Diego Milito Treble Want Back
Top Football News - Inter Milan attacker, Diego Milito feel thirsty to drink in a successful return and he wants to return to repeat their achievements of last season that won three titles alias treble winners.
Argentina's national team star scored the winner in three events at once Nerazzurri last season. Although intended to bring Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid, Milito decided to stay at the San Siro next season.
Massimo Ambrosini Popular Italian Footballer
Top Football News - AC Milan skipper Massimo Ambrosini is optimistic with the opportunities his team in the championship scramble competition. Rossonerri believed to be able to break the domination of Inter Milan.
Davies is Important to USMNT!
Why Charlie Davies Is So Important To the US MNT
*Highlights of Davies in the 05 MILK CUP
Stars @ 1:10
Movsisyan scores brace in Randers loss
Movsisyan with Randers *He scored 2 goals in a 3-2 loss to FC Lausanne.
*Highlights after the jump...
Freddy Adu: "So You're Telling Me There's A Chance!"
What? I did not agree with the headline that was above Greg Seltzer’s article on
MLSsoccer.com reporting that Freddy Adu was on trial with FC Sion. The headline referred to Freddy Adu as a “journeyman.” My first reaction was, “Freddy Adu isn’t a journeyman. That’s going too far. He’s young and he’s talented. He’s not a journeyman. A ‘journeyman’ is guy who has played for awhile and bounced around some teams without ever really doing very much . . . oh.” Here are the cold, hard facts: since April 2007, Freddy Adu has gone through Real Salt Lake, Benfica, Monaco, Belenenses, Aris, and was recently on trial with FC Sion.
Continue reading after the jump...
Freddy Adu -- the player who once held the future of American soccer in his hands – was trying to convince a middling team in the Swiss Super League that he was worth a roster spot. He did not get an offer. At this rate, it would not surprise me to see Freddy playing alongside Lee Nguyen this season. When you have this kind of a track record, you just have to own the That said, I am not here to bash Freddy Adu. In fact, I think I am one of the few rational people left who holds out hope that Freddy Adu will come good one day. I’m sure right about now, I must seem like Lloyd Christmas thinking a one in a million shot with a girl is a good thing (If you don’t know what I am talking about, stop reading this now and go rent Dumb and Dumber), but I really am a rational person. Really. I am. For example, I do not think that Adu should have gotten a call up for the USMNT. I am not going to argue that his failure to catch on somewhere has been about a coach or a system or a league or something other than Freddy himself.
There are a lot of things said about Adu -- his defense is bad, he does not train hard, he’s not professional, he has an ego problem, he lacks discipline, he Tweets too dang much -- some or all of this may be true, I cannot say. Certainly, though, when your last six clubs decide they do not want you around, that is saying something about you, and what its saying ain’t good. So, if I know these things, how is it possible for me to hold out hope for Adu? He didn’t even get an offer from FC Sion, dude!
Well, it’s because I can’t help remembering that Freddy Adu was the only U.S. soccer player in my lifetime who made me rise from my seat in anticipation when he turned toward the defense with the ball at his feet. Did he do that for you, too? Do you remember that awesome feeling of anticipation? The things you yelled at the T.V. when he abused a defender? He was fantastic in the 2007 U-20 World Cup: scoring goals, getting assists, beating defenders, and dominating games. As a US youth player, Adu made the right passes, he had pace, he had guile, he had confidence and he was a leader. He is the only person to ever score a hat trick in both the Final Round of the U-17 and U-20 World Cup. Think
about that. He was not a fluke. Go back and watch those U-20 World Cup games against Poland and Brazil and see if you don’t get excited about the kid who is wearing #11. See if it doesn’t excite you to hear the crowd reacting to an American that way. Now, don’t start with the “he was really 28 years old back in 2007” stuff. First, I have seen no evidence of age fraud. Second, even if it were true, his age would not account for his footwork and his creative flair. There are plenty of guys in your local men’s league who prove that. Of the current USMNT players, only Clint Dempsey comes close to Freddy’s kind of skill with the ball. Adu was born with a certain level of ability that others were not. His skill is inherent. Remember that sick move in the corner against two Brazilian defenders in the U-20 World Cup that led to Altidore’s goal? Freddy is capable of doing things with the ball that others in the USMNT player pool do not even think of. It comes natural to him.
As a youth player, Adu was a game changer. I don’t believe you can teach someone to be a game changer. I think a person either has it or they don’t. Because I think this is an inherent trait, I believe Freddy still has that potential in him. As a result, I believe that Adu has an upside that no one else in the current USMNT player pool possesses. I don’t buy that he is too small or too slow to do it at this level. Soccer is a sport that does not require a certain body type in order to be successful. There are plenty of too small or too slow guys who have made their impact on the game over the years. Unfortunately, the reality is that Adu has not met expectations.
The good things about Freddy are things from three years ago done at the youth level. I think the path he has taken has kept him from developing as he should have by now and, if continues as he has been, he will always be a journeyman. He needs to catch on someplace permanently, put his head down, and start on the long road toward reaching his upside. I don’t care where he begins his road. He may have to ask Jay Demerit to try to get him a spot on Jay’s old non-league team. Freddy needs to go somewhere where he can play every minute of every game under a coach who is willing to teach him and he needs to get there ASAP. Wouldn’t it be great to see the U-20 style Adu playing with Dempsey, Donovan and Davies? That looks like a team that has the ability to play some exciting, attacking football. A guy can dream, can’t he?
To be clear, I am not saying that Freddy will be able to achieve his promise. There are a million talented youth players who never made it at the next level, so the odds are against him. I am just saying I hope he does make it. So, I will not bash Freddy. I will not take some perverse pleasure in his failure should he never make it. Instead, I will continue to hope and wish him success, because, after all, if he were able to deliver on the promise that he once showed, wouldn’t that be the best outcome for everyone?
Donovan has offers from overseas
Donovan, who signed a new contract with MLS last year, told Reuters at Wednesday night's All-Star game that he is considering offers from overseas. The 28-year-old has attracted interest during what has arguably been the most successful year of his professional career. Rumors have linked Donovan from a range of clubs from England to Italy.
*Report: Donovan weighing European offers
Thursday Evening YA/USMNT Link Drop
MLB Betting – Cards Face Mets In Matinee In The Big Apple
Cardinals Mets Betting – Thursday, 12:10 PM ET
Blake Hawksworth (4-6, 5.23) was shelled in a 6-5 loss in Chicago as he was tagged for six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 4.1 innings, striking out four and walking three. He was also taken deep twice, and even though the Cardinals came back to make a game of it, Hawksworth put them in too big of a hole to come back from. Hawksworth has faced the Mets once this season, in relief, and he tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, and this is his first start against them, going 0-0 in four appearances with no earned runs in 6.2 innings of work. The 27-year-old righthander has a 5.50 ERA in 15 appearances on the road for the Cardinals, and NFL football betting players would compare this to a team putting in their backup as Hawksworth has bounced back in forth between the rotation and the bullpen all year.
Johan Santana (8-5, 2.79) had his fifth straight start in which allowed no more than one run, scattering five hits over seven innings with four strikeouts and a walk in a 6-1 win in Los Angeles over the Dodgers. Santana has been on fire this month, going 3-0 in five starts with a 0.71 ERA, and the opposition is hitting just .199 off of him in July. The two-time Cy Young winner had a no-decision against the Cardinals early this year, tossing a four-hitter over seven scoreless innings, and he’s 2-0 in four starts with a 2.03 ERA against the Cardinals. In 10 starts at Citi Field, Santana is 6-3 with a 2.81 ERA this season.
MLB betting odds should favor the Mets at home, and the matchup is stacked heavily in their favor with Santana on the hill against Hawksworth, who is really a relief pitcher, but he’s been pressed into action with a St. Louis rotation that is, outside of Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, is very week. Sananta has gotten on a roll after a slow start, and with the Mets struggling as they are, he knows how important each game is. Santana’s record against the Cardinals is very encouraging, and he’ll look to send his Mets into the weekend on a high note against a team that many feel will win the National League pennant.
Bet On Sports – New York Mets
Adu on trial with Sion
*Adu trialing with Swiss club Sion
*Journeyman Adu begins trial in Switzerland
Wednesday Afternoon YA/USMNT Link Drop
Dempsey and Johnson Face Uncertainty at Fulham for Different Reasons
It is the 82nd minute of the match. Clint Dempsey, just off the bench, controls a tough ball at the top of the box. He takes a touch away from goal toward the sideline. Running parallel to the goal, he twists and lofts a shot back across the box into the top far corner of the goal. Craven Cottage erupts as Fulham defeats Italian giant Juventus and advances to the Europa League quarterfinals.
Since he scored his first goal for Fulham in 2007 against Liverpool to help stave off
relegation, Clint Dempsey has had a knack for scoring important goals for Fulham.
Dempsey has scored 25 times in all competitions since his arrival, the most of any
Fulham player during that span. Additionally, he has created chances for others
and is often at the heart of Fulham’s most dangerous attacks. A player with this
resume should be going into this season as a fixture at the club with his starting spot guaranteed. Instead, it appears to me, that Dempsey is starting this season with some big questions concerning his future at Fulham.
Rest of Article after the jump...
First, anytime there is a managerial change, everything else is subject to change. Until a manager is appointed, we will not know what formation Fulham will play and how Dempsey fits into that formation or style of play. By way of example, I did not think Dempsey fit as well in Lawrie Sanchez’s system as he did in Roy Hodgson’s system. One can debate the relative merits of these two managers -- okay, there is no debate, Sanchez was terrible -- but the fact remains, whoever is appointed manager will have a major effect on Dempsey’s future at Fulham.
Second, it appears Dempsey is going to have a dogfight for a spot in Fulham’s first
eleven. After Dempsey injured his knee last January, Fulham continued to get results
in the Premier League and the Europa League. Simon Davies staked his claim to a
starting role with his performance. If Gera moves back to midfield, Dempsey may see
himself in a battle with Gera, Fulham’s player of the season last year, Davies, Fulham’s player of the season from two years ago, and, perhaps, Damien Duff, a standout since his arrival. Stiff competition, in my opinion.
Third, since the World Cup, the Dempsey transfer rumors have abounded. His agent
was quoted as saying there have been inquiries from teams in Italy, Germany and
France. Despite his long list of contributions to the club, I think it will be very tempting for Fulham to sell Dempsey if they get the right price.
The other American at Fulham, Eddie Johnson, also starts this season with uncertainty
over his future. When Eddie Johnson arrived at Fulham in January 2008, Fulham were
fighting relegation and desperate for help at forward. Unfortunately, EJ did not have the impact Fulham desired and he was eventually loaned out to Championship side Cardiff City for the 2008-2009 season. EJ was productive in Fulham’s 2009-2010 preseason, he made two league appearances, a FA Cup appearance, and a Europa League
appearance, but was loaned out to Aris Thessaloniki for most of the 2009-2010 season.
Nevertheless, it appears the uncertainty EJ faces this season is whether he will finally have his chance to see significant time with Fulham’s first team. An argument can be made that he will.
First, after Bobby Zamora, Fulham’s current roster is very thin at forward. Andy
Johnson’s injuries make him a major question mark. Diomansy Kamara did contribute
at Fulham, but he was inconsistent, he was injured, and he was loaned out to Celtic
last season. David Elm has not shown much since his arrival and was a signing of
former manager Roy Hodgson to provide depth. Zoltan Gera was pressed into service
at forward last season and produced, but he may return to the midfield this season. So far this preseason, EJ has scored and created some chances for others. EJ’s skill level has improved during his time in Europe and he has speed, which is always a plus.
Second, Aris made an effort to obtain Johnson from Fulham after his loan, but ended its efforts reportedly because Fulham’s asking price was too high. According to reports, Aris then signed former MLS forward Carlos Ruiz instead of EJ. I cannot see Ruiz costing Aris that much, so maybe Aris lowballed their offer to Fulham. However, if EJ were not in Fulham’s plans, it would be reasonable to have expected Fulham to have worked something out with Aris.
Third, any new manager appointed at Fulham will have limited time to assess talent and bring in transfers. Perhaps, the new manager’s style might fit with EJ’s skill set. If it is Route One Football, EJ’s speed may be a match. Further, among the many names rumored as potential managers at Fulham are USMNT coach Bob Bradley and Cardiff
City Manager Dave Jones, for whom Johnson made thirty appearances while on loan.
Either of these managers may bode well for Johnson’s future with Fulham.
Fourth, money is tight everywhere and soccer is no different. If Fulham were to let
Johnson go, it would be even thinner at forward. As a result, I think Fulham would want to replace Johnson which could cost them higher wages and, potentially, a transfer fee.
Johnson has the benefit of low wages and, of course, he has no transfer fee.
While I am not sure what more Dempsey could have done for Fulham during his time
so far and I am not sure that Johnson has been given an opportunity to show what he
can do, they both find themselves approaching this season with uncertainty over their
futures with Fulham. Will they both be at Craven Cottage or will it be the end of the
FulhAmerica Era? Either way, I will be watching with interest and rooting them on.
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor No New Worries
Emmanuel Adebayor is not worried by the new star players who came at Manchester City. He remains determined to become the main striker in the City this season.
Adebayor scored 14 goals in 25 appearances as a starter in the league in his first season at City. But he can not compete from Carlos Tevez who also recently joined last summer.
Argentine international striker was successfully contributed 23 goals for the Citizen. Striketr second competition this is likely to continue and City was still a new striker after another.
Manchester United vs. MLS All-Star Betting Preview
The MLS All-Stars will play against Manchester United of the English betting Premier League.
The MLS team will include Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle. Two players from the US National team that advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup.
Oddsmakers has Machester United as a favorite , Man United that is one of the most important teams in the English online sports betting league.
Is the first time that the MLS All Start game be played in the state of Texas.
The meeting will be at the Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas and will be televised on ESPN2.
The MLS All-Stars are looking to improve on last season’s match in which they lost to EPL side Everton on penalty kicks. The All Star team is still undefeated (in regulation time, excluding the penalties in 2009) against international competition. Manchester United provides the toughest test they have played but are in pre-season form. This was very clear with the Red Devils’ lost to the Kansas City Wizards on Sunday.
The players for the MLS All Star Team are:
Goalkeepers Jimmy Nielsen (Kansas City) and Kasey Keller (Seattle), midfielders Joel Lindpere (New York), Robbie Rogers (Columbus), Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle), and forwards Fredy Montero (Seattle) and Conor Casey (Colorado).
Terrell Owens signed by Cincinnati for the 2010 NFL Betting Season
"Risky Business?
Last NFL betting season, Owens played for the Buffalo Bills, accumulating 55 receptions, 829 yards and five touchdowns, numbers remarkably low compared to those who has averaged over his career in the NFL.
The controversial receiver has played with the San Francisco 49ers (1996-2003), Philadelphia Eagles (2004-05), Dallas Cowboys (2006-2008) and Buffalo Bills (2009).
Another team interested in acquiring the services of 'TO', the St. Louis Rams, was put aside in their attempt to hire, while the New York Jets seemed to emerge as another viable option for Owens.
Kljestan scores in Champions League debut (updated with video)
*He scored in the 7th minute in Anderlecht's 3-1 win over The New Saints.
*Kljestan scores in CL qualifier
*Highlights after the jump...
Survived David Trezeguet, Giovinco Floating
Two Juventus players have a different fate ahead Crash 2010-11 Serie A season. When David Trezeguet decided to survive, the fate of Sebastian Giovinco even debatable.
Through his agent, make sure to keep wearing Trezeguet Juventus next season. Although quite a lot of bids are over, the French players were not going anywhere.
When Trezeguet decided to survive, then nasih Giovinco is still uncertain. 23-year-old midfielder intends to move because he rarely got the chance to play last season.
Giovinco was exploring opportunities to join with Parma. But certainty whether he will join the Rossoblu or not still have to wait several weeks to come.
Most exemplary Zanetti
Javier Zanetti was awarded the Premio Scirea by football journalists. Inter Milan captain was considered the most deserve to be role models.
Reported to the AFP, Zanetti received the award. This award has been given since 1992 to the players over the age of 30 years with a career that 'exemplary'.
Of the 371 people who have voting rights, Zanetti get 231 votes. Men's 36-year-old Argentine became the first foreign players are lucky to get a gift.
Bedoya returns to Orebro from injury
Bedoya with Orebro
*He played the full match in a 3-0 win over Elfsborg.
*Highlights after the jump...
Thank you, Raul
Top Football News - That's the latest headline in Real Madrid's official site, marking the end of the era of Raul Gonzalez Blanco at the club. Retirement a dozen years 'Prince Santiago Bernabeu' finished on July 26, 2010.
When this news was revealed, the new Raul held a press conference at his club's headquarters to announce his parting with the club since he had defended the junior level in 1992.
"It's been a very very heavy for me," said the man was born June 27, 1977, expressing his feelings to leave the Spanish giants, who he captained in there since 2003.
Why it’s time for Bob Bradley to go
I will be featuring several writers on the blog who will be writing on various YA and USMNT topics. Here is Phillip's first article. Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
By Phillip Suitts
First, let me start this off by saying that I have been a supporter of Bradley throughout his four year-tenure as the head coach of the US national team. I have defended many of his decisions against the newcomers who’ve called for Klinsmann to replace him. I’ve defended Bradley against the claims of nepotism by uninformed fans. I think Bradley hasn’t got enough credit for the job he did with the US national team these past four years, and that he has more tactical knowledge and awareness than most US fans would give him credit for (Otto Hitzfeld confirmed that when he acknowledged after Switzerland’s 1-0 win over Spain that he copied Bradley’s tactics). However, with all that said, I believe it’s time for the US to part ways with Bradley.
*Continue reading after the jump...
It isn’t that I don’t think he’s a good coach; I just think that’s its time for the US to find a fresh face that will bring new ideas to the national team. Bruce Arena is the classic example of why a four-year term for a national team head coach is a good idea. Arena became infatuated with himself and struck with the players that brought him glory four years before, even when it was clear to the average fan that the US needed new blood. Everyone remembers Dempsey’s goal against Ghana, but no one remembers that he didn’t even play in the US’s first game against the Czech Republic, even though he had scored three goals for the US in the months leading up the World Cup. This is the type of situation we could see playing out in Brazil in four years’ time if Bradley is kept on as coach. But, instead of Eddie Pope and Claudio Reyna being exposed, it could be Gooch and Landon Donovan.
Of course, there have been coaches that have worked for more than 4 years with a national team and had success. Morten Olsen has coached Denmark for 10 years and led them to two World Cups and one Euro. Otto Rehhagel helped Greece win Euro 2004 and led Greece to Euro 2008 and this year’s World Cup. Possibly, the best example is Franz Beckenbauer who guided West Germany to two straight World Cup finals (in ’86 and ’90), and won the 1990 World Cup.
However, for every Olsen or Rehhagel, there are 10 Arenas and Domenechs. And in the case of Olsen and Rehhagel, they are coaching small nations (Denmark and Greece both have populations around 10 million) that naturally will have less soccer players than big countries, like the US, and thus fewer players to choose from. So the manager doesn’t have to make many team-altering decisions about who to include on the team. In those types of nations you have to rely on players that got you there before because there aren’t many players who are better than them. This type of club-attitude (relying on chemistry as one of the most important factors and having a set roster) doesn’t work for bigger nations, like say Brazil, as Dunga proved this World Cup, when his team, which he kept virtually unchanged throughout the lengthy South American qualifying campaign, failed miserably at this year’s World Cup, losing to the Dutch 2-1 in the quarters.
This all goes back to the point that Bradley, while a good coach, simply shouldn’t be retained for another go-around. He’s a coach that already has been criticized for having “his players,” and four more years with the national team will only worsen his habit for sticking with certain players through thick and thin. He may not have the arrogance of a Bruce Arena or the weirdness of a Raymond Domenech, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t fail like them either. Bradley has to have developed an attachment to players like Dempsey and Donovan, who have been the leaders of the midfield this cycle. They are the two figureheads who have brought the team glory, whether it was the ’07 Gold Cup, ’09 Confed Cup, or the World Cup this summer. Will he really be able to put Donovan or
Dempsey on the bench if the situation-or their play- demands it? How can he have an open mind towards new players, like Tristan Bowen, when it was Jozy Altidore who provided the winning goal in the US’s upset of Spain in the Confed Cup? These are the types of problems Bradley will face if he and the USSF decide it’s best for him to come back for another four-year cycle. And yes, the US does have a young team; so maybe retaining Bradley won’t be a disaster. But in four year’s time do you really want to look back and say, “Yeah, this team looks good, but where’s the youth, the energy? Where are all those young guys I keep hearing about?”
Brazil names roster for USA friendly
Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), AndrĂ© (Santos), AndrĂ© Santos (Fenerbahçe), Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), David LuĂz (Benfica), Diego Tardelli (AtlĂ©tico Mineiro), Ederson (Lyon), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Henrique (Racing Santander), Hernanes (SĂŁo Paulo), Jeferson (Botafogo), Jucilei (Corinthians), Lucas (Liverpool), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Neymar (Santos), Rafael (Manchester United), Ramires (Benfica), Renan (AvaĂ), Rever (AtlĂ©tico Mineiro), Robinho (Santos), Sandro (Internacional), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Victor (GrĂŞmio)
*Highlights of US vs Brazil last two meetings after the jump...
Movsisyan goes 85 minutes in Randers draw
*Highlights after the jump...
Ronaldinho Not Selling
Ronaldinho will not leave AC Milan this summer. Certainty was obtained after the Rossoneri vice-president, Adriano Galliani made it clear again when Brazilian star was not for sale.
Ronaldinho, who failed to enter the World Cup after he had removed the Brazilian coach, Dunga, has been linked with several clubs during the transfer market opened, among them the LA Galaxy, Flamengo, also West Ham United, especially since his contract at the San Siro will expire in 2011.
However, Galliani reiterated the position of the club after Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi also said that Ronaldinho will stay at Milan until the end of his career.
Lazio No Escape Ledesma
Cristian Ledesma is still an important part of Lazio. Biancoceleste this club does not want to remove it and offer this Argentine midfielder a new contract.
Getting off Aleksandr Kolarov Lazio to Manchester City. But they made sure there would be no more players will be released by GLI Ledesma Aquilotti including a demand by major European clubs.
Goodson and Freeman go distance in IK Start win
*Both went the distance and got yellow cards in a 2-1 win over Molde.
*Highlights after the jump...
Castillo is 2nd half sub in San Luis draw
*He came on in the 61st minute in a 1-1 draw with Monterrey.
*Highlights after the jump...
Hercules and Torres help Pachuca defeat America
*Torres went the distance and Hercules came on in the 58th minute in a 3-0 win over America.
*Highlights after the jump...
Edu scores in Rangers win
Edu with Rangers
*He scored and won a penalty in Rangers' 2-1 win over Blackburn.
*Highlights after the jump...
Friedel has gaff in Aston Villa loss
*Lichaj played the first half and Friedel makes mistake in 2-1 loss to Bohemians.
*Highlights after the jump...