Posts Tagged ‘Manchester United’

10 Kit Essay

Everyone can now Hear City, Balotelli Loud and Clear

Boring boring city was the cheer by opposing fans last season. Now, boring boring city is a sarcastic cheer that will be echoed by the sky blue half of Manchester City. This was not a win, but a statement by the noisy neighbors. And let’s stop calling City the noisy neighbors, because they are presently screaming into the ears of the Premier league telling everyone to get out of their way. After yesterday’s win, anyone questioning City needs to stop and think before they start talking.

First, let’s stop questioning Mancini’s tactics. There is a reason why Mancini won three straight titles while with Inter Milan. The Italian manager’s tactics have always been sound. If he takes off Johnson before the second half and replaces him with Gareth Barry he knows something we do not know. Look what happened yestarday, Mancini took off both his goal scorers and his squad went on to score three more goals. He also outcoached Sir Alex Ferguson, which not many managers can say. (more…)

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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

THU Sept. 1 (AM): Transfers, USMNT, and EPL

September 1 brings with it a distinct lack of transfer rumors…given the passing of the deadline. The Guardian can’t believe your actually clicking on this link. They also make sense of the deadline madness here as a summer of spending – almost $800 million by British clubs! – comes to an end.

Now that he’s not going anywhere, Carlos Tevez has revealed he’s happy with Manchester City. Hard to believe, but if he is, it’s bad news for the rest of the EPL.

Here’s a roundup of the North American moves prior to the deadline, as well as a look into German-American Daniel Williams’ move to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

One of the major US movers, Michael Bradley, discusses his expectations for his new Serie A side.

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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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News in brief

TUES. July 12 (PM): Copa America, USOC, WWC, Tevez on the move

In case you manage to tear yourself away from tonight’s MLB All-Star game, Uruguay and Mexico square off in a Copa America clash, as do Peru and Chile. Plus, there’s the aforementioned USOC quarterfinal games tonight. See? Who needs the NFL?

The U.S. Women’s National team continues its quest for its first World Cup trophy in 12 years tomorrow at noon when it takes on France in the semifinals. While France is the tournament’s youngest and most inexperienced team, it hasn’t shown any signs of intimidation or jitters, and tomorrow’s game should be a fierce showdown. As always, join us here for the live chat. (more…)

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News in brief

TUES April 5 (PM): Champions League, Najar and MLS

Schalke stunned defending champions Inter Milan 5-2 while Real Madrid thrashed Tottenham 4-0 in the first set of Champions League quarterfinal matches today. Inter Milan struck first with a Diego Stankovic volley just 25 seconds into the game, but the German side pulled away in the second half, scoring three unanswered goals. Meanwhile, Real Madrid completely dominated Tottenham, sliding four goals past them, including two from Emmanuel Adebayor.

In more Champions League action, Manchester United and Chelsea face off tomorrow in a rematch of the 2008 final while Barcelona are heavily favored against Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk. Phil McNulty weighs in on whether Drogba or Torres should feature against the Red Devils.

Andy Najar ended months of speculation today by announcing his commitment to Honduras. Najar, the 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year has lived in the United States for the past four years, raising U.S. hopes that he might wait for U.S. citizenship.

With the recent addition of Dwayne De Rosario, the New York Red Bull are the best team on paper in the MLS, while the only thing that can stop Real Salt Lake this season is complacency.

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News in brief

THURS March 31 (AM): Manchester United, Mario Balotelli and Juan Agudelo

The latest name in the running to replace Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United after his retirement this May is current Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea. The Manchester-club has held talks over signing the 20-year-old Spaniard, according to his agent.

No, seriously, Mario Balotelli is happy at Manchester City. He’s just not thrilled about the £100k fine he’s reportedly being assessed for throwing darts at youth players.

A group of American investors are apparently making a bid to buy Roma by mid-April.

Check out the unlikely story of electrician-turned-Premier League player, Michael Richardson.

The love-fest continues for Juan Agudelo.

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News in brief

TUES March 15 (AM): Champions League, Capello and MLS

Manchester United and Inter Milan became the next two teams to punch their ticket to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Man U disposed of Marseille with a 2-0 win while the defending champions beat Bayern 3-2 to advance 3-3 on away goals.

It’s expected that Fabio Capello will hand the captain’s armband back to John Terry before England’s European qualifier next week. Capello stripped Terry of the armband after his affair with teammate Wayne Bridge’s wife made headlines. It’s excepted that Terry’s successor Rio Ferdinand will not be pleased.

Germany coach Joachim Low extended his contract with the team for two additional years.

This exists. And it’s awesome.

An interesting profile of “footballing refugee” Shefki Kuqi.

Major League Soccer kicks off tonight with the Galaxy taking on the Sounders. Los Angeles thinks they’ll win. So does Seattle.

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News in brief

THURS March 3 (AM): Ferguson, Injuries, West Ham and MLS

Sir Alex Ferguson faces a touchline ban after he lashed out against the referee following Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea earlier this week. Ferguson criticized referee Martin Atkinson for failing to send of Chelsea’s Davis Luiz after he committed what appeared to be a second bookable offense, and then awarded Frank Lampard a penalty kick to secure the win for the Blues.

In injury news, Andy Carroll could return from injury and make his debut for Liverpool in Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, while Arsenal’s Robin van Persie could be out until next month with a knee injury he suffered in the Gunner’s Carling Cup loss to Birmingham.

West Ham have received government approval for takeover of the London Olympic Stadium.

The Independent predicts the outcome of this season’s Premier League title race, and on an unrelated note, looks at the worst haircuts in sports.

Things are heating up in northern Europe as the start of the 2011 season nears.

In MLS news, U.S. international Jay DeMerit has been named captain of the Vancouver Whitecaps and David Beckham made his return to Major League Soccer in the Galaxy’s penalty kick loss to Club Tijuana.

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