Source: http://www.soccerblog.com/2011/02/barcelona-stretch-their-lead.htm
Monday, February 28, 2011
Matchday: Liverpool v. West Ham
Kickoff from Upton Park at 13:30 GMT, 8:30 EST.
Ways to Watch:
Match live on Sky Sports 1 in the UK and Fox Soccer Channel in the US.
MyP2P.eu
Atdhenet.tv
From Sport
Liverpool:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Wilson
Kelly Gerrard Lucas Meireles Johnson
Kuyt Suarez
Bench: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Cole, Poulsen, Spearing, Maxi, Ngog
So much for a return to the 4-3-3. Danny Wilson again features in [...]
Ways to Watch:
Match live on Sky Sports 1 in the UK and Fox Soccer Channel in the US.
MyP2P.eu
Atdhenet.tv
From Sport
Liverpool:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Wilson
Kelly Gerrard Lucas Meireles Johnson
Kuyt Suarez
Bench: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Cole, Poulsen, Spearing, Maxi, Ngog
So much for a return to the 4-3-3. Danny Wilson again features in [...]
Source: http://liverpool.theoffside.com/team-news/matchday-liverpool-v-west-ham-3.html
Polkraine 2012: Standing Atop Special Stands
Of all the many things accounted for in the bid for Polkraine 2012, they probably didn’t include having to consider, or being asked for, a stand exclusively for gay and lesbian football fans.
That’s changing. A movement of sorts has erupted in Poland to allow a gay fan club their own special stand at Polkraine [...]
That’s changing. A movement of sorts has erupted in Poland to allow a gay fan club their own special stand at Polkraine [...]
Source: http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-football/polkraine-2012-standing-atop-special-stands.html
Liverpool 1 (1), Sparta Prague 0 (0): Squeezing By
Dirk Kuyt is once again Liverpool’s hero as they move on in Europe.
Nice couple of matches, yeah?
While this one wasn’t as much of a struggle to watch as last week’s, it certainly wasn’t pretty, and there’s plenty of negatives to go along with the positives. It’s great that Liverpool are moving on, but there’s [...]
Nice couple of matches, yeah?
While this one wasn’t as much of a struggle to watch as last week’s, it certainly wasn’t pretty, and there’s plenty of negatives to go along with the positives. It’s great that Liverpool are moving on, but there’s [...]
Source: http://liverpool.theoffside.com/team-news/liverpool-1-1-sparta-prague-0-0-squeezing-by.html
Kwik Goal 6 Foot Weighted Infinity Goal Review
Tweet Let’s face it: we’re all sick of using two tennis shoes or two soccer bags for goals in small sided games. After all, shoes don’t have nets, aren’t very tall to replicate the feel of a post, and the one huge flaw: you have to specify how tall the “goal” really is for shots [...]
Source: http://soccerprose.com/soccer-fans/kwik-goal-review/
Franchise FC Ousted From FA Cup on PKs
A quick follow-up to this post on the potential AFC Wimbledon v. Milton Keynes Dons FA Cup tie: it won’t happen this year. MK Dons lost their FA Cup replay on penalties to Stevenage Borough, a League Two side that won the Blue Square Premier (a/k/a Conference National) last season. This means AFC Wimbledon should [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2010/11/16/franchise-fc-ousted-from-fa-cup-on-pks/
US Coach Bob Bradley Begins Building National Team Foundation Against Chile
Filed under: FIFA World Cup, US Soccer, U.S. Men's National Team
CARSON, Calif. -- For the casual fan of the U.S. national team, Saturday's match against Chile probably seemed a bit unusual. Where was Landon Donovan? Why wasn't the game on English-language TV? Who the heck is Mikkel Diskerud, and why is everyone calling him "Mixx?" The simple answers to these questions are that Landon Donovan is in Los Angeles preparing for the upcoming MLS season.
The game wasn't on television because ESPN is contracted to show a certain number of matches annually and this one wasn't selected.
And Mikkel Diskerud is a promising 20-year-old midfielder from Oslo whose American mother (hence his U.S. passport) nicknamed him "Mixx" when he was a child.
The reason for all of this confusion? The game against Chile was basically a scrimmage -- the international soccer equivalent of a JV game. Which is why Landon Donovan was given the night off. And why ESPN chose not to air the game. And why Diskerud got the start instead of Michael Bradley or Clint Dempsey or Stuart Holden.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Jack McBean goes 90, U.S. reaches final
Galaxy forward Jack McBean got his first start Friday night at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship, going the distance as the U.S. advanced to Sunday's title game with a 2-0 triumph over host Jamaica.
Marc Pelosi scored in the 10th minute and Andrew Oliver tallied in second-half stoppage for the U.S., which will meet Canada, a 1-0 victor over Panama, in the title game in Montego Bay.
McBean (Newport Beach/Corona del Mar HS), who signed last month with the Galaxy as a "Home Grown Player," came off the bench in both of the Americans' group-stage games -- just 26 minutes in all -- but did not play in the quarterfinal win over El Salvador, which sent the U.S. to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, beginning in June in Mexico.
Midfielder Mario Rodriguez (North Hollywood/Poly HS) was suspended for the game after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against El Salvador, but midfielder Esteban Rodriguez (Palmdale/Bell Gardens HS) went the whole way for the U.S. He and defender Mobi Fehr are the only U.S. players who have been on the field for the entirety of every game.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/6536/jack-mcbean-goes-90-u-s-reaches-final
3 UP FRONT: United and City?s future, Arsenal?s Wembley expectations plus Boys who should be Men
Don’t miss a very special episode of the 3 Up Front podcast! In a show packed with laughs and emotion, host Adrian Clarke alongside Iain Spragg and Iain Macintosh tackle a whole host of talking points that include; What is Mancini going to do with the uncontrollable Tevez and Balotelli? Fact or Fiction: The Qatari...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/juWfgRQ_UyA/
Take on Tactics: Bar�a Thwarted by Sporting?s Compact, Pressure Defending
Sporting Gijon successfully fought Bar�a to a 1-1 draw a week ago because they were the side that largely set the agenda for how the match would be played.� It?s often now repeated that the best way to defend against Bar�a is to ?park the bus? – that is to defend in number, play deep [...]
Andy Gray, Richard Keys Taken Off Air for Sexist Comments
Filed under: English Premier League, Sports Business and Media
LONDON (AP) -- Two of Britain's leading soccer commentators were reprimanded by their TV network and taken off the air Monday after making sexist remarks about two female game officials and a team executive.Andy Gray and Richard Keys were disciplined Monday for derogatory comments about Sian Massey's suitability as a lineswoman for a Premier League game the commentators were working Saturday for Sky Sports.
Gray and Keys have been respected voices in soccer for the past 20 years. They also criticized the ability of former Premier League official Wendy Toms and a column written by West Ham executive Karren Brady in the Sun newspaper that day.
The men have privately apologized to their employer. Sky said the two have been warned and "reminded of their responsibilities." They will not work the show Monday night when Bolton hosts Chelsea in the Premier League.
"They (the comments) are inexcusable from anyone at Sky, regardless of their role or seniority," said Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports.
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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2011/01/24/andy-gray-richard-keys-taken-off-air-for-sexist-comments/
Domenech calls French team brats, claims he's not a moron
Long after everyone stopped caring, Raymond Domenech has finally decided to speak about France's embarrassing World Cup melodrama, which he piloted into the side of a mountain.
In an interview with French newspaper L'Express (via the Guardian), Domenech discusses the day when his players conspired to boycott training in South Africa and describes how hindsight has helped him see what everyone already knew.
"If there were any [leaders], I did not see them. Every time I went up [into the bus], there was no one," he said. "At this point, I told myself that they went crazy and they don't realise. Now I know I was wrong: they knew very well what they were doing. They even closed the curtains of the bus to hide themselves from cameras. With hindsight, I see them mainly as a bunch of foolhardy brats."
And while on the topic of calling people names, Domenech would like to assure you that he is not a moron.
"I want to restore the truth. I'm not the moron that people are describing me as.
"Let's be clear: I got it wrong, I mustn't have chosen the right players nor found the words that were needed. I do not accept the criticism of politicians, nor that of former players who have turned to journalism, but that does not prevent me from drawing my own evaluation."
So, he admits to being a complete failure, but he will not accept the criticisms of politicians or former players who say it!
Now, Domenech is coaching a youth team in France (which is unsettling at best) and he says that he needs time to "brush aside certain memories" before starting a "new adventure." Which will not involve television cameras.
"Above all, I do not want controversy. I have had offers for the theatre, for the cinema ... Nothing on TV, no. Honestly, how can we imagine me in a reality television show?" he said.
Actually, yes. In fact, I can imagine that being far more successful than any future attempts at being a top level manager again.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Watch West Ham United v Liverpool Online Free Live Video Stream ? 27 February 2011
Free live coverage of West Ham United v Liverpool in the English Premier League on Sunday, February 27, 2011 can be found at the link below. Watch West Ham United v Liverpool Online – 13:30 GMT
Thank You From EA SPORTS FIFA
The EA SPORTS FIFA Facebook page (which I doubt Tom even knows exists) has now reached a whopping 2 million fans and to thank you all for your loyal following the team in Vancouver have put together a little thank you message. There a few familiar faces in there so watch out for Santiago Jaramillo, [...]
Source: http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/thank-you-from-ea-sports-fifa/
GALAXY: Berhalter's knee 'knocked' in Arizona
A lot went right during the Galaxy's trek to Arizona, but not everything. Backline leader Gregg Berhalter sustained what the team believes is a minor injury in Tempe and is day-to-day because of�strained knee ligaments.
"He took a knock and is out right now, but we expect to get him back soon ..." Arena said. "I think he'll be back in the near future. But we'll just have to see. Those are things that are day by day."
Berhalter, 37, missed most of the last three months of last season with what was called a mysterious ailment, but he's expected to team again with MLS Best XI defender Omar Gonzalez in the middle of the Galaxy backline this season. He's also an assistant coach for the team.
The trip otherwise went as desired.
"It was a good trip," Arena said. "Where the team's at right now is not good enough to win many games in the league. We know in the next 2� weeks we have to get better as a team. I think what we've accomplished in the early going of preseason is identifying perhaps how we have to play, identifying the quality of our new players -- which is important -- and how we've got to organize our team around some of them. But I think it's been good. We've moved it along slowly on purpose because it's a long preseason and I think we don't need to be at our best in February, we need to be at our best beginning in March, and we're slowly moving toward that."
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/6514/galaxy-berhalters-knee-knocked-in-arizona
Playoff and TV Uncertainty Overshadow MLS Schedule Announcement
Filed under: MLS
There will be an MLS schedule on Thursday, finally. But don't expect all the confusion to be cleared up, and don't expect the pressure on the league to decrease.The list of dates and opponents MLS unveils will leave a host of unanswered questions about the upcoming season, as well as the more distant future. And of course, it will be subject to change.
The regular season begins in five weeks (the Los Angeles Galaxy will visit the Seattle Sounders on March 15, and the rest of the clubs will kick off four days later), and the fact that clubs and fans still don't have a full fixture list to work with has been a source of frustration and embarrassment.
That discontent reached the league's Fifth Avenue headquarters.
Charlie Davies May Repair Career, Image With D.C. United
Filed under: MLS, U.S. Men's National Team, D.C. United
Sixteen months after the fatal car accident that destroyed his World Cup dreams and nearly ended his career, Charlie Davies may be returning to the city where his life changed.On Tuesday afternoon, D.C. United confirmed a morning report from The Washington Post's incomparable Steven Goff that Davies and his French club, FC Sochaux, were considering a season-long loan.
Davies is expected to join United in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, when he will commence "a week-long evaluation period, which will include training and game time with the first team and a full medical evaluation," according to the MLS club.
D.C. said the terms of the the loan "have already been negotiated."
If Davies proves himself and the move happens, it will generate a fair bit of publicity for United and MLS, while giving the former U.S. national team starter the opportunity to salvage both his career and his image.
His commitment to doing the former has been inspiring. His interest in the latter remains unknown.
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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2011/02/01/charlie-davies-may-repair-career-image-with-d-c-united/
Marshawn Lynch Catches an Invincibility Star
It didn’t matter that Marshawn Lynch’s game-clinching touchdown run for the Seattle Seahawks happened during the first game of the weekend. You just knew from looking at it that no other play in the remaining games could possibly top it. And while you might not have known right away, this Super Mario-themed video tribute was [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/01/10/marshawn-lynch-catches-an-invincibility-star/
The Special Ones
There are, of course, some obvious differences between Rex Ryan and Jose Mourinho. The latter has a case full of trophies as manager, while the former’s only ring came when he was a defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens team that won Super Bowl XXXV. Plus, it’s only obvious that one of them eats [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/01/17/the-special-ones/
Friday, February 25, 2011
Houston Dynamo to Move East in MLS Realignment
Filed under: FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Major League Soccer's love of conferences will be tested in 2011 by a balanced 34-game schedule, which makes the separate standings pointless, and the addition of two clubs in the Pacific Northwest.It addressed the second problem on Friday, announcing that the Houston Dynamo will shift to the Eastern Conference after five years in the West.
Each conference will have nine clubs, thanks to the arrival of the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The league's reasoning? Houston was the eastern-most club in the Western Conference. Done and dusted.
The move splits the Dynamo with in-state rival FC Dallas (mostly to the north, but slightly to the west), but it won't affect the number of times they'll play each other this season.
Houston's Eastern sojourn may be short. With Montreal entering the league in 2012, MLS will be forced to have one conference with 10 teams and another with nine. Houston easily could return next year, or wait until the 20th club (MLS is targeting New York City), joins the league. At that point, conferences will matter because the schedule will be unbalanced.
Either way, the Dynamo likely won't be spending too much time in the East, and they may not mind. Although the new conference offers shorter flights, it hasn't been as kind on the field. Houston has earned just 1.357 points per game against Eastern foes over the course of its five regular seasons, compared to 1.646 points per game vs. Western teams.
The most recent existing team to switch conferences was Sporting Kansas City, which moved east in 2005.
The problem created by the balanced schedule, unfortunately, remains one that fans will have to live with in 2011. MLS has committed to determining its playoff participants based on conference standings, in part to avoid the embarrassment of seeing a Western team win the Eastern title for a third straight year.
That means the sixth place team in one conference might stay home this fall while the fifth place club in the other moves on, even if it boasts a better record playing the exact same schedule.
It's unfortunate, but it should be temporary. Unless MLS finds a way to add a 13th month to the calendar, it will return to an unbalanced schedule in 2012. At that point, conference standings will be meaningful once again.
Here's the new MLS alignment:
| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
|---|---|
| Chicago Fire | Chivas USA |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | FC Dallas |
| Houston Dynamo | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| Sporting Kansas City | Portland Timbers |
| New England Revolution | Real Salt Lake |
| New York Red Bulls | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Philadelphia Union | Seattle Sounders |
| Toronto FC | Vancouver Whitecaps |
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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/houston-dynamo-to-move-east-in-mls-realignment/
DTotD: When a footballer lands on your face, it leaves stud marks
NEC's Bjorn Vleminckx made the mistake of falling down under a group of players all vying for a header in the box during his side's 2-0 win over Excelsior on Sunday. Unfortunately, Guyon Fernandez didn't see him down there until his feet were already planted in his body. That left Vleminckx with a wicked set of stud marks on his face, which he actually didn't seem too bothered by.
It did make him look like Dirk Kuyt, though. And that is perhaps the worst part of this whole incident.
Even the physios in Brazil put on a show
Brazil has produced many great footballing showman over the years, so it only seems natural that it produces a visionary in the art of inappropriate physio gymnastics like this man. Every time a Comercial player went down in their Copa do Brazil match against Palmeiras, the team's medic, "Bomba," would come sprinting out with his bag of tricks and just before attending to the writhing player, he would do a cartwheel. He did this three times. Each time, the fans called for him to do it and gave a big cheer when he did.
Perhaps this shows he was more concerned with entertaining the fans than helping the injured players or perhaps it shows his Patch Adams approach to his work. Either way, this could become something young aspiring medics around the world watch and try to emulate, bringing that Brazilian flair to a new facet of the game.
Video via 101gg
Gattuso angrier than usual, headbutts Spurs assistant Joe Jordan
Rino Gattuso was filled with the rage of a thousand Rino Gattusos for the first leg of Milan's Champions League round of 16 fixture against Spurs. Though Peter Crouch and the rest of the Spurs side all felt their share of his unhinged fury on their way to a 1-0 win over Milan, it was Spurs assistant Joe Jordan who burrowed under Gattuso's skin the deepest.
The Italian who once played for Rangers, and the Scotsman who once played for Milan first got into it in the second half as Gattuso ran wild and the referee refused to do anything about it. The two exchanged words and Gattuso shoved him in the throat before gesturing that he was talking too much. This was just a bit of foreplay, though.
Rino did eventually get the yellow card that will keep him out of the second leg at White Hart Lane for a sloppy challenge from behind on Steven Pienaar. In the 78th minute, Crouch scored the game's only goal after a burst from Aaron Lennon and once the final whistle blew, Gattuso decided to take more of his aggression out on Jordan with a headbutt, which the 59-year-old hardman known as "Jaws" (because he lacks front teeth, naturally) took better than most footballers half his age.
Said Harry Redknapp after the scuffles (via Soccernet):
''There would be only one winner there -- Joe! I'd have my money on Joe. Of all the people to pick on, don't pick on Joe.''
Given Jordan's credentials, he'd probably put up a good fight, but Gattuso is made entirely of rabies and brutality. Like Freddy Krueger, he cannot be killed and only experiences true joy when people try to play his game.
So, with Gattuso likely facing a looong UEFA ban, you have to wonder if this might be the last Champions League match of his career. If it is, it's probably the way he's always dreamed of going out.
UPDATE: Gattuso apparently suffered from a bout of momentary sanity once he reached the dressing room. From Football Italia:
“At the end of the game I lost my head. I take full responsibility,” confessed Gattuso.
“I did something that I should not have done. Jordan was winding me up for the entire second half, but my reaction was unjustified.
“I was irritable because of the words that we had exchanged earlier on.”
Gattuso refused to repeat what Jordan said to him, but I'm guessing it was something along the lines of "I still have more teeth than you have brain cells."
Photo: Reuters
Football and the Revolution in Egypt
While the protests in Egypt have subsided from their peak last week, hardy anti-Mubarak protesters still occupy Tahrir Square in the capital, Cairo. While the world was enraptured with images broadcast by organizations able to avoid the secret police, such as Al-Jazeera, what effect did the protests have on football in the country? Or more [...]
Source: http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-football/football-and-the-revolution-in-egypt.html
Who's scarier? Peter Crouch vs. Rino Gattuso
When Rino Gattuso wasn't attacking Spurs assistant Joe Jordan, he was battling with Peter Crouch during Milan's 1-0 loss to Spurs on Tuesday. While Crouch prevailed by scoring the match's only goal, the question remains: Which player is the more intimidating presence?
As preparation for the second leg -- which will be even more dangerous since Gattuso picked up another yellow card and won't be constrained by having to play a football match -- we put the two head to head to find out which is scarier.
Rino Gattuso, the floor is yours...
A short, hairy, half-naked pit bull of a man attacking old people and anyone else who gets in his way like a feral animal foaming at the mouth? That's the stuff of nightmares. This is going to be hard to beat.
Peter Crouch, your move...
That's, uh, that's an admirable effort, Peter. But when you're that lanky, clenching your boney fist attached to your dangly string bean arm and baring your teeth isn't going to scare an 11-year-old playing with a Ouija board in the dark at a slumber party. Surely you can do better than that.
We'll let you give it one more try, Pete. But really let loose this time. Summon the beast from the depths of your soul. Pump some Ronnie James Dio and unleash the demon. Get freaky. Do it! Now! Go!
Holy lord. OK. You win, Peter. Just please stop.
Photos: Getty Images
Andy Gray, Richard Keys Taken Off Air for Sexist Comments
Filed under: English Premier League, Sports Business and Media
LONDON (AP) -- Two of Britain's leading soccer commentators were reprimanded by their TV network and taken off the air Monday after making sexist remarks about two female game officials and a team executive.Andy Gray and Richard Keys were disciplined Monday for derogatory comments about Sian Massey's suitability as a lineswoman for a Premier League game the commentators were working Saturday for Sky Sports.
Gray and Keys have been respected voices in soccer for the past 20 years. They also criticized the ability of former Premier League official Wendy Toms and a column written by West Ham executive Karren Brady in the Sun newspaper that day.
The men have privately apologized to their employer. Sky said the two have been warned and "reminded of their responsibilities." They will not work the show Monday night when Bolton hosts Chelsea in the Premier League.
"They (the comments) are inexcusable from anyone at Sky, regardless of their role or seniority," said Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports.
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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2011/01/24/andy-gray-richard-keys-taken-off-air-for-sexist-comments/
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Manchester City v Tottenham v Chelsea ? who will play in the Champions League next season?
With just three months left in this year’s Premier League season, the race for the last two Champions League spots is still tight. Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea are all fighting on multiple fronts, but regardless of what happens in Europe or the FA Cup, not qualifying for the Champions League next season, given their...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/MwTF6b_XThA/
Belgian goalkeeper lets an easy one slip between his legs
Goalkeeper Damien Lahaye, on loan at Belgian Jupiler League side KV Kortrijk, didn't help his chances of getting offered a permanent deal by the club during Sunday's match against KAA Gent. In the 82nd minute of a 0-0 match, Lahaye let a cross into the box slip right through his waiting hands and go between his legs for a goal. Gent would win 1-0 and Lahaye would be in for a night of sleep terrors.
Of course, the opposing player jumping in front of him and missing the header served as a bit of a distraction and Lahaye was most likely anticipating a redirection of the ball, but still. It was right there for him.
Somewhere, Rob Green is laughing like a maniac.
Kwik Goal Review
Tweet Let’s face it: we’re all sick of using two tennis shoes or two soccer bags for goals in small sided games. After all, shoes don’t have nets, aren’t very tall to replicate the feel of a post, and the one huge flaw: you have to specify how tall the “goal” really is for shots [...]
Source: http://soccerprose.com/soccer-fans/kwik-goal-review/
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich Preview
Last year's Champions League finalists meet at the San Siro on Wednesday as Inter Milan and Bayern Munich contest the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/AgLFxpBErPU/
Stephen Burbank Cancels 2011-12 NFL Season
The man in this photo is Stephen Burbank. He is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. You can see his faculty page here. His Wikipedia entry includes this bit of info: In November 2002, a federal court appointed Burbank�special master of the�National Football League. In that role, he resolves certain categories of [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/02/02/stephen-burbank-cancels-2011-12-nfl-season/
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Arsenal 2, Barcelona 1, aka ?Maybe now people will take things seriously?
Well, there aren’t going to be any pictures because of the ongoing server complexities, which is just as well. I am absolutely disgusted with our club right now. Did we deserve this loss? It depends on who you ask. Barca fans will say that it could easily have been 4-0 going into the half, and [...]
Source: http://www.barcelonafootballblog.com/6654/arsenal-2-barcelona-1-aka-people/
Chelsea star admits club is ?suffering?
Didier Drogba admits it is looking difficult if Chelsea wish to beat Manchester United to the Premier League title this season. The Ivory Coast striker, like the rest of his Chelsea colleagues, started the season in top form and it looked like the Blues would easily coast in their defence of the Premier League title. [...]
Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/chelsea-star-admits-club-is-suffering/
Ronaldo Given Fish In A Barrel For His Selecao Sendoff
Ask and you shall receive.
Well, so long as you’re one of the greatest players to have ever graced a football pitch with your otherworldly abilities.
Ronaldo asked the Brazilian federation for a sendoff friendly with the Selecao, and they have obliged with one of the most lopsided games in football history: the 2002 World Cup-winning [...]
Well, so long as you’re one of the greatest players to have ever graced a football pitch with your otherworldly abilities.
Ronaldo asked the Brazilian federation for a sendoff friendly with the Selecao, and they have obliged with one of the most lopsided games in football history: the 2002 World Cup-winning [...]
FUT Update Out Now
It looks like the FIFA Ultimate Team Update has popped a little earlier than expected. It was due on the 17th of February but according to Twitter, it’s ready and will be pushed down to your console next time you sign in. The update brings in two new features, Play-A-Friend Challenge and Friends Leaderboards. Play-A-Friend [...]
Source: http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/fut-update-now-available/
Ronaldo Given Fish In A Barrel For His Selecao Sendoff
Ask and you shall receive.
Well, so long as you’re one of the greatest players to have ever graced a football pitch with your otherworldly abilities.
Ronaldo asked the Brazilian federation for a sendoff friendly with the Selecao, and they have obliged with one of the most lopsided games in football history: the 2002 World Cup-winning [...]
Well, so long as you’re one of the greatest players to have ever graced a football pitch with your otherworldly abilities.
Ronaldo asked the Brazilian federation for a sendoff friendly with the Selecao, and they have obliged with one of the most lopsided games in football history: the 2002 World Cup-winning [...]
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich Preview
Click here to watch Inter Milan v Bayern Munich Live! Inter Milan v Bayern Munich Second Round, UEFA Champions League San Siro Wednesday, 23 February Kickoff: 19:45 GMT, 20:45 CET Last year’s Champions League finalists meet at the San Siro on Wednesday as Inter Milan and Bayern Munich contest the first leg of their round...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/AgLFxpBErPU/
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Fallout From Tragic Car Accident Lingers as Charlie Davies Returns to D.C.
WASHINGTON -- The siren from a passing emergency vehicle could be heard as D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper introduced Charlie Davies to the media at RFK Stadium on Wednesday, the sort of blare that surrounded the striker as he lay critically injured after a single-car accident not far from here in October 2009. Not that Davies recalls much about that tragic night that left a fellow passenger dead and derailed his soccer career.
"The only thing I remember was getting in the car, eventually putting on my seat belt and waking up in the hospital," Davies said. "I didn't know how I got there. The only thing I could do was panic. I started taking the staples out of my stomach until a nurse ran over and stopped me."
Davies broke curfew to meet up with Maria Espinoza and Ashley Roberta, college friends from the University of Maryland that Davies met on a prior trip to the Washington area. The three were headed back to the hotel where the U.S. national team was staying in advance of a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica, when Espinoza lost control of her Infiniti SUV on the George Washington Parkway in Arlington, Va.
The high-speed wreck split the vehicle in half, killing Roberta instantly. Davies suffered multiple injuries, including bleeding on the brain, a ruptured bladder, breaks to his femur, tibia and elbow and several facial fractures. Espinoza, who was not seriously injured, eventually pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. She isn't scheduled to be sentenced until March 23, but was ordered to court next week after federal probation officials issued an order that alleged she had violated terms of her pretrial release by consuming alcohol.
"I think it's a good thing I don't remember too much from the accident," Davies said. "That's maybe why I'm not too emotional about the whole thing."
Davies, in fact, wasn't hesitant about visiting the site of the crash a couple months afterward with U.S. teammate Oguchi Onyewu, who's from Washington.
"He wanted to see his father who was having back surgery in the same hospital I was in," Davies said. "He said, 'Do you want to come?' I said I wanted to. He asked if I wanted to go down the GW Parkway. I said, 'Yeah, I do.' He drove down and showed me. As weird as it sounds, it was interesting to see all of it again from a different perspective. I felt so thankful for my life. I felt relieved."
Those around Davies said the near-death experience and the months of grueling rehab changed the 24-year-old Boston College product.
"This experience has made him mature," Nina Stavris, Davies' fiancée, told FanHouse. "He's a better person now. He's more compassionate. He's more sensitive. The (crash) has had an impact on him, but in a good way."
Not unusual for somebody attempting to come back from such serious injuries, there were setbacks.
"There was time in rehab when a shard (of his femur) would puncture his muscle every time he tried to do something," said Stavris, whom Davies credited as being vital to his comeback effort. "He never knew if that would go away. It's totally rounded off now and doesn't affect him anymore."
Then there was the emotional torment of being left off the U.S. roster for last summer's World Cup.
"That was the first big low point," said Lyle Yorks, Davies' agent and a former D.C. United player. "Emotionally, that was very difficult for him for about a 24-hour period. Then it was on to having the best season he could with (his French club) Sochaux."
Davies, however, languished as a reserve at Sochaux, and Yorks began to explore Davies' options stateside. After weeks of negotiations, United acquired Davies on a one-season loan.
Even though he will be only a few miles away from the Alexandria, Va., courtroom where Espinoza will be sentenced next month, Davies has declined to participate in person. He had the option to give a victim impact statement in court, but his lawyer, Jon Pels, told FanHouse that Davies has opted to instead submit a written statement. Peter Carr, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, declined to comment on Davies' decision not to participate more in the penalty phase of the case.
"We just made the decision that it was best to focus on soccer," Davies said. "I want to leave that to the (U.S.) Attorney and the lawyers. My focus now is getting back to where I was and help (D.C. United) win games."
As Davies moves on, Espinoza faces as many as 13 years in prison and the Roberta family -- some members of which were still nearly inconsolable during Espinoza's plea hearing in November -- still haven't fully come to terms with the loss of a daughter and a sister.
FUT Update Out Now
It looks like the FIFA Ultimate Team Update has popped a little earlier than expected. It was due on the 17th of February but according to Twitter, it’s ready and will be pushed down to your console next time you sign in. The update brings in two new features, Play-A-Friend Challenge and Friends Leaderboards. Play-A-Friend [...]
Source: http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/fut-update-now-available/
Mario Rodriguez leads U.S. into World Cup
North Hollywood's Mario Rodriguez came off the bench to score the go-ahead goal in overtime, and the U.S. qualified for its 14th successive FIFA U-17 World Cup with a wild 3-2 victory over El Salvador in CONCACAF's quarterfinals.
There were two goals and three red cards in the final eight minutes of overtime in Montego Bay, Jamaica, but the Americans held on to advance to Thursday's semifinal against the winner of Tuesday's Jamaica-Honduras game.
Rodriguez (Poly HS in Sun Valley) scored five minutes into the extra period to provide a 2-1 advantage, and Mark Pelosi tallied in the 112th to make it 3-1. The Americans lost defender Kellyn Acosta to a second yellow card a minute later, and goalkeeper Fernando Pi�a and El Salvador's Jose Pe�a were ejected after a final-minute collision in the box, leading to Gerardo Iraheta's penalty kick.
Palmdale's Esteban Rodriguez (Bell Gardens HS) played the full 120 in midfield for the U.S., but Galaxy forward Jack McBean (Newport Beach/Corona del Mar HS) did not feature.
Panama also clinched a berth in the June 18-July 10 World Cup in Mexico, beating Costa Rica, 1-0, to advance to a CONCACAF semifinal against Canada or Trinidad and Tobago. Mexico, as World Cup host, is not taking part in the CONCACAF championship.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/6451/mario-rodriguez-leads-u-s-into-world-cup
3 UP FRONT: Arsenal and Tottenham rejoice as Chelsea and Manchester United ponder their futures
Welcome to the latest brand new episode of the fastest growing football podcast around, 3 Up Front! In today’s�jam-packed show Adrian Clarke guides Iain Spragg and Iain Macintosh through a selection of topical debates that include; The Champions League is back with a bang – fact or fiction? After Tottenham and Arsenal recorded memorable wins...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/41Gy74l4Fh4/
Vegas and Major League Soccer
Oh here we go again. Another city wanting Major League Soccer. I guess this is what happens when the league is growing rapidly and people around the country are finally taking note. Today we hear of another candidate city, though [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/ukaCYn5etQQ/
Michael Vick Can?t Afford to Wait on a New Contract
While the NFL is trying to keep everyone’s focus on the playoff race, the specter of the 2011 lockout still looms large over proceedings. The league issued a ticket refund policy a couple weeks ago — something it probably wouldn’t do if it wasn’t planning on canceling the season. The NFL Players Association is starting [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2010/12/14/michael-vick-cant-afford-to-wait-on-a-new-contract/
Liverpool 0, Sparta Praha 0: A Return to the Doldrums
When even Ray Hudson’s most notable moment comes right off the top when he laments that Dani Pacheco isn’t the starting lineup before going on to say that N’Gog–who he appears to think plays in Pacheco’s most likely position–will need to go out and prove himself, you know you’re in for a match lacking in [...]
A Wish to Dump the Dish in 2011
My wish for 2011�is to see ESPN do something that would make cable and satellite television providers soil their trousers. This might seem like a pipe dream, given how the Worldwide Leader thrives off the current cable TV carriage system. ESPN is projected to earn a jaw-dropping $5.27 billion in cable subscriber fees in 2010, [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2010/12/31/a-wish-to-dump-the-dish-in-2011/
Tevez to steal the show against former club?
Manchester derbies can often throw up more controversial moments than they can goalmouth incidents and recent clashes between City and United have proved no exception to this rule. With the whole Carlos Tevez situation still adding a deeper element of tension and excitement to matches between the two teams battling for the title, this weekend’s [...]
Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/tevez-to-steal-the-show-against-former-club/
Monday, February 21, 2011
Defeat and Other Four-Lettered Words
Or, how I learned to keep calm and trust Pep. “Messi looks to have lost the thread of his dynamite and Iniesta, the poor guy, looks like he is sleep-walking. I don’t want to sound too opportunistic but I was ridiculed when I said Barcelona are a worse side than last year and above all [...]
Source: http://www.barcelonafootballblog.com/6665/defeat-fourlettered-words/
Mercedes Brings Schweinski Back Together
With all their free time during the international break, Mercedes had the German men’s team film a supportive commercial for the women’s team, hosting the World Cup in the summer. The boys are acting like crazed fans, and Lukas Podolski even has a Pohawk?. During these times of co-mingling footballers, you’d expect even one of [...]
Source: http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-football/mercedes-brings-scweinski-back-together.html
50 Cent Shows Off Shoveling Prowess On 'Conan'
Fif talks about his impromptu snow-removal biz and his dog named Oprah.
By Jayson Rodriguez
50 Cent appears on "Conan" on Wednesday
Photo: TBS
When 50 Cent appeared on "Conan" on Wednesday night, the entrepreneurial-minded rapper didn't just hawk his new "Sleek by 50 Cent" wireless headphones, he told Conan O'Brien a story that demonstrated his business prowess.
Last month, during the heavy snowfall that blanketed the East Coast, 50 found himself shoveling his grandmother's driveway. After posting a picture of himself in action on Twitter, an idea went off in his head.
"I wanted to see if the principles of business applied to everything," he told the late-night host.
The G-Unit general then recruited a group of neighborhood kids and went around knocking on doors to offer their snow removal services.
"I sent the little guy to knock on the door," 50 explained.
"That's low," O'Brien shot back.
"I gave them the money," the rapper said, laughing. "I gave them some."
50 said the collective made $1,000 from shoveling 10 homes; he also charged homeowners for a picture of him shoveling, and turned that the money over to the kids too.
The jokes from the rapper didn't stop there, though. The TBS host showed the audience a picture from 50's Twitter profile of the rapper sitting at a desk with a schnauzer dog on his lap.
The dog's name? Oprah Winfrey.
"At first I thought Oprah didn't like hip-hop, so I didn't like her," he explained. "But I hadn't had a chance to meet her. I bought the dog, and now I love her."
The rapper also has a cat named (you guessed it) Gayle, after Winfrey's BFF Gayle King.
"It was one of those things where I didn't know what to name the cat, it just made sense," 50 said.
Although the rapper admitted he's never met Winfrey, he told O'Brien that he has met King and admires her. "She's great," he said.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657645/50-cent-conan.jhtml
Steelers Have Only Themselves To Blame
A famous coach once said you can’t turn the ball over and expect to win the game. And yet, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a shot to win Super Bowl XLV. Down 6 points with two minutes to go from their own 13 yard line, Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers’ offense on the field against a [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/02/07/steelers-have-only-themselves-to-blame/
Andrei Arshavin proves he still exists, scores winner against Barca
Arshavin celebrates by covering his face and revealing a shirt emblazoned with...his face.
Andrei Arshavin popped out of whatever magical tree house he's been hiding in this season to score a late goal for Arsenal on Wednesday, giving it a 2-1 advantage over Barcelona heading into the second leg of its Champions League tie at Camp Nou. Though Barcelona looked in control with a 1-0 lead at halftime, Arsenal was able to come back thanks in part to Victor Valdes falling asleep on Robin van Persie's goal and the fact that Lionel Messi continued his streak of scoring zero goals in seven matches on English turf. Nicklas Bendtner, who entered the match in the 77th minute, will surely be taking full credit for the victory, though.
It was a tremendous performance from Arsenal, especially considering that it isn't too far removed from squandering a 4-0 lead against Newcastle. Now if we could just get Arshavin to do another Q&A on his website.
Video of all three goals right this way...
Photo: Getty Images
Fusion, United pushed back by rain
Heavy rains forced the Ventura County Fusion to push back its friendly against D.C. United.
The Fusion, playing its third Major League Soccer opponent this month, and D.C. will meet Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Oxnard College. The game initially was to be played Saturday afternoon.
U.S. national team forward Charlie Davies, who has joined D.C. on loan in an effort to restore his career following a deadly car accident 16 months ago, is expected to play, and so is Pat Onstad, D.C.'s goalkeeper coach, who last week ended a four-month retirement after likely starter Steve Cronin suffered a broken wrist that could sideline him up to 10 weeks.
D.C. on Friday reacquired Brazilian midfielder Fred from New England for a second-round selection in the 2013 draft. The winger, who played for D.C. in 2007-09 and with Philadelphia last year, joins his brother, trialist Junior Carreiro, in the club's camp.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/6413/fusion-united-pushed-back-by-rain
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Villa scores with lovely chip, Pep celebrates by man-handling Bojan
Barcelona only managed a 1-1 draw against Sporting Gijon on Saturday thanks to David Villa's perfect chip in the 80th minute that left goalkeeper Ivan Pichu totally helpless. After being down since the 16th minute, Barcelona were understandably overjoyed to get Villa's equalizer.
Pep Guardiola was so overjoyed that he decided to take it out on poor Bojan by grabbing his shoulders from behind and giving him a shake before shoving him away. Kind of a violent way to celebrate, but Bojan appeared to take it in good fun (in the split second before he was pushed out of frame). Still, if Pep's celebrations continue to escalate in their abusiveness, he might be bashing Jose Pinto in the head with a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire come season's end.
Have another look at the goal, which was brilliantly set up by Leo Messi (of course)...
Money Refused to Fix Woes but Let?s Blame and Sack the Coach: Roberto DiMatteo Fired by West Brom
Axed West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo has revealed his shock at being relieved of his duties after the side lost 3-0 to Man City. ”I was extremely surprised and disappointed to be relieved of my duties today,” he said. ”Winning promotion to the Barclays Premier League with West Brom last season was without doubt [...]
DTotD: Mirel Radoi sweeps the leg
Eager to show off what he learned after studying at the Cobra Kai dojo, Al Hilal's Romanian international Mirel Radoi sent Al Wahda's Abdulkhaleq Barnawi to the ground with an off-the-ball kick to the leg on Sunday (replays at 2:40 into the video). Radoi was shown a red card for his sneak attack.
As ugly an incident as it was, this man was quite pleased with how it turned out...
David Trezeguet?s ?98 Shirt Stars In The Score II
The script reads likea straight-to-video sequel of the Robert De Niro/Edward Norton movie The Score: Customs officials have priceless French artifact in their possession, only they don’t quite know the true identity of what they hold, readying it for destruction.
Only David Trezeguet’s shirt from the 1998 World Cup Final, though valuable, isn’t exactly priceless and [...]
Only David Trezeguet’s shirt from the 1998 World Cup Final, though valuable, isn’t exactly priceless and [...]
Source: http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-football/david-trezeguets-98-shirt-stars-in-the-score-ii.html
Requiem for an American Soccer Club
The uncertainty is always there. In the divisions of American soccer below MLS — and occasionally, as a few Florida residents might tell you, in MLS itself — there’s always a chance that the club you support won’t be around for very long. Club owners arrive with big talk of making soccer work in this [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/01/28/requiem-for-an-american-soccer-club/
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Mercedes Brings Schweinski Back Together
With all their free time during the international break, Mercedes had the German men’s team film a supportive commercial for the women’s team, hosting the World Cup in the summer. The boys are acting like crazed fans, and Lukas Podolski even has a Pohawk?. During these times of co-mingling footballers, you’d expect even one of [...]
Source: http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-football/mercedes-brings-scweinski-back-together.html
2011 MLS Season Preview: 5 Breakout Players
I’ve been tossing around different ideas in my head for weeks now for when it comes to previewing the new season ahead. I’m fairly certain I’ll do my usual team-by-team breakdown but given the fact that there are now 18 [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/VypGVJI55Bc/
Real Madrid becomes highest-earning sports team ever
For the sixth consecutive year, Real Madrid tops the Deloitte Football Money League, and in doing so, became the highest-earning sports team ever, reports Business Insider. Despite not winning any trophies, the club's earnings jumped from $541 million for the 2008/09 season to $592 million for the 2009/10 season, enabling it to continue funding Cristiano Ronaldo's most extravagant purchases. Like exclusive yet unenforcable baby rights.
Barcelona came in right behind Real for the second straight year (even though the standings were the other way around in La Liga) and for the first time ever, the combined earnings of Deloitte's 20-club Money League topped $5.4 billion.
By comparison, the top earning NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys, made $420 million according to Forbes and the top earning MLB team, the New York Yankees, made $441 million. That would only put them fifth and fourth, respectively, in Deloitte's list of football clubs.
The biggest chunk of Real Madrid's revenue came from its ongoing $1.4 billion TV rights deal, but it also makes nearly as much from numerous sponsorships and matchday earnings. And if there's one thing Real likes more than making money, it's spending it. Over the last decade, it's spent more than $1 billion on player transfers as it keeps breaking its own transfer records for individual players to fill out club president Florentino Perez's live-action fantasy team.
Here's the full Football Money League Top 20...
1. Real Madrid -- $592 million
2. Barcelona -- $537 million
3. Manchester United -- $472 million
4. Bayern Munich -- $436 million
5. Arsenal -- $370 million
6. Chelsea -- $345 million
7. AC Milan -- $318 million
8. Liverpool -- $308 million
9. Inter Milan -- $303 million
10. Juventus -- $277 million
11. Manchester City -- $206 million
12. Tottenham Hotspur -- $198 million
13. Hamburger SV -- $197 million
14. Lyon -- $197 million
15. Marseille -- $190 million
16. Schalke 04 -- $189 million
17. Atletico Madrid -- $168 million
18. Roma -- $166 million
19. Stuttgart -- $155 million
20. Aston Villa -- $148 million
Fun, right? Well, it's not so much when you look at how quickly those earnings disappear. As the Andersred Blog points out, just one of the seven English clubs on Deloitte's list turned a profit (Arsenal). Barcelona had to take out a loan to pay player wages last summer and Real's debt is in the hundreds of millions. So keep that in mind when imagining club executives diving into warehouse-sized safes full of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck.
Photo: Getty Images
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