Tag: World Cup

The prayers worked…

us_woes_soccersffembeddedprod_affiliate138After a dismal start to the Confederations Cup, the United States soccer team needed some serious inspiration from God to help them change their spiritless ways. Their prayers were answered as they battled to beat the world’s #1 ranked team Spain 2-0 in South Africa! The United States are in the final of the Confederations Cup. Wow!

Just a few days ago this team played some horrendous football. They were truly awful. No guts. No fight. No nothing. Last night the transformation was undeniable. They grafted, they worked as a team, they took their chances and they defended like gladiators. Spain were denied over and over. Stars and stripes were flying in front of every ball. They were inspired.

Men’s U.S. Soccer was back. The players played like men. They challenged some of the world’s best and came out victorious. The spirit was back. Ah that American spirit. The soccer world witnessed a heart and soul performance.

Now can the U.S. team go one better and beat Brazil? If so, does this give the U.S. a fighting chance in the World Cup? Should Coach Bradley stay on as manager and lead this team to the World Cup? Who would you make as captain of the U.S. team? Was this a fluke?

Champions of England again…

APTOPIX Britain Soccer Premier LeagueCongratulations Manchester United. They’ve done this 18 times now and they’re not getting bored. Sir Alex Ferguson is amazing. The greatest manager in football history. Nobody can match what he’s done. It’s a shame the F.A. couldn’t convince him to be England manager. He’d probably have won them the World Cup by now.

For me, Manchester United’s best player this season was Michael Carrick. In fact Carrick makes me want to start a whole new category on the BSD…”Unsung Hero.” Carrick is certainly one of those. His passing is sublime. He threads the ball, he caresses it, he strokes it. If he scored more goals, people would put him in the same bracket as Gerrard or Lampard. For me he is in the same league as those guys. Next term could be a breakthrough season for Carrick. If United win the league again and also do well in Europe, how could Fabio Capello ignore him for England and the World Cup?

The only sour note about United’s end to the season is the whole Tevez saga. Do you guys think he will stay? Would Sir Alex Ferguson ever sell him to a Premiership rival? He wants to stay in the Premier League and the word is Tottenham and Liverpool want him. But United have shown if they don’t want to sell to a particular team they won’t. The manager and board refused to let Gabriel Heinze join Liverpool a couple of seasons ago. Argentina’s left back was desperate to be a Liverpool player but he ended up at Real Madrid. I can’t see United letting Tevez join Liverpool either. What is it about Manchester United and problems with their Argentine internationals? Remember Juan Sebastian Veron, then Gabriel Heinze and now Carlos Tevez. No matter what happens with Tevez, Sir Alex Ferguson has proved life at United goes on regardless who leaves. It doesn’t seem to affect their winning formula does it?

Who do you think was United’s best player this season? Will Sir Alex Ferguson keep going? Who should United bring in during the summer transfer window? Can any other team catch them?

Come on England, Come on England…

_41379954_threelionsbadge2201Start looking into deals for South Africa kids. England made it 5 out of 5 wins in the World Cup Qualifiers by beating the Ukraine 2-1 at Wembley. Skipper John Terry scored a late winner to help guide the team one step closer to South Africa. Could this be the time? Could this be our fate? Capello has got England playing like champs. We’ve looked special throughout the group stages and even when we’ve been less than special, we’ve won! Sven and McLaren found it hard to win when we played like a pub team. Good job they’re not in charge anymore!

The Italian maestro is conducting his orchestra beautifully. The English players trust him. They want to succeed. He can give them success and they are willing to do it his way to fulfill their boyhood dreams. Who would you take on the non-commercial flight out to South Africa. Who deserves a shot at kissing the World Cup? Pack ’em or Leave ’em? It’s never too early to start the fantasy…

Legend Dennis Bergkamp…

dennis_bergkampThis week, the “Nod” goes to Arsenal and Dutch genius Dennis Bergkamp. Classy, entertaining and inspirational would best describe Sir Dennis. His magical feet wooed the Arsenal faithful for years and the rest of the world got to appreciate his talent when he played in the World Cup and European Championships.

His goal scoring show reel is absolute poetry. His touch was amazing, his finishing clinical and his attitude towards the game an example for every young professional. He was responsible for the odd dirty foul, but it didn’t overshadow his footballing brilliance. Is he the best to have played in the Premier League? Let the debate begin.

There’s only one Dennis Bergkamp, one Dennis Bergkamp, we’re walking along, singing a song, walking in a Bergkamp wonderland…

Remember Nottingham Forest..?

_42460972_spurs416-761272What is going on at Spurs? Their situation is dire. Here is a team that was hoping to snatch that fourth place Champions League spot and instead they are fighting for their Premiership lives. You think that’s melodramatic this time of season? Just ask the 1993 Nottingham Forest team everyone said were too good to go down!

Spurs fans are missing Martin Jol right about now. Who is Juande Ramos anyway? OK he won the UEFA and Super Cup with Sevilla. But let’s all be realistic, both trophies have lost their prestige over the years and are not as tough to win. And if you look closely at his resume, other than Real Betis and Sevilla, he’s only ever stayed at a club for one season. Now we know why! And he can’t blame Berbatov and Kean for the Spurs slump. They’ve been badly managed since they won the Carling Cup.

Before Spurs fire Ramos, they should fire their Director of Football. The appropriately named Damien Comolli has bought overvalued players and done a mess of a job in the transfer market since taking control at the Lane. Bent, Bentley, Modric and Pavlyuchenko were all overpriced. Nobody is bashing these guys as players, but Damien’s decision to pay such ridiculous money for them was a bad omen for this once prestigious North London club! It’s coming back to haunt him now.

Spurs should have hired Jurgen Klinsmann years ago. He has the right mentality, ethics and innovation to manage in the Premier League. He made an average international German side look sublime and strong at the World Cup. But Spurs missed that boat and it’s a shame because they could really do with a classic Spurs hero to swoop in and save them. Who though? They’ve been through most of their heroes as managers already haven’t they?

There is a Spurs legend however that could help if asked. He’s got the experience playing the game at the highest level, he just hasn’t managed a club yet. He was around some of the best managers during his career both domestically and internationally. As a player, we admired his intelligence and overall understanding of the game. Mark Hughes, Roy Keane, Gareth Southgate, Paul Ince and even Klinsmann himself have proved you don’t necessarily need the experience if you’ve got a good back room staff to support you. This guy could do it. Step forward Teddy Sheringham. Oh, and he once played for Nottingham Forest too…

The art of Deco…

art_deco_shop-775155The King’s Road has long been known for it’s flare and fashion. During the 1960’s, it was certainly the swinging place to be seen. Over the years, the King’s Road has been toned down and turned into a local high street for the posh folk of South West London. It has certainly become more refined and sophisticated and could be compared to the transformation of Chelsea this season. Enter World Cup winning coach. Enter new footballing philosophy. Enter sublime Portuguese superstar. What is the result? The evolution of Chelsea and a classy team worth watching this season.

In their first game against Portsmouth, we witnessed something different. The team appeared inspired by the changes this summer. They played beautiful football and one player in particular made it all seem so easy. Watching Deco is like watching an artist create life on a canvas. His touch and feel for the game is special. I was underwhelmed when Chelsea signed him because they’ve long discussed the possibility of getting him. However, when I watched the artist himself on Sunday, I was amazed how one man who has never played in the Premier League could totally transform the pattern and play of a team.

I know, I know…I’m doing it again…it’s only the first game of the season, calm down Diva. Normally I would agree. As good as Chelsea have been over the last few years, they’ve lacked that flare, pizazz and showmanship. Robben was that type of player for them but he left the Bridge. And as much success as they’ve had, Mr.Abramovich wants to see beautiful football and I believe this could be the season he gets his wish. Could the King’s Road start swinging all over again?..