It should be a good day of football tomorrow: Birmingham v Aston Villa to start the day in my time zone and New York City v Toronto FC in the evening.
For Aston Villa it's the big derby they didn't want to look forward to last year because it would have meant relegation to the Championship. That was a more likely certainty in the last 3 or 4 seasons than Birmingham winning promotion to the Premier League. Apart from the considerable hostility between the fans, and Steve Bruce returning to his former club as their rival's manager, it is also significant for league positions. Birmingham started the season decently and were in a playoff position until today. Villa are going through a mini revival and a win would get them within 4 points of a playoff spot. There's a long, long way to go yet but it's not a cliche to say that a win for either team would be a huge psychological boost.
At some time around 7pm Toronto FC players will look to get a good first leg advantage over NY City in the Eastern Conference semifinal. TFC's three marquee players, Altidore, Giovinco and Bradley are in their prime and hopefully this will give them an edge over the experience of NY City's three stars. Lampard, Pirlo and Villa are 38, 37 and 34 respectively. Their careers may have been over in Europe but they a huge reason for City's first appearance in the playoffs in only their second year in existence. Their manager, Patrick Viera, will be hoping that his team will go all the way and have Pep, at the mother club, Manchester City, nervously looking over his shoulder.
TFC'S management have urged their supporters to be in their seats early tomorrow so as not to miss the "opening ceremonies." Do they really not get how ridiculous this looks? When I met with a senior TFC executive a few years ago he told me how they wanted to keep a European feel to the whole experience. Thus the "FC" in the name, they call it "football" around the club and they don't have gimmicky commercials going on throughout a match. This individual is not with the club anymore. I wonder what he thinks now as he watches fireworks, smoke bombs and girls waving flags on the pitch before each playoff match. More L.A. and New York then Manchester or Birmingham, or Madrid or Milan.
I'll probably miss the pre-game entertainment as I'm well educated now in the workings of MLS kick-off times. I see 7pm but will probably not miss much if tune in around 7.15.
I may have a lot to report tomorrow night.
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