Friday, September 11, 2015

Manchester United vs. Liverpool, Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona, Milan Derby, River vs. Boca


There goes another one, folks! The International Break is done and dusted and we return to the fun with some real doozies! So many questions surrounding both Manchester United and Liverpool (The Biggest Game In Football) as they prepare to clash at Old Trafford (tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. EDT on NBC), Atlético Madrid welcome Barcelona to their house in an early La Liga clash that could set the stage for the season (tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. EDT on beIN Sports USA), and an early Milan Derby as both San Siro residents attempt to put last season's shittiness to bed once and for all (Sunday at 2:45 p.m. EDT on beIN Sports en Español). It feels like it's been FOREVER! We're so excited! Let's hop in, beginning with the Premier League!

Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Preview
Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Top Five Matches
Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Ten Classic Premier League Matches

Major League Soccer? Indeed. It's happening. Here's a Weekend Preview. And here's another. The playoff push has begun, friends!

We mentioned Barcelona's big match above. El Sid is on hand to take a look at the grueling season on hand for the Catalonian giants. More Spain? Here's the Ultimate Guide to the La Liga Weekend.


Down in BA, River host Boca. Carlos Tevez will be at La Monumental. Should be a good one. Back up Italy, besides the Milan Derby, Juventus have a tough task with the Flying Donkeys of Chievo. Here's a Weekend Preview for Serie A.

And finally...if you dig fantasy soccer, and you want to play for money, you can do it legally in the USA. Check out pitchrivals.com.

Onward!!

-SSN

Thursday, September 10, 2015

FC Clapton, New Faces, Ronny at Burning Man

We're ready for the weekend! But...it's only Thursday. Let's see what we've got. Not much, but there is a little...

SSN Regulars will know that we love us some anti-fascist homophobia-hating football clubs. It would appear that FC Clapton is a new favorite of the blog. Go on, then!


There will be some new faces in the Premier League this weekend. Here are ten who might actually grace the pitch at some point.

What else? Tim Vickery is in South America and wants to discuss Neymar and Sergio. By all means, Tim. Ian Darke is in the U.S. and wants to discuss The Diving German. By all means, Ian.

And finally...Ronaldo went to Burning Man.

Onward!

-SSN

Pitchrivals.com

Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Brazil Destroy U.S.A., More Euro 2016, Amy Lawrence on Anthony Martial, Playing Under Pinochet

"What can I say? I'm a shitty coach."
It's Hump Day already. That's what happens when you have a long weekend. The week gets all weird and shit. Hey. How about that USA Men's Team? Good Grief. An embarrassing display up in MA last night as Brazil had their way with the Yanks. Pathetic. Here's the fallout:

USA 1 - 4 Brazil: Three Thoughts (Jeff Carlisle) 
USA 1 - 4 Brazil: Three Thoughts II (Grant Wahl)
USA 1 - 4 Brazil: Twitter Reaction

We're finally through the latest round of European qualifying. Here are 10 Talking Points From The Latest Action. And Raphael Honigstein on the German advance. And Phil McNulty on Wayne Rooney. And what countries have qualified and what countries can still qualify. And what caught our eye.

Manchester United paid £5,897,377,655 for some kid named Anthony Martial. Amy Lawrence wonders why.

Chile in the 70s. Sketchy, to say the least. Pinochet was a shithead, as we all know. But what was it like to play for the national side during that sad period? Let's learn.

Italy. What's up with that? Are they any better under Conte? Have they actually improved? Let's look!

Ronny's been a bit quiet this season, has he not? Rob Train says it's because of the traffic jam in the middle of the Madrid pitch. Hmmmm...  Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Atlético Madrid are ready to make their move. Graham Hunter fills us in here.

And finally...Gazza's got his favorite XI.

Onward!!

-SSN

Tuesday, September 08, 2015

Euro 2016 = Dutch Disaster & Iceland Euphoria, USA vs. Brazil, Uli Hesse on St. Pauli, Goals of the Week


OK! Apologies, but with the Internationals taking over we decided to take our own little break and close SSN Headquarters for a few days. We're back, however, and ready to roll. We should get caught up on all those Euros trying to make it to UEFA's big showcase next summer in France. Here's your lot:

Spain 2 - 0 Slovakia: Five Key Points

The U.S. Men are in action tonight. It's only a friendly, but it is Brazil so you might want to give it a look. Plus, the Yanks need to get their act together ahead of next month's clash with Mexico. It'll go down at the Big Razor in Foxboro at 8:00 p.m. EDT. U.S. TV is ESPN. Jeff Carlisle says Jermaine Jones is ready!

Dood! Didn't take Didier Drogba long to get going in MLS, did it? Hat-trick! Here are Five Things We Learned in Major League Soccer over the weekend.

Podcast! This week it's...On today's Football Weekly, AC Jimbo welcomes Jonathan Wilson, Barry Glendenning and Ian McCourt to the pod to help liven up the discussion of the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Wales need a point to finalise their booking at a 5 star French hotel, but Holland look to have blown it after they lost against Iceland - officially the smallest nation to qualify for a European Championships - and Turkey. What's gone wrong with the Dutch? Our friend Michiel Jongsma explains. There's plenty of other chat about the exploits of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Mighty England, and – perhaps most excitingly – we give you the skinny on Albania, up to 25th in the Fifa world rankings, and on the brink of qualification. And that's about it. But then, it is international week...

It is Tuesday and that means it's time for Marcotti's Musings! This week, Gab is gabbing about Rooney's stellar record, Iceland make history, Arsenal's regret, and more.

SSN Regulars will know that we love us some St. Pauli. Uli Hesse has a great piece about our favorite German club in that great magazine Eight By Eight. Check it.



Yikes! Look at the time.

We out.

Onward!!

-SSN