I have to admit, I've always found Sid Lowe's aticles a touch lightweight. This one here is a case in point. Anyone watching Real this season will have been struck by the fact that while R V Nistelrooy is having an excellent season, the team is decidedly lacklustre without Beckham providing an impetus. Lowe can churn out all the stats he wants, but it's Beckham's impetus that's brought Real to the brink of the title, because it's effected the whole team. They're probably fuck it up tonight, rendering the argument irrelevant: Beckham will be sent off and RVN will miss a PK.
Forget Beckham, Ruud is the Real deal
SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
USA 1 - 0 Guatemala
The Deuce Strikes to give U.S. victory in Gold Cup...yeah dogg!
Next match for the USA is Saturday at 5 pm EDT versus Trinidad -- live on Fox Soccer Channel.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=437370&cc=5901
Jen Chang's Take:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2897307&name=chang_jen
Graham Lister: Arsenal At A Critical Crossroads
For those on the outside it is difficult to sort the fact from the fiction at the moment, but you would have to be comatose to assume that all is well at the Emirates Stadium.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=323346
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=323346
Thursday, June 07, 2007
The Man in Action
The next time that Pele says something stupid like, "I expect England to do very well in this tournament" and you find yourself scratching your head, take a moment to remember why people listen in the first place. Especially amazing is the section in the middle which is a highlight reel of him suffering brutal fouls.
Transfer Round-up
Real Madrid in talks with Robben:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2097564,00.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2097564,00.html
CONCACAF Gold Cup
De Guzman double helps Canada edge Costa Rica
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=437136&cc=5901
USA vs. Guatemala: Preview
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436850&root=us&cc=5901
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=437136&cc=5901
USA vs. Guatemala: Preview
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436850&root=us&cc=5901
Beckham drives England back to winning ways
Estonia 0 - 3 England
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2097226,00.html
Player Ratings
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2097207,00.html
Richard Williams: David Beckham's presence in the autumn is mandatory if England are to reach Euro 2008.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/07/old_master_shows_right_stuff_t_1.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2097226,00.html
Player Ratings
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2097207,00.html
Richard Williams: David Beckham's presence in the autumn is mandatory if England are to reach Euro 2008.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/07/old_master_shows_right_stuff_t_1.html
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Reality bites for big-talking Galaxy
Los Angeles's hideous start to the season is threatening to ruin David Beckham's first year in America before he even arrives.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/05/reality_bites_for_bigtalking_g.html
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/05/reality_bites_for_bigtalking_g.html
Bayern Munich Seal Ribery Deal
25 Million Euros for the Marseille Winger!
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=321515
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=321515
Mexico and U.S. likely to clash in Gold Cup final
Another brilliant headline from the clowns at U.S. Soccernet. Anyway, here's the article. Ives Galarcep breaks down the upcoming Gold Cup. The U.S. kicks things off tomorrow night at The Home Depot Center vs. Guatemala. It'll be live on Fox Soccer Channel at 9 pm EDT. -Sanford
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436444&root=us&cc=5901
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436444&root=us&cc=5901
Barton agrees five-year Newcastle deal
This is a brilliant move -- he'll be a perfect fit. Newcastle United: The Place Where Players Go To Die. Any hope he has of playing for England is down the tubes. Look for a hammy injury in week three. Or a five-month ban for attacking the "Who Ate All the Pies?" Newcastle fan...-Sanfordhttp://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=436589&cc=5901
Madrid stand on the brink of revival
It has been an impressive rise for a club who have not looked like challenging for the La Liga title all year. But Real Madrid are now in pole position to claim their 30th League championship.
Tied on points, but ahead on a better head-to-head record, Madrid go into the game knowing that a win away against Zaragoza, coupled with a Barcelona defeat to UEFA Cup finalists Espanyol, will secure them the title.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436827&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1&cc=5901
Tied on points, but ahead on a better head-to-head record, Madrid go into the game knowing that a win away against Zaragoza, coupled with a Barcelona defeat to UEFA Cup finalists Espanyol, will secure them the title.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436827&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1&cc=5901
Mercurial Johnson back to his explosive best
Do fortunes swing so wildly for anyone else as they do for mercurial Eddie Johnson? The arc of his career is already a fascinating study in extremes.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436433&root=mls&cc=5901
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436433&root=mls&cc=5901
Estonia Vs England
It's difficult to gauge how soon my fingers will get itchy for the remote control tonight. Tim Walker Texas Ranger is on at 7 and Ghostbusters 2 at 7.30, so I'm thinking it'll be under 10 minutes.
Victory is everything for McClaren's England
Estonia's English inspiration warns of trouble in Tallinn
Alan Smith: Lampard is not the weakest link
Ferguson reveals all!
Who would have guessed it? He likes cooking, US history, the flicks and wouldn't been seen dead without his ipod:
Ferguson provides food for thought
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Arsenal Confirm White Kit
Per usual, thanks go to Arseblog for this bit of information and photograph.
I suppose it could be worse but I gotta say that I'm not a big fan. It looks to have a quality on par with my five-year-old nephew's kit. At least they made the socks long enough for Thierry to continue to sport his over-the-knee look. -Sanford
I think it's pretty nice. Certainly better than the past away kits below. - Alec
It's the Honigsteins 2007!
Raphael Honigstein's inaugural end-of-season gongs honour the good, the bad and the downright bizarre from the past year in Germany.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/05/its_the_honigsteins_2007.html
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/05/its_the_honigsteins_2007.html
Jonathan Stevenson: It's just not like watching Brazil
I have a question for Dunga: Will the real Brazil please stand up?
At Wembley on Friday, in front of nearly 90,000 expectant fans and a global audience, the most famous football nation on earth gave yet another performance which belies their status as the guardians of the beautiful game.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6714615.stm
Tim Vickery in South America
Why Fifa's ban against playing football at altitude looks likely to fall flat:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6717971.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6717971.stm
Thierry Henry
Two things are guaranteed during the English sporting summer: It wont rain until the cricket starts and there'll be a drawn out, boring as crap, will-he-stay-or-will-he-go? saga involving an insecure melodramatic Arsenal player. England play the West Indies on Thursday with rain in the air and sure enough...
Milan put Henry on their wish list
Rosicky: We must keep Henry
Milan put Henry on their wish list
Rosicky: We must keep Henry
UEFA Vs Liverpool
How fucking dumb is UEFA? Regardless of the actions of any team's fans, good or bad, implying there's some type of league of evil soccer fans with one team at its head is not exactly what you want from a governing body. Doing so tends to lead to shit like this:
Gerrard defends Liverpool fans
Gaillard is a clown, rails Hicks
Check out Gabriele Marcotti's excellent article for a bit of perspective...
Law-abiding fans paying the price for Anfield’s huge ticketless army
Cummings and goings
Boro fans are disappointed, Latics fans are distraught, Daniel's bank manager is over the moon, Frank is learning German and Joey Barton is still a wanker:
Viduka plans for Newcastle switch
Wigan sign Bramble and Sibierski
Alves bidding begins
Bayern close in on Ribery
Hammers to join Barton chase
Viduka plans for Newcastle switch
Wigan sign Bramble and Sibierski
Alves bidding begins
Bayern close in on Ribery
Hammers to join Barton chase
Monday, June 04, 2007
Liverpool Fans Stole From Children, Claims UEFA
Liverpool reacted with anger last night after a senior Uefa official accused the Merseyside club's fans of having stolen from fellow supporters and "out of the hands of children".
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2094668,00.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2094668,00.html
South Africa 2010: Ready or Not
Xan Rice tours the country of his childhood to find out if the dream of bringing the tournament to Africa may yet become a nightmare:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2091484,00.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2091484,00.html
Croatia's big-game poacher strikes again
Jonathan Wilson: Goalscorers may be a dying breed but Eduardo da Silva's killer instinct has driven Slaven Bilic's side within striking distance of Euro 2008.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/04/croatias_biggame_poacher_strik.html
Danes not feeling great after fan intervention
One of the most dramatic football matches in Scandinavian history ended in chaos, tainting the pristine reputation of Denmark's fans in the process.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/04/danes_not_feeling_great_after.html
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/04/danes_not_feeling_great_after.html
Euro 2008 Qualifying
Round-Up:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=435877&cc=5901
Scandinavian press in uproar after pitch invasion:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=436071&cc=5901
Poulsen contrite after Sweden mayhem:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=436086&cc=5901
The most excitement had to have been in Copenhagen where Denmark came back from three goals down only for a Christian Paulsen punch-fest to gift Sweden a penalty in the final minutes. It was never taken, however, as a Danish fan tried to attack the ref and the match was abandoned...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=435877&cc=5901
Scandinavian press in uproar after pitch invasion:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=436071&cc=5901
Poulsen contrite after Sweden mayhem:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=436086&cc=5901
The most excitement had to have been in Copenhagen where Denmark came back from three goals down only for a Christian Paulsen punch-fest to gift Sweden a penalty in the final minutes. It was never taken, however, as a Danish fan tried to attack the ref and the match was abandoned...
China fails to test the U.S.
USA 4 - 1 China
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436053&root=us&cc=5901
Youth Serves United States:
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=318911
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=436053&root=us&cc=5901
Youth Serves United States:
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=318911
Diego spoils Beckham's fairytale return
England 1 - 1 Brazil
MAN OF THE MATCH: David Beckham. You can't keep a good man down and Beckham was all over the pitch, causing the Brazilian defence constant woe. His trademark free-kicks were full of quality and he has surely earned himself a place in the Euro 2008 squad (qualification allowing) with this performance. Spare a thought for Steven Gerrard though, who was the actual MOTM and had to drag Frank Lampard around the pitch until the 88th minute saw the Chelsea man was replaced.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=435746&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901
MAN OF THE MATCH: David Beckham. You can't keep a good man down and Beckham was all over the pitch, causing the Brazilian defence constant woe. His trademark free-kicks were full of quality and he has surely earned himself a place in the Euro 2008 squad (qualification allowing) with this performance. Spare a thought for Steven Gerrard though, who was the actual MOTM and had to drag Frank Lampard around the pitch until the 88th minute saw the Chelsea man was replaced.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=435746&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901