OR Ivan Campo??
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.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Here are a few of the things I'm thinking about at the moment
As September comes to a close I thought I’d share some thoughts…
In the English Premier League, I’ve been surprised by a few developments. Mainly, what’s wrong with Spurs? We knew their defense would be suspect with King’s injury but it is their offensive woes that have been most surprising. Obviously the big signing Berbatov got hurt before he had time to settle but it seems like the loss of Carrick in the midfield has really led to a loss of focus. Davids remains The Pit Bull in terms of pressuring opponents but gives the ball away far too often and does not employ the keen passing sense that Carrick was known for. And neither Keene nor Defoe has really gotten off the mark. Speaking of Carrick, he’s been a big bust so far. Again, it’s gotta be a question of getting used to things but unlike Berbatov he didn’t move from another league. I’m willing to give Carrick the benefit of the doubt for a bit longer but he’s really got to prove his worth, and fast. I think that hefty pricetag is weighing on him. One player I don’t worry about finding his form is Wayne Rooney. It’s just a matter of time before he’s back to his best.
Over in East London Hammers’ fans must be wondering if they are in some sort of bizarre nightmare. Just weeks ago Alan Pardew had his lads firing on all cylinders and playing some attractive, attacking football. Bobby Zamora was lighting things up and Reo-Coker was being named in the same breath as Gerrard and Lampard. Enter Los Dos Argentinos. It’s the perfect example of how important team chemistry is to success. These two are obviously top internationals that any club team in the world would love to have. But they’ve really thrown West Ham for a loop. All the flow is gone, the chemistry up in smoke and some of the Upton Park faithful are beginning to wish for a return to the way it used to be.
Over on the other side of town, Chelsea is experiencing their own type of unease. Sure they’re top of the table, but teams know they can be beat and that loss to Boro has had massive repercussions. As long as Drogba continues to show top form they’ll be fine, but there are plenty of other clubs that can play (or at least think they can play) with the Blues at this point – something that has not been the case the last few years. You get the feeling that the race will be tight at the top well into the winter months.
Here’s something I thought I’d never say: I miss Juventus. I miss rooting against them. I miss cursing them. Simply, I miss their presence in Serie A. It seems like a fake division now. The only regular aspect of play in Italy these days is Inter’s lack of direction, ambition, and stability. Nothing new there. Why, oh why, did they sign Ibra? He’s simply a mess and only makes a negative impact.
OK, that’s it for now. I just wanted to get some ideas off my chest and I finally found the time to do it. I’ve got many more but I’ll save them for next week. Oh, and congrats to the Chicago Fire on their U.S. Open Cup triumph. Way to stick it to the AssGalaxy! -Sanford
In the English Premier League, I’ve been surprised by a few developments. Mainly, what’s wrong with Spurs? We knew their defense would be suspect with King’s injury but it is their offensive woes that have been most surprising. Obviously the big signing Berbatov got hurt before he had time to settle but it seems like the loss of Carrick in the midfield has really led to a loss of focus. Davids remains The Pit Bull in terms of pressuring opponents but gives the ball away far too often and does not employ the keen passing sense that Carrick was known for. And neither Keene nor Defoe has really gotten off the mark. Speaking of Carrick, he’s been a big bust so far. Again, it’s gotta be a question of getting used to things but unlike Berbatov he didn’t move from another league. I’m willing to give Carrick the benefit of the doubt for a bit longer but he’s really got to prove his worth, and fast. I think that hefty pricetag is weighing on him. One player I don’t worry about finding his form is Wayne Rooney. It’s just a matter of time before he’s back to his best.
Over in East London Hammers’ fans must be wondering if they are in some sort of bizarre nightmare. Just weeks ago Alan Pardew had his lads firing on all cylinders and playing some attractive, attacking football. Bobby Zamora was lighting things up and Reo-Coker was being named in the same breath as Gerrard and Lampard. Enter Los Dos Argentinos. It’s the perfect example of how important team chemistry is to success. These two are obviously top internationals that any club team in the world would love to have. But they’ve really thrown West Ham for a loop. All the flow is gone, the chemistry up in smoke and some of the Upton Park faithful are beginning to wish for a return to the way it used to be.
Over on the other side of town, Chelsea is experiencing their own type of unease. Sure they’re top of the table, but teams know they can be beat and that loss to Boro has had massive repercussions. As long as Drogba continues to show top form they’ll be fine, but there are plenty of other clubs that can play (or at least think they can play) with the Blues at this point – something that has not been the case the last few years. You get the feeling that the race will be tight at the top well into the winter months.
Here’s something I thought I’d never say: I miss Juventus. I miss rooting against them. I miss cursing them. Simply, I miss their presence in Serie A. It seems like a fake division now. The only regular aspect of play in Italy these days is Inter’s lack of direction, ambition, and stability. Nothing new there. Why, oh why, did they sign Ibra? He’s simply a mess and only makes a negative impact.
OK, that’s it for now. I just wanted to get some ideas off my chest and I finally found the time to do it. I’ve got many more but I’ll save them for next week. Oh, and congrats to the Chicago Fire on their U.S. Open Cup triumph. Way to stick it to the AssGalaxy! -Sanford
Fire's youngsters set the tone
More on U.S. Open Cup Champ Chicago Fire...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=382192&root=us&cc=5901
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=382192&root=us&cc=5901
Gabriele Marcotti column
Marcotti compares Bayern Munich and Inter Milan...
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Aogjosgba4Lvqm4NNJufDLAmw7YF?slug=cnnsi-astudyincontras&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Aogjosgba4Lvqm4NNJufDLAmw7YF?slug=cnnsi-astudyincontras&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns
Kevin Nolan column
The Bolton captain speaks in his regular BBC piece...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5383138.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5383138.stm
Serie A Weekend Preview
Inconsistent Inter aim to steady ship at Cagliari...
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italymatches&prov=reuters&type=lgns
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italymatches&prov=reuters&type=lgns
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Who wins in a battle between Goleo and the Two Nameless Twins?
Nameless twins? How bizarre. But what else would you expect? The twins look a little psycho while Goleo is just a big softy-wofty. My money is on The Twins.See an earlier post from today for the article. -Sanford
Wednesday's Champions League Wrap
Wins for Chelsea and Liverpool, Barca held, and Inter lose their cool...
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=135963
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=135963
Chicago Fire win fourth U.S. Open Cup title
Big congrats to the Fire who played some very attractive soccer last night en route to a deserved victory...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=382098&cc=5901
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=382098&cc=5901
Uefa Cup: Pardew Primes Hammers For Sicilian Job
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=136279
And Hammer fans are already getting into "the mood" in Sicily...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=382116&cc=5901
And Hammer fans are already getting into "the mood" in Sicily...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=382116&cc=5901
Barca's Eto'o to have exploratory surgery on right knee
Looks like he'll be out for a few months...
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AufheDDFtTs27lNYBSIxehsmw7YF?slug=reu-etoo&prov=reuters&type=lgns
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AufheDDFtTs27lNYBSIxehsmw7YF?slug=reu-etoo&prov=reuters&type=lgns
Lee Dixon on Wenger's 10 years at Arsenal
The former Arsenal defender looks back...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/5382632.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/5382632.stm
The Fiver
Guardian Unlimited's tea-time take on the world of football...
http://football.guardian.co.uk/fiver/0,,415657,00.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/fiver/0,,415657,00.html
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
U.S. Open Cup Final: Sarachan wary of the Galaxy
The Chicago Fire host the L.A. Galaxy tonight in the final of the U.S. Open Cup...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=381715&root=us&cc=5901
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=381715&root=us&cc=5901
Champions’ League Matchday 2: Groups A-D Preview
Inter/Bayern Munich, Barcelona/Bremen, and Valencia/Roma top the list of Wednesday's offerings...
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=134655
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=134655
Sport Safari: Arsenal's Emirates Stadium
Paolo Bandini checks out the sights and sounds of the Emirates...
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/09/26/sport_safari_arsenals_emirates.html
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/09/26/sport_safari_arsenals_emirates.html
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Portsmouth 0-1 Bolton: Nolan boosts Trotters + EPL Table
| http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=199141&cc=5901 English Premiership Table | ||
| Club | GP | PT |
| Chelsea | 6 | 15 |
| Man Utd | 6 | 13 |
| Portsmouth | 6 | 13 |
| Everton | 6 | 12 |
| Aston Villa | 6 | 12 |
| Bolton | 6 | 11 |
| Liverpool | 6 | 10 |
| Reading | 6 | 10 |
| Arsenal | 5 | 8 |
| Blackburn | 6 | 8 |
| Fulham | 6 | 8 |
| Newcastle | 6 | 7 |
| Man City | 6 | 7 |
| Wigan | 5 | 5 |
| West Ham | 6 | 5 |
| Middlesbrough | 6 | 5 |
| Tottenham | 6 | 4 |
| Watford | 6 | 3 |
| Charlton | 6 | 3 |
| Sheff Utd | 6 | 2 |
Richard Williams column
Williams thinks Rafa needs to pick a side and stick with it...
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/09/26/the_cult_of_permanent_rotation.html
Monday, September 25, 2006
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