Flashback Friday.
Swing back to one of my favourite time’s of year when I get to hang and chat with the USWNT. An honour to watch and talk to the biggest and best in the women’s game, especially as they prepared for the 2012 Olympic Qualifiers.
Perhaps I was their lucky charm! I mean Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and their magic squad did strike gold in my hometown of London!
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!
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.
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?
A Conversation With Derek Rae is pure football poetry. One of football’s finest voices, Derek always paints a beautiful picture through his commentary. Do you know anyone who can marry the famous poet Robert Burns with football?
From Team GB and the Olympics to all things Premier League including Luis Suarez, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Andre Villas Boas, Brendan Rodgers, Manchester City, mid-level clubs and beyond, Derek discusses it all with an honest perspective. There’s even time to talk a wee bit of Rangers!
Football, soccer, call it what you want, it’s just like being down the pub with your mates.
After losing their title on goal difference to their fiercest rivals, Manchester United are looking to bounce back this coming season. Desperate to regain what they believe to be their rightful place at the mountain top of English football, United fans are hoping for more success after having nothing new and shiny to place in the already abundant trophy cabinet.
Stretty News is one of the fastest growing Manchester United blogs anywhere in the world. In a Conversation With Dale O’ Donnell we dissect all things Red Devils. From the Glazers to Sir Alex Ferguson, the rivalry with Manchester City, Wayne Rooney, Kagawa and beyond, we cover the latest news that is happening at Old Trafford.
Dale is a leading voice for a new generation of Manchester United fans and he holds no punches when giving his opinion. Check out Dale’s work at www.strettynews.com and follow him on Twitter @StrettyNews.
Football, soccer, call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.
There’s no doubt Brendan Rodgers will be under intense scrutiny and pressure when the new season starts. Taking over the managerial reigns at Liverpool and following in the footsteps of legend Kenny Dalglish will definitely be a tough task for the ex-Swansea coach.
However, if there is one man who easily wins the gold medal for “Manager Under the Most Pressure” it has to be Andre Villas Boas. Will we see the man who dazzled the football universe at Porto? Or will we see the AVB who failed miserably at Chelsea? As mentioned earlier this month on this site, I don’t believe lightning will strike twice for Villas Boas, who lived in the shadow of the Special One during his time at Stamford Bridge.
During Spurs tour of the U.S., the new Tottenham coach looked exceptionally relaxed and happy, and so did his team. I was lucky enough to spend some time with him. Enjoy A Conversation With Andre Villas Boas.
London is unquestionably a fantastic city to host any major world sporting event. The capital of England first hosted the Olympic Games in 1908 and then again in 1948.
The 2012 London Olympics are just around the corner and joining me on A Conversation With is Martin Rogers from Yahoo! Sports. We talk Olympic football, Team GB, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Spain, Mexico, Neymar and the USWNT. We even chat Michael Phelps, LeBron James and Usain Bolt. Martin gives his insights into the security and ticketing issues being reported and how excited he is to cover the Games in his hometown of London!
The world prepares to be inspired by the Games once again so be sure to check out Martin’s articles on Yahoo! for some great stories and all the latest news.
There’s no doubt Eduardo is a very talented footballer. But who knew he was a talented diver? Olympian Greg Louganis would have quaked in his boots if he had to face Eduardo in competition. The Croatian international would have received a 10.0 from every single judge for his dive in the Champions League at the Emirates last night. I think we all agree there was miniscule contact between Eduardo and Art Boruc, the Celtic goalkeeper. It was no way a penalty.
Unfortunately, these things happen in football. And they will continue to happen unless instant replay is introduced for questionable activity inside the penalty area. If instant replay was in effect, the referee would probably have reversed his decision and it would have been a goal kick to Celtic. This rule and goal line technology could help ensure the right decisions are made and that fans won’t be left wondering or broken hearted.
Having said that, isn’t the broken heart and the wondering part of the game? Don’t we love to complain and evaluate it all? Don’t we love to count the injustices? The outrages decisions? Or are we starting to feel jaded from all that? Are we tired of the drama? Do we need change? Is the cost of losing too great?
We see these actions and decisions in the penalty area a lot throughout the season. Eduardo didn’t do anything new here people. Like many other players have done and will do, Eduardo seized an opportunity for his team and now everyone including me is labeling him a diver. I would like to go on record and say that I believe only on this occasion is Eduardo a diver. I watch a lot of Arsenal games and he doesn’t usually partake in the Hollywood theatrics.
So if we know Hollywood has crept into our game and players are taking advantage of potential penalty situations like Eduardo did, does that make it cheating?