THE BACK FOUR

Russian gangster brings strong arm tactics to the web; oh yea and Jose got sacked (w/ Euro power rankings)

2007-09-20T20:53:00.000-05:00

I'm sure most everyone has heard about the sacking of the (former) Chelski boss, Jose Mourinho, and his two-headed replacement thats keeping the seat warm for Guus Hiddink (as Jose lines up for a potential job with his homelands national team) so I want to bring light to a story that might get lost in the media firestorm that has folllowed the shocking news.

Potential Arsenal suitor and convicted criminal, Alisher Usmanov, is resorting to astounding tactics on the day that Jose was sacked, thanks to his good friends at the Schillings law firm. David Warner can take it from here:

Yesterday, I suggested in this story that Craig Murray, the former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, is badmouthing Alisher Usmanov, the billionaire Russian steel magnate attempting to take over Premier League club Arsenal, because he wants to sell you a book he wrote about his experience in that former Soviet republic. It has become clear today, however, that whatever Murray is attempting to sell, Usmanov and his lawyers do not want anyone to buy it.

According to Tom Dunmore at PitchInvasion.net, Craig Murray's web site was taken off line today after sustained pressure on Murray's web hosting provider from Schillings, the London law firm representing Usmanov. What's more, Schillings has also managed to put the kibosh on political site Bloggerheads three days after Tim Ireland wrote this piece on Schillings' cease & desist letters.

Web sites for English politicians Boris Johnson and Bob Piper were also taken down in part because they fell under Ireland's purview. In addition, Pitch Invasion and Arseblog have both received legal pressure from Schillings to remove any links and references to Murray and his accusations of Usmanov's criminal past.

The timing of this latest attack is quite interesting, as it all went down the same day that Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho, all but guaranteeing that nobody in the mainstream media would be paying any attention to it. Unfortunately for Schillings, their success in taking down these web sites has resulted in this story being publicized all over the web.

Political blog Chicken Yoghurt has compiled a list of blogs that have publicized this story as a result of both Murray's site and Ireland's sites being taken down. Several dozen sites are now screaming censorship at Usmanov and Schillings for their actions, and it's hard to say they don't have a point.

It appears Schillings has fallen victim to something our pals at Techdirt like to call "The Streisand Effect." Back in 2003, Barbra Streisand sued a photographer in an attempt to remove an aerial photo of her California home from the Internet, despite the fact that the photo was part of a publicly funded coastline erosion study and wasn't even labeled as her home. As a result, photos of her house were published all over the web within days.

A similar situation happened last year to Diebold when internal memos discussing their easily hackable electronic voting machines were leaked to the web, and a group of students at Swarthmore College published the memos to the web. Diebold attempted to have the memos removed, claiming the students were committing copyright infringement. The company was successfully sued for issuing unlawful takedown notices under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and forced to pay $125,000 in damages.

Interestingly enough, a blogger called Sepisticle published a takedown notice from Schillings and then removed it after Schillings claimed it was a "copyrighted letter."

Much most interesting, though, is that for all their claims that Murray is libeling their client, Schillings has not actually sued Murray for libel. They have told anyone who will listen that Murray's book, Murder at Samarkand, is defamatory against Usmanov, but it's been out for more than a year, and they have never taken any legal action against Murray. Instead, they seem more focused on getting any mention of Murray and his allegations against Usmanov removed from the web -- and as the Streisand Effect teaches us, that's pretty much impossible.

If Murray's goal was to make Usmanov look like a thug, then mission accomplished, and it may be why the remaining Arsenal board members are redoubling their efforts to prevent Usmanov from taking over the club. If Murray ever finds his way back to the Internet, this story could get even nastier. Let's just hope nobody finds any polonium-210 in their soup because of this.

Pretty amazing stuff but who can be surprised when a country has such strong libel laws that can even protect a convicted criminal.

Euro Power Rankings: (modified slightly)
1) AC Milan
2) Real Madrid
3) Arsenal
4) AS Roma
5) Liverpool
6) Bayern Munich
7) Sevilla
8) FC Barcelona
9) Manchester United
10) FC Porto

Quick Hits:

Some surprising UEFA cup results with Premier League sides struggling, with the exception of Spurs.
Of course after surprisingly drawing with Chelski in the Champions League, Rosenborg has Norwegians freaking out about potential hooligans when the Blues come to town.
The Gunners are on fire, someone put out Cesc Fabregas.
Brazilian footballer Kerlon might not want to try his patented seal dribble again:

Ouch!

The Champions League is here! Best XI and weekend wrap up

2007-09-18T09:47:00.000-05:00

First off -- a breakdown of Saturday and Sunday's premier league action -- and shame on the Toons for losing to cellar-dwellar's Derby - Michael Owen might have injured himself in the embarrassing result.

Here's the Best XI:

TEAM OF THE WEEK

GK: Pepe Reina (Liverpool)

LCB: Stephen Kelly (Birmingham)
CB: Kolo Toure (Arsenal)
RCB: Nemanja Vidic (Man United)

LM: Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham)
CM: Michael Johnson (Man City)
CM: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
RM: Lee Bowyer (West Ham)

ST: Dean Ashton (West Ham)
ST: Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland)
ST: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
Manager: Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)

My star of the weekend was Cesc Fabregas, who was absolutley brilliant and is quickly making people forget about Thierry Henry. Here's what the Best XI article has to say about Cesc Fabregas:

Cesc Fabregas has struck an early claim for Player of the Year with his consistently superb performances for Arsenal this season. Five goals in eight games so far from midfield answers those doubts about his scoring abilities, and his thirty-yard screamer in the north London derby was as good as any of those. He also set up two for Adebayor and strolled away with another MOTM award.

Chelski is a broken egg says Jose.

A breakdown of today's beginning stage of the Champion's league:

The UEFA Champions League roars into action on Tuesday as the highly anticipated group stages begin.
Six of Tuesday's games are live on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports Xtra, whilst you can also now catch the action live on skysports.com on your PC with our brilliant broadband service.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Celtic all get their Champions League campaigns underway on Tuesday with the three sides all dreaming of reaching this season's final in Moscow.
Holders Milan also begin the defence of their trophy with a home clash against Benfica.
Group A is Liverpool's domain and last season's finalists kick-off their assault on a sixth European crown with a tricky trip to Porto.
In the other game in the group under-performing Marseille play host to Besiktas at Stade Velodrome.
Group B sees Chelsea entertain Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge looking to finally go further than the semi-finals.
In the other game in the group Valencia travel to Germany to take on Schalke.
Nine-times winners Real Madrid go in search of a record tenth success in Group C and they get underway with a home clash with Werder Bremen, live on Sky Sports Xtra, while Olympiakos play host to Lazio in the game.
Group D sees champions Milan looking to become the first team to retain the Champions League in its current format and they get the defence of their trophy underway against Benfica.
In the other group game Celtic face a daunting trip to Ukraine to take on Shakhatr Donetsk, live on Sky Sports 2Click below for detailed previews on each game.

Group A:
Marseille v Besiktas: Marseille have never faced a Turkish team in the CL before.
Porto v Liverpool : Porto have never lost a CL home game against English sides.

Group B:
Chelsea v Rosenborg: Chelsea have kept eight clean sheets in the last 11 home CL matches.
Schalke v Valencia: Valencia have lost only once in the last seven CL away games.

Group C:
Real Madrid v Werder Bremen: Real have lost just one match at the Bernabeu in the last 21 in the competition (v Arsenal), drawing four and winning 16.
Olympiakos v Lazio: The Greek team have won just once in the last 13 CL games, against Real Madrid.

Group D:
Milan v Benfica: In the last 20 CL home games at the San Siro, Milan have won 16, drawn two and lost two.

Shakhtar v Celtic: In 13 CL away games, Celtic have lost 12 and shared the points once, against Barcelona.

I got my eyes on the Porto v. Liverpool match-up -- should be a tough challenge for Rafa's boys, while tomorrow features the intriguing match-up of Arsenal v. Sevilla.

Here are some Champions league predictions.

Quick hits and a Weekend preview...

2007-09-14T15:50:00.000-05:00

Some quick hits to start out:

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney will both be back in SAF's squad but SAF isn't sure yet if Rooney will be unleashed.

Chelski tells Real Madrid to back off of Michael Ballack.

Micah Richards named the Barclay's Premier League player of the month. Well done lad, your star is certainly on the rise. Sven was also named Manager of the Month -- a double for the Citizen's.

Shiva to start in place of the injured Drogba.

David Moyes really enjoyed his Scottish strikers crack against the Frenchies.

Tim Howard is most likely out of this weekend's match versus ManYoo.

Mark Lawrenson offers up his predicitions on this weekends fixtures:

THIS WEEK'S PREDICTIONS
SATURDAY
Birmingham v Bolton

Both of these teams look nervous, lack a little bit of confidence and are perhaps fearing a long, tough season.
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce said that his team did not turn up for their previous fixture at Middlesbrough, which Blues lost 2-0, and will want a much improved showing.
Bolton need striker Kevin Davies fit again as soon as possible - I think that to a degree their season depends on the success of his partnership with Nicolas Anelka.

Prediction: 1-1

Chelsea v Blackburn

Blackburn are a very decent side and they will certainly compete against any team they take on.
Playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is not easy and to an extent this means that the pressure is off them.
However, although Chelsea had a hiccup at Aston Villa in their last game I still think that they are the team to beat.

Prediction: 2-0

Everton v Man Utd

Everton have had a very good start to the season, while Manchester United came back from 2-0 down to register a crucial 4-2 win at Goodison Park last April on their way to winning the Premier League title.
I think that this will be a tight game that will go the way of United because they have more match winners in their team, especially with the expected return of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Prediction: 1-2

Portsmouth v Liverpool

Liverpool have had an excellent start to the season and with the regular inclusion of Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres in the team they seem to have a lot more attacking edge and pace in their attack.
Portsmouth, I should imagine, will be pleased when this game is out of the way. It is only their sixth Premier League game of the season and they will have now met all of the 'big-four' teams.
Having said that, Fratton Park is a very difficult ground to visit and I think Pompey might take something from the game.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunderland v Reading

Sunderland's home games are of huge importance to them this season.
Roy Keane probably knows that his team are in for a long and difficult campaign and I imagine he would settle for finishing top of the 'mini-league' of numerous team's battling against relegation at the bottom end of the table.
I think that they will have a much-needed victory on Saturday over a Reading team that are starting to slip down the league.

Prediction: 2-0

Tottenham v Arsenal

I do not think that all that many Tottenham fans are getting on coach Martin Jol's back but the club have certainly put themselves in a tricky position following the business with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.
Another couple of bad results and we know what could well happen - and that would be a complete travesty for Jol.
I hope for Jol's sake that Tottenham do not lose this high-pressure game against their local rivals.
Arsenal have made a good start to the season but I'm still not convinced about them away from home.

Prediction: 1-1

West Ham v Middlesbrough

There have been changes in personnel at Middlesbrough over the summer but I still think they are in for a tough season.
Home form will be crucial for them because their away record is not great.
I do not think West Ham will struggle this season, although I was talking to Alan Curbishley the other day and he pointed out that he is already without several key players.
The likes of Kieron Dyer, Julien Faubert and Freddie Ljungberg may all be first-team regulars if fit, though Scott Parker should return this weekend.

Prediction: 2-0

Wigan v Fulham

Wigan boss Chris Hutchings has been at the club for several years, initially working under Paul Jewell, and his team have made a good start to the season.
There seems to be a real durability about the Latics and I reckon Hutchings will see this sort of fixture as very much a bread and butter home win.
I do not think this match would be my pick of the week to watch.

Prediction: 1-0

SUNDAY
Man City v Aston Villa

Manchester City have lost their last two fixtures and I think they will end up defeated in this one as well.
The newness of Sven-Goran Eriksson's arrival has worn off and with so many players away on international duty he will not have had much opportunity to work on shape and systems.
Having said that, I will be at the game as I'm covering it for BBC Radio 5live so I should be careful what I say!
Aston Villa will be buoyed by their win over Chelsea last time out.
Sometimes it takes a decent victory like that early in a season to remind people at a club that they really do have a decent team.

Prediction: 0-2

MONDAY
Derby v Newcastle

Newcastle are undefeated so far with two draws and two wins in the Premier League this season.
Michael Owen also seems to be very much back in form following his goal-scoring exploits for England.
I reckon that Owen will fancy himself to score against a defence for whom the word porous is a definite understatement.
Rams boss Billy Davies must work out how his team are going to win their share of home games.
There have also been lots of stories about his future as manager.
I don't know where they have come from but surely the board at the club should let him get on with the job.
He has a very difficult task at Derby, not helped by the fact that the team winning promotion through the play-offs has less time than the others clubs to recruit over the summer.

Prediction: 1-2

Melchiot must think Albanian's are poor sports...

2007-09-13T00:56:00.000-05:00

Two minutes after a controversial red-card Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored in the 91st minute to give the Dutch a one nil victory. An Albanian hooligan promptly takes out his frustration on Wigan defender Mario Melchiot:

Google Mario Melchiot and you'll see the highlight. Netherlands was beating Albania 1-nil as they say, and someone in the stands decided this would be a good time to throw a firework right at one of the Dutch players.

Mr. Melchiot ended up the target, and it, whatever it was, exploded about two and a half feet above his head.

To the credit of the head official, he stopped the game right away. But that doesn't prevent the possible hearing loss Melchiot may very well suffer.

I've done the googling for you:

To be fair to the Albanians it was a maddeningly brilliant goal by Ruud:

More Euro 2008 Update:

Scot James McFadden scores a goal to stun the Frogs, already being declared one of Scotlands best goals ever, rightfully so:

Michael Owen joins Jimmy Greaves, Sir Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker as the only players to score 40 times for the Three Lions:

Well done Michael.

Borat must be proud.

Throwing off-topic and mega-post caution to the wind... For the benefit of The Back Four's foreign audience here is the greatest advert ever, from Hollywood director Michael Mann:

Music from The Last of the Mohicans:

Abramovich has nothing better to do with his fortune...

2007-09-12T12:37:00.000-05:00

Chelski owner Roman Abramovich is denying that he has offered Russian footballers a bonus for beating England -- color me skeptical since he spends money like its burning and is known to fund his homeland's national team:

The two nations meet in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday.
And reports claimed the Russian players would receive £40,000 if they were to defeat Steve McClaren's men.
But a Chelsea statement said: "Roman Abramovich has never offered, proposed or promised any bonuses to the Russian team to beat England."

The billionaire Chelsea owner has close links with football back in his homeland and is reported to bankroll the salary of coach Guus Hiddink.
But the Chelsea statement added: "The financial backing Mr Abramovich gives to Russian football, via his National Academy of Football foundation, is for the development of the game as a whole and is not focused on specific matches.
"Mr Abramovich supports grass-roots football initiatives through such efforts as building football pitches, helping to organise youth sports academies and providing training for coaches."
Chelsea are likely to have four of their players lining up against the Russians, with Ashley Cole, John Terry, Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips probable starters.

Quick hits:
Everton skipper Tim Cahill is getting ready to return to the pitch.

Everton boss David Moye is already preparing to lose players to the African Cup.

Fernando Torres is enjoying his time with Liverpool thus far.

Arsenal doesn't need dirty Russian money.

The Argentine Bulldog can't wait to pair with Wayne Rooney.

Monday quick hits...

2007-09-10T14:20:00.000-05:00

Apologies for the delayed posting -- American football has diverted my attention during the PL off-week -- a las, here are some quick hits:

US loses to Brazil 4-2 but Ives says there are positives to take away from the match but Gooch needs to be replaced according to just about everyone (good analysis in the link therein).

Arsenal chairman says the club isn't up for sale, especially to Russian gangsters.

Glazers dispute more rumors about ManYoo's business operations.

Michael Ballack doesn't understand why he wasn't included on Chelski's Euro roster and Franz Beckenbauer doesn't understand why he made the move in the first place.

Tim Howard is doubtful vs. ManYoo after dislocating his finger against Brazil.

David Bentley defends his decision to back out of a previous U-21 England fixture, which has kept him out of McLaren's line-up.

Euro 2008:
Lampard and Hargreaves won't play but Stevie G will.

Iceland surprisingly draws with Spain after Spain went down to 10 men after a boneheaded kick by Xabi Alonso on an Icelandic defender.

Updated Euro power rankings...

2007-09-07T00:33:00.000-05:00

From CNNSI.com -- South American and Mexican clubs were omitted:

1. AC Milan (prev. 1)
Fiorentina slowed Milan down last weekend, but the Rossoneri are still red-hot, undefeated in Serie A so far and adding the European Super Cup to their haul in a magical 2007. Most impressive was how Milan became a different team against No. 2 Sevilla in the second half -- efficient and clinical. And how about that plum Champions League draw? (Though Celtic probably has a revenge scheme on its mind.)

2. Sevilla (prev. 3)
Some of this spot may be slightly ceremonial, but I can't see how anyone with a heart can knock Sevilla at this point. The fact that the two-time UEFA Cup champs (and first-time Champions League participants) can find any kind of focus, even after the shocking death of 22-year-old midfielder Antonio Puerta, is nothing short of remarkable. The Sevillistas have dedicated their entire season to Puerta, and there's nothing like a team riding an emotional wave.

3. Real Madrid (prev. 6)
You have to figure Villarreal defenders' necks were getting sore from constantly turning around to watch the ball go in the net last weekend. Bernd Schuster wants his Real to be more attack-minded, and that's certainly what the new Galácticos did in their 5-0 beatdown of the Yellow Submarine -- a decent side. Meanwhile, check out the quartet of flying Dutchman: Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Royston Drenthe, Real's own Clockwork Oranje.

4. Bayern Munich (prev. 5)
Hamburg's Mohamed Zidan cooled off Bayern's perfect start with a late equalizer last weekend, but I still can hardly believe we're attaching the label "UEFA Cup favorites" to arguably the most successful club of all-time. With the power the Bavarians have at their disposal, I can't see anyone -- other than themselves -- getting in their way for Europe's No. 2 trophy.

5. FC Barcelona (prev. 2)
Barça drops for its deepening injury crisis (Samuel Eto'o joins Carles Puyol, Edmílson and Eidur Gudjohnsen on the sidelines) and its lame scoreless draw with Racing Santander in its opener. But let's call out the youth movement at the Camp Nou. We all know Lionel Messi (age 20) is prolific. Now gifted Mexican Giovani dos Santos (18) looks like he's finally on his way, and stud Bojan Krkic

6. Liverpool (prev. not ranked)
OK, let's not get all crazy about the 'Pool's 6-0 laugher over Derby County. We're talking Derby County here. But the best sign is that Fernando Torres is displaying awesome speed, ball control, strength and giant cojones -- all things that will keep opposing defenses terrified all season long. could be next -- the 17-year-old is shining for finalist Spain in the Under-17 World Cup.

7. AS Roma (prev. not ranked)
Inter is banged up and leaning too heavily on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Meanwhile, Roma has shot to the top of Serie A with back-to-back shutouts, and gets drawn into a Champions League group where it can get some immediate revenge on No. 10 Manchester United. Anyone vote Ludovic Giuly for biggest steal of the transfer window?

8. Manchester United (prev. not ranked)
They're not necessarily pretty wins, but until everyone's healthy and integrated into the squad, Sir Alex Ferguson will take them. And for those counting at home, that's two clutch winners in two weeks: Nani bagging a screamer in the 68th minute against Tottenham and Louis Saha nailing it in the 72nd to ruin Roy Keane's return to Old Trafford last weekend.

9. Chelski

10. Inter

Honorable mention: Werder Bremen, FC Porto, PSV Eindhoven, Valencia, Rangers, Celtic

SAF: Becks can't succeed...

2007-09-06T18:31:00.000-05:00

Can David Beckham change the attitude of an entire country? Fergie doesn't think so and makes some valid points:

Manchester United boss Ferguson says his former superstar can’t hope to succeed where legends like Pele and Johan Cruyff have already failed.

“David Beckham himself can’t change the whole country,” was Ferguson’s blunt verdict on the injured England star’s £128m move to Los Angeles Galaxy.

Galaxy’s massive investment is geared at not only upping their fortunes but also giving US soccer a facelift.

Ferguson, who sold Beckham to Real Madrid four years ago, said: “In the late 1970s I went to America with Aberdeen and there were guys like Teofilo Cubillas and Peter Shilton there.

“Before that, there was Pele, Cruyff, Beckenbauer. It is difficult with David going there. I don’t know what kind of impact he can make.

“The size of the country makes it difficult. In Europe, and especially in Britain, you can travel easily.

“If you are in Boston and need to go to Los Angeles, it’s a six-hour flight.

“Supporters don’t travel so you are missing that rivalry between fans.

“So you have a problem. To make it substantial you could have to go regional but there’s not enough teams to have four strong leagues.”

Ferguson also feels the MLS is undermined by an exodus of young, homegrown talent.

He added: “What you have in the States is a lot of kids playing football but with nowhere to go.

“The best American players go to Europe very early, like Brad Friedel at Blackburn and Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey at Fulham.

“So that situation doesn’t help the American game.”

Arsenal to be owned by Russian gangster?

2007-09-04T18:49:00.000-05:00

Another excellent piece from David Warner at AOL:

While the English press seems focused on Cristiano Ronaldo's partying habits -- and really, who wouldn't want to know more about a poolside orgy with hookers from Leeds -- a former ambassador is focusing on a very different matter: Alisher Usmanov, the Russian steel magnate who's attempting to purchase Arsenal.

Craig Murray, who served as the British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2002 to 2004, says that Usmanov's lawyers have written a letter to British newspapers that might be misleading. The letter reads:
"Mr Usmanov was imprisoned for various offences under the old Soviet regime. We wish to make it clear our client did not commit any of the offences with which he was charged. He was fully pardoned after President Mikhail Gorbachev took office. All references to these matters have now been expunged from police records . . . Mr Usmanov does not have any criminal record."
Murray, however, plainly disputes this.
Let me make it quite clear that Alisher Usmanov is a criminal. He was in no sense a political prisoner, but a gangster and racketeer who rightly did six years in jail. The lawyers cunningly evoke "Gorbachev", a name respected in the West, to make us think that justice prevailed. That is completely untrue.
After detailing some of Usmanov's alleged atrocities, he suggests that if Arsenal supporters allow Usmanov's purchase to happen, they're making a deal with the devil.
Football now is about nothing but money, and even Arsenal supporters - as tight-knit and homespun a football community as any - can be heard saying they don't care where the money comes from as long as they can compete with Chelsea.

I fear that is very wrong. Letting as diseased a figure as Alisher Usmanov into your club can only do harm in the long term.
Foreign ownership in the Premier League has been a controversial issue during this decade. UEFA president Michel Platini brought it back to the forefront by blasting the Premier League for allowing so many foreign owners to buy English clubs. The controversy swelled after former Thailand Prime Minister and current Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra became a wanted man in his own country. Should the Usmanov takeover of Arsenal happen, voices speaking out against foreign owners will only get louder.

(H/T: Pitch Invasion)

US/Brazil Roster Released...

2007-09-04T17:23:00.000-05:00

From Yanks Abroad -- once again, no Altidore or Adu:

Goalkeepers
Howard, Tim Everton (England)
Seitz, Chris Salt Lake (MLS)

Defenders
Bocanegra, Carlos Fulham (England)
Cherundolo, Steve Hannover 96 (Germany)
DeMerit, Jay Watford (England)
Onyewu, Oguchi Standard Liege (Belgium)
Pearce, Heath Hansa Rostock (Germany)
Simek, Frank Sheffield Wednesday (England)
Spector, Jonathan West Ham United (England)

Midfielders
Beasley, DaMarcus Rangers (Scotland)
Bradley, Michael Heerenveen (Holland)
Convey, Bobby Reading (England)
Dempsey, Clint Fulham (England)
Feilhaber, Benny Derby County (England)
Mastroeni, Pablo Colorado Rapids (MLS)

Forwards
Arnaud, Davy Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Donovan, Landon Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Johnson, Eddie Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Wolff, Josh 1860 Munich (Germany)

Recap of the weekend; Best XI

2007-09-02T23:28:00.001-05:00

David Warner at AOL Sportshouse with another entertaining break down of Saturday and Sunday's fixtures.

The best XI from ESPN:

GK: Robert Green (West Ham)

LCB: Joleon Lescott (Everton)
CB: Zat Knight (Aston Villa)
RCB: David Wheater (Boro)

LM: Matt Etherington (West Ham)
CM: Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
CM: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
RM: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

ST: Craig Bellamy (West Ham)
ST: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
ST: Michael Owen (Newcastle)
Manager: Martin O'Neill (Villa)

Don't have too many problems with that line-up but I would have to offer up Clint Dempsey who was all over the pitch over the weekend, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists allowing Fulham to salvage a point. In any event he was certainly the top Yank from the weekend.

Another worth noting - the FA chief is concerned about the recent influx of foreign players into the Premier League.

Oh yea -- Chelski lost to Villa thanks to Zat Knight, narrowing the lead they enjoyed over ManYoo.

Since the PL seems to be blocking anyone from showing their highlights - I would have love to have show Kamara's equalizer for Fulham - here are some brilliant goals from their competition instead:

Wesley Sneijder's unstoppable free kick

Ditto from Ron

Alberto Aquilani with a nice free kick

Apologies in advance for the foreign languages.

Fat Frank tears thigh; transfer market weak so far...

2007-08-31T11:41:00.000-05:00

Steve McLaren was not greeted with good news today as Frank Lampard tore a thigh tendon and will miss a few weeks of action, which will likely rule him out of England's first two Euro 2008 qualifiers:

The Chelsea midfielder suffered the injury at the end of Friday's training session and was sent to hospital where a scan revealed the full extent of the problem.

The 29-year-old is certain to miss Sunday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa and a major question mark hangs over whether he will be fit for England's crucial Euro 2008 double-header.

McClaren's men are up against Israel at Wembley on 8th September before taking on Russia four days later.

So far there hasn't been any splash moves in the transfer market with only spare parts and youngsters getting moved today -- to stay up with the latest, click here.

Week 4 preview and predictions:

2007-08-30T13:36:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of the former Liverpudlian and BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson:

THIS WEEK'S PREDICTIONS
SATURDAY
Bolton v Everton

It's an improving Bolton side against difficult-to-beat Everton.
A real doughty, northern derby, and I can only see one real outcome, a draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Fulham v Tottenham

Tottenham had a couple of decent results at Craven Cottage last season, and their performance at Old Trafford last week will give them heart.
Fulham certainly haven't had the rub of the green so far - poor old Lawrie Sanchez must be wondering what's he's done to deserve it.

Prediction: 1-2

Liverpool v Derby

So far this season in the Premier League, Derby have been so poor at the back, it's frightening.
Liverpool have now got strength in depth, and they'll be able to freshen up and change the team that beat Toulouse in the Champions League.

Prediction: 3-0

Middlesbrough v Birmingham

Mido has come in and lifted everyone at Middlesbrough, and made a big difference to the club. They're also getting one or two injured players back.
Birmingham will scrap and battle, as they know they will have to do all season long. I'm not expecting a classic match.

Prediction: 2-1

Newcastle v Wigan

It's been a good start for Chris Hutchings as Wigan have beaten the teams expected to be with them around the bottom of the table.
But I expect Newcastle to win, they're unbeaten and Sam Allardyce has got competition for places.

Prediction: 2-0

Reading v West Ham

West Ham have made a stuttering start but they also have personnel returning.
Reading had been quite phenomenal before Saturday's 3-0 defeat and I can see them getting back on track with a draw at the Madejski Stadium.

Prediction: 1-1

Man Utd v Sunderland (1715 BST)

The return of Roy Keane to Old Trafford. But he's now had a realisation of what it will take to stay in this division. He's addressed that by bringing in a few new players this week.
I expect Sunderland to battle and scrap as their manager did when he played, but Man United will just have too much quality.
Prediction: 2-0

SUNDAY
Arsenal v Portsmouth (1330 BST)

It's been softly-softly, catchee monkey Arsenal, who have quietly made a good start and are just starting to click.
This will be a tough game for Portsmouth, coming so soon after their trip to Chelsea, where they played well without reward.
Prediction: 2-0

Blackburn v Man City (1500 BST)

I was impressed with the way Blackburn played at Everton. They get criticism at times, but they are a good team, with good players who work hard.
Man City have made a spectacular start, but this will be a tough test for them. I also think it will be a more open game than you might think.
Prediction: 2-1

Aston Villa v Chelsea (1600 BST)

Chelsea just have this amazing way of not getting beaten, they're strong through the middle and they know how to win.
If Villa sit back, Chelsea can dominate them, if they attack, Chelsea can hit them on the break.
Prediction: 1-2

Kaka is the Euro player of the year...

2007-08-30T13:26:00.000-05:00

From Reuters:

AC Milan's Kaka was named European club player of the year by UEFA on Thursday.
The Brazilian also collected the award for best forward during last season's Champions League.

Chelsea's Petr Cech was named the best goalkeeper from last season's tournament. AC Milan's Paolo Maldini won the best defender award while team mate Clarence Seedorf was judged to be the best midfielder.

Another day, another bicycle kick...

2007-08-30T13:20:00.001-05:00

This time from Chris Klein of the LA Galaxy in the SuperLiga finals. Unfortunately the bike kick didn't pay off as the Galaxy and Beckham lost (the $1 million match) in penalties.

Champions league draw released

2007-08-30T13:04:00.000-05:00

Of the premier league sides it looks like Chelski will face the toughest draw with quarter finalist from a year ago Valencia as well as Schalke and Rosenborg. However, barring any major upsets in Eastern Europe, all of the premier league teams should be moving onto the next round from the looks of it. The weakest group definitely looks like group D -- outside of AC Milan all the other sides are from lower tier leagues. Also worth noting is that Sevilla and AEK Athens have yet to play their qualifier due to the passing of Antonio Puerta. Here is the draw:

GROUP A:
Liverpool (England) Porto (Portugal) Olympique Marseille (France) Besiktas (Turkey)
GROUP B:
Chelsea (England) Valencia (Spain) Schalke 04 (Germany) Rosenborg (Norway)

GROUP C:
Real Madrid (Spain) Werder Bremen (Germany) Lazio (Italy) Olympiakos (Greece)

GROUP D:
AC Milan (Italy) Benfica (Portugal) Celtic (Scotland) Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)

GROUP E:
Barcelona (Spain) Olympique Lyon (France) VfB Stuttgart (Germany) Rangers (Scotland)

GROUP F:
Manchester United (England) AS Roma (Italy) Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine)

GROUP G:
Inter Milan (Italy) PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) CSKA Moscow (Russia) Fenerbahce (Turkey)

GROUP H:
Arsenal (England) Sevilla (Spain) or AEK Athens (Greece) Steaua Bucharest (Romania) Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)

Anelka re-ups with Trotters; Shiva says no

2007-08-30T11:54:00.000-05:00

Anelka has signed a 4 year contract extension to stay on Sammy Lee's side:

Bolton chalked up their first win of the season at the weekend by beating Reading with Anelka making it three goals in four games.

He said: "I seem to have been linked with every club in the country of late but my heart is with Bolton.

"I am very happy with my form, the club and the manager so signing a new contract was not a difficult decision.

"Hopefully we will prosper together because I would not have remained at Bolton if I had thought we could not win trophies."

Anelka's decision is a marvellous boost for manager Sammy Lee ahead of the home game against Everton on Saturday.

Lee said: "We have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get him to commit his long-term future to us.

"Nicolas is one of the world's best strikers and I am immensely proud and happy that he has shown such commitment to the club.

"It is also a boost for the dressing room because a team never wants to lose anybody of Nicolas's stature and presence."

Lee added: "This shows our ambition to be among the top clubs, not just in this country but across the world.

"Nicolas is one of the most sought after strikers in the world and I am delighted that he will continue to wear the Bolton shirt.

Don't know if Anelka's presence in the dressing room is as positive as Sammy Lee implies as he's known for being somewhat of a malcontent but Bolton surely needed his talents if they are to stay out of the relegation zone.

In other news:
Shiva won't go back to Dynamo Kiev and wants to return to first team action with Chelski

Most of the other transfer rumors, including the Defoe/SWP swap, were bull.

Zat Knight gets nicked with crack cocaine and heroin just hours before being trumpeted as Villa's new signing.

Reading are offended by West Ham's "derisory" offer for Nick Shorey.

Pompey is still looking for a striker.

Another Russian billionaire is getting into the Premier League.

Freddy Adu is getting settled at Benfica.

Dane, Thomas Graveson, has joined Everton on loan for the rest of the season.

Sam Eto'o is out two months for Barca with a partial tear of his right thigh tendon.

Riquelme won't be a Spur...

2007-08-29T18:58:00.000-05:00

Spurs supporters will be dissappointed as Riquelme has joined Atletico Madrid:

Big news - and positive news - out of Spain on an otherwise dark day where a fallen hero was mourned.
Argentina midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme has agreed to join Atletico Madrid on a 2 year deal. I suspect that the price was fairly low considering that this was partly about his old side - the Yellow Submarine - getting rid of his contract.
Atletico have done some fantastic business this summer and as our earlier poll showed, this community believes that the Juan Roman deal turns their decision to sell their hero to Liverpool a good one for the club. I just wish they were playing CL this season.

Players suddenly collapsing...

2007-08-29T18:55:00.001-05:00

The NY Times takes an in-depth look into the death of Antonio Puerta and also examines two other collapses that occurred yesterday and in the past:

Late yesterday another player — the Zambian striker Chaswe Nsofwa, 27, who plays for Hapoel Beersheva in Israel — collapsed during a scrimmage. He was taken to a hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

Writing about Puerta, one Spanish newspaper, La Razón, said “the heart of football has stopped.”

Unfortunately, it is not the first time a soccer player has died from a heart attack in recent years.

*On Tuesday, Leicester City’s 27-year-old defender Clive Clarke suffered two heart attacks during halftime of his club’s Carling Cup game against Nottingham Forest. He was listed in stable condition yesterday. According to the BBC, Clarke was treated with a defibrillator in the Leicester City locker room and was conscious when he was taken to the hospital.

*Perhaps the most public of incidents occurred during the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in France when Marc-Vivien Foe of Cameroon collapsed in the center circle during a game against Colombia in Lyon and later died. Foe had been a member of Cameroon’s 1994 and 2002 World Cup teams and was a member of the squad that won the African Nations Cup in 2000 and 2002. He was 28.

*Hugo Cunha, a midfielder of União Leiria in Portugal collapsed and died during a pickup game with friends in 2005. He was 28.

*The Brazilian striker Márcio Dos Santos scored a goal for his Peruvian club, Deportivo Wanka, in a game in October 2002. Hours later he suffered a heart attack and died. He was 28.

*In January 2004, Miklos Feher, a 24-year-old Hungarian, collapsed from a heart attack and died during a match between Benfica and Vitoria Guimarães in Portugal.

*Dave Longhurst, 20, a striker for York City in England collapsed right before halftime of a game between his York City club and Lincoln City in England in September 1990. An autopsy found that he had suffered from a rare heart disorder.

*Serginho, a defender for São Caetano in Brazil, crumpled to the turf away from play in the 59th minute of a game against São Paulo in October 2004. Doctors on the field were unsuccessful in their attempts to revive him using CPR. At the time, club medical officials said Serginho had been receiving treatment for heart problems. He was 30.

One has to wonder if FIFA needs to be taking more precaution prior to the season and require all players to have the most thorough heart exams possible.

Here are pictures of the memorials for Puerta that took place across Spain

Before the window closes...

2007-08-29T12:57:00.001-05:00

The latest rumors leading up to the closing of the transfer window:

England international forwards Jermain Defoe and Shaun Wright-Phillips could swap clubs while Nicolas Anelka could leave Bolton Wanderers for either Manchester United or Manchester City.

Defoe has yet to commit himself to a new deal at Tottenham Hotspur while Wright-Phillips has failed to fully establish himself at Chelsea since moving there from Manchester City two years ago.

Manchester United could move for Frenchman Anelka to ease their striking problems, while City would be keen to boost their vibrant new squad.

Chelsea's interest in Barcelona's Brazilian Ronaldinho was still being widely reported even though Barcelona president Joan Laporta says he will not be leaving the Nou Camp.

Chelski defender backs move for Ron (and some transfer rumors)...

2007-08-28T18:58:00.000-05:00

John Terry has bought into bringing Ron to Chelski - so long as he buys into what Jose preaches.

John Terry said yesterday that Ronaldinho would be the perfect signing for Chelsea – just as long as he obeyed Jose Mourinho's orders and tracked back. The Brazilian's future is the transfer saga that refuses to go away with three days left until the transfer window closes on Friday.

The Chelsea captain is a close confidante of Roman Abramovich, but even he could not offer an insight into whether the 27-year-old is a serious prospect for his club or just using them to negotiate a better deal with Barcelona. Instead he said that the man twice voted Fifa world player of the year would be suited to Chelsea's new more attacking style – but that even Ronaldinho would be expected to do his share of defending too.

The tantalising prospect of Chelsea pulling off one of the greatest transfer coups of all time is balanced by the possibility that Ronaldinho's brother and agent Roberto de Assis Moreira is using the club's interest as a bargaining chip in contracts talks with Barcelona. Nevertheless, the reports of meetings between Moreira and Abramovich had reached the Chelsea players. "It was exciting. I've seen the coverage," Terry said. "To get a player of that ability would be a great acquisition. I've seen him, seen what he's all about and he's a very difficult player to mark.

"If he did come he would give us that option up front and it'd be great for the Premiership to get the likes of Ronaldinho. For me personally, Chelsea and everyone at the club it would be great."

There was still a surreal element to discussing with Terry how one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time would potentially fit into Mourinho's team – but this being Chelsea, even their club captain was not about to dismiss the possibility out of hand. Having witnessed the Mourinho-effect first hand, Terry said that even Ronaldinho, who has faced Chelsea in the Champions League each season for the last three years, would have to stick to the core principles of the team.

Don't think Ron is a very good fit at Chelski but he is the two time FIFA player of the year and absolutely brilliant. Such class should theoretically be able to adapt to any system but as Shiva and Ballack have proven, this isn't always the case.

(Other transfer rumors - some featuring Adriano - there should be plenty more before the transfer window closes on Friday)

Morecambe shocks the Carling Cup again! + Quick hits

2007-08-28T18:01:00.000-05:00

Newcomers to the Football League, Morecambe FC, have followed up on their shocking upset of PNE with another upset -- this time Wolverhampton fell victim to the Shrimps:

SAMMY McIlroy was understandably delighted with his players' performance in beating Wolves in the Carling Cup.

After seeing his side score twice in extra-time to beat a second successive Championship team, McIlroy said the win was 'magnificent'.

He said: "I am immensely proud of my boys and the supporters must be in dreamland with the way things are going at the moment.

"It was another magnificent win for us and I don't think anyone can say we didn't deserve it.

"Wolves played some neat football and had a lot of possessions but they never really hurt us.

"We defended superbly as a team and always looked threatening on the break."

The Shrimps had looked set to win in normal time with Carl Baker's penalty enough for them to lead until, with seven minutes left, Andy Keogh scored from the spot.

But goals from Jon Newby and Garry Thompson in extra-time put the Shrimps in the third round draw with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Looks like the fairy tale story will end in the next round if the Shrimps face either of the squads mentioned above but nice run lads.

Other notes of interest from the Carling Cup:
After their hot start Sunderland lost to Luton Town -- oh dear.

Kieron Dyer breaks his leg - not a good result for West Ham, regardless of the score.

Foxes match suspended at the half after player collapses in the same day that Spanish middy, Antonio Puerta, dies after collapsing on the pitch

Week 3 Best XI...

2007-08-28T10:11:00.000-05:00

From ESPN:

GK: Craig Gordon (Sunderland)
LB: Pascal Chimbonda (Tottenham)
CB: Sol Campbell (Portsmouth)
RB: Micah Richards (Man City)
LM: Mohamed Sissoko (Liverpool)
RM: Nani (Man Utd)
CM: Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham)
CM: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
ST: Cameron Jerome (Birmingham)
ST: El Hadji Diouf (Bolton)
ST: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Eyebrows were raised when Roy Keane splashed nine million pounds on Craig Gordon but they will have been lowered after his performance against Liverpool on Saturday. The Scotland number one was busy all afternoon and kept the score-line respectable for the home side. He is going to have ample opportunity to show his pedigree in what is shaping up to be a long season for the Black Cats.

Pascal Chimbonda gave a great all-round full-back's display at Old Trafford showing off both his defensive capabilities and attacking instincts. He shepherded the United trio of Carlos Tevez, Nani and Ryan Giggs when called upon and won the battle against his opposite number Patrice Evra with his dangerous marauding runs down the right flank.

Sol Campbell, possibly enlivened by his recall to the recent England squad, was a rock in the Portsmouth defence as Pompey gave Chelsea a fright at the Bridge with a confident, assured display. Campbell made a couple of important tackles, racing back and using his strength to deny the home team.

Micah Richards personally capped another great week in a season of great weeks so far with another outstanding performance for Manchester City. He faced Emanuel Adebayor and the lanky Gunner was second best against England's rising star (so much so he was subbed later on). Richards also gave a mature performance in midweek for the national team.

Tom Huddlestone gave an elegant display in the Spurs midfield and his repertoire of passing was on full display as he helped carve out several chances for Martin Jol's side at Old Trafford. He showed up ex-Spurs man Michael Carrick (who was substituted after an hour) and was always involved in the hub of the action for the visitors.

Cesc Fabregas again shouldered the burden of delivering the goods for Arsenal as they grabbed a single goal victory against a resurgent Manchester City at the Emirates. It was from the youthful foot Fabregas that the points were secured. The Spaniard darted in to the penalty area before firing past the otherwise impressive Caspar Schmeichel late on.

Mohammed Sissoko slipped in to the notin-any-way-daunting-at-all boots of Steven Gerrard at the Stadium of Light and was a more than able deputy. He scored a great goal too, a pile-driver from twenty-five yards. Close your eyes, and you could have sworn it was Stevie G who hit it. Except you wouldn't have seen it (but if you had the commentary on the TV you would have known who scored).

Ashley Young was man of the match for Aston Villa against Fulham and was a constant threat with his searing pace. He went close with a couple of efforts, then received a bit of help when his shot deflected in off Zat Knight for the first Villa goal. There was nothing remotely fortunate about Young's role in the winner though as he provided a wonderfully executed slide rule pass for Maloney to slot home.

Steve Bruce got some valuable return on the £3 million he spent on Cameron Jerome when the striker bagged a brace to win the game for the Blues at Derby. Jerome struck the first after just thirty seconds, latching on to a fine Mikael Fossael pass to beat Stephen Bywater. The winner was a volley from fifteen yards after Sebastian Larsson's flick to give Birmingham a valuable three points against one of their fellow promoted sides.

Nani made his home debut for Manchester United and crowned the day with a stunning goal to give his side their first win of the season against Spurs. Alex Ferguson envisaged a marginal role for the 20 year old this season. If this is so, then they have themselves one hell of a substitute. Nani, turned and hit an unstoppable shot from thirty yards past England's number one (whatever connotations that title confers on its owner these days).

Mr Popularity El-Hadji Diouf rolled up his sleeves and showed his fight for the battle by masterminding Bolton's first win of the season against Reading. Well, perhaps. Or, Mr Popularity El Hadji Diouf realizes the transfer window looms large and if it slams shut on Friday he will remain plying his trade at the Reebok for at least another half season, so decided to remind would be suitors he is a decent player. Anyroad, whichever it is, he played well. And for that his manager Sammy Lee will be more than grateful. To say Lee has a difficult job following Sam Allardyce in to the Bolton hotseat goes without saying. A diabolical start has made him bookies favorite for the axe but if he can hold on to Messrs Anelka and Diouf and his side continue to put in performances like the one which brought a 3-0 win against in-form Reading, then things may swing in his favour.

Ronaldinho to Chelski?? Weekend wrap-up

2007-08-27T11:13:00.000-05:00

A short update due as I am travelling but a couple things that have caught my eye...

- Chelski looks to spend some ridiculous money on the Brazilian phenom.

- Barca denies

- David Warner wrap-ups Saturday & Sundays premier league action

- Berbatov to remain a Spur

- Fergie says injury woes are coming to an end

A look ahead...

2007-08-24T19:39:00.000-05:00

A look ahead at this weekends action

Svens makes play for Deco

2007-08-24T19:36:00.001-05:00

What a stunning addition Deco would be the surprisingly good Man City side!

Since taking over at Eastlands in the summer, the former England coach has spent over £40million bringing in such quality players as Elano, Martin Petrov and Rolando Bianchi.

However, it appears as though the Swede has not yet finished his spending just yet, and is saving his best for last – with reports suggesting he is lining up an £8million to sign Portugal international ace Deco.

The midfielder, who turns 30-years-old next week, seems to be out of favour at Barcelona who have made him available, and the player could be tempted to try his luck in England.

Who will Fabio Capello manage next?

2007-08-24T10:19:00.000-05:00

Could he replace Steve McLaren as the Three Lions' manager or perhaps take the over the USMNT duties from Bob Bradley. Or maybe even take over at Chelsea should Jose not bring home the Champions League hardware this year. Sportingo examines the possibilities:

But I want to dig even deeper into the possibilities here. What about England? What if trophies fail to arrive at Chelsea and Liverpool this season? If Liverpool do not win the Premier League it is not out of the question that Rafael Benitez will be fired. Jose Mourinho is not guaranteed to be at Chelsea next season if multiple trophies (and I don't mean of the FA Cup and Carling Cup variety) make their way to Stamford Bridge.

Thus, two big clubs with big budgets and lots of talent could have manager openings. Thinking even bigger for a second, England national team manager Steve McClaren will be gone either before Euro 2008 because England fail to qualify or immediately after the competition when they crash out in dismal fashion again. Managing England is one of the highest profile jobs in the world. Signore Capello - your ego is landing.

And let me throw this out: Would Capello consider managing in the United States?

Consider the total lack of pressure on the US national team manager, and I would have to believe Capello could balance managing an MLS club with the national team job. He could settle in at LA Galaxy, Chivas USA or Chicago Fire all while guiding the Americans to respectability at the international level. If we've learned anything over the summer it is that current manager Bob Bradley hasn't done much to raise the competitiveness of the US national team. They look pretty ordinary outside of CONCACAF and if David Beckham is getting MLS on front pages and prime-time television shouldn't the national team strive for the same?

Capello, of course, would be a great hire for the USMNT and coincidentally was in the UK yesterday and met with Bob Bradley to share technical advice:

Capello met with U.S. coach Bob Bradley and U.S. soccer federation president Sunil Gulati in London on Thursday.

"They wanted my views for a series of technical questions," Capello was quoted as saying in Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

The meeting lasted three hours, according to the Gazzetta.

The United States was beaten 1-0 by Sweden in a friendly Wednesday to extend its losing streak to four games — the worst such stretch for the Americans in a decade.
Capello met with U.S. coach Bob Bradley and U.S. soccer federation president Sunil Gulati in London on Thursday.

"They wanted my views for a series of technical questions," Capello was quoted as saying in Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

The meeting lasted three hours, according to the Gazzetta.

The United States was beaten 1-0 by Sweden in a friendly Wednesday to extend its losing streak to four games — the worst such stretch for the Americans in a decade.

If Bradley needs advice from Capello he should just switch the interim manager tag to assistant manager or former Manager - especially considering the aforementioned four game losing streak.

Fulham add 4th Yank in Keller; Belletti to Chelski...

2007-08-23T13:38:00.000-05:00

After another soft performance from Tony Warner, Fulham have added their fourth Yank in GK Kasey Keller to compete for first-choice duties while Antii Niemmi is injured:

Fulham have added yet another American to their ranks, snapping up free agent goalkeeper Kasey Keller whose contract with Borussia Mönchengladbach was not renewed following last season's relegation campaign.

Keller, 37, is expected to slot into the starting lineup immediately with first choice keeper Antti Niemi currently injured and backup Tony Warner having three inconsistent performances to open the season.

"It was important that we added some strength and depth," Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez said in a press release. "Kasey is a proven professional with impeccable international credentials.

After striking out on acquiring Alves, Chelsea have acquired Brazilian right back Juliano Belletti:

However, the arrival of World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta squeezed Belletti out of the Barca first team.
"I know a bit about what the Premier League is like," added Belletti. "I know it's a tough league but I'm coming here with plenty of ambition and desire. I want to win trophies.
"I am a typical Brazilian full-back. I like to get forward up the wing."
Chelsea are believed to have turned their attention to Belletti after their attempt to sign Dani Alves stalled again.
Sevilla turned down two improved offers for the full-back this week, with Chelsea and Real Madrid both in the hunt.
The Spanish club were understood to want £27m for Alves but Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said the club would not be forced into spending above the market price.
"When we are buying players there is no doubt about it there is one price for Chelsea and one price for everyone else," Buck told 5live.
"We have to do our best to fight that."

Great quote from Bruce Buck - perhaps if Chelski didn't buy players at exorbitant prices every year then teams wouldn't expect to get more than fair value when you want one of their players.

Yanks and Three Lions fall

2007-08-22T23:03:00.000-05:00

A pretty weak effort from the Yanks tonight in Sweden. A few players such as Kamani Hill and Jay DeMerit had decent form but overall "a mediocre performance" as Donovan Beasley stated.

A strike by Kim Kallstrom in the 56th minute gave Sweden a 1-0 result over the US Men's National Team in a friendly at Ullevi Stadium in Goteborg, Sweden on Wednesday.

The score marked the end of what had been a first-half power struggle on a clear Scandinavian night.

In the first half, things got off to a shaky start for the predominantly European-based squad when a Michael Bradley mishap gave Sweden's Kennedy Bakircioglu space and options in the second minute. Bakircioglu found Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a centering ball but the Inter Milan striker went wide with it.

The Americans quickly returned the favor on a great chance for DaMarcus Beasley in the third minute. Landon Donovan took a creative pass from Clint Dempsey and played it flat to Beasley who, alone, went wide left.

"The contact was there but it was just the wrong side of the post," Beasley told reporters after the match. "I should have scored. I thought it was going in."

Beasley's miss seemed to leave him a bit shell-shocked in the following moments.

DeMerit looked to be the best Yank when he came on late; it's about time for him to get more minutes. Most supporter seems to be curious to have seen how Jozy Altidore might have fared against Sweden; hopefully that day will come soon. Also worth noting was the debut of Sal Zizzo.

Struggling with their fitness England looked like and fared as well as their 1998 World Cup team, with Owen & Beckham playing together. Kevin Kuranyi and the Germans got a gift equalizer from the shaky Paul Robison. Cristian Pander put the Germans ahead with a marvelous blast that Robinson was helpless to stop.

Frank Lampard's early goal was not enough as Germany came from behind to beat England 2-1 at Wembley and heap more pressure on Steve McClaren. There was not a penalty in sight but Paul Robinson's howler ensured England still experienced that familiar sinking feeling against their old rivals.

Lampard's first international goal for 12 months had raised hopes of a rare home win against the old enemy.

Unfortunately, on a night of experimentation and preparation, the positives gained from an encouraging performance which deserved better than the eventual result, will be overshadowed by Robinson's woes.

The Tottenham man gifted Kevin Kuranyi Germany's equaliser with a miserable mistake and nothing during his 45-minute appearance suggested anything other than that his replacement, veteran David James, should be installed when Israel head to Wembley on September 8 for a game coach Steve McClaren has already described as "must-win" if England are to reach Euro 2008.

The goalkeeping conundrum will occupy McClaren's mind for most of the next 17 days, although there was little Robinson could have done to keep out the sweet strike from Christian Pander which ultimately gave Germany their win.

The aforementioned Pander goal:

Robben completes move to Real Madrid...

2007-08-22T19:32:00.000-05:00

Arjen Robben finally appears to be headed to the Bernabeu, who must have been awfully busy today in England. Funny that Robben joins Real Madrid the same day as Gabriel Heinze with Man U and Chelsea being rivals and all.

FIFA VP Jack Warner stands by his insults...

2007-08-22T19:26:00.000-05:00

Warner states that he is only the telling the truth and pitting the FA against CONCACAF and that he has nothing to apologize for.

Well "Ace," I stand by comments as well; those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Is Jens Lehmann a liability?

2007-08-22T17:36:00.001-05:00

David Warner at the AOL Sportshouse answers that question, with video of another poor showing by Lehmann:

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann could not have started the season any more poorly -- two horrible gaffes in two Premier League matches, including that David Dunn shot that slipped through his fingers and cost the Gunners two points. Fans at the Emirates may be calling for his head, but the team has rallied around him, and midfielder Cesc Fabregas says Lehmann has no reason to say he's sorry.
"When I make a mistake I don't like people shouting at me. I just have to think about what I did wrong and put it right. Now Jens has to think about it himself but of course we are all alongside him. He does not have to apologise.

"This is a team. Since the beginning of the season we said we will always be together. We are together now and we are strong. We showed that at Blackburn. There was one mistake and we lost two very important points. But it is still very early."
True, it is early, but as the old saying goes, one is a coincidence, two is a trend, and three... well, three will put a lot more pressure on Arsene Wenger to make a change. With only Lukasz Fabianski or Manuel Almunia (who?) on the bench, though, are Wenger's hands somewhat tied? Do the Gunners just have to score more goals and hope Lehmann gets it together?

Quick hits: Heinze free - Yakubu to Everton - Ramos for Jol

2007-08-22T15:42:00.001-05:00

The disgruntled Argentine defender has been shipped off to join Thierry Henry in the Spanish leagues:

Real Madrid have agreed a deal to bring Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze to the Bernabeu, the Spanish champions announced tonight.
Real confirmed the news in a statement on their website, which read: "Real Madrid and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the transfer of Gabriel Heinze.
"The Argentinian, 29, will sign a contract for the next four seasons and will be immediately incorporated into Bernd Schuster's squad." No fee has been confirmed for Heinze, although reports in the Spanish media suggest he will cost Real around €12m (£8.1m).

Everton and M'Boro agree to a fee for Yakubu:

Boro had been looking for £12million the 24-year-old - but they have relented and accepted a deal worth just over £11million.

Yakubu, who trained with Middlesbrough on Wednesday, is now due on Merseyside to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.

The Nigerian will become Everton's record signing and if all goes according to plan he should be available to make his Toffees debut against Blackburn on Saturday.

Juane Ramos claims Spurs made him a dizzying offer; Spurs official denies:

Juande Ramos today contradicted Tottenham Hotspur by claiming the club made him a "dizzying" offer to succeed Martin Jol as manager.
Spurs released a statement this morning saying that "no individual was or has been offered the position of manager/coach at this club while that position has been held by Martin Jol." However Ramos, who has one year left on his contract with Sevilla and insists he will serve it out, told a news conference in Spain: "They made an excellent, dizzying offer, but I'm under contract to Sevilla and my decision is to fulfil it.

Moneyball meets football...

2007-08-22T01:16:00.000-05:00

Can Baseball genius Billy Beane, an avid Spurs fan, translate his penchant for statistics into success in the MLS? The Toronto Star examines how he will fair with his involvement in San Jose Earthquakes, coming to the MLS in 2008 - its an interesting read about the future of soccer in America as well.

It is impossible to talk about Beane without mentioning his baseball philosophy. Beane championed the outsider idea that certain statistics revealed more about a player's quality than physical makeup or mere observation could.
Given legitimacy by Beane, the movement became pejoratively known as Moneyball, after the title of the 2003 book in which the Oakland GM starred. Though Beane has enjoyed remarkable success with the small-market A's, his ideas are still controversial in the baseball fraternity.
Maybe that's why he talks so cautiously about bringing the same philosophies to assembling a soccer team.
"Everybody in sport is using some sort of objective analysis," Beane said. "The biggest key is collecting and utilizing data that is linear to winning games."
The most obvious hurdle is the dearth of statistical data in soccer as compared to baseball.
"I'm too respectful of the sport to say I have the formula for success," Beane said. "But it's something we'd like to explore."
The world soccer equivalent to Billy Beane and the A's is Anatoly Zelentsov and Dynamo Kiev.
In the 1970s and '80s, Zelentsov was the Ukrainian scientist who brought an early version of objective analysis to the world's most popular sport.
Dynamo Kiev's players were taught a series of computer-designed plays and warned against improvising. The field was dissected into grids. Players slid into the grids assigned to them, knowing beforehand with iron certainty whether or not they were due to receive the ball. The result was Total Football with an enormous brain and no heart. Dynamo players were often likened to robots.
But the results spoke for themselves. An underfunded club from a satellite nation dominated the Soviet soccer system for decades and twice won the European Cup Winner's Cup – in 1975 and 1986.
Once the wall came down, top western clubs snatched up Dynamo's biggest stars. Most were abysmal failures once removed from Zelentsov's system.
Dynamo not only used computer models to train the team. They were also used to pick it. Measures that tested reflexes (by, for instance, hitting the same keyboard button as quickly as possible over a long interval) or memory games were thought to reveal a player's true speed and intelligence.
It sounded wacky, but Zelentsov was invited to use his tools to winnow down a 40-player pool to a 20-man Soviet squad. The team chosen by Zelentsov's computer was sent to the 1988 European Championships, where they were surprise finalists.
Right now, Beane doesn't have a system, just the belief that one must exist.
"In everything, there is something. It's just having the ability to mine the linear data from all the background noise," Beane said.
He's even more certain about soccer's future in America.
"It's the vacuum effect. You have the world's richest country. And you have the world's biggest sport. `Collision' is the wrong word, but the vacuum is going to have to be filled."
That "collision" became apparent to him this summer in an unlikely venue – on HBO. In an episode of the hit series Entourage, the show's star, a Hollywood actor named Vincent Chase, spends an afternoon watching a Manchester United game at Dennis Hopper's house.
The episode didn't get it all right – wrong players, wrong games. But it was English soccer in America's coolest homes.
"It's not just sports culture anymore," Beane said. "Now it's become pop culture."
Beane talks down his own knowledge, which seems considerable – he chats easily about the quality of Fernando Torres' "touches" or Arsene Wenger's scouting coups.
If Beane's history is any indicator, his hoovering for raw data will soon transform itself into profitable play on the field.
"I don't pretend to have any answers," Beane said. "I'm just hungry to find them."

Spurs bid for Riquelme; Jol safe (for now)

2007-08-21T15:26:00.000-05:00

Spurs have made a bid to Villareal in excess of £10million.

Spurs official states that Jol is safe (so long as he delivers Champions League football.)

Gareth Bale is playing in a friendly for Wales in an effort to get ready to play for the Spurs.

Heinze's bid for freedom denied...

2007-08-21T11:02:00.000-05:00

Looks like Heinze will be staying at Old Trafford as his appeal to the arbitration board was denied:

United disputed claims from Heinze, 29, who said the Red Devils gave him written permission to pursue a transfer to another club for a fee of £6.8m.
But a Premier League arbitration panel concluded that the permission "was unambiguous in that it envisages only an international transfer".
The defender is set to appeal against the panel's decision.

However, with the transfer window scheduled to shut on 31 August, he is short of time if he wants to leave Old Trafford.
The arbitration panel's verdict read: "The Premier League Board-appointed panel have heard submissions of evidence from both parties and has ruled to dismiss the player's case.
"The hearing concluded that nature and intention of the disputed 13 June 2007 letter, especially when taken in context of verbal discussions and Manchester United FC's transfer policy, was unambiguous in that it envisages only an international transfer.
"Furthermore, the hearing finds the letter constitutes an 'agreement to agree' and did not create an obligation or binding agreement for the club to transfer the player to any particular club."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill travelled to Monday's hearing in London to put their case and will be happy with the verdict.
A Manchester United spokesman said: "We are pleased that the panel has endorsed our case."

Too bad mate, but to me the move never made much sense in the first place but I will be interested to see how this will affect his happiness and his form if Fergie plays him. This ruling has led to the Free Heinze campaign, coming to a t-shirt store near you:

Week 2 Best XI...

2007-08-21T10:45:00.000-05:00

From Sanford's Soccer Net via ESPN:

What a fickle mistress footballing form is. So if Tony Warner, superb in Fulham's opener at Arsenal seven days ago, would kindly shuffle along taking his recent calamitous errors with him, and make way for Steve Harper in TOTW. Harper kept a clean sheet against Aston Villa and proved himself an able deputy once more for the injured Shay Given.

GK: Steve Harper (Newcastle)
CB: Micah Richards (Man City)
CB: Richard Dunne (Man City)
CB: Andre Bikey (Reading)
RM: Steed Malbranque (Spurs)
CM: Jermaine Jenas (Spurs)
CM: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
CM: Mark Noble (West Ham)
LM: Steven Hunt (Reading)
ST: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth)
ST: Emile Heskey (Wigan)

Manager: Sven Goran-Eriksson (Man City)

Beckham MLS highlights...

2007-08-21T10:37:00.001-05:00

Highlights from the LA Galaxy - NY Red Bulls match from this past weekend, which is being touted as the one of the best MLS matches ever, whatever that means:

While Beckham draws the most attention its the play of Jozy Altidore, who scored niftily twice, that has Yank's excited as he appears to be a lone American that can finish consistently and is the best hope for a promising run at the 2010 world cup. Granted Altidore's goals came against crap defending but he has shown class in finishing at the U-20 world cup level and now in the MLS.

Newcastle braces for Martins bids...

2007-08-21T10:22:00.000-05:00

With Martins contract coming to an end soon Newcastle will probably be forced to take the highest bid or else lose the Nigerian national for next to nothing:

Newcastle were today bracing themselves for an approach for striker Obafemi Martins as speculation mounted that Manchester United could seek cover for Wayne Rooney. The 22-year-old is one of a number of frontmen to be linked with the Premier League champions, who have taken just two points from their first three games. United have scored only one goal - Paul Scholes' strike at Portsmouth - to date this season and with Rooney out for around seven more weeks with a fractured metatarsal and Louis Saha struggling for full fitness, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is being tipped to invest once again in an effort to plug the gap. Martins, along with Bolton's Nicolas Anelka and Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov, has been touted as a potential target and the fact that the Nigeria international has a £13million release clause in his contract at St James' Park means the Magpies would be powerless to prevent him leaving the club.

While I think that Anelka would be a better fit for Man U, Martins potential is immense and Man U might make an attractive enough bid for Newcastle to take.

Adu gets a new boss...

2007-08-21T10:15:00.001-05:00

Freddy Adu has a new boss after Benfica Fernando Santos was given his P45 following a loss to newly promoted Leixoes in Benfica's opening match of the season. Santos has been replaced by former Real Madrid boss Jose Antonio Camacho, who vows to make the club great again, hopefully with help from the American teenager.

Ronaldinho bicycle kick...

2007-08-21T10:11:00.001-05:00

Just for kicks here is a moment of brilliance from the Brazilian phenom:

Worst Decision of the Week...

2007-08-21T09:40:00.000-05:00

While the Malouda flop was egregious, the worst call of the weekend came against Fulham as a David Healy shot was carried accross the line by Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer, clearly evident above. Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez rightfully says that the poor decision cost them a point:

TV replays clearly show that Healy’s shot was gathered by Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer behind the line. Sanchez was disappointed with the officials and believes the goal should have been given.

“We obviously were (robbed of a point). As everyone could see it was a goal. There was nobody blocking the linesman’s view of it,” Sanchez told Sky Sports.

“He had to be brave and make the decision because it was well over. It’s one if those ones for the goal-line technology argument.”

Of course the FA, a day late and a quid short, chimes in to say that they will review goal-line technology but are hampered by FIFA rules:

A spokesman said: "We understand the debate around goal-line technology and it's always going to be an important talking point after these incidents.

"Fifa rules clearly state that a referee must take decisions based on what he sees on the field of play and cannot refer to video replays at any time during the game."

Why is FIFA against getting the decision right?? I know that the intent is to not slow the game down but when goals are hard to come by and team like Fulham will be fighting for points they should have the opportunity to dispute a poor decision, especially when the technology is readily available. The Premier League should take a stand and lead the change to institute replay challenges like they do in nearly every other sport

To make things worse, Fulham lost their American skipper Brian McBride for a few months with a dislocated kneecap after planting his leg for a shot on goal in which he scored -- the video below says it all -- OUCH!!

Premier League week 2: XI conclusions

2007-08-21T09:32:00.001-05:00

A great wrap up of the past weekend from Whoateallthepies:

1 Micah Richards is a superhuman backtracking machine who will hunt you down and tackle you (and he'll get himself in all sorts of terrible positions first just to give you a bit of a chance!).

2 If Sven keeps this up he might be able to miss 'the England years' out of his autobiography altogether. Manchester City top of the table. Who would have thought?

3 Rob Styles was having a 'mare. He gave a soft penalty after Florent 'Salmon' Malouda leaped into Steve Finnan, and then started flashing yellow cards around regardless of whether the player had committed an offence, had been booked before or whether he actually intended to book them.

4 Bolton + Sammy Lee = Big Trouble. I smell Steve Wigley Syndrome.

5 Goal-line technology needs to be brought in - just ask David Healy and the gang at Northern Ireland FC, sorry Fulham. A dodgy decision cost them a point against Middlesbrough.

6 Derby losing 4-0, Sunderland losing 3-0. It's about time these newcomers learnt their place! It gives some sense of normality.

7 Harry Redknapp seems to have unearthed another gem in John Utaka. Showed his pace and scored a classy goal against Bolton. I would draft him into my fantasy team if he was registered as a midfielder (where he is currently playing).

8 Manchester United's title challenge will be over before it has started if they drop any more points in the next couple of weeks. We all know they are traditionally strong finishers, but they are giving everyone a worryingly big headstart.

9 Call it stating the obvious but Manchester United desperately need a tap-in merchant, a fox-in-the box. Emergency call to Andrew Cole?

10 In theory, Wigan could have had about five penalties and made their victory over Sunderland really emphatic. As it was referee Mike Riley only gave two (apparently first half penalties have been outlawed).

11 Arsene Wenger is naive if he thinks calling Blackburn 'violent' after their 1-1 draw will stop them doing exactly the same again. He needs to invest in a couple of players with some grit to help the Gunners' flair players cope in this sort of match. At least he can sleep easy knowing Bolton will roll over this season!

Rob Styles is a tosser...

2007-08-21T09:17:00.000-05:00

From the AOL Sporthouse. I hadn't seen this replay yet (as I was travelling Sunday) but it was such a crap call as Malouda was clearly either dummying the ball back to Drogba or flopping like a salmon. Styles looks like a Chelski supporter to me:

If there's one thing on which Chelsea fans and Liverpool fans can agree after Sunday's big match in Anfield, it's this -- referee Rob Styles was a world-class tosser. Not only did he award Chelsea a bogus penalty, as the video above shows, but he handed out, oh, about 38 yellow cards because of player protests. I think Michael Essien got yellow-carded five times for dissent, yet still managed to stay in the game.

The Premier League? It, too, thought that penalty was bogus, and it has acted accordingly.

Referee Rob Styles will not officiate in the next Premier League round after mistakenly awarding Chelsea a penalty kick in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield. ...
Referees chief Keith Hackett said Monday that Styles will be suspended for the next round.

"It is just like with players - if they miss an open goal, they are likely to be dropped," Hackett said. "Having looked at a video and seen a better angle and a better view, clearly (Styles) now recognizes that he got it wrong and he's deeply apologetic for that. I think, in fact, he will be making contact with Liverpool in order to offer his apologies."
It's actually kind of refreshing to see a sports league not only hold a ref accountable for a bad call, but force him to write a letter of apology to the team he wronged.

Quotes from the past weekend:

2007-08-20T14:15:00.000-05:00

From SomePeopleAreOnThePitch:

After reading the match reports for this weekends Premier League matches, some quotes caught my eye.

Some for stating the obvious, some for an interesting spin on things, and some just for the sheer hilarity...

"Do you think my players surround the referee? I have a naive team. We do not have any divers.”
Don’t laugh, but that was said by Jose Mourinho.

"If that's the case then I'm Little Red Riding Hood!”
Liverpool manager Rafe Benitez, in response to the comment above.

"The manager had a lot to say, - I'll leave it at that.”
Nyron Nosworthy on manager Roy Keane after the 3-0 defeat at Wigan.

"People talked us up before the start of the season and that's why it took only four days to bring us down again.”
Under pressure Tottenham manager Martin Jol.

“If you don't keep clean sheets, then you struggle to win football games.”
Sammy Lee, manager of Bottom of the table Bolton.

Monday Quick hits

2007-08-20T14:02:00.001-05:00

Newly signed Man City striker Bojinov out 5 months with ligament damage.

Ref dropped from the Premier League after horrendous call against Liverpool.

Man U only has 2 points after losing the Manchester derby but Fergie isn't panicking (yet.)

After 3 games Man U are already facing a must win against the Spurs.

Diouf wants to wander away from Bolton.

Alan Shearer might buy Newcastle with help from some Icelandic friends.

American spare part Eddie Lewis is signed by Derby from troubled Leeds side.

For US viewers -- top goals in the Premier League last weekend.

Brazil scores a goal in the first 9 seconds of the U-17 World Cup.

Sven says the Citizen's aren't a top table side yet.

Martin Jol can't take the pressure.

Gerrard, Hargreaves and Bent are out of the English friendly.

Roy Keane blasts Sunderland after Wigan whoops his lads.

Week 3 Wrapup

2007-08-20T13:59:00.001-05:00

From Thatsonpoint:

Premier League round three in the books...and we don't know anything.

Manchester City beats Manchester United.

Wigan Athletic has won two in a row.

At least Blackburn rallied to draw Arsenal. Jens, Jens, Jens.

Instead of all that, we'll start with Liverpool/Chelsea and a 'dodgy' penalty call by Robbie Stiles. That's not to say there wasn't contact between Steve Finnan and Flourent Malouda, but of all the things that aren't called penalties this was suspect.

Then of course, the draw helps Manchester United, who are now only five points behind Chelsea, instead of seven. In either event, United's margin of error is next to nothing for the time being.

And again, credit to City for a shocking debut, nine points from three games. Who'd have thought.

Elsewhere, it seems when anyone from the midtable play, anything can happen.

Week's stars

1. Geovanni, Man City -- If YouTube didn't became fascists, the I could link you to the Brasilian's curling tally. It was pretty damn impressive. (Thanks to a reader, got a link...be warned you don't want Scotland Yard on your ass.

2. Andre Bikey, Reading -- Cameroonian was immense in the back for Reading in their first victory of the season.
3. Lee Cattermole, Middlesbrough -- Academy product fires a late winner to get 'Boro its first points of the year.
4. Steed Malbranque, Tottenham -- Belgian/French dude scores twice in the first half to get Spurs season back on track vs. Derby County (who just added Eddie Lewis, yay!).
5. Kanu, Portsmouth -- Nigerian was all of the place in Pompey's 3-1 win.

Baked

Fulham's American captain Brian McBride had to be stretchered off after twisting his ankle in the 20th minute of his team's 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough. Very disappointing. Sounds like the longtime US international will be gone a while. More information likely during the week. Doesn't sound good.

Play Now Sports

I've used this comparison before, but I'll do it again. Wigan Athletic are George Costanza, the rest of the league is Play Now Sports. Nobody wants Wigan or Costanza, but like a 'weed in Hitler's bunker' they're tough to get rid of.

Lookalikes

Reading's goalscoring hero (and bane of Petr Cech), Irishman Stephen Hunt and late AC/DC frontman, Aussie Bonn Scott. Hopefully Hunt doesn't choke on his own vomit after a night of Guinness.

Sorry for a brief recap, lot of other stuff going on.

Adios.

Maradona good; Pelé better; George Best.

2007-08-17T01:06:00.001-05:00

Featuring a spectacular 6 goal effort from George and the infamous FA game with the Cottagers against second division outfit Hereford United in which he tackled his teammate, and old drinking mate, Rodney Marsh:

Top goals from Wednesday's action...

2007-08-16T23:30:00.001-05:00

Michael Johnson's superb strike for Man City, showing why all the big clubs want this kid.

Voronin's immaculate blast for Liverpool in their away leg qualifying round match against Toulouse.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Hartley's great header to give Celtic a huge advantage in their CL qualifying battle with Spartak.

Scholesy's thread the needle screamer from outside of the box to put United up on Portsmouth.

Clichy's steal and set up for Fabregas as Arsenal take a two goal advantage in their CL qualifying round with Sparta.

Messi's wonder strike against Bayern Munich

Caffa's stoppage time free kick goal for Real Betis to win the friendly over Real Madrid.

Betis 1 - 0 Real M. Caffa 93'
Uploaded by cubbek

And of course, Golden Balls' is free kick.

And if you get a chance, here are Drogba's tremendous strike and Hleb's kamikaze goal. Cheers.

Video of the Carling Cup shocker...

2007-08-16T17:26:00.001-05:00

As discussed a few days ago, Sky Sports has highlights of the shocking upset of PNE by Morecambe:

PNE Boss Simpson seems on point on his assessment of his sides first half effort as a Championship club has no business losing to a fourth division team.

By the way... is the bloke interviewed at the end of the video, Jim Bentley, part of Goldie Lookin Chain ?

Wayne Rooney is amazing...

2007-08-16T17:13:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the Soccernista for finding this gem -- I don't think this behind the scenes footage is fake as he surmises though...

A must watch.

Q&A with Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann...

2007-08-16T16:51:00.001-05:00

From the NY Times new soccer blog:

Marcus Hahnemann is now in his eighth year playing in England. Last season, the Reading keeper helped his team finish eighth in the Premiere League, their first season in the top flight. He recorded 22 shutouts in 38 league games.

After sustaining a seriously broken right hand in the final match of last season, Hahnemann returned to Reading’s starting lineup las Sunday against Manchester United and held the champions to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, left, in action against Manchester United.

On Monday, Hahnemann spoke by telephone from England with Jack Bell of The New York Times. Here is a transcript of that discussion.

Q:We know you’ve been there before, but what was it like to take the field against Manchester United’s star-studded lineup on Sunday?

A: They are such a good team with so many unbelievable players. I mean even players in the stands. You kind of forget about that once the game starts. But once it’s over and I got to see the highlights, I saw the camera panned the players sitting in the stands: Tevez, Solskjaer and Neville. Then you look some more and see five more guys. I’m just like, ‘Oh my gosh, they are so deep.’ And that’s the thing about those teams, teams like Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - it’s not just the 11 guys on the field. Those guys have unbelievable teams behind them.

Q: So, when you played Man U, is it impossible to concentrate on any one or two players?

A: Well, there’s Ronaldo, Giggs and Rooney. Those three guys are unnerving when you try and play against them.

Q: How do you focus yourself for games?

A: It’s kind of funny. Last year we got promoted to the Premiership. In the past, I’ve like to exchanged shirts with an opposing player. But for the first seven games in the Premier League I didn’t do it. I didn’t want to feel like I was just happy to be there. I wanted to make sure I had, and the team had, arrived first before I started getting mementos. Then we went up to play at Man U and I took my wife. She thought it was pretty cool. That’s when we knew we had arrived.

No, it’s kind of is almost like a job a little bit, now because when you’re on the field you really don’t get to take in the atmosphere. We played in a Cup game at Old Trafford in which I didn’t play. The stadium wasn’t quite full, there were a couple of thousand empty seats. But when I was on the bench I had time to look around and take in the atmosphere more, and it was incredible.

On Sunday, we were under a little bit of pressure, especially in the second half so I couldn’t take it in too much. We couldn’t really get out of [our] own half, especially with 10 men. We ran out of ideas. I was clearing the ball as close to [the] touchline as I could, hoping it would go out and even though it was a throw-in for them, it gave us some time to catch a breath. The guys were just too tired from running, a lot of running.

Q: Was there any talk before the game of playing for a tie?

A: We wanted to get something from the game. Almost anybody who goes to Man U is happy coming away with a point. Especially a clean sheet. It’s an unbelievable result. On Thursday, our manager, Steve Coppell, said we were going to be going with man marking. Guys were like going to be running all over the place. It’s a testament to the diligence of the team and our willingness to try. But if I had let a goal in the first minute it all goes out [the] window. Stuck with it, the guys did a great job.

We were so tired and when we did get a chance to go forward, even Ronaldo chased [Nicky] Shorey all the way down into his own box. We were hoping that maybe someone would be a little lazy and not chase back. But what really impressed me was that Man U has a lot of guys who are willing to defend. They have so many world-class players, but they are all willing to defend also.

Q: Before the game, I saw some stories saying you might not play. Then while watching the game, the announcers mentioned your hand injury. When and how did it happen?

A: I hurt it on May 13, in the last game of the season against Blackburn. There was a low cross and I went to win the ball. I had my ball with my hand on top of it and I got caught just right by Nonda. I was pretty unlucky because the injury was to my middle and ring fingers. Pretty nasty. I’ve got a real good buddy at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, Randy Viola, who told me to have the X-rays emailed to him. He said it was the worst break on a right hand they’ve ever seen. He wanted to know when I could get to Colorado.

Q: So, the injury kind of ruled you out of playing for the U.S. national team in the Gold Cup and Copa América.

A: I talked to Bob [Bradley] and he said he planned to take Kasey [Keller] and Tim [Howard]. I was fine with that because I wanted to rest the hand and it meant I would have my first summer off in three years. I wanted to fish and play golf. But it was a good four weeks before I was really doing any fishing, and I was casting left-handed. It wasn’t easy. I took my boys out a few times and they can’t cast very well, either. But we had a good time floating down Yakima River [in Washington State], where I have a house.

Q: How much time did you have off?

A: Well, we started preseason training on June 26. I wasn’t sure if I would be ready for training. The hand just wasn’t healed up enough. I was training, but not catching balls. No one could take shots at me, the hand just wouldn’t take it. Still, I was able to do goalkeeper training, but instead of handling a shot, I just collapsed to the ground and came up ready for a throw. There was still a lot of work for me to do, because I really only was training for 10 days before the season. All preseason, no one expected me to be ready to play.

Q: So there you are at Old Trafford, and early in the game in comes Wayne Rooney on a breakaway.

A: That was the first chance: Rooney one-on-one. I had to stick my right hand out there unprotected. I cringed a bit, but it was O.K. I said to myself that my hands were still on so I must be alright, Bear in mind that in training the one thing I was worried about was another kick. I mean I have 16 pins and 2 plates in there.

Then in the second half there was a scramble in front of the goal and I dove on the ball and I got whacked by one of my own men. I grabbed the ball with both hands and luckily, he hit me in the left hand.

Those things happen all the time. I’m 35, I’ve been kicked all the time and nothing ever happened. But this injury was more critical because [I’m] a keeper and broke a hand. There were questions about me coming back, some people said it would be months because of the surgery.

Q: Then does it seem a little strange to you that later in the game Rooney gets stepped on and is now expected to be out for at least six weeks?

A: I didn’t really notice right away what happened. It didn’t look like anything at first. I thought he had rolled his ankle. I’m not sure what happened. He took off his boot and was limping. I just thought all sorts of things could have happened: he could have jammed his toe into the ground or gotten kicked. You don’t really, while playing, don’t have time to think [about] other players. You’ve got your job to focus on and that’s about it. He didn’t come out for the second half, I said to myself, ‘O.K., now I’m worried about whose coming in and their tendencies.’ I have to change what I’m doing. It wasn’t until after the game that I wondered what’s happen to Wayne. Some people don’t really care about guys on the other team, but I’ve been in England a really long time. I know Wayne [is] out of qualifying games. And now England is my second team, being here eight years, all my friends are English and I watch the games with them. You end up rooting for England and now I’m sure Wayne will be missed.

Q: At the start of last season, all the pundits in England had Reading tabbed to go right back down to the League Championship. But you guys did surprisingly well and finished in the middle of the table. Did that surprise you?

A: Yes, I think we did surprise ourselves. We all thought and believed we would stay up in the Premiership. That was our first goal. But to finish eighth, one point off a Euro spot puts you in a pretty remarkable crowd. I suppose we could have gotten another point the last game had I not got injured, but to finish so close to a Euro spot is truly amazing. Not too many teams have done better their first year in the top flight. You see some teams that have been around in Prem seven or eight years and still can’t get above 12th, that’s it. This is such a difficult league. You have to grind results out every week. Not [the] same as couple of years ago when we ran away with the Championship, when we could get a win when we needed it. Now we’re fighting for life to get nil-nil against Man U in a game where we only had something like two shots.

Q: How much better can you expect to do this season? Or is it again a matter of avoiding relegation?

A: The question is depth. And injuries to a squad the size of ours would kill us, that’s the bottom line. I think we spent like $2 million on players all summer. And look at Sunderland, they spent $25 to $30 million. We have not spent that much money, but we have a really good core that needs to be strengthened. We have to find the right players for our team, don’t want to bring someone in whose not going to fit in, we don’t want anyone to upset the dressing room, as they say over here.

Our goal is definitely the top 10 this season and maybe getting into Europe for next year, which would make the club even stronger. The problem is, for a club like ours without a lot of depth, all those extra games … I don’t know if they’re really wanted.

Q: What does the future hold for you?

A: I know nothing. I’m going to play as long as I’m having fun and can get out of bed every morning and train. As you get older, your body does slow down. After games, your body does get sore and then you can’t train as hard. It’s just a fact. You have to be able to tailor training sessions. Three or four years down the road is the next World Cup, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to train as hard for it. I’ve told Bob that I want to be a part of it. He knows I love going with team, I want to be there for the next one. It’s just how my body will feel. Wake up and body says ‘no,’ then you’re not training. If you can’t keep doing it at a high level it’s time to go. If you can’t train, you performance in games would suffer.

Q: There area always people in soccer who say that a goalkeeper’s best years are the mid-to-late 30s, even 40. Do you agree?

A: Last year, when I was 34, I played the best I’ve ever played in [the] Prem. I had more saves than anyone else and my team didn’t finish bottom, it finished eighth. Usually, the guy with the most saves is on a last-place team. I had the most saves and I was busy. Now I’m 35 and you can feel your body. I don’t know how much longer I’ll play, I don’t think anyone can say play they’re going to play until they’re 40. If there are no injuries and I’m still playing at 40, fine. It might reach a point whether I retire if my family wants to go back to the States for my kids schooling. How long can a body hold up? I love the game. I like training. I love shooting practice. And I just love talking trash during training.

Q: This is your seventh season at Reading. Do you plan to stick around beyond this season?

A: I have a contract through this season. I talked with my agent over the summer and he told me the club had called him and wanted to meet about a new deal. But, for whatever reason, they then said they didn’t want to do anything now. I’ve played 231 games for Reading and I’ve never said I wanted to do anything but stay at Reading. If, if they decide differently I’m willing to consider my options. What I’ll be doing next July, I don’t know. I might be sitting in my house on the Yakima River. I just hope to have something by then.

10 Classic Roy Keane rants...

2007-08-16T10:58:00.000-05:00

Good stuff from the Guardian, a lot of it containing unprintable four letter words.

Sheffield Utd to sue West Ham for relegation...

2007-08-16T10:27:00.000-05:00

After a failed bid for a retroactive points deduction, West Ham avoided relegation at the expense of the Blades. Sheffield strongly believe that Tevez affair was directly responsible for their relegation and have announced today that they plan to sue West Ham for 50 million Euros:

Sheffield United have announced they plan to sue West Ham for the cost of their relegation from the Premier League.
The Blades failed last month in their high court bid to force new Premier League disciplinary action against West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair; they had hoped to pave the way for a retrospective points deduction that would send West Ham down while keeping United in the top flight. Once that avenue of attack was cut off, they revealed they would consider suing West Ham for compensation of between £30m and £50m.
"After consideration and discussion with our legal advisers Sheffield United are today initiating legal proceedings against West Ham United as we seek substantial compensation for our relegation from the Premier League," said Toby Craig, a member of the club's legal team.
"This action is distinct from the arbitration proceedings between the club and the Premier League during the close season," he continued. "We have always said that we will do everything in our power to secure justice for Sheffield United and restore the integrity of English football which has been tarnished by this affair. Once proceedings have been issued we will await a response from West Ham before making any further statements."
United were relegated to the Championship after finishing three points behind the Hammers, whose only penalty for including banned clauses in the contracts of Tevez and Javier Mascherano - and then deliberately concealing them from the Premier League authorities - was a £5.5m fine. By maintaining their Premier League status this season, West Ham secured a share of the television rights money worth in excess of £30m.

True Sheffield got robbed last year but if they can get promoted as Derby can attest they stand to make twice that television rights money and will be better suited for success next season. Of course adding $30M from West Ham's coffers surely wouldn't hurt that effort as well.

Thursday Quick Hits...

2007-08-16T10:12:00.000-05:00

A couple of quick hits for today:

Daniel Alves move to Chelsea has hit a snag as Sevilla says the offer is vastly under their value
Stevie G breaks his toe but will play Chelsea this weekend but will miss the friendly versus Germany
Hamburg SV won't let Dutch star Van der Vaart leave them
Kieron Dyer's move to West Ham is complete but probably a week too late as he clearly was needed last weekend. His transfer should be completed in time for this weekend's fixture against Birmingham
Beckham finally makes an impact in the MLS Superliga Cup:

Tuesday/Wednesday Wrap Up...

2007-08-16T09:56:00.000-05:00

From the blog Thatsonpoint:

What we know

1. Manchester United is in trouble. As Steven Gerrard so elegantly in his Scouse accent stated on the Prem preview show, you can't win the league in August, but you can lose it. In two games, Manchester United has dropped four points and already chase Chelsea.

It would easy to say this isn't a big deal and its no reason to panic, but consider United has already lost Wayne Rooney for two months and now loses Cristiano Ronaldo to suspension for retaliating late in the game with a headbutt. Guess he didn't mind messing up his much lauded locks, eh?

Of the two draws from United the opening day 0-0 vs. Reading is probably more concerning. For whatever reason the team has its problems at Fratton Park against Portsmouth.

You just wonder, on paper United looked capable of setting all sorts of goal-scoring records and through two games they've netted one. At least Carlos Tevez made an impact.

Looking ahead the next couple weeks don't get easier for United, beginning with Sunday's trip to the City of Manchester Stadium. After that it's: v. Tottenham; v. Sunderland (Roy Keane alert); at Everton; v. Chelsea (could be a must-win); at Birmingham. Then it gets much easier in October: v. Wigan; at Villa; v. Middlesbrough.

Does SAF have one more ace up his sleeve in the transfer market?

2. City probably won't get relegated, as I guessed. Sven's men have already grabbed six points from two games. What that means, assuming 40 points assures safety that the boys in sky blue are 15 percent of the way home. If they nick anything from United this weekend, I may even eat my hat. Though, let's not start doing back-flips over a 1-0 win over promoted Derby County.

3. Sunderland 2007/08 is not Sunderland 2005/06. Two years ago the Black Cats tallied 15 points on the whole season, after two game this year they've got four.

4. Lower league buys paying dividends. Two games in and buys from the Championship David Healy (Fulham from Leeds) and Michael Chopra (Sunderland from Cardiff City) have netted twice. Also scoring in each game are everyone's favorite bald Frenchman Antoine Sibierski, Zimbabwe zensation Benjani and Everton's Leon Osman.

5. Parity? Through two games we have three teams to win both -- Everton, Chelsea and Man City and three winless clubs -- Middlesbrough, Bolton and Tottenham(mered). Likely by the end of October we'll have some separation, but perhaps the league is more balanced that I give it credit for.

6. Chelsea are going to miss Michael Essien at the African Cup of Nations (duh). Without the Ghanaian bulldog, the Blues were pretty pedestrian in the first half vs. Reading. Credit Jose Mourinho for seeing this early and tinkering with his lineup, bringing on Claudio Pizarro and Jon Obi Mikel at halftime for Paulo 'Portuguese for pitiful' Ferreira and Steve Sidwell, thus ending his homecoming. I guess credit goes the Chelsea's main two goal scorers, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba for rescueing the team from its snooze at the Madejski. Typical, ruthless, efficient Chelsea. (And I'll say it again, who the hell chose the Chelsea away shirts? Did they sign a contract with Boby Glove or something? Dreadful!)

7. Reading is going to be a team no one wants to play. Two red cards in two games against arguably the league's top two contenders. Credit Steve Coppell's men for being organized and intelligent. They get tri-leaders Everton Saturday.

8. One nice thing about Bolton.
The new black Reebok away shirts look pretty good. (Yank alert, Carlos Bocanegra booked again in the 90th minute of Fulham's 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.)
What we don't know

1. Is Daniel Alves going to Chelsea? Protracted deals are nothing new, but this one might not happen. The Brasilian right back, even if he is reckless getting forward, should slot in perfectly in West London.

2. Can I keep my guessing rate up? Not to pat myself on the back (who am I kidding?) of the three games I guessed correctly, I got the score right in each game, bringing my season total to 8-8.

3. Can Man City keep this up and conversely can Tottenham continue to stink up the joint? We'll see.

4. Can Sammy Lee survive until Christmas? With, let's call it, an eclectic group of talent the ship might sink rather quickly in Trotters territory.

Champions League-ing

Nothing to crazy in the final leg of Champions League qualifying aside from Ajax dropping 0-1 at home to Slavia Prague. Meanwhile, at the Czech capital Alexsandr Hleb and Cesc Fabregas ensued Sparta Prague is in a heap of trouble. Liverpool took care of business against Tolouse, winning 1-0 on a goal from Andriy Voronin. The boys in Green, Celtic got a first half goal from Paul Hartley and drew Spartak Moscow 1-1.

Return legs are Aug. 29.

Ronaldo's three game ban definitely is the story of the week thus far. As is Bolton's struggles with Sammy Lee, who certainly appears to be headed out the door before the season really got underway.

Feilhaber debut delayed...

2007-08-15T10:45:00.001-05:00

Derby supporters will have to wait for the debut of the young American as his registration wasn't completed in time for today's fixture versus Man City:

Derby boss Billy Davies plans to rotate his team, even though they began with an encouraging draw against Portsmouth. One man definitely still out is midfielder Giles Barnes, who is sidelined by a foot injury. Derbys latest recruit, American midfielder Benny Feilhaber, is ineligible because his international clearance has not yet come through.

Hopefully this weekend he will be able to build on his strong performances with the USMNT

European Power Rankings...

2007-08-15T10:19:00.000-05:00

TOP 10 EUROPEAN CLUBS

1. Barcelona. More power up front than most clubs dream about, Barca also beefed up its defense for good measure.

2. AC Milan. Italian champ mostly stood pat, but Champions League titleholder already loaded.

3. Chelsea. Focused, talented side hoping to recapture English Premier League crown.

4. Bayern Munich. Miroslav Klose, Franck Ribery and Luca Toni signings should help restore order in Bavaria.

5. Real Madrid. Javier Saviola leads pack of reinforcements; German legend Bernd Schuster takes over as coach.

6. Manchester United. In tight Premiership race, Wayne Rooney's broken foot puts United behind the 8-ball to start the season.

7. Olympique Lyon. French league should change name to Lyon Ligue 1; Lyon looking for seventh consecutive French title.

8. Internazionale. Italian titleholder will face strong challenge from rival Milan, which unlike last year won't start the season with negative points.

9. Liverpool. Fernando Torres' arrival ensures Liverpool will be in contention for EPL crown.

10. Sevilla. UEFA Cup champion made Spanish race interesting last year; now will have Champions League glory to chase after.

Times Online Previews todays matches:

2007-08-15T09:46:00.000-05:00

Check it out here.

Roy Keane: Modern Footballers are soft...

2007-08-15T09:10:00.000-05:00

From CaughtOffside:

Well, it didn’t take long for Roy Keane to win over pretty much every fan in the entire world when he brought Sunderland back into the Premier League. Then his side put in an organised, hardworking performance to upset Tottenham, the club who everyone loves to hate, on the opening fixture of the new season. Now it seems he’s trying to one up himself by launching a tirade against the modern footballer,

“Priorities have changed in footballers and they’re being dictated to by their wives and girlfriends - there’s no getting away from that,” blasted Keane.

“This idea of the women running the show concerns me and worries me but it shouldn’t because the players we’re talking about are soft.

“I could name three or four big players now and clearly their wives are running their lives. They’re stood there doing these photo shoots and they might say ‘I’m not comfortable doing it’. Well, don’t do it then.

“They’re getting dragged into it because of their partners. These so-called big stars, the ones people are supposed to be looking up to, they’re weak, they’re soft.

“If a player doesn’t want to come to Sunderland because his wife wants to go shopping in London it’s a sad state of affairs. It’s not a football move, it’s a lifestyle move, and they’re the type you don’t want at your club anyway. It tells me the player is weak and his wife runs his life.”"
Can’t really argue with any of that, and really only confirms what we already knew about Roy Keane the player and the manager. No-nonsense and 100% football-focused, just like Sir Alex or even Brian Clough.

Roy also had this gem to add:

'Their priorities are not the same as mine. We will do the best for our players' families, but we've had a player this summer who didn't even ring us back because his wife wanted to move to London. And shopping was mentioned. It might astonish many people, but it's true,' he said.

Roy's message is loud and clear: don't let your WAG's control you lads....

USMNT releases roster for Sweden friendly...

2007-08-15T08:51:00.000-05:00

From USSoccer.com:

CHICAGO (August 14, 2007) — U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named the 19-man roster that will travel to face 11-time World Cup finalists Sweden on Aug. 22 in Göteborg. The U.S. team will begin arriving in Göteborg on Sunday, Aug. 19 and will train twice before Wednesday’s match. Kickoff at Ullevi Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local time) and will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel (with Galavision airing the match live at 2:30 p.m. ET and delayed at 2:30 p.m. PT). Fans can also follow the match live via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

"We are happy to be able to see so many of our foreign-based players in action and to put them in another challenging environment,” said Bradley, who is 10-3-1 in 2007 and making his first trip to Europe with the team. ”We are continuing to develop our team as World Cup qualifying approaches, and this group will certainly play a large role in that process. Sweden is bringing a very competitive roster, so it should be a great match.”

Here's the roster:

ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (2) – Marcus Hahnemann (Reading FC), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
Defenders (6) – Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders (6) – DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
Forwards (5) – Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Kamani Hill (VfL Wolfsburg), Josh Wolff (1860 Munich), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)

Anaylsis from ThatsOnPoint:

1. Benny Feilhaber is listed as a Derby County player. The deal isn't totally official as of Tuesday afternoon. Here's the official Derby release notes. At first I didn't think this was a good move, but I've come around. Hamburg might be near the top of the Bundesliga come May, but it's still not the Prem. Even if Derby goes straight back down, he'll get bigger exposure and should move to a new, higher-profile club in a year. The sky appears to be the limit...right now. (Crossing fingers.)

2. Jon Bornstein is Bob Bradley's adoptive son. There are two MLS players in this squad. Pablo Mastroeni makes sense, Bornstein over, say, Heath Pearce who now plays at Hansa Rostock or Frank Simek at left back just doesn't make sense. After the two International tournaments earlier this summer we all know exactly who Bornstein is. The other two players, not so much. This is a perfect opportunity, wonder what Bradley's thought process is here.

3. Welcome back -- Steve Cherundolo, Marcus Hahnemann, Bobby Convey and Josh Wolff. Considering there won't be a lot of pre-training before this one-off game, which is more of interest to Sweden that anything, it kind of makes sense to recall these players. No sense bringing in any excess MLSers who are still in season. It'll be good to see if Cherundolo has anything left in the tank. Wolff...umm...he had his moments but is past the sell-by date. The Reading boys both deserve looks. Hahnemann should have earned a start after his work vs. Manchester United. Who knows what Convey has coming off his lengthy knee injury.

4. Sal Zizzo is a forward? Looked like a winger to me during the U-20 World Cup.

Again, this isn't a huge game in the grand scheme of things. Yes, Sweden is a nice team with a good pedigree, but this is just a friendly. You can't read too much into it, yet this is a lineup that should be able to compete.

You just wonder if Bradley will recall a similar, Euro-based squad for the much anticipated friendly with Brasil in early September.

The matchup I want to see the most in the Sweden game is Onyewu vs. Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

I would add that although he's young, and just joined Benfica, I think Bradley needs to start considering giving Adu some friendly call-ups so he can get some caps under his belt prior to 2010 as he proved to the world in the U-20 World Cup that he is one of the most skillful Yank in the USMNT's talent pool. Not to mention that it would be nice to cap-tie him.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!! Oye Oye Oye!!!

2007-08-15T02:31:00.001-05:00

Off Topic: A must watch -- former Aussie Rules Football player, Sav Rocca, gets "welcomed" to the violent world of the American football game.

Carling Cup off to a shocking start...

2007-08-14T19:46:00.000-05:00

In the first round of the Carling Cup, Preston North End FC, a Championship side were shocked by local rival Morecambe FC ("the Shrimps") who were promoted to League Football for the first time after winning the Conference Playoff Final last season:

Morecambe made a stunning Carling Cup debut by knocking out Lancashire rivals Preston 2-1 in the first round at Deepdale on Tuesday night.
The Shrimps, newly promoted to the Football League, took a sixth-minute lead through Jim Bentley's volley from a Craig Stanley cross. Danny Pugh headed a 73rd-minute equaliser for the Championship side but Sammy McIlroy's team went back in front with six minutes to go as David Artell netted a dramatic winner.

Looks like the win won't come as a shock to Preston boss Paul Simpson:

"It's a local derby and they have just been promoted and they will want to shock us," Simpson said.

"We will treat them with respect because we don't want to be upset." [Ed. sorry mate]

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Simpson and Shrimps boss Sammy McIlroy are former Manchester City team-mates.

Preston supporters surely can't be happy with Simpson and definitely weren't happy with the teams effort as the end of the first half was culiminated with boo's from the home crowd.

UPDATE: Found the coverage from the local fishwrap "Shrimp's In Wonderland."

Adu makes his debut...

2007-08-14T18:27:00.000-05:00

Not much to report from Adu's performance but Benfica managed to get the win over Danish powerhouse FC Copenhagen

On Tuesday, Adu began in his usual forward midfield role before alternating between the wings during the second half. He shied away from dribbling runs at the defense and mostly favored quick, short passes.
Early in the second half, he set up Oscar Cardozo, whose header was kept out by the goalie's fingertips. With 10 minutes to play, Adu tried a bicycle kick, but the shot went far wide of the goal.
A scrappy defense prevented Adu from getting any more possessions, and he rarely dented the defense.

Hopefully Adu will continue to get minutes for the Portuguese side

Arrest warrant issued for Man City owner

2007-08-14T16:15:00.000-05:00

Man City fan surely cannot sleep easy on this news - especially after all the cash that was spent over the summer:

Thailand's supreme court has approved a prosecution request to issue arrest warrants for the Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife on corruption charges. The former Thai prime minister, who has been living in self-imposed exile in England, took over City in the summer and installed Sven-Goran Eriksson as manager.

It is understood that, if convicted, Thaksin could face up to 10 years in jail and a nominal fine.

Whether this move is politically motivated or not it can't be good to have so much uncertainty surrounding Man City after such an outstanding start to league play.

Arteta shines as Everton rolls...

2007-08-14T16:09:00.000-05:00

Lescott celebrates a goal in the first 3 minutes

Mikel Arteta was fabulous today in Everton's 3-1 win over the reeling Spurs side. After setting up two goals, Arteta nearly missing scoring two of his own and seems to likely be designated the Man of the Match. Good news for those of us who have the young Spaniard on their Fantasy sides.

Bend it like Bastos...

2007-08-14T00:19:00.000-05:00

A superb effort from the corner by (newly promoted) Metz defender and Brazilian international, Michel Fernandes Bastos:

Oui Pierre -- that goal was as brilliant as Jerry Lewis

The two goals the Premier League doesn't want you to see

2007-08-13T23:56:00.000-05:00

An outstanding take from David Warner at AOL Sports Blog, not much else needs to be said:

I was a little hesitant to post this clip here, because I have a feeling that the Premier League will find out about these guys and file lawsuits against them, just like they did against YouTube, but really, this Steven Gerrard free kick has to be seen to be believed.

Clips like this would be a fantastic promotional tool for the Premier League, something that could show people just how exciting this league can be. If the Premier League actually worked with an online video site -- or created its own, like Comedy Central did -- to produce highlight clips like this that bloggers could share with their audience, then perhaps the league could attract even more sports fans. MLS has a YouTube account. U.S. Soccer has one, too. Why doesn't the Premier League?

Because they let lawyers determine their marketing policy. It's one thing to protect your copyright, but stop punishing your biggest fans for this. That's just stupidity.

After the jump: Obafemi Martins of Newcastle makes a bicycle kick goal that rips the heart out of Bolton Wanderers fans everywhere.

Warner's point is outstanding -- the more casual sports fans see of fabulous goals such as these, the more the league will grow. Personally, the more I see the Martins goal, the more amazing it is.

UPDATE: Here's a goal the Premier League would definitely rather you not see:

Perhaps efforts like Lehmann's are what the Premier League is trying to prevent it's fans from seeing.

Game winner from the center circle

2007-08-13T23:45:00.001-05:00

Konstantin Nahk of Red Star Belgrade scores a free kick from center circle -- nice touch mate!

Week 1: Best XI

2007-08-13T22:55:00.001-05:00

From Goal.com (paraphrased):

Premier League Best Eleven Of The Week: Week 1 Who were the best performers in the Premiership at the weekend?

Goalkeeper

Tony Warner (Fulham): Kept Fulham from getting blown out after getting word he would play 10 minutes before kickoff.

Defenders

Nicky Shorey (Reading): Marked Cristiano Ronaldo effectively.

Paul McShane (Sunderland): Nullified what has been hyped as the most vaunted strike-force in the Premier League. The fact that the largely anonymous Berbatov was withdrawn underlined McShane's effectiveness.

Jamie Carragher (Liverpool): Solid in the back

Ross Wallace (Sunderland): Fed Chopra for the lone goal

Midfielders

Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea): Finally living up to his potential?

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): Two words: Free kick

Elano (Manchester City): Sven is a genius

Olivier Kapo (Birmingham City): Class goal against Cech had Chelsea fans biting nails

Strikers

Obafemi Martins (Newcastle United): Heroic performance.

Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers): scored within two minutes of being subbed in.

Honourable Mentions:

Stuart Taylor was heroic in goal for Aston Villa, and Marcus Hahnemann produced a number of second-half saves to preserve Reading's clean sheet at Old Trafford, while on Teesside Brad Friedel was a typically formidable barrier for Blackburn.

Micah Richards underlined his quality in the Manchester City, Nyron Nosworthy showed why Sunderland fans love him and Zat Knight made a couple of crucial blocks for Fulham against Arsenal. Newcastle's David Rozehnal had a good debut and Andy Todd capped a fine display for Derby with a spectacular diving header to earn the Rams a first-day point.

Midfielders who caught the eye included Manchester City's Michael Johnson and Martin Petrov. Dickson Etuhu showed Premier League potential for Sunderland while Mikel Arteta shone for Everton and Matt Oakley produced a csptain's goal-scoring performance for Derby County.

Claudio Pizarro and Florent Malouda looked ominously classy for Chelsea, both getting on the scoresheet, Dirk Kuyt worked tirelessly across the front line for Liverpool and Derby's Steve Howard was a handful.

Not too many stick points here, but I would here's where I would differ on the Best XI, GK has to be Marcus Hahnemann who made so many nice saves that the cult of the bald Yank amongst Reading supporters grows daily.

Spiderman mask earns player red card

2007-08-13T22:21:00.000-05:00

NFL football star Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson's act is crossing over as soccer players have resorted to using props for their goal celebrations, a la Carrot Top.

Dateline Rio:

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Pablo Salinas was sent off for a Spiderman goal celebration after scoring for The Strongest in their 2-0 derby win over Bolivar on Sunday.
Deportivo San Martin crushed nine-man Alianza Lima 5-0 in Peru where the other two big clubs, Sporting Cristal and Universitario, also lost.

Apparently Salinas isn't the only fool to have done this:

A great take from the Offside:

As far a goal celebrations go, I’ve always thought the old pull a mask from your shorts and run around like a super hero ranks in the middle of the pack somewhere between the brilliance of sniffing the end line and the not so brilliant tangoing with the corner flag. It isn’t easy playing with something stuffed down your shorts and when you do score you should be allowed to give your little guys below a little freedom.
The killjoys in Bolivia think otherwise. After scoring the second goal in The Strongest’s 2-0 victory over Bolivar this weekend, Pablo Salinas dug deep into his shorts and pulled out a Spider-Man mask which he put on his head. The referee, apparently a big fan of Spidey’s nemesis Green Goblin, gave Salinas a yellow card, his second of the match.
The soccer world is clearly biased against Spider-Man. Too bad. His outfit is better than some kits and he is a crowd pleaser.

(Hat tip to the Offside for the story)

Star of the Week: Obafemi Martins...

2007-08-13T16:53:00.001-05:00

Although Steven Gerrard was brilliant in his nearly single-handed effort to best Aston Villa, it was Martins' two spectacular goals that led to the most "oooo's" and "aaaaa's" over the weekend. Unfortunately the EPL has cracked down on YouTube showing highlights from their matches so this is the best one can do if you haven't seen it yet.

Martins took it off the chest and quickly rounded into a bicycle kick -- class!

(Newcastle fans might soon be saying bye-bye to Adriano)

UPDATE: Found a video:
http://beta.spikedhumor.com/articles/120554/Obafemi_Martins_Overhead_Bicycle_Kick.html

Essien injures knee, likely out Wednesday...

2007-08-13T13:46:00.000-05:00

From the BBC:

"It was something in the knee ligament. He was in pain, I had two midfielders on the bench so I made the change immediately," said Mourinho.
"If you asked me, I would say I do not know if he will be fit for Wednesday's match against Reading."

Although Essien has been known to play through pain in the past a knee ligament injury doesn't sound good for Chelsea supporters -- especially considering the fact that he looked to be in substantial pain:

Jose might receive some help from Makele, who returned to training today, but Essien is so solid in the middle that his presence surely will be missed.

Adu to make debut as a substitute in Tuesday qualifier...

2007-08-13T10:25:00.000-05:00

Supporters of US soccer will get a chance to see what Adu will bring to the world stage as he will be on the bench for Benfica's Champions League qualifier against FC Copenhagen:

LISBON, Portugal: American teenage star Freddy Adu could make his debut for Benfica as a substitute in Tuesday's Champions League qualifier against FC Copenhagen.

Adu, who had been one of the highest-profile players in Major League Soccer, was among the 19 players named to the squad Monday for the first leg at the Stadium of Light.

Benfica coach Fernando Santos said the 18-year-old attacking midfielder will not start the match and will be on the bench.

"Adu has only had seven days of training, but he has enormous potential and he is available," Santos said. "But we have to be careful with him under these conditions."

Hopefully Adu can follow up on his excellent performance in the U-20 world cup.

Benni McCarthy gets the all clear...

2007-08-13T10:18:00.001-05:00

After collapsing on the pitch against Boro, Blackburn supporters might have feared the worst but it appears that McCarthy is fine and will travel with the team for their UEFA qualifier on Thursday:

Blackburn Rovers' South Africa striker Benni McCarthy was released from hospital on Saturday after collapsing on the pitch during his side's 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

The forward clashed heads with Boro defender Chris Riggott during a second-half challenge. Rovers were 1-0 down at the time.

McCarthy then collapsed as he spoke with Blackburn's physio.

After several minutes of treatment on the pitch, the striker was stretchered off wearing a neck brace and taken to hospital.

He was replaced by Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz in the 60th minute.

"Benni looks to be okay. He went to hospital, but he's out now and will travel home with the team," a Blackburn spokesperson said.

I would expect Mark Hughes to give McCarthy some more rest after the valiant efforts from Blackburn's subs even if he is fit.

Tevez debut set for Wednesay...

2007-08-13T10:04:00.001-05:00

With Rooney out indefinitely after fracturing his foot against Reading, all eyes will fall on Carlos Tevez during Manu U's match against Pompey:

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said Carlos Tevez is likely to make his debut for the club in Wednesday's league game at Portsmouth.
The 23-year-old completed his move to United last Friday and may even start the game as a result of the recent injury to fellow forward Wayne Rooney.
"He trained very hard at the weekend and will be doing light training until the day of the game," said Ferguson.
"We will now be getting Carlos ready for Wednesday's match."

Whether your a Red Devil supporter or not it should be interesting to see how the brilliant young Argentine striker will fare in his debut for Fergie's side.

Week 1 wrap up...

2007-08-13T09:22:00.000-05:00

Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur. Michael Chopra's goal in the 94th minute gives Roy Keane's side a surprising result against the Hotspurs in an otherwise slow match

Derby County 2-2 Portsmouth. Derby turns the early pundits on their heads and picks up a point through a solid effort in their first match back in the big leagues. Pompey looked to put the match away with a goal in the final ten minutes but Derby was quick to equalize, scoring a goal two minutes later.

Bolton 1-3 Newcastle. Martins was simply brilliant yesterday with a class bicycle kick and odd goal from 35+ yards out. Not the best defensive effort from Bolton in what looks to be a long year for Sammy Lee's side.

Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool. Liverpool looked to be in control of the entire match but had to score twice to overcome an own goal by Laursen. Steven Gerrard's amazing free kick in the 87th minute gave Liverpool 3 points.

West Ham 0-2 Manchester City. Nearly every pundit had been predicting an doom and gloom for Man City but the new acquistions to Man City led Sven-Goran's side to simply outclass West Ham in all phases of the game. West Ham still had multiple opportunities to get points but couldn't find a way to finish.

Everton 2-1 Wigan. Didn't catch this game but apparently Wigan was dominated the entire match and scored a late goal to make it appear closer that the score indicate. Wigan's headed to the bottom of the table if this continues.

Middlesbrough 1-2 Blackburn. Despite the strange collapse of Benni McCarty in the 2nd half, Blackburn subs came through after a long delay and acquired the 3 points. Boro manager Gareth Southgate blamed the long delay for losing the momentum that they had been building.

Manchester United 0-0 Reading. The Reading backline simply couldn't be cracked as any cross or shot that wasn't blocked by the Reading defenders were stifled by a top-notch effort from Marcus Hanhemann, who looked to be unstoppable even with a broken hand.

Wayne Rooney left the game at halftime with a fractured foot; with Saha and Soljskaer still not fit, Carlos Tevez will don a Man U kit Wednesday night versus Pompey.

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham. Arsenal could have scored 5 goals against the weaker Fulham side but couldn't find the back of the net. Gunner keeper Lehmann nearly gave the match away with a pathetic effort clearing the ball in the first minute but a late charge and poor defense from Fulham in the last ten minutes put Arsenal ahead, thanks to solid efforts from Hleb, Toure and Van Persie. If Arsenal can find a way to limit errors and consistently finish, they will be tough to beat.

Chelsea 3-2 Birmingham City. Michael Essien's brilliant strike in the first ten minutes of the 2nd half put Jose's side ahead for good and avoided another surprising result in the 1st week of the season.

Robin van Persie in for a big year...

2007-08-10T16:39:00.001-05:00

What a class goal! The angle doesn't get much more acute than that and the footwork was outstanding. Gunners supporters' hope he can show more of this class in league and cup play...

Week 1 Preview of the EPL...

2007-08-10T14:37:00.001-05:00

Thanks to That's on Point (who inspired this Yank to make this blog in the first place) for the legwork. I've added my thoughts as I felt necessary:

Saturday

Sunderland v. Tottenham -- (Live on Setanta USA/Broadband, 7:45 EDT)
Will Sunderland run through walls for Roy Keane? Can Tottenham finally crack the top 4 and can they play any defense? With no Gareth Bale and not many fit defenders Sunderland could be in for the upset.

Bolton v. Newcastle United -- (Live on Setanta, 10 a.m.)
Who of Newcastle's famous strikers will Allardyce roll out on their front line against his former side? Will Anelka be in top form after the transfer rumors? Can Ivan Campo please get a haircut!

Derby v. Portsmouth -- (Delayed, FSC 2:30 p.m.)
Derby's first step towards relegation in spite of picking up top Yank prospect Benny Feilhaber. Feilhaber won't appear in the lineup as the transfer won't be completed prior to the deadline. Why Feilhaber made the move that Eddie Johnson rejected is beyond me; for Feilhaber's sake I hope he plays well enough this year that the Rams will transfer him back to a premier league side after they go back down (sorry Jay DeMerit). Chalk up another clean sheet for David James.

Everton v. Wigan Athletic -- (Not shown in the US)
With Tim Cahill out and not much depth up front Everton would be in trouble against a more formidable side but Wigan appears to be headed to the bottom of the table. Should result in 3 points for Everton and a clean sheet for Yank keeper Tim Howard.

West Ham Utd v. Manchester City -- (Live on FSC, 10 a.m.)
How will West Ham respond from their tumultuous summer? Their summer transfers of Ljungberg, Bellamy and Parker should be much better suited for league success than Man City's attempt to form a Bulgarian international squad.

Aston Villa v. Liverpool -- (Live on FSC, noon)
Match of the weekend but I will be supporting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when this is shown (I know it's meaningless presason matches but I can't help myself) and will have to catch this on replay. Villa skipper Gareth Barry is targeting a top six finish and this will be a tough test to start out league play. Our first chance to see if Liverpool's summer spending spree were wise moves or not.

Sunday

Arsenal v. Fulham -- (Live on FSC, 7 a.m.)
Judging from the Emirates Cup, Van Persie and the Gunner's are on top form, while Fulham would be better off playing against Scunthorpe United. Anything less than 3 points would be disappointing for the Gunners.

Chelsea v. Birmingham City (Live on Setanta, 8:30 a.m.)
Good thing Chelsea has so much depth as they struggle with their fitness. Chelsea should get 3 points and see what kind of form they are in before their big match against Liverpool next weekend.

Manchester United v. Reading (Live on FSC, 11 a.m.)
Tevez won't be in the line-up yet but still... Man U in a romp.

I know I'm not the only one looking forward to the start of league play but the activity this summer really has piqued my interest.

FIFA VP sticks foot in mouth, England responds...

2007-08-10T13:58:00.000-05:00

FIFA VP Austin "Jack" Warner decides to let his feelings be known about England and didn't really hold back:

In an interview to be broadcast tomorrow on the BBC's World Service, Warner dismissed England's chances if FIFA's rotation policy brought the finals to Europe in 11 years' time.

"If by chance, in 2018, the World Cup were to go to Europe, I'm quite sure, with the English luck as it is, they won't get it," Warner said.

"It'll be Italy, Spain, or it might even be France. Nobody in Europe likes England. England - who invented the sport - has never had any impact on world football. England at no time has had the love and support of Europe. For Europe, England is an irritant."

Warner is president of CONCACAF, which runs the game in north and central America along with the Caribbean. He was highly critical of former Scottish Football Association president John McBeth earlier this year, accusing him of racism.

McBeth, speaking after his election as vice-president of FIFA (a post he would never fill due to his remarks), said African and Caribbean football associations were tainted by greed. Ironically, McBeth was also scathing of England's standing in world football, stating "the rest of the world hates their guts".

Warner was scathing in his condemnation of McBeth in May, calling on FIFA to "send him back to Scotland where he belongs".

Aware that England has some support for a bid to host the World Cup for the first time since winning it in 1966, Warner has vowed to fight their bid.

He said: "There are moves to give it to England. I must fight that."

First of all Mister Warner, the British colonization of your country, Trinidad and Tobago, ended years ago, so get over it. Second, those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones so keep your personal grudges to yourself. How this guy got re-elected as CONCACAF president is beyond me?

Obviously the English couldn't turn the other cheek on this one and FA Chairman Geoff Thompson and Englands World Cup ambassador came back firing:

England's 2018 World Cup ambassador Richard Caborn also responded to Warner's comments. "That is Jack. He will fight to the death to get it to Concacaf and I understand that," said Caborn. "We will put a strong case, along with the Football Association, to get it. What is unfortunate is that Jack has attacked England and particularly the FA - and the FA has done a first-class job.
"They have got 30 schemes running around the world, education programmes, on six continents. Indeed in Trinidad, for the last seven years they have had three workshops running which have been incredibly well-received by Concacaf, so it's not quite true what Jack's saying."

Next time you have something brilliant to say about English football Mr. Warner, just keep it to yourself.

Tevez deal finally done...

2007-08-10T13:51:00.000-05:00

United supporters can breath easier as the Tevez transfer is finally complete:

A mere 35 days after it was announced that he had agreed personal terms with Manchester United, Carlos Tevez finally completed his transfer to Old Trafford today. United officially confirmed this afternoon that Tevez has joined on a two-year loan.
Though he has been training with United throughout this week, he is extremely unlikely to be involved in United's opening game of the season, against Reading on Sunday. United are instead aiming to give him his debut in next weekend's derby with Manchester City.

After adding Tevez to a line-up that already featured phenom's Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, Man U seem to be the odds on favorites now to top the tables.