FROM THE TWENTY teams that compete in Major League Soccer, New York City FC – the much-vaunted franchise who secured the signatures of Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa for their debut season – are the fourth-worst.
From 33 games, they’ve racked up ten wins.
While Villa has been excellent – scoring 17 goals and adding 8 further assists – both Lampard and Pirlo have contributed very little.
It was supposed to be a dream-team but between them, the veteran midfielders have managed just 19 starts, contributing three goals (all Lampard) and six assists in the process (five from Pirlo).
Last night, there was another defeat to Orlando which followed a defeat to DC United earlier in the month.
They have one more league game left – against the New England Revolution on Sunday week – but after that, it’s sure to be a painful off-season as the club majority owners – City Football Group which also has control of Manchester City and Melbourne City – figure out what happens next.
With a genuine New York home – the club played at the iconic Yankee Stadium throughout its inaugural season – this wasn’t part of the plan. With marquee signings, the team was supposed to be making the play-offs.
Instead, it’s all been more than a little bit anti-climactic.
It’d be brilliant if she wins the title and so does Roger Federer, since that’ll set us all back 10 years.
Sky Sports reporting ‘Australian Konta beaten’.
@Séamus Ó Lochlainn: She was born in Australia but of course the Brits claim her her for their own. Sorry state of English tennis players, they need something to shout about.
@Enda McCallion: people in glasshouses shouldn’t throw stones cj stander,Jared payne even rory mcilroy about as Irish as bananas,and the list doesn’t stop with them three
Would love to see her win it. Big fan of the Williams sisters. Unbelievable that Venus is back in a final, on the biggest stage of all, at this point in her career. I hope she goes all the way.
Very poor performance by Konta. Match lasted only 70 minutes. Barker, Tim “semi final ” Henman etc can’t be happy. Wade was pleased.
@John Ryan: I do hate Tim Henman. The way he goes on you’d swear he’d been a big deal at one time. He can be quite cutting about very big players. Andrew Castle does this too.
@Titus Groan: fair play to her
Oldest Women’s singles* finalist. Navratilova was in the mixed doubles finals in her 40s.
@Brian: mixed doubles is about as serious as snap
Konta’s forehand really let her down
@Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin: I read that as her forehead let her down ha ha.
@Dave Murray: so did I :)
Women’s tennis has come a long way in 20 years, oh wait.
@Minom Pnom: now now in fairness the women do get paid the same, so an amazing step forward for them, the next step is to play the 5 setter, otherwise I’m sure the ladies feel it’s demeaning and sexist to get the same pay for less work
Women’s tennis is a shambles.