Best Players in the World: Who’s #5

Posted on August 29, 2008 - Filed Under Arsenal, Europe | Leave a Comment

While Ronaldo, Kaka and Torres are undeniably three of the best goal scorer’s in the world, if I were starting a squad from scratch and could have any player in the world, I would likely select my choice for the #5 best player in the world:

Cesc Fabregas.

Why would I want Fabregas, who has only scored 14 goals in 138 caps for Arsenal, over his more prolific contemporaries?

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Freddy Adu and Who?

Posted on August 22, 2008 - Filed Under Europe | Leave a Comment

SL Benfica’s Freddy Adu now finds himself competing in France on a season-long loan with AS Monaco.  Here is a closer look at the some of his Ligue 1 teammates.

Flavio Roma:  The captain of the squad, the 34-year-old Italian goalkeeper was rumored for a return to his native country this summer but appears to be staying with Monaco where he has played since 2001. 

Lucas Bernardi:  The 30-year-old Argentine defensive midfielder has also been with the club since 2001.  He has made five senior appearances for Argentina since 2004.

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Capello Lost As England Boss

Posted on August 20, 2008 - Filed Under Europe | Leave a Comment

England manager Fabio Capello  must have been channeling the” Wally With The Brolly” aka Steve McClaren. That can be the only logical answer for his decisions this week.

First of all the decision to name John Terry as England captain was the wrong one. Terry is a great club captain. He rallies the troops and is very good in the air. But in case Capello had not noticed, mobility, quickness and speed are not big parts of Terry’s game. And in the international game, these are skills that every center-half must have. See the first Czech Republic goal on Wednesday as an example of where Terry is not quick enough to handle a quick turning forward. Terry’s lack of pace means that England are forced to defend to deep, creating big gaps in the field. By naming Terry captain, Capello is committing to having Terry on the team sheet every game, and against quicker European teams, England will get caught out.

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Several Players Star in the Olympics

Posted on August 20, 2008 - Filed Under Chivas, Europe | Leave a Comment

Sacha Klijestan: The Chivas USA midfielder vastly improved his international resume with his Olympic performance.  It is only a matter of time before a European outfit makes a bid offer for the 22-year-old U.S. international.  He ended with two goals scored in Group B action.

Sekou Cissé: The 23-year-old Ivorian striker scored two goals with one coming against finals participant Argentina.  Currently, he competes for Eredivisie outfit Roda JC.  He also netted four goals at the recent Toulon Tournament.

Moussa Dembélé: The 21-year-old Belgian striker already has three goals and he could add to his tally with the Bronze-medal match upcoming.  The AZ Alkmaar player has long been rumored with a move to the Premiership. 

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Toronto FC Add Smith as Edu Moves to Rangers

Posted on August 18, 2008 - Filed Under Europe, MLS, NY Red Bulls, Toronto FC | Leave a Comment

Toronto FC bid goodbye to former first-round selection and U.S. national team midfielder Maurice Edu.  The 22-year-old signed a five-year contract with Scottish power Rangers FC.  Edu joins international teammate DaMarcus Beasley at Ibrox.  Edu will have to wait until 2009 at the earliest to enjoy a taste of European football as Rangers were knocked out of UEFA Champions League play recently.

Also, Toronto FC recently added former United States U-20 performer Johann Smith after he was released by Premiership side Bolton Wanderers.  Smith has blazing speed and will be utilized in the left midfield, but he can also move to a more forward position when needed.  Much more of an athletic player versus a technical one, Smith could benefit in the step down from Premiership to MLS competition.  Only 21-years-old, he still has time to develop his full skill set.

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Bundesliga Recap: 1899 Hoffenheim Continues To Surprise

Posted on August 16, 2008 - Filed Under Europe | Leave a Comment

FC Schalke 3-0 Hannover 96

Captain Marcelo Bordon scored early and striker Kevin Kurányi added two more first-half goals as Shalke took three points from its match with Hannover 96.

VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 FC Köln

Two unanswered goals from Wolfsburg’s Christian Gentner and Zvjezdan Misimović proved too much for promoted side Köln.

Bayer 04 Laverkusen 2-3 Borussia Dortmund

Neven Subotić’s game winner in the early moments of the second half proved enough for Dortmund.  The 19-year-old Serbian American could play his international matches for one of three countries with America the current frontrunner as Neven has participated in the United States U-17 and U-20 squads.

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Ten Best Games To Watch in September

Posted on August 13, 2008 - Filed Under Europe | Leave a Comment

September is a great month for football with all the European leagues in action and World Cup Qualifying. The Champions League groups have not been drawn yet, so we cannot include any of these games, but these are the ten best domestic and international games on the calendar for September 2008.

Saturday 06th September 2008: Cuba v USA and Jamaica v Mexico
We start off with a 2-1 deal. These are very tough road games for Mexico and the U.S. The U.S playing in Havana is full of political overtones and I am sure it will not be a pro-US crowd. The U.S. is better than Cuba and anything less than a win will be viewed as a disappointment.

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Sir Alex Looks to Add a Touch of Klass

Posted on August 10, 2008 - Filed Under Europe, Man Utd., Premier League | Leave a Comment

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov appears keen to remain in London which could force Sir Alex to mount a bid for Ajax star Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.  Spurs were ready to accept United’s beefed up bid which was reported at £28m; however, the 27-year-old Bulgarian made it known that he wanted to wait to move till manager Juande Ramos secured an attacking replacement.  This taxed Sir Alex’s patience and he knows appears ready to move on with Huntelaar a favorite to top his list.  The 24-year-old Dutch international has been a proficient goal scorer while in the Netherlands.  The Hunter helped guide the Netherlands to the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.  He has played for Ajax since 2005.

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Blackburn Brings In Roque’s Little Bro

Posted on August 7, 2008 - Filed Under Europe, Man Utd., Premier League | Leave a Comment

Premiership side Blackburn Rovers have agreed to terms with Roque Santa Cruz’s little brother Julio.  The 18-year-old forward comes to Rovers via Paraguay and upon international clearance will sign a three-year contract with the club.  Julio enjoyed two trials with Blackburn before agreeing to terms.  The move further shores up Blackburn’s chances to retain last season’s sensation.  Roque recently noted that he is happy at Elwood Park.

In other news, even after hearing of Ronaldo’s reassurance to remain at the club, United was unable to score against Serie A power Juventus and the match ended 0-0.  It was the club’s final warm-up before Sunday’s match with Portsmouth for the Community Shield. 

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Old Firm No Longer Big Clubs

Posted on August 6, 2008 - Filed Under Europe, SPL | Leave a Comment

Anyone who has watched Glasgow Rangers play this pre-season was not shocked by the 2-1 loss in Lithuania  to FBK Kaunas. Less than three months after appearing in the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester, Rangers are now out of Europe until next year.

Buy Celtic Tickets - Buy Glasgow Rangers Tickets

The defeat means that Rangers will miss out on £12m, which they would have been guaranteed had they qualified for the first stage proper of the competition. That financial loss might be a bigger blow to the club than the score on the field.

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