Archive for August, 2011

News in brief

WED. Aug 31 (PM): Transfers Deadline, Holden’s Back, and Bradley

The most exiting day for soccer fans when the best match is a Carling Cup match between Leyton Orient and Bristol Rovers is almost over. With money, players, and agents busy traveling across Europe here are some of today biggest transfers. By the way Leyton would go on to win the match 3-2 with a goal by Stephen Dawson in the 90th minute.

Arsenal spent the day trying to improve their squad signing Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Yossi Benayoun, and Mikel Arteta. The new players for Arsenal will be much needed help for a club that is struggling. The question will still remain if they are good enough to help Arsene Wenger keep his job.

Craig Bellamy is heading back to Liverpool, and Raul Meireles is leaving Liverpool to play for Chelsea. 

A smart move for Michael Bradley with the American midfielder moving to play for Chievo. Serie A should be a perfect fit for Bradley’s talents.

The strangest transfer of the day goes to Manchester City signing Owen Hargreaves.

Stuart Holden returned to action playing for the Bolton reserves after his horrific knee injury. It will be good to see Holden  wearing the USA kit soon.

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United States

WED. Aug. 31 (AM): Transfer News, USOC, Manchester Success

Happy Transfer Deadline Day! Who’s moved so far: Joe Cole to Lille, Bryan Ruiz to Fulham, Owen Hargreaves to City. Who’s close to moving: Shaun Wright-Phillips to QPR, Cameron Jerome to Stoke City. Join the Guardian for the rest of your up-to-the-minute updates.

In USOC action, Freddy Montero scored to send the Seattle Sounders past FC Dallas 1-0 into the USOC Final. There, they’ll meet the Chicago Fire, who downed Richmond 2-1. (more…)

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Featured, United States, World Cup 2014, World Cup 2018/2022

Costa Rica Is Klinsmann’s Opportunity

These next two friendlies, the first real ones of the Jurgen Klinsmann era, will tell us more about the United States under Zee German than the Mexico match did. The game against the bitter rivals showed a group that wanted to play for its new coach, that was excited to play for its new coach, and a manager who had rekindled the flame that was lacking near the end of Senor Bradley’s tenure.

Now, stage two (of many).

And while it’s too early for referendums on players or the coach – decision time will come, people, I promise – the next two matches offer a nice little window into the new world of American soccer.

Here’s a theory: The Costa Rica tilt will tell us more than the Belgium one. (more…)

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United States

TUES Aug. 30 (PM): Michael Bradley to Chievo, Stu Holden Returns, Shock Transfers

Big news for USMNT supporters as Michael Bradley has finally found a home. The midfielder is headed to Chievo, a small club in the Italian suburb of Verona, reportedly for two years. The ShinGuardian examines what they call a lateral move for Bradley the Younger.

In other transfer news, Arsene Wenger is attempting to stop the bleeding at Arsenal by adding Werder Bremen’s Per Mertesacker, South Korea striker Park Chu-young and Brazilian defender Andre Santos. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Joe Cole has been linked to a shock move to Lille, and Owen Hargreaves looks poised to move to Manchester City after four years on Manchester United’s bench. (more…)

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United States

Overthinking the WPS

A pretty great soccer game went down this weekend. The 8-2 Man U-Arsenal massacre? Well, yeah, that was pretty good. The 5-1 City win over Tottenham? Yeah, City is going to be terrifying this year. But, that’s not it.

On Saturday afternoon, the Western New York Flash defeated the Philadelphia Independence 5-4 on penalties in the WPS Championship game.

At the risk of overdoing it on the “that women’s soccer game was perfect” thing, it was a pretty outstanding game. Two teams composed of virtual all-stars, went at it in a rough, fiery, dramatic battle that came down to penalty kicks.

But almost immediately, the focus has shifted from the greatness of the game to the future of the WPS. It’s a little frustrating that every great play that occurs in the league is immediately converted into a dollars and cents equivalent, or spun to fit a marketing angle. (more…)

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United States

TUES August 30: Transfer madness, USOC semifinals, dancing Solo

It’s transfer madness as the European window is about to slam shut. One guy who won’t be making a move is George John, who is sticking with FC Dallas after he and Blackburn couldn’t work out an agreement. He’s back with FCD and hoping to win championships (see later).

Guys who might be making a move include Clint Dempsey, who has been linked with Sevilla among others. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay, United Kingdom

Welbeck injury provides reprieve for Sir Alex’s forward “problem”

Sir Alex Ferguson has a problem. He just has too many awesome forwards. He said as much last week, and that was before his team went and put up 8 on Arsenal, a tally high enough to beat most Big Ten football teams.

It almost sounds like some sort of clever prank, like a viral marketing campaign sure to reveal some sort of punch line sooner or later. Side after side in the EPL need forwards. Arsene Wenger would probably swear off puffy jackets for good to get someone in the squad to complement Robin van Persie. Stoke and Fulham don’t seem to even have any forwards on their roster. Swansea is yet to score in three matches. (more…)

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News in brief

MON Aug. 29 (AM): Big Wins, John, Cunningham, and Blatter

8-2. 8-2. While Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene left many parts of the East Coast in ruins, Arsenal – far away from the winds and rain - were left devastated by a rampant Manchester United Side. 8-2. Not since 1896 had Arsenal given up as many goals. The thrashing has Gunners legends upset, Pep Guardiola defending the coach, Arsene Wenger “hurt,” and additions needed by the end of the transfer window on Wednesday. One addition will do little to calm the growing lack of confidence Arsenal fans have for their boss. Park Chu-young joins from Monaco.

Not to worry, though. Arsenal will also be selling another defender.

United wasn’t the only club in town enjoying the weekend. City and newcomer Samir Nasri crushed Tottenham and want-away Luka Modric.

Not to be outdone by the British giants, Real Madrid debuted with a 6-0 win over Real Zaragoza. Kaka, among the scorers, has revealed he doesn’t expect to head anywhere in this transfer window.

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United States

Costa Rica, Belgium Rosters Released For U.S. Friendly

The U.S. men’s national team faces two very different foes next week when they play Costa Rica and Belgium on September 2 and 6 respectively.

Both rosters are now out, and it’s a chance to see who the U.S. roster will be playing against.

Belgium is a hotbed of young talent, continually underachieving despite having some very big names. A number of those players will be on display – Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen, Romelu Lukaku when they host the U.S. on Sep. 6. Eden Hazard is another name to look out for, although he might not play after getting in hot water with his coach earlier in the year – but was called into the squad nonetheless.

On the other hand, Costa Rica is a regional rival that has decent players to call, and a number of MLS-based players will be there – including Rodney Wallace of the Portland Timbers, who could be making his international debut. Both rosters are after the jump.

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United States

FRI Aug 26 (AM): Irene, CCL, Europa, EPL, and MLS

The 10Kit’s resident meteorologist has some ill-tidings from the storm lab. With Hurricane Irene causing a collective freak out along the eastern seaboard, MLS has had to reschedule some of its weekend matches. Here’s the lowdown.

Irene, however, appears to be a budding MLS fan. By postponing Sunday’s Los Angeles v. New York showdown, the windy she-devil allowed Bruce Arena to start his preferred lineup (with Landon Donovan and David Beckham) rather than rest them for the weekend match. The Galaxy took advantage, beating the Costa Rican side Alajuelense 2-0. Highlights.

EUROPA League groups were drawn. Carlos Bocanegra, Alejandro Bedoya, and Maurice Edu are out despite Bocanegra’s goal in a losing effort Thursday. Jonathan Spector, Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel, Jozy Altidore (who added two more goals Thursday), Sacha Kljestan, Jermaine Jones, Oguchi Onyewu, and Steve Cherundolo will represent American players in the tournament.

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