Clint Dempsey 2010-11

March 30, 2011 - U-20 MNT 4, SUR 0 Highlight

March 30, 2011: U.S. U-20 MNT 4, Suriname 0 - Reactions

March Madness Picks: VCU Living On A Prayer in Final Four Against Butler

For as quick as people have been to criticize those that lobbied for a team other than the Virginia Commonwealth Rams to be included in the play-in for this year’s NCAA national title tournament, their fans may actually want to thank them. Nobody expected VCU to get in, but it seems as though they’ve used their doubters as motivation to play better than they did all year en route to a fourth place finish in the Colonial conference. Now comes their toughest test yet, a Final Four matchup against the Butler Bulldogs team that has shed the title of underdog in this year’s tournament to become a legitimate favorite.

Virginia Commonwealth Rams vs. Butler Bulldogs

Saturday April 4, 2011 – 6:09 PM ET

Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Online Sports Betting Odds: Butler – 3.5

That’s what happens when a team goes 9-1 in March Madness betting play over a two-year span, which is what the Bulldogs have done to earn a Final Four appearance for the second consecutive season. Butler beat three of the top four seeded teams in the Southeast to reach the national semi-final, and are focused on completing unfinished business.

March Madness Betting Preview: VCU

From an enthusiastic young head coach to a team that has simply lit it up from beyond the arc, everything about the Rams’ run to the Final Four has been exciting. Nobody will talk about how the first two teams they beat were really struggling, with both the Georgetown Hoyas and Purdue Boilermakers at the low point of their seasons entering tournament play. Nobody will talk about how they shot the lights out to survive a scare from a Florida State Seminoles’ team that was seeded just one spot higher, or how Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks always choke in the Elite Eight. The bottom line is that VCU is shooting better than they have all year, and their hot streak has made them one of the most dominant teams nobody predicted would be here.

March Madness Betting Preview: Butler

In order to succeed in this tournament, teams need to be able to perform under pressure, and that is exactly what the Bulldogs’ calling card has been the past two seasons. Despite struggling through the Horizon regular season, Butler came alive with a close win over the Old Dominion Monarchs, and were even better in a 71-70 victory over the top-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers. Butler isn’t the sharpshooting team that VCU has been in this tournament, preferring to grind it out with sports betting bonus opponents and wear them down inside. Perimeter defense will be the key to slowing down the Rams, and if they can do that the Bulldogs shouldn’t have a problem winning it with a strong inside game.

March Madness Betting: Outlook & Pick

The Rams have overachieved throughout the entire tournament, but there is only so long that they can continue to perform at such a high level. Butler represents the most physical team they will face, and should wear them down offensively, while giving them no space at the other end of the floor. VCU has been this year’s Cinderella team, but their road will end against a Bulldogs’ team that has unfinished pay per head business.

March Madness Betting Pick: Bulldogs – 3.5

US vs Paraguay - The Press/Blog Hangover

*A Home Loss To Paraguay Is Not A Good Result, And Four Other Thoughts on the USMNT March Friendlies

*Chandler shines in Paraguay loss, leads German-American invasion

*Three thoughts: U.S.-Paraguay

*Top 5 USMNT v Paraguay Afterthoughts

*What's the biggest positive you took from the USMNT's two friendlies?

*U.S.-Paraguay player ratings

*USA improves, but falls to tough Paraguay

*Ream's composure, passing impresses coaches, teammates in USA loss

*Post-Game Thoughts: Paraguay 1, USA 0

*Quote Sheet: U.S. MNT vs. Paraguay

March 29, 2011: MNT vs. PAR - Behind the Scenes: Jones Chance

March 29, 2011: MNT vs. PAR - Behind the Scenes: Bradley Chance

March 29, 2011: MNT vs. PAR - Reactions

March 29, 2011: MNT vs PAR Highlights

March 29, 2011: MNT 0, PAR 1 - Pregame Speech

PIXY STIX AND WATER.

BY: MATT CARLSON

Do you remember Pixy Stix?  I don’t even know if they sell them anymore, but when I was a kid it was like crack to us.  I used to get a little tremor just hearing the Good Humor man’s bells jingling on a summer day.  If you don’t know, Pixy Stix were thin paper tubes filled with a powder of sugar and artificial fruit flavor.  Their only real failing was that the tube would clog when it got wet, an indictment of the engineering department at Pixy Stix, Inc., who somehow forgot that the whole idea of Pixy Stix was for kids to put the tubes in their mouths.  Anyway, every kid who ever ate Pixy Stix, at some point got a hankering for Kool-Aid when there wasn’t any around.  Faced with this dilemma, every kid gets the idea to pour Pixy Stix into a cup of water to make homemade Kool-Aid.  Recently, I think Bob Bradley has been trying to make Kool-Aid out of Pixy Stix and water.

CONTINUE READING AFTER THE JUMP.

On paper, Pixy Stix and water ought to work.  It’s sugar, artificial flavor and water.  I’m no chemist, but isn’t that Kool-Aid?  Sadly, Pixy Stix and water did not taste like Kool-Aid.  If you fiddled with the ratios enough, it wasn’t too bad, but it still wasn’t as good as Kool-Aid.  If it never occurred to you to try this when you were a kid, you just weren’t using your brain.  In the same way, with the talent the USMNT has at midfield, Bob Bradley would not be doing his job if he did not try to find out if a formation with five midfielders could work.  In most of the Friendlies since the start of the World Cup cycle, Bradley has tried to get five midfielders onto the field at the same time (Argentina: 4-5-1; Chile: 4-2-3-1; Poland: 4-5-1/4-4-1-1; Colombia:  4-3-3/4-5-1).  Despite looking good on paper, the formations have been largely unsuccessful.

I have written before that I don’t think a five man midfield works for the current USMNT, so I won’t go into great detail here.  However, I did want to briefly address one thing I have heard a lot after these Friendlies.  The ineffectiveness of the five midfielder formations, is not, I repeat, not just because of one player.  This is a team issue.  To run any kind of formation with five midfielders in it, I think you need a legitimate target man, two fast and skilled wingers, a central midfield playmaker, defenders who can play possession and attack down the wings, players with good one-touch passing skills, and the discipline to stay in the formation.   The current USMNT does not have all of these elements.  This is not a slight on the USMNT players.  In fact, I think this is the most talented USMNT in my lifetime.  However, the five man midfield formations are not suited to the current USMNT’s strengths.  On the other hand, the 4-4-2 puts the current USMNT players in a better position to be successful given their skill set.  The improved play shown by the team after the change to the 4-4-2 formation in the second half of these Friendlies is evidence of that.

Still, even when the USMNT plays the 4-4-2, all is not perfect.  As seen in the Paraguay match last night, the USMNT will often dominate possession, but have difficulty unlocking the defense in the final third of the field to get that goal.  I believe this is because the USMNT does not have a creative playmaker in the central midfield -- someone who can complete passes, split the defense, who has vision, who has control, who can maintain possession, who is calm with the ball, and who can create chances for his teammates.  We haven't had one since Claudio Reyna.  So, the big question for me is why isn’t the USMNT actively trying to identify its #10 as it starts this new World Cup cycle?

While I applaud Bradley for trying new formations, I was hoping to see him hold open auditions for the #10 spot during these Friendlies.  I know Benny Feilhaber was injured for the Argentina and Paraguay Friendlies, but I wanted to see him, JoseTorres, and yes, I’m going to say it, Jonathan Spector, given a look in the #10 role during these past six games.  I know you can easily make a case against all of these guys.  Feilhaber’s play has been up and down and he has not continued on the upward trajectory I thought he was on after the 2007 Gold Cup.  Torres’ play for the USMNT and Pachuca in the past is also open to valid criticism.  Spector?  He’s in here because there are so few candidates and no stone should go unturned in the search.  (Also, Spector apparently can play every position, we just didn’t know it.  I heard he is now playing keeper for West Ham’s reserve team.)  I know that Feilhaber, Torres and Spector aren't world class #10’s.  I also understand that Edu/Jones/Bradley/Holden may be head-to-head better players than these three.  However, to be a good team, you do not need to get the eleven best players together, you need to get the eleven players who play the best together.  I believe that having an average #10 on the field would be better for this USMNT than having another good defensive midfielder out there.

Now, as part of the open auditions, I would want the #10 candidates to be given lots of rope.  While Feilhaber and Torres have had some chances in the past, I think Bradley gave them the hook too quickly and it affected their play.  In my opinion, you are not going to get a player's best if he thinks he's going to get yanked every time he makes a mistake.  That makes them play tentatively instead of with confidence, and you need loads of confidence to be an effective #10.  In future Friendlies, I would like Bradley just to hand any #10 candidates the keys to the car and tells them, "Go do your thing, I'm not taking you out for anything.  Complete 5% of your passes?  No problem!  Get repeatedly caught in possession in our end?  No sweat!  Make a no-look, backheel pass that nutmegs Tim Howard for an own goal?  Great!  The only way you’re coming out is for an injury or a red card.”  I would start with Benny “No Air” Feilhaber and go on down the list until someone shows they can handle the job better than anyone else.

What the USMNT has accomplished is fairly remarkable, in my opinion.  Without a #10, the USMNT has become a team that dominates in CONCACAF, is an automatic qualifier for the World Cup, and can even hang in matches against elite national teams from time to time.  The USMNT has now progressed to a point where the next level for it is to become one of the elite itself.  If you look at the elite national teams, they all have a #10 and I believe now is the time for the USMNT to go about finding its #10.  Until a legitimate #10 comes along, though, expect Bob Bradley to keep working hard to mix the Pixy Stix and water the best that he can.

March 29, 2011: Studio 90 with Michael Bradley

March 29, 2011: USA vs. PAR Press Conference

NHL Odds Preview for Tuesday March 29, 2011: Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Sports Betting Overview

A playoff atmosphere is in the air during March Madness betting and the stretch run for the NHL post-season. Every game in the NHL schedule counts, and that is especially true for games like this one between two teams battling for the same playoff spot. Both of these teams are looking to move up in the NHL standings, and both of these teams are doing the right things to make those moves happen.

The Buffalo Sabres hold down the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference NHL standings, but the Sabres are also only three points away from taking over sixth place. The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to make one last push as they sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Sabres by seven points. With only six games remaining, it is unlikely that the Toronto Maple Leafs will catch Buffalo. But if the players on the Maple Leafs want to be on the team next season, they will keep making a push as though the playoffs were within their reach.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are 6-3-1 on the last 10 games and are riding a three-game winning streak. In the last few games, Buffalo is getting excellent goaltending from former Vezina Trophy winner Ryan Miller. Miller is 4-0-1 in his last five games and that stretch includes two shutouts. Miller’s play has been solid behind a defense that is not playing so well, but the Buffalo offense has really picked up the pace in the last several games. The Sabres have brought their goal differential to +12, which is a dramatic improvement over where the team was at just after the all-star break. The team is still waiting for aggressive forward Patrick Kaleta to return to the line-up. But, in the meantime, pint-sized performers Nathan Gerbe and Tyler Ennis are causing plenty of headaches for the opposition.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs were keeping pace with the Sabres as early as a week ago. But while Buffalo was ripping off a three-game winning streak, the Leafs have had a difficult time putting two wins together. In the last 10 games, the Leafs are 5-4-1 and they just lost their most recent game which was against the Detroit Red Wings. A loss to Detroit is nothing to be ashamed of, but when you are chasing a team in the standings that keeps on winning then every game counts.

The Bottom Line

If the Leafs lose this game, then you can pretty much consider them out of the playoff hunt as it will put them nine points behind the high-flying Sabres with only five games left in the season. The Sabres are probably not going to catch Tampa Bay for fifth in the standings, but to climb to the sixth position in the Eastern Conference would be quite an accomplishment for a team that was out of the playoffs immediately after the all-star break.

BSNblog Pick: Buffalo Sabres

Congrats to Dempsey! - View all 10 goals

 

We neglected to get this up, but after netting against Everton, Clint Dempsey becomes the first American player to score ten Barclays Premier League goals in a season. View all ten goals after the jump...

Juan Agudelo vs. Argentina 03/26/2011

Tim Howard vs. Argentina 03/26/2011

March 26, 2011: USA vs. Argentina - Behind the Scenes (Short

March 28, 2011: Jozy Altidore Returns to Nashville

Adu plays the first half in a 2-2 draw with Altay

Adu with Rizespor
*He played the first half in a 2-2 draw with Altay.
*Highlights after the jump...

March 26, 2011: MNT 1, ARG 1 Mixed Zone

Yanks in Lower English Leagues: Simek and Grella (hit the post)

Grella with Swindon
*He hit the post in a 2-1 loss to Brighton.

Simek with Carlisle
*He went the distance in a 2-1 loss to Brentford.
*Highlights of both matches after the jump...

US vs Argentina - The Press/Blog Hangover

*Young Agudelo trends upward in U.S. draw against Argentina
*Three thoughts: U.S.-Argentina
*U.S.-Argentina player ratings
*Grading the U.S.'s performance
*Agudelo's equalizer, Howard's saves help USA overcome rough first half in 1-1 draw
*More thoughts on USA-Argentina
*U.S. 1 -1 Argentina: A Couple Quick Hits
*Agudelo continues run of form with performance against Argentina
*Top 5 US v Argentina Afterthoughts
*Chandler impresses in USMNT debut
*Tactical formation switch changes USMNT's fortunes against Argentina

USA Draws With Argentina, 1-1

New USA Red Jersey Media Preview

March 26, 2011: Indivisible

Is Clint Dempsey Superfly?

March 26, 2011: MNT vs. ARG - Press Conference

March 26, 2011: MNT vs. ARG - Behind the Scenes: Agudelo Goal

March 26, 2011: MNT vs. ARG - Behind the Scenes: Pre-game Huddle

March 26, 2011: MNT 1, ARG 1 - Highlights

US v Argentina - Highlights & Agudelo Interview

March 26, 2011: Juan Agudelo Goal

March 26, 2011: Bob Bradley and Landon Donovan Preview USA vs. ARG

Video: US Soccer Press Conference - Bob Bradley

March 26, 2011: MNT Ready to Face Argentina

US Soccer Press Conference: Landon Donovan 3/25/2

March 25, 2011: George Vecsey Behind the Scenes with the MNT

March 25, 2011: Jay DeMerit Tweets in Times Square

March 24, 2011: Academy Coaches and Technical Advisors Visit MNT Training

March 25, 2011: MNT Recounts 2008 Match vs. Argentina

A STROKE OF GENIUS

BY:  MATT CARLSON

I spent a lot of time working on an article about how to handle the USMNT midfield for the upcoming Friendlies and the Gold Cup, but circumstances forced me to change my plans.  Thank you, Jonny Evans.  I did not let this get me down, though, because I know the story of chemist, and fellow genius, William Perkin.

CONTINUE READING AFTER THE JUMP.

In 1856, William Perkin was working on a cure for malaria, but his experiments were unsuccessful.  However, as Perkin examined the glob of goo he created, he saw the color mauve.  Yes, mauve.  Long story short, Perkin had accidentally created the first synthetic dye.  Such was the importance of this discovery, that Perkin continued to work on his synthetic dyes and even developed one of the first perfumes.  Sure, people still died from malaria, but their clothes looked more vibrant and they smelled much nicer while they suffered.  What does his story teach us?  Well, aside from the fact that Perkin choose to make money over helping humanity, it teaches us that it takes a true genius to see the potential in a failure.

Just like Perkin, I found myself staring at the glob of nonsense that my article had become and I saw my mauve.  I was so excited that I ran down the street naked yelling, “Eureka!”  Unfortunately, the local authorities hadn’t heard of Archimedes.  Undeterred, I set to writing this article immediately after my release from custody.  Since the start of the new World Cup cycle, many USMNT fans have been spending a lot of energy trying to come up with a way to squeeze five midfielders into the starting eleven.  Others have been trying to figure out the left back situation.  Still, others have been banging away on what formation to play.  While we’ve been focusing on these issues, we may have missed the answer to all of our questions.  What’s the answer?  Forget five midfielders -- let’s go with five forwards!  Think I am nuts?  Well, don’t look now, but there are five forwards in the USMNT pool building a case for a starting spot on the USMNT.

First, let’s look at the veterans.  I recently wrote that Clint Dempsey should play one of the forward spots (http://watchsocceronline.blogspot.com/2011/01/you-could-be-part-time-model.html), so I won’t go into it again.  As for Jozy Altidore, everyone has been saying for over two years now that all Jozy needs is playing time.  Well, he is getting it now in Turkey and is doing well by all accounts.  Edson Buddle had seventeen goals in twenty five games last year, and frankly, I wanted to see more of him in South Africa.  I think he produced in the limited minutes he had with the USMNT in 2010.  Remember that rocket against Australia? 

As for the new guys, did you see Juan Agudelo last weekend?  His composure, his passing, his speed, his ability and desire to take on defenders, and his strength on the ball continue to impress me.  I don’t want to overhype him.  I want to be rational.  I want to be careful to keep things in perspective, but I must say Agudelo’s production rate is amazing.  In his fifty eight minutes with the USMNT, Agudelo has scored and drawn a penalty.  He is also on pace to score 30 goals this year, which would break the MLS single season scoring record!  While Agudelo’s production is certainly amazing, Charlie Davies is making Agudelo’s numbers look pedestrian.  Did you see Davies’ debut for DC United?  I know Davies was not called up for this weekend’s Friendlies, but he should have been.  Again, I am not prone to hyperbole, but if Davies continues at his current rate of scoring one goal every nineteen minutes, he will score an astounding one hundred forty two goals in MLS this season!  The all-time MLS scoring leader Jaime Moreno only scored 132 in his entire career!  In my opinion, you just cannot leave that kind of production off the roster.

So, with all of this talent what do you do?  You could just run a 4-4-2 and make the five of them compete and earn their place in the team, but don’t you want to play attacking soccer?  I say we need to find a way to get all five forwards on the field, and that is going to take some outside the box thinking.  Fortunately, I have already done all of this thinking for you.  I say the USMNT should implement a 3-3-5 formation.  This formation is so outside the box that I cannot think of a single professional club or national team that runs it.  The beauty of going with a 3-3-5 for the USMNT is that it will simultaneously and completely end the “who should start in the midfield debate” and the equally maddening “who should start at left back debate.”  How will it do that?  Well, Holden is out, Dempsey moves to a forward spot, and running a 1-5-5 would be ridiculous.

The critics will say, “We’ll concede too many goals with this formation.”  My retort is, “Who cares?”  The average goals per game in the 2010 World Cup was a measly 2.27.  With these five guys in the attack, I figure we're going to score around seven a game.  We’ll be the soccer version of the Loyola Marymount basketball teams under Paul Westhead.  Also, I can tell you from personal experience that the 3-3-5 can work defensively if done properly.  I played center back in this system on my U-12 team.  Now, in my estimation Oguchi Onyewu is conservatively around one hundred eighty six times better at soccer than I was at age eleven.  The same goes for everyone else that plays fullback for the USMNT.  As a result, playing a three man backline should be no problem for the USMNT defenders.  The biggest obstacle to running the 3-3-5 is Bob Bradley.  Bradley is so stuck in his ways that he would never do it.  Klinsmann would do it, though.  He would definitely do it.  If Sunil Gulati hadn’t totally messed up the hiring of Klinsmann, we would be running the 3-3-5 right now.  How long are we going to have to pay for that mistake?!

I know some of you may laugh at what I suggest.  Laugh if you will, but remember the words of the great Austin Millbarge who once said, “We mock what we do not understand.”  Think about that.  While you’re thinking about that, I will be thinking of ways to get six forwards onto the field.  Why?  Well, we’re going to have to do something once Teal (I like that) Bunbury comes back, aren’t we?  Now, that is going to take some real genius.

India's Sachin Tendulkar falls shy of 100th ton but racks up 18,000 one-day runs

Sachin Tendulkar, India's in-form batting maestro, missed a chance to score his 100th international hundred when he fell short in the World Cup quarter-final against Australia.

Tendulkar, 37, looked in sublime form during his 68-ball innings, hitting seven fours on his way to 53. It was his 94th one-day half-century for India.

Tendulkar edged paceman Shaun Tait to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin in the 19th over and had started walking when umpire Marais Erasmus called him back while he confirmed the legality of the delivery.

Once the replays showed that the delivery was legal, Tendulkar walked away, much to the disappointment of the frenzied crowd packed in to the Sardar Patel stadium for India's do-or-die encounter.

Nevertheless, the veteran batsman, playing his sixth World Cup and probably his last, completed 18,000 one-day runs in the process, consolidating his position as the most prolific one day batsman of all time.

Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya is second with 13,428 runs, while Australian captain Ricky Ponting is third on 13,288.

Read More >>

08 Fotboll talk briefly about Gale Agbossoumonde

March 24, 2011: Inside the Lines - U-20 MNT

March 24, 2011: Inside the Lines - MNT

March Madness Betting – Defending National Champions Battle Wildcats for Spot in Elite Eight

The top seed from the West region will look to continue its run to repeat as defending national champions when the Duke Blue Devils clash with the Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 this Thursday. The Blue Devils narrowly escaped a scare from the Michigan Wolverines in a 73-71 third round win, and it won't get any easier for the March Madness betting favorites when they take on this year's PAC-10 champions.

Arizona Wildcats vs. Duke Blue Devils

Thursday March 23, 2011 – 9:45 PM ET

Honda Center, Anaheim, California

Online Sports Betting Odds: Duke Blue Devils – 8.5

The Blue Devils got a boost from the return of Kyrie Irving to the lineup, but coach K will tread carefully as he looks to work one of his best players back into his game plan without disrupting the chemistry they put together en route to an ACC title this year.

March Madness Betting Preview: Arizona

While Irving's return had attracted the bulk of the sports betting bonus attention, the Wildcats will be keyed in on reigning ACC MVP Nolan Smith, who has averaged 21.3 points per game and 5.2 assists this season. Smith scored a game-high 24 points in the win over Michigan, and if Arizona can slow him down it could leave the Blue Devils vulnerable. The Wildcats have their own superstar in Derrick Williams, who has emerged as one of the top player's in this year's tournament. Williams had the game-saving block in Arizona's win over Memphis in the second round, and then followed that up with a massive three-ball in the upset of the Texas Longhorns.

March Madness Betting Preview: Duke

Irving scored just 11 points against the Wolverines, but there is no doubt that coach K is confident in his ability to deliver with the game on the line. Kyle Singler has emerged as the perfect compliment next to Smith, including the 13 points and eight rebounds he registered against Michigan. If Irving can find his form without hurting the chemistry between Smith and Singler, than Duke will easily make it through to the Elite Eight. The Blue Devils shot over 50-percent as a team in their most recent win, and never trailed in the second half. Duke has enough talent to outscore Williams and the Wildcats' offense, and coach K knows his team's focus has to be on offense.

March Madness Betting: Outlook & Pick

While the Blue Devils cannot afford to let Williams run wild, their pay per head focus will have to be on scoring. Duke has one of the best triple threats in the tournament with Smith, Singler, and Irving, but they will need to find a way to perform together in order to get the job done. Arizona has been fortunate to survive through their first two games, but that run will come to an end against the defending national champions.

March Madness Betting Pick: Duke Blue Devils – 8.5

March 23, 2011: Jay DeMerit - Back in Action

March 23, 2011: MNT Players Make Headlines in Europe

Charlie Davies: The Miracle in RFK

Rise and Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story - Trailer

March 22, 2011: Training Begins in Cary as MNT Prepares for Argentina

NHL Odds for Tuesday March 22, 2011: New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins

Online Sports Betting Overview

Many people who bet on March Madness have also been keeping tabs on the race for the NHL playoffs. No matter how the sportsbook promo experts do the math, the New Jersey Devils’ amazing second-half of the season run will come up short as far as a playoff spot goes. But the betting services know that the New Jersey players are all playing for spots on next year’s team and, if next year’s team is anything like this team was, then the Devils will be a Stanley Cup force next season.

The Boston Bruins are hovering around that first-place slot in the Northeastern Division. Right now, the Bruins hold on to the top spot in the division by one point over the Montreal Canadiens. But the Canadiens are surging and the Bruins need wins to stay ahead in the race. With team captain Zdeno Chara going down to a leg injury in the last Bruins’ game, things do not look good for the team from Bean Town.

New Jersey Devils

On December 23, 2010, the New Jersey Devils were dead last in the NHL with only nine wins out of more than 30 games. That is the day that former Devils head coach Jacques Lemaire took over as this season’s interim head coach. Ever since then, the Devils have made the long and difficult climb into playoff contention putting together winning streaks of eight and nine games at a time. The Devils are 7-3-0 in the last 10 games and seven points out of a playoff spot. It does not look like the Devils will have enough time to get themselves into the playoffs, but they can make life miserable for the Bruins as the Devils try to keep right on winning.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins are 4-3-3 in their last 10 games and trying desperately to hold off the Montreal Canadiens for the Northeast Division lead. But the Bruins are starting to show signs of trouble that is very similar to last season. Even though he has had a Vezina-caliber season, goaltender Tim Thomas is not playing well lately. The Bruins would like to turn to Tuukka Rask, as they did last season, but Rask has been unstable lately. Thomas was pulled in the Bruins loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Rask was put in goal. But when the Leafs scored on Rask’s seventh shot against, the young goalie exploded on his defense and Thomas was put back in net. Things are coming a bit unhinged in Boston.

The Bottom Line

The New Jersey Devils are a disciplined hockey machine right now, and the Boston Bruins are not. The Bruins need to get themselves under control or they may find themselves with a first-round playoff exit this year. But this game is one that will slip away from the Bruins and show the New Jersey fans that there is a lot to look forward to for next season.

BSNblog Free Pick: New Jersey Devils

Altidore plays the 2nd half in a 0-0 draw with Ankaragucu

Altidore with Bursaspor
*He played the 2nd half in a 0-0 draw with Ankaragucu.
*Highlights after the jump...

March 21, 2011: MNT Arrives in Cary

Charlie Davies - The Return

Charlie Davies post-match interview

Yank Abroad: Obama Plays Soccer

To win the World Cup, you have to beat them all: Yuvraj

Agar harenge to pata hain humein kya hone walah hain!' (If we lose we know what's in store). Yuvraj Singh was laughing when he said that. But he gave the impression along the course of a media conference after the match on Sunday that he was fighting a battle for the team against the Indian media.

"Don't you think you are not practising enough?" somebody asked him the question and that added fuel to the fire. "We know our bodies, we know how to go about it...It's the media that is saying we are not practising. It's your problem, not ours," it seemed that Yuvraj was carrying the mood of his batting to the press conference room.

The left-hander looked relieved that he has delivered the goods just when it mattered. This was his first international century after a gap of two years and he wants to take the good form into the quarterfinal against Australia. "Obviously, I am feeling good about it...Wickets, runs...I think it's all going well," Yuvi's answers were short, crisp and incisive.

Now they are up against Australia and when somebody asked whether they would have preferred some other team in the quarters, Yuvi shot back. "Boss, if we have to win the World Cup, we have to beat every team...It doesn't matter if we are playing Australia or Sri Lanka."

Aussies have three quicks in Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson in the line-up. So, will the short ball be a problem? "We wouldn't have been the No. 1 Test playing nation and No. 2 ODI nation if we struggled against the short ball...Don't say such things to me," Yuvi seemed to pull the query out of the park.

India are going off the boil a number of times and there was a situation on Sunday as well when the bowlers struggled to get that breakthrough. When asked about it, the left-hander said that it's a matter of keeping the faith in the bowlers.

"When things get tough, it's important that we don't lose confidence in the bowlers...We knew somebody or the other will strike when it matters and that's what happened. Zaheer got two, I got a couple, and we finally won the match," Yuvraj said.

Read More >>

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - Yanks Abroad Weekend Recap

The Good
*Adu scored for Rizespor
*Dempsey scored for Fulham though they lost 2-1
*Whitbread scored for Norwich as Guzano made a mess of it
*Edu helped Rangers win the League Cup
*Davies officially begins his comeback with 2 goals
*Bedoya scores a nice goal in preseason

The Bad
*Chandler is sent off with two yellows (second one was very questionable)
*Stuart Holden's changing accent

The Ugly
*Holden is injured with a poor challenge from Evans
*Guzan allows Whitbread to score with some poor keeping
*Lichaj scored an own goal in a 2-0 loss

Video: Conquer Setback - Charlie Davies

Yanks Abroad Leftovers: Bocanegra, Starikov, Feilhaber, & Rolfe

Starikov with Tom Tomsk
*He played the first half in a 1-0 loss to Kuban Krasnodar.

Feilhaber with AGF
*He played the first half in a 2-0 win over Hobro IK.

Bocanegra with St. Etienne
*He went the distance in a 0-0 draw with Lorient.

Rolfe with Aab
*He played the first half in a 2-1 win over Lyngby.

There have been a few weeks in which I have left some people out so I am going to try to do a post of Yanks Abroad Leftovers of highlights that I missed instead of doing an individual post for each one. Anyone else I missed this week? Let me know. Highlights of these matches after the jump...

Starikov


Feilhaber


Bocanegra


Rolfe
Highlights here: http://tv2sport.dk/node/74810

Yanks in Lower English Leagues: Johnson, Grella, Simek & Lichaj

Simek with Carlisle
*He went the full 90 in a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

Johnson with PNE
*He went 74 minutes in a 2-1 win over Coventry City.

Grella with Swindon
*He went 66 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield.

Lichaj with Leeds
*He went the distance in a 2-0 loss to Sheffield United.

All highlights after the jump...

Lichaj

Simek

Grella

Johnson

Video: Alejandro Bedoya Nice Preseason Goal Against Elfsborg

MOTD Highlights of Yanks in the EPL: Holden, Howard, Jones, Dempsey & Friedel

Here are yesterday's highlights. Some good (Dempsey), some bad (Holden). Enjoy!

Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool by jordanip

Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers by jordanip

Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers by oodinjeta

Edu helps Rangers defeat Celtic 2-1 to win the Co-operative Insurance Cup

Edu with Rangers
*He went the full 120 minutes in a 2-1 win over Celtic.
*Highlights after the jump...

Whitbread scores on Guzan in a 1-1 draw

Whitbread with Norwich and Guzan with Hull
*Zak scored and Brad made 7 saves in a 1-1 draw.
*Highlights after the jump...

Adu scores for Rizespor in a 2-0 win over Akhisar Belediye Genclik Ve Spor

Adu with Rizespor
*He scored in a 2-0 win over Akhisar Belediye Genclik Ve Spor.
*Highlights after the jump...



Credit to john derksen for gif

Akhisar Belediyespor - Çaykur Rizespor Adu'nun1... by tunustan

Video: Davies Post Game Interview

Davies scores 2 in his debut for DC United

As I said before in an earlier post, I am going to keep tabs on Charlie this year even though he is no longer a Yank Abroad. Two goals in his first competitive match since the accident. Can we say he is back? Maybe not yet, but not a bad start. Highlights after the jump...

Cherundolo helps Hannover in 2-0 win over Hoffenheim

Cherundolo with Hannover
*He went the distance in a 2-0 win over Hoffenheim.
*Highlights after the jump...

Friedel makes 2 saves in a 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton

Friedel with Aston Villa
*He made 2 saves in a 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton.
*Bradley was on the bench yet again.
*Highlights after the jump...




szólj hozzá: A0-1W

Chandler gets sent off in a 3-1 loss to Werder Bremen

Chandler with Werder Bremen
*He got 2 yellow cards in a 3-1 loss to Werder Bremen.
*Second yellow card is at 1:45 in the clip. Very very very harsh.
*Highlights after the jump...

Holden injured in Bolton's 1-0 loss to Manchester United (extended highlights)

Holden with Bolton
*He was taken off in the 78th minute in a 1-0 loss to Manchester United.
*Video of the Holden's injury.
*Highlights after the jump...




Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers by Globajeez

Dempsey scores on Howard in 2-1 loss to Everton

Dempsey with Fulham and Howard with Everton
*Clint scored in a 2-1 loss to Everton.
*Highlights after the jump...


Clint's goal:

Full highlights:

szólj hozzá: E2-1F

Johnny Evans’ Red Card Tackle On Stuart Holden

<br/><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/jonny-evans-dangerous-tackle/12unea41?src=v5:embed:&fg=sharenoembed" target="_new"title="Jonny Evans Dangerous Tackle">Video: Jonny Evans Dangerous Tackle</a>

Charlie Davies interview

Sania-Vesnina in Indian Wells doubles final

India's Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina of Russia blasted past Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-0, 6-4 in the semifinals of the $4.5-million Indian Wells WTA event late on Thursday.

In the title round on Saturday, the Indo-Russian pairing, who are yet to drop a set in the tournament, will play the American combine of Bethanie-Mattek Sands and Meghan Shaugnessy.

Read More >>

Buddle goes 76 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin

Buddle with FC Ingolstadt
*He went 76 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin.
*Highlights after the jump...

Gatt and Molde lose opening game 3-0 to Sarpsborg

Gatt with Molde
*He played in a 3-0 loss to Sarpsborg.
*Highlights after the jump...

 

Stuart Holden on Bolton's Utd test

Akhtar fastest bowler I have ever faced: Ponting

Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Friday hailed retiring Pakistani tearaway pacer Shoaib Akhtar as an outstanding cricketer and the fastest bowler he has ever faced.

"Congratulations to him for being an outstanding cricketer," Ponting said of Akhtar who on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket after the ongoing World Cup.

"I had some great duels with Shoaib over the years. To this day I always said he is the fastest bowler I have faced in international cricket," said Ponting of Akhtar, who broke the 100mph barrier in 2003.

Ponting said particularly he remembered a fierce spell from Akhtar at Perth in 1999.

"There's one spell that everyone can watch on internet of him bowling to me at WACA. That was reasonably entertaining - more so for Justin Langer, who was at the other end laughing at me all the time when I was trying to keep Shoaib's deliveries out. He was express pace, a very good bowler," the Australian said.

Ponting lamented the fact that Akhtar had a injury-prone career, which had reduced his international appearances.

"Over the years he's had his fair share of injuries that have not allowed him to play as much as he would have liked. But even in this tournament so far, you can see that he's still got it with the new ball. He still has good pace, and his experience has helped him at different times as well," he said.

Akhtar returned the compliments, describing Ponting as one of the best batsmen he had ever played against.

"I admire the way Ponting bats. He is one of my favourites, like Brian Lara and Adam Gilchrist," said Akhtar.

Read more >>