Sanford's Soccer Net

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Small Break

I'm taking a few days off to run to California and celebrate my pal Phil's last days as a bachelor. We'll be off the grid in Death Valley so no updates on SSN for a few days. Look for normal service to resume next Wednesday. Until then, enjoy the footie. -Sanford

Amy Lawrence: City must learn to live with Robinho's need to party

Manchester City must accept that partying is a way of life for Brazilians.

Maybe partying will help...

Quotes & Chants of the Week

"My missus could have scored that."
Harry Redknapp puts a friendly arm around striker Darren Bent after his glaring miss against Portsmouth.

"It's not always about money. It's about playing for the best team, playing with the best players in the world and winning trophies and being successful."
David Beckham, oblivious to the irony of his advice to his new team-mate.

"Boro have lost games they should have won and that's down to inexperience and not having enough experience."
The inimitable Paul Merson.

"Stand up, if you beat Man U."
Southend fans against Chelsea.

"Does your butler know you're here?"
Southend fans to Chelsea supporters.

"Viva John Terry! Viva John Terry! We only won the Cup, 'cos he mucked it up, Viva John Terry!"
Manchester United fans show their appreciation for the Chelsea captain at Old Trafford!

The Rest

The Question: what has happened to all the goalpoachers?

With more of an all-round game required of strikers in modern football, Michael Owen is one of the last of a dying breed.

The Mill + ++ +++

Thursday's Rumours

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England: FA Cup Weekend Preview

Tottenham and Manchester United limp into their tie, Arsenal travel to Cardiff, Everton go back to Anfield, holders Portsmouth continue their defense with a home tie against Swansea City and Derby County and Nottingham Forest slug it out in a heated local rivalry...

Preview

Pompey fans await Swansea's arrival...

Saturday:
Chelsea v Ipswich 15:00

Hartlepool v West Ham 12:40

Hull City v Millwall 15:00

Kettering v Fulham 15:00

Man Utd v Tottenham 17:15

Portsmouth v Swansea 15:00

Sheff Utd v Charlton 15:00

Sunderland v Blackburn 15:00

Torquay v Coventry 15:00

Watford v Crystal Palace 15:00

West Brom v Burnley 15:00

Wolverhampton v Middlesbrough 15:00

Sunday:

Cardiff v Arsenal 13:30

Liverpool v Everton 16:00

Goal.Commentary: United States Starting XI vs. Sweden

The United States Men’s National Team is three-quarters of the way through its annual 20-day January camp and the friendly against Sweden is only four days away. While a number of players—especially defenders—have been unable to attend or pulled out early due to injury, Bob Bradley has a vibrant young group with plenty of attacking power and many options for the starting XI on January 24. Goal.com took a look at one potential lineup the American manager could use.

The Short List: Players Coming Home

The long list of Americans in Europe grows with each passing transfer window, but Goal.com’s Allen Ramsey thinks a few of America’s stars could use a trip home.

U.S. fringe players aim to impress against Sweden

Yet even as the U.S. prepares for Saturday's game at the Home Depot Center, there's another reason why things are a bit different this year, and it has to do with the leviathan encounter looming on the horizon. I'm talking, of course, about the Americans' match on Feb. 11 against arch-rival Mexico that will open the final round of World Cup qualifying.

Friendly:
U.S. vs. Sweden
Jan. 24
Home Depot Center; Carson, Calif.
8:30 p.m. ET

2010 World Cup Qualifying:
U.S. vs. Mexico
Feb. 11
Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 HD

Italy and Spain: Cups

Coppa Italia: Inter edge Roma

Copa del Rey: Valencia edge Sevilla
Copa del Rey: Espanol hold Barcelona

Splashy Sounders kick off major soccer in Seattle

The splashy new Seattle Sounders are still two months from their first game. Yet they already have sold far more season tickets than Major League Soccer averaged in attendance last season.