Phil McNulty: Campbell deal makes perfect sense
Barney Ronay: Sol Campbell is Mr. Right Now
James Dall: The Pros and Cons
In another interview, broadcast on ESPN Radio in Argentina, Carlos Tevez has again lashed out at Gary Neville, calling him a ‘’sock-sucker” and branding him a ”moron” for his lack of respect in his pre-match comments about the striker ahead of the Carling Cup semi-final.
Italy are facing a squabble with USA over their hotel and training camp bases for the World Cup next summer.
FX McRory’s - RSL’s "Official" Fan Headquarters
FX McRory’s will be the Real Salt Lake headquarters while in Seattle for the 2009 MLS Cup. Be sure to stop by FX McRory’s throughout the weekend to meet up with fellow RSL fans in preparation for Sunday’s big game! FX McRory’s is located in the shadows of Qwest Field at 419 Occidental Avenue South. The establishment offers a full food and beverage menu and is family friendly, with kids of all ages welcome to join. For more info, visit www.fxmcrorys.com.
Friday, November 20
· RSL staffers will head to FX McRory’s early in the day to “dress up” the team’s headquarters in Claret-and-Cobalt. There are no official events taking place at FX McRory’s on Friday, but fans are still encouraged to use the establishment as a meeting place to show their support for what will be “RSL HQ” for the rest of the weekend.
· RSL’s Chris Seitz and Galaxy FW Alan Gordon will take part in an iconic tradition in Seattle – “Fish Throwing” with the fish mongers at the world-famous Pike’s Place Fish Market. The media photo opportunity – in which fans are welcome to attend – will begin at 4:00 p.m. PT.
Saturday, November 21
· The annual MLS Supporters Summit, hosted by various Seattle Sounders FC Supporters Groups, will be hosting events throughout the weekend, highlighted by Saturday’s events at Qwest Field. For a full listing of MLS Supporters Summit events and more information, visit http://sounderscouncil.com/summit/.
· Two players from both squads will take part in a photo opportunity at the top of Seattle’s famed Space Needle, which has been painted in the image of a soccer ball in honor of Sunday’s MLS Cup 2009. The media/photo opportunity is scheduled to take place at 2:30 p.m. PT (players still to be confirmed).
· Real Salt Lake supporters will host the official “RSL Cup Kickoff Party” at FX McRory’s Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Come and meet up with the RSL contingency of fans, make posters, and grab some great food as we turn they turn the venue Claret-and-Cobalt!
Sunday, November 22
· RSL fans are encouraged to gather at FX McRory’s for a pre-match party by no later than 1:00 p.m.
· From the restaurant, fans will head over to join the “March to the Match” at 4:00 p.m. in Occidental Park in Pioneer Park. The parade of fans will head south down Occidental Avenue towards Qwest Field shortly thereafter. RSL fans are encouraged to wear their colors – and bring their scarves – to show their support for Utah’s MLS side!
MLS Broadcast Info – Sunday, Nov. 22 – MLS Cup 2009
Real Salt Lake v. Los Angeles Galaxy – ESPN, Galavision
Qwest Field, Seattle, Wash. – 6:30 p.m. MT
As the samba road-show wheeled back into its increasingly familiar setting of the Emirates Stadium in North London for this friendly with the Republic of Ireland, Brazil coach Dunga knew that time was running out in his bid to iron out the numerous dilemmas before him ahead of his ultimate test.
With Oguchi Onyewu and Charlie Davies both having suffered serious injuries, Bradley can barely afford any kind of fitness setback. The loss of Dempsey, though, would be felt more severely than that of virtually any other player in the squad.
Ciro Ferrara is not expected at Vinovo as the axe falls on him. The club are currently working on his contract resolution and will inform him of their decision later.
After failing to win the USL-1 title and a Nutrilite championship, the Vancouver Whitecaps have started to make some off-season moves. Returning the Whitecaps this season is the team captain Martin Nash. Nash will enter his 10th season with the ‘Caps in what may likely be his last as the club will move to the Major League Soccer in 2011. I suggest and hope that if Nash continues his career in soccer following next season, he would make an excellent assistant coach with the MLS squad.
Meanwhile, leaving the Whitecaps are USL-1’s leading goal scorer Charles Gbeke, defender Lyle Martin and midfielder Vicente Arze. All those players were released on Thursday. On Friday, the ‘Caps released goalkeeper Diego, defenders Michael Ndubuisi Onwatuegwu and Marco Reda, as well as striker Aaron Wheeler.
The Whitecaps look like with the release of Gbeke, they are going young and fast next season. It appears Marlon James will be back, but it’ll be a chance for Marcus Haber to continue his rookie of the year performance in the sophomore season, plus a great chance for Dever Orgill and Randy Edwini-Bonsu to prove themselves.
The one thing the Whitecaps will need to improve on next season is defense and that it not lost on the Whitecaps management. With Nash returning, it’ll be interesting to see who will play alongside him. Ethan Gage had a tremendous year last season, before falling back into the residency squad this season. This season, Kenold Versaille, Nizar Khalfan and Tyrell Burgess have all been given an opportunity to play in the middle of the park in 2011.
One this is for certain, there will be a lot of players playing to make an impression, which could mean good things for the fan. Guys are going to be creative, energetic and fighting to make a Major League Soccer team here in Vancouver.
Real Madrid kept pace with Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table with a win over Villarreal while Atletico were beaten by Almeria.
Games it took the Liverpool greats to hit 50:
72 Fernando Torres
80 Sam Raybould
80 Albert Stubbins
81 Roger Hunt
82 Jack Parkinson
83 John Aldridge
84 Ian Rush
88 Robbie Fowler
90 Gordon Hodgson
98 Harry Chambers
98 Kenny Dalglish
98 Michael Owen
104 Joe Hewitt
105 Ian St John
111 John Barnes
114 Robert Robinson
116 John Toshack
121 David Johnson
125 Dick Forshaw
125 Tom Miller
129 Jimmy Melia
139 Jack Balmer
160 Berry Niewenhuys
162 Alf Hanson
167 Billy Liddell
175 Kevin Keegan
208 Jack Cox
221 Terry McDermott
269 Ray Kennedy
271 Arthur Goddard
280 Alan A’Court
281 Steven Gerrard
302 Steve Heighway
Number of games it took for Premier League strikers to reach 50 goals:
65 - Andy Cole
66 - Alan Shearer
68 - Ruud van Nistelrooy
72 - Fernando Torres
83 - Kevin Phillips
83 - Thierry Henry
87 - Ian Wright
88 - Robbie Fowler
94 - Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
94 - Teddy Sheringham
96 - Les Ferdinand
97 - Matthew Le Tissier
98 - Michael Owen
This is the goal against Villa that moved Torres into the all-time greats list in Liverpool history.
It’s great to see the persistence and determination of last season back in the Liverpool players. Playing on the break seem to be the trend lately and it can prove highly effective especially when the team has pacey attackers and an intelligent goalkeeper. Counter attacking football is a great tactic to win soccer games.
