Patrick Barclay on Chelsea’s debt to the late Boris Yeltsin.
Duncan Castles on one of the world’s great players – in a number of positions – Michael Essien.
David Lacey asks why defenders are so often overlooked when it comes the time to dish out awards.
Stephen Brunt describes Toronto FC’s biggest star – BMO Field.
From a regular blog contributor Flashman – the arrival of Toronto FC.
A regular corresponder Michael Carlson brought up an interesting idea last week. He pointed out that a lot of fans record games to watch later but often don’t really know if the game is worth watching or a real dog. The blog community constitutes a wide range of soccer tastes and hours of game watching each week.
So if you have seen a game this week that you consider a “must-see” let’s hear about and conversely if you suffered through ninety minutes of tedium here is your chance to issue a consumer warning.
Good night,all...I need some music....Buzzcocks and Tom Robinson Band this week, I think!!
And The Arctic ####`s are showing a lot of promise from the youth/academy system!
Bobby, best unknown game of the weekend that I saw was from the Colombian League. It was between Independiente Medellin versus Deportivo Cali. Medellin was up 3-0 at the half, only for Deportivo to storm back in the second half to tie the game 3-3. That is how the game finished.
A few quick questions:
1. How do you interpret the Canadian Soccer Association's handling of trying to find a head coach for the Men's national team?
2. What is your assesment of the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup final? I thought it was quite a exciting tie.
Last edited by realmadridcffan on April 30th at 8:31 PM.
Great weekend for sports - NFL Draft and NBA Playoffs aside.
The drama with AZ, Ajax and PSV was just GREAT. I can't believe the luck AZ had with getting their keeper sent off like that. And then for PSV to #### defeat from the jaws of victory only to #### the victory right back on goal differential was great. I only hope Spain's race ends with such a flurry. It would be nice for Becks to bring a La Liga title with him to the HDC. How do you like his chances?
Having the Chelsea and Man Utd games simultaneously was great. Though I was hoping for Chelsea to "Bridge" the gap and things were looking good early, there was lots of drama as the Utd score was rolling in and the fortunes started changing.
Nice of Rafa to field the pickup squad against Pompy. It would be interesting should the fatigue factor kick in and we see a repeat of the Turkey final, but don't you think that as competitive as Mourinho and SAF are, they'll be ready for their midweek clashes and relish the opportunity to rip a title from each other.?
What are you hearing about Big Sam? Is he headed to City or to Newcastle? Or will he replace McClaren?
Nice to see Bayern trying to get Klose for their Uefa Cup 08 run.
Finally - who do you think would win in a match between Gretna and Toronto FC?
I just read Nick Webster's team of the season. I especially liked that he put Matt Taylor as a left back even though he's played a majority of the games at left mid. Also, Paul Scholes doesn't give the ball away?! Clearly, he wasn't watching the CL semi at old toilet. Anyway, does the "Fink Tank" have a team of the season?
I hope Allardyce will replace McLaren. Contrary to what people believe, I think he'd do great (he certainly can do no worse). People complain about Bolton's style, but Big Sam did the best he could with what he had tactically. I know if he had the "skill" players of the national team he'd adjust his tactics. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Bolton always seemed the most organised and threatening team on set pieces. All that said, it won't happen.
Your question about dogs and great games reminds me of a question I've been meaning to ask. When Americans say they don't like soccer because there isn't enough scoring, soccer fans basically look down their noses on the brute and chastise him for not appreciating other elements. Then, when a 0-0 draw occurs, those same soccer fans bemoan how boring the game was. You rarely hear people complaining about a boring 3-2 match, even if the quality of play is somewhat poor or equal to that of the 0-0 draw. So, if the soccer fans look down on Americans for focusing on goals too much, how come those same hardcore soccer fans then privately complain about a lack of goals amongst themselves?
Spike, I'm born and raised in the USA and the only sport I follow is football. Mind you, my grandparents came from Europe, so I still have connections in Europe.
In any case, there is such a thing as an entertaining 0-0 or 1-0 game-- that is, when the play is creative and teams have attempts at goal. I recall a game between Zaragoza and Recreativo that ended 0-0, but was absolutely entertaining-- I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen. In my opinion, American soccer fans who only want to see goals and no quality aren't true fans of the sport.
This week`s trivia
Who are the only EPL team,that have had one name and one home?
And
Who are the only team,that where admitted to The Football League without ever having played a game?
Ah, and I complain about Atletico Madrid's 0-0 home result against Real Betis because they need to score goals in order to win games and secure a UEFA spot. Their progress (or lack there of) concerns me.
When talking about entertainment and excitement the action on the field is what is important. Goals are a by-product. 0-0 with 2 teams going at each other can be breathless. 4-3 with teams that appear to be going through the motions is boring. I don't watch the major american sports anymore mostly b/c I refuse to watch commercials but also b/c of the forced focus on scoring. Home runs used to be exciting, now b/c there are 6 a game they are boring. THe NBA sucks b/c they give the advantage artificially to the offender ie. charging, blocking and traveling. The NBA also has the most obviously influenced referees in all of sports, but that is another topic. I am more than happy for America to remain uninvolved in the world's game, as long as I get my channels. From history I know that if we get too invoved we will #### it up.
-Real is looking good!(offensively) Becks and Sergio are beginning to have an uncanny understanding. Becks played the best I have seen him in years, he was actually winning 50/50 balls, I couldn't believe my eyes. I hate to openly root for a team so connected with the Franco regime but I can't help myself.
-Webster's team is a little strange I can think of 3 or 4 players better in midfield, and sorry to say it one of them is Fat Frank Lampard, another 20 goal season and an iron man to boot, he is integral to the Chelsea machine.
Liverpool are the only team to have played under one name and one stadium when Everton left Anfield over a money dispute, though that'll soon change.
I have no clue, but I'll guess Tottenham.
***News: Finnan looks to be fit for tomorrow (thankfully! because Arbeloa is down right now), while Harry Kewell (finally!) will be making a return to action when he suits up for the reserves today.
Right. When challenged, everybody says "I'd rather seen an exciting 0-0 draw than a dull 4-3 match any day". Like it's a knee-jerk reaction. But dull 4-3 matches rarely seem to happen because I've almost never seen or heard anyone complaining about a game with that many goals. And then you see articles in the British media, even, where they talk about how goals are down in the Premiership and how that's a concern because maybe the games are getting less exciting. I'm not criticizing soccer, and I agree that 0-0 draws can be tremendously exciting as can 1-0 matches, I just think it's interesting to see so many comments about reduced numbers of goals and then those same people criticizing others for focusing on scoring too much.
I liked this quote from Leeds Chief Exec this morning...
"We will continue to decline to comment on speculation."
I assume this was a misquote, and he actually said ...
"We will continue to decline."
BTW. as a somewhat bored NFL fan .. what's killed my interest is the degeneration into mediocrity of the NFL with the salary cap and expansion (plus obviously the draft). It's become unwatchable. Even as recently as the Elway era there were a few riveting games. Just compare the NFL now with games around Europe in the last few weeks and the contrasting rise of the EPL fueled by the money involved and the dynamics of the competitions, etc. It’s drawing together the best players and raising the standard.
Draws, whether 0-0 or 3-3, would be seen by North American sports fans as no result, whereas for me they actually add the dynamic of a "third result" and adds to the richness of the game.
Chelsea and Man U having had 3 draws between them in the two weekends. Would a win/loss being forced from extra time/penalty shoot out have made them more exiting? Probably not. I am sure there would have been even more injuries and dire fatigue. I think penalty shoot outs force create a “false result.” A bit like settling a tied Augusta Masters with a game of crazy golf.
To weigh in, the Blackburn-Charlton 4-1 game didn't seem exciting (and I only watched the highlights). Who wants to see that many terrible goals? Only Derbyshire's goal was decent.
What do you think about ManU's Park Ji Sung? In my opinion he is a very under rated player, and i'm very disappointed that he has had such a difficult season with injuries. I think he brings a lot to the team whenever he plays - he might not be as good on the ball as some of his team mates but his exceptional movement and his willingness to support the team makes him stand out. I'll be really looking forward to seeing him play next season.
I do agree btw, the exciting 0-0 draws are a rare thing as are high quality 3-3 draws, but you can't tell me that a low scoring NFL game with no touchdowns scored is worth watching either. It's all in the expectation and the attachment to the result.
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on April 30th at 9:13 AM.
I'm in agreement, LACF. Expectations play a key factor.
There are many times when supporters of clubs prefer or even hope for a draw against tougher competition. For them, that's a good result and certainly better than a loss.
Take the Rome derby, as a neutral I found it dull. Lazio fans will no doubt be pleased at frustrating Roma at home while Roma supporters will feel that they should've gotten much more from the game.
This is completely off topic, but now that I think about it, the Rome derby and the Merseyside derby were identical this year: 3-0 and 0-0 results.
Two years ago Arsenal- Real 1-0, one of the most entertaining and exciting games I have ever seen.
-The NFL is lame b/c (1) you have to give up half your day to watch 1 game and (2) in between 10 seconds of action one has to either watch 2 minutes of commercials or listen to 40 seconds of some buffoon jabber incessantly whom I would never give the time of day in real life. They need to speed up the game, give it a tempo and maybe it would attract real athletes with endurance instead of creating 400 pound abominations who die at age 50. The NFL represents many of the ills of our great country: sloth, excessive violence, mind numbing commercialization. Do the math if you are watching a game that is supposed to last 60 minutes but lasts 4 hours what are you doing? You are sitting on your couch consuming, Food and drink(Bud or Coors) and mass marketing. I'll take my mass marketing on billboards and shirts.
Bobby - When you think about the relative success ManU have had this season (regardless of how many trophies they may or may not lift), does it make you wonder if Sir Alex held on to Roy Keane a bit too long?
They won the treble in 1999 only after being forced to rebuild after losing Eric Cantona -- around whom the world supposedly revolved. We were similarly told that Keano was the heart and soul of the squad, without whom ManU would never progress past other elite clubs. Funny how ManU don't seem to miss old Roy that much (at all?) and in fact seem to be prospering in his absence.
Being a DC United fan has sharpened my awareness to the issue of heroes overstaying their usefulness. We had to dump a local legend (Marco Etchevery) to win our 4th MLS title a few years ago. Now it's the same deal with Jamie Moreno. We adore the guy, but I wonder if he's holding us back.
Your thoughts, oh wise one?
PS - really enjoy your analysis, i tape the FSC show on my DVR so I can listen to your commentary the next morning while enjoying my breakfast.
You know Bobby, not to suck up to the host but I enjoy the report much more when you are on. I don't know about your committments but you should do the report on wednesdays also, especially during Champs league weeks. Somebody else on here suggested this before.
To add to the scoring debate, it has been my experience that people that say they want more scoring are people that have not and will not watch more than one game every one or two years. As far as the penalty shootout, it's an abomination. (sp?) The best suggestion I have heard is to start pulling players after full time. Every 15 minutes pull another player with no less than 7 vs 7. And reinstitute the golden goal rule.
To extend this method a little further and to draw a lot of heat from most of you. Make 3 pts for a win after 90. If drawn, play it out with the above method and until you have a winner who gets two points and the loser still gets the one. It think this method will promote attacking football.
All ARSENAL fans are rejoicing this weekend not for our 3-1 victory over sorry but stupid Fulham(Why in God's name did they suck Coleman) but because BIG SAM IS GONE! But I'll miss him, because he always gave a 2nd chance to players who people had written off, Diof, Anelka, etc.
As for the scorline of games I think all that has been said by Mas is true. The in NBA sucks during the season and it's only worth watching during the playoffs. But scores in soccer can be low but the game can still be very entertaining it depends on the approach of the two teams. Arsenal vs CSKA this season is a great example of a highly entertaining 0-0.
Finally Bobby would you tell those guys in FSC to bring repeats of early Sunday games at 10:00pm Central time and bring the classics at 1:00am. Some of us have to work or go to Church on Sunday mornings and I'd rather see a repeat of an early game instead of those Classics that mostly aren't that classic.
Last edited by Gunner44 on April 30th at 12:24 PM.
Good article on the UCL league semis by Marcotti. I don’t know that Man Utd’s 56 matches played is “considerably more” than Milan’s 52, but factoring the larger squad (and fictitiously assuming equal playing time for all players) it does equate to 25% less work load.
Man Utd have the obvious advantage of taking a lead into the second leg and only needing a draw to progress, and furthermore are in great form. Milan, however, have several advantages which I think will be enough to see them through.
A win by any score (just about) will see Milan through, and they are much more effective going for a win, than trying to protect the result from the first minute. Milan are very successful in the UCL because they are very good at winning matches just like this one.
Milan secured their fourth place in the Serie A a few weeks ago, and therefore had another leisurely stroll this weekend and rested key players, whereas Man Utd played yet another tough match.
Yellow cards. Milan will not have a player on the field who is a caution away from missing the final. Scholes, who was forced to sit out the 1999 final due to suspension, is again on a yellow card, and that will definitely weigh on his mind as he tries to stifle Pirlo again. Ronaldo and Heinze are also on yellow cards, and with missing the final at stake, will definitely have an impact on their play.
Man Utd haven’t done well on the road in Europe this season, including a loss in Rome, and Milan have a considerable home field advantage in this match at the San Siro, which will see Milan through to the final.
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on April 30th at 1:25 PM.
And in case anyone was wondering.....The Ryman league division one-south, came to end over the weekend with the mighty Croydon Athletic defeating bitter local rivals Whyteleafe 1-0 before a bumper crowd of 132 to finish in 19th position,one place above The Leafe,and two places above relegation!
Although.....Next season we will be switching allegiances to Croydon fc of the Kent league,that`s the 9th tier of English football.
Apparently,Athletic`s tiny stadium is too much of a pain to get to and from!!
I think Chelsea play at Liverpool tomorrow in what is probably the biggest match of the season thus far for both teams.
Jose claiming that Liverpool are favorites because they are only competing for one trophy, and that referees continue to deny them clear penalties. Benitez was quoted as saying that Mourinho's tinkering has cost Chelsea the league, and that Abramovich demands trophies and now they MUST win the UCL. Sheva was subbed at the half against Bolton (didn't appear injured) and ruled out of the match at Anfield, yet Chelsea will not disclose any details of an injury or otherwise.
Chelsea have a slight lead but are without Carvalho, Ballack and Shevchenko. Liverpool rested several players at the weekend including Gerrard, Kuyt, Carragher, Riise, Crouch and Reina, and feel very confident.
A loss for either team will be disasterous for their season, especially after Chelsea lost the EPL race this weekend. Yet again Chelsea are missing key players, and it is going to make the difference, and I believe Liverpool will eliminate a tired Chelsea side.
Chelsea showed an incredible amount of heart at the Mestalla in the quarters. They will need a similar display tomorrow, but missing Carvalho at the back against fresher opponents, I think, will make the difference, but then again, I didn't think they'd get past Valencia either.
Digity - Park is a promising player if a bit inconsistent, in my opinion. His pace seems to be his best asset. The jury is still out as to weather he was bought to open up the Korean market or to start and win titles. For now he is a supporting player and he will have to improve his game a bit to get to a starting position. I agree with you when he is on he is great to watch.
And Bobby, Arsenal won this weekend so I wouldn't worry too much about henry14. He is a fragile boy, but.
Oh yea!, I saw that FA classic game the other night on FSC: Scotland vs. England in '79. Heart-breaker for the Tartan Army but fun to watch Daglish, Souness, Keegan, Brooking, and the rest. I haven't seen such a rough game since I watched my Shore Road Hatchet Men (also known as The Shore Road Brazilians/Crusaders!!) in the Irish league. It was brutal at times. The ref called for an indirect kick in the box (a call option mentioned by Bobby last night...) for dangerous play/high leg, when penalty would be the call today. The old matches make it easy to see how today's rules have been adjusted to improve goal production by protecting players, which is a wise idea, but seeing how it was then, arouses contempt for the theatrics and log-rolling seen now, whenever a player is brushed with so much as the wind (and before this starts Man U bashing: they all almost to a man feign agony, foul or not)
On the lighter side, the drunken Scott who ran onto the field in the first half did look a bit like our favorite pundit. The quick little #### avoided the peelers for a bit too!! Nothing you want to come clean about Bobby???
Today`s game.
Think i`ll go with a 4-1 Chelsea win........or a 4-1 Liverpool win.I think whoever scores first will go on to an easy win!
Then again....I haven`t got one right yet!
Please Bobby - enlighten us on the art of the assist...it is one area i feel is constantly overshadowed by the goal itself. Course, nothing's greater than a great goal, but sometimes watching that sublime inch perfect long ball or inspired through pass can make my knees weak. Scholes lob for Rooney's first against AC Milan was one of those - just mind-bogglingly (?) awesome.
I'm predicting a Chelsea to go through because they just came off a disappointing domestic league result and will be looking to bounce back. They might play a defensive game with a lone striker to frustrate Liverpool. So, I'm expecting a 0-0 full time scoreline.
Of course, watch this be a goal-fest now!
Fortunately, I don't work today, so I'll be home to watch it. :-)
I have a feeling Liverpool will get lucky once again. Things always seem to go the Liver's way when it seems like they are down. My prediction is a 2-0 win for The Liver, especially if Gerrald plays in the Center.
As for the Man U game I really don't know how it will go I think I'll wait till tomorrow to see the Squads, coz Vidic and Rio been back might tell alot about the game.
Bobby, I think you may have touched on this before...Is Van der Sar looking rather shakey of late. My confidence in him has faltered a bit. With the defense in front of him being ravaged with injury, I am not so sure of a stellar performance against the goal hungry group of Milan. Tim Howard was ushured out of Manchester and made the goat for their loss in Europe. Will Van der Sar meet the same fate as Tim if he has a less than brilliant game? At this point would you rather have Howard or VdS between the posts if you're SAF? I believe Howard has out played VdS this year...your thoughts?
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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