revolution | 2018 MLS Match Preview was originally published on 365 Football