Sanford's Soccer Net

Friday, June 22, 2007

Henry To Go To Barcelona

Sources close to the Catalan club have told the BBC they expect to make an official announcement about the 29-year-old within the next day or so.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6231950.stm

Gold Cup Final

United States vs. Mexico at Soldier Field in Chicago, Eye El

It promises to be another ill-tempered affair on Sunday afternoon. The action begins at 3 pm EDT and can be viewed on Fox Soccer Channel or Telefutura. I'd suggest that you go with Telefutura and avoid the ridiculously annoying commentary of Max Bretos and Christopher Sullivan. But that's just me.

U.S. disposes of Canada, Mexico edges Guadeloupe to set up Gold Cup final clash

USA 2 - 1 Canada
But once again Team USA's inability to put the match beyond reach is concerning. Canada's final goal should have stood and the match should have gone to extra time. But the USA lacked the quality to see things out in a comfortable manner. Up 2-0, it was obvious that Canada would get a goal and then the U.S. would get nervous. Shockingly, the Mexican ref robbed the Maple Leafs and not the Yanks.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=221055&cc=5901

Mexico 1 - 0 Guadeloupe
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AuI8X8v88XtA.o_aAdPx6hEmw7YF?slug=ap-goldcup-guadeloupe-mexico&prov=ap&type=lgns

Riquelme to make Argentina comeback at Copa America

Argentina Copa America Squad:

Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Getafe), Juan Pablo Carrizo (River Plate), Agustin Orion (San Lorenzo)

Defenders: Roberto Ayala (Valencia), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Hugo Ibarra (Boca Juniors), Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United), Daniel Diaz (Boca Juniors), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Luis Gonzalez (Porto), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Pablo Aimar (Real Zaragoza), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Hernan Crespo (Inter Milan), Diego Milito (Real Zaragoza), Carlos Tevez (West Ham United), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors)
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-latamargentinasquad&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Gabriele Marcotti Picks the Top 50 Footballers - PART II

And here is 25 - 1. I can't argue with his number one, but putting Sheva and Ronaldo in the top 25 is absurd! If you want to start a team now and get players who are ready to perform now, how can he justify those two clowns? I'd take Berbatov ahead of either of them in a heartbeat but GM puts Berbs behind each of them. And don't get me started on David Villa's position. -Sanford
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1963015.ece

Eriksson eyes another payday after £6m job offer from City

Sanford Says, "UGH!!"
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/manchester_city/article1969639.ece

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Boca vs. Gremio = Highlights

Riquelme's goal is excellent. Que barbaro!

Gabriele Marcotti Picks the Top 50 Footballers

Today he gives us 50 - 26. And, not surprisingly, I've already got some issues. He obviously doesn't rate defenders. Nesta at 41? John Terry at 30? Hmmmm. -Sanford
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1963015.ece

CONCACAF Gold Cup: Semifinals

Semifinals
June 21 -- Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.
7 p.m. ET, U.S. vs. Canada (Fox Soccer Channel, Telefutura)
10 p.m. ET, Mexico vs. Guadeloupe

Final
June 24 -- Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.
3 p.m. ET (Fox Soccer Channel, Telefutura)

U.S. team looking to close out games better:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=440143&root=us&cc=5901

Preview: United States vs. Canada
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=333005

Preview: Mexico vs. Guadeloupe
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=333002

Boca win Libertadores with Riquelme double

And Palermo manages to miss yet another penalty...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=440366&cc=5901

England go out after 32-penalty shoot-out drama

England U21s 1 - 1 Holland U21s (after extra time)
England lost 13-12 on penalties
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2107676,00.html

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

England went first:

Young 1-0
Babel 1-1

Milner 2-1
Drenthe (hit post) 2-1

Noble 3-1
Janssen 3-2

Hoyte (saved) 3-2
Beerens 3-3

Derbyshire 4-3
Maduro 4-4

Ferdinand 5-4
De Ridder 5-5

Carson 6-5
Zuiverloon 6-6

Rosenior 7-6
Rigters 7-7

Reo-Coker (saved) 7-7
Kruiswijk (miss) 7-7

Taylor 8-7
Waterman 8-8

Young 9-8
Beerens 9-9

Milner (10-9)
Drenthe 10-10

Noble 11-10
Maduro 11-11

Hoyte 12-11
Janssen 12-12

Derbyshire (saved) 12-12
De Ridder (saved) 12-12

Ferdinand (hit bar)
Zuiverloon 12-13

Tottenham’s Time To Join The Big Boys

Spurs have spent the duration of the Premiership slumped in the middle of the table, while constantly talking as if they were a big club and dishing out lavish transfer fees to boot. However, after a major reshuffle and some brave managing by chairman Daniel Levy they have seen themselves emerge as a ‘Big Five’ club once again.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=332911

Manchester City accept Thaksin's £81.6m takeover bid

This dude is sooo sketchy. I find it hard to believe those in charge at Citeh would let him make the purchase. We'll see what happens...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/manchester_city/article1963950.ece

Martins still committed to the cause at Newcastle

His first ten months at St James’ Park has brought him culture shock, a change of manager, accusations that he left his club and country in the lurch, a smattering of goals and, only this week, a possible assassination attempt, but Obafemi Martins has pledged his future to Newcastle United. The Nigeria striker has endured a torrid season, but he has no wish to pursue a transfer.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/newcastle/article1963932.ece