Category: World Football

Chicharito Is Having Fun…

The LA Galaxy have had an average regular season by their standards. Yet somehow, they’ve found themselves in the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in two seasons.

It has been a long and difficult road to this point. Fans have been disgruntled with the front office and in particular, Chris Klein. They have felt his transfer business has been less than average from before the Zlatan chapter.

Despite designated players like, Kévin Cabral being more than disappointing and Douglas Costa not delivering enough on the high expectations, the five-star winning side have found some decent form towards the end of the season and are locked in for a Western Conference semi-final versus their rivals, LAFC.

Recent acquisitions like Gastón Brugman and Riqui Puig seem to have dug Klein and the club out of a massive hole and are a major reason for making the playoffs. They’ve meshed in beautifully and made a huge difference on the pitch. And the continual drive and scoring ability of Mexican legend, Javier Hernández, the club are in an improbable position to fight for the biggest prize of all…a championship.

With all the challenges this team has faced, Hernández is loving the position the team is in and post playoff win versus, Nashville he shared his usual enthusiasm and positivity. There’s no doubt his leadership has been integral to their journey thus far and once again, he reminded us all that football is fun. The beloved “Chicharito” is definitely all in on the ride! Listen to his comments via the link below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjtnaCKgi9-/

Legendary Commentator, Derek Rae…

Derek Rae is the voice of FIFA 22 and a legendary commentator of the beautiful game. He joins Super Kevin Campbell and Sophie Nicolaou to talk about some of the biggest matches he has had the honour to call.

From the Premier League, to Bundesliga, the Champions League, Euros and World Cup, Derek has covered some of the best talent in the history of football. You will not want to miss his epic stories.

From the Cannon to Corona…

The world is in self-isolation. But thanks to technology, we still get to connect, broadcast and talk football. The Coronavirus is impacting so many lives, livelihoods and our love of sports. Our souls need good tonic right now. We hope this episode brings you some normalcy and comfort. Hang in there. We are all in this together.

The Quest for Gold Starts Here

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!

Impressive Cityzens

Manchester City spent their pre season tour in the United States and to say I found their entire set-up impressive is an understatement. Coolest thing of all was the time they spent with fans. Definitely flew the flag proudly for the Premier League!

Manchester United 5 LA Galaxy 2

It was a friendly…but the gulf between Manchester United and LA Galaxy was there for all to see. The Red Devils budding talent, Marcus Rashford looked the leanest and fittest. He played like he had a point to prove. I predict he has a better season in the Premier League than 70 million pound boy, Romelu Lukaku.

On the flip side, LA Galaxy have cemented their star on the MLS walk of fame, but this particular team is a shadow of the glorious past. The Galaxy need to be on their toes as LAFC, the noisy neighbours 2.0 are making some serious noise down the 110 freeway!

Brazil Legend Carlos Alberto

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One of my favourite interviews ever. Brazil legend and World Cup winning captain Carlos Alberto is so candid with his opinions on the beautiful game. From Messi and Ronaldo, to Neymar and the current Brazil squad, he didn’t hold back with his thoughts. It was a dream to get to speak to him. Another legend gone.

http://talksport.com/radio/extra-time/130425/carlos-alberto-brazils-world-cup-chances-their-premier-league-stars-and-196344

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?