Posts Tagged ‘EPL’

U.S. Soccer, United Kingdom

Dempsey-Gazing Provides New American Pastime

There’s a new event that has sports fans in the United States buzzing with excitement. It performs especially well in the coveted males 18-49 demographic, and its numbers see a high spike among those who identify themselves as casual or passionate fans of soccer.

Gather ’round the tele, kids. It’s time for some Dempsey-Gazing.

As you probably already know, Clint Dempsey is having a fantastic season in the Barclay’s Premier League with Fulham. As his goal tally continues to rise faster than the price of unleaded gasoline, fans and members of the media speculate more and more and Dempsey’s future.

You may have heard he has one more year left on his deal with the Cottagers, but he’s said hoping to play Champions League football. Fulham’s options appear to be sell him this summer and reap a financial gain or keep Dempsey another year and then lose him on a free transfer.

Dempsey has also said he’d prefer not to relocate his family. This has led many to conclude that Dempsey is bound for Arsenal, Tottenham or perhaps even Chelsea this summer – a prospect that seems to have the American soccer community in a tizzy. (more…)

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United Kingdom

Are Man United vulnerable? And other questions that will be answered this weekend in the EPL

JON ARNOLD – The Premier League is heating up, with the league title once again looking more like an actual race than a sprint to the end by Manchester United. Let’s take a look at some questions that will be (or might be) answered in each of this weekend’s fixtures:

Manchester United v. Manchester City

Are Man United vulnerable?

Last weekend taught us the Red Devils are beatable, but this weekend will tell us far more about the vulnerability of the Premier League leaders. Dropping a game away to bottom-of-the-table Wolves can be seen as a sort of throw-away. A loss against cross-town rival and title contender Man City won’t be taken so kindly. Whatever happens United will still emerge from this weekend atop the league, but how long they’ll stay there will almost certainly be determined by this result. (more…)

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News in brief

TUES Jan. 25 (AM) Uruguayans on the move (or not), more suspensions at Sky, Portland’s official

Transfer drama continues, most notably this morning is Ajax, who are just asking for a little respect from Liverpool as the Merseyside squad tries to sign Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Perhaps the lack of respect is part of why the deal has apparently stalled.

Suarez’s strike partner at the world cup Diego Forlan won’t be moving stateside any time soon, at least not as a member of the Seattle Sounders.

Chelsea is looking to to bolster its defense and sign Benfica defender David Luiz. Ancelotti says he’s interested, but isn’t sure the Blues can sign him during this window.

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News in brief

WED Dec. 15 (AM): On MLS, Agudelo, Spector, FIFA, EPL, and the Club World Cup

Stage 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft begins today at 2:00 PM ET. While only two players – Joseph Ngwenya to DC United and Aaron Hohlbein to Columbus – were selsected in the Round 1, the second stage figures to have more activity as teams are allowed to negotiate contracts with the the players they select.  A list of the available players here.

Emerging Red Bulls and US National Team star Juan Agudelo has caught the eye of some European clubs – including Atletico Madrid – following performances in South Africa and an undefeated trip with Generation Adidas to Spain. The Red Bulls however, aren’t ready to lose their newest talent, and have issued a statement to those eyeing the young forward:  they are “not selling players at this time.”

Just when it looked like Jonathan Spector’s days in the Premiership were numbered, the USMNT defender has found new life as a midfielder and could soon be signing a new contract with West Ham United.

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News in brief

MON Nov. 29 (AM): On WC Bidding, El Clasico, EPL, and the Women’s WC

With FIFA’s decision as to who will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups just three days away, the BBC takes a look at the challenges that Brazil, the 2014 host, are facing.

Three more FIFA executives are facing corruption claims following a report issued by two European papers.

Soccer America breaks the whole voting process down.

David Beckham is hoping one last effort on his part will be enough to bring the World Cup to England for 2018.

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What We're Watching

What We’re Watching this Weekend

In a season that began with Chelsea threatening to run away with the title, the Blues have come back to earth in recent weeks as goals – which used to be scored seemingly at will – have proved difficult for the defending champions. The Premier League season has provided plenty of surprises and upsets, leaving we the spectators with little idea of how the rest of the season will play out. Injuries, inconsistencies, and inexplicable coaching decisions has meant plenty of controversy while making sure no team has been predictable or safe in any fixture. A look at what we’ll be tuning into this weekend.

England

Arsenal v. Tottenham (Sat. 7:45 AM ET): The Gunners host the Spurs in a north-London derby that has more than just bragging rights riding on it. Arsenal could claim first this weekend, while Tottenham would love to show some consistency with a strong display at the Emirates.

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News in brief

WED Nov. 10 (AM): On Derbies, MLS, EPL, and Friendlies

With MLS playoffs on hold until the weekend, footy lovers will have to make do with some more Premier League action. Tottenham’s poor form following their historic win over Inter Milan continued Tuesday, as they drew with Sunderland in London. Rafael Van der Vaart’s second half strike was cancelled out just three minutes later after Asamoah Gyan took advantage of a back-line error from William Gallas and Younes Kaboul. Following the match, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp expressed his surprise at the boos coming from the White Hart Lane faithful.

Today’s matches include Clint Dempsey and Co., who take on Chelsea in a London derby – a fixture the Texan has enjoyed in the past. The match of the day, however, belongs to another derby: the Manchester Derby. Jonathan Wilson explores the fixture.

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News in brief

MON Nov. 7 (AM): On MLS, Najar, EPL, and Europe

The reigning champions are done, the star-studded Red Bulls are staying home along with the only other Eastern Conference representation, and the Qwest field faithful will no longer be able to urge on their beloved Sounders. Round-one of the MLS playoffs has concluded, with only one top-seed emerging victorious from the carnage. LA survived Sunday evening’s match against Seattle with a comfortable win thanks to early goals from Edson Buddle and Omar Gonzalez. Both goals came courtesy David Beckham assists, and while Steve Zakuani managed to get one back late for the Sounders, it was too little too late. LA will host FC Dallas on November 14, while San Jose heads to Colorado on the 13th for the Eastern (yes) Conference finals. Best of the weekend’s – and Thursday’s – action.

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What We're Watching

What We’re Watching This Weekend

There isn’t much left to play for in the MLS regular season with all eight post-season births locked up. However, the Western Conference crown is still up for the taking, so Real Salt Lake will head to Colorado (Sat. 9:00 PM ET) looking for three points to make sure the pressure is LA when they host FC Dallas (Sun. 8:00 PM ET). Real sit one point behind LA heading into the final fixture of the regular season.

England

Tottenham v. Everton (Sat. 7:45 AM ET): Time Howard and Everton will look to continue there progress up the table when they head to White Hart Lane to face the Spurs and Gareth Bale, currently in scintillating form. 3:54 is a good place to start.

Chelsea v. Wolves (Sat. 10:00 AM ET): Like Barcelona, Chelsea’s scoring prowess might be required viewing at this point, especially against relegation battlers like Wolves. They may not have Messi or Xavi, but Drogba and Co. are fun to watch.

Sunderland v. Aston Villa (Sat. 10 AM ET): Stuart Holden and Clint Dempsey will also be in action for their respective clubs at 10:00 AM tomorrow morning, but perhaps the most interesting event may be USMNT defender Eric Lichaj making his Premier League debut. The 21-year-old may get the call with Villa defender Luke Young, who will be out for three weeks with a torn hamstring.

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What We're Watching

What We’re Watching this Weekend

As the MLS regular season comes to a close, several matches still remain that will impact the final eight playoff positions. Colorado needs one point to secure a playoff birth, but face a daunting task in their final two matches, travelling to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy before hosting Real Salt Lake. One point is all they need, but two losses combined with Kansas City wins against New England and a San Jose side that may be resting their stars would see the Wizards through on the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Wiz expect to leave everything on the field Saturday night.

New England v. Kansas City (Sat. 8:00 PM ET)
Real Salt Lake v. FC Dallas (Sat. 9:00 PM ET)
Los Angeles v. Colorado (Sat. 10:30 PM ET)

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