'Everything about Frank Lampard’s Hudson River derby went wrong' diff viewer (0/1)

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Everything about Frank Lampard’s Hudson River derby went wrong	Everything about Frank Lampard’s Hudson River derby went wrong
2016-05-23 11:25:17 UTC	2016-09-06 18:15:18 UTC (4 months later)
Frank Lampard’s entry into the New York derby did not, to put it mildly, go well. And the worst part? It could have been prevented – or at the very least, subdued.	Frank Lampard’s entry into the New York derby did not, to put it mildly, go well. And the worst part? It could have been prevented – or at the very least, subdued.
Let’s set the scene. It’s 5-0 in the 75th minute. On the field, an aimless and exhausted New York City FC were counting down the seconds for this bloodbath to end. Off the field, the chants and songs of the NYC FC faithful long ago made way to the echoes of “Who’s your daddy?” and “New York is red” from the traveling contingent of 600 fervent Red Bull supporters.	Let’s set the scene. It’s 5-0 in the 75th minute. On the field, an aimless and exhausted New York City FC were counting down the seconds for this bloodbath to end. Off the field, the chants and songs of the NYC FC faithful long ago made way to the echoes of “Who’s your daddy?” and “New York is red” from the traveling contingent of 600 fervent Red Bull supporters.
~~Related: NYC FC 0-7 Red Bulls: Hudson River Derby turns to low farce for Patrick Vieira~~
In short, the battle was long lost.	In short, the battle was long lost.
That scenario on its own would be hard for any player to overcome. But this is the tale of New York City FC and Frank Lampard; a soap opera come to life with more twists and turns than a WWE pay-per-view.	That scenario on its own would be hard for any player to overcome. But this is the tale of New York City FC and Frank Lampard; a soap opera come to life with more twists and turns than a WWE pay-per-view.
As if the environment wasn’t hostile enough, someone had the bright idea to introduce Frank Lampard over the PA system like a returning hero: “Coming onto the field, Super Frank Lampard.”	As if the environment wasn’t hostile enough, someone had the bright idea to introduce Frank Lampard over the PA system like a returning hero: “Coming onto the field, Super Frank Lampard.”
Already frothing at the mouth with disgust at their team’s performance, and still resentful of their oft-absent Designated Player, that introduction set off NYC FC fans, giving Lampard the good old “Bronx Cheer” on arrival. In other words, they booed the hell out of him.	Already frothing at the mouth with disgust at their team’s performance, and still resentful of their oft-absent Designated Player, that introduction set off NYC FC fans, giving Lampard the good old “Bronx Cheer” on arrival. In other words, they booed the hell out of him.
What followed were 15 minutes of listless action from the aging English midfielder. Oh, and two more goals from the New York Red Bulls. That alone would have made for a tragic return. But this soap opera was far from over.	What followed were 15 minutes of listless action from the aging English midfielder. Oh, and two more goals from the New York Red Bulls. That alone would have made for a tragic return. But this soap opera was far from over.
Asked about being booed on his season debut, Lampard shrugged off the reaction and said, “If I am getting booed for being injured, there is not much I can do about that.”	Asked about being booed on his season debut, Lampard shrugged off the reaction and said, “If I am getting booed for being injured, there is not much I can do about that.”
That is a reasonable assessment. However, he followed that declaration with a bombshell of his own - that the fans never understood the severity of his ailment.	That is a reasonable assessment. However, he followed that declaration with a bombshell of his own - that the fans never understood the severity of his ailment.
“I had a nasty injury – an eight to 10 week injury,” he explained. “In the beginning, the doctors thought it was a small injury. Didn’t turn out to be that. I’ve been training morning and afternoon to get fit. People don’t see that.”	“I had a nasty injury – an eight to 10 week injury,” he explained. “In the beginning, the doctors thought it was a small injury. Didn’t turn out to be that. I’ve been training morning and afternoon to get fit. People don’t see that.”
Well, they don’t see that because it was never revealed.	Well, they don’t see that because it was never revealed.
Lampard has been listed questionable for weeks. He’s only been training in full for less than two weeks. Yet for nearly three months, NYC FC never revealed the true timeline for his recovery. Maybe, just maybe, that information should have been shared with fans.	Lampard has been listed questionable for weeks. He’s only been training in full for less than two weeks. Yet for nearly three months, NYC FC never revealed the true timeline for his recovery. Maybe, just maybe, that information should have been shared with fans.
Like the “Super Frank” introduction, the botched updates on Lampard’s injury are yet another example of NYC FC’s tone deaf approach to their star player – the same approach that had fans waiting through New Year’s Day of 2015 before finding out their $6m dollar man was actually under contract with Manchester City.	Like the “Super Frank” introduction, the botched updates on Lampard’s injury are yet another example of NYC FC’s tone deaf approach to their star player – the same approach that had fans waiting through New Year’s Day of 2015 before finding out their $6m dollar man was actually under contract with Manchester City.
The lesson in all of Lampard’s drama with NYC FC could be solved in one word: transparency. Apparently, that lesson still has not been learned. DM	The lesson in all of Lampard’s drama with NYC FC could be solved in one word: transparency. Apparently, that lesson still has not been learned. DM
The Red Bulls showed they are still top tier	The Red Bulls showed they are still top tier
The last time the Yankee Stadium scoreboard read 7-0, pitcher CC Sabathia threw seven shutout innings in a rout of the Baltimore Orioles.	The last time the Yankee Stadium scoreboard read 7-0, pitcher CC Sabathia threw seven shutout innings in a rout of the Baltimore Orioles.
Fans went home happy that day. On Saturday? Not so much.	Fans went home happy that day. On Saturday? Not so much.
The visiting Red Bulls took to one of the most hallowed grounds in baseball and borrowed a scoreline from the other football, dropping a touchdown on their hosts New York City FC, 7-0 – and setting a franchise record for most goals in a game.	The visiting Red Bulls took to one of the most hallowed grounds in baseball and borrowed a scoreline from the other football, dropping a touchdown on their hosts New York City FC, 7-0 – and setting a franchise record for most goals in a game.
This was a statement win for the Red Bulls. The defending Supporters’ Shield champions have limped their way through the 2016 season, playing the same high-press that won them the table in 2015, but failing to find the final ball. That impotence – and a series of injures – led to inconsistent results and doubts over their place among the top tier sides in MLS.	This was a statement win for the Red Bulls. The defending Supporters’ Shield champions have limped their way through the 2016 season, playing the same high-press that won them the table in 2015, but failing to find the final ball. That impotence – and a series of injures – led to inconsistent results and doubts over their place among the top tier sides in MLS.
Seven goals will go a long way in putting that recent history to rest.	Seven goals will go a long way in putting that recent history to rest.
On the other side of the river, NYC FC were riding high. Unbeaten in five matches, Patrick Vieira’s men were finally showing growth and improvement under their new boss. Their performances earned them a much deserved (but fleeting) spot at the top of the Eastern Conference.	On the other side of the river, NYC FC were riding high. Unbeaten in five matches, Patrick Vieira’s men were finally showing growth and improvement under their new boss. Their performances earned them a much deserved (but fleeting) spot at the top of the Eastern Conference.
To get there, Vieira disguised his club’s weaknesses with tactical nuance meant to reinforce their most vulnerable areas while accentuating the team’s strengths. He also relied on a heavy dose of luck – an aspect of their success Vieira acknowledged after the encounter.	To get there, Vieira disguised his club’s weaknesses with tactical nuance meant to reinforce their most vulnerable areas while accentuating the team’s strengths. He also relied on a heavy dose of luck – an aspect of their success Vieira acknowledged after the encounter.
“All the games so far, we have been conceding a lot of chances and we knew if we didn’t improve that part of our game against a team like Red Bulls, we never know what will happen,” he said.	“All the games so far, we have been conceding a lot of chances and we knew if we didn’t improve that part of our game against a team like Red Bulls, we never know what will happen,” he said.
Despite their place in the table, there was no doubt who was the better club after 90 minutes. The Red Bulls didn’t just beat NYC FC. They exposed them. They took the blood, sweat and tears that have been shed in the buildup of Vieira’s side and used it to paint Yankee Stadium – and the City – red.	Despite their place in the table, there was no doubt who was the better club after 90 minutes. The Red Bulls didn’t just beat NYC FC. They exposed them. They took the blood, sweat and tears that have been shed in the buildup of Vieira’s side and used it to paint Yankee Stadium – and the City – red.
“Not in our wildest dreams would we have predicted 7-0,” head coach Jesse March said. “I think it was an expression of the belief and commitment that this team has for each other and a chance for them to show – mostly themselves – what we’re all about.”	“Not in our wildest dreams would we have predicted 7-0,” head coach Jesse March said. “I think it was an expression of the belief and commitment that this team has for each other and a chance for them to show – mostly themselves – what we’re all about.”
NYC FC, meanwhile, resembled the tale of Icarus. On top of the East and with a string of positive results, they began to believe they were indestructible. Ultimately, that led them too close to the sun, taking a red-hot dive of humility right back down to earth.	NYC FC, meanwhile, resembled the tale of Icarus. On top of the East and with a string of positive results, they began to believe they were indestructible. Ultimately, that led them too close to the sun, taking a red-hot dive of humility right back down to earth.
“Before the game, we were not a perfect team, and after the game, we are not the worst team,” Vieira said. “Like I said to the players after the game, I still believe we are a really good team. I am strongly behind the team and behind the players, and this is one off the games that we have to forget.” DM	“Before the game, we were not a perfect team, and after the game, we are not the worst team,” Vieira said. “Like I said to the players after the game, I still believe we are a really good team. I am strongly behind the team and behind the players, and this is one off the games that we have to forget.” DM
Even at its worst the Cali Clasico is still one of MLS’s most compelling fixtures	Even at its worst the Cali Clasico is still one of MLS’s most compelling fixtures
Whoever said that goalless draws can still be captivating likely didn’t have the first 83 minutes of Sunday’s Cali Clasico in mind. MLS’s most dependably dazzling game was rather dull until that point, with both the LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes struggling to find traction. And yet the fixture still came up with something, even at its very worst.	Whoever said that goalless draws can still be captivating likely didn’t have the first 83 minutes of Sunday’s Cali Clasico in mind. MLS’s most dependably dazzling game was rather dull until that point, with both the LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes struggling to find traction. And yet the fixture still came up with something, even at its very worst.
In terms of sheer shockability, the Cali Clasico was upstaged by the demolition job carried out at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening, but nonetheless for pure drama Fatai Alashe’s equaliser for the Quakes, three minutes from time at Stub Hub Center, was unrivalled over rivalry week. It was the return of the Goonies, one might say, with San Jose living up to their Cali Clasico billing as resilient underdogs. It’s this quality that makes the West Coast rivalry so compelling.	In terms of sheer shockability, the Cali Clasico was upstaged by the demolition job carried out at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening, but nonetheless for pure drama Fatai Alashe’s equaliser for the Quakes, three minutes from time at Stub Hub Center, was unrivalled over rivalry week. It was the return of the Goonies, one might say, with San Jose living up to their Cali Clasico billing as resilient underdogs. It’s this quality that makes the West Coast rivalry so compelling.
“I just enjoy this locker room, because we have that resiliency,” Chris Wondolowski said after the draw in Carson, reflecting on how his side so often find something to grip against the LA Galaxy. “It’s nice to have that response. We started at the kickoff and went right down there and tried to get that back. That’s what I love about this team. No one put their heads down.”	“I just enjoy this locker room, because we have that resiliency,” Chris Wondolowski said after the draw in Carson, reflecting on how his side so often find something to grip against the LA Galaxy. “It’s nice to have that response. We started at the kickoff and went right down there and tried to get that back. That’s what I love about this team. No one put their heads down.”
Indeed, there was a renewed drive about the Earthquakes as soon as Marvell Wynne’s own goal hit the net seven minutes from time. Dominic Kinnear threw on Chad Barrett in response, with the former Galaxy forward making the difference as a gung-ho saviour, crossing for Alashe to head home the leveller and salvage San Jose a valuable point.	Indeed, there was a renewed drive about the Earthquakes as soon as Marvell Wynne’s own goal hit the net seven minutes from time. Dominic Kinnear threw on Chad Barrett in response, with the former Galaxy forward making the difference as a gung-ho saviour, crossing for Alashe to head home the leveller and salvage San Jose a valuable point.
Of course, it wasn’t quite a moment to rival Alan Gordon’s famous winner and the Quakes’ stoppage time comeback of 2013. Alashe’s equaliser as an individual moment was dramatic, but in the grand catalogue of Cali Clasicos this one will be considered filler, not so much killer. And yet even with the fixture at its worst, at its lowest ebb, it still produced at least a degree of drama.	Of course, it wasn’t quite a moment to rival Alan Gordon’s famous winner and the Quakes’ stoppage time comeback of 2013. Alashe’s equaliser as an individual moment was dramatic, but in the grand catalogue of Cali Clasicos this one will be considered filler, not so much killer. And yet even with the fixture at its worst, at its lowest ebb, it still produced at least a degree of drama.
For San Jose, a point on the road could provide some sort of precedent as they look to improve away from the Avaya Stadium. For the LA Galaxy, this was a missed opportunity to further underline their improvement over the past few weeks. For both clubs, though, this was just another Cali Clasico. Something about this rivalry, some intangible, makes for an inherently gripping contest. GR	For San Jose, a point on the road could provide some sort of precedent as they look to improve away from the Avaya Stadium. For the LA Galaxy, this was a missed opportunity to further underline their improvement over the past few weeks. For both clubs, though, this was just another Cali Clasico. Something about this rivalry, some intangible, makes for an inherently gripping contest. GR
The Portland Timbers are finally embracing chaos	The Portland Timbers are finally embracing chaos
Few teams in MLS boast as many difference-makers as the Portland Timbers. It’s why they are defending MLS Cup champions, with their team among North America’s most potent. However, they are equally erratic at the back, so what happens when so many of those factors combine all at the one time? Well, you get a game like the one witnessed between the Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday evening.	Few teams in MLS boast as many difference-makers as the Portland Timbers. It’s why they are defending MLS Cup champions, with their team among North America’s most potent. However, they are equally erratic at the back, so what happens when so many of those factors combine all at the one time? Well, you get a game like the one witnessed between the Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday evening.
~~Related: Jordan Morris, Jürgen Klinsmann and surviving the US Soccer Hype Machine~~