Italy is a notorious bad starter in competition play and their Confederations cup opener against the U.S. was no exception.

 

The Italians struggled to create much going forward in the first 45 minutes and their midfield looked unbalanced with Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo all essentially central players meaning their was no real width on the left hand side. 

 

Luckily for the Italians, the U.S. didn't play with wide players in midfield so Lippi's men were never caught out defensively because of this system.

 

The one area in which I feel the Italians did struggle defensively was when Landon Donovan dropped off Jozy Altidore and ran at the Italian back four.

 

It seemed that there was some confusion as to who was picking up Donovan and the US. captain almost took advantage by setting up two good chances for Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore.

 

 

Ricardo Clark's sending off certainly changed the complexion of this game but I believe the real turning point was the introduction of Giuseppe Rossi and Riccardo Montolivo for the ineffective duo of Gattuso and Camoranesi.

 

 

Rossi's impact was obvious but Montolivo provided great width on the right hand side and helped open up the U.S. defense by providing a balance that was missing earlier in the game.

 

 

The exit of Gattuso also allowed De Rossi and Pirlo to form a much more effective partnership in the middle of the park and essentially boss the rest of the proceedings.

 

Rossi's goal-scoring performance off the bench gives Lippi something to think about as the Iaquinta/Gillardino partnership didn't exactly sparkle.

 

The Italians may not be happy with their overall performance but they did pick up a win to start the tournament and that is all that will really matter to Marcello Lippi.

 

 

 

Kaka's last minute penalty helped Brazil start their Confederations cup play with a win but it was a far from convincing display from a side that is considered one of the favorites for next year's World Cup.

Brazil raced into a 3-1 lead without really leaving second gear but when Egypt upped the tempo at the start of the second half Dunga's men really struggled to break up Egypt's passing game.

Now it might be easy to say that Brazil's sloppy play in this spell is down to the fact that most of their players have played long hard seasons for their respective clubs and would have much rather been on the beach in Rio than playing in this game or tournament for that matter.

There is some truth to that assessment but i believe Brazil's struggles in the game showcased their lack of a strong central midfielder who can boss the game and allow the likes of Kaka and Robinho to roam forward without worrying about their defensive responsibilities. 

Gilberto is the man who is supposed to fill that position but he is a player that is well past his best and it showed in this game. Felipe Melo is the other midfielder who is picked for his combative play in midfield but i am not sure Brazil can win the World Cup with these two in the middle of the park.

The other main contenders for the World Cup next year may not have the attacking options that Brazil possess but they are stronger in the middle of the park.
Argentina has Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Mascherano, Spain has Xavi and Xabi Alonso while Italy has Gattuso and De Rossi. 

Any of those three partnerships are stronger than Brazil's engine room and it is something Dunga has to address if his team are to be a contender for the World Cup next summer.

Manchester United failed to repeat as European champions after being thoroughly outclassed by Barcelona.

United dominated the first 10 minutes but after that it was all Barca as they out-passed, out-thought and outclassed their English opposition.

Here is how the players and managers fared on the night.

 

Barcelona:

Victor Valdes:

Looked shaky on Ronaldo's long-range free kick but looked very comfortable after that and in all honestly didn't really have another difficult save to make.

Mark: 6/10

Carlos Puyol:

Playing out of position at right back the Barca captain was at his inspirational best. Puyol was superb defensively and also managed to join in the attack and almost scored what would have been a deserved goal.

Mark: 9/10

Gerard Pique:

The former Man Utd defender probably had a point to prove to his former team and he certainly did that with an assured display at the back. Had one shaky moment when Ronaldo ran at him in the first half but after that he looked very comfortable and was rarely troubled by any of United's attacking threats.

Mark: 7/10

Yaya Toure:

Yaya Toure's best position may be central midfield but he looked very comfortable at center back in this match. Toure only struggles came when Utd got some crosses in at the start of the second half but other than that he was composed and comfortable in possession.

Mark: 6/10

Sylvinho:

Sylvinho was only in the side because of the suspension of Eric Abidal but he was one of Barca's best performers on the night. The left back was superb defensively against the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo and also looked comfortable going forward.

Mark: 8/10

Xavi:

Xavi once again proved that he is one of the world's best midfielders with a super display of passing and vision. Xavi also made it very difficult for Utd to come forward and broke up a lot of their play in the middle of midfield.  Xavi's unselfish play has to make him a joy to play alongside.

Mark: 9/10

Andres Iniesta:

The man who got his side to the final was once again superb in midfield and helped his side win the midfield battle with some superb passing and movement. Iniesta may not have found the net in this one but played just as big a part in the win as he did in the Chelsea game.

Mark: 8/10

Sergi Busquets:

Pep Guardiola gambled on 20 year old Busquets in the middle of the park and the youngster justified his selection with an assured display in possession and defensively. He was also on the wrong end of a vicious tackle by Paul Scholes but got up to finish off a game that should live long in his memory.

Mark: 7/10

Thierry Henry:

Maybe not the explosive player he has been this season but still provided an attacking threat down the left. His one moment of magic came when he turned Rio Ferdinand inside out before forcing a good save from Edwin van der Sar. Definitely tired towards the end but still played his part in a great team performance.

Mark: 6/10

Lionel Messi:

Messi may not have produced many moments of individual brilliance but his passing and movement was brilliant. Messi linked very well with Iniesta and Xavi and was always looking to play probing passes at every occasion. It was ironic that he scored a header given that most English newspapers claimed that Ronaldo was better than him because he wasn't as good as the Portuguese international in the air.

Mark: 7/10

Samuel Eto:

It was Samuel Eto's moment of magic that opened this game up as he turned Vidic well before showing why he is one of the best finishers in world football. Eto wasn't as involved as much as he would have liked after that goal but still a big reason as to why Barca are European champions.

Mark: 6/10

 

Manchester United:

Edwin van der Sar:

The big Dutch international was at fault for the Eto goal when he was beaten on his near post and also was a little late to react to Xavi's free kick that struck the post. No chance on the second goal but I'm sure he will be replaying that first goal in his head for a long time to come.

Mark: 5/10

John O Shea:

O Shea is a player that Alex Ferguson has complete confidence in but the Irish international never really looked comfortable in this one. Struggled to give cover to the center backs at times while never gave anything going forward. A disappointing performance.

Mark: 5/10

Patrice Evra:

Evra was one of Utd's better performers on the night and was always looking to get forward from his left back position. He wasn't helped by the fact that the person in front of him was constantly changing but at least gave his all.

Mark: 7/10

Rio Ferdinand:

Ferdinand has struggled with injuries over the last few months and it showed on this performance. Never looked comfortable and didn't look at full pace at any time during the match.

Mark: 6/10

Nemanja Vidic:

Vidic was at fault for the first goal and struggled to find his footing in the game after that. It didn't help that Ferdinand also struggled but that can be no excuse for some of his positional play.

Mark: 5/10

Ji-Sung Park:

Park was in the side to provide width in the midfield but never got involved in proceedings and spent most of his time tracking back defensively. A non-factor.

Mark: 4/10

Michael Carrick:

Carrick did exactly what you would expect from his by trying to break up the Barca attacks and move the ball quickly and efficiently. Looked out of his depth when he was chasing shadows in the first half but you can never question his work-rate.

Mark: 6/10

Ryan Giggs:

Giggs was a surprise choice in midfield by Alex Ferguson but his performance didn't justify his manager's faith. Giggs has had a very good season but looked his age in this game and one has to wonder if he has another season in him.

Mark: 5/10

Anderson:

Anderson spent 45 minutes chasing shadows before being replaced at half time. In truth Anderson was no worse than anyone else in the Utd midfield but the fact that he is not an attacking threat meant he was always the player likely to make way for Tevez.

Mark: 4/10

Ronaldo:

Ronaldo started the game in explosive fashion and looked like he was ready to win this game single-handedly. Faded after that as his teammates struggled to get him enough of the ball and his frustrations started to boil over an he continually lost his battle with Carlos Puyol.

Mark: 6/10

Wayne Rooney:

Rooney was spectacular from left midfield against Arsenal but never looked like repeating that performance in this game. Was switched from the left but no matter where he played he looked off his game and besides one dipping cross, never really troubled the makeshift Barca defence.

Mark: 4/10

 

Subs:

Barcelona

Seydou Keita:

Keita only played the last 15 minutes when in truth the game was already over.

Mark: 6/10

Pedrito:

At least he can say he played in the final, however brief it was.

Manchester United:

Carlos Tevez:

Tevez was probably aggrieved to not make the line-up but didn't exactly prove his manager wrong with an anonymous second half performance in what is likely his last game for the Red Devils.

Mark: 4/10

Paul Scholes:

One shocking challenge aside, Scholes did nothing after coming on in the second half.

Mark: 3/10

Dimitar Berbatov:

A couple of nice touches but really never a factor after coming on.

Mark: 5/10

 

Managers:

Alex Ferguson:

Fergie went with a line-up that was successful against a very average Arsenal side but never looked like working against the best team in Spain. Made several tactical changes but always looked a step behind his younger counterpart. Thoroughly outcoached on the day.

Mark: 4/10

Pep Guardiola:

Despite being without a couple of vital players Guardiola stuck to his game plan and system that has worked so well this season. Guardiola was a super player and already looks like a coaching legend in the making.

Mark: 10/10

 

England just trounced Slovakia 4-0 in a World Cup tune up at Wembley. They are sitting at the top of their qualifying group with a perfect record of four wins from their first four games.

All should be rosy for the England team but all the English press want to talk to the players about is Michael Owen.

Michael Owen has long been considered England's best striker but since Capello took over he has been largely overlooked for the England squad.

The reason he has been overlooked is simple. Michael Owen has not been fit on a regular basis to warrant a selection.

Capello has never stated that Owen does not have a future at the international level but made an excellent point when he said that talking about Owen is talking about the history and not the now of English football.

Who could forget Owen bursting onto the seen and taking the World Cup by storm in 1998? Well the English press for one and that means that when England players like Frank Lampard should be answering questions on the superb international form of Wayne Rooney, they are instead forced to give their opinion on the Owen debate.

Owen has a tremendous track record at international level but over the last few years, mostly down to injuries, he has contributed hardly anything at club level for Newcastle United.

Isn't it at club level where you audition for the international team? If that is the case then Owen has no god given right to expect to be in the squad.

We all know that the press in England has to find a way to sell their newspapers but constantly questioning a manager on his selections can only have a negative effect on the coach and the players that are actually in the squad. Luckily Capello is an experienced man who has seen it all but just imagine how Darren Bent feels when he is called up to a squad only to pick up a newspaper to find out that most "experts" feel Owen should be in the squad instead.

This story is just another classic example of how the English press, although claiming to be fully behind the national team, actually undermine their chances of glory by constantly looking for something to complain about.

This England team is arguably the best equipped to challenge for a major title for the first time since.....since well 1966.

If the English press could find a way to get behind their team and manager they may just match that team and create a new chapter in their history.

Portland and Vancouver were absolutely the right choices for the two new MLS expansion teams. St. Louis, Ottawa and even a return to Miami had been discussed but Portland and Vancouver were more deserving over all three of these cities.
Portland and Vancouver have paid there dues in USL for a long time now and have created quite a Northwest rivalry alongside Seattle so with the Sounders getting a franchise, these two cities were the logical choices.
St Louis may feel hard done by but i don't believe it would have been fair for it to get an expansion over two sides that had auditioned for long enough at the USL level.
Portland and Vancouver will help create a great rivalry with Seattle in the Northwest and we will start to see an atmosphere that is really only seen at Toronto games and with the Chivas/Galaxy rivalry. 
We should also start to see away fans at games with Portland, Vancouver, and Seattle in such close proximity and that will create an even better atmosphere throughout the league.
I have been lucky enough to play in the Northwest and the fans are some of the best in the country. Seattle fans showed what an atmosphere they can create in their home opener and my prediction is Portland and Vancouver fans will rise to the challenge and at least match it when they play their first MLS game in 2011.