Olympics says so -- but just not good enough

MANCHESTER, England -- It took Swanseas new American owners less than three months to make their first managerial change, installing Bob Bradley in a bid to steer the club to Premier League safety.The U.S. businessmen in part-control of Crystal Palace have been in situ for nearly a year and now have their own coaching decision to take.Is it time to get rid of Alan Pardew?Pardews position as Palace manager looks increasingly fragile, with the team losing its last six league games and conceding goals at an alarming rate. The chaotic 5-4 loss at Bradleys Swansea last weekend saw Palace at its infuriating worst, unable to defend set pieces or a lead going into injury time.Pardew has reportedly held talks with Palace chairman Steve Parish, who along with American co-owners David Blitzer and Josh Harris will decide on the managers future. A home loss to Southampton on Saturday could drop Palace, which is currently fourth-to-last in the standings, into the relegation zone.They are very patient and loyal, Pardew said two weeks ago of his American bosses, adding: Theyre not looking for a short-term fix or a quick profit margin.Yet, the statistics dont make good reading for Pardew: Palace has the worst points-per-game record of all teams in Englands four leagues in 2016, has the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League (26 goals against in 13 games), and has conceded 13 goals from set pieces this season.Pardew joined Palace in January 2015 after quitting Newcastle, where he made headlines because of his frequent flare-ups in the coaches technical area -- including head-butting an opposing player as they jostled for a ball at a throw-in. He is calmer on the touchline now, while much of the arrogance some accused Pardew of having appears to have gone.Palace finished in a club-record 10th place in the Premier League in Pardews first season in charge, then started last season well before a drastic dip in form saw it narrowly avoid relegation. A run to the FA Cup final, where Palace lost to Manchester United, spared Pardew from more scrutiny.Palace broke its transfer record twice in the offseason to sign England winger Andros Townsend and then Belgium striker Christian Benteke. Scoring hasnt been a problem for the team nicknamed The Eagles, who are the fifth-highest scorers in the league, but they cant keep the goals out at the other end.The loss of Pape Souare, who broke his leg in a car crash in September, has deprived Pardew of his starting left back and the coach has been unable to improve Palaces defending at set pieces even though the team is spending more time on that area on the training ground. Three of Swanseas goals came via that route last weekend.Southampton, meanwhile, is buoyant after beating Arsenal 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the semifinals of the English League Cup.Also, second-place Liverpool begins a five-week spell without playmaker Philippe Coutinho in a match at Bournemouth on Saturday, when fourth-place Arsenal visits West Ham and Tottenham hosts Swansea.Defending champion Leicester is two points above the bottom three going into a match at last-place Sunderland.Here are some other things to know about this weekends games in the 14th round of the Premier League:---MANCHESTER CITY-CHELSEAThere was no hiding Pep Guardiolas appreciation of Antonio Conte when the Manchester City manager was asked who his major coaching rivals might be in his first season in English soccer.Conte is a master tactician, Guardiola said at his presentation news conference in July. A great signing for Chelsea.Guardiola has been proved correct. Chelsea arrives at Etihad Stadium on Saturday of the standout game of the round in first place, and on a seven-game winning run since switching to a three-man defense.Guardiola cannot seem to settle on his best formation, regularly switching from a four-man defense to three at the back -- even during games. City is third in the standings.It should be an intriguing battle between two of the most respected tacticians in soccer.---EVERTON-MANCHESTER UNITEDUnited captain Wayne Rooney will miss the game against his former club because of suspension after collecting his fifth booking of the season in the 4-1 win over West Ham in the League Cup on Wednesday.Paul Pogba returns from suspension for United, however.There could be some spikiness on the touchline, with United manager Jose Mourinho unhappy that his Everton counterpart, Ronald Koeman, has publicly said he would like to sign Rooney and fellow United player Memphis Depay. Custom Cincinnati Reds Jerseys .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Custom St. Louis Cardinals Jerseys . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. http://www.customjerseysbaseball.com/custom-houston-astros-jerseys-364x.html .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Custom Boston Red Sox Jerseys .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Custom Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. RIO DE JANEIRO -- When the question has been Argentina plus field hockey, the answer has usually been Las Leonas.The Lionesses, the national womens team.Featuring the great Luciana Aymar, the women in this century, alone, medaled at the last four Olympics, won two World Cups and seven Champions Trophies.Meanwhile, the mens team, Los Leones, played in relative obscurity. Even when they achieved their best international result, a bronze at the 2014 World Cup, the women won bronze, too.But no more are they in the shadow of the women, who play in the quarterfinals on Monday.The men reached the semifinals for the first time in 11 Olympics on Sunday by beating Spain 2-1, and will have two attempts at a medal from Tuesday. The winning goal against Spain came just 68 seconds from the end, a penalty stroke by veteran defender Juan Gilardi.Their joy was unrestrained at the Olympic Hockey Stadium, as they jumped in a huddle or leaped into each others arms. Some went to console the Spaniards, who were spread across the turf in tears.This is a reward for all Argentine hockey, coach Carlos Retegui said. Those guys in Argentina shirts played with heart, and this is a prize for work, work, and more work, for teamwork, for commitment, patience, execution, and intelligence in their play.ddddddddddddThe men have always been good -- making the Olympics says so -- but just not good enough to play for medals.After a roller-coaster run through the pool stage, highlighted by four goals to draw with Germany, the defending two-time champion, Los Leones proved the 2014 World Cup result was no fluke.The difference is maturity, especially in the last three years. The side features five players with more than 200 international appearances, and five more with more than 150. Falling behind on the scoreboard doesnt faze them because their leadership has seen it all. They have options up their short sleeves.This team never surrenders, Retegui said.Defender Gonzalo Peillat, who scored his team-leading seventh goal from a penalty corner, said the team had high expectations.We are a team with the ambition to keep winning, and thats what shows every time we go on the field, Peillat said. If we want to be champions, we want to meet the best. ' ' '