With J Hutcherson -- Later today, Tim Howard and Everton get the opportunity to marginalize an earlier result. That would be the 5-0 collapse at Benfica on October 22nd. A home win at Goodison Park takes the gloss off what happened at Estadio da Luz.
In the short-term, it even takes out Benfica's goal differential since an Everton win puts them ahead on points in Group I. As statement games go, any response is enough.
As confidence building exercises go, Howard is enough of a professional to understand when the result is on him. He hasn't really faced that in Group I play this season. The results have either been blowouts or games that the Everton offense eventually took over. 4-0 Everton against AEK Athens, Everton coming on late to take their away game against BATE Borisov 2-1. The second-half collapse against Benfica.
With only AEK Athens left on their away schedule, any problems on Everton's path to the knockout stage would likely involve Benfica. Even that shouldn't be enough.
The road isn't quite as clear for Fulham, who are in the odd position of chasing FC Basel but have the edge on the group's big club AS Roma. The points run from first to third is six, five, four. Roma could finish the night two points in front of Fulham, a scenario in their control as they host at Stadio Olimpico.
Clint Dempsey's club got a draw at home and are playing well, setting up this game as the likely decider for one of the slots in Group E. Another draw would be a big result for Fulham. Considering Roma's Serie A season, it's not a surprise that they came to the same conclusion when they got a point at Craven Cottage.
In the other game, Basel is expected to run a mix of reserves and first team players against CSKA Sofia. CSKA's one result was a home draw against Fulham, enough of an indication that they're not going to roll over against a less than first-choice Basel.
Group E could reshuffle, creating a scenario that ends up with three teams in contention on December 16th. That might not end up favoring Fulham, who would likely need to beat Basel away while Roma travels to play a CSKA Sofia club that should already be out of contention. Yet another reason why tonight in Rome carries so much importance.
With two matchdays remaining after tonight, Group E is still about the contenders beating each other. If any of them slip against CSKA Sofia, that changes.
On TV
U-17 World Cup on Galavision: Mexico - Korea at 10am. Europa League on GolTV: Hamburgh - Celtic at 1pm, Villarreal - Lazio at 3pm, and Everton - Benfica at 8pm. MLS playoffs on ESPN2: Salt Lake - Columbus at 8pm. Copa Sudamericana on Fox SPorts en Espanol: Universidad - Fluminense at 6pm and LDU Quito - Velez Sarsfield at 8:30pm. Telemundo has UNAM Pumas - Club America at 10pm. All Times Eastern
Europe
Newcastle United supporters announce plans for buyout of Mike Ashley -- from The Times' Ben Smith: We want to have supporter ownership at the core of the club.
Tony Mowbray unfazed as Celtic are revealed as Europa League’s most shot-shy team ahead of vital Hamburg match -- from The Herald's Ronny Cully: "I am not interested, to be honest."
Who is ready to step into Rio Ferdinand's boots for England? -- from The Telegraph's Duncan White: Who, then, is in the running?
Americas
Recurring theme of missed chances as US falls to Italy -- from Soccernet's Brent Latham: The second half was a different story.
One-goal deficit is no cause for panic -- from The Columbus Dispatch's Shawn Mitchell: A one-goal win would set up a 30-minute overtime.
Playoff run could impact RSL's offseason direction -- from The Salt Lake Tribune's Michael C Lewis: But what if those games include a run all the way to the MLS Cup title game?
Success story: Sounders FC has been winner on and off the field in first season -- from The Seattle TImes Jose Miguel Romero: They want more.
Red Bulls’ Boss Speaks -- from The NY Times' Jack Bell: "“I know that decisions are waiting."
Vision, guidelines lacking in TFC blueprint -- from The Toronto Globe and Mail's Paul James: The team may get lucky one year and have a run in the Major League Soccer playoffs.
Comments, questions, solutions to problems that have yet to present themselves. Please, tell me all about it.
