*Spector wants West Ham stay after rejecting Cologne move
*German youth star joins USA for January camp
*10 Questions With... Phil Schoen
*The Worst of 2010: Most Spineless
*The story behind the Landon Donovan image
*Americans Abroad: A Look Ahead
New Years Eve YA/USMNT Link Drop
*Spector wants West Ham stay after rejecting Cologne move
*German youth star joins USA for January camp
*10 Questions With... Phil Schoen
*The Worst of 2010: Most Spineless
*The story behind the Landon Donovan image
*Americans Abroad: A Look Ahead
Guzan finalizing loan to Hull City
Ives is reporting that Guzan is going to be loaned to Hull City. Hopefully he can get some playing time there. I think it will be a good move for him as long as he is on the field. I put video of possibly his greatest performance (against Sunderland) after the jump. Well worth the time to watch it.
*Guzan poised for Hull City loanICC reject Australian umpire Steve Davis drink claim
WORLD cricket bosses have denied a report that Australian umpire Steve Davis was seen drunk in Durban.
Vincent van der Bijl, head of the International Cricket Council's referees panel, said he was aware of the story, but ICC media spokesman Colin Gibson insisted no complaint had been made against Davis.
"The CSA (South African board) hasn't told the ICC anything," Gibson said.
"It's all nonsense."
A report in a South African newspaper claimed South African players were considering lodging a complaint against Davis, who they allegedly saw "in a drunken condition" at a hotel where the teams and officials were staying, before the opening day of the second Test between South Africa and India.
Afrikaan daily newspaper Beeld quoted sources from the team saying they had frequently seen Davis at a Durban bar and he was also seen stumbling into another hotel in the early hours during the first Test, at Centurion.
Davis, 58, who has stood in 31 Tests, made two blunders on the last two days of the second Test. Both went against the home side. India won by 87 runs to level the three-match series 1-1.
THE event likely to rock international cricket during the next two weeks will take place half a world away from the fifth Test at the SCG.
Doha, the capital of Qatar, will be the location for the hearing into spot-fixing allegations against Pakistanis Mohammad Aamer, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif.
The trio has been provisionally suspended since a News of the World sting in August found that Aamer and Asif bowled deliberate no-balls on the instructions of skipper Butt during the fourth Test against England at Lord's.
Aamer, 18, is believed to be ready to give evidence against Butt, Asif and other Pakistani players.
Lawyers for Butt and Asif have suggested they have information that could implicate some of the world's top cricketers in betting scandals.
Read More >>
Vincent van der Bijl, head of the International Cricket Council's referees panel, said he was aware of the story, but ICC media spokesman Colin Gibson insisted no complaint had been made against Davis.
"The CSA (South African board) hasn't told the ICC anything," Gibson said.
"It's all nonsense."
A report in a South African newspaper claimed South African players were considering lodging a complaint against Davis, who they allegedly saw "in a drunken condition" at a hotel where the teams and officials were staying, before the opening day of the second Test between South Africa and India.
Afrikaan daily newspaper Beeld quoted sources from the team saying they had frequently seen Davis at a Durban bar and he was also seen stumbling into another hotel in the early hours during the first Test, at Centurion.
Davis, 58, who has stood in 31 Tests, made two blunders on the last two days of the second Test. Both went against the home side. India won by 87 runs to level the three-match series 1-1.
THE event likely to rock international cricket during the next two weeks will take place half a world away from the fifth Test at the SCG.
Doha, the capital of Qatar, will be the location for the hearing into spot-fixing allegations against Pakistanis Mohammad Aamer, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif.
The trio has been provisionally suspended since a News of the World sting in August found that Aamer and Asif bowled deliberate no-balls on the instructions of skipper Butt during the fourth Test against England at Lord's.
Aamer, 18, is believed to be ready to give evidence against Butt, Asif and other Pakistani players.
Lawyers for Butt and Asif have suggested they have information that could implicate some of the world's top cricketers in betting scandals.
Great Donovan video from fan perspective
Now, I am not going to do any top 10s since I know that will be done on all of the other blogs, but figured this will sum it up as the best moment of the year. Can't beat it. Video came from Mlssoccer.com
Thursday Night YA/USMNT Link Drop
*Donovan's goal the Moment of the Year
*Sky Sports says the Portland Timbers are ready to bring Wolverhampton keeper Marcus Hahnemann back to America
*California will be a dream come true for Ryan Miller who is still basking in the glow of his call-up to Bob Bradley's squad
*SBI's Top 5 USMNT Goals of 2010
*From Princeton to Pretoria, a year of fútbol across the world
College Football Betting – Ducks Flying High Entering National Title Game
With all of the talk about the SEC over the past few years, and deservedly so, the PAC-10 has made quite an impression in college football betting this year, and the No. 2 Oregon Ducks are one of the biggest reasons why. The Ducks will fly in to Arizona looking to finish strong against the No. 1 Auburn Tigers in the Tostitos’ BCS National Championship game, and prove their merit ahead of the traditional powerhouse programs.Tostitos’ BCS National Championship Game
Oregon Ducks vs. Auburn Tigers
Monday January 10, 2011 – 8:30 PM ET
Online Sports Betting Odds: Auburn – 3
It was the Tigers that ensured that at least a couple of those teams wouldn’t have their shot in the big game after sweeping through the SEC with a perfect 13 wins. Auburn took down a couple of big programs, including the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Oregon
The Ducks will present a different type of challenge for Auburn, with their top-ranked offense looking to prove their speed and capability in a spread offense the Tigers have yet to face this year. Heisman trophy runner-up and running back LaMichael James rushed for 1,682 yards and 21 touchdowns, but that’s just the beginning of an offense that finished first in the FBS with an average of over 49 points per game. Dual-threat quarterback Darron Thomas may be one of the most underrated players in the game after throwing for 2,518 yards and 28 touchdowns, while rushing for another 492 and five scores. The Ducks’ defense has improved as the season continued, but still gave up over 500 yards on three separate occasions, and will need to prove its speed and tackling ability can overcome the strength of the Auburn line.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Auburn
That Tigers’ line kept Heisman trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton up long enough to throw for 2,589 yards and 28 touchdowns, while rushing for another 1,409 and 20 scores. What’s more, Newton played his best football in the biggest games, and remained calm and poised in the face of adversity in times where other signal-callers would have lost their composure. Auburn found the perfect complement to Newton in running back Michael Dyer, who rushed for 950 yards and five touchdowns. Newton and Dyer represent as lethal a tandem as any in college football. The Tigers’ defense struggled at times this season against tough, hard-running teams, and will now need to prove that they can keep up with a speedy, spread football betting offense.
The Match Up: Oregon vs. Auburn
The Ducks impressed many online bookies with their play in the PAC-10, and will prove that they can succeed against the top programs from any conference in the national title game. Oregon will attack relentlessly on both offense and defense, and will spoil the Tigers’ chances of giving the SEC a fifth straight national title.
BSNblog Pick: Oregon + 3
MOTD Highlights of Yanks in the Prem: Lichaj, Friedel, Dempsey, Spector, Holden, and Howard (full show included)
I didn't think there was a Match of the Day this week, but here it is. I included the full show as well. Videos are after the jump. Enjoy!
Lichaj and Friedel with Aston Villa
http://www.zshare.net/video/84547619c084b6e8/
Dempsey with Fulham
http://www.zshare.net/video/8454694382bbb221/
Spector with West Ham and Howard with Everton
http://www.zshare.net/video/845469533fcda5f2/
Holden with Bolton
Full show
Holden and Bolton fall 1-0 to Chelsea (updated with better highlights)
*He went 82 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Chelsea.
*Highlights after the jump...
Wednesday Morning YA/USMNT Link Drop
*Evening Miscellanea: Robbie Hood, EJ, & More
*Donovan, Wondolowski among intriguing figures to watch in 2011
*Feilhaber weighing offers from three teams
*Lichaj's stock rising with U.S., Villa
*Previewing the Gold Cup Roster
*U.S. youngsters getting their shot
*Oguchi Onyewu is open to a loa
Laird looks forward to masters
Finishing dead last at an event is no cause for celebration, but for Scottish golfer Martin Laird, September's US Tour Championship was still special.
Just being among the 30-strong elite field in Atlanta (not even Tiger Woods managed it) meant that Laird had qualified for a debut at golf's most glamorous tournament - The Masters at Augusta next April.
Just being among the 30-strong elite field in Atlanta (not even Tiger Woods managed it) meant that Laird had qualified for a debut at golf's most glamorous tournament - The Masters at Augusta next April.
His first appearance among the azaleas and dogwood will come at the age of 28 and that alone tells you this has been no meteoric rise like that of Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer or Matteo Manassero.
But Laird has done enough in the last two seasons to suggest he could be one of the stars of 2011.
The Glaswegian, still relatively unknown on this side of the Atlantic after going to college in the States and staying there, began last year 268th in the world but has made it all the way into the top 50.
He has also become the first Scottish winner on the US Tour since Sandy Lyle at the 1988 Masters - and there could so easily have been two more victories this season.
Matt Kuchar came up with a wondrous shot to beat him in sudden death at the first of the FedEx Cup play-offs - Laird had three-putted the last - and then in the defence of his Las Vegas title Jonathan Byrd produced a hole-in-one no less at the fourth play-off hole.
"I'm not a goal-setter. My goal is just to get better every year and I feel like I've done that," Laird said.
"The only thing I have felt has been holding me back has been my putting and since I started working with Dave Stockton Jnr it's been good.
"I feel like if I keep that up and keep my ball-striking where it was or even get it a little better I know I can move way up the world rankings and start challenging in majors and things.
"You look at guys like Kaymer and (Graeme) McDowell winning, it gives you motivation to be up there with them."
Just as US Open champion McDowell did, he really blossomed as a player in his college days - Colorado in his case - but while the Northern Irishman then won only his fourth European Tour event, it was a long time before Laird's professional career had lift-off.
"My first year on the Nationwide Tour (2005) I played terribly and lost my card," he recalls.
In 19 starts he had only one top-25 finish and six missed cuts in his last seven tournaments left him with earnings for the year of less than $19,000 (£11,500).
On his return to the circuit in 2007, however, he won over a quarter of a million dollars and on graduating to the main Tour the money alone has been an indicator of his progress - more than $850,000 two years ago, $1.3million last season and $2.1million this.
The better Laird does in the US, the more chance there is of him adding to his rare appearances in Europe so far, especially once Ryder Cup qualifying begins in September.
His European Tour debut did not come until last year's Scottish Open. He came 10th after starting with a 65, but has already bettered that with a fifth place at October's Dunhill Links Championship.
In the Open though he has made two early exits, crashing out of St Andrews this summer with a nightmare second-round 83, and desperately wants to improve on that at Sandwich in July.
The Dunhill was a big confidence-booster in that regard.
"I think I was paying the Old Course a little too much respect at the Open. I wanted to come back and almost prove to myself that I can play links golf because my record was not very good.
"I definitely can control any ball flight a little better now and that's something that's good going forward."
Augusta is the ultimate examination of that and in April Laird finally has the chance to take that test.
Read More>>
But Laird has done enough in the last two seasons to suggest he could be one of the stars of 2011.
The Glaswegian, still relatively unknown on this side of the Atlantic after going to college in the States and staying there, began last year 268th in the world but has made it all the way into the top 50.
He has also become the first Scottish winner on the US Tour since Sandy Lyle at the 1988 Masters - and there could so easily have been two more victories this season.
Matt Kuchar came up with a wondrous shot to beat him in sudden death at the first of the FedEx Cup play-offs - Laird had three-putted the last - and then in the defence of his Las Vegas title Jonathan Byrd produced a hole-in-one no less at the fourth play-off hole.
"I'm not a goal-setter. My goal is just to get better every year and I feel like I've done that," Laird said.
"The only thing I have felt has been holding me back has been my putting and since I started working with Dave Stockton Jnr it's been good.
"I feel like if I keep that up and keep my ball-striking where it was or even get it a little better I know I can move way up the world rankings and start challenging in majors and things.
"You look at guys like Kaymer and (Graeme) McDowell winning, it gives you motivation to be up there with them."
Just as US Open champion McDowell did, he really blossomed as a player in his college days - Colorado in his case - but while the Northern Irishman then won only his fourth European Tour event, it was a long time before Laird's professional career had lift-off.
"My first year on the Nationwide Tour (2005) I played terribly and lost my card," he recalls.
In 19 starts he had only one top-25 finish and six missed cuts in his last seven tournaments left him with earnings for the year of less than $19,000 (£11,500).
On his return to the circuit in 2007, however, he won over a quarter of a million dollars and on graduating to the main Tour the money alone has been an indicator of his progress - more than $850,000 two years ago, $1.3million last season and $2.1million this.
The better Laird does in the US, the more chance there is of him adding to his rare appearances in Europe so far, especially once Ryder Cup qualifying begins in September.
His European Tour debut did not come until last year's Scottish Open. He came 10th after starting with a 65, but has already bettered that with a fifth place at October's Dunhill Links Championship.
In the Open though he has made two early exits, crashing out of St Andrews this summer with a nightmare second-round 83, and desperately wants to improve on that at Sandwich in July.
The Dunhill was a big confidence-booster in that regard.
"I think I was paying the Old Course a little too much respect at the Open. I wanted to come back and almost prove to myself that I can play links golf because my record was not very good.
"I definitely can control any ball flight a little better now and that's something that's good going forward."
Augusta is the ultimate examination of that and in April Laird finally has the chance to take that test.
NFL Game Preview for December 28, 2010: Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Betting Online Overview:The NFL football betting action in Minnesota has been dark and depressing this season. The offense entered the season with no real receivers for Brett Favre to throw to, and then the offensive line started allowing Brett Favre to get beat up. Running back Adrian Peterson had his usual great season, but he could not compete with the pass-happy Favre who was costing the Vikings games.
The Philadelphia Eagles thought they had a plan when the season started, but they did not seem really sold on it. The thought of Kevin Kolb being the full-time starting quarterback seemed like an interesting experiment, but the early NFL scores were not promising. Michael Vick stepped in and now the Eagles are NFC East champions and one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Offense:
The online betting services had no clue what to expect from Michael Vick. He was a difference-maker with the Falcons, but the effects of prison on his mind and his game were unknown. Vick is turning out to be the best thing that has happened to the Eagles in a long time, and he is making everyone around him better. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson has stepped up and become a kick return threat as well as a 1,000 yard receiver. Running back LeSean McCoy gives team something else to worry about besides Vick when it comes to the running game.
The Vikings are in huge trouble on offense when it comes to this game. Even if quarterback Brett Favre passes his concussion tests, his shoulder is so tight that he cannot throw accurately beyond 15 yards. Promising back up Tavaris Jackson is out for the season, and running back Adrian Peterson is also out. The Vikings are struggling to determine if Brett Favre at around 60 percent gives them a better chance to win than a healthy Joe Webb. If they don’t go with Webb, then it makes you wonder why they drafted Webb in the first place.
Defense:
This whole Michael Vick thing is contagious on the Eagles team; even on defense. The Eagles defense is fast and dangerous. The linebackers are monitoring the middle of the field limiting what the opposing tight ends can do, and the front line is becoming adept at putting pressure on the opposing quarterback. Chasing Michael Vick around at practice every week has definitely made the Eagles a faster defense.
The Vikings defense is extremely inconsistent, especially on the front defensive line. Defensive lineman Jared Allen has nine sacks this season, which is way off his mark from last year. But the other three defensive line have a total of 7.5 sacks combined. The Vikings defense just cannot get to the quarterback this season, and that will be a huge problem in this game.
The Bottom Line:
The Vikings just want this season to end, and the Eagles cannot wait for the playoffs to begin. That should give you all you need to know about each team going into this game.
BSNblog Pick: Philadelphia Eagles
Friedel makes top 5 saves of the week
Spector is sub as West Ham draw Howard and Everton
*Howard was in goal as Spector came on in the 35th minute in a 1-1 draw.
*Highlights after the jump...
Dempsey goes distance in Fulham win
*He went the full 90 and got a yellow in a 2-0 win over Stoke.
*Highlights after the jump...
Lichaj gives up penalty in 4-0 loss to City
*Both went the distance in a 4-0 loss to Manchester City.
*Highlights after the jump...
Court reduces Rajasthan Royals bank guarantee
The Bombay High Court on Monday allowed Royals to deposit $7.8m as guarantee with an additional security deposit of $2.83m, reducing the overall guarantee by almost half. The BCCI has given its consent for the same. Royals had insisted that the bank guarantee should be reduced because the guarantee provided for the 2011 IPL could be used as a rolling guarantee for the following year too.
Earlier, the high court had permitted RR to take part in IPL 4 and directed them to pay a $20.83m bank guarantee, as argued by the BCCI counsel.
Royals are now allowed to participate in the player auctions scheduled for January 8 and 9 and in fact are now being kept in the loop by the BCCI as far as all internal communication of IPL - between the board and the franchisees - are concerned.
Meanwhile, the board has released the money - to the tune of Rs 35 crore - that was due to the franchise. In turn, the franchise says they've also almost finished the process of paying pending player dues.
"We had already begun paying the players from our own pockets but now, after the BCCI money has come in, we've settled it all," says Raghu Iyer, the chief marketing officer of the franchise.
Whether or not Kings XI Punjab intends to do something similar is not known as yet.
MOTD Highlights: Lichaj, Friedel, Holden, EJ and Dempsey
I spent more time with the family today so missed all of today's games. So here are Match of the Day highlights of all the Yanks playing in the Premier League today. Some good, some bad. Enjoy!
Holden with Bolton
http://www.zshare.net/video/84408708001ce282/
EJ and Deuce with Fulham
http://www.zshare.net/video/844089059db6a9db/
Lichaj and Friedel with Aston Villa
http://www.zshare.net/video/844089007bb4e89b/
Lichaj has solid performance in loss to Spurs
*Both played the full 90 in a 2-1 loss to Tottenham.
*Highlights after the jump...
Merry Christmas from Yanks Abroad Video Highlights!
Merry Christmas to everyone. Thank you to all who continue to visit as well as to those who contribute particularly Matt who has been writing articles for the blog. I'm going to enjoy the day with the family but will be back for Sunday's matches. Be safe!
Thursday Midday YA/USMNT Link Drop
*Holdiay Gifts with the MNT
*Nottingham Forest signs Findley
*How Is It That Buddle & Findley Are Two of the Most-Talked About Transfer Window Targets in England?
*Everton's reaction to Landon Donovan turning down a loan deal
*Analysis of your player ratings for every league game so far this season ranks Bolton's Stuart Holden as the No1
*Edu nearing return to action
*Bunbury enjoying active offseason
Do You Believe in Santa Claus?
A few days ago, I watched the The Polar Express with my children. The premise of the story is that a boy has gotten to the age where he begins to doubt that Santa Claus exists. As a result, the boy can no longer hear the jingle of sleigh bells on Santa’s sleigh because only those who truly believe can hear them. The boy has lost the magic of the season. With all that has gone on this past year, I am beginning to wonder whether I can still hear the jingle of the bells, so to speak, when it comes to soccer these days.
Continue reading article after the jump...
This year had its obligatory sex scandals, such as those involving Wayne Rooney, John Terry, the French National team and the Mexican National team. Violence between rival fans left two people dead in France and Russia. The Togolese National Team was attacked on the way to the African Cup of Nations and several persons were killed. Nigerian midfielder, Sani Kaita, reportedly received more than a thousand death threats after getting red carded in Nigeria’s World Cup loss to Greece. Racism is still present as evidenced by the report of an anti-Semitic banner being raised during a match in Poland.
This past year also contained serious allegations of corruption and match-fixing. Approximately two hundred UEFA matches across twelve countries are under investigation for match-fixing. UEFA gave a lifetime ban to a Ukrainian referee for his involvement. In Turkey, nearly fifty persons, including players and coaches, were arrested on suspicion of fixing matches. China’s state run news agency reported that nearly thirty people, including players, a referee, and the former head of the Chinese Football Association, were arrested on suspicion of match-fixing and bribes. It is also alleged that players paid bribes to get invited to the Chinese national team's training camps and to play in international matches.
The 2010 World Cup had its issues, as well, not the least of which was refereeing that was so incompetent at times that it affected the integrity of the matches, in my opinion. However, the bidding process for World Cup 2018 and 2022 was the biggest punch in the gut to U.S. soccer fans. Despite receiving the top rating from FIFA, the U.S. bid barely made it out of the first round of voting, while Qatar, with the lowest rated bid, was awarded the World Cup. The unusual process of having two bids awarded on the same day encouraged backroom deals and corruption. The Australian bid was investigated for corruption early on. Two FIFA executive committee members were banned from voting for the World Cup bids due to corruption allegations. The “cash for votes” allegations continue to trickle out and we are all waiting for the WikiLeaks.
It wouldn’t be wrong for a fan to become jaded in the wake of these things. Frankly, it should be expected because the negative events in 2010 are nothing new. Things like this have happened in the sport every year. Nevertheless, the game also produces moments of good, of brilliance, of poetry, of magic and of joy; the very kind of things that make life better. For this reason, just like the little boy in The Polar Express, I, too, want to hear the jingle of the bells on Santa’s sleigh when it comes to soccer. So, I am choosing to recall the good times. When I remember Juan Agudelo scoring on his debut for the USMNT, I hear a faint jingle. When I remember Dempsey’s amazing chip versus Juventus, the jingle gets clearer. When I remember Stuart Holden drilling that volley against Blackburn, the jingle gets louder. When I remember running around the room by myself yelling after Donovan scored against Algeria, the jingle gets even louder. And, when I remember that at that same moment, USMNT fans all across the country were going nuts right along with me, the jingle is so loud it sounds like Santa is driving a rocket powered sleigh with chrome side pipes right through the middle of my family room while a stereo cranks out Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Carol of the Bells!
So, if you find yourself a bit disenchanted with the game today, try thinking back on the special moments that the game produced this year and you just might start to hear the jingle of the bells again, too. Merry Christmas!
Connecticut Oklahoma Betting – Fiesta Bowl Shapes Up To Be A Mismatch
The Connecticut Huskies have done really well to get to the 2011 Fiesta Bowl, but they are going to have a very hard time being competitive for very long against the Oklahoma Sooners.NCAA football betting: Connecticut Huskies vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Online Betting Odds: Oklahoma -17
Why To Bet On Connecticut
The Oklahoma Sooners are 0-3 in January Fiesta Bowls. Yes, Oklahoma won the Fiesta Bowl once upon a time, but that was in 1976, when the game was played in December and the Fiesta Bowl was a third-tier bowl game. Ever since the Fiesta Bowl moved to New Year’s Day (or in general, the month of January) in 1982, Oklahoma has floundered and flopped on this big stage. The Sooners fell to Arizona State in the 1983 Fiesta Bowl. Then, under current coach Bob Stoops, Oklahoma experienced a pair of egg-on-the-face moments in Glendale, Arizona. In the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, the Sooners lost as a heavy favorite to then-unheralded Boise State, 43-42, in one of college football’s biggest New Year’s Day bowl upsets. One year later, on January 2 of 2008, the Sooners came back to the Westside suburb of Phoenix and got destroyed by West Virginia, 48-28, in yet another Fiesta Bowl debacle. Oklahoma has not won a BCS bowl since the 2003 Rose Bowl against Washington State. The Sooners, even as a commanding favorite, have not handled this particular kind of event with any distinction or consistency. Connecticut might not be a particularly formidable team, but the Huskies are at least lucky in that they’re facing a program that has not delivered the goods in prime-time bowl games. This is far from Oklahoma’s best team under Bob Stoops; the Sooners were embarrassed in double-digit losses at Missouri and Texas A&M. They were also fortunate to escape Utah State and Air Force by one-score margins at home. Connecticut could make this game close enough to beat the number.
Why To Bet On Oklahoma
The Sooners, for all their inconsistencies this past season, still won their seventh Big 12 championship in the past 11 years. Oklahoma captured its fourth Big 12 crown over the past five seasons. The Sooners continue to establish a track record of remarkable consistency. Even when they’re far from their best, they’re still very, very good. Moreover, they’re going up against a Connecticut team with a thin resume.
The Huskies from New England got roughed up this year by teams that aren’t very distinguished. Connecticut got run out of the building by a 7-5 Michigan team, and coach Randy Edsall’s UConn crew also got whacked by a Temple team that didn’t even make a bowl game in 2010. Connecticut’s best Big East win was a two-point squeaker over Pittsburgh; UConn’s other huge conference win was a 16-13 overtime triumph over West Virginia. In that game, UConn needed seven West Virginia fumbles just to stay alive and then win in the extra period. UConn has four losses, easily the most for a BCS bowl representative… not only this season, but all time. Oklahoma is facing a very mediocre opponent.
How The Game Will Play Out
Oklahoma’s Fiesta Bowl struggles would have continued against an elite opponent such as Stanford or Ohio State, but not against Connecticut. The Huskies have no firepower and will not be able to throw the ball against the Sooners’ secondary. This will be a bloodbath; don’t seek an upset in this contest.
Connecticut Oklahoma Betting Pick: Oklahoma -17
Findley the newest Yank Abroad as he signs with Nottingham Forest
Let me start by saying that I am not a Findley fan. He is fast as can be, but just lacks the striker quality that is required. I never understood Bradley's confidence in him. He is simply not a great forward. Sometimes change is good though and can bring out a whole new side to players. We have all seen it before in leagues around the world. Let's hope this is a good move for him and of course this blog will keep tabs on him. In my search for highlights of him, I came across the video at the bottom of the post. It just made me laugh. In all seriousness though, I wish him the best of luck.
*Nottingham Forest sign USA striker Robbie Findley Bocanegra goes distance in St. Etienne draw
*He went the distance in a 1-1 draw with Lille.
*Highlights after the jump...
Clark goes distance as Frankfurt falls out of German Cup
*He went the distance as Frankfurt lost in penalties to Alemania Aachen.
*Highlights after the jump...
NFL Lines Preview for December 25, 2010: Dallas Cowboys (-6) vs. Arizona Cardinals
Betting Overview:The Dallas Cowboys get to spend Christmas Day in the desert, and it almost seems a fitting sentence for the season the Cowboys have had this year. The preseason NFL predictions surrounding the Cowboys were all about the playoffs, but the NFL scores that Dallas was generating told a different story. The Cowboys had the talent to prove the NFL betting experts right, they just did not want to find a way to start winning games until it was way too late.
The Arizona Cardinals are lost without now-retired quarterback Kurt Warner. The Cardinals are now on their fourth starting quarterback this season if you count the short but unsuccessful Matt Leinart experiment in the preseason. The Cardinals are without an offensive leader and that means they have no offensive identity. With players such as wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and running back Tim Hightower languishing in an unproductive offense, the Cardinals are a study in how important a good quarterback can be.
Offense:
The Cowboys seem to be rolling right along with Jon Kitna playing quarterback instead of the injured Tony Romo. But the injuries are starting to pile up against the Cowboys, and that could be a problem in this Christmas Day matchup. Running back Marion Barber and wide receivers Roy Williams and Dez Bryant are all expected to miss this game. Their status of Roy Williams and Marion Barber is questionable for this game, but the Cowboys are not talking like they will have all of their starters for this game. That means the backup quarterback will have to work with second and third-string receivers to try and win this game.
The Cardinals are on plan “C” at quarterback with rookie John Skelton. What the Cardinals are doing is trying to survive until the end of the season, and it will be a long last two games for the team from Arizona. As bad as the Cowboys seem to have it on offense with injuries, the Cardinals have it much worse and the Cardinals are not suffering from injury problems.
Defense:
The Cowboys defense has been unpredictable for much of the season. The team is ranked 14th against the run allowing an average of 109 yards per game, but the same defense is ranked 31st in points against by allowing an average of 28 points per game. The Cowboys defense seems capable of exploiting the weak Arizona offensive line and rattling the rookie quarterback early. The only problem the Dallas defense may experience all day is trying to contain running back Tim Hightower.
The Arizona Cardinals defense is ranked at or near the bottom of the league in every category. The Cardinals have a more serious problem trying to stop the run and, considering the injuries that Dallas has at wide receiver, that may mean a lot of Dallas running back Felix Jones in this game.
The Bottom Line:
The Cardinals will probably pull back and start all over after this season, but for now they are going to have to work extremely hard to avoid being embarrassed at home by the Dallas Cowboys.
BSNblog Pick: Dallas Cowboys
Tuesday Night YA/USMNT Link Drop
*Bradley calls 24 players to January USMNT camp
*Howard sublime for Everton
*Bradley taps young talent for January U.S. national camp
*Altidore was a second half substitute for Villarreal who battled to a scoreless draw with Valencia
*Forest still mum on Findley contract
Bradley goes distance in another 'Gladbach loss
Bradley with Gladbach
*He went the full 90 in a 2-0 loss to Hoffeinheim in the DFB Pokal.
*Highlights after the jump...
Mat Rogers' golf course mishap
Luckily, the incident occurred in the pursuit of a good cause and no one was hurt.
The vehicle in question was the golf buggy transporting Mat Rogers, his son and a friend around the golf course at Links Hope Island on the Gold Coast, as they took part in Rogers' Celebrity Golf Classic to raise funds for their charity, 4ASD Kids.
And the only damage was to Rogers' pride as he surveyed the upturned cart, marooned in a bunker.
Rogers and his wife Chloe Maxwell were hoping to raise more than $300,000 across the weekend for 4ASD Kids, which is dedicated to supporting children with autism spectrum disorders, so they can receive the treatment that will give them the best chance of a normal life.
There were celebrities galore at the charity weekend, and they were digging deep into their pockets. But it wasn't all smooth sailing for the Maxwells, who were constantly battling with the weather at Sanctuary Cove.
Newsreader Sandra Sully was back again for the event, which coincided with her family's Christmas celebration.
"I was meant to start my holidays a couple of days earlier but Oprah was in town," she said.
"It's a shame about the weather. I call my partner the rainman because when I bring him to Queensland it rains."
Australia's Next Top Model judge Charlotte Dawson flew in for the event and showcased her singing talent when she belted out some Guns N' Roses at the Quiksilver Beach party, while Matthew Johns, accompanied by his wife Trish, had a "dance-off" with the kids.
Comedian Corinne Grant was another special guest as were former NRL footballer Gorden Tallis and Titans Greg Bird, Scott Prince and William Zillman.
The vehicle in question was the golf buggy transporting Mat Rogers, his son and a friend around the golf course at Links Hope Island on the Gold Coast, as they took part in Rogers' Celebrity Golf Classic to raise funds for their charity, 4ASD Kids.
And the only damage was to Rogers' pride as he surveyed the upturned cart, marooned in a bunker.
Rogers and his wife Chloe Maxwell were hoping to raise more than $300,000 across the weekend for 4ASD Kids, which is dedicated to supporting children with autism spectrum disorders, so they can receive the treatment that will give them the best chance of a normal life.
There were celebrities galore at the charity weekend, and they were digging deep into their pockets. But it wasn't all smooth sailing for the Maxwells, who were constantly battling with the weather at Sanctuary Cove.
Newsreader Sandra Sully was back again for the event, which coincided with her family's Christmas celebration.
"I was meant to start my holidays a couple of days earlier but Oprah was in town," she said.
"It's a shame about the weather. I call my partner the rainman because when I bring him to Queensland it rains."
Australia's Next Top Model judge Charlotte Dawson flew in for the event and showcased her singing talent when she belted out some Guns N' Roses at the Quiksilver Beach party, while Matthew Johns, accompanied by his wife Trish, had a "dance-off" with the kids.
Comedian Corinne Grant was another special guest as were former NRL footballer Gorden Tallis and Titans Greg Bird, Scott Prince and William Zillman.
Taylor scores game winner for Estoril
Taylor with Estoril
*He scored the game winner in a 5-2 win over FC Arouca.
*Highlights after the jump...
Monday Morning YA/USMNT Link Drop
*Good vs Evil, A Fan's View of The USA-Mexico Rivalry
*U.S. Men's national team will unveil its roster for next month's training camp in Carson, California
*Gatt, Gyau spark U.S. Under-20s to 5-0 rout of Canada
*US Under-20s sweep Canada
*Kljestan, Anderlecht go top
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - YA Weekend Recap
The Good
*Bradley gets a nice assist though in a loss (see The Ugly)
*Taylor scores game winner for Estoril
*Charlie Davies makes the game day roster for the first time since his accident
*Cooper makes a late appearance for 1860 Munich - first since injury
*Clark got the start and had a great performance in Eintracht Frankfurt win
*Bocanegra continues winning ways with St. Etienne
The Bad
*Most games in UK are postponed due to weather
The Ugly
*Cherundolo scores an own goal and gets a yellow in a Hannover loss
*The mess that is Borussia 'Gladbach
Cooper plays 19 minutes in 1860 loss
*He played 19 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Paddermore.
*You can download Bundesliga 2 highlights here to see the video.
*Short highlights after the jump...
Clark has very solid showing in Eintracht Frankfurt win (updated with full highlights)
*He went the distance in a 1-0 win over Dortmund.
*Highlights after the jump...
Cherundolo scores an own goal in Hannover loss
*He scored an own goal in a 3-1 loss to Nurnberg.
*Highlights after the jump...
Davies in Sochaux squad for Sunday's match
Charlie Davies, who scored his two goals against Bordeaux in Ligue One last season, has been called up from the reserves for the first time since his terrible car accident.
*Davies twitter feedVideo of his last performance against Bordeaux...
Holden goes distance in Bolton loss
*He went the distance in a 1-0 loss to Sunderland.
*Watch full match here.
*Highlights after the jump...
Video: Hold up the ball like Altidore
Click the picture for the video.
Villarreal CF and United States striker Jozy Altidore gives his own guide on the various ways of controlling the ball, shielding it, and turning a defender.
Bradley gets assist in loss to Hamburg (updated with full highlights)
*He got an assist in a 2-1 loss to Hamburg.
*Watch the full match here.
*Highlights after the jump...
Full highlights
Friday Midday YA/USMNT Link Drop
*American Exports: Edu, Rangers get Sporting in EL
*Altidore And Adu Still Have Bright Futures
*Which American Abroad Most Needs To Transfer?
*Edson Buddle training for a second week with Birmingham City
*Clark could start for Frankfurt
*Holden planning big future with U.S.
*Holden riding wave of success
*Restrepo to trial in Colombia
STORY OF THE YEAR: Tiger's tale
Tiger Woods' humbling return to the public eye, from his televised confession to a winless season on the golf course, was voted the sports story of the year by members of The Associated Press.
The fallout from Woods’ admission of infidelity edged a very different sort of story: The New Orleans Saints winning their first Super Bowl championship, giving an emotional boost to their hurricane-ravaged city.
It was late 2009 when Woods' pristine image unraveled after he crashed his SUV into a tree outside his home, unleashing salacious revelations of extramarital affairs. The story was a late addition to last year’s voting and wound up fifth.
But the twists and turns weren't over for Woods. Many more developments were still to unfold in 2010.
There were 176 ballots submitted from U.S. news organizations that make up the AP's membership. The voters were asked to rank the top 10 sports stories of the year, with the first-place story getting 10 points, the second-place story receiving nine points, and so on.
The Woods saga received 1,316 points, with the Saints' title getting 1,215 and the NBA free agency frenzy coming in third with 1,085.
Major League Baseball's ongoing travails with performance-enhancing drugs was the top story last year.
Here are 2010's top 10 stories:
1. TIGER WOODS
Woods returned to public view with a 13½-minute statement in February, then came back to golf at the Masters in April with a fourth-place finish. That would be one of his few highlights on the course - Woods went winless on the PGA Tour for the first time in his career and lost his No. 1 ranking for the first time in years. In August, he and Elin Nordegren divorced.
2. SAINTS WIN
New Orleans residents loved their Saints for not abandoning the city after Hurricane Katrina, but it was hard to imagine the team bringing much joy on the field after 42 mostly losing seasons. Then Drew Brees and Co. upset the mighty Indianapolis Colts in their first Super Bowl, to the delight of French Quarter revelers and fans nationwide who adopted the Saints.
3. FREE AGENCY FRENZY
NBA fans were captivated by the mystery of where MVP LeBron James and other marquee free agents would land. Few would have guessed that three of them would sign with the same team: the Miami Heat, who became basketball’s Evil Empire by adding James from Cleveland and Chris Bosh from Toronto to Dwyane Wade.
4. WORLD CUP
A World Cup of firsts ended gloriously for Spain and for Africa. South Africa hosted the continent’s first World Cup without the pitfalls many predicted. And the Spaniards brought home the first World Cup title to the soccer-mad country with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in extra time.
5. GIANTS WIN
The Giants hadn’t won the World Series since they moved to San Francisco in 1958 - and since 1954 overall. This didn’t seem to be the year to end the drought when they barely squeaked into the playoffs. But with dominant pitching and clutch hitting, they beat the Texas Rangers in five games.
6. NFL CONCUSSIONS
New posters distributed to teams before the season warned of concussions’ dangers in much harsher language than before. Another sign of how big the issue had become: increased reporting of concussions by players. Midseason, the NFL cracked down on helmet hits with huge fines and threatened suspensions.
7. JIMMIE JOHNSON
The NASCAR driver extended his record with his fifth straight Sprint Cup title. Perhaps most impressively, he did it despite not being in top form all season. Johnson became the first driver in the Chase’s seven-year history to overcome a points deficit in the finale.
8. BRETT FAVRE
This comeback was nothing like last year’s magical run to the NFC title game for the 41-year-old quarterback. His Minnesota Vikings struggled badly, and the NFL launched an investigation into whether he sent lewd photos of himself to a Jets employee. After voting began, his record streak of 297 starts ended.
9. UCONN WINS
The Huskies’ women’s basketball team extended their record winning streak to 78 games with a second straight national championship in April, becoming the first team to post consecutive unbeaten seasons. And Connecticut is a powerhouse again this season.
10. WOODEN DIES
The Wizard of Westwood died June 4 at the age of 99. John Wooden coached UCLA’s men’s basketball team to 10 NCAA championships, including seven in a row from 1967-73 and an 88-game winning streak.
Read More>>
It was late 2009 when Woods' pristine image unraveled after he crashed his SUV into a tree outside his home, unleashing salacious revelations of extramarital affairs. The story was a late addition to last year’s voting and wound up fifth.
But the twists and turns weren't over for Woods. Many more developments were still to unfold in 2010.
There were 176 ballots submitted from U.S. news organizations that make up the AP's membership. The voters were asked to rank the top 10 sports stories of the year, with the first-place story getting 10 points, the second-place story receiving nine points, and so on.
The Woods saga received 1,316 points, with the Saints' title getting 1,215 and the NBA free agency frenzy coming in third with 1,085.
Major League Baseball's ongoing travails with performance-enhancing drugs was the top story last year.
Here are 2010's top 10 stories:
1. TIGER WOODS
Woods returned to public view with a 13½-minute statement in February, then came back to golf at the Masters in April with a fourth-place finish. That would be one of his few highlights on the course - Woods went winless on the PGA Tour for the first time in his career and lost his No. 1 ranking for the first time in years. In August, he and Elin Nordegren divorced.
2. SAINTS WIN
New Orleans residents loved their Saints for not abandoning the city after Hurricane Katrina, but it was hard to imagine the team bringing much joy on the field after 42 mostly losing seasons. Then Drew Brees and Co. upset the mighty Indianapolis Colts in their first Super Bowl, to the delight of French Quarter revelers and fans nationwide who adopted the Saints.
3. FREE AGENCY FRENZY
NBA fans were captivated by the mystery of where MVP LeBron James and other marquee free agents would land. Few would have guessed that three of them would sign with the same team: the Miami Heat, who became basketball’s Evil Empire by adding James from Cleveland and Chris Bosh from Toronto to Dwyane Wade.
4. WORLD CUP
A World Cup of firsts ended gloriously for Spain and for Africa. South Africa hosted the continent’s first World Cup without the pitfalls many predicted. And the Spaniards brought home the first World Cup title to the soccer-mad country with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in extra time.
5. GIANTS WIN
The Giants hadn’t won the World Series since they moved to San Francisco in 1958 - and since 1954 overall. This didn’t seem to be the year to end the drought when they barely squeaked into the playoffs. But with dominant pitching and clutch hitting, they beat the Texas Rangers in five games.
6. NFL CONCUSSIONS
New posters distributed to teams before the season warned of concussions’ dangers in much harsher language than before. Another sign of how big the issue had become: increased reporting of concussions by players. Midseason, the NFL cracked down on helmet hits with huge fines and threatened suspensions.
7. JIMMIE JOHNSON
The NASCAR driver extended his record with his fifth straight Sprint Cup title. Perhaps most impressively, he did it despite not being in top form all season. Johnson became the first driver in the Chase’s seven-year history to overcome a points deficit in the finale.
8. BRETT FAVRE
This comeback was nothing like last year’s magical run to the NFC title game for the 41-year-old quarterback. His Minnesota Vikings struggled badly, and the NFL launched an investigation into whether he sent lewd photos of himself to a Jets employee. After voting began, his record streak of 297 starts ended.
9. UCONN WINS
The Huskies’ women’s basketball team extended their record winning streak to 78 games with a second straight national championship in April, becoming the first team to post consecutive unbeaten seasons. And Connecticut is a powerhouse again this season.
10. WOODEN DIES
The Wizard of Westwood died June 4 at the age of 99. John Wooden coached UCLA’s men’s basketball team to 10 NCAA championships, including seven in a row from 1967-73 and an 88-game winning streak.
Thursday Night YA/USMNT Link Drop
*Buddlestuff
*Buddle at Birmingham
*Hunter Freeman Joining the Houston Dynamo- A Yank Abroad No More
*American Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella on Trial with União Desportiva de Leiria in Portugal
*Birmingham show interest during trial
*Saad, McInerney lead U.S. Under-20s past Canada
*Sorting out prospects of Americans during January transfer season
*2011 Gold Cup venues and dates announced
Kljestan goes distance in Anderlecht win
*He went the full 90 in a 2-0 win over Hajduk Split.
*Highlights after the jump...
NCAA Football Betting – Badgers Look To End Horned Frogs’ Undefeated Run In Rose Bowl
There will be a different look to the longest tenured bowl in college football betting this season when Big Ten champions No. 5 Wisconsin battle the first BCS at large to ever compete in the Rose Bowl when they take on No. 3 TCU. The Horned Frogs earned their shot with the nation’s top-ranked defense, but will now have to prove their worth against the best offense they will have faced this year.Rose Bowl Game Presented By VIZIO
Wisconsin Badgers v. TCU Horned Frogs
Saturday January 1, 2011 – 5:00 PM ET
Online Sports Betting Odds: TCU - 3
Wisconsin and TCU actually finished tied for scoring with an average 43.3 points per game. That makes the argument for how much the schedules of smaller conference schools should factor in to BCS rankings a big factor in this game, as it would be a major blow should the Horned Frogs falter against a Big Ten champion.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Wisconsin
The Badgers were never projected to be this good offensively, and while Unitas award winner and quarterback Scott Tolzien is a big reason for the team’s success, the nation’s 12th-ranked running game is the biggest reason why Wisconsin is ranked fifth in the country. A mammoth offensive line that six All-Big Ten members has opened countless holes for the trio of James White, John Clay, and Montee Ball, each of whom finished the football betting year with over 880 yards rushing. The ground game helped open the skies for Tolzien, who finished with a 74.3-completion percentage- the best mark in the country. The Badgers didn’t allow any of their final four opponents to score more than 28, but will need to flex their defensive muscle against the high-scoring Horned Frogs.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: TCU
The Horned Frogs were dominant defensively this season, allowing an average of just 11.4 points per online football betting game, the best mark in the FBS. However, TCU’s defense is based on speed, and it will be difficult for them to match up against the much bigger Badgers. That will put even more pressure on senior Andrew Dalton who has thrown for 2, 638 yards and 26 touchdowns this year, while rushing for another 481 along with five touchdowns. The Horned Frogs will need running backs Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker to be at their best after they combined to help TCU average 261.2 yards per game.
The Match Up: Wisconsin v. TCU
While the Badgers are the much bigger team, the Horned Frogs will be determined to prove that their speed can match Wisconsin at every turn, and that will be the difference in this game. Look for TCU to swarm to the ball on defense, and open things up on offense with Dalton leading their explosive passing attack.
BSN Sports Pick: Horned Frogs - 3
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