Even the Pros...

This week marks the opening leg of the European Champions League Quarterfinals and we were able to catch most of the Man. U vs. Porto match on ESPN. The match ended in a 2-2 draw which Porto in a VERY good position coming home for the return leg next week. Porto scored the equalizer with just 2 minutes left (photo left from ESPN.com)

All 4 goals were ones in which the defending team made some fundamental errors....including a poor clearance, not stepping up to the shooter in the penalty box, a horrible, no-look back pass to the keeper that was intercepted, poor marking on a throw in, and some bad organization and position...

In a strange way it was almost comforting to see the pros struggle with some of the things we teach and work on regularly with our team. It is good to know that those basic errors get punished at that level as well.

UEFA Champions League: Benayoun's Goal A Classic

Lots of good soccer to watch and talk about this week. The UEFA Champions League was in full force as the "Sweet Sixteen" kicked of with their first legs on Tuesday and Wednesday. Many of the games were played very conservatively, with lots of defense. The FC Porto vs. Atletico Madrid match (a 2-2 tie) was "highlighted" by some awful goal keeping. And Bayern Munich seems to have clinched advancement after a 5-0 drubbing of Sporting Lisbon. But the others appear to be up for grabs with the return legs on March 10 and March 11.

The Liverpool match at Real Madrid pitted two of the most decorated clubs in Europe against each other. We like both teams (although it's hard for the Utes not to root for a team whose nickname is "the Reds"! AND Fernando Torres is one of our favorite strikers!

The Reds stunned the home crowd with a gorgeous set piece with just 8 minutes left. From the right side of the field, defender Fábio Aurélio hit a left-footed, in-swinger curling to about the 8 yard line...it had the perfect pace and bend...and it caught Real Madrid 'keeper, Ilker Casillas, in no man's land...and midfielder Yossi Benayoun rose above the crowd to head it home...a CRUCIAL away goal heading into the return leg. And a classic "shot/cross" that would rival anything David Beckham has done.

Champions League highlights are hard to come by with rights fees, etc. But, you have to watch Yossi Benayoun's spectacular goal in the closing moments of this classic game in Madrid, Spain.

We also recommend the CONCACAF Champions League, which is going on right now as well. The Houston Dynamo tied 1-1 with Atlante from Mexico on Tuesday night and will have to get a result in Mexico next week (CONCACAF Champions League is on Fox Soccer Channel). We're big fans of the Dynamo as they play great team soccer and handle the ball well.