Game 11: FC Dallas at Chicago Fire

Chicago is 4-0-6 and is first in the Eastern Standings. Dallas is 1-6-3 and is second to last in the Western Standings. Soccer is like football... or any other sport, for that matter... when the great teams play the awful teams... well, what is expected is what generally happens.

Forecast: Chicago is going to tear up FC Dallas. Look for a score of 5-1. Of course, I am being really generous with the one.

Home Grass

Game 10: FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy

These two teams ALMOST equally suck. Dallas is 1-6-2 while the Galaxy is 1-1-6. If you wish to adjust the numbers, Dallas is 2-7 while the Galaxy is 4-4. Dallas' win percentage is .222 and the Galaxy is an even .500. Statistically speaking, the Galaxy is a better team. And being that Dallas is the worst team in Soccer, whoever they play and where just won't make a difference. The other team should be favored to win. One thing that is interesting is that Dallas dropped the first three, grabbed a tie and followed that with a win. Then they dropped another three and snagged a tie in their last game. Is this a pattern? If there is a team out there that they can beat, I would say that the Galaxy could very well be that team, albeit simply a hunch. The last time the two met was last season that ended in a 2-2 tie.
Forecast: Call me strange, I think I am going to go with the pattern. Dallas wins it 2-1.

Home Grass

Game 9: FC Dallas vs. Seattle Sounders FC

FC Dallas is 1-6-1 and Seattle is 4-2-2. This has to be a bad year for Dallas. Maybe a rebuilding year? It certainly is looking that way.
Forecast: Yes. That is all I am going to say about this game. Seattle wins this one. Score? Sure, for Seattle. 2-0. This has to be one of the shortest posts I have ever done. Weird. Johnny Out.

Home Grass

Game 8: FC Dallas at Houston Dynamo

Well, let's just tell it like it is. Dallas is like a unflushed toilet. They are stinking it up right now. They are absolutely dead last. Houston is just under in the middle of the pack. Not a great team, but they are good enough. I don't know enough about soccer to diagnose what the problem really is, but what I can tell from their stats is they don't score much. In fact, I don't think one goal a game will really cut it in any sport, for that matter.

Surprisingly, Houston is averaging one goal a game right now.

Forecast: This could easily be a tie or draw. Yeppers, that is what I am going to go with... a 1-1 tie.

Home Turf

Game 4: FC Dallas vs.Toronto FC

Well, let's see. FC Dallas has played three games and scored two goals. YUCK. Can you guess their record? If you said 0-3, you would be correct. Toronto FC is 1-1-1 and has scored four goals while giving up 5 in their three games. FC Dallas has given up seven, by the way. I don't think there is much else to say... I mean, the numbers really do speak for themselves. They need to play better offense and defense. They stink at both ends.

I should note that Toronto has slipped over their last three games whereas Dallas has gotten better, albeit slightly.

Forecast: Well... Dallas could grab a win against Toronto. They play two games against them in two weeks. I would think that they could fair better at home against Toronto, which is next weeks game. Toronto wins this one 2-1.

Home Turf

Happy Holidays

Don't click there... it's just a picture.

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Game 28: FC Dallas vs. Toronto FC

Toronto FC has a record of 8-7-12 (that's 8 wins, 7 ties, and 12 loses) through 27 games. Dallas is 8-10-9 through 27 games.

Toronto is 1-2-2 in their last 5 games, but with three games left on the season, it would appear that they are already done. They are in last place in their Conference. Dallas has the same record over the last five games, but is fourth in their conference. Dallas is, however, locked in a tie with Colorado and has a playoff spot on the line in their last three games. Dallas is better at home and Toronto can't seem to buy a win on the road.

Toronto Players to Watch:

• Daniele Dichio: 6 goals, 2 assists in 20 games
• Chad Barrett: 9 goals in 26 games
• Rohan Ricketts: 2 goals, 4 assists in 24 games

Dallas Players to Watch:

• Kenny Cooper: 16 goals, 3 assists in 27 games
• Dominic Oduro: 5 goals, 2 assists in 23 games
• Jeff Cunningham: 8 goals, 2 assists in 24 games

Dallas is ranked seventh in the MLS in the power rankings, Toronto ranks 13 out of the 14 teams.

Forecast: I'm still not a big fan, but the playoffs are drawing near, so I will try to make myself interested in the sport again. Anyway, I like Dallas in this one, simply because of Cooper. Toronto doesn't really have any scoring threats. I would have to say Cooper scores in this one and FC Dallas takes it by a 2-1 margin.

What if: MLS made the field smaller, say the size of a basketball court, or maybe a little bigger, and cut the players on the field in half should they do it... wouldn't that be a bit more interesting?

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Season Progression

As we all know, the Rangers weren't doing so well at the beginning of the season. They then found themselves climbing back into contention...

Rangers at 500...

Here, they find themselves at 500 with a 30-30 record...

These are my tickets to the Phillies game earlier this season...
Tickets to FC Dallas... I was so bored, I thought I was dead. At least the firework show was AWESOME!
Tickets to the Chicago White Sox game, where I told the world my wife and I were pregnant.And here we are, talking to the dude on television! And here are tickets to last nights game.
We won tacos, due to scoring in the 5th!
And all these pictures have something in common... WALKOFFS!
The Rangers are 5 games over 500 for the first time this year. I have to admit, there seemed to be just as many Yankee fans there last night as Ranger fans... and I really enjoyed giving them a hard time. It was really, really fun jabbing at them. Anyway, GO RANGERS! Johnny Out.

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Game 16: FC Dallas vs. KC Wizards

Yes, it is a soccer game. I've never been to a soccer game, a professional game, anyway. I am going to go to this game on Friday, July 4th. Of course, there are going to be fireworks and such... which I would guess would be the reason I am going. I don't hate soccer, but I can't say that I get as excited about going to a soccer game like I do to a baseball game.

FC Dallas comes into this game with a record of 4-6-5 and has 17 points. Their winning percentage is .433, but has a .571 winning percentage at home. They have only a 35% winning percentage over their last ten.

Kansas City has won 40% of their last ten games and a .462 winning percentage overall. They have 16 points. On the road, KC has a .357 winning percentage.

Now, normally an injured list would mean a lot to me... the countless amount of imformation... but I do not know who these guys are and what the magnitude of them missing the game would mean. So... if you know, then this probably means a whole lot more to you than to me. Now, what I can glean from all of this is that the Wizards have a heck of a lot more people on there than FC Dallas. Dallas has 5 who are out. KC has 4. Yeah...

OK, so for a forecast, this is probably the weakest one I have given in quite a while... FC Dallas wins because they are at home and KC is on the road. That is my whole basis. Score??? Well, it is soccer, so 2-1.

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FC Dallas 4th of July Spectacular

FC Dallas
July 4th, 2008

Greetings!

For the highest readability, start your letter with a short sentence.

Message Headline

By breaking up the body of the letter into logical topics, your readers can focus in on the topic that they deem most relevant.

Select your wording carefully. Most people scan their emails very quickly. Keep your paragraphs to seven lines or less. If you have more information, include a link to your website where your readers can get further details.

Thank your customer, tell them how valuable they are to you, but don't go overboard. Insincerity is easy to spot.

Sincerely,

FC Dallas

FC Dallas

I had to post this... it was just funny to read and I know they didn't mean to send it... but still, it is pretty hillarious. Johnny Out.

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Sports Picks up to Halloween

Sports Picks up to Halloween

Friday
Stars (5-3-1) vs. Oilers (3-6-1)
Stars beat Oilers earlier this month in Edmonton. Look to see them do it again but in Dallas. Stars 4-2.

Saturday
Stars (5-3-1) vs. Coyotes (4-6-1)
Should be a good game. Dallas will be playing a back-to-back and Tyson Nash looks really good. Coyotes and Stars tie: 3-3

FC Dallas (13-10-11) vs. Rapids (13-7-13)
The records are actually Wins-Draws-Loses, by the way. In the point system, Dallas is ahead of them by 3 points. They are playing here, and honestly, the Rapids just stink on the road (3-4-9) with a winning percentage of .313. Dallas, however, has a winning percentage of .656 at home. Dallas is going to tear them a new head: 3-1. Yes, that’s tearing a new head in the world of Soccer.

Sunday
Cowboys (4-3) vs. Cardinals (2-4)
As far as points scored, Dallas doesn’t look all that bad. But, I am not all that impressed personally. The reason the ‘boys have won what they have is because the defense is stellar. The defense, however, seems to give up with the remainder of the 4th quarter to go… it varies game to game. I think that Dallas’ offense will be average at best during this game and Arizona will be held down a bit. Josh McCown has shown spark with a 2-1 mark in his last three and the game the Cards lost was by 4 to Carolina (4-2). I think if Arizona is in the game going into the final quarter, they realistically have a chance. And looking at the Cowboys season, they more than likely will be very much into the game at that point in time. The problem with Arizona is the rushing game. Arizona has not had a leading rusher over 54 yards. So the Cowboys will be thinking pass on just about every down and that will hurt Arizona’s chances in the long “run.” (Pun not intended, but in a way, it is) Cowboys take this one: 20-17.

Panthers (4-2) vs. Vikings (2-4)
In what is shaping up to be a very good division for the NFC South, Carolina stands as third. Delhomme, Foster, and Peppers are on the injured list. Delhomme is the one I am concerned about. Vikes are 0-3 on the road and Cats are 2-1 at home. Cats are coming off a well needed bye, and that will give them the well needed edge. Culpepper throws an interception 6% of the time. So, for every 20 passes, 1 is a pick. For every touchdown he throws, he connects twice to his opponent. Panthers 24-20.

Bears (3-3) vs. Lions (3-3)
The battle for the top. At least in their division. Chicago gives up only 11 points a game. Bears, however, are 0-2 on the road this year. The Liars, I mean Lions, are 2-1 at home. Where is Barry? On average, the Bears give up 15 points a game on the road. The two have played already this year, Bears destroying Detroit 38-6. Well, I don’t see that this time, but I do see the Bears taking this one. Look for Jones to be Barry re-incarnated. The guy has 3 games already over 130 yards! I think he takes that Pink Floyd song a little seriously (Run! Run! Run…). The thing, though is the Bears passing game… or lack there of. Bears win this one: 20-10.

Wednesday, 9-21-05 Picks

Wednesday (9-21-05)

Rangers vs. Angels – Loe vs. Lackey – Lackey has done well this year, but is better on the road than at home. Loe also dominates on the road as well, having a 1.99 ERA away. Lackey, however, gave up 6 runs in 7 innings to Detroit! He did shut out the White Sox on 9/11 for 7 innings. The White Sox were cold, so whoopty freaking do. More importantly, this year against Texas, Lackey has a 7.63 ERA, is 1-0 in 3 starts, and has given up 2 homeruns in 15 1/3 innings. Current Ranger hitters bat .289 off him with 6 dingers in 204 at bats. Look for Michael Young to do well, he has a .421 average (16-38) with 2 homers and 9 RBIs. Tex does also, but with a .375 average (9-24). The Angels only have 23 at bats against Loe. As a team they are hitting .304 against him (7-23) but no homeruns. Despite a 9.00 ERA this year against the Angels (3 runs/3 innings), Loe has only 5 starts this year with a 2.32 ERA and a 4-1 record for those 5 starts. I will go with the Rangers on this, I just feel it. Score: 6-2.

Astros vs. Pittsburgh – Oswalt vs. Wells – Wells is 1-6 in his last 9 starts. During that time, one of his no decisions was against Houston. In that game, he threw 7 innings of shutout ball. Unfortunately for him, his 6 losses weren’t nearly as good. His last 3 games, he has a 7.90 ERA and his last, 5 he has an 8.14 ERA. Oswalt has been a lot better than that. 2.95 ERA on the year, 2.53 ERA in his last 3. My big concern is his 6-10 record on the road. He is 11-2 at home. I think he can outdo Wells, and pick up his 18th win tonight. Score: 7-2.

Braves vs. Phillies – Ramirez vs. Myers – Myers in his last start, lost to the Braves. Why not again tonight? Ramirez is very good at home, I expect that again today. Score: 5-4.

Brewers vs. Cubs – Ohka vs. Prior – Numbers show that they are very even. Time to dig… Prior has a better ERA on the season, but is a full run higher on the road. Ohka’s ERA is also higher at home. Prior has a winning record on the road, Ohka has a losing record at home, but an ERA lower than Prior’s road ERA, mind you. Prior, on average, goes two outs longer than Ohka. Both look great on the last 3. This is pretty even, to say the least. I have a hunch it will be the Alcoholics on this. Don’t know why. Score: 4-3.

D-Backs vs. Dodgers – Webb vs. Penny – Webb did great in his last start, and looks to be a sparkle in an otherwise dark sky for the D-Backs. Penny was rocked by the Giants in his last start, but didn’t get a decision. I think the D-Backs will do well tonight against the Dodgers. Score: 6-3.

FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy – I have actually done some homework on this (surprise, surprise)… Dallas and the Galaxy are very even statistics wise, but Dallas has been very cold of late. This is the U.S. Cup Final, and for Dallas to have snuck their way in is very impressive despite how they have been playing. The Galaxy is very good at home (8-2-3- that’s wins-loses-ties), and Dallas is very poor on the road (5-6-3). Due to how the Galaxy dominates at home, I will go with them. Galaxy wins 3-1.

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Friday and Saturday Picks (9/9 and 9/10)

Friday, Sept. 9th

Rangers vs. A’s – Dominguez vs. Zito – well, logic would naturally say Zito. But Dominguez just gets better and better with each start. In his last start, he went into the eighth inning with a no hitter. Granted, that was KC, but still a no-no is a no-no. He has a 1.69 ERA in his last three starts. Zito has a 3.44 in his last three, including a clobbering against New York. The A’s are cold right now. Zito really does own the Rangers. The Rangers as a team hit .204 in 224 at bats. Of the 46 hits, 12 are extra bases. No long ball tonight, 4 homers against Zito. Hard call to make. Rangers don’t do well against Zito, A’s are cold, Dominguez is hot… A shot in the dark, but I will go with Texas 4-3.

Braves vs. Nats – Ramirez vs. Loaiza – I have always liked Loaiza, when he was with the Rangers and after that. He is a good pitcher, not on a good team, though. He is 10-10 with a 3.62 ERA this year, 3.26 in his last 3. Ramirez is 3.32 in his last 3, and has a 11-8 mark. He doesn’t do well on the road, though (3-7, 5.61 ERA). I am going with the Nats on this 6-4.

Astros vs. Alcoholics – Clemens vs. Davis – Clemens has a 6-2 mark on the road and a 0.52 ERA. Astros 5-1.

Big Fish vs. Female Horse – Burnett vs. Lidle – Both have been throwing grapefruit over their last 3 (6.75 and 6.43 ERA’s respectively). Burnett has had better success this season. Marlins over Phillies 5-2.

D-Backs vs. the Other Alcoholic Team – Estes vs. Kim – Kim is hot, Estes is not. Kim has a 0.92 ERA in his last 3. Estes has an 8.40 over his last 3. Granted, Colorado is not a good team; D-Backs are nothing to brag about, either. Upset, D-Backs over Rockies in a squeaker 5-4.

Saturday, Sept 10th

Rangers vs. A’s – Blanton vs. Loe – Kameron Loe is quickly becoming one of top Rangers players of all time. I just like the guy. 6 foot 8, strong pitcher, great command, and his numbers prove me right. 3.22 ERA for the season, 0.95 ERA over his last three. Blanton stinks on the road. 3-7 mark tells all. Rangers take this one as I get my Tex statue, 4-2.

Braves vs. Nats – Sosa vs. Hernandez – Sosa is undefeated on the road. Braves 5-3.

Astros vs. Alcoholics – Pettitte vs. Ohka – Never heard of Ohka. Pettitte will take this one just on principal (Plus Pettitte has a 0.44 ERA in his last 3). Astros 4-2.

Big Fish vs. Female Horse – Vargas vs. Myers – Big Fish is a really good movie, by the way. Pretty even on the surface, but Myers is by far better upon closer review. Philly 6-3.

D-Backs vs. the Other Alcoholic Team – Vargas vs. Day – These guys should go back to the grapefruit league for real. It’s a beautiful day… good for a song, not for this pitcher. However, he does throw an even 3 at home, and that is what I will have to make my call on. Rockies 7-2.

FC Dallas vs. DC United – Soccer… well, FC Dallas has lost quite a bit of late… I will say they end that streak against DC. Why not, right? Besides, what do I know soccer anyway… FC Dallas 3-1.

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Monday, August 15th

Here we go. I predicted a Rangers loss... and they did. 10-3 was the actual score. Atlanta won, as I predicted. Astros lost as I predicted. Football? Cowboys lost and Panthers won. Oops. FC Dallas lost. Again oops. Cats won 5-2.

Very well. I missed out of almost a week on my "Beat the Streak" Contest through MLB.com. Over the next four days, I have Manny, the Young "Vacuum," Pudge, and the "Vac" again on Thursday. (The Young "Vacuum" is Michael Young of the Rangers) Now, I call Young the Vacuum because he sucks up everything up the middle. Very dependable (Unlike Soriano, who leads the majors in errors by a second baseman this season).

None of my teams are playing today that I truly care to follow, so I will wait til tomorrow to punish you all. Johnny Out.

Frisco Roughriders & More

Frisco looks to be up against a wall. Playing Springfield in a 4 games series starting tomorrow, my take is that since both teams are bottom in the divisions, an almost even record, and the only stat that stands out is Home/Road records. I take Springfield 3 out of 4 games.

Mavs start preseason Oct 11, 2005 & schedule is available online. Click here: http://www.nba.com/mavericks/schedule/

FC Dallas has a game today. It looks pretty evenly matched. Gut tells me Dallas. Score: 3-1

FW Cats also have a game today. Cats over Edinburg, simply due to Cats loosing yesterday, and they are dominating their division. Score: 6-2

That is all. Johnny Out.