So What If Ronaldo Goes

Posted on May 31, 2008 - Filed Under Europe, Man Utd., Real Madrid | Leave a Comment

The European media is waiting with baited breath for Cristiano Ronaldo’s announcement after the Euro’s 2008 whether he is returning to Manchester United or leaving for Real Madrid.

For arguments sake lets assume that the world’s best player wants to leave and the figure of 100 million pounds is the transfer fee. With all of its debt I don’t think that Man Utd’s bankers would allow them to turn down this kind of offer. The ability to pay down almost 10% of the teams debt in one fell swoop, and will greatly reduce the debt load of the club and make refinancing the existing debt easier. The Glazers would be forced to accept this offer.

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Babel Breaks Down

Posted on May 31, 2008 - Filed Under Euro 2008, Europe, Liverpool, News | Leave a Comment

Reports this morning confirm that Dutch starlet Ryan Babel has been ruled out of the Euro 2008 torunament. The 21 year-old Liverpool member injured his ankle during a recent practice. The recovery time for his ligament tear appears to be not days but weeks. Coach Marco van Basten showcased Babel in 11 of the 12 Dutch qualifying matches. The Oranje coach will now look to call up another player to his 23-man squad.

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Alexander Frei: Switzerland’s All-time Leading Scorer

Posted on May 31, 2008 - Filed Under Euro 2008, Europe, News | Leave a Comment

Yesterday, Swiss forward Alexander Frei become his country’s all-time leading scorer in international play when he scored his 34th and 35th all-time goals. His brace came in a 3-0 victory against neighbor Liechtenstein in St. Gallen. It was Switzerland’s final warm-up before they co-host UEFA’s Euro 2008 tournament. Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn used the same lineup that had worked so well against Slovakia. Holding midfielder Gelson Fernandes played a vital role for the Swiss in the match and he should enjoy a breakout campaign at Euro 2008.

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Czech Republic 3-1 Over Scotland in Euro 2008 Warm-Up

Posted on May 31, 2008 - Filed Under Euro 2008, Europe | Leave a Comment

F.C. Copenhagen midfielder Libor Sionko scored twice to send the Czech Republic to victory over Scotland yesterday in a pre-Euro 2008 friendly in Prague. Czech Republic defeated Lithuania three days earlier and now after notching their second warm-up victory, the team seems prepared for co-hosts and Group A foes Switzerland in Basel next week.

Scotland took the Czech Republic to the half tied at 0-0, but a 60th minute blast from Sionko broke the deadlock. Defender Michal Kadlec made the score 2-0 before Scotland’s David Clarkson found the net. Sionko scored his second in the final minutes of play to finalize the score at 3-1.

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Italy 3-1 Over Belgium in Euro 2008 Warm-Up

Posted on May 31, 2008 - Filed Under Euro 2008, Europe | Leave a Comment

The Azzurri enjoyed a commanding victory over Belgium yesterday thanks in large part to a brace from Antonio Di Natale. The Udinese forward’s two first-half goals were too much for the Red Devils to overcome. Midfielder Mauro Camoranesi of Juventus scored Italy’s final goal of the match. Juve stars Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon, and Giorgio Chiellini also factored in the match. Del Piero, the top scorer in Serie A last season, set up Camoranesi’s goal. Buffon took over the captain’s armband in the second half. Chiellini entered in the second half for Fabio Cannavaro.

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Amauri Moving to Juventus

Posted on May 31, 2008 - Filed Under Europe | Leave a Comment

Forward Amauri will transfer from Palermo to Juventus this summer.  The Brazilian was the top target for several of Europe’s largest clubs.  He scored 23 league goals during his two seasons in Sicily.  Juve will send Palermo in excess of 15 million pounds plus Antonio Nocerino for the 27 year-old Sao Paulo native.  Midfielder Nocerino should see extended playing time at Palermo.  Nocerino appeared in 32 league matches last season.  The 23 year-old Italian will also compete in the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

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Of Groins & Groans: U.S. vs. England Wrap Up

Posted on May 30, 2008 - Filed Under Europe | 1 Comment

 

I’ve waited forty-eight hours to write about the U.S. MNT’s failure against England. I’ve held back because I was afraid I would write something I would later regret if I spewed the vitriol I felt immediately after the game ended.

Well, it’s been two days and I am still feeling a frenzy of disdain for our performance. I hoped time would heal my disgust, but if anything its actually become more acute.

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Thursday Night MLS Primetime Wrap Up

Posted on May 30, 2008 - Filed Under DC United, MLS, Revolution | Leave a Comment

 

Last night’s Revs-United matchup on ESPN2 provided plenty of thrills. It was a standoff between two of the league’s best teams last year, both with many new faces on the pitch in 2008. 

Here were my thoughts, stream of consciousness style, as I watched the game:

Pre-Match: Matt Reis’s dome looks extra shiny on the HD while he’s warming up. Almost looks like he’s had it specially waxed for the game. Parkhurst looks focused. I wonder if he’s glad he missed yesterday’s fiasco in Wembley? I also wonder whether Twellman is as hurt as he claims or just still sulking about not getting to go abroad? The pre-match commercials are horrifying. I still get chills when I watch the shoddy camera work in that horrible Dick’s ad with Olsen. But hey, did anyone else notice how freaking hot Olsen’s wife is? Total MLS Wag. Who knew?

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Are MLS Fans Racist?

Posted on May 29, 2008 - Filed Under MLS | 1 Comment

I wanted the subtitle:

Why Does One Fan’s Use of ”Vile Racist Language” Mean People Actually Pay Attention to the MLS, But For The Wrong Reasons

But, I am not exactly a Wordpress wizard. So no subtitles. Alas. Anyways, here’s the scenario that has everyone buzzing about how MLS fans are racist:

In the last minute of regular time in last weekend’s Columbus vs. New England matchup for East supremacy, the Crew’s Ezra Hendrickson foolishly fouls the Rev’s Steve Ralston in the top of the box. The official places the ball on the spot and Joseph knocks it solidly towards the net, but Hesmer makes a valiant save. The rebound springs straight to the Rev’s Zimbabwean speedster Kheli Dube who buries it into the open net.

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Seattle Sounders Get New Sponsor

Posted on May 29, 2008 - Filed Under MLS | 1 Comment

Seattle Sounders FC which will begin playing in Major League Soccer team in the 2009 season has snagged Microsoft to be their naming sponsor. The sponsorship deal is for deal for five years and a reported $20 million. The Microsoft Xbox 360 Live brand will be prominently displayed on the front of the Sounders’ green and blue jerseys

This is a big deal for MLS to involve a corporate sponsor the size of Microsoft in MLS and I beelive reflects the impact that David Beckham has had on raising awareness of soccer in corporate America.

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