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

Honduras' Pavon signs with goal-thirsty Galaxy

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=440331&cc=5901

The Mill ++

Thursday's Rumours: http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill
++ Transfer Talk: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1966298.ece

Dave Sarachan Sacked by the Fire

Dave Sarachan has been sacked by the amazing John Guppy and the Chicago Fire front office. This comes as some surprise as his contract was extended at the end of last season and the teams amazing run of bad results has coincided with some extended absences of key players due to injury and national team duty. Still, this move comes about two years too late for most fans of the team. Dave certainly seemed to alienate some long standing team members over the years and his stifling 3-5-2 formation often disguised serious problems in the team through meaningless possession. Certainly his legacy with the Fire was more positive than negative; he has shown to be an astute scout of domestic talent and he brought home a number of US Open Cup titles. He also took the team to MLS Cup in his first year with the team, though he essentially presided over Bob Bradley's squad that year and was badly out-coached in the final. Long time assistant Dennis Hamlett has been named interim Head Coach and there will be a great deal of speculation about the identity of the new head coach. The popular choice among the fans will be Ring of Fire member Peter Nowak, though it's unlikely that he'd be interested in giving up his post with the US Olympic team so shortly after taking the job. I think it's more probable that we'll get a Hispanic coach to coincide with Blanco's arrival in August. This represents John Guppy's best chance to change the course of what has been to this point been a disappointing tenure; he's widely seen to have bungled the sale of stadium naming rights and jersey sponsorship and ticket sales have been largely underwhelming.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Tim Vickery on the Copa Libertadores Final

Unlike Europe's Champions League, South America's leading club competition does not climax with a one-off final on a neutral ground. It would simply not be practical.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6762791.stm

Copa Libertadores Final Second Leg Preview: Gremio (Porto Alegre) vs Boca Juniors Wednesday, 20th of June 2007 Time: 20:45 (ET). Venue: Olimpico Monumental, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Referee: Oscar Ruiz (Colombia). First Leg Result: Boca Juniors 3-0 Gremio.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=331256

The Mill ++

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2107252,00.html

++ Transfer Talk: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1960781.ece

US And Hosts Looked At As Copa's Potential Surprise Teams

Argentine daily Olé published a poll of which team (outside of Brazil and Argentina) would be the one the surprise teams of the upcoming Copa América, and the Stars and Stripes were the overwhelming winners. http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=332297

Bradleys proving their value to the U.S. national team

As part of the starting lineup that beat Panama on Saturday, Michael Bradley was an integral part in giving his father, U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley, a unique Father's Day gift. With the win, the U.S. has booked a trip to the semifinals of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and Bob Bradley has silenced the critics for a while.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=439277&root=us&cc=5901

Vieira helps drive African dreams

Vieira never forgot where he came from and he wants to give as many Senegalese children as possible a chance of repeating his rags-to-riches story. In 2003 Vieira laid the first foundation stone for the Diambars football academy. Four years on, the academy houses 90 Senegalese youngsters from the ages of 13 to 18.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6768311.stm

Newcastle's Martins escapes attack by gunmen

Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins said he narrowly escaped death or serious injury after being shot at while driving in Lagos. The Nigeria international escaped unhurt but a friend was injured after masked gunmen sprayed his Mercedes with bullets.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=440117&cc=5901

Homely and Away

flyout

Curbishley flaunting West Ham's wealth

Inflation has rendered London a place for the rich and, failing that, the very rich. The capital used to be at its costliest for land. Now, seemingly, property prices can be seen as reasonable in comparison with West Ham's summer signings. If, that is, despite proffering gargantuan sums, they can actually acquire their intended targets.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=439724&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1&cc=5901

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Spain: The Phil Ball Double

Phil Ball is one of my favorite columnists, even when he goes back to England from his adopted Spain and reports on the status of Grimsby Town. Thankfully, that's not the case today as we get his take on the final weekend in La Liga as well as his team of the season. Until August, Phil...

Ball on Madrid's Title:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=439750&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

Ball's Team of the Season in La Liga:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=439749&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos3&cc=5901

Lalas slams 'second-rate' Premiership

Oh, Alexi. Now, now. I see what you're trying to say, and I understand your annoyance, but let's not get carried away...

"You know, there's no accounting for bad taste. The fact that a segment of the world worships an inferior product in the Premiership is their business.

"In England our league is considered second-class but I honestly believe if you took a helicopter and grabbed a bunch of MLS players and took them to the perceived best league in the world they wouldn't miss a beat and the fans wouldn't notice any drop in quality."
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2105972,00.html

USA: U-20s full of confidence on eve of World Cup

Goalkeeper -- Chris Seitz, Brian Perk, Steve Sandbo.

Defense -- Tony Beltran, Amaechi Igwe, Ofori Sarkodie , Nathan Sturgis, Julian Valentin, and Tim Ward.

Midfield -- Freddy Adu, Bryan Arguez, Michael Bradley, Dax McCarty, Danny Szetela , and Anthony Wallace.

Forwards -- Andre Akpan, Josmer Altidore, Gabriel Ferrari, Robbie Rogers, Johann Smith, Sal Zizzo.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=439731&root=us&cc=5901

The Mill

Tuesday's Rumours
http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill

Posh leaves unpleasant smell in her wake

With Mrs Beckham and Spain, the smell of garlic has never gone away. Early in her husband’s four-year stint here, she was quoted as saying something about Spanish people reeking of garlic.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1942709.ece

Monday, June 18, 2007

La Liga: Madrid Take the Title

Real Madrid 3 - Real Mallorca 1
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2105518,00.html

David Beckham bade farewell to Real Madrid last night by celebrating the first major trophy of his four-year spell in Spain, even if the former England captain was denied a suitably Hollywood-esque ending and was upstaged by José Antonio Reyes, on loan from Arsenal, at the last on a dramatic final evening to the Primera División season.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2105526,00.html

Gimnastic 1 - 5 Barcelona
Barca win but things turn ugly in the stands...
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2105515,00.html

Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo Relegated
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Anmyz2ilt9V1tMhHN.uwSGAmw7YF?slug=afp-fblesprelegation&prov=afp&type=lgns

Gold Cup -- U.S. and Mexico Advance, Guadeloupe Shock Honduras

U.S. 2 - 1 Panama
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AlZmmz0QG_Nlmhv7udLX_mMmw7YF?slug=ap-goldcup--panama-us&prov=ap&type=lgns

Mexico 1 - 0 Costa Rica, OT
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Ag4Io0E8A9tPdxw6ERhGJZsmw7YF?slug=ap-goldcup-mexico-costarica&prov=ap&type=lgns

Honduras 1 - 2 Guadeloupe
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=330840

Ives Galarcep on the USA Victory:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=439340&root=us&cc=5901