Nicky Campbell delves into the vaults for the story of Joe Baker. One of the comments mentions that Joe’s brother Gerry played for the USA. Something I thought the writer would have mentioned. Joe Baker was a legend at Hibs and scored 42 goals in the 1959/60 season.
The Stevens’ Inquiry looks to moving to the arrest and charges stage.
And to this weekend’s football.
Gillette Stadium is host to a triple header on Saturday with two Gold Cup quarter finals (Canada vs. Guatemala and USA vs. Panama) and New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew in MLS.
Traditionally Canada has found goals difficult to come by but are scoring on a regular basis at the moment. In Guatemala they face a country that they have only ever lost to twice in their history – 11 games in all. However, on both occasions the losses were costly. In World Cup 2006 qualifying Canada lost 2-0 at home in the first game of the semi final round robin group stage. Canada did pull off a notable 1-0 win in the return fixture but the opening game loss was devastating.
Back in 1988 Guatemala inflicted on Canada their worst ever win!! Sound strange then let me explain. The two countries were drawn against each other in an early stage of qualifying with the winners moving on to the group stage. Two years earlier Canada had made it to the World Cup Finals in Mexico and was favourite to beat Guatemala.
Guatemala won 1-0 at home and the return was at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia. My recollection is that the game was at least partially played in a downpour and Guatemala led 2-0 at half time. Although Canada came back (Ian Bridge and now soon to be national team coach Dale Mitchell with 2) and won 3-2 they went out on the away goals rule.
You may remember that Mexico was suspended for the 1990 World Cup for using ineligible players in age group competitions and the USA – courtesy of Paul Caligiuri’s goal against Trinidad and Tobago – went to Italy representing CONCACAF together with Costa Rica. In those days I think it is fair to say that Canada got the better of the US more times than not. The defeat to Guatemala and with it, a possible chance to return to the World Cup Finals, coincided with the second season of the fledgling Canadian Soccer League.
Given that a number of the national team players played in the CSL a successful World Cup qualifying campaign might have been enough to provide the new league with some traction. As it was the league died a lingering death and was deceased before the 1994 World Cup was held in the United States. In my opinion the loss to Guatemala was a pivotal moment in Canadian soccer history and one that I would suggest it has yet to fully recover from.
The USA picked up the pace against El Salvador and has now scored seven goals in three matches. The goals have come from six different players with DaMarcus Beasley notching a double on Tuesday. Despite some reports to the contrary there is no indication that Rangers have in fact signed the American winger from PSV Eindhoven. In the second quarter final the 2005 Gold Cup Final will be repeated with Panama providing the opposition. Panama continues to grow in stature and should provide the USA with a stiff challenge.
After last weekend’s sensational finishes in La Liga it is probably unrealistic to think that there could be a repeat. However, with the title to be decided, UEFA Cup spots still in doubt and four teams trying to avoid the last two relegation spots you can bet that there is going to be drama somewhere.
The Spanish League has opted to split the final round of La Liga matches on Sunday into two batches. Generally the first group of games at 9:00 EST will decide the drop spots. (Celta Vigo v Getafe, Racing Santander v Real Betis, Valencia v Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao v Levante and Espanyol v Deportivo Coruna).
Four hours later the matches to decide the champion club and UEFA Cup qualification will kick-off. (Gimnastic v Barcelona, Osasuna v Atletico Madrid, Sevilla v Villarreal, Real Madrid v Real Mallorca and Recreativo Huelva v Real Zaragoza).
It is extremely likely that the tie breaker rule will need to be used to decide final placements. So here for your ready reference is the rule. 1. Most points obtained in the games between the teams in question 2. Goal difference in the games between the teams in question 3. Goals scored in the games between the teams in question 4. Goal difference in all league games.
There are another three criteria but given the standings it the first four should suffice. At the top of the table there appears to be the following permutations. Real Madrid wins the league if they at least match the results of Barcelona and Sevilla. Real Madrid would also take the title if they drew as did Barcelona and Seville won. All three teams would finish on 74 points but Madrid would win based on a mini-league table.
Barcelona can win the league if they can produce a better result than Real Madrid even it was only a draw. In that situation Sevilla could win and tie with Barcelona on points but still lose on the head to head rule. The only way for Sevilla to win the league is for both Barcelona and Real Madrid to lose and Sevilla to win or for Real Madrid to draw, Barcelona to lose and Sevilla to win. That would leave Sevilla and Real Madrid tied at the first three levels but Sevilla would win on a better league goal difference.
Sevilla has the least chance of winning and they have to play a rampant Villarreal side that has won their last seven league games and now sit in fifth spot. However, Sevilla has a cracking record against Villarreal and have only lost twice in the last 13 head-to-head meetings.
Barcelona is at already relegated Gimnastic and would seem to be a banker bet to win. That leaves Real Madrid in the poll position. Unless you have been asleep under a rock it will be the final game in Madrid colours (if white is a colour) for David Beckham. The same goes for Roberto Carlos. A final game win would be a remarkable triumph for a Madrid side that for most of the season played quite poorly.
However, it would also mark an incredible season for Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Van Nistelrooy has scored in seven consecutive matches equaling a club record set by Hugo Sanchez. He has scored 25 league goals and is one behind the current Golden Shoe leader Francesco Totti who has completed the Serie A season.
Should Madrid stumble on the final day of the season it will not be the first time in recent memory. In 1992 and 1993 Real Madrid lost their final game of the season at Tenerife and allowed Barcelona to take the title.
At the wrong end of the table four teams are fighting to escape the two remaining relegation spots. Real Sociedad (34 points), Celta Vigo (36), Athletic Bilbao (37) and Real Betis (37) are involved in a fight to the end. There are so many possible permutations it drives you nuts trying to come up with them – I know I have tried. Suffice to say that Real Sociedad (away to Valencia) is in the most difficult position, followed by Celta Vigo (home to Getafe) and Athletic Bilbao (home to Levante). Bilbao has never been relegated but they are cutting it mighty close this season.
Real Betis is in the best position and cannot be relegated as long as they at least match Athletic Bilbao’s result. In most of the possible tie situations Real Betis holds an advantage although they would lose out if they finished equal with Real Sociedad alone. In the event of a four way tie then the mini-table would be Real Betis (10), Real Sociedad (9), Celta Vigo (8) and Athletic Bilbao (5). Celta and Athletic would be relegated.
Sorry to be off topic but you gotta love Henry in a Spurs jersey hangin out with Tony Parker on the court afer San Antonio win the title. I have to believe Henry aint thinkin about anything but his vacation.
Much, much more needs to be spoken about Roberto Carlos's final game for Real Madrid. Pure, unadulterated class. Sure, he's older now, but one of the best defenders (and attackers) ever. He and Marcel Desailly could join the back four pantheon, the other two spots open to one's own cognizance of deific greatness.
That said - the potential of a US/Canada semi-final is pretty freakin' awesome, I must say. I actually, for the first time, CARE. I may even go to a PUB and DRINK and WATCH THE DAMN GAME. Love DeRosario, but us Yanks are gonna put a whoopin' down on your Mounted Police and all the Labatts in the free world won't save you against Dempsey, and dare I say, the beast Donovan. They're gonna have Neil Diamond parachute in and start singing "We're Coming to America," and before you know it it's 2 nil to Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.
For all the flak, I'm lovin' the Gold Cup.
Edited to Add: And how about Eddie Johnson! Him and Altidore will be rocking Aught Ten in Johannesburg, or wherever the hell it ends up. Maybe the Dutch should step up for their years of colonialism and throw some money down for the world cup infrastructure.
Not that I know anything about international polictics.
rafa is a fool now he wants to quit because there is no 100m pounds.hicks and gillet are now knowing the harsh world of the transfer market in football and l feel sorry for verbal and rafa.benitez was talking about being quick now he dropped eto from his hit list who was a 35m pound player and to make matters worse l hear they can not afford bent for 17m pounds although l agree he is not worth that much, if liverpool want a stadium they will have to be like us for a number of years
Now reports are Bent to Tottenham? This one makes no sense to me, with the three strikers they have now. Henry 14 you might not be high on Bent but he is the kinda player who could really help Arsenal out, a goal poacher to play alongside all of those forwards you have on the team who can't score from 4 yards, but can shoot from 30:) I also think Rooney and Bent would be a good combo up top for Man U. I don't really see him at Liverpool for whatever reason, I think he is too similar to Kuyt I guess.
I was going to say what a good article by Paul Doyle ,but he blew it with his last line!
The Stevens inquiry has just named five clubs ,Chelsea are one ,two managers ,Allardyce and Souness ,and seventeen transfers.
But all without really saying anything !
vebal read the daily mail man, l do not hate you but if you will need a 60000 seater by 2010 man thats the price you have to pay , and l do not put much into the stevensreport because l felt, it was done to justfy the process rather get the real culprits, he could not name anyone after the first browsing of transfers
The Daily Mail!!!
You must be joking; right?
Along with the notorious Sun, the DM is hardly worth reading let alone believing.
Take a minute or two and compare their sensationalized and fantasy reporting with that of the Times or Guardian, to name but two.
H14, I don't dislike you either. However, I don't care which paper's/website's gossip section you got it from, it's complete ####. I really can't believe how gullible you seem to be, re-hashing gossip from bored writers as if it's a real possibility. Hicks and Gilett themselves have said numerous times that they have it worked out that they can plan on the stadium building while being able to back Rafa in the transfer market.
If you knew anything about Tom Hicks, you'd believe them over some bored-wish-they-had-a-real-job writer, considering he built a new baseball stadium while simultaneously giving out the highest paid contract in baseball history (Arod) in addition to one of the highest paid contracts for pitchers (Park).
It's interesting to comment on the gossip that comes with the season, but only if there's a real possibility of it happening. If News of the World came out tomorrow and said they'd cloned Pele and Beckenbauer, that would not be worthy of comment because it's so ridiculous.
And for someone who doesn't hate Liverpool, you seem to bring them up a LOT. It's not Liverpool's or their supporters' fault that Arsenal have Hill-Wood, and an overstretched budget with strong opposition to new investment. I feel for Moores because he didn't want to sell, but he knew he couldn't fund a stadium while being able to remain competitive and made the difficult decision in the best interest of the club's future.
Kaka's father meets with Real! If this happens you gotta think Ronaldinho goes to Milan.
Wenger meets with Barca in a possible move to bring Eto'o to Ashburton Grove to partner Henry forming the most mouthwatering tandem the premiership has ever seen.
maz mas you are wrong there are three forwads in the world that can easily gurantee 25= goals and these are drogba,henry and eto'o and probably villa, so you can never have two of these players playing in the same team without the team taken of a forward replacing with either three of these so l think it will be eto fo hery with cash going to barca, otherwise wenger will not accept henry going and if eto comes wnger needs another forwads may l will #### my pride and get trez because if rvp is injured then adwe or eto? going to acn we are screwd we can not rely on bendtenr
I agree with davard, the US is looking pretty well in the Gold Cup - but I have to object on Eddie Johnson. I thought in the games he played he made very poor decisions and ended up loosing the ball more than not. Compare to Dempsey wanting the ball, turning and wants to score. His goal was the first time I saw him actually move with the play and positioned himself for Landon to bounce the ball off his feet into the goal. For all the comments about EJ speed he seldom uses it and shows little motivation on the field.
During the game one of the announcers said he thought MLS was the best league in CONCACAF – I thought was bold and I still believe the Mexican league is ahead of MLS at this point – look at the Club Games this spring DC United and Houston both lost to Mexican teams – I guess this summer when MLS plays them we will be getting a little better look at things.
I know this is an European blog, but thought I would add some more to the North American side of things.
Ringo---Donovan is a pampered little princess. I doubt he wants to play in the Copa because it will be tougher for him to look good against Argentina as compared to teams we have not lost to on american soil in 10 years. I hope the US plays against Canada because I want to see how the US matches up against DeGuzman
Landon likes to feel like the big fish in a small pond. I've asked people I know which they'd rather be, the best player on a bad team or a contributing player on a very good team. I'm guessing Landon prefers the latter.
Verbal if you mean the former, I agree with you about Landon. A decent player he needs to put his heart on the line and live or die with the results.
RINGO- funny you spotted that I was just trying to instigate a little trouble.
H14- I beleive Henry and Eto'o could play together. Eto'o is great centrally and very deep while Henry likes the left and a little more shallow. I think they could really mesh.
But it will never happen. THe worst thing that could happen is Ronaldinho and Henry together, that will never, ever, work.
I was saying Landon would rather be the best player on a bad team (or an all-star of a lower league), then a contributing player on a very good team (like a 12th man on Leverkusen).
Landon is overrated. When coming against big opposition he is like Harry Potter with the invisibility cloak.
Arena's biggest mistake was putting him in the middle of the field in this past world cup. He's too small so he's easily taken off the ball, he would've been better switching with Dempsey and coming down the right flank.
Donovan needs to be playing in the Copa America because of the competition he will be playing. Lets face it MLS isn't world class, yet, and anytime our national regulars can play against world class players they should.
Great article on the African Cup of nations Vs. Europe. I've been thinking about it alot coz it might very well play a part in deciding who wins the title. Chelsea will lose Essein and Drogba 2 of there best players and Kalou and Obi both of whom are pretty good subs. Arsenal lose Kolo, Eboue and Ade. Two of our best defenders and our 3rd choice striker. ManUre and Liver loose no important player.
I don't think that the ACN should change it's time to accomodate the big leages but I think it's still going to happen because of the simple fact that even fans back home(Africa) seem more interested in the EPL following their favorite teams more than theyare in the African Cup. I remember if we where in a pub and there was a Arsenal, ManUre or Liver game and a ACN on another tv more people would watch the EPL. BUt the ACN is a very entertaining tourny.
My thoughts on Donavan - I think the first game they played him on the right outside - and were not the main go to person and I thought that was fine. Before the World Cup I had a much higher opinion of Donavon, but since then I see what he does in big games and chokes a lot of the time. For me, he is not the face of the USA Team. I think Dempsey has the heart of the team and the drive to do something with his heart, but I feel he is more to play the game than be famous. He wanted to go to Europe to improve his game and I am glad he is there. Plus, I hope he is our main striker from this point forward. As long as Bradley keeps playing Donavan like he is - ie move around, outside, NOT the full game, not the GO-TO guy I am okay with it and hope maybe he will show more pride for the national emblem.
Side note - I hope that Demerit plays more (like the whole game on Saturday) and also I was pretty impressed with Parkhurst. Twellman actually was doing pretty good, and had more moments than not. Bornstien showed his age numerous times and caused some uneasy situation.
Henry and Eto'o are personal friends but their friendship would never last if they played at the same team. Their egos just couldn't handle it. They'd be a terrible partnership. Better for everyone if they never play together regularly. I can't see Eto'o going to Arsenal in exchange for Henry because Eto'o has categorically stated he's staying at Barca (unlike Henry, who's been very ambiguous about his future). I doubt Eto'o wants to play at Arsenal anyway.
And, please, folks, transfer rumours are just that, rumours. The broadsheets are bad enuf (Guardian, Telegraph, the Times, L'Equipe, the French mag. FranceFootball--all of which are credible news organizations). But please let's not start citing stuff from the Daily Mail, the Sun or the Mirror. We're not that desperate or naive.
FIFA's decision forcing Diarra and Kanoute to finish out their club seasons v. playing for their countries is incredibly outrageous. It goes against their own supposed defense of international football and their purported promotion of African football. It's a disgrace. I guess the famed FIFA v. clubs conflict is a fiction (unless it's the weaker clubs of course). Since it's "just" Mali, I guess it's ok. If it had been Italy, England or Spain--hell no, FIFA would not have caved in to the clubs' demands.
As for the Gold Cup--this tournament seems to be just a one-horse competition: the USA. It's a foregone conclusion who'll win it every time.
If Landon did not have the the MLS option then perhaps he would have stuck it out in Germany. Having said that I don't think he's the type of player whom improves their game exponentially by playing in the MLS, some can I don't think he will. It's his character. It seems that USSF has pampered him and unfairly anointed him as the poster child of USS.
There are countless Yank players in the last 10-15 years that have plied their trade in Europe amidst ostensibly xenophobic professional environments. LD is a talented player but his performance in Copa 2007 is really going to show if he can shake his "chicken" reputation. I am not rooting against him, we need him. I agree with the assessment that Dempsey is the real face of US Soccer. He made a few dribbles and pullbacks the other night that I have never seen an American player do. This kid has skill, passion and desire and I hope he shines the rest of the GC and however far we get in CA. I just hope Fulham uses him appropriately next season. IMHO he needs to start there, he's proven himself. I would actually love to see him oneday wind up playing continental ball in Italy or Spain. If Lalas can do it let's face it the times were different and they are different players then CD can. I also agree that Parkhurst and Demerit are keepers for the US side.
Bradley needs to start sticking with a solid lineup that has to include Ching as a target man. We lack a holding MF like Reyna.
wenger will play the card he played with cole and hold on unless they let gallas go and he will tell them that to get another star you have to let another go
I lost all respect for Landon Donovan after this world cup. And I am so sick of him taking free kicks, I wonder who will take them for the galaxy;) As far as Donovan playing MLS in the US, he is a special situation, and I can't really blame him, his salary is way more where he doesn't need to go to oversees to make alot of money. And he gets to play in his hometown, with his wife. For that I can't really blame him.
Therealrico-
Yes, LD took a hiding after WC '06, he deserved it. Glad to see people on this blog talking about the USMNT.
Who would be your starting 11 for USMNT?
up top Twellman and Dempsey as a withholding striker, donovan on the right, DB on the left, fielhaber, and Mastroini, and Bornstien, and Simek on the back four with conrad, and bocanegra
we're close- up top ching twellman, mf- pablo, benny, ld, cd,
back four- spector, demerit,boca, simek
howard. it's funny our back 5 plays in england.
I am disappointed in ej, he needs to step it up. bradley's kid has been impressive in spurts.
Who is MF? And Bradley has been impressive in spurts I agree, but I would say he is 2 years away from really being a factor. What is he 18 19? I think he has the opportunity to play at a very big European club in the near future.
my US starting 11: Striker-E. Johnson, Midfield- Beasley(left), Donovan(right), Dempsey(in-the-hole), Pablo(center,patroling role just in front of the back 4), Faihaber(center, link up play), Defense- Spector(left), Boca(center), Onyewu(center), Simek(right) and Goalkeeper- Timmy
I'm surprised you guys don't have Onyewu in there. I know he has lapses in concentration but he has shown great talent but even more so all of the top teams on the World Stage have forwards that are big and only Onyewu can rival their size. He will be a key for the U.S. to succeed.
Not to sure where I was born but you can see me at the recent Sweden-Denmark Euro Qualifying match. I can be seen running and giving the ref a "hug" after a red card.
FIFA needs to create a position of "calendar police" when the schedules for tournaments and leagues are anounced this person will make sure that they comply with the FIFA calendar. Because right now the calendar exist but I am not sure it's even looked at when the confederations and national associations make their schedule.
The situation with Donovan is very similar to what happens in Mexico. For those that don't know top players in the Mexican league are paid very well. I would say comparable with what they would make at a smaller Premiership or La Liga team, mid to high 6 figure income in dollars. Now remember living in Mexico where the cost of living and taxes are significantly lower than in Europe this is a real good deal. A lot of players, just like Donovan, prefer to stay in their comfort zone, so they don't go to Europe or when they go at the first sign of difficulty they come back home. As a personal decision this is fine since it's their life after all, although it may show a lack of ambition, character and self belief. More important is that this mentality of staying where one is "confy" hinders the development of the player and subsequently the quality and competitiveness of the national team in major international tournaments. This has been one the major problems why Mexico have not being able to be anything more than a power in Concacaf. Hopefully this will not happen to the US.
You guys are right, Donovan is over-rated. He couldn't even make it as a reserve player at Bayer Leverkusen. If the US MNT is smart they could get Frankfurts Jermaine Jones. I believe he would be eligible to play for the USMNT or the German National team. He is not quite good enough for the German NT, but he would be one of the most talented midfielders on the USMNT.
Canada put forward their best performance of the tournament. They beat Guatemala 3-0 which it was a little surprise for how easily they were able to do it.
we should be up at least 3-0. worried about our lads finishing
or lack thereof.
twellman should have had a hat trick already. not crazy about the attacking formation Bradley has chosen today.
the officiating is typical concacaf, just poor.
Donovan also missed two good scoring chances ,this game should already be over!
Think there will be one or two red cards second half ,US needs to get on with their own game ,instead of getting drawn into Panama`s "games".
ringo-
i'm going to defend donavan today for once. he has played well. both saves by penedo in the first half were terrific. ld's pk was well deserved as he was just about molested in the area.
well we woke up finally. you are right we were playing into panama's "games".
Well deserved, it should have been maybe a two goal difference. But Howard also had a tremendous save from Perez breakway when the game was still 0 -0. Whoever put the pass to Donovan for the foul that led to the PK did great job, that was a world class pass.
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