Believe A Word News
KC & USA hapless goal scorer Eddie Johnson: "In 10 games I’ve got two goals. It’s tough, man, I don’t even know what to say right now.”
~ ~ ~ ~
The Grand Old Man of American Soccer writers Paul Gardner graces us with his insight on Bruce Arena's new roost.
~ ~ ~ ~
And Dan Loney of American Soccer News with his views on Bruce Arena's return to his roots in New York. He also calls for Eric Wynalda to be named national team coach.
~ ~ ~ ~
ADDITION: In a not-so-surprising move, the Italian courts cut the penalties inflicted on the top football teams found guilty of fixing matches. All four teams, Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio appealed their sentences and have now had them REDUCED. Here are the new punishments:
-Milan who got to stay in Serie A, have seen their point deduction reduced from 15 to 8 to start the season.
-Juventus remains sacked to Serie B, but has their point deduction reduced from 30 to 17 points to start the season.
-Fiorentina & Lazio got the most favorable rulings today as they were both allowed back into the top flight after initially being demoted to Serie B with Juve. So they get to play in Serie A after all and start the season with point deductions of 19 points (Fiorentina) and 11 points (Lazio).
-Now the Italian soccer federation has to figure out which of these teams, if any, is going to be eligible for Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions. UEFA has given them until tomorrow to sort that out. I would not expect to see them get favorable rulings on this one, and will probably sit out this years prestigious big money tournaments. But, it is Italy after all, so who knows.
-Juventus have announced that they will appeal this decision as well. Can't wait.
-Very lucky for all these teams. But when the initial punishments were handed out, and the appeals process got underway I figured most of these items would be cut in half. Seeing Milan get the smallest punishment is also exactly what followers of the Italian game expect to see. Their owner has a very powerful sway, especially seeing as he owns the company that broadcasts many of the leagues games. I would have liked to have seen a lot tougher penalties handed out.
~ ~ ~ ~
I do a lot of thinking about the state of the game in America. I can really get on a soap box and preach about the amazing progress and forward momentum seen in my lifetime. All absolutely true. But there is some cold hard reality in there too, that at times I pretend does not exsist. It can't continue. As time goes on I hope that I can put some of those thoughts into words on paper and then post em here.
-In the meantime, AM sent me this link to an article last week at Yanks Abroad concerning the marketing aspect of this game in our country. Well said.
~ ~ ~ ~
More MLS mid-week international friendly's this Wednesday:
UANL Tigres v Dallas - in Monterrey Mexico for the second and deciding leg for the Rio Grande Plate. Dallas leads 2-0 from the first leg played last Wed in Frisco TX. You should be able to hear this one live on the radio in Dallas at 910AM or via the internet from KXEB.
Columbus v Everton - You can see this one on TV at 6pm central time on ESPN2. Tim Howard will be in goal for Everton.
LA v Cruz Azul - played in Santa Barbara.
~ ~ ~ ~
New England have stated their desire to join the race and build their own stadium. The Boston Globe digs in deep to look at how it might all happen.
~ ~ ~ ~
Nick Green of Daily Breeze looks at the pre-game scrap between fans of Chivas USA & Club America that happened last Sunday, and the local press have tried to blow out of proportion.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Soccer Capital News looks at Columbus midfielder Danny Szetela's return after being out over 3 months with a broken foot.
~ ~ ~ ~
NYNJSoccer with a feature story on the man who used to be the Ankle Biting Midget Of Death, and has now become Mini-Bruce - New York Red Bulls interim coach Richie Williams.
~ ~ ~ ~
The New York Red Bulls suddenly have to decide if Tony Meola gets his goal keeping job back when he returns from injury. His replacement John Conway has only shut out three teams in a row. Ives Galarcep of the North Jersey Herald weighs the teams options for them. (And looks at a few other team tidbits as well.)
~ ~ ~ ~
By the way, when Eddie Gaven scored against LA with a gorgeous diving header off that fantastic cross from Jacob Thomas for Columbus last Saturday, it was the first goal the Galaxy had given up in 521 minutes. Yowza. The league record still stands though at 680 minutes set by KC in their championship season of Y2K.
~ ~ ~ ~
LA Soccer News has a feature story on young American & Chivas USA keeper Brad Guzan, by Luis Bueno.
~ ~ ~ ~
Larry Morgan of the LA Daily News checks in on Frank Yallop's progress as head coach of the Galaxy. Yallop took the helm almost 2 months ago now, but it seems like a long week to me.
~ ~ ~ ~
Some opinions on the state of the New England Revolution, and a Q & A with the teams assistant coach and English football legend Paul Mariner.
~ ~ ~ ~
First Division matches midweek and thru the weekend:
Wed
Montreal v Seattle
Thur
Minnesota v Charleston
Fri
Atlanta v Montreal
Miami v Puerto Rico
Rochester v Seattle
Sat
Toronto v Portland
Virginia Beach v Charleston
Sun
Miami v Puerto Rico
Toronto v Seattle
Minnesota v Atlanta
~ ~ ~ ~
Copa Libertadores Semifinals!
First leg:
Guadalajara Chivas v Sao Paulo on Wed July 26
Libertad v Internacional on Thur July 27
Second leg:
Sao Paulo v Guadalajara Chivas on Wed Aug 2
Internacional v Libertad on Thur Aug 3
-The away goal rule DOES apply in the knock out stages.
~ ~ ~ ~
A few of the bigger names start to arrive for the 06-07 UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round matches (1st leg)-
Today:
Ekranas 1-4 Dinamo Zagreb - Zagreb getting things rolling with an on the road ass kicking earlier today.
Wednesday:
Sheriff v Spartak Moskva
Debrecen v Rabotnicki
Gorica v Steaua
Kobenhavn v MyPa
Mlada Boleslav v Valerenga
Djurgarden v Ruzomberok
Hafnarfjordur v Legia
Zurich v Red Bull Salzburg
Fenerbahçe v B36
Hearts v Siroki Brijeg
Metalurgs v Dynamo Kyiv
Cork v Crvena Zvezda
Levski v Sioni
~ ~ ~ ~
Holy Shiznit - NY Time soccer dude Jack Bell is just busting loose this week. Today he writes about pre-season Chelsea.
~ ~ ~ ~
Our mustachioed friend Frank Dell'apa of the Boston Globe looks at the long and short term ramifications of Barcelona's upcoming tour of the USA & Mexico.
~ ~ ~ ~
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune with a story on ex-Chelsea Irish winger Damien Duff: Duff counts millions and learns to add to 11
~ ~ ~ ~
PSV's newest signing, Mexican defender Carlos Salcido, arrived in Eindhoven for his first day of training after the World Cup. He previously starred for Guadalajara Chivas.
~ ~ ~ ~
UEFA.com has a feature on Italy's new coach Roberto Donadoni.
~ ~ ~ ~
Brazil has pulled a Germany and named a former star with no coaching experience as their new head man. It's Dunga for Brazil.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Grand Old Man of American Soccer writers Paul Gardner graces us with his insight on Bruce Arena's new roost.
~ ~ ~ ~
And Dan Loney of American Soccer News with his views on Bruce Arena's return to his roots in New York. He also calls for Eric Wynalda to be named national team coach.
~ ~ ~ ~
ADDITION: In a not-so-surprising move, the Italian courts cut the penalties inflicted on the top football teams found guilty of fixing matches. All four teams, Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio appealed their sentences and have now had them REDUCED. Here are the new punishments:
-Milan who got to stay in Serie A, have seen their point deduction reduced from 15 to 8 to start the season.
-Juventus remains sacked to Serie B, but has their point deduction reduced from 30 to 17 points to start the season.
-Fiorentina & Lazio got the most favorable rulings today as they were both allowed back into the top flight after initially being demoted to Serie B with Juve. So they get to play in Serie A after all and start the season with point deductions of 19 points (Fiorentina) and 11 points (Lazio).
-Now the Italian soccer federation has to figure out which of these teams, if any, is going to be eligible for Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions. UEFA has given them until tomorrow to sort that out. I would not expect to see them get favorable rulings on this one, and will probably sit out this years prestigious big money tournaments. But, it is Italy after all, so who knows.
-Juventus have announced that they will appeal this decision as well. Can't wait.
-Very lucky for all these teams. But when the initial punishments were handed out, and the appeals process got underway I figured most of these items would be cut in half. Seeing Milan get the smallest punishment is also exactly what followers of the Italian game expect to see. Their owner has a very powerful sway, especially seeing as he owns the company that broadcasts many of the leagues games. I would have liked to have seen a lot tougher penalties handed out.
~ ~ ~ ~
I do a lot of thinking about the state of the game in America. I can really get on a soap box and preach about the amazing progress and forward momentum seen in my lifetime. All absolutely true. But there is some cold hard reality in there too, that at times I pretend does not exsist. It can't continue. As time goes on I hope that I can put some of those thoughts into words on paper and then post em here.
-In the meantime, AM sent me this link to an article last week at Yanks Abroad concerning the marketing aspect of this game in our country. Well said.
~ ~ ~ ~
More MLS mid-week international friendly's this Wednesday:
UANL Tigres v Dallas - in Monterrey Mexico for the second and deciding leg for the Rio Grande Plate. Dallas leads 2-0 from the first leg played last Wed in Frisco TX. You should be able to hear this one live on the radio in Dallas at 910AM or via the internet from KXEB.
Columbus v Everton - You can see this one on TV at 6pm central time on ESPN2. Tim Howard will be in goal for Everton.
LA v Cruz Azul - played in Santa Barbara.
~ ~ ~ ~
New England have stated their desire to join the race and build their own stadium. The Boston Globe digs in deep to look at how it might all happen.
~ ~ ~ ~
Nick Green of Daily Breeze looks at the pre-game scrap between fans of Chivas USA & Club America that happened last Sunday, and the local press have tried to blow out of proportion.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Soccer Capital News looks at Columbus midfielder Danny Szetela's return after being out over 3 months with a broken foot.
~ ~ ~ ~
NYNJSoccer with a feature story on the man who used to be the Ankle Biting Midget Of Death, and has now become Mini-Bruce - New York Red Bulls interim coach Richie Williams.
~ ~ ~ ~
The New York Red Bulls suddenly have to decide if Tony Meola gets his goal keeping job back when he returns from injury. His replacement John Conway has only shut out three teams in a row. Ives Galarcep of the North Jersey Herald weighs the teams options for them. (And looks at a few other team tidbits as well.)
~ ~ ~ ~
By the way, when Eddie Gaven scored against LA with a gorgeous diving header off that fantastic cross from Jacob Thomas for Columbus last Saturday, it was the first goal the Galaxy had given up in 521 minutes. Yowza. The league record still stands though at 680 minutes set by KC in their championship season of Y2K.
~ ~ ~ ~
LA Soccer News has a feature story on young American & Chivas USA keeper Brad Guzan, by Luis Bueno.
~ ~ ~ ~
Larry Morgan of the LA Daily News checks in on Frank Yallop's progress as head coach of the Galaxy. Yallop took the helm almost 2 months ago now, but it seems like a long week to me.
~ ~ ~ ~
Some opinions on the state of the New England Revolution, and a Q & A with the teams assistant coach and English football legend Paul Mariner.
~ ~ ~ ~
First Division matches midweek and thru the weekend:
Wed
Montreal v Seattle
Thur
Minnesota v Charleston
Fri
Atlanta v Montreal
Miami v Puerto Rico
Rochester v Seattle
Sat
Toronto v Portland
Virginia Beach v Charleston
Sun
Miami v Puerto Rico
Toronto v Seattle
Minnesota v Atlanta
~ ~ ~ ~
Copa Libertadores Semifinals!
First leg:
Guadalajara Chivas v Sao Paulo on Wed July 26
Libertad v Internacional on Thur July 27
Second leg:
Sao Paulo v Guadalajara Chivas on Wed Aug 2
Internacional v Libertad on Thur Aug 3
-The away goal rule DOES apply in the knock out stages.
~ ~ ~ ~
A few of the bigger names start to arrive for the 06-07 UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round matches (1st leg)-
Today:
Ekranas 1-4 Dinamo Zagreb - Zagreb getting things rolling with an on the road ass kicking earlier today.
Wednesday:
Sheriff v Spartak Moskva
Debrecen v Rabotnicki
Gorica v Steaua
Kobenhavn v MyPa
Mlada Boleslav v Valerenga
Djurgarden v Ruzomberok
Hafnarfjordur v Legia
Zurich v Red Bull Salzburg
Fenerbahçe v B36
Hearts v Siroki Brijeg
Metalurgs v Dynamo Kyiv
Cork v Crvena Zvezda
Levski v Sioni
~ ~ ~ ~
Holy Shiznit - NY Time soccer dude Jack Bell is just busting loose this week. Today he writes about pre-season Chelsea.
~ ~ ~ ~
Our mustachioed friend Frank Dell'apa of the Boston Globe looks at the long and short term ramifications of Barcelona's upcoming tour of the USA & Mexico.
~ ~ ~ ~
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune with a story on ex-Chelsea Irish winger Damien Duff: Duff counts millions and learns to add to 11
~ ~ ~ ~
PSV's newest signing, Mexican defender Carlos Salcido, arrived in Eindhoven for his first day of training after the World Cup. He previously starred for Guadalajara Chivas.
~ ~ ~ ~
UEFA.com has a feature on Italy's new coach Roberto Donadoni.
~ ~ ~ ~
Brazil has pulled a Germany and named a former star with no coaching experience as their new head man. It's Dunga for Brazil.
posted by brucio at 14:06
6 Comments:
Looking forward to your comments on the Italian verdicts that came down today. Lazio and Fiorentina back up and AC starts only -8. Juventus also starts Serie B only 17 back instead of the original 30.
Please, please, please do not link anything Dan Loney writes. Like I give a crap what one of Big Soccer's most inflated egos has to say about something...
"John Conway" should be correctly spelled, J-o-n Conway.
Dude, you routinely misspell names.
Even if you are one of those people who doesn't have a natural knack for spelling, all you have to do is copy the way the names are spelled in the links.
You know your blog is well-read when you begin to see critics showing up on the comment boards each and every day.
Keep up the good, if imperfect, work Senor Wolf!
its the only way i would have it ken
Sasha your wrong, Dan Loney is the bomb and his radio show he had with Llew Llewellyn should have never been cancelled.
smatthew
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