Source: http://mysoccerblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/jaqua-might-return-to-houston-at-least.html
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Werder Bremen midfielder knocked over by plastic cup
The Bundesliga's rich tradition of fans throwing missiles onto the pitch continued over the weekend, when an unruly Hamburg supporter launched a plastic cup at Werder Bremen's Marko Marin.
While heading towards the corner flag, the winger was struck on the ankle, creating such an enormous centrifugal force that he was swept off his feet. To be fair, it does appear that there is a solid object ? like a lighter ? within the cup, and that might hurt when thrown from distance. It's all very well to criticize Marin's reaction, but perhaps we should be aiming our contempt at the chumps who think it's great fun to try and injure the football players they pay to come and see.
Thoughts on USA?s 1-0 victory against Italy ? 29 February 2012
Thoughts on USA’s 1-0 victory against Italy – 29 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
The USA defeated Italy 1-0 in an international friendly on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. It’s an impressive victory but what does it mean? Below are my thoughts on the win...
Thoughts on USA’s 1-0 victory against Italy – 29 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
Source: http://the90thminute.com/soccer/2012/02/thoughts-on-usas-1-0-victory-against-italy-29-february-2012/
Young Liverpool fan pokes himself in the eye while celebrating Carling Cup win
After a nervy 120 minutes ended 2-2, the Carling Cup final between Liverpool and Cardiff went to a penalty shootout that proved just as manic as the rest of the match. Both sides failed to convert their first penalty and Liverpool also missed their second, but eventually won 3-2 when Anthony Gerrard, cousin of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, put Cardiff's final penalty wide of the post.
That gave Liverpool the win and its first trophy in six years, which was reason to celebrate for its many fans at Wembley. One young fan (who looks like a miniature Dirk Kuyt) celebrated with such abandon that he accidentally poked himself in the eye with his own joyously flailing arm. But, since this was likely the first trophy he's been aware of Liverpool winning in his lifetime, he just kept on smiling and enjoying the moment with both eyes closed.
If any one moment sums up the emotions of the day for Liverpool, it's this one.
Photos: Revs at Rapids | WVHooligan - Soccer Blog [Digg]
WVH Photographer Brian Stevens was in Commerce City yesterday for the New England-Colorado game and snapped off these amazing photos. Check out the gallery
Manchester United vs. Tottenham Match Preview
This weekend features a huge match-up between two title hopefuls. On Sunday, Manchester United will travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur. These two currently sit second and third in the Premier League behind leaders Manchester City. If Tottenham hope to stay relevant and have a chance at the Premier League title, they [...]
Source: http://soccerprose.com/soccer-fans/manchester-united-vs-tottenham-match-preview/
Whitecaps Want All Forwards, Club Signs 7th Striker
I won’t go too much into this signing. The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed their 7th, yes 7th striker for the 2012 season in the form of�Maltese international Etienne Barbara. Barbara rejoins head coach Martin Rennie, the two were together in the NASL with the Carolina RailHawks. He did win MVP honors in the NASL last?[continue reading]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/4VMmlQfIeQg/
The Roman Abramovich Game: Andre Villas-Boas Edition
With underwhelming results on the pitch and discord between the players and Andre Villas-Boas in the dressing room, Roman Abramovich must once again decide whether to keep his current manager or sack him and try another one. This, is the Roman Abramovich Game. This week's contestant: Roman Abramovich. Take it away, Roman...
OK, this is going to be a difficult one, but I'm ready. Wish me luck, everybody!
If I don't sack Andre Villas-Boas:
-I don't get to sack him...yet.
-Chelsea might not finish in the top four.
-Frank Lampard's legs will shrivel like dried chili peppers as he sits on the bench.
-Ashley Cole will probably shoot him with an airgun.
-I still won't have anyone able to make the magical potion necessary to turn Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles back into good footballers (does it involve glue sticks?).
-I'll get another mocking text message from Jose Mourinho.
If I do sack him:
-I'll get another mocking text message from Jose Mourinho.
-I'll be one manager closer to getting a free sandwich at Subway.
-I might have to choose between Rafa Benitez and Sven-Goran Eriksson as a replacement.
-I will then have to sack either of them. Maybe both.
-People will continue to make fun of me for being impatient.
-I might cry.
-My tears will get stuck in my beard.
-I will need a beard sponge.
-Beard sponges still won't exist yet.
Lifeline: What do you suggest, Karate Putin?
Karate Putin: Kick him under chin so he bite off own tongue. Make keychain out of tongue.
God, you always say that! Be original for once, Karate Putin.
Karate Putin: Sorry.
OK, I think I've reached my decision...
Verdict: I will sack him and name David Luiz player/manager.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Carling Cup Final: Liverpool v Cardiff Preview
Carling Cup Final: Liverpool v Cardiff Preview - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
The Carling Cup Final takes place this Sunday between Liverpool and Cardiff City. �The following analysis compares the two goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Pepe Reina and looks at the potential impact of Craig Bellamy, Peter Whittingham and Steven Gerrard. CARLING CUP FINAL: CARDIFF CITY V LIVERPOOL HEATON AND REINA ? PENALTY KINGS Player Pepe Reina...
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/td7hbNLILX4/
Tottenham visit Arsenal in their worst season under Wenger
Tottenham visit Arsenal in their worst season under Wenger - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur play at the Emirates this Sunday, with the roles of both teams reversed in the league. This season is on course to be Arsenal?s worst under Ars�ne Wenger. We also look at at Emmanuel Adebayor?s records at both clubs and compares Scott Parker and Alex Song. ARSENAL?S WORST SEASON UNDER WENGER...
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/5ty0L_8Cqbo/
FIFA 12 Roster Update Available Now
The FIFA 12 Roster Update as promised is now available for you to download, updating your game with all the transfers that took place in January. **I’ve just download it on PS3 in the UK, other regions may update at different times** We’re trying to get information on which players that have seen their stats [...]
Source: http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/fifa-12-roster-update-available-now/
Here?s a great picture of Iceland?s flip throw-in expert in mid-flip
Iceland's Steinthor Freyr Thorsteinsson's is quite good at flip throw-ins and he demonstrated this fact repeatedly in a friendly against Japan. (The Footy Blog has video).
The water bottles on the ground somehow make this picture even better.
Sulley Muntari?s clear goal against Juventus that was not ruled a goal
Ten minutes after Antonio Nocerino gave Milan a 1-0 lead in the first half of their battle for first place against Juventus, Sulley Muntari headed in a second goal for Milan and even though the ball was well past the goal line, it was not counted.
Of course, this could be yet another example of why goal line technology is necessary, but being Serie A, there's always that chance the officials had reason to conveniently not see a bright yellow ball bounce a couple of feet into the goal before being pulled back out.
Video this way...
Update: Juventus came up with an equalizer from Alessandro Matri in the 83rd minute after Matri's had an earlier goal disallowed because of a questionable offside call. So Milan retain their one point lead in the table, while Juve still have a game in hand.
Football Is Still What We Make It
The�best thing�about�football is that we can play it any way we want it. This is also the worst thing about football. That’s because fans have this nasty tendency to prattle on about the superiority of their chosen football code like it’s their team. “Our football is the real football!”, they shout as loudly as possible, [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/08/09/football-is-still-what-we-make-it/
MLS Week 28 Highlights | WVHooligan - Soccer Blog [Digg]
Week 28 is in the books and while I'll review/recap/etc. it here later on today I've posted the highlights of this week's action for all to see. (Thanks as
Monday, February 27, 2012
Scottish Premier League Table Through February 26, 2012
Scottish Premier League Table Through February 26, 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
Below is the SPL table through February 26, 2012. OVERALL HOME AWAY POS TEAM P W D L F A W D L F A W D L F A...
Scottish Premier League Table Through February 26, 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
Source: http://the90thminute.com/soccer/2012/02/scottish-premier-league-table-through-february-26-2012/
Carroll Gets Some Face Time, and Other Friday Notes
With only a couple of days separating us from Sunday’s League Cup final, we’ve wound down the recaps of Liverpool’s seven victories—last to arrive was the 2003 win over United, but be sure to track back a bit and take a look at how Liverpool’s become the most successful club in the competition’s history. It’d [...]
Source: http://liverpool.theoffside.com/team-news/carroll-gets-some-face-time-and-other-friday-notes.html
Carroll Gets Some Face Time, and Other Friday Notes
With only a couple of days separating us from Sunday’s League Cup final, we’ve wound down the recaps of Liverpool’s seven victories—last to arrive was the 2003 win over United, but be sure to track back a bit and take a look at how Liverpool’s become the most successful club in the competition’s history. It’d [...]
Source: http://liverpool.theoffside.com/team-news/carroll-gets-some-face-time-and-other-friday-notes.html
Euro 2012 Draw Done, Dusted, Diabolically Good
Big names and bad jokes ruled the day in Nyon as the Euro names were announced. And given that it’s the Euros, where the quality has a higher density, Groups of Death are often just the groups. However, Group B is a clusterfuck of quality and Group C, should Bilic’s boys get their acts together [...]
Source: http://www.worldcupblog.org/euro-2012/euro-2012-draw-done-dusted-diabolically-good.html
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Join the Dave?s Football Blog Fantasy Premier League, Sponsored by SoccerPro.com
Have we reached the point in our civilization where our favorite football games exist only so we can play our own games on top of them? If the NFL lockout were still going on, would we have missed our fantasy leagues more than the actual league? Maybe, but who cares? Let’s play. Dave?s Football Blog [...]
Video: Liverpool v. Birmingham, 2001 League Cup Final
The League Cup Final in 2001 will always be a special one for Liverpool supporters, as it proved to be the first of three cup triumphs for Gerard Houllier’s side on the season. League silverware proved to be too big an ask as Manchester United would go on to win their third consecutive title, ten [...]
Source: http://liverpool.theoffside.com/team-news/video-liverpool-v-birmingham-2001-league-cup-final.html
Roma or Napoli? These are the two teams interested in Michael Bradley, according to his agent
In football, transfer time seems to be silliest season of the year– rumors created by agents always floating around. �This time is about United States midfielder Michael Bradley.
According to�Paolo Alberto Faccini, Napoli and Roma are interested in acquiring Michael’s services. [...]
MLS Week 28 Thoughts: Goodbye Parity | WVHooligan - Soccer Blog [Digg]
The MLS Playoff picture is extremely clear now and only one more spot is open. All the Colorado Rapids need to do to earn that spot is just grab one single
Goals My Granny Could Have Scored: Flamengo?s Deivid Misses Open Goal from 1 Yard Out?(Video)
This has to be one of the worst we’ve seen in a while here at Soccerprose, and one of the first from Brazil. But it stands to reason that in a nation known for skill on the ball, there is one guy who fell through the crack, in this case the transfer from Lisbon cracks, [...]
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Video: Liverpool v. Bolton, 1995 League Cup Final
The rampant success of the early 1980s gave way to a fairly quiet decade for Liverpool in the League Cup, with the 1-2 result against Arsenal in 1987 their only appearance in a final of a competition they’d dominated. They weren’t entirely starved of silverware just yet—FA Cup trophies began arriving regularly almost immediately after [...]
Source: http://liverpool.theoffside.com/miscellaneous/video-liverpool-v-bolton-1995-league-cup-final.html
German Bundesliga Match Predictions ? 25 February 2012
German Bundesliga Match Predictions – 25 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
Below are predictions for all the Bundesliga matches on February 25, 2012. Times listed are GMT or local UK time. Augsburg v Hertha Berlin, 14:30 – Hertha Berlin wins 2-1...
German Bundesliga Match Predictions – 25 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
Source: http://the90thminute.com/soccer/2012/02/german-bundesliga-match-predictions-25-february-2012/
Earthquakes Giving A Little Blast From The Past
Saw this over on the MLS Insider blog. These are tickets from this season’s ticket package for the Quakes. San Jose is going back to the past a bit with their tickets, giving fans a little retro feel. Stuff like this makes me really believe we are just that close to a retro day at?[continue reading]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/UIAmO4jLIFM/
Video: Liverpool v. Birmingham, 2001 League Cup Final
The League Cup Final in 2001 will always be a special one for Liverpool supporters, as it proved to be the first of three cup triumphs for Gerard Houllier’s side on the season. League silverware proved to be too big an ask as Manchester United would go on to win their third consecutive title, ten [...]
Source: http://liverpool.theoffside.com/team-news/video-liverpool-v-birmingham-2001-league-cup-final.html
Video: Liverpool v. Tottenham, 1982 League Cup Final
A year after their first League Cup victory Liverpool were back for more. And once again they had to overcome a shaky start, falling behind early to a Tottenham side with Ray Clemence between the sticks a year after he’d led Liverpool to victory. Replacing him was South African Bruce Grobbelaar, who had arrived in [...]
Source: http://liverpool.theoffside.com/league-cup/video-liverpool-v-tottenham-1982-league-cup-final.html
Career Mode: The Road To Success Part III
Mission – Objective – Achievement It’s been a while since parts one and two were released in the Career Mode: The Road To Success series but now we’re back with part three, looking at how Career Mode can improve it’s engagement over what can be a quite�phenomenal�amount of time if you aim for the modes [...]
Source: http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/career-mode-the-road-to-success-part-iii/
Andre Villas Boas ? Out Before Easter?
Andre Villas Boas – Out Before Easter? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
It’s a familiar story: Chelsea hire a new manager for a lot of money, Chelsea don’t do as well under this manager as they did under Jose Mourinho, rumours �then begin to circle claiming that the manager is about to be fired and then finally (the bit that hasn’t quite happened yet) the manager is...
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/dF3ck0N2pI4/
Friday, February 24, 2012
DTotD: Scoring a winner with your face can be painful
As Chicharito can attest, scoring goals with your face produces an unusual mix of joy and throbbing pain. In an indoor match played under the threat of being smothered by a giant U.S. flag, the goalkeeper's weak attempt to clear the ball careened off an opponent's face and went into his own net. And as the scorer of that winning goal writhed around in pain, everyone cheered. Presumably for the goal.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/dtotd-scoring-winner-face-painful-011805309.html
DT Exclusive: Carlos Tevez apologizes to Manchester City with some help
Five months and �10 million in fines after refusing Roberto Mancini's request that he warm up a second time during a Champions League match and then fleeing back to Argentina without permission, Carlos Tevez has apologized to the club that could not sell him. The following is a transcript of Tevez's apology, with the help of his adviser Kia Joorabchian, to the man who vowed that Carlos would never play for City again.
Joorabchian: Roberto, if you have a minute, Carlos has something he would like to say to you. I will translate for him.
Mancini: Fine. Go ahead, Carlos.
Tevez: (clears his throat) Ungggh.
Joorabchian: Carlos says, "I wish to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to everybody I have let down and to whom my actions over the last few months have caused offence. My wish is to concentrate on playing football for Manchester City Football Club."
Mancini: He clearly did not say any of that.
Joorabchian: Yes, he did. You know very well that Carlos doesn't speak English. Now, please, accept his apology so we can all move on.
Mancini: He clearly didn't!
Tevez: I did.
Mancini: Oh, now he can speak English.
Joorabchian: No, no, no, don't be silly! Again, Carlos does not speak English even though he's lived in England for five years. Those were just random sounds emitted by his body that happened to sound like words. He didn't mean that. He's very sorry for what happened.
Maradona: No, he's not! You are a terrible manager, Mancini! Carlos needs someone who appreciates him and rubs his belly and gives him treats!
Mancini: What are you doing here, Diego? This is none of your business!
Maradona: You care too much about defending! And you're tall like a Canadian!
Mancini: Carlos, apologize for real so we can be done with this!
Tevez: I already did.
Mancini: Well do it again.
Tevez: No. I did it once, I'm not doing it again.
Mancini: I hate you.
Tevez: Hahaha I know.
Maradona: I hate Pele!
Ivory Coast fans are forgiving
The Ivory Coast once again came short of living up to high expectations with a shock loss to Zambia in the African Cup of Nations final. Making it all the painful was the fact that team captain Didier Drogba blasted a penalty kick over the crossbar in the 70th minute of the scoreless deadlock before eventually losing 8-7 in a nervy shootout.
In many parts of the world, this kind of disappointment would've resulted in furious mayhem. Fans of The Elephants, however, were not only calm and forgiving, but happy about what their team did accomplish. And when they went to the Felix Houphouet Airport in Abidjan by the thousands to greet the returning team on Monday, they brought signs to express their good will...
Granted, the men holding these signs do look quite serious, so there's a chance their writings are extremely sarcastic, but that's probably not the case. After all, they only have to wait another year until the next African Cup of Nations in South Africa, so there is still hope for Drogba and company.
Anyway, there might be a lesson here. Your favorite team chokes and once again fails to live up to potential? Don't react like an escaped lunatic. It rarely helps.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/ivory-coast-fans-forgiving-042159540.html
MLS Week 28 Thoughts: Goodbye Parity | WVHooligan - Soccer Blog [Digg]
The MLS Playoff picture is extremely clear now and only one more spot is open. All the Colorado Rapids need to do to earn that spot is just grab one single
Philipp Lahm warned over autobiography and criticism
Can anyone say sour grapes from Lahm?
Bayern Munich and Germany captain Philipp Lahm is to be warned by the German Football Association (DFB) about his future conduct after causing irritation with his soon-to-be-published biography.
Excerpts from the book have been published in the�Bild�newspaper over recent days and his criticism of former Germany coaches [...]
Source: http://www.totalsoccerblog.com/2011/08/25/philipp-lahm-warned-over-autobiography-and-criticism/
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Celtic winning the title at Ibrox is an opportunity for Scottish Football
Celtic winning the title at Ibrox is an opportunity for Scottish Football - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Has there ever been a season quite like it in Scottish football? By November 5th Celtic trailed Old Firm rivals Rangers by 15 points and Neil Lennon was left considering his future. Fast forward just over 3 months and a quick glance at the SPL table reveals Celtic now leading the way by 17 points...
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/AUdDXY6WCGU/
The Herve Renard Moment
It’s going to take something absolutely monumental to top this moment on a similar stage at any point this year – or perhaps in the long-distance future.
Herve Renard, Zambia’s coach and honorary royalty in the nation now, one would assume, carries the injured Joseph Musonda to celebrate Zambia’s AFCON win. (In case you’ve ignored newsy [...]
Herve Renard, Zambia’s coach and honorary royalty in the nation now, one would assume, carries the injured Joseph Musonda to celebrate Zambia’s AFCON win. (In case you’ve ignored newsy [...]
Source: http://www.worldcupblog.org/african-cup-of-nations/the-herve-renard-moment.html
Chelsea can?t win half their matches under AVB
Chelsea can’t win half their matches under AVB - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Castrol EDGE Performance data shows why Andre Villas-Boas is under such intense pressure ahead of Chelsea?s FA Cup tie against Birmingham and a visit to Naples in the Champions League.� At present, he has the worst win ratio (50%) of all Roman Abramovich?s six appointments, meaning the Blues are no longer in contention for Premier...
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/a5jrjWTsEUw/
Even Fernando Torres? Facebook page has forsaken him
With nearly nine million likes, Fernando Torres still enjoys a great deal of support on his Facebook page. But his continued inability to put the ball in the net has even led that bastion of support to promote the loss of faith in his abilities.
On Saturday, before Fernando Torres was subbed off at halftime of Chelsea's 1-1 FA Cup fifth-round match against Birmingham for Didier Drogba, poll results from an outside website revealing that a majority of fans preferred Drogba in the starting XI was posted to the Facebook page by "Fernando Torres." And that posting went on to receive the second most amount of likes in the page's recent history.
Though the story was likely auto-posted to the page simply because it contained his name, this is just another indignity Fernando Torres has been subjected to of late. Poor Fernando.
Thanks to @PoojaM93 for the tip!
FIFA Street: Panna/Air Beats Trailer
Another FIFA Street controls tutorial/trailer for you. Again narrated by Stevie Morgan, this one covers nutmegs and air beats.
Source: http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/fifa-street-pannaair-beats-trailer/
Robbie Keane to make debut on Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes
Robbie Keane will make his MLS debut for the�Los Angeles Galaxy�against the San Jose Earthquake on Saturday night.
Keane is en route to American after receiving his visa at the US embassy in Dublin on Wednesday.
The Ireland captain will be introduced to his new team-mates by Galaxy [...]
2010 Expansion Draft List: D.C. United | WVHooligan - Soccer Blog [Digg]
Keeping with the Expansion theme of the day it's time to begin looking at each current MLS roster for the upcoming MLS Expansion Draft next month. Both
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
GALAXY: Donovan 'will be missed'
How much will Everton miss Landon Donovan? Ask Phil Neville.
The Toffees' captain praised Donovan as his loan spell with the Liverpool club came to an end, telling the team's website that the Galaxy star, in his second loan stint to the club in three years, was a “breath of fresh air.”
“Last time he came here, he lit the place up,” said Neville, a former England national-teamer. “He came back this time a couple of years older and with more expectation on his shoulders.Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/14717/galaxy-donovan-will-be-missed
DTotD: Collision with his own keeper knocks out Olof Mellberg
Olympiakos goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri used defender Olof Mellberg to break his fall after clearing a free kick in the 32nd minute of Tuesday's Europa League win over Rubin Kazan. Mellberg appeared woozy and disoriented as Megyeri tried to shake it out of him after calling over the team doctor.
The former Aston Villa defender was able to walk off the pitch, but he went straight to a Moscow hospital, reportedly with "symptoms of a concussion and amnesia." Asking him if he remembers his time with Juventus wasn't exactly a fair question, though.
Other popular content on the Yahoo! network:
? Footballer credited with waking girl from coma
? Shocking allegations about Argentina's 1978 World Cup win
? GrindTV: Pop star Shakira attacked by sea lion
UEFA Champions League TV Listings ? 22 February 2012
UEFA Champions League TV Listings – 22 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
Below are television listings for all the Champions League matches on February 22, 2012. Times listed are GMT or local UK time. FC Basel v Bayern Munich, 19:45 – Fox...
UEFA Champions League TV Listings – 22 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
Source: http://the90thminute.com/soccer/2012/02/uefa-champions-league-tv-listings-22-february-2012/
Even Fernando Torres? Facebook page has forsaken him
With nearly nine million likes, Fernando Torres still enjoys a great deal of support on his Facebook page. But his continued inability to put the ball in the net has even led that bastion of support to promote the loss of faith in his abilities.
On Saturday, before Fernando Torres was subbed off at halftime of Chelsea's 1-1 FA Cup fifth-round match against Birmingham for Didier Drogba, poll results from an outside website revealing that a majority of fans preferred Drogba in the starting XI was posted to the Facebook page by "Fernando Torres." And that posting went on to receive the second most amount of likes in the page's recent history.
Though the story was likely auto-posted to the page simply because it contained his name, this is just another indignity Fernando Torres has been subjected to of late. Poor Fernando.
Thanks to @PoojaM93 for the tip!
Central midfield pairing of Juninho and Kovalenko is key to Los Angeles? title run in | WVHooligan - Soccer Blog [Digg]
The Los Angeles Galaxy currently boasts maybe the most unlikely cast of midfielders of any MLS squad. With over 9 World Cup appearances the Galaxy?s
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Herve Renard Moment
It’s going to take something absolutely monumental to top this moment on a similar stage at any point this year – or perhaps in the long-distance future.
Herve Renard, Zambia’s coach and honorary royalty in the nation now, one would assume, carries the injured Joseph Musonda to celebrate Zambia’s AFCON win. (In case you’ve ignored newsy [...]
Herve Renard, Zambia’s coach and honorary royalty in the nation now, one would assume, carries the injured Joseph Musonda to celebrate Zambia’s AFCON win. (In case you’ve ignored newsy [...]
Source: http://www.worldcupblog.org/african-cup-of-nations/the-herve-renard-moment.html
FIFA Street: Panna Gameplay *UPDATED*
Sick of hearing about FIFA Street? Tough, here’s yet another gameplay video for you�from Gamespot, featuring youtube maestro Marius Hjerpseth (he’s playing as England). It’s a really decent video, which shows off the defensive aspect of the game much more than we’ve seen to date, as well as what to expect from the “commentary”. *UPADTE* [...]
Source: http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/fifa-street-panna-gameplay/
Roy Keane tells Wayne Rooney to keep out of England manager debate
In the immediate aftermath of Fabio Capello's resignation on Wednesday night, a number of England players shared their views on the matter via Twitter. "Gutted Capello has quit. Good guy and top coach. Got to be English to replace him. Harry Redknapp for me," said Wayne Rooney. These comments were relayed to his former teammate and current ITV pundit Roy Keane, who promptly eviscerated him.
Said Keane, in a relaxed yet terrifying sort of way:
"Wayne should keep his nose out of it. I don't think he'd done enough when Capello was the manager with some of his own behavior and off the pitch stuff so, no, Wayne should keep his head on and focus on being a footballer and not worry who's the next manager and just when whoever is announced, he does the business on the pitch for him."
Boom. Roasted! Between this and his critique of Man United's crash out of the Champions League, Keane has been very honest about his former club and its players lately. Much more deserving of Roy's criticism was Michael Owen, who offered his own Twitter analysis of the situation:
Surely we will stick to an Englishman as our next manager. And that should run right through the squad from players to tea lady IMO.
To be fair, Michael only wants an English manager (and tea lady) because they're the only ones who kind of remember that he still exists.
Career Mode: The Road To Success Part III
Mission – Objective – Achievement It’s been a while since parts one and two were released in the Career Mode: The Road To Success series but now we’re back with part three, looking at how Career Mode can improve it’s engagement over what can be a quite�phenomenal�amount of time if you aim for the modes [...]
Source: http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/career-mode-the-road-to-success-part-iii/
UEFA Power Rankings ? 20 February 2012
UEFA Power Rankings – 20 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
Below are my weekly power rankings for the top (8) clubs teams in UEFA. These rankings are a combination of their play in domestic and UEFA competitions. Real Madrid continue...
UEFA Power Rankings – 20 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
Source: http://the90thminute.com/soccer/2012/02/uefa-power-rankings-20-february-2012/
Monday, February 20, 2012
Manchester police confiscate Man Utd fanzine with Luis Suarez KKK hood cut-out
The Greater Manchester Police confiscated all copies of a Manchester United fanzine called Red Issue outside of Old Trafford ahead of the big handshake showdown (and football match) between Man United and Liverpool. The unofficial magazine was deemed "incitement to racial hatred" for including a cut-out of a KKK mask with the words "LFC" at the top and "Suarez is innocent" at the bottom in reference to Liverpool's steadfast defense of Luis Suarez even after he was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra and banned for eight matches.
Of course, Luis Suarez went on to help nothing by refusing to shake Evra's before the match, but he has yet to be seized by the GMP on the same charge as Red Issue.
Drew Brees Still Has Two Milestones To Eclipse
Last night, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees broke Dan Marino’s single-season NFL passing record in a blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons. Marino set the old record of 5,084 yards with the Miami Dolphins in 1984. Brees now sits at 5,087 yards. Perhaps the most amazing thing is that he broke this record in [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/12/27/drew-brees-still-has-two-milestones-to-eclipse/
International Rules Football Is A Dog?s Game
Yesterday, our pals at Dirty Tackle decided to highlight a Copa Sudamericana match in which a dog invaded the pitch and held up play for 3 minutes. The suggestion that this dog might have been “the most successful pitch invader ever” falls flat, however, when you consider this rather famous moment from the International Rules [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/10/27/international-rules-football-is-a-dogs-game/
Footballers overcoming adversity to play the beautiful game
Footballers overcoming adversity to play the beautiful game - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Despite the common trait of footballers being poor role models and lacking integrity, some players and their backgrounds can inspire you. The majority of footballers have an enviable life and everything they could ever imagine on a silver platter, but these combatants have had to overcome adversity to play the beautiful game. Ivan Klasnic –...
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/anSXsNGsoeA/
Zlatan Ibrahimovic introduces first interactive biography app, explains his tattoos
"Remember, there's only one Zlatan and this is Zlatan and this is my story." -- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (seriously)
And with that statement*, Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic introduces what is claimed to be the world's first interactive biography app now available (in English) for the iPad. Based around his best-selling book, aptly titled "I am Zlatan," the app includes the full text of his story (some fantastic, Guardiola-bashing excerpts here), as well as an impressive number of images and videos all presented in a unique and visually pleasing interface at the price of $18.99 (�13.49/?14.99).
Having bought the app, I can say that it truly is impressive and endlessly entertaining (both intentionally and unintentionally). It features Zlatan's video breakdowns of some of his greatest goals ("The journalists said I was shouting, 'Zlatan, Zlatan!' But that's not true. I was yelling, 'Showtime, showtime!'"), an interactive map spotted with stories of Zlatan's travels, and, in a rare non-Zlatan moment, a stop-motion study of Retired Ronaldo's technique (IamZlatan.com has a full preview).
One of the very best features of the app, however, is Zlatan's explanation of all his tattoos. There are two interactive pages devoted to his tattoos (one for the front and one for the back) and some of his statements on their meaning are just delightfully Zlatan...
Some choice cuts:
-On the barely legible "ZLATAN" tattoo in white ink across his stomach: "My first tattoo was a white line on my belly. You could hardly see it. It was mostly a test."
-On the "Only God can judge me" text along the left side of his toreso: "The words are from a song by the rapper, Tupac. 'They could write whatever they wanted in the papers. Scream anything at all from the stands. They still couldn't get at me. Only God could judge me! I liked that.'"
-On the red dragon along the right side of his toreso: "In Japanese culture, the dragon represents a warrior, and I was a warrior."
-On the Japanese koi on his left shoulder: "A carp, the fish that swims against the current."
-On the five faces of Buddha in the center of his back: "They stand for the five elements, water, earth, fire, and so on."
Those last two elements are tricky to remember. Even for Zlatan.
*Somewhere, Zlatan Muslimovic is crying.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Bob Bradley is standing up as a leader of Egypt
The face of the United States in the Middle East right now isn't President Barack Obama, any elected official or a military leader. It is Bob Bradley.
The 53-year old Bradley, who coached the United States national team to the second round of the 2010 World Cup after they captured their opening round group, took over as national team head coach of Egypt this past September. Now living in a Cairo apartment with his wife, he saw the impact of a riot following a match in Port Said, resulting in 74 dead.
Realizing he was a part of something bigger than himself, Bradley and his coaching staff joined the peace march on the next day.
"We felt it was important to show our respect to the families of the young people who lost their lives; we felt it was important to share that moment with the people there in Sphinx Square," Bradley told Yahoo! Sports.
"When there is a tragedy, it is important that all leaders stand up ? whether that is leaders in the government or in the community. When you are the national team coach in Egypt, you're a leader and you must stand up and help. And I've found that people here, when you do anything at all that they see as good for Egypt, they appreciate it."
Bradley was not at the rivalry match in Port Said between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly, instead he watched the first half on television with his coaching staff before heading to scout a league match in Cairo later in the evening. In the first half, he recalls a charged atmosphere but at no point did he think there would be bloodshed after the final whistle.
It wasn't just sports-related violence, Bradley explains. Al-Ahly's supporters club, known as Ultras Ahlawy, were a moving force in the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak from office. The American coach bristles at the "hooligan" idea behind this incident.
There is a much bigger picture here.
"This was not a case of fan violence, this isn't the typical soccer story that people love to report around the world, of soccer fans and hooligans. This had a much deeper value stemming from the revolution and the things surrounding that. A big part of it is that in the revolution and the protests since, the ultras from Ahly, these young people were a driving force in the protest and the revolution. They continue to be, they feel that the military in charge is still part of the old regime. What it is important to say is that in the past year, what often happens is that political turmoil can be sparked by an incident," Bradley said.
"But this underlying current of trying to push the country forward, of trying to continue in the same way where people pushed to out Mubarak, this is going step by step and all these things continue to face different issues. And that's directly what happened in Port Said."
Follow Kristian R. Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/bob-bradley-standing-leader-egypt-212541782.html
Maxi was Just Hurt, Dalglish on Progress, and Other Friday Notes
In terms of slow-seeming weeks, this one couldn’t have come at a worse time. Saturday’s debacle at Old Trafford, the self-righteous moral crusades it inspired, and Sunday’s apology avalanche from Luis Suarez, Ian Ayre, and Kenny Dalglish made for a miserable 24 hours. We were desperate for a break from all that, and then nothing [...]
2012 MLS Allocation Order
You have asked, and now you shall receive. Below is the 2012 MLS Allocation Order. Here’s a little background on the allocation order: The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a U.S. National Team player who signs with MLS after playing abroad, or a former?[continue reading]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/er2UjQctPek/
Zlatan Ibrahimovic introduces first interactive biography app, explains his tattoos
"Remember, there's only one Zlatan and this is Zlatan and this is my story." -- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (seriously)
And with that statement*, Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic introduces what is claimed to be the world's first interactive biography app now available (in English) for the iPad. Based around his best-selling book, aptly titled "I am Zlatan," the app includes the full text of his story (some fantastic, Guardiola-bashing excerpts here), as well as an impressive number of images and videos all presented in a unique and visually pleasing interface at the price of $18.99 (�13.49/?14.99).
Having bought the app, I can say that it truly is impressive and endlessly entertaining (both intentionally and unintentionally). It features Zlatan's video breakdowns of some of his greatest goals ("The journalists said I was shouting, 'Zlatan, Zlatan!' But that's not true. I was yelling, 'Showtime, showtime!'"), an interactive map spotted with stories of Zlatan's travels, and, in a rare non-Zlatan moment, a stop-motion study of Retired Ronaldo's technique (IamZlatan.com has a full preview).
One of the very best features of the app, however, is Zlatan's explanation of all his tattoos. There are two interactive pages devoted to his tattoos (one for the front and one for the back) and some of his statements on their meaning are just delightfully Zlatan...
Some choice cuts:
-On the barely legible "ZLATAN" tattoo in white ink across his stomach: "My first tattoo was a white line on my belly. You could hardly see it. It was mostly a test."
-On the "Only God can judge me" text along the left side of his toreso: "The words are from a song by the rapper, Tupac. 'They could write whatever they wanted in the papers. Scream anything at all from the stands. They still couldn't get at me. Only God could judge me! I liked that.'"
-On the red dragon along the right side of his toreso: "In Japanese culture, the dragon represents a warrior, and I was a warrior."
-On the Japanese koi on his left shoulder: "A carp, the fish that swims against the current."
-On the five faces of Buddha in the center of his back: "They stand for the five elements, water, earth, fire, and so on."
Those last two elements are tricky to remember. Even for Zlatan.
*Somewhere, Zlatan Muslimovic is crying.
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