Posts Tagged ‘Fernando Torres’

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Torres Doesn’t See Spain Return in the Cards

In the last decade jolly old England has become a refuge for those Spanish players seeking brighter futures. In the early 2000s, men like Mikel Arteta, Ivan Campo and Diego Tristan hopped Iberia flights in search of greener pastures. But lately the names have gotten bigger. Fernando Torres, David Silva and just this past summer Juan Mata have all joined English clubs as high dollar transfers.

No one has received more attention than Torres, and rightly so. Of the three, Torres is the more decorated player having scored the game-winning goal for Spain in the 2008 European Cup final versus Germany and excelling for three-plus seasons at Liverpool.

There is no need to delve into his scoring struggles since he transferred to Chelsea over 12 months ago. That is well documented. Rumors are swirling that his lack of scoring will prompt a move back to Spain to his first club Atletico Madrid. But he wants to win titles and unless you play at Barcelona or Real Madrid, he sees a return to Atletico, whether it’s now or when his contract expires in five years, as a fruitless endeavor. (more…)

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News in brief

News and Views for Friday, February 24

The USWNT have a new co-captain: Abby Wambach. The star was frank about the recent appointment:

“Quite honestly, I was a little shocked that Pia wanted to change things up. Not that she doesn’t like to change things up — she loves that part of sports — but I have so much respect for all of my teammates that quite honestly if I have the co-captain or captain band, I’m still going to be who I am. I’m still going to support you. I’m still going to yell at you. I’m still probably going to kick you in practice. I’m still going to make you the best player you possibly can be.”

Owen Coyle discusses his career, soccer’s development in the US, and Sir Alex Ferguson (among other topics) with FIFA.

Not everyone’s enjoying David Beckham’s new ads.

As per usual, your weekend fixtures and tv listings here.

Global Soccer

The New York Times explores the possibility of a Premier League All Star game.

Fernando Torres disappointing season continues. The Spanish striker has been dropped from his national team for its upcoming match against Venezuela. As Torres’ club falters too, The Throw-In offers some advice.

Anzhi Makhachkala are in the hunt for Christopher Samba to add to their growing ranks of stars.

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News in brief

MON Sept. 26 (AM): Dynamo, DeRo, MLS, EPL, Americans Abroad, and Goals

Another week, another leader in the East. With three points secured in the dying moments of the match thanks to Geoff Cameron (and Brad Davis’ 14th assist), the Houston Dynamo not only took over atop the Eastern Conference standings, but will hoist El Capitan as winners of the Texas Derby. They also got their first away win of the season. Highlights here.

Top of the conference is great news for the Dynamo and their fans, but the lead is tenuous at best. The Dyanamo are a mere three points ahead of the New York Red Bulls (who won without Rafa Marquez), who currently sit fifth in an extremely congested playoff picture.

Another loss continues FC Dallas’ slide as the playoffs loom. The team could be getting some more bad news.

Former Dynamo midfielder Dwayne DeRosario had an evening to remember. The DC United star scored the fastest hat-trick in league history…and in stunning fashion.

Americans abroad found the back of the net three times over the weekend, while Michael Bradley was instrumental in his Chievo’s comeback win. Here’s a rundown of the performances.

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News in brief

FRI Apr. 8 (PM) Rossi, Torres, Transfers, and CD9

American born Guiseppe Rossi has been stellar this year and his agent Federico Pasorello says the striker is ready to move to a club that contends for trophies. A bid by Tottenham was turned down this past January, and Rossi will most likely move to play in Italy. The Italian forward has scored 15 goals this season and with a 5-1 victory over Twente this week, his club Villarreal are likely to be in the semi-finals of Europa League. Rossi deserves to move onto a bigger club; he has become one of the best strikers in La Liga and numerous clubs will want to sign him.  It will be interesting to see what club he joins, Juventus are interested and with Rossi on their roster the Old Lady could return to their former dominance.

After failing to score this week against Manchester United, Fernando Torres’ current goalless drought is now 10 games and continuing, dating back to his time with Liverpool. However, Chelsea captain John Terry is confident he will score this weekend against Wigan. The Spanish forward has run into a bit of bad form and has made it easy for skeptics to doubt he’s worth the 50 million Euro transfer fee that Chelsea paid for him. Eventually he will score, he has to right? (more…)

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News in brief

MON Feb 28 (PM): Milan Rolls, Torres Wonders, Henry Returns

In a Serie A clash, Milan dispatched pretenders Napoli with a resounding 3-0 victory. The red and black got their first goal on a cheap penalty kick, but then Alexandre Pato showed the world how dangerous he can be. The Brazilian starlet set up his club’s second tally and then netted the third on his own with a highlight real shot.

The win finds Milan five points clear of Inter and six ahead of the team they dispatched on Monday. Serie A is still a race, but much less so than it was when everyone woke up in the morning. (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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United States

MON Feb. 7 (AM): On Torres, EPL, Davies, FIFA, and MLS

During a weekend packed with goals, the marquee match mustered just one as Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to Liverpool. It was a quiet debut for Fernando Torres against his old side Liverpool. The star striker made little impact in the match as Chelsea were unable to take advantage of a Manchester United loss and Arsenal draw. Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti feels that it will take some time for Torres to adapt to the squad, while Torres himself was “not expecting” some of Liverpool’s tactics. Martin Rogers hasn’t been so kind.

Clint Dempsey was on target again for Fulham, drawing the Cottagers level in the 78th minute in a game that ended 2-2. Villa’s newest American addition, Michael Bradley, was not in Gerard Hullier’s 18. Highlights after the break.

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News in brief

THURS Feb 3 (PM): Chelsea’s wallet still fat, Inter making a run, good news for pubs

Acquiring Fernando Torres and David Luiz would probably be enough for most clubs, but not Chelsea who plan to splash some more cash during the summer. Roman Abramovich spent more than 76 million pounds on Torres and Luiz, but is ready to keep spending, presumably to keep up with Man City.

Not that the mood is too high at City at the moment. Aleksandar Kolarov says Man City must beat West Brom to stay in the race. Bright boy that Kolarov. Perhaps he was spurred to that thought by manager Roberto Mancini, who was livid after the midweek draw with Birmingham City.

Speaking of teams trailing crosstown rivals in title races here come Inter. They took care of business against Bari with a 3-0 win and now sit seven points behind AC Milan for the top of the Serie A table.

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News in brief

WED Feb. 2 (AM): On Davies, MLS, FIFA, EPL, and Fixtures

DC United have announced that Charlie Davies will join the MLS side for a one-week “evaluation” in order to determine if the club – who are first in the allocation order – will sign the once-emerging star on loan for 12-months.

Now that we have a venue – Red Bull Arena – MLS fans and potential All Stars will need to patiently wait 30 days for their future opponent to be revealed.

MLS Commish Don Garber has slowed the momentum and excitement of a potential Cosmos MLS side, indicating that while it’s a priority to have another MLS team in New York, it’s by no means a foregone conclusion.

“While I have lots of respect and admiration for the guys that have relaunched that great brand and have done a good job from a marketing perspective, and they’ve made certainly a lot of noise, we’ve got to continue to ensure that any group we speak to seriously about MLS expansion needs to have the financial capabilities, long-term vision, the capability to get a stadium built and developed.”

On the other coast, Landon Donovan is very excited about the potential of this year’s LA Galaxy side.

FIFA has begun appeal hearings into the corruption cases surrounding the 2018/2022 World Cup bids. Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarrii as well as three other former members of the FIFA Executive Committee will all have their cases heard. (more…)

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News in brief

Tues Feb. 1 (A.M): Bradley happy at Villa, Davies to MLS?, EPL stars have mixed emotion

Comments are coming in from players on the move after a crazy day in the transfer market Monday.

Michael Bradley says the right things upon arriving at Aston Villa, including some praise for the Premier League. Also in this article Villa manager Gerard Houllier says he never considered looking for a replacement for the aging Brad Friedel.

Bradley isn’t the only American on the move, and there may be more. Steve Goff reports D.C. United is looking to make a move for Sochaux forward Charlie Davies, and says the move could happen as soon as today.Were the move come to pass and Davies to make the All-Star Game he would earn a trip to New York, as Red Bull Arena will host the game.

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