September 30, 2009
Thriller LINKS
Dirty Tackle is trying to figure if that's what Ghana U-20 team was trying to pull off in this celebration.I can see it. Except for the guy with heartburn.
Now the links:
- Former AEK Athens owner a fraud. [Yahoo!]
- Pep cleared in doping case. [SI]
- UEFA W.C. qualifying playoffs will be seeded. [Guardian]
- Lothar Matthaus to take the Hertha Berlin job? [AFP]
- Soccer will stay in the Olympics. [Canadian Press]
- Cisse has some ban reduced. [ESPN]
- Attacked French fan dies. [Reuters]
- Sweden recalls Henrik Larsson. [USA Today]
- Liverpool is seeking for some investors. [BBC]
- Roy Keane still without a win at Ipswich. [Telegraph]
- Video: Alternate Chelsea v. Liverpool. [The Offside]
- Fergie gives his own player marriage advice. [101GG]
- FIFA says U.S. qualifying will be at Honduras. [SBI]
- A Q&A with Milan's Clarence Seedorf. [Goal!]
- Mexico pulls out of World Cup chase. [Times]
- Sepp v. goal-line technology. [HappyGhana.com]
Afternoon transfers
Here we go:- Chelsea ban all but guarantees loaned Di Santo's return to the Blues.
- Selling Gary Cahill is suicide for Bolton.
- Wigan deal out for Mbami?
- Kanu to Australia?
- Fulham to save Nigel Reo-Coker from the Aston Villa doghouse?
- Xerez is looking at some Carlos Vela.
- Arsenal interested in Keko, a Fernando Torres-lite from Atletico Madrid.
United steward breaks a City guy's legs?
Apparently this guy got shoved down some stairs.He broke both of his legs.
He was taken to hospital only when a policeman saw him crumpled and bleeding from cuts to his head, face and arms.He was busted for smoking in the bathroom, but this seems a bit harsh.
Maradona's ace in the hole -- God
No worries Argentina.Despite trying to find a way to keep one of the most talented teams in the world away from the World Cup, coach Maradona has a secret weapon.
"The bearded one (God) saved me many times before - and I hope he will do so this time," Maradona told Cadena 3 radio.I guess it has been 23 years since he asked for God's hand...
MLS power rankings: week 28
Only a couple issues left of this weekly feature. Man, every Wednesday for seven months. Time season has flown by.Anyways, the Sounders FC take a bit of a tumble. If Seattle doesn't make the playoffs after this year they've had, there are gonna be a lot of unhappy people up here in the Pacific Northwest.
But they have to earn it.
And fortunately other teams in the league haven't made the Sounders FC pay for its lack of form (Colorado, D.C.). Though going to Columbus for its next game won't help the rave green too much.
Here we go:
1. (1) Columbus Crew 12-4-10
2. (2) Houston Dynamo 12-8-7
3. (4) Chicago Fire 10-6-11
4. (3) L.A. Galaxy 10-6-11
5. (8) New England Revolution 10-8-7
6. (7) Chivas USA 11-9-5
7. (5) Seattle Sounders FC 9-7-11
8. (6) Colorado Rapids 10-8-9
9. (10) Toronto FC 9-10-8
10. (9) D.C. United 8-7-12
11. (11) Real Salt Lake 9-11-7
12. (13) F.C. Dallas 8-12-6
13. (12) Kansas City Wizards 8-11-7
14. (14) San Jose Earthquakes 6-12-7
15. (15) N.Y. Red Bulls 4-17-6
Nick's car gets Bendt
Man, can you believe Arsenal star Nicklas Bendtner walked away uninjured from this wreck?$270,000 all busted up on a tree.
Dang...
U.S. U-20s beat Cameroon 4-1
Ha!How you like that Cameroon? And our U-20 team supposedly sucks (look at that celebration!).
Though you do get props for having a guy named Banana Yaya on your team.
The Americans are still very much alive after two World Cup group stage games. They play last-place Korea in a couple days.
Here are some highlights, the third goal by Dilly Duka is so awesome.
Champions League roundup
Group EFiorentina shocked visiting Liverpool 2-0, both goals coming from Stevan Jovetic. It was the Reds first away-loss in 16 months. Lyon picked up a huge win on the road, 4-0 at Debrecen. Three goals came in the first 24 minutes.
Group F
Inter Milan was held to a disappointing 1-1 draw against FK Rubin Kazan in Russia. The Italians were perhaps lucky to escape with a point, especially considering Mario Balotelli's send off. In the other game, Barca dispatched of Dynamo Kiev 2-0.
Group G
Sevilla rocked host Rangers with a 4-1 win. Luis Fabiano (above) and Freddie Kanoute led the Spanish side to a dominating win. Also, Stuttgart got a point on the road, tying Unirea Urziceni (they're Romanian) 1-1.
Group H
Arsenal got past Olympiakos with a 2-0 win behind second-half goals from Robin van Persie and Andrei Arshavin. On the other side, AZ Alkmaar and Standard Liege tied 1-1 on a last-gasp equalizer from the Belgians.
Beckham's getting voice lessons?
David Beckham apparently wants to make his voice deeper. So it sounds better on TV, for when he retires and inevitably gets hired by ESPN as an in-house soccer expert.That's what everybody is saying (not the ESPN bit...):
"David is quite keen to move into TV work when he finally retires. He’s got the looks and the knowledge, but knows his voice needs work," Contact Music reports. “Victoria knows being British can be an asset in the States, but only if the American public can understand what you’re talking about.”Makes sense. His voice is pretty high and girly.
Though I had no idea being British is an asset over here. And just because his voice is deeper, doesn't guarantee he'll be easier to understand...
September 29, 2009
Gag reel LINKS
Hilarious shot found over at Off the Post.Yes Fergie, you can have all the time you need.
To the links:
- FIFA wants to deter violent conduct. [BBC]
- Ref reports racism in Spain. [MLive]
- Cyberpolice after W.C. ticket fraud. [ESPN]
- West Ham and Millwall charged. [Canadian Press]
- Arsenal boasts record profits. [AP]
- Bendtner was in a car accident. [Unprofessional Foul]
- Real Madrid dude breaks a guy's leg. [SkySports]
- Saudi buying some of Liverpool? [Goal.com]
- Turkish dude cheated to become coach. [SI]
- EPL teams as countries. Well done. [ONTD]
- C. Ronaldo still digging some United. [The Spoiler]
- One man's world's top 25. [Soccer Source]
- Can you guess the noses? [FourFourTwo]
- Team breaks 111-game winless streak. [Yahoo!]
- Roy Keane is a mean texter. [News of the World]
- Real Madrid extends shirt deal with bwin. [USA Today]
Transferizzle
Lot of American/MLS influence today:- Ade Akinbiyi to Notts County?
- Speaking of which, did New York pass on Sol Campbell?
- Is Roy Keane and Ipswich also interested in the waffling veteran?
- De Rosario to get a new deal?
- Houston gave Brian Ching one?
- Rafa says lots of teams are interested in Fernando Torres.
- Ben Arfa leaving Marseille?
- MLS getting a Dodo?
- Fergie is shopping for youngsters again.
Ronaldo's back
The Brazilian scored his first goal after his hand injury.He's also got an awful bobblehead. Fat, ugly, evil with boobs?
Could be worse though, he could be the Portuguese Ronaldo and be cursed by a witch.
MLS roundup: week 28
The run to the playoffs continues and a couple teams, Seattle and D.C., are doing their bids no favors with losses in games they should've won. Damn you Shalrie!Colorado will also have hoped for better than two points in two games (home against San Jose and at Kansas City). Even Chicago and Chivas USA tying at home to lesser competition (Toronto and New York, respectively), won't be pleased.
Heck, it might've been San Jose with the best week -- four points in two road games.
Columbus continues to prove why they should be considered the league favorite with a 2-0 win against the David Beckham-less Galaxy.
Results and goals at the bottom. Be absolutely sure to watch Fredy Montero's strike, the MLS goal of the year.
Sunday
D.C. United 1-2 San Jose 'Quakes (A: 14,375)
Saturday
Columbus Crew 2-0 L.A. Galaxy (A: 20,966)
N.E. Revolution 2-1 Seattle Sounders FC (A: 15,961)
K.C. Wizards 0-0 Colorado Rapids (A: 9,784)
Chicago Fire 2-2 Toronto FC (A: 16,890)
Chivas USA 1-1 N.Y. Red Bulls (A:
Wednesday
Colorado Rapids 1-1 San Jose 'Quakes (A: 6,234)
Patrick Dempsey digging him some Real Madrid
VIDEO: Holy Russian hooligans
Dirty Tackle says over 100 Russians gathered for the organized brawl.
Man does it get nasty.
Just like the movies, but with an extra dose of reality and brutality.
Darren Bent's all-star team (via Twitter)
Quickly updated -- and weakened -- to add his friend and teammate in.Great stuff.
Only on Twitter.
Credit the find to The Spoiler.
Americans getting hurt
A heart-breaking Sounders FC loss to New England was sad not just as a result. But it might have been the last time Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston took the field.The league's all-time leader in games and minutes played tore his ACL on Saturday.
At 35 years old, he could be done.
In other injury news, this time in England, it appears as though Jay DeMerit might need surgery after cutting his eye while removing a contact lens. It got infected and has partially blinded him.
And lastly, while you never root for injuries, I'm sure some Sounders FC fans are displeased that D.C. United and ex-Portland Timbers goalkeeper Josh Wicks is out for a while too.
Down goes Chelsea (EPL roundup)
As I've mentioned a couple times, I predicted Chelsea would be in at least a tie for the EPL lead on point total until the end of the season.After a shocking 3-1 defeat to Wigan (no thanks to Petr Cech's sendoff), the Blues have no room for error now and share the top of the table with Manchester United -- the beneficiaries of a 2-0 win against Stoke City thanks to two Ryan Giggs' assists.
In other league highlights, Tottenham's Robbie Keane found his finishing form with four goals in a 5-0 win against Burnley. Fernando Torres also had a fine hat-trick in a 6-1 Liverpool win against Hull City.Manchester City continues to play in top form. Sunderland hit Wolves for five. And Arsenal escaped Craven Cottage with a 1-0 win.
Oh and credit Tim Howard with a fine shutout of Portsmouth as well.
Here are the results and some highlights:
Monday
Manchester City 3-1 West Ham (A: 42,745)
Sunday
Sunderland 5-2 Wolverhampton (A: 37,566)
Saturday
Portsmouth 0-1 Everton (A: 18,116)
Blackburn 2-1 Aston Villa (A: 25,172)
Tottenham 5-0 Burnley (A: 35,462)
Birmingham 1-2 Bolton (A: 28,671)
Wigan 3-1 Chelsea (A: 18,542)
Stoke City 0-2 Manchester Utd (A: 27,500)
Liverpool 6-1 Hull City (A: 44,392)
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal (A: 25,700)
September 28, 2009
September 27, 2009
September 26, 2009
September 25, 2009
Game over LINKS
The little City-United back and forth on those poster boards is officially over.Winner: United.
Sorry boys.
Now the links:
- Honduras will probably get that qualifier at home. [Yahoo!]
- Capello will have a short leash on troublemakers. [Mirror]
- Mexico stadiums open despite new flu. [SI]
- MLS folk say Beckham boosted marketability. [TribalFootball]
- Red Bulls reward fans for perseverance. [Goal!]
- Defiant Favre (not Brett) not leaving. [ESPN]
VIDEO: GK moving the goal posts?
Keepers are clearly another breed. Look at this guy. Trying to make the goal smaller?
Word is he's facing a suspension.
G. Neville: We deserve to be super rich
Manchester United's Gary Neville had some fan-friendly words for the hard-working folk of the world:'There's a product there that people love. Fans are crucial but without the player you have nothing.'Read: we're awesome, extremely awesome, fans are OK as long as they keep paying our hefty paychecks...
Transfer camp
Rounding out the week's rumors:- Sulley Muntari and Tottenham.
- Arsenal trying to steal a Fulham defender.
- Dos Santos is stuck with the Spurs for now.
- West Ham and Luca Toni.
- Joseph Ngwenya and N.Y. Red Bulls.
- Inter Milan is eyeing some Lazio forward.
Record-breaking Ronaldo
Apparently it took the big signing four games to set a club record.Ronaldo is the first Real Madrid player ever to score a goal in his first four league games with the team. And some of his strikes have been worldclass.
And if that's not enough La Liga news, did you hear the league is considering changing kickoffs times to suit Chinese viewers better?
Wild, I know...
VIDEO: Kid messes with Ibra
Didn't a kid do similar to this to Steven Gerrard back in the day?
Anyways, from the little guy's reaction, I'm guessing the cameraman (dad?) put him up to it.
Rio restaurant
Apparently manning the backline for one of the biggest teams in the world and starting up a new magazine isn't enough for Rio Ferdinand.Time to branch out and and open a Manchester restaurant named "Rosso". Said a spokesperson:
“We want it to be a really nice, relaxed place for people to come and dine and it’s not going to be ridiculously expensive, it will be good food at a good price…"That's Rio. A man of the people.
Barcelona = spies?
Of course, the allegation is that the team spied on its own: four board directors or vice presidents or something like that.The club is claiming it was for security -- so it admitted to some shadiness -- and that some of the VIPS were been watched/stalked/followed by other teams. And it cost $82,800.
"We didn't want to spy on them but protect them,'' [Barcelona general director Joan] Olive was quoted as saying by news agency Europa Press.Man, I don't know what to think of this. And would've been way more exciting if they were spying on Real Madrid, but what can you do...?
Either way, some secret stuff is going on in Spain.
Racism and non-racism?
Stoke recently apologized to Blackpool striker Jason Euell for apparent racism at a Tuesday match. The offender has since been arrested and faces a stadium ban.Everton on the other hand took a different approach, and is demanding an apology from Blackburn's El Hadji-Diouf for false accusations of racism.
Bizarre.
And such an odd coincidence that the two players involved by for Blackpool and Blackburn...
VIDEO: Peter Crouch did what?
The big ol' Tottenham striker capped his hat trick with a nifty, crafty, cheeky little backheel volley.
Oh man. Worthy of a robot dance for sure.
Everton dude robbed at knifepoint
Liverpool is a scary place. And apparently it's not just the Reds getting robbed by those Scouser hooligans.Everton defender Phil Jagielka was at home resting his injured knee watching his teammates played Hull when his house was broken into.
The three knifemen took his jewelry and the keys to his car.
Sucks man.
All about Arsene Wenger
Man, the Arsenal manager must have had one helluva press conference the other day because there were countless stories online about the ol' Frenchman.First off, and best off. Wenger credits growing up in a pub for his knowledge of the game:
I learned about tactics and selection from the people talking about football in the pub – who plays on the left wing and who should be in the team."That's awesome.
He also said he doesn't believe in retiring, that he thinks Sol Campbell still has a future in big-time football and that Bordeaux needs to chill over the Chamakh situation.
Good stuff Arsene.
USMNT v. Holland?
The L.A. Times with the scoop here:Although U.S. Soccer has not announced or confirmed it, Coach Bob Bradley's team is likely to play a friendly match against the Netherlands in March, most likely March 3 in the Dutch city of Eindhoven.Now that would be a fun one.
Can't say the U.S. hasn't played some exciting teams of late: Spain, Brazil, Argentina, England, Italy, etc.
September 24, 2009
Imitating LINKS
Not sure why you'd want to imitate Maradona these days.Might be shot by accident.
Pretty funny though.
To the links:
- One crazy road trip. [Off the Post]
- Brian McBride Q&A. [Goal! NY Times]
- Where are all the EPL draws? [Unprofessional Foul]
- The week's best quotes and chants. [Sanford's Soccer Net]
- Kevin Keegan wants 8 million pounds. Good luck. [Telegraph]
- Rapid Vienna to wear red versus Celtic. [Guardian]
- Liverpool tells fans that protesting scares investors. [Dirty Tackle]
- Chivas beats Chivas USA. [Goal.com]
- Messi hits back at Argentina criticism. [FourFourTwo]
- Rapids tie Quakes again, 1-1. [Yahoo!]
- Carling Cup roundup (all the favorites win). [ESPN]
- Mark Hughes wants less hysteria over City stories. [UK Press]
- Brazil says W.C. fans will spend $3.6 billion. [SI.com]
- Javier Mascherano escapes FA charge. [Daily Mail]
Transfer center
Here we go:- Robben tells Ribery not to leave Bayern.
- Portsmouth in no hurry to sign anyone.
- Sol Campbell to Tottenham? What?
- He'd have to wait until January to play.
- Aston Villa to banish player to Newcastle?
- Bordeaux hates Wenger, even before he officially steals Chamakh.
- The future of van der Sar?
Ronaldo forced to take paternity test
That's something I never want to be ordered to do.Apparently the Brazilian is embroiled in a paternity dispute and a DNA is the last resort.
Speaking about her child 27-year-old Michele Umrazu said: "His hair, his eyes, his nose are the same as Ronaldo's."The some damn good evidence.
I guess her ex-fiance's DNA test came up negative...
VIDEO: Good meets good
Goalkeepers entering the run of play implies: desperation, cockiness or eccentricity.
Not this GK. He's come up with a memorable assist...
Ex-Roma coach Spalletti to coach criminals
I'm biting my tongue from saying lots of people involved in Italian soccer are criminals.But Luciano Spalletti is going to manage actual convicts in a unique game coming up Saturday.
According to La Repubblica, the Italian will take part in a specially organised match that will see members of parliament take on convicted criminals on a prison football pitch in Massa.It's prisoners, police officers and local politicians versus the parliamentary team.
Apparently the event is supposed to shed light on prison life. I wonder how physical it might get.
You know those Italians...
Carlo Ancelotti gallery
The Guardian folk have at it on the new Chelsea manager. I'd say a B-minus effort here.
Drew Carey crashes the party
Turns out the comedian/TV host/Sounders FC co-owner has joined the board of the U.S. bidding committee trying to land the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.Hopefully the decision makers have a sense of humor. Or love The Price is Right...
All about U.S. soccer stadiums
Think Seattle is killing it in attendance this season?Next season could be better, as one report says the club might open up the north-end bleachers (often referred to as the Hawk's Nest, where that Xbox banner is) for games next year.
That would add 2,200 seats to the capacity, making it 34,600.
Makes sense, heck the waiting list for season tickets is about 6,000.
Also in other notes, PGE Park's capacity in Portland is looking like it'll be 17K with the potential to hold 22K if the demand is there. Finally, there is some speculation that the new Dallas Cowboys stadium could get the World Cup final, should the U.S. be awarded the tournament.
Though I think a new soccer-specific stadium (New York...?), is the more likely option.
Things are getting crazy in Honduras
Apparently there have been violent breakouts when ousted President Manuel Zelaya snuck back into the country.Airports are closed. Supporters of Zelaya are clashing with police, and things are in general turmoil.
Not the ideal set up for October 10th's World Cup qualifier, eh?
"We're continuing to monitor the situation and remain in contact with CONCACAF and FIFA," U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said.That's good. Word is the game could be moved to a neutral site, which is good for the U.S., but bad in every other aspect.
Landon Donovan says just win baby.
September 23, 2009
Murder rate LINKS
Don't worry, it's going down.And South Africa is happy to report it leading into the World Cup. Though robberies are up and that pushed the overall crime up.
Only slightly more than 18K were murdered last year. But I think when it comes to that stuff, no news is good news.
To the links:
- A little Carling Cup roundup. [SkySports]
- Ronaldinho expectedly quashes retirement rumors. [DailyMail]
- USMNT Hall of Fame closing to public. [ESPN]
- Advocaat talking up some Belgium expectations. [Reuters]
- MLS reserve league is missed, says Canales. [SI]
- Serbian teams to played in empty stadiums. [Yahoo!]
- Chivas dude suspended for kicking Montero's face. [Times]
- Tevez says Manchester abuse was hard to take. [Goal.com]
- Free beer all over the place for Bayern Munich fans. [DT]
- Top 25 footie websites, well deserved to all of 'em. [Telegraph]
- Sol Campbell quits after one day at Notts County. [Guardian]
Transfer refund
They keep coming:- Apparently Samuel Eto'o wants a buyout or refund or something from Barca from the transfer. Or something.
- David Beckham, surprisingly, doesn't know what his future holds.
- Milan and Juve among those after Gary Cahill.
- Giuseppe Rossi skeptical about Madrid interest.
- Former Man. City defender in high demand.
- Chamakh really doesn't want to stay at Bordeaux.
What a ripoff!
Oh man, did you hear what Sevilla is doing to its poor fans. The club is jacking up the ticket prices like crazy for the Real Madrid match.Not being very nice to the people writing your paycheck.
Almost as mean as sending off four of your team's players, only to get them back in some weird, not-really transfers.
MLS power rankings: week 27
I didn't have much time to check out the MLS action this weekend. A certain nation-rattling college football upset had my attention on Saturday.My opinions will have to be based on results and recaps.
We did have a GBS sighting as the Argentine scored two second-half goals to give the Crew a 2-2 draw at Chicago. The Sounders FC still can't score at half, plus Houston and L.A. had big wins.
There were six goals after the 80th minute (a couple via PK) and three red cards. Only a couple more to go:
1. (1) Columbus Crew 11-4-9
2. (4) Houston Dynamo 11-8-7
3. (3) L.A. Galaxy 9-5-11
4. (2) Chicago Fire 10-6-9
5. (5) Seattle Sounders FC 9-6-10
6. (6) Colorado Rapids 10-8-6
7. (7) Chivas USA 11-9-3
8. (8) New England Revolution 9-8-6
9. (10) D.C. United 8-6-12
10. (9) Toronto FC 9-9-7
11. (11) Real Salt Lake 9-9-7
12. (13) Kansas City Wizards 7-11-6
13. (12) F.C. Dallas 7-11-6
14. (14) San Jose Earthquakes 5-12-5
15. (15) N.Y. Red Bulls 4-17-4
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