Afc Bournemouth

[WestSideGuy]

Do you know the story?

http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/pl-download-bournemouth-together-anything-is-possible/

Despite the fact that they come from a place that couldn't be more different than NYC, and the fact that they have more than a hundred year history, they are like us in that it's our first year in MLS and their first year in the premier league.

It will be fun to follow the Cherries this year and see what they can do in the PL and hopefully stay up. Before this morning they were above Chelsea on the table.

 

[WestSideGuy]

After 22 games the Cherries are 3 points above the relegation zone. While they had a shaky start, which I attribute to their first appearance in the premier league, the team has been playing some pretty decent football and achieved the following results so far: defeated West Ham, Sunderland, Chelsea, Man U, West Brom, and Norwich, and tied Leister (x2), Watford, Swansea, Everton, and Crystal Palace. Will they be able to stay up?

 

[northernburbs]

Do you know the story?

http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/pl-download-bournemouth-together-anything-is-possible/

Despite the fact that they come from a place that couldn't be more different than NYC, and the fact that they have more than a hundred year history, they are like us in that it's our first year in MLS and their first year in the premier league.

It will be fun to follow the Cherries this year and see what they can do in the PL and hopefully stay up. Before this morning they were above Chelsea on the table.

Got to pull for them. I have never switched teams from when I was a kid, but generations of support and never making the big time has got to be brutal.

 

[Ohenry]

I really like Eddie Howe. He is not afraid to attack no matter if they are playing home or away, top club or relegation threatened. Plus he's loyal to his boyhood club. I think they have a good chance to stay up.

 

[WestSideGuy]

I have never switched teams from when I was a kid.

I can understand not switching teams. I just started watching the Premier League in earnest this season, without a favorite team yet. Their underdog story is so compelling, and to me the relegation fight to stay up is so different from what I am used to as an American fan and so compelling; I've really been enjoying it.

 

[WestSideGuy]

Another win for the Cherries. This one against Crystal Palace. They seem to be playing really well and are increasing their distance from relegation. Afobe has proven to be a good pickup. Let's see how they do against the Gunners on Sunday. What do you think about their pink 3rd kit?

 

[WestSideGuy]

By some crazy random chance I will be in Minneapolis for some business meetings this week; going to a friendly between Minnesota United and the Cherries Wednesday night.

 

[WestSideGuy]

I just arrived back from Minnesota. It was thrilling to see the Cherries in person. I was able to get pitch-side seats next to the AFC Bournemouth bench and arrived well before game-time to catch warm ups. I saw Eddie Howe (who acknowledged me in my Bournemouth jersey with a wave), met and chatted with Jeff Mostyn (who graciously gave me a Dean Court pin) and Steve Fletcher, tossed the ball back to Charlie Daniels for a throw in during the game, and had an overall great experience from start to finish.

Tyrone Mings, who was working out right in front of me, is a monster - I hope he can stay healthy. As compared to an MLS team, the squad has incredible talent and depth. Both Boruc and Federici are impressive goalies. Pitch-side is such a different experience.

As far as the game went, not surprisingly Bournemouth controlled it from start to finish. The final was 4 nil, including a bizarre own goal by the Minnesota United keeper who threw the ball into his own net after picking up the ball with no Bournemouth players around and I guess attempting to pass it to a teammate who was nowhere in sight. Callum Wilson had a brace and Lewis Grabban had the 4th. The speed of play, passing, field presence, and ball control was amazing. One ball kicked out of play wizzed past me about three feet from my head. That ball was moving fast.

Pigeons alum Jeb Brovsky (now with MN United, remember him?) changed his mustache and had a yellow card. United surprisingly had a good crowd and a small but vocal group of supporters on a sultry 95 degree Wednesday night. I was somewhat surprised that I was not the only Bournemouth supporter; there were at least two dozen, and I ended up sitting with a father and son who had traveled from Bournemouth and a Cherries supporter from Tampa.

Thinking about a trip to the south coast to see them play at home...

 

[JayH]

I just arrived back from Minnesota. It was thrilling to see the Cherries in person. I was able to get pitch-side seats next to the AFC Bournemouth bench and arrived well before game-time to catch warm ups. I saw Eddie Howe (who acknowledged me in my Bournemouth jersey with a wave), met and chatted with Jeff Mostyn (who graciously gave me a Dean Court pin) and Steve Fletcher, tossed the ball back to Charlie Daniels for a throw in during the game, and had an overall great experience from start to finish.

Tyrone Mings, who was working out right in front of me, is a monster - I hope he can stay healthy. As compared to an MLS team, the squad has incredible talent and depth. Both Boruc and Federici are impressive goalies. Pitch-side is such a different experience.

As far as the game went, not surprisingly Bournemouth controlled it from start to finish. The final was 4 nil, including a bizarre own goal by the Minnesota United keeper who threw the ball into his own net after picking up the ball with no Bournemouth players around and I guess attempting to pass it to a teammate who was nowhere in sight. Callum Wilson had a brace and Lewis Grabban had the 4th. The speed of play, passing, field presence, and ball control was amazing. One ball kicked out of play wizzed past me about three feet from my head. That ball was moving fast.

Pigeons alum Jeb Brovsky (now with MN United, remember him?) changed his mustache and had a yellow card. United surprisingly had a good crowd and a small but vocal group of supporters on a sultry 95 degree Wednesday night. I was somewhat surprised that I was not the only Bournemouth supporter; there were at least two dozen, and I ended up sitting with a father and son who had traveled from Bournemouth and a Cherries supporter from Tampa.

Thinking about a trip to the south coast to see them play at home...

Great trip report!