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Ok, so March got past you, but it's still spring and that means the mustard is blooming in Napa Valley. Many of you tell me how excited you are to finally plan a visit to the jaw-dropping gorgeous wine region in Northern Cal, but feel overwhelmed by the planning process. Let me help you figure it out. I will be posting a series of posts on places to stay, eat, wineries to visit and the best walks, workouts and wandering to do over the this season, culminating in the September harvest. I'll put up loads of photos and even some videos I've shot over the last several years. Please follow along and enjoy the ride. I'm fortunate to have many opportunities to visit and visit again.
This summer, I have the great pleasure and honor of being included in the Napa Valley Wine Educators Academy, hosted by the Napa Valley Vintner's Association along with the Culinary Institute of America- Greystone. This adventure will take place in later July and I'll be sure to report on it while it happens.
As for your introduction to the Napa Valley: Napa proper, the actual city of Napa, while lovely and full of great restaurants, does not give you the full wine country immersion effect. In other words, you are hard-pressed to find any hotel that allows you to walk out the door and into a vineyard stroll. If you glance at the map above, you'll see that Napa sits at the furthest southern point of the Valley and there are not more than a dozen or so wineries actually at that latitude or south of it. You can see as you climb north on the iconic Highway 29, you'll go through the most spectacular town of Yountville, regions of Oakville and Rutherford, through my favorite gem of a Main Street, St. Helena, then head to the furthest northern town of Calistoga. If you're looking for mud baths, they still exist in Calistoga and the addition of Solage brought an upscale property to the area (and one of the nicest outdoor pools in the Valley!)
If you're looking for lap-of-luxury accomodations but instead some affordable options, consider Yountville, Rutherford, (Auberge du Soleil), or St. Helena, which only has a few places, most notably Meadowood. While staying in Napa or directly on Highway 29 is considerably more cost-effective, you will end up driving quite a bit to reach the rest of the Valley. Having Yountville as your base, or even St. Helena, where the CIA is located (and you won't want to miss it), is a sure bet.
Driving around and tasting wine can be a dangerous affair and the cops don't take it lightly. You either need a designated driver or to hire a driver. You'll be glad you did.
Before you decide which of the idillic towns you'd like to call base camp, let me tell you how easy it is to get to Napa from Chicago, or any major city for that matter. Flights into San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (OAK) are abundant and frequently non-stop. I suggest this since you will add a ninety minute drive onto the flight so why waste time with a lay-over. If you choose to rent a car, the drive from Oakland is approximately 25-40 minutes quicker, depending on traffic. You can get caught in a snarl from SFO quite easily, excpt at times like 11am – 2pm, so plan your flight time wisely. Because SFO is so enormous, the time it takes to get from your flight to the rental area can be an extra 20 minutes, too. And, if you want the scenic route and have even more time to kill, add about 45 minutes onto the drive to Napa if you go over the Golden Gate bridge on the 101. It's gorgeous and worth seeing, but this makes the drive up to Napa more in the 130 – 145 minute range, rather than 90-105 taking the Bay Bridge from either SFO or OAK.
A few great sites to help you plan your trip: GoVine, which blends in a social componenet; Wine Country's Napa Valley, for planning transportation it's California Wine Tours and the best maps here.
Stay tuned for more and please enjoy some shots of the lovely Napa Valley. Please post any questions so I can help you get out there–soon.
Please also start contributing your favorite places to go, see, eat at, stay at or sip at in Napa. I'd love to get lots of input.


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I posed this question in the Arkham Horror, Mansions of Madness and Elder Sign forums and wanted to get everyone's take- in your opinion, what is the best H.P. Lovecraft-inspired game in Fantasy Flight Games' catalog? I'm trying to decide which one to try first. Arkham Horror sounds pretty cool, as does Mansions of Madness but I hear it has some balancing issues. How's the Call of Cthulu LCG?
Best H.P. Lovecraft Game?
Posted 01 January 2012 - 02:55 PM
Posted 01 January 2012 - 09:54 PM
My vote goes to Arkham Horror. I haven't played Mansions of Madness yet, though. It might be even better, but I slightly dislike that it requires a 'Game Master'.
Posted 02 January 2012 - 01:28 AM
They all have different senses to them, so I'm not sure how one could judge "best." Arkham Horror, Elder Sign, and Mansions of Madness all have a cooperative aspect to them where the characters are living out a "story" in the HPL universe. Mansions of Madness requires a game master, and does involve some cool puzzle solving aspects. Arkham Horror, the grandaddy of them, is an epic game about trying to seal the Ancient One before he/she/it awakens, and Elder Sign is a dice driven version of Arkham Horror is a relatively quick version of Arkham Horror.
Call of Cthulhu, the LCG, is a player vs player game (you can play multiplayer too - but every player for him/herself). It involves deck building and the story happens as a result of the matchup between the two players. There may or may not be an Ancient One involved in a given story, depending on the deck builds facing off. It is a very different game than the other 3, but still retains the HPL flavor and feel. It's my favorite, but then I usually prefer PvP over cooperative.
Posted 02 January 2012 - 07:09 AM
I'm pretty sure the answer has to be either Arkham Horror or Call of Cthulhu LCG if you're restricting it to board/card games. Elder Signs is too light and not thematic enough to be seriously considered the best. I haven't played Mansions but the impression I get is that it's mostly Arkham Horror Lite and probably wouldn't even exist if Arkham Horror wasn't so long. A game you play only when you don't have time to play the "real" game doesn't seem like it could be rightly regarded as the best.
If you don't limit it to board/card games, then add the Call of Cthulhu RPG to the list, but it's a very different animal I think.
Posted 02 January 2012 - 10:26 AM
Is the Call of Cthulu RPG made by Fantasy Flight Games? I couldn't find it on the website.
Posted 02 January 2012 - 11:17 AM
no. That would be chaosium.
Posted 02 January 2012 - 08:02 PM
RPG: This category is sort of monolithic because a bunch of games incorporate Lovecraft elements but the actual Chaosium Call of Cthulhu RPG is the essential game. I have been a player and DM in multiple eras and find this to be one of the best rounded HPL experiences with a wealth of resource materials.
Card Based: Call of Cthulhu vs. Mythos. CoC has more of a competitive board position and resource based in your face gamer feel. The look and feel of the cards are very Lovecraft but the game play lacks the subtle intimation of unseen horrors common to Lavecraft's writings. Mythos captures the actual flavor better with the story and insanity driven win conditions. However, the game play can seem like parallel solitaire, particularly when two investigator decks are pitted against each other. When going the Mythos route I suggest avoiding the New Eon set completely if maintaining a Lovecraft feel is the desired result.
Board: Arkham Horror is king, great game in terms of design and flavor. If you are a table top gamer I would call this a must have in your collection even if you are not specifically seeking an HPL theme. Elder Sign is a gateway experience to entice new gamers into the world of HPL. I have played DM for Mansions of Madness and IMO it is a money pit with nice figures made for people who want to RPG the Lovecraft world but lack the skills, time, or imaginations to do it from the plethora of source materials already out there. I say it is a money pit becasue the replay value is even lower than indicated. Playing the same scenario with the same players using the alternate "twists" can be NFE for all and the expansions are $15 for around 60 cards and a reference sheet.
Computer or Video: Sorry, do not know becasue the last one I played was the original Alone in the Dark (Great Game BTW) but that was ancient history...
Posted 02 January 2012 - 08:07 PM
dboeren said:
I'm pretty sure the answer has to be either Arkham Horror or Call of Cthulhu LCG if you're restricting it to board/card games. Elder Signs is too light and not thematic enough to be seriously considered the best. I haven't played Mansions but the impression I get is that it's mostly Arkham Horror Lite and probably wouldn't even exist if Arkham Horror wasn't so long. A game you play only when you don't have time to play the "real" game doesn't seem like it could be rightly regarded as the best.
If you don't limit it to board/card games, then add the Call of Cthulhu RPG to the list, but it's a very different animal I think.
dboeren said:
I haven't played Mansions but the impression I get is that it's mostly Arkham Horror Lite and probably wouldn't even exist if Arkham Horror wasn't so long. A game you play only when you don't have time to play the "real" game doesn't seem like it could be rightly regarded as the best.
Mansions is the one that is closest to playing the CoC RPG. Of all mentioned game titles it's probably the closest simulation of what the novels are about.
Posted 04 January 2012 - 08:30 AM
I actually did mean Mansions, but I suppose you could apply the same description to Elder Sign. Keep in mind, I have not played Mansions for myself, only spoken with some who did and they tended to describe it as "Arkham Horror Lite". Maybe that's a mis-characterization?
Posted 04 January 2012 - 07:21 PM
Elder Sign is Arkham Horror Lite
Mansions is RPG Lite
Posted 15 January 2012 - 09:15 PM
dboeren said:
It is indeed a mischaracterization.
Arkham Horror deals in the macrocosm of lovecraftian settings. Travveling between towns to find a way to keep the elder evils at bay.
Mansions deals in the microcosm of lovecraftian settings, never leaving the single building they are investigating.
Both are very seperate games. And for anyone to say that Mansions is shorter than Arkham is a definite uninformed opinion. The people who said that they have played it who described it to you clearly have no clue as to what the hell they are talking about. Set up time takes just as long if not longer for mansions and games tend to last just as long if not longer than Arkham as well.
Arkham-lite mansions of migraines is not.
As for answering the OP question of what is the best Lovecraftian game... well thats purely subjective of course. Your best bet to find what you beleive to the best best lovecraftian game lies in reviews many people have left behind for such games online.
Personally, I think the tabletop miniature skirmish game Strange Aeons trumps any Lovecraft game FFG makes by a long shot. As one example of how varied opinions are.
Posted 16 January 2012 - 02:22 AM
Thanks for the clarifications regarding Mansions of Madness.
I really want to find out more about Strange Aeons now though. I've played a lot of minis games and this might be right up my alley
Posted 25 February 2012 - 12:21 AM
Arkham Horror is the best Lovecraftian game in my opinion, though the LCG comes a close second.
Posted 28 March 2012 - 01:26 PM
Arkham Horror
(followed by the CoC RPG)
Posted 24 April 2012 - 05:38 PM
I own and love Mansions, Arkham Horror, CoC LCG, and Elder Sign (both board and iOS).
Each game manages to recreate different aspects and types of stories without the Lovecraft canon:
Arkham Horror really captures the cosmic/world ending dangers like those found in The Dunwhich Horror of The Call of Cthulhu. If I''m looking to try and wrap my arms around the ''bigness'' of HPL''s ideas, this does it the best for me.
Mansions of Madness, is similar to a one shot or small multi session RPG scenario, it captures the adventure/explorer stories that are more focused such as The Lurking Fear, Rats in the Walls, or The Shadow Over Innsmouth. The insular nature of the story/presentation allows one to fully suss out the depths and detail of a scenario and Lovecraft certainly loved to put atmosphere and detail at the forefront of his pieces. I love this for when I need my RPG itch scratched.
CoC LCG evokes well the intertextuality of Lovecraft''s work, whether it''s Randolph Carter appearing throughout HPL''s stories in both lead and support roles, the way that Nyarlathotep has varying degrees of influence and effect (and form) in many stories, or how the Necronomicon seems to shift and morph through the canon; garnering numerous name drops as well as the occasional direct appearance. The idea that all of these disparate factions and characters are not really so out of place side by side and that all are ultimately linked in some indirect way when you pull on enough loose threads has great appeal to me and really gets to the core of the Mythos.
Elder Sign is really the odd one out, because it tries to have the cosmic scope of AH while attempting to maintain some of the adventure party feel of Mansions of Madness. Ultimately of course its just a direct interpretation of Horror in the Museum with a little bit of the Cabot Museum from Out of Aeons thrown in for good measure. I think it does a very good job at being fun and interesting and having lots of call outs to different games, art assets, and aspects of the Lovecraft universe, but instead of the metaphysical conceit of the LCG it''s very much a literal manifestation.
Personally, I can''t choose ''the best'' unless I know what sort of mood I''''m in, however the Elder Sign iPad game gets the most play due to the short and portable nature of it with Arkham Horror following second due to its co-op design.
- SolennelBern likes this
Posted 09 May 2012 - 03:29 PM
ragnarhedin said:
Personally, I can''t choose ''the best'' unless I know what sort of mood I''''m in, however the Elder Sign iPad game gets the most play due to the short and portable nature of it with Arkham Horror following second due to its co-op design.
Ditto. If an iPad LCG was made I'd never get any work done, because it would be the handiest, but I can't pick a favourite among the games. I consider the RPG and Arkham Horror the greatest, in terms of development, thanks to their age. Arkham Horror has a very impressive pile of stuff if you buy all the expansions, and it's easily going to fill an evening, like the RPG, but with more teardown time than setup time
The RPG has covered all the stuff (or close enough) from the inner circle (Lovecraft and contemporary authors who ended up writing in the mythos then or later). For people who have played it all you'll need the keeper to come up with new stories, but there is much to play, if you can get it, for new players.
The LCG I feel sometimes needs as much work as a roleplaying session just to come up with some decks of cards. I'm generally the only one with the game in my circles nowadays, but I'm always looking for guinea-pigs. Once started it can be over quickly, though. Or it could drag on for 90 minutes with counter after counter and a lot of back and forth.
I haven't played Mansions of Madness, and with the local price I'm not really all that interested either. $140 from the web shop of the one ULGS (unpleasant local gaming store) we have! Maybe $20 cheaper from the competing store farther away. I like the concept and all, but I'm waiting for a second edition and a better price (I see it's 40% less in a neighbouring country, but I'd have to pick it up while there for other reasons due to toll duties etc.). Heavy games have exorbitant prices here (and shipping by boat is NOT based on weight, but volume, so it's plain greed)
Elder Sign (the physical game) is the tentacled variation of a beer & pretzels game. Not a bad one at that.
Posted 16 July 2012 - 06:35 AM
OK, I'll take the contrarian position here. Someone has to, anyway!
Arkham Horror: Simply put, it's Clue: The Cthulhu Edition. It's as if someone started out with Clue, added a Lovecraftian theme, then added in a whole lot of bits and pieces just because they could, then went to FFG with it, and they said, "Looks good, but needs more pieces." I played a couple of times, I don't recall finishing a game, I only have vague memories of it becoming clear that I was going to lose because I didn't have enough moves to get from the Boarding House to the Kitchen to retrieve either the Elder Sign or the Candlestick, I can't remember.
The theme is strong, but underneath, it is, in my opinion, an overly complicated and overly random board game.
Mansions of Madness: Honestly, haven't played it. I looked at a video demonstration and it struck me as having a few more RPG elements than Arkham Horror, but other than that, being another rehash of Clue. Only literally set in a mansion, and with many of the same rooms. I can't verify whether it has a Candlestick or a Lead Pipe, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Elder Sign: It's Yahtzee: The Cthulhu Edition. Or as one wag on BoardGameGeek put it, Yahtzee-Sothoth. Again, the theme is strong, but underneath, it's a dice-rolling game. Its main selling point is that it's fast, and so for that reason I do play it on an occasional basis.
Call of Cthulhu LCG: OK, I'm tempted to say that it's Magic: The Cthulhu Edition, but it's not quite that. The gameplay is definitely different enough that the similarities end with the fact that it's a customizable card game. The theme in the LCG is very strong, and the gameplay is cerebral and challenging, as befits a Lovecraftian themed game. Its main weakness on the theme front is that players do play both sides - not just the investigators, but quite frequently the monsters, and very often a strange mix of them. I don't have as much of a problem with that, but for some people it does ruin the mood.
Call of Cthulhu Role-playing Game: For theme, the RPG is the best, hands down. It does require a very good GM who can craft epic Lovecraftian tales, and without that runs the risk of devolving into really bad schlock (although I am sure there are players who play it for that, and love it for that). If deep immersion in the Lovecraft world is what you're looking for, it's all about the RPG. The main reason it's not as popular as the other titles above is, well, it's an RPG, and requires a bigger commitment of time and learning the rules, as well as interaction, than a board or dice game that's straightforward to learn and play.
In my opinion, "best" depends on what you're looking for. If it's theme, the RPG. If it's challenge, the LCG. If it's accessibility for a broad audience, Arkham Horror. If it's cool looking components, Mansions of Madness. If it's fast play with easy rules, Elder Sign.
Posted 16 July 2012 - 07:37 PM
I largely agree with Runix. If I want a cooperative game rich in the lore I play the RPG. If I want a fun competitive game set in the universe it's the LCG hands down. I've only played Arkham Horror, but it takes as long as an RPG session, and has all the limitations of a board game.
Posted 16 July 2012 - 09:07 PM
Runix said:
The theme is strong, but underneath, it is, in my opinion, an overly complicated and overly random board game.
To win a game of Arkham Horror all you need to do is to close the gates that keep popping up. It isn't about collecting clues (or are you referring to clue markers?). Anyway, I enjoy AH quite a bit and that's mostly because it supports solo play - the only other game that works (well) solo is Elder Sign.
Of the 200+ games of Arkham Horror I played only about 10% have been with multiple players. Fortunately, the long play time doesn't matter in a solo game, since you can just leave the board in place and continue at a later time.
I've recently read the basic rules of 'The Trail of Cthulhu' RPG which uses the GumShoe system. It definitely made me want to give it a try. I feel the rules are a better match for the typical Mythos game play. Has anyone here tried it?
Posted 08 August 2013 - 06:14 AM
Just stumbled upon this thread and thought I'd stick my head out over the parapet. We've got MoM, AH, CoC LCG and ES and the ones that get the most attention in our family are the LCG (because it's awesome and oozes theme) and Arkham Horror - for the exploration and borderline absurdist theatre aspects. We've started finding AH a little easy to "game" though - i.e. close a gate, spend the gate to buy clue tokens, seal a gate, spend the gate to buy clue tokens, rinse and repeat and everyone's banished Azathoth and is home in time for dinner.
We've played three games of MoM. The first game was awful due to the group's rules-teething problems and the second was good enough to make us play a third time with friends (my better half had a flash of insight and decided to set an "important-looking room" on fire (as a precaution), eventually burning the cultists alive for a win before the final clue had even been revealed. The the third game was interesting with everyone hamming up the characters and myself being a merciless GM. The only problem with MoM is that the keeper can sometimes play a card and win the game before the investigators see it coming, which could annoy some people. This happened in our last session, but because everyone bought into the game as an experience rather than a competition, nobody felt too aggrieved.
My favourite is the LCG, the core set of which will last two players quite a while before you need to think about asylum packs and deluxe expansions. Having said that, if you want to get the most out of it, the game has to become a hobby in its own right - and becomes a bit of a money sink.
Jhaelan - I notice you mention Trail of Cthulhu. Have you looked at Cthulhu Dark? I'd love to give this a go. Check it out here: http://catchyourhare...thulhu Dark.pdf
Best wishes
- jhaelen likes this

subset: commoncrawl


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farna |
GSHOOLEY, the OD isn't hard to check out of the car. The test below assumes the OD unit is still on the transmission. If not, you'll need to stick something in where the trans output shaft enters the OD so the unit can be turned. A broom handle or dowel with a slight taper on the end can be jammed in easy enough. 1. Push the lever on the side of the OD unit forward. This is the "lock-out" lever. 2. Put the transmission in high gear (1:1) and turn the input shaft. With the OD locked out the output of the OD should turn at the same speed as the input shaft. 3. Turn the output shaft of the OD. The input shaft of the trans should turn at the same speed. 4. Now push the lock-out lever to the rear. Turn the input shaft of the trans -- the output shaft should turn at the same speed again since the OD unit hasn't kicked in. 5. Now turn the output shaft of the OD. The trans input shaft SHOULD NOT turn! If it does, hold the input shaft and turn the OD output. The input shaft SHOULD NOT turn. If the input shaft turns with the lock-out lever in OD, one of two things is wrong -- the one-way clutch is hung up or the planetary gearset is brocken and jammed inside the drum gear attached to the output shaft. It is rare that the one-way clutch is broken. If to much torque is applied when the planetary is oging into or coming out of OD, one of the planetary shafts will break, letting the gear fall out of place and jamming the unit. The planetary set and the drum gear/output shaft (they are made together as a unit) must be replaced. That's why the unit won't go into OD until you let off the gas pedal a bit, and why the solenoid shorts out the coil for a split second before going out of OD. If you just wire power to the solenoid the unit will work, but you have to make SURE you are coasting or use the clutch to shift out of OD. That means no quick drops out of OD for accelerating, which can be dangerous, but should be no worse than downshifting a manual trans. Just hit the clutch before the power switch, and give it a half second to drop out of OD. A friend of my father's who used to burn the streets up in a 50 Ford w/built 312 T-bird engine and OD would blow one occsionally when he'd forget to lock it out before street racing. At high speed in second he'd quickly shift into third and the OD would try to come in during the shift. The OD takes just a slight bit more time to engage than the clutch. With the OD just starting to engage the clutch was let out and throttle on the floor, popping the planetary shafts. When this happens the OD just jams, leaving the tranny a standard three speed with no high gear any more. At least it doesn't strand you! For an easier to read wiring diagram check this AMC site: http://www.amccf.com/main.html. Click on "Tech Info" then scroll down to the "Electrical" section. You'll find a couple early 60s Rambler OD diagrams. The 1950s wiring for some cars, as in the manual from the website in a previous post, is a bit complicated. The Rambler diagrams are much easier to follow. |
powerzap69 |
cooling this sucker should be easy hope this reply comes in time to help you with your wrecker. sounds like youve got one heck of a nice set up, have you ever thought about plumbing in a simple trans cooler to the drain and fill holes? that would add about half a quart of fluid and it would circulate itself by heat if you left it ether below the trans or to the side of it. kinda like on the big trucks just let gravity do the work. dont know how much room you have to play with but it wouldn't be to bad of a hook up. |
powerzap69 |
every trans is marked with the % reduction i'm by no meens an expert but with the research i've done today i've noticed there all marked with the percent on the side mine is a19%2 with a number r10k1 complete down to the solanoid and spedo even has the origional levers from the shifter. but no shifter |
powerzap69 |
who wants a photo of the r10? i'm getting ready to list this trans on ebay but i want to find the particulars if anyone wants a good pic of it e-mail me at firstname.lastname@example.com this is an electric overdrive 3-4 spd and if anyone can cross reference some numbers id love to hear from you this is a gm version |
No, the case and the guts of an R-10 is totally unique and no part is interchangable or can be "put in" a regular 3-speed or 4-speed case. Even the case for the o.d. is unique. It's possible that it could be connected with a 3-speed (that's what was initially done), maybe it's possible with a 4 speed, but the critical part that is need is a main shaft that would hook up correctly with the o.d.. |
R-10 OD to Saginaw 4 sp I have heard and read here that it is possible to install a BW OD from a 3 speed trans to a 4 speed Saginaw. I have been told that it's just a matter of moving parts from one trans to the other. Has anybody done this? Any help or advise, either negative or positive, on doing this conversion would be greatly appreciated. |
R10 Borg-Warner I checked the Farna web site and they had an article in Issue #19 Dec 2001 about a 55-Nash OD. I couldn't find anything else. I picked up a spare U-joint with a six-spline end. I'm going to weld a old 1/2" drive socket to it so I can spin the OD unit with my air gun. Since I had a leak at the back of the OD, I hope there was enough oil left in the OD so the pinion assembly didn't lock up. I did get a condensed R10 manual from www.oldcarmanual.com web site. The electrical drawing in the manual is not very intuitive, so I redrew it. If anyone wants a PDF copy let me know. The manual tells you how it should operate, how to disassemble & reassemble the OD, but it doesn't cover how to test it out when it's out of the car. |
Farna covers the unit pretty well. They don't automatically go into OD at 25-30 mph, you have the let up on the gas very slightly to activate the solonoid. I have the orignal set up in two of my cars - a '50 Frazer and a '53 Kaiser Traveler. With the original set up; solonoid, cut-out relay, governor, kick-down switch, and rail switch (and all the wiring harness) they are fabulous units. The one on my Frazer shifts so smoothly you can hardly detect it sifting to o.d. By-passing the original setup can lead to a look of problems if the sequence of shifting is not in sequence. Also, I wouldn't beat them to hard as they were mostly used in low h.p., low torque engines for the time period. Many years ago I had a '46 Merc coupe with '56 Buick engine, 3-2s, headers and a Columbia Two-Speed Rear - that unit is another story! |
Old Posts: I have read thru the old posts on this thread, but it didn't help me. I have the entire rear end/ drivshaft out of the car because beside a clutch spring going south, I also had a leak at the rear of the "R10". I took the end bell off the overdrive and made a gasket for it and reassembled the overdrive. I tried to manually drive the OD to see if indeed it will work. By either manually energizing the solenoid or by shoving a dowel rod up the solenoid hole, I can feel the pawl engaging into the sun gear and when I manualyl drive the torque tube but when I slow down and rev back up, the OD stays in 1:1. The only thing I can think of is that I might need some resistance at the output shaft to force the blocking plate to engage the pinion cage. I'm trying to find out before I put the whole rear end back in, that I have a problem. |
farna |
Did you read all the previous messages GSHOOLEY? Go back and do so, you'll find that there was some good info posted (mostly by me, but not all). Not trying to bust your chops, meant above in a friendly manner! Because of the possibility of blowing out the planetray gears, seal issues, and reverse problem (can't backup if in OD), I wouldn't use one. Instead, I'd get a beefy old three speed tranny and mount THAT behind the transmission. Remove first and reverse gears from the trans so there is only 2nd and 3rd. You'll need to cut the input shaft of the tranny down and make a slip coupling between the output of the original trans and the cut down input of the second trans. In 3rd (direct drive) everything is as normal. When in 2nd, you have a lower range. So how does this replace an OD? Change the rear axle to a high gear. Instead of running a 3.73 or 4.11 gear, run a 2.50-3.08. You may need to put the second trans in 2nd gear to take off, then shift to third for driving. For short trips just leave in third. Shifting the second trans is easy -- either use a solenoid and electric switch, or use a heavy duty choke cable. Pull for one gear, push for the other. Just don't shift whith your foot on the gas, vehicle should be "coasting" with no "bind" on the trans at all -- accelerating or braking. Would be a great for a street/strip car! For a 4x4, leave first and reverse. Both trannys in reverse would make an ultra low granny gear! Shifting gets complicated if both shift levers are used though. You want to remove first and reverse to prevent accidentally slipping into those gears for one thing, to reduce drag inside the trans for another. Leaving in first/reverse could get you in trouble, and you'd have to mess with two cables (one in neutral, the other in gear) or figure something more complicated out. |
R10 Overdrive Quote:
packratwrecker |
Leo, The only problem, is that there are no really good swap meets around here, close. The best one I attend, is the Sunflower A's Swap Meet, at the Kansas Coliseum in Wichita. That is a 190 mile trip. The last 3 years, I've been there, and so far, the only one I could have bought right, is the one under my ramp truck. I've been scouring eBay, and found some that were reasonable, until you add shipping. I don't have to tell you what it costs to ship a 125lb transmission. |
Old School Nut |
yeah I know what ya mean.. I passed one up at a swap meet this last weekend for 50 dollars... I am so cheap.... lol you should go to swap meets to look for them trannys tho, I musta seen 6 or more of them old OD's their! no saginaws tho, most were the old chevy units, and their were a few ford ones... -Leo- |
packratwrecker |
I've got 1 complete SM318 O/D, at my shop. Seems like every other brother's buddy had one of these, until I started looking for one. I'd love to have a few more. At least one friend of mine wants me to build a conversion for him. Guess I'm a cheapo, but I can't see giving over $100 for something I'm going to cut up, and throw the big half away. I passed on one that I should have pounced on. There was a Saginaw 3+O/D, on eBay last week. I think it went for $125. |
farna |
The units were usually connected in such a way that they shared lube with the tranny. All the gears churning would heat that up too, so you should be fine. When locked out of Od there is only two bearings turning. When in OD the planetary gears are moving around their shafts and inside the drum. Just that little bit of oil should be fine. You could easily rig a convection circulating external tank. Drill a hole in your front cover right above the high fluid mark with the trans cold, and another around the 1/4 full mark. Connect hoses to a small tank... I think it should be at the same level as the unit. As the fluid heats up it would run into the reservoir and cooler oil would be drawn in from the lower tube. But I don't think it's necessary. Just be careful cutting out of OD! As fas as I know the unit should be fine running in OD all the time, just don't pop the clutch and do any burn outs with it unless locked out! I'd also cut OD off if pulling a heavy load, at least for takeoff. If you run across another unit you might want to pick it up, even if it's from a different make. The planetary set should be the same, as well as the output shaft (though the splines could be different, I don't think so -- should be the same as Borg Warner T-10 output/yoke, also used on large three speeds and the bigger BW auto trannys). The input splines will be different though. If it goes the planetary set and output shaft (drum is made onto the shaft) will be trashed. |
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In the 1970s, the world's largest construction companies invaded Alaska in a wild rush to build the 800-mile $8 billion trans-Alaska pipeline. Workers by the tens of thousands headed north, hoping to make their fortunes working on the pipeline, in a stampede that dramatically affected Alaska. With the avalanche of big money and new arrivals came new problems: drugs, prostitution, gambling, and violent crime. Rapid economic and social changes ultimately touched the lives of virtually every Alaskan. Nearly a quarter-century later, Fairbanks journalist Dermot Cole recalls the best of the pipeline stories with humor, authenticity, and drama.
"If you want to get a feel for the oil rush days in Alaska, Dermot Cole's book will do it." --Peninsula Clarion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dermot Cole, a columnist for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, is author of four books about Alaska. He lives north of Fairbanks with his wife, journalist Debbie Carter, and their three children.


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Strollers & Travel Systems
Riding in style with baby car seats
Buying the right types of baby car seats adds convenience to infant safety. You already know that it is impossible to travel with your baby in a car without the appropriate rear-facing seat. Some seats let you move a sleeping infant and the seat into a waiting stroller. Going beyond the foam padding and gorgeous fabrics, these kinds of seats allow your baby to snooze while you drive from store to store and take the infant with you. Sears carries a number of travel systems that make this move possible. Look for products from Eddie Bauer, Evenflo and Safety 1st.
The setup is quite simple. You keep a base in your car and another base in someone else's. Be sure to buckle in this base and keep it buckled in at all times. A corresponding base is part of your stroller setup. Next, you simply move the car seat from one base to the other. An audible click lets you know that you have properly secured the seat. A closer look at the seats shows that they come with three-point harnesses and frequently also with cushioned inserts. Keep these inserts in place until the infant grows bigger and fills out the seat without the removable cushioning.
As the baby grows bigger and becomes a toddler, it is time to choose one of the many travel car seats from Sears. These are forward-facing seats that also feature harnesses to keep the child safe in the car. You buckle in the seat through slots in the back of the plastic molding. Additional creature comforts include convenient cup holders and removable pillows that keep the toddler comfy during longer car rides. Some seats come with snap-on trays that hold food, toys and coloring supplies. Others feature hooks to attach stuffed animals and pacifiers that otherwise get lost in the car.
While you are considering the safety of your youngest child, check on the safety of the other passengers in your car as well. If you notice that it is time to install new universal seat belts to replace frayed ones, choose from the products made by Beams or RCI. These manufacturers make two-point or three-point retractable and non-retractable models. Why not upgrade your car's interior in the process? The belts come in a variety of attractive colors like red or blue.
When you are out of the car and ready to take a walk, keep your baby close with one of Sears' baby carriers. Padded straps allow you to carry your child in front of you in comfort. The carrier features vents that keep the little one comfortable on hot days. Look for washable carriers from Baby Bjorn, Boba Baby and Infantino.
Sears carries a huge assortment of baby car seats, travel car seats, universal seat belts and baby carriers. Buy the latest products on the market, and keep your child and passengers safe in the car.


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Columbus Crew
One of my favorite days of the year is the day the MLS schedule is released.
For many fans, this announcement means compiling a list of blackout days where the Fire are playing at Toyota Park. For Fire fans not residing in the Chicagoland area, it means finding out when the Men in Red will be visiting your nearest MLS team. But for someone like me who has been on quite a few road trips (over 50 but not as many as this guy), the schedule release day means not only looking at the home fixtures but also the away ones.
Questions I asked myself earlier today: Does Toronto away fall on weekend instead of a Wednesday night? How much does it cost to fly to Portland in March? These important questions get answered on this special day.
With that in mind, let's take a look at five exciting dates in the 2014 Fire calendar:
Week 2 – Portland away – Saturday, March 15
Ever since Portland came into the league in 2011, the Fire supporters umbrella, Section 8 Chicago, has had a very good relationship with the Timbers Army, Portland's main supporters group. The relationship is based on mutual respect and a shared "dislike" of all things Seattle.
Fire fans are always treated well in Portland and it's not uncommon for Fire and Timbers fans to hang out before and after the games, something you would never see Fire fans doing in Columbus or Kansas City.
The atmosphere at JELD-Wen Field is also second to none. Though is certainly isn't going to be the easiest away trip on the field or the lightest on the wallet, I think we will see quite a few Fire fans making the trip to Portland in Week 2 instead of traveling to LA to watch the Fire face Chivas in the season opener.
Week 6 & 22 – Montreal away – Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, August 16
The Fire were the Montreal Impact's opponents in the Canadian club's first home MLS back in 2012 and I was lucky enough to be at the game and had a great time.
That game was played indoors at the Olympic Stadium with a less than favorable playing surface – something many of the Fire fans observed firsthand the day before the game when we were invited to watch the team train (see photo above).
Now the Impact have Saputo Stadium refurbished, which provides another incentive for traveling Fire fans who may not have gotten there earlier this year.
Montreal is also a unique MLS city for a number of reasons. I can't think of another MLS city where fans can brush up on their French by talking to the locals or take in the spectacular Notre-Dame basilica while eating some amazing poutine!
Montreal can be quite cold in April, but luckily for Fire fans, the April date is only the first time the Men in Red visit The City of Saints. I hear the weather is a lot nicer in mid-August, when the Fire visit for the second time.
Week 11 – Columbus away – Saturday, May 24
Columbus or Fire House East as many Fire fans call it is the closest away trip of the season distance wise. Due to this fact, the number of Fire fans attending this match is exponentially bigger than most other away games.
In 2001, Fire fans went to Crew Stadium in their hundreds, even when the Fire was not playing! The Fire had been knocked out in the Conference Semifinals by the Los Angeles Galaxy and many fans turned up to cheer against LA (and for the then Frank Yallop-led San Jose Earthquakes) at MLS Cup.
There have been many highs experienced in Columbus, such as Paulo Wanchope's winning goal in a 2007 match after the game was delayed due to a torrential downpour. Fire fans were also 45 minutes away from MLS Cup in 2008 but for a Crew comeback in the second half which left Fire fans, including myself, devastated. There's also the 2012 invasion which saw 600 Fire supporters make the trek.
The Fire only play once at Fire House East this season and I expect to see a lot of red behind the goal on May 24.
Week 16 & 32 Kansas City away –Sunday, July 6 & Friday, October 10
Kansas City is another road trip that fans have attended in large numbers throughout the years. My first trip to Kansas City was a disappointing one, with the Fire losing to the Kansas City Wizards in the final of the U.S. Open Cup in 2004.
Since then, the Kansas franchise has a new name and a soccer specific stadium. You can no longer play the count the crowd game that we often did when the Wizards played at Arrowhead Stadium.
- DOWNLOAD: 2014 Home Regular Season Schedule (PDF)
Most fans travel to this game by bus thus skipping the "delights" of downtown Kansas City and the bus ride does offer one cool treat – a visit to the world's largest truck stop in Iowa.
Though SKC are not really a Fire rival (despite efforts made by the KC front office to make it into something bigger) there is certainly a dislike between the players and fans on both sides.
With the October 11 game coming so late in the season, it may be a pivotal one in terms of Playoff positioning.
Week 23 – Toronto away – Saturday, August 23
By far my favorite MLS city to travel to is Toronto. It's roughly the same distance from Chicago as Kansas City and again many fans travel to Canada on supporter's buses.
Each visit, Fire fans shack up at a great hostel where we run into soccer fans from all over the world. Toronto itself is a great city aside from the prohibitive drinking laws on weekends (who doesn't want to have a pint at 10am while watching the Premier League the next morning?).
BMO Field is located right on the shores of Lake Ontario and is thus left exposed and is often windy and chilly but the warm pies served at some of the concessions stands are an excellent halftime treat.
On the field, the Fire have had some good success against a TFC team that has languished near the bottom of the MLS table since starting in 2007. Thankfully, this match is on a Saturday in August so I expect a much larger contingent of Fire fans to attend.
Stephen Piggott is a contributor to Chicago-Fire.com. Follow him on Twitter @Irish_Steve.
I'm not going to bog you down with a bunch of math, it is Sunday afterall.
Following New York's 3-0 win today at Houston, the Eastern Conference playoff picture has become very clear heading into the final week of the season.
First I give you the updated table via MLSsoccer.com:
Now, the remaining Eastern Conference fixture list...
Saturday, October 26
Philadephia Union vs. Sporting KC - 2pm CT (NBC Sports Network)
Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact - 3pm CT (MLS Live)
Sunday, October 27
D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo - 12:30pm CT (NBC)
Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution - 3:00pm CT (MLS Live)
New York Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire - 4:00pm CT (My50/Time Warner Sports WI)
The Chicago Fire can qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs the following ways...
- Draw at New York AND Montreal lose at Toronto
- Win at New York AND Toronto FC win/draw vs. Montreal
- Draw at New York AND Montreal loses at Toronto FC AND New England draws/loses at Columbus AND Houston draws/loses at D.C.
Bet you didn't see that title coming two weeks ago did you?
While much of MLS sat idle this weekend, teams in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race nearly played a full slate with perhaps the Fire coming away as the biggest winners from the weekend's results.
A look at where the race stands heading into the final two weeks of the season...
x - 1) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 53 (15-9-8)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: DDWWW (11pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 10-2-4 / 5-7-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 59
Average Opponents Pts: 47.0
Remaining Schedule: 10/20 @ HOU, 10/27 vs. CHI
Rundown: New York sat idle this weekend, letting the rest of the Eastern Conference catch up to them on games played. Already qualified for the playoffs, Red Bull will be watching the Cascadia clash between Seattle and Portland closely Sunday night as it will have significant implications on the Supporters Shield race.
Red Bull will certainly be in the mix for their first true silverware the last two weeks of the season but with so many teams still in contention for the hardware, Fire fans shouldn't expect New York to put out a weaker lineup on the last day of the season.
A win this week vs. Houston would at the very least lock up a top two finish in the East for New York while a loss would make things very interesting…
x - 2) Sporting KC
Current Points: 52 (15-10-7)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home / 1 away)
Last 5: DWLWW (10pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 8-5-3 / 7-5-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 58
Average Opponents Pts: 31
Remaining Schedule: 10/18 vs. D.C., 10/23 vs. OLI**, 10/26 @ PHI
Rundown: Sporting KC could have controlled their own destiny for the top spot in the East if they would have won out but Wednesday's draw at Houston means they've relinquished that opportunity to New York.
Still, Sporting welcomes D.C. United this weekend and will no doubt be in the equation for both that top spot and potentially the Supporters Shield race on the final day of the season.
By virtue of the draw between Philadelphia and D.C. United Saturday, they also locked down a playoff berth. A win Saturday vs. D.C. and Sporting will lock in a top two finish in the East.
3) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 48 (13-10-9)
Games Remaining: 1 (1 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: DWWWL (10pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 9-3-4 / 4-6-4
Maximum Possible Points: 56
Average Opponents Pts: 34.5
Remaining Schedule: 10/20 vs. NY, 10/24 @ AU**, 10/27 @ D.C.
Rundown: The midweek draw vs. Sporting KC cooled off the Dynamo's hot streak just a bit, leaving them exposed to a potential drop in the standings at the weekend. Fortunately for Houston, Montreal fell to New England and the Dynamo are still in with a small chance for a top of the East finish.
With three games in eight days to end the season, the Dynamo have a huge week ahead of them beginning Saturday vs. New York.
How the qualify this week: A win over New York combined with a Philadelphia loss or draw to Montreal or a win over New York combined with a Philadelphia draw/win and a Chicago loss or draw to Toronto FC.
4) Montreal Impact
Current Points: 46 (13-11-7)
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home/ 2 away)
Last 5 Games: LLDLL (1pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 9-4-3 / 4-7-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 56
Average Opponents Pts: 39
Remaining Schedule: 10/16 @ LA, 10/19 vs. PHI, 10/26 @ TFC
Rundown: Oh how the mighty have fallen. Long holders of the Eastern Conference top spot the first half of the season, Montreal are now winless in their last five following Saturday's 1-0 defeat to New England.
Montreal still hold a game in hand over the rest of the East but make that up with a tough midweek match Wednesday at LA. In that game the Impact will be down two starters in Matteo Ferrari and Davy Arnaud due to yellow card accumulation while Landon Donovan returns to the Galaxy from U.S. Men's National Team duty.
A loss in that match and Montreal will officially be in the dog fight for one of the knockout playoff spots and will have to recover quickly as they'll host fellow contender Philadelphia three days later.
How they qualify this week: Two wins vs. LA and Philadelphia is the simplest way but a combined four points with the win coming against Philadelphia along with either a New England loss/draw to Columbus or a Fire loss to Toronto FC.
5) Chicago Fire
Current Points: 46 (13-12-7)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: WWDLW (10pts)
2013 Home / Away Record: 9-4-3 / 4-7-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 52
Average Opponents Pts: 39.5
Remaining Schedule: 10/19 vs. TFC, 10/27 @ NY
Rundown: Following the disappointing 2-2 draw to Montreal on September 28, naysayers said the Fire should give up on the season and "play the kids" with only home game remaining out of their final four.
Two weeks later, they've won two straight MLS games for the first time since early July and both of them came on the road. Naysayers…
Now above the red line and tied on points with Montreal (and Philadelphia), the Fire are actually in a position where they could clinch a playoff berth this weekend and still have the possibility to finish in the East's top three spots, something that would have been unthinkable back in mid-May.
With two games left, the Fire control their own playoff destiny and after two confidence boosting victories, have a very winnable game in Saturday's home finale vs. Toronto FC.
How they qualify this week: A Chicago win over Toronto FC combined with a Philadelphia loss vs. Montreal and a New England loss or draw vs. Columbus.
With the Chicago and Philadelphia even on points, how would this work you ask? If the Fire won and Union lost, couldn't they still catch the Fire on points? Yes, but they would only tie Chicago and the Fire would already have a two-game edge in the first tie breaker which is total wins.
With both Montreal/Philadelphia and New England/Columbus ending before the Fire/TFC game, Saturday could be a very special night at Toyota Park. Get your tickets!
6) Philadelphia Union
Current Points: 46 (12-10-10)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: DWWLL (7pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 7-4-5 / 5-6-5
Maximum Possible Points: 52
Average Opponents Pts: 49
Remaining Schedule: 10/19 @ MTL, 10/26 vs. SKC
Rundown: For two weeks in a row, Philadelphia have needed a very late goal to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. On Saturday though Jack McInerney's strike was only good enough to equalize with lowly D.C. United, meaning the Union missed out on a huge opportunity to gain crucial points ahead of what will be two tough matches at Montreal and vs. Sporting KC to end the season.
How they qualify this week: Even if Philadelphia beats Montreal (and the Impact have lost to LA at midweek) and the Fire and Revolution both lose to Toronto and Columbus respectively, Philly would still need to get a point in the final week against Sporting KC.
7) New England Revolution
Current Points: 45 (12-11-9)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: WDDWL (8pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 7-5-4 / 5-7-4
Maximum Possible Points: 51
Average Opponents Pts: 41
Remaining Schedule: 10/19 vs. CLB, 10/27 @ CLB
Rundown: New England bounced back well from a disappointing 2-2 draw last week at New York, earning a valuable 1-0 away win in Montreal but still find themselves in a difficult spot after the Fire win in Dallas and Philly's last gasp draw in D.C.
An odd home-and-home series with Columbus (who are now all but out of the playoff race) will help determine their playoff fate but even if they win both matches to close the season, they'll need help in the form of two teams above them dropping points. With Montreal, Chicago and Philadelphia all just one point ahead and the Impact and Union facing each other this week, New England still has plenty to play for.
8) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 41 (12-15-5)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: LWWWL (9pts)
2013 Home / Away Record: 7-6-3 / 5-9-2
Maximum Possible Points: 47
Average Opponents Pts: 42
Remaining Schedule: 10/19 @ NE, 10/27 vs. NE
Rundown: The Revolution and Fire wins as well as the Union draw pretty much put to bed the Crew's hopes for the postseason. It's not that they're mathematically out, it's just that it's damn near improbable that all the results that would need to go Columbus' way would.
It's not even worth getting into with two weeks left but if they can play a little spoiler and win at New England this weekend and are still in the hunt on the final day, I'll explain it next week.
The Fire and a few other results went their way this weekend. Still, the Men in Red remain just below the red line, two points back of the final playoff spot in the East with three matches left to play.
A breakdown of the weekend and what it means for the current Eastern Conference playoff picture…
x - 1) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 53 (15-9-8)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: DDWWW (11pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 10-2-4 / 5-7-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 59
Average Opponents Pts: 45.0
Remaining Schedule: 10/20 @ HOU, 10/27 vs. CHI
Rundown: New York held a long lead, controversy ensued, New England went up 2-1 late only to see Tim Cahill bag an incredible header to see Red Bull walk away with a 2-2 draw and eventually become the first team in MLS to clinch a playoff berth.
Still, the game will feel like a missed opportunity at home for a team still hoping to win the Supporters Shield and lock down the Eastern Conference top seed. The result is disappointing from a Fire perspective for two reasons: 1) It gives New England an extra point and 2) It almost assuredly makes Red Bull's home game vs. the Fire on October 27 all the more meaningful.
New York will take a break off this week before visiting high-flying Houston on October 20.
2) Sporting KC
Current Points: 51 (15-10-6)
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home / 2 away)
Last 5: WLWWW (9pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 8-5-3 / 7-5-3
Maximum Possible Pts: 60
Average Opponents Pts: 35.6
Remaining Schedule: 10/9 at HOU, 10/18 vs. D.C., 10/23 vs. OLI**, 10/26 @ PHI
Rundown: Sporting KC did exactly what they needed to do, getting a well-earned 1-0 victory at Columbus Saturday night. The result means Sporting has earned just three points less on the road than they have at home this season – a somewhat incredible away record in MLS terms.
KC controls their own destiny for Eastern Conference top spot but faces a very tough test Wednesday vs. a Dynamo side that jumped up to third this weekend. A Sporting win in that match automatically puts them into the playoffs but they can also make it with a combination draw and Fire draw or loss would also do the trick.
3) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 47 (13-10-8)
Games Remaining: 3 (2 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: WWWLD (10pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 9-3-3 / 4-6-4
Maximum Possible Points: 58
Average Opponents Pts: 39.7
Remaining Schedule: 10/9 vs. SKC, 10/20 vs. NY, 10/24 @ AU**, 10/27 @ D.C.
Rundown: Houston continued their climb up the table with their third straight win Friday vs. Montreal. Things looked bleak for the Dynamo in early September but the side now seems destined to once again reach the playoffs and with back-to-back matches vs. Sporting KC and New York, their ascent might not stop at third place.
All we can say is, typical Houston Dynamo…
4) Montreal Impact
Current Points: 46 (13-10-7)
Games Remaining: 4 (2 home/ 2 away)
Last 5 Games: LDLLW (4pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 9-3-3 / 4-7-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 58
Average Opponents Pts: 39.5
Remaining Schedule: 10/12 vs. NE, 10/16 @ LA, 10/19 vs. PHI, 10/26 @ TFC
Rundown: Montreal fell again 1-0 at Houston Friday night, moving the side that spent much of the regular season at the top of the East all the way down to fourth place. The Impact still hold a game in hand on everyone and both of their remaining home matches are six-pointers against New England (this week) and Philadelphia (October 19). If they can recover from their down form and win those games, they should still be in the playoffs.
5) Philadelphia Union
Current Points: 45 (12-10-9)
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home / 2 away)
Last 5 Games: WWLLD (7pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 7-4-5 / 5-6-4
Maximum Possible Points: 54
Average Opponents Pts: 37.3
Remaining Schedule: 10/12 @ D.C., 10/19 @ MTL, 10/26 vs. SKC
Rundown: There was a point Saturday night in which it looked like all three Eastern Conference games would go the Fire's way, then Kleberson's 96th minute free kick happened, giving Philadelphia a crucial 1-0 home win over Toronto FC.
With that win, the Union stayed above the red line, two points ahead of the Fire with three matches remaining. Philly will look to take advantage of Saturday's game at lowly D.C. before having to close with tough matches at Montreal and vs. Sporting KC.
6) Chicago Fire
Current Points: 43 (12-12-7)
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home / 2 away)
Last 5 Games: WDLWD (7pts)
2013 Home / Away Record: 9-4-3 / 3-7-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 52
Average Opponents Pts: 40
Remaining Schedule: 10/12 @ FCD, 10/19 vs. TFC, 10/27 @ NY
Rundown: The Fire did the business with a 3-0 win at D.C. on Friday night and if not for Kleberson's late free kick in Philly, would have sat in fifth place to end the weekend.
The Fire visit FC Dallas who kept their quite slim Western Conference playoff hopes alive with a 1-1 draw vs. Real Salt Lake Saturday. With the Galaxy destroying Chivas USA and even Vancouver picking up a point vs. Portland Sunday, it doesn't look good for Dallas, who are seven points out of the final playoff spot with three games to go, meaning a loss Saturday would officially be there end of the season.
On the other hand, the Fire are 3-12-2 all-time in Dallas and will go for their second straight away win on Saturday – a feat the team has achieved just once in the past four seasons. A win in Frisco will put the Fire in prime position with a home match vs. Toronto looming.
7) New England Revolution
Current Points: 42 (11-11-9)
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home / 2 away)
Last 5 Games: DDWLL (5pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 7-5-4 / 4-7-4
Maximum Possible Points: 51
Average Opponents Pts: 42.6
Remaining Schedule: 10/12 @ MTL, 10/19 vs. CLB, 10/27 @ CLB
Rundown: New England were no doubt the biggest losers from this weekend's results, scoring two goals to go up 2-1 late only to have Cahill's 96th minute header serve as a huge gut punch. A visit to Montreal, who are also coming off a loss at Houston, looms quite large and defeat in Quebec could do serious damage to the Revs' playoff hopes.
Still, the home-and-home vs. Columbus to close the season will keep things interesting for the Revolution and at the very least, likely keep them in the mix until the final weekend.
8) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 41 (12-15-5)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: LWWWL (9pts)
2013 Home / Away Record: 7-6-3 / 5-9-2
Maximum Possible Points: 47
Average Opponents Pts: 42
Remaining Schedule: 10/19 @ NE, 10/27 vs. NE
Rundown: As great as the Crew's run under interim head man Brian Bliss was, all it would take was another loss to deal a horrible blow to their playoff hopes. The Crew will now take their bye week but they need to win their remaining two matches and hope for major help around the East in order to make the playoffs.
There's still a chance but it's just not very good.
After Saturday's difficult to swallow 2-2 draw vs. Montreal, you may not want to read this week's Playoff Math. Though sitting eighth currently, it's important to remember the Fire are just two points out of the final playoff place, with four games left.
With that, let's continue the Playoff Math…
1) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 52 (15-9-7)
Games Remaining: 3 (2 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: DWWWW (13pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 10-2-3 / 5-7-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 61
Average Opponents Pts: 41.7
Remaining Schedule: 10/5 vs. NE, 10/20 @ HOU, 10/27 vs. CHI
Rundown: New York did a great job to get a point away to Seattle Sunday night and though they may not get the Supporters Shield, are still in good position for the top spot in the East. Red Bull can clinch a playoff place with a draw Saturday vs. New England.
Fire fans should hope for New York to win that game as well as October 20 at Houston, not only because it takes max points off teams Chicago can still catch but it could make their season finale vs. the Fire less meaningful, with the Fire almost certainly needing a result in that match to make the postseason.
2) Sporting KC
Current Points: 48 (14-10-6)
Games Remaining: 4 (1 home / 3 away)
Last 5: LWWWL (9pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 8-5-3 / 6-5-3
Maximum Possible Pts: 60
Average Opponents Pts: 35.5
Remaining Schedule: 10/5 @ CLB, 10/9 at HOU, 10/18 vs. D.C., 10/23 vs. OLI**, 10/26 @ PHI
Rundown: Fortress Sporting Park? Maybe not so much, as KC dropped their fifth home match of the season vs. Philadelphia Friday night. They didn't lose their second place positioning but they took a definite hit in keeping up with Red Bull at the top of the East. With three of their remaining four matches away, KC also has the distinction of the best road record in the East at 6-5-3.
A win away to Columbus combined with a Fire and New England losses would see Sporting KC earn a playoff spot this weekend.
3) Montreal Impact
Current Points: 46 (13-9-7)
Games Remaining: 5 (2 home/ 3 away)
Last 5 Games: DLLWD (5pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 9-3-3 / 4-6-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 61
Average Opponents Pts: 40.3
Remaining Schedule: @ HOU, 10/12 vs. NE, 10/16 @ LA, 10/19 vs. PHI, 10/26 @ TFC
Rundown: After a missed penalty, a hit off the post, a goal line clearance and hopeful header, Montreal no doubt felt lucky to leave Toyota Park with a point Saturday night.
- Between the Lines: The Playoff Measurement
Now done with Champions League play, the Impact can concentrate solely on their playoff position and hold a game in hand on the rest of the field. Three of their remaining five matches come against teams directly below them so they can either solidify their place inside the top three, win out and potentially get the top spot from Red Bull or still tank with tough visits to Houston and LA in the offing.
It's Montreal in 2013… You don't really know what to expect from them but a win this week over the Dynamo combined with Crew, Fire and Revolution losses would see the Impact needing just a point next week vs. New England to earn their first-ever MLS playoff berth.
4) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 44 (12-10-8)
Games Remaining: 4 (3 home / 1 away)
Last 5 Games: WWLDL (7pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 8-3-3 / 4-6-4
Maximum Possible Points: 58
Average Opponents Pts: 39.8
Remaining Schedule: 10/4 vs. MTL, 10/9 vs. SKC, 10/20 vs. NY, 10/24 @ AU**, 10/27 @ D.C.
Rundown: Houston managed their last week quite well, winning in Champions League at midweek before getting enough out of a 1-1 draw at New England. The result keeps them four points ahead of the Revs and with their next two matches against Montreal and Sporting KC, they could legitimately be in second place by October 10.
Losses to both sides however could just as easily push them back out of the playoff bubble but no team outside the top three controls their own destiny in positioning like the Dynamo down the stretch.
5) Philadelphia Union
Current Points: 42 (11-10-9)
Games Remaining: 4 (2 home / 2 away)
Last 5 Games: WLLDL (4pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 6-4-5 / 5-6-4
Maximum Possible Points: 54
Average Opponents Pts: 33.8
Remaining Schedule: 10/5 vs. TFC, 10/12 @ D.C., 10/19 @ MTL, 10/26 vs. SKC
Rundown: After two weeks below the red line, the Union were the biggest winners this past weekend, coming away with a huge win at Sporting KC. Philly now has the potential to stake a serious claim for a playoff berth if they can get wins vs. Toronto and at D.C. the next two weeks. Six points in those two matches will be a must with the Union visiting Montreal and hosting Sporting to close the season out.
6) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 41 (12-14-5)
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home / 2 away)
Last 5 Games: WWWLW (12pts)
2013 Home / Away Record: 7-5-3 / 5-9-2
Maximum Possible Points: 50
Average Opponents Pts: 42.5
Remaining Schedule: 10/5 vs. SKC, 10/19 @ NE, 10/27 vs. NE
Rundown: Wow. The Crew continued their incredible push for a postseason berth with a 4-2 road win at FC Dallas on Sunday. They've now taken four wins from five matches under interim head man Brian Bliss and jumped from eighth to sixth place over the weekend, just one point out of playoff position.
Having played one more game than the rest of the pack, the Crew still have no room for error, with any loss in their final three matches doing serious damage to their playoff hopes. Their backs have been against the wall for a month and they've responded well.
7) New England Revolution
Current Points: 41 (11-11-8)
Games Remaining: 4 (1 home / 3 away)
Last 5 Games: DWLLD (5pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 7-5-4 / 4-6-4
Maximum Possible Points: 53
Average Opponents Pts: 40.3
Remaining Schedule: 10/5 @ NY, 10/12 @ MTL, 10/19 vs. CLB, 10/27 @ CLB
Rundown: New England missed a definite opportunity in Saturday's 1-1 home draw vs. Houston. A win would have seen the Revs pull level on points with the Dynamo but instead things stayed the same. New England will now have to try and gain points in difficult road matches at New York and Montreal the next two weeks, a daunting task as the two sides also hold the best home records in the Eastern Conference this year.
Taking points from those two games though will at the very least keep the Revs in the equation for their end-of-season home and home series with Columbus.
8) Chicago Fire
Current Points: 40 (11-12-7)
Games Remaining: 4 (1 home / 3 away)
Last 5 Games: DLWDL (5pts)
2013 Home / Away Record: 9-4-3 / 2-7-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 52
Average Opponents Pts: 33.3
Remaining Schedule: 10/4 @ D.C., 10/12 @ FCD, 10/19 vs. TFC, 10/27 @ NY
Rundown: After coming away disappointed from Saturday's game and other results pushing the Fire down to eighth, why even bother at this point right? Well because it's Playoff Math and they're only two points out of playoff position. They also have the easiest remaining schedule of any team in the East.
Perspective: Friday's game is away to a D.C. United side which will play their final meaningful match of the season in Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup final at Real Salt Lake. Along with three points, the Fire will certainly be looking for revenge for August's semifinal defeat and will be doing so against a D.C. team that will have played two time zones away, three days earlier.
A win in that match combined with New England and Columbus losses at New York and vs. Sporting KC respectively (possibilities) would see the Fire jump at the very least back to sixth place. A Philadelphia draw home vs. Toronto (maybe less likely) would also see the Fire move back into fifth place (on the wins tiebreaker). A lot that needs to happen for that this weekend but a win will keep the Fire in position regardless.
Then take into account a game at an FC Dallas side that is all but out of the Western Conference playoff picture and the home finale vs. Toronto on October 19.
Dropping five points in three matches the last month leaves the Fire with little room for error anymore but nine points are far from out of the question over the next three games.
The Fire's dip back below the red line on Saturday night was one of two moves in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With just over a month to play, certain teams are circling in on a playoff berth while others are battling for position.
The latest edition of Playoff Math awaits you below:
1) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 51 (15-9-6)
Games Remaining: 4 (2 home / 2 away)
Last 5 Games: WWWWL (12pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 10-2-3 / 5-7-3
Maximum Possible Pts: 63
Average Opponents Pts: 43.0
Remaining Schedule: 9/29 @ SEA, 10/5 vs. NE, 10/20 @ HOU, 10/27 vs. CHI
Rundown: New York watched Montreal lose and Sporting KC win on Saturday, knowing a home game against FC Dallas awaited the following day. It wasn't a great match but New York utilized a 76th minute own goal from Erick to earn another home result and somewhat quietly move into first place in the Supporters Shield race in the process.
The Red Bulls continue to benefit from the two teams chasing them having Champions League matches but a top of the conference clash awaits them Sunday night when they visit Seattle in a match that could go a long way to decide the first silverware of the season.
A New York win or tie Sunday combined with Fire and Philadelphia Union losses would see the Red Bulls become the first team to qualify for the postseason.
2) Sporting KC
Current Points: 48 (14-9-6)
Games Remaining: 5 (2 home / 3 away)
Last 5: WWWLL (9pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 8-4-3 / 6-5-3
Maximum Possible Pts: 63
Average Opponents Pts: 34.8
Remaining Schedule: 9/27 vs. PHI, 10/5 @ CLB, 10/9 at HOU, 10/18 vs. D.C., 10/23 vs. OLI**, 10/26 @ PHI
Rundown: Despite a scare, Sporting earned a point against Real Esteli in Champions League play at midweek and will just need another draw vs. Olimpia to guarantee final passage. In MLS play, they fought hard for a 2-1 win at Toronto took benefit of Montreal's defeat to Vancouver to move into sole possession of second place in the East.
Sporting holds a game in hand over Red Bull but faces three matches against teams fighting for their playoff fate over the next two and a half weeks. Though their remaining schedule is easiest in the East, it will be a battle to stay in second and potentially push for the top spot.
3) Montreal Impact
Current Points: 45 (13-9-6)
Games Remaining: 6 (2 home/ 4 away)
Last 5 Games: LLWDW (7pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 9-3-3 / 4-6-3
Maximum Possible Pts: 63
Average Opponents Pts: 38.2
Remaining Schedule: 9/24 vs. HER** 9/28 @ CHI, 10/4 @ HOU, 10/12 vs. NE, 10/16 @ LA, 10/19 vs. PHI, 10/26 @ TFC
Rundown: So what's going on with Montreal? Their 3-0 loss to Vancouver marked their third straight across all competitions and second straight at home in MLS. Like their performances this season, the Impact have a mixed bag through the end of the year. On one hand they hold two games in hand over New York and one over Sporting but face a crucial Champions League match against Heredia on Tuesday night ahead of Saturday's game vs. the Fire.
Montreal still has a shot in the Champions League but not a great one… Will they turn their complete focus on the Fire and playoff race or try to double-dip this week?
4) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 43 (12-10-7)
Games Remaining: 5 (3 home / 2 away)
Last 5 Games: WWLDL (7pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 8-3-3 / 4-6-4
Maximum Possible Points: 58
Average Opponents Pts: 39.8
Remaining Schedule: 9/25 vs. WC**, 9/28 @ NE, 10/4 vs. MTL, 10/9 vs. SKC, 10/20 vs. NY, 10/24 @ AU**, 10/27 @ D.C.
Rundown: After going on an end of summer slump, Houston has run off two straight wins the past two weeks to move firmly into fourth place in the East. They play a crucial Champions League home match Wednesday night vs. W. Connection before opening up a four-game stretch all against teams in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Three of those four matches are at home so after weathering a pretty difficult storm, its safe to say more than anyone, the Dynamo control their own fate in terms of being able to move up into one of the top three spots.
5) New England Revolution
Current Points: 40 (11-11-7)
Games Remaining: 5 (2 home / 3 away)
Last 5 Games: WLLDW (7pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 7-5-3 / 4-6-4
Maximum Possible Points: 55
Average Opponents Pts: 43.0
Remaining Schedule: 9/28 vs. HOU, 10/5 @ NY, 10/12 @ MTL, 10/19 vs. CLB, 10/27 @ CLB
Rundown: One week New England is complaining about an offside goal being called back, the next they're benefiting from it and not saying a peep. This was the case on Diego Fagundez's tying goal in their 2-1 win over D.C. United. By virtue of that victory and the Fire's defeat at Columbus, the two sides traded places in the East race this weekend.
The good news for the Fire is that New England has the toughest remaining schedule in the East, with a huge showdown vs. streaking Houston on the horizon this weekend. Back-to-back trips to New York and Montreal follow that clash and could define the Revs season if they don't manage it the right way.
6) Chicago Fire
Current Points: 39 (11-12-6)
Games Remaining: 5 (2 home / 3 away)
Last 5 Games: LWDLD (5pts)
2013 Home / Away Record: 9-4-2 / 2-7-4
Maximum Possible Pts: 54
Average Opponents Pts: 34.8
Remaining Schedule: 9/28 vs. MTL, 10/4 @ D.C., 10/12 @ FCD, 10/19 vs. TFC, 10/27 @ NY
Rundown: The Fire lost a tough 3-0 result at Columbus on Saturday. It was a game the team went in with the mindset of taking three points and even after going down 1-0, they looked able to do it. Bakary Soumare's red card made that hope near impossible and as the Fire pushed forward they got caught out twice more.
They now welcome a struggling Montreal side to Toyota Park Saturday and should remember the situation they faced the Impact in back in August -- days after a disappointing U.S. Open Cup defeat to D.C. United, the Fire rebounded with a 2-1 win, a game that stands as one of the team's biggest results of the season.
While a 3-0 loss at this point in the season can be discouraging, perspective is important as the Fire remain just one point out of the top five. It is imperative for the team to take their remaining two home matches and find a way to get two results on the road to ensure they won't have to depend on other teams for a postseason berth.
7) Philadelphia Union
Current Points: 39 (10-10-9)
Games Remaining: 5 (2 home / 3 away)
Last 5 Games: LLDLD (2pts)
2013 Home/Away Record: 6-4-5 / 4-6-4
Maximum Possible Points: 54
Average Opponents Pts: 32.8
Remaining Schedule: 9/27 @ SKC, 10/5 vs. TFC, 10/12 @ D.C., 10/19 @ MTL, 10/26 vs. SKC
Rundown: The Union were idle this past weekend and will hope to have worked out the kinks that have him on the poorest form out of any team in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Unfortunately for them, they face a huge match Friday night away to a Sporting side that can put themselves on the brink of a postseason berth with a win.
A loss in this match would be devastating to the team's chances but six points from their following two matches vs. Toronto and D.C. would certainly keep them afloat going into the final two weeks of the season.
8) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 35 (11-14-5)
Games Remaining: 4 (2 home / 2 away)
Last 5 Games: WWLWL (9pts)
2013 Home / Away Record: 7-5-3 / 4-9-2
Maximum Possible Points: 50
Average Opponents Pts: 42
Remaining Schedule: 9/29 @ FCD, 10/5 vs. SKC, 10/19 @ NE, 10/27 vs. NE
Rundown: The Crew continued their late-season run under interim head man Brian Bliss with a resounding 3-0 win over the Fire on Saturday. There's no doubt that the Crew need help from other teams but their attitude is in the right place to make a late-season run.
Every game is a must-win for the Crew from here on out and they'll shift their focus to a visit to FC Dallas where they haven't won since their MLS Cup championship season in 2008.
It's good to get an idea of why things happened in a game and there's no better match to start with then to break down the events that saw the Fire lose 3-0 at Columbus on Saturday.
I asked Fire assistant coach Leo Percovich to give tactical explanations on three specific instances in the match... Below are his answers.
Jeff Crandall: The team started off the game well, carrying possession before Dominic Oduro's 15th minute goal... What was the game plan to open up the match? How did it change after going down 1-0?
Leo Percovich: We knew the Crew would come with high pressure on us because they were at home desperate to get three points. We opted the first 15 minutes to play long balls from the back, fight to get possession in midfield and from there build our attacking plays.
This high pressure would create spaces behind their lines and we would look to exploit that. We created three chances and earned two corner kicks in the first 12 minutes – a great start for a team playing on the road.
The Crew's first goal was unlucky for us. Two times a rebound came for them, under a bad defensive position from our left side instead of a product of a buildup or good playmaking for Columbus which means our plan was working.
After going down 1-0 we had to keep the same idea and style of play: the whole defensive block was still playing well. Chicago is a team that is characterized by recovery after conceding a goal, the consequence was to keep the style under pressure even with a goal down.
JC: Explain the play the led to Bakary Soumare's sending off... (what went wrong?)
LP: We were attacking from our left side with Dilly Duka who tried to connect a pass to Alex, but Chad Marshall intercepted and cleared away with a lucky ball that caught us off guard.
It deflected off of Jeff Larentowicz's head, and went over Austin Berry who was tight with Jairo Arrieta at the midfield line. Jalil Anibaba was supporting the attack so he couldn't cover the ball and Sean Johnson wasn't far enough up to clear it.
This led to Baky taking the diagonal run and the risk to stop the play, and before Arrieta came into the box, he decided to committed the foul and was sent off.
JC: Talk about the difficulties of playing a man down on the road and what was the thinking behind pushing Larentowicz to center back rather than making a defensive substitution when Soumare exited?
LP: Playing with 10 forced us to stay more compact to fill and close spaces quicker, which demanded an extra effort from every player. The transition needs to be done with more precision because you have only one man as target and the rest of the players need to move forward quick to support him around the ball.
The expulsion came early in the game so we opted to keep the same 10 players, adjust them on a new tactical position and hold to the first half to see how we were doing.
We went from 4-4-2 to 4-4-1 moving Larentowicz from center mid to center back, Alex from right mid to center mid, and Mike Magee from forward to a wide midfielder, leaving just Juan Luis Anangono up top.
Not only did the tactical position need to change but also the attitude and mentality too -- you have to be more focused to attend your man and the space created for your man down.
You still have to believe you are going to find the way to come back and score the goal.
We knew it was too early to get cocky. Although the Fire managed to overcome, at least in a cathartic sort of way, all the season's travails in the dramatic comeback-into-playoff-spot win last week against New England, we knew there were six games left to hold onto, improve upon, or lose playoff position.
At that point, four of the six remaining games were away from Toyota Park, which was a scary prospect for the Fire. Like the rest of MLS, the Fire are much worse away from home, and one couldn't shake the feeling that the Fire would play drug smuggler, in and out of safety every week.
Saturday's thumping in Columbus didn't make fans feel any better, and still, three of the five remaining games are away from Toyota Park. But why are the Fire playing worse away from home? A quick run through the stats:
- Overall record: 11-12-6
- Away record: 2-8-4
- Home record: 9-4-2
- Overall goal differential: -7 (36 for, 43 against)
- Away goal differential: -14 (10 for, 24 against)
- Home goal differential: 7 (26 for, 19 against)
Not sterling, it's true. Goal differential in soccer can be a little overblown as a telling statistic but since it could count in playoff contention it's worth paying attention to. And one thing it shows is that all of MLS is struggling away from home this year. Every team except Kansas City (+1) and Real Salt Lake (0) have road goal differences in the negatives. Seventeen teams are shipping goals away from home!
It's a strange phenomenon in MLS, and seems to go against the general feeling that, with MLS parity so prevalent, there would be less domination, more draws, etc. Not so, at least not anymore. According to some numbers crunched over at SBN, "MLS has become a league were the home team wins about 50 percent of the time and the road team pulls out three points somewhere around 25 percent."
But why? There are a few explanations in other American leagues. Grueling travel in the NBA, noise in the NFL, explicit rule advantages in MLB and the NHL - but those factors aren't so relevant in MLS.
There's the harder to calculate factor of home vs. away referee decisions, or momentum, or what at least one writer calls the "best sports fans in America," which, I mean, great, but even if there was a way to prove that, it would be hard to connect fans' performance with players'.
So let's accept the mystery for a second. Let's chalk it up to some combination of discomfort or unfamiliarity with playing surfaces (hi Revs), climates (hola Houston), atmosphere (ok Seattle, we see you), various travel and hotel-related distractions and fatigue (seems like a cop out but ok), refereeing decisions (impossible to prove), and the elusive, metaphysical effects of momentum.
The thing is that MLS is not alone in home team dominance. England has it too. Maybe the issue has less to do with American this-or-that than soccer itself. I would love to find data showing that home team dominance comes from the non-physical aspects of the game. I think something about the invisible, spontaneous, and rapid morphic connections between teammates (the connections that translate into the action we see) make them occur in a smoother way at "home."
At the very least, it's an apt way to think about the Fire's away form this year, where even after a dominant home game they can leave town and look like they've never played with each other before. Saturday night in Columbus, for example, it seems they left whatever elixir Jeff Larentowicz passed around at half time back in the locker room at Toyota Park. But we've seen the Fire turn it the other way around too, as in July, when they lost 3-1 in Vancouver only to beat DC 4-1 at home the next week.
Obviously the Fire will be looking to do the same against the suddenly beatable Montreal at TP on Saturday. Here's to the morphic energy going as smoothly as possible.
The first-ever Soccer & Style event benefitting the Chicago Fire Foundation was a great success at ROOF on the Wit last Thursday night.
Fire players Jalil Anibaba, Michael Videira, Hunter Jumper, Sean Johnson, Austin Berry, Gonzalo Segares, Quincy Amarikwa Daniel Paladini and goalkeeping coach Aron Hyde all did their best jaunt down the runway for a good cause.
True to form, it was Jumper that stole the show. Watch to find out...
On whether, with all of the chances and the red card, it still seemed like a 3-0 game:
No, not at all. We give up the red card and then playing shorthanded, and the first goal was soft. We were coming from behind. Really, we pushed the game. We had chances to tie the game and it doesn't go your way and then they got a PK. For me, it's all questionable, but regardless, the team left everything on the field. I feel good about the group. We have to regroup and get ready for next week.
On whether, down 1-0 at half, Chicago was trying to tie the game or still get three points:
You just have to be smart. We had our chances. I think if we would have scored, they would have been under pressure, but we hit the post, we had some good opportunities in the final third and sometimes it just isn't your night.
On trying to beat a team four times in a season:
It isn't easy to beat a team four times in one season, but it's very difficult when you're playing shorthanded also. We played for the majority of the game, almost 60 minutes, shorthanded, and the guys competed and left it all on the field. We pushed the game. We took risks because what's the point? 1-0 or 2-0 you still lose, for me it doesn't matter at that point. We had the chances and we didn't get [the goal]. The second goal really kills us, the PK shorthanded, questionable but whatever. It is what it is. We've just got to move on.
Chicago Fire midfielder Dilly Duka
On the loss:
We have played this team four times this year – you can't win them all. This is MLS. They scored an early goal, they played well, and we were a little unlucky. I thought I was fouled in the first 25 minutes in the box. I clearly got pushed. The guy didn't even touch the ball, but that's how it goes sometimes. Can't look back – got to look forward.
On the second half:
We definitely believed we could come back and tie, maybe even win the game. There was no doubt in that locker room at halftime about coming out of this game with a loss.
On 'new-look' Crew under Bliss:
I thought they were a good team with Robert [Warzycha]. I think they have good personnel and players, but it was just their day.
Chicago Fire midfielder Jeff Larentowicz
On the loss:
We hit the posts, we hit the crossbar, we got opportunities – overall though we were just not good enough. But in the end we have five more games left and we're right there. We have been in this spot before. We knew it was going to be a tough road game coming in, but we have games to play and there is going to be more opportunities.
On impact of second goal:
The next goal was going to be big. We knew that if we could keep it at one to nothing we could probably develop opportunities and create chances. The second goal was one that put the game out of reach.
On difficulty of beating teams four times a season:
We knew that coming in, but at the same time we were focused on the end result. This is a tough part of the year. We are a team that knows we can do things on the road, but tonight it wasn't our best and when you're not on your best you get beat.


text: As anyone from new york knows, people hand you NYC condoms left and right. I live with three straight guys and one night after we all got back from a night of heavy drinking we sat around the table bullshitting and one of the guys pulls out a hand full of these rubbers. He said that there was a fishbowl full of them and so he helped himself. They all began talking about all the different types of condoms and the perks and hang-ups of each. NYC condoms were the worst by far they said, after all--they WERE free. They were really thick so they dulled sensation and one of my roommates described it as trying to fuck through a shower curtain. The subject was eventually dropped and we all slowly began to head our own ways. I turned around and saw my favorite roommate (favorite as in most attractive) swipe a few from the pile and slip it into his pocket nonchalantly. I grabbed a drink of water and headed to bed. I have the bedroom next to the guy I find most attractive in the house. He's 5'10, athletically built, dark hair, light eyes, and a square jaw--very handsome and having the room next to his and I am no stranger to hearing him masturbate. I love to hear him watching porn late at night. I listen intently to hear his heavy breathing and groaning above the moaning of the women he is watching get fucked. He lets out a nice long moan when he ejaculates which is usually my cue to do the same. A couple nights after that drunken night while I was home alone I walked passed his room. His door was left ajar so I peaked in. My nostrils were flooded with his scent. I began to get hard breathing in this oily, musky, stale odor that resonated from his room. It smelled sweaty and masculine. I looked around, his clothes were everywhere--the hamper of his dirty laundry caught my eye so I looked behind me and just to be safe, I walked to the front door and made sure it was locked securely. I then confidently strode back into his room and began to go through his hamper. I pulled out sweat stained shirts and buried my nose in the pits. I began to rub my dick as my head began to feel light from the stink of his musky pits. i turned the shirt inside out and pressed the pits which were crusted in deodorant hard against my face and breathed in deep to get the full potency of him. While I was sniffing his shirt I also picked up a bunch of his briefs that were cum crusted and piss stained. I brought those to my nose as well and took a deep breath, smelling his salty, sweaty balls as I inhaled and exhaled. I noticed that his computer was left on so I went through the history--which was all porn. I sat in his chair, pulled my boxers down to my ankles, and held his soiled briefs to my nose as I watched his porn. With my free hand I began to stroke myself. I moved my foot and stepped into something wet. I looked down and I saw my foot was in some damp paper towel by the garbage. I threw the briefs back into the hamper and wiped my foot off. For some reason I brought it to my nose and it smelt like chlorine. IT WAS CUM! My heart began to race as I picked up the towel. It was only a little damp. I opened it up and there sticky cum stains. I then looked in the garbage which reeked of semen. I stuck my face in and took a deep long breath. I examined the contents of the garbage and observed an open condom wrapper. I don't remember him having any company but I immediately got excited at the thought of him ejaculating into a condom. I searched through the garbage but I couldn't find it. I was about to give up when sitting by the garbage again were a few more crumpled up paper towels. I opened one of them and there it was full of cum. My mouth began to water and my hands went cold. I picked it up and the smell was so strong. I couldn't contain my excitement. It was wet with lube and I held it up and played with its contents. I noticed that the seed was still milky white which meant that it was more fresh than not and it was also warm! I ran over to the hamper and pulled a pair of briefs across my nose and layed back on his bed. I poured some of the warm cum into my hand and smeared it across my chest and face. I poured a little more out and used it as lube it wasn't enough so I put the entire condom on and masturbated into it--all the time fantasizing about how his big, fat, hairy dick was once in this exact same condom. The thought made me shoot--realizing that he had ejaculated into the same condom really got me off. Afterwards I wiped off some of the cum with his briefs and wrapped the re-used condom back up in the same paper towel and put his room back to the way I remember it. I then began to check his trash everyday for several weeks, reenacting the same scenario whenever I found another used condom. When he finally ran out, he started catching his entire load in paper towels. That was when I began to eat his cum. After a few weeks of not finding any cum filled condoms I began to get annoyed. Most of the tissues had already dried out and crusted over by the time he left for the day so I began waking up earlier and when he would jump into the shower I would sneak into his room and grab the top tissue which was usually loaded with fresh seed. I would usually bring it back to my room to enjoy but when I had the chance I loved to lay in his still warm bed and masturbate while I lapped up the fresh warm load he left for me.


text:
Well I am.
I hate wearing a bra and admit I have a habit of sometimes taking it off in the upstairs lounge. I am adept after years at removing it from under my top lol. Problem is I sometimes forget to move it and will find it on the lounge days later. Whenever I hear visitors arrive I have to do a quick scan of the loungeroom but my daughter has found a couple hanging over the arm of the chair.
Hope hubby is going well and if he is anything like mine when he broke his collarbone - I hope you are surviving - lol.


text:
D-l.l 6-62 WB FILE INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE Date: NOVEMBER 1, 1972 To: HUGH DOUGLAS cc: H. G. Peacock From: R. O. WHEATON Sub: COPPER - MEXICO Ref: SAMALAYUCA SEDIMENTARY COPPER DEPOSITS CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO We have reviewed the information that you have sent on the Samalayuca sedimentary copper deposits in Mexico. These are of some geologic interest; however, the occurrences likely are relatively small. Inasmuch as we are not presently active in Mexico, I would suggest that we decline any immediate interest in our response to Mr. Irwin. In the event we later become established in Mexico, this property could be one which we would like to look at on the ground. Mr. Irwin may wish to clarify what his position would be in such event. ROW:mad
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text:
I am seeing on one of the distributors sites that I use to track upcoming releases a release date of April 15th. They are usually fairly accurate.
So I guess as some of us are not looking forward to mailing our taxes in that day we can balance it by looking forward to digging into this game for the first time.


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Easter Bunny Brunch-Saturday-March 23 2013 from 10am-12pm
Come join us for a fun filled family event with the Easter Bunny and Chef Doug Soss. The day will include a delicious brunch, making Easter crafts and decorating cupcakes. Don't forget your cameras to capture these special memories. Call the Hollidaysburg Area YMCA at 814-695-4467 for more information!
Saturday, March 23, 2013 - 10:00am to 12:00pm