FA Cup Finals Preview

The FA Cup Finals Preview
By Andrew McCarten, TheSportsStand.com (4/29/07)

The FA Cup Final on May 19^th is a dream matchup. 1^st place Manchester United will take on 2^nd place Chelsea at Wembley Stadium for the trophy. The field of teams started off with all the teams in England, including Football League 2, Football League 1, the Football Championship, EPL and even semi-pro teams. To get to the final, Manchester United got past soon to be relegated Watford 4-1. Rooney led the way with two goals and an assist, while Cristiano Ronaldo and late sub Richardson also added goals. Bouzza scored the only goal for Watford.

Chelsea’s semi-final duel with Blackburn was much more exciting. After Frank Lampard scored for Chelsea in the 21^st. Blackburn didn’t score until the 64^th minute, with the tally coming from Jason Roberts off a free kick. Regulation ended up tied 1-1, and extra time was needed. After the first period the score was the same, and a penalty shootout looked inevitable. But Michael Ballack had other ideas, as he scored the winner in the 109^th.

To get ready for the game, let’s go over the positions of both teams.

GOALKEEPER: Both keepers are spectacular. Edwin Van Der Sar has been a rock for United all season, but Petr Cech seems to be untouchable in big games.

EDGE: Even

DEFENSE: Rio Ferdinand limped off in the semi-final against Watford, and that hurts United’s back line, though Neville and Heinze are very capable. Chelsea stifling back line are led by captain John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Wayne Bridge and Ashley Cole. Chelsea’s defense is versatile as well, as both Cole and Carvalho are capable of pushing up the pitch and creating opportunities.

EDGE: Chelsea

MIDFIELD: Manchester United are a mix of the young and the old at midfield, with co-captain Ryan Giggs and vet Paul Scholes, while they also have young stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick. Chelsea have Ghana star Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Joe Cole.

EDGE: Even

FORWARDS: These are probably the two deepest positions for the teams. Wayne Rooney is absolutely amazing, and a key to United’s success. Louis Saha has disappointed at times, but is capable of affecting a game positively. Didier Drogba has been a goal machine for Chelsea, but Andriy Schevchenko has had problems this year.

EDGE: Manchester United

BENCH: Chelsea, a veritable all-star team of sorts, have a bench many EPL would use as a starting 11. Their bench includes Shaun Wright-Phillips, Lasanna Diarra, Salomon Kalou and backup keeper Henrique Hilario. United have young Scotsman midfielder Darren Fletcher, Park Ji-Sung, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and backup keeper Tom Heaton.

EDGE: Even

MANAGER: Manchester United are led by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, a man who is as qualified as any to have the title of best manager in the world. Jose Mourinho is an enigmatic and prolific manager, but has battled problems with the owners at Chelsea.

EDGE: Manchester United

FINAL SCORE: Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1