Author: Soccer Diva

Soccerdiva Soundbite…David Beckham

Football superstar and pop culture icon David Beckham has provided the world with much to savour throughout his career. As he enters the twilight of his profession and faces the realization his playing days are inching their way towards the rear view mirror, his desire to win remains as fresh as it was all those years ago when he emerged as a youngster at Manchester United.

From Real Madrid, to AC Milan and now LA Galaxy, Beckham has given his all not only for the clubs he has played for but also for his beloved England. When he finally won the MLS Cup with LA last season, many thought he would walk off into the sunset, satisfied the American dream was finally achieved.

But David Beckham loves to play. He loves his football. And after deciding to re-sign with Los Angeles after spurning the advances of Paris St. Germain earlier this year, Beckham finds himself with yet another opportunity to win a championship.

I had the opportunity to talk with one of England’s finest exports following LA’s tough loss against San Jose in the first leg of their MLS Cup playoff. San Jose Earthquakes grabbed a controversial winner in injury time, despite LA dominating possession.

It’s not the first time San Jose have done that this season. They have become the masters of the last gasp goal! David Beckham spent a few minutes with us post game and despite the loss, he is definitely optimistic about the 2nd leg. There was even time to ask David Beckham about Luis Suarez and his amazing goal against Newcastle United at Anfield. Does Suarez make the Premier League history books? Does he join Beckham among the list of legendary Premier League goals?

Hear what the ex Manchester United superstar had to say about Liverpool’s current striking superstar!

The One with El Clasico…

La Liga Lounge returns for Episode III and it’s all about El Clasico! One of the most exciting and infamous sporting events on the calendar year has been heightened over the last couple of years because of the Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi rivalry.

Both of their games have been elevated to levels we only dream of. Both of their games have improved because they fuel each other to be the best. These already declared legends continue to grow and so does the battle for Europe’s top individual football prize, the Ballon d’Or. Is Ronaldo going to knock Messi off his throne? Or will the little genius break CR7’s heart all over again?

It’s not all about the big two, though! We also chat about Atletico Madrid’s chances of La Liga glory. Should we believe they can win it? And what about Malaga and their start to the season? Can we trust them?

Sit back in your comfy chair and enjoy the sound of La Liga Lounge. It’s Happy Hour!

The One Where Ronaldo is Sad…

La Liga Lounge is an exciting new project I’m working on with Ben Hayward from Goal.com. We take a laid-back look at the game in Spain. Join us in the La Liga Lounge for happy hour each week! Drinks are on us.

In this episode, we tackle Ronaldo and his sadness. What could possibly be bringing one of the world’s best footballers down? He has a hot job, a hot car, a hot girlfriend! What is there to be sad about CR7?

It doesn’t seem Ronaldo is alone in the sad department either. Cesc Fabregas is having a rough ole’ ride at Barcelona and the La Liga Lounge bar staff delve into why! There’s even a little room to talk Falcao, Javi Martinez, Pep Guardiola and Catalan independence.

Don’t miss Ben and Sophie’s predictions for some of the top fixtures in La Liga this weekend. Join in the banter and fun. Follow us on Twitter @LaLigaLounge and you can also join our Facebook community too.

A Conversation With…Akil Vyas

Arsenal have been busier than usual in the transfer market yet the business conducted still hasn’t satisfied the appetites of many fans.

There’s no doubt the Gooner nation is happy with the arrival of a class player like Santi Cazorla, together with German goal machine Lukas Podolski and rising French star Olivier Giroud. Despite the pedigree of these players, fans are upset Arsene Wenger didn’t do enough to replace Alex Song and they are also disgruntled the club sold Robin van Persie to rivals Manchester United. In A Conversation With Akil Vyas, we break down the Arsenal situation and discuss the hot topics engulfing the famous North London club.

What do Gunners fans really think about Theo Walcott? With all of Diaby’s injuries, can the club trust he’ll be available and fit throughout an entire season as the ready-made replacement for Alex Song? Should The Ox play or be a super sub? What is Arsenal’s best formation? Is there a need to worry about the injury prone back line? Can they have an impact in the Champions League?

Akil answers all of these questions and more in our conversation. You can follow him on Twitter @10akhil. Kick back, relax and enjoy!

A Conversation With…Eoin O’Callaghan

We dive into a pool of football happenings In A Conversation With Eoin O’Callaghan.

The former host of Fox Soccer Report discusses attacking, defending, buying and selling in the Premier League. We look at the exciting debut of Eden Hazard for Chelsea and how Sir Alex Ferguson might regret not signing him for Manchester United. Does Nuri Sahin fit best with Liverpool or Arsenal? Is Andre Villas Boas changing too much too soon at Spurs? Can Everton burst into the top tier of the league like Newcastle United did last season? We dissect all of this and much more from an English football perspective.

There’s even a little time to touch on some Italian madness and in particular the Antonio Conte situation at Juventus and the heartbreak of AC Milan fans as Antonio Cassano defects to the enemy Inter Milan. Grab a tipple of your choice and enjoy the conversation.

Channel Your Inner Footydamus…

What does your crystal football say about the forthcoming Premier League season? Who do you see standing at the peak of the mountain? Who will be raising something heavy, silver and shiny above their head?

Will Manchester City do it all again? Or will their arch nemesis Manchester United reclaim their crown as Kings of England? Can Arsenal really challenge for top spot? Will Chelsea and their new crop of stars take the league by storm? Can Andre Villas Boas and Tottenham Hotspur surprise everyone by winning it all? Do Newcastle United have any hope of repeating their wonderful form from last season? And will Brendan Rodgers tiki-taka revolution at Liverpool be tikitastic?

The battle for supremacy begins tomorrow. The joy. The tears. The elation. The sorrow. We kick every ball. Let the mayhem begin.

Channel your inner Footydamus. I’ve looked deep into my soul and have come up with these monumental choices.

1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester City
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Newcastle United
7. Liverpool
______________________
18. Q.P.R.
19. Reading
20. Southampton

Pick your top 7 and your bottom 3. Who will be crowned King or Queen of the British Soccer Diva prediction competition? Bragging rights are up for grabs. Who knows…it could well be you!

A Conversation With…Bobby McMahon

The Premier League is only days away and boy do I have a treat for all of you.

In A Conversation With Bobby McMahon from Fox Soccer Report and Forbes.com we break the game down to its core and talk tactics. From Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle, Bobby shares his brilliant football brain with you.

We also chat about the managerial changes and who Bobby thinks will be in trouble. Plus don’t miss Bobby’s Top 4 predictions as you might be surprised who he has missing from his list. He also shares who he thinks will sink to the Championship at the end of the season.

Don’t miss Bobby McMahon broadcasting his las show on Fox Soccer Report on Thursday 16th August.

Soccerdiva Soundbite…Christie Rampone

Footballer. Mother. Captain fantastic. A legend in the making. The ultimate leader. The USWNT has performed heroics in many games and Christie Rampone has experienced the highs and lows having been part of this team for many years.

Rampone has won at every single level. An Olympic gold medalist and World Cup Winner, Christie is a true inspiration and one of the best captain’s the USWNT has seen. It was wonderful to spend a few minutes with her during training camp and tomorrow she and her team have the opportunity to redeem the loss to Japan in last summer’s World Cup.

Prepare for more drama. This is the USWNT!

Soccerdiva Soundbite…Heather O’Reilly

During the Olympic qualifiers, I had the pleasure of spending time with the USWNT. These women work so hard and are absolutely determined to win gold in London.

After an epic semi-final game at Old Trafford against Canada on Monday night, the USWNT once again showed their belief in each other and their flair for late drama. A superb cross from the skillful Heather O’Reilly to future superstar Alex Morgan broke Canadian hearts everywhere. And let’s not forget Megan Rapinoe, who undoubtedly had the game of her life! During camp, I was fortunate to chat with one of the heroes from tonight’s game, Heather O’ Reilly. She talks about what it means to play for her country, her love for Tim McGraw and her admiration for Lionel Messi. You will love her energy. Enjoy the Soccerdiva Soundbite.

Jose Mourinho loves David Beckham…

Football icon David Beckham was recently quoted as saying that Jose Mourinho is one of the greatest managers in football right now. As obvious as Beckham’s assessment of Mourinho may seem, it appears the two men have a tremendous amount of respect for each other.

When Beckham’s quote was presented to Mourinho in a press conference after Real Madrid thrashed the Los Angeles Galaxy 5-1 in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Home Depot Center, he reciprocated the compliment. “Beckham has always been nice to me. He has always had very good words for me. I’m sorry I could never be his coach. I would love it. Now it’s too late as David is in the last years of his career.”

Clearly Mourinho admires the ex-Real Madrid star, and he didn’t hold back about Beckham missing from Team GB at the Olympics. “There is something I don’t understand and I know because I was also inside the project. If now the Olympic Games are in London, it’s because of him. Yes it’s because of Sebastian Coe and other people, but he was the most important face of that project. I don’t understand why he is not playing though. I cannot understand.”

It’s a shame for Beckham that the Portuguese manager wasn’t choosing the side for Team GB. “I think in a group of 18 players you have football qualities to give, human qualities to give. I think he is one of the best soccer professionals to express the ideals of Pierre de Coubertin. I’m so sorry he is not there. I also participated in the London project and I don’t understand why such a big personality is playing in this preseason friendly match, when he should be at the Olympics.”

This is sure to reignite the debate about Beckham’s exclusion from Stuart Pearce’s Team GB squad. If the team goes on to win Olympic gold, all will be forgotten. For now, it seems even Mourinho is confused as to why England’s most iconic sports export is not present during one of the most important sporting events the country has seen since the 1948 Olympics, 1966 World Cup and Euro ’96.

Frank Lampard also shared the same sentiments as Mourinho when he was in the United States for the MLS All-Star Game. There’s no doubt there are plenty of people in Team Becks’ corner. So far, Team GB seem to be surviving without him. Do you agree with The Special One?