USA Olympic Soccer

Soccer is not as popular a sport in the United States as compared to the world. The only time people really care about soccer in America is when there is the World Cup and maybe the Olympics. Well right now the London 2012 Olympics is currently happening and what better to talk about is the soccer playing that is being played. I'm rooting team USA, well because I'm from the United States and you gotta support your country. I haven't been watching or keeping up with the other sports as much. Maybe some swimming updates, but that's about it. I'll just sit there and watch the other competitions casually because I have no idea what is going on. But with soccer that is a different story.



Sadly the United States Men's soccer team did not make it to the Olympics this year. So the only soccer team that is representing the US is the women's team. It seems that women's soccer has a bigger impact in the United States somehow because they have been more successful then the men's team. In a way the US men's soccer team have it harder (of course) because they are playing teams like Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, etc. etc. who have soccer histories that just scream success. The US women's team seem to be on the right track. They won the Beijing Olympics gold medal in 2008 and they were runner-ups for the most recent Women's World Cup. (Hopefully they will win the next World Cup). Currently they are on a role in the Olympics. They had a crazy 4-2 comeback against France and today they beat Columbia 3-0. This automatically qualifies them for the quarterfinals (I have no idea who they play). But they will have to finish their group stages off and they are to play against North Korea. No offense, but that kind of scares me because you know how the North Korean and US political ties are, no pleasant. Anyways, not bringing politics into this. North Korea played Columbia first and beat them 2-0. Now let's just see how well the US women can handle the North Korean side.

Chelsea vs. MLS Allstars

After the past two years playing and being thrashed by Manchester United (2010 score 5-2, 2011 score 4-0), the MLS All-stars reign again beating the Europeans champions Chelsea 3-2. I watched the game and I'll have to say that the MLS All-stars played a better game. Their passing was more complete and they were more efficient with their finishing than Chelsea. At half time Chelsea had 9 shots on goal only 2 on target, while the MLS had only 4 shots, but 3 were on target. That's what I call making your chances count.


First goal was was at the 21st minute from Chris Wondoloski. A great cross from Thiery Henry and unsuccessful clearance by John Terry gave Wondoloski the chance to open the scoring for the game and the All-stars. Chelsea had to try and catch up and they did with a wonderful header from John Terry because of a corner-kick from Lampard. The game's score stayed 1-1 at half-time. After half-time at the 58th minute, Frank Lampard himself scored a goal. After a cross from him, the All-stars were not able to clear the ball. The ball was crossed right back into the box and Lampard was there to finish it. For a midfielder he has sure scored a lot of goals. I remember the announcer saying how if you didn't know Lampard was a midfielder, you'd think he would be a center forward. Chelsea were now up, but the MLS came back. A wonderful pass from David Beckham to De Ro. De Ro waits while Chris Pontius comes running into the box and is able to finish it off. It's 2-2 now. The game was coming down to it's final minutes when Eddie Johnson took the final shot which was partially deflected by a Chelsea player and ended the game then and there. The MLS All-stars beat Chelsea 3-2. They have (I guess) redeemed themselves from the last two years playing against Manchester United. The last time Chelsea played the MLS All-Stars they also lost 1-0.


So after a wonderful 4-2 win in Seattle and a 1-1 with PSG in New York, Chelsea have to leave Philadelphia on a 3-2 lose. Their next stop is to Miami where they are to AC Milan. I wonder how that game will be because Milan has lost two of their most vital players, Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva. Also I was looking at the results from all the MLS All-star games, and they have never played a Spanish team, like Barcelona or Real Madrid. I personally would love to see the MLS All-stars play either of the two Spanish Giants.

Hazard(ous) Brothers

Thorgan Hazard 

If it wasn't enough already to have one of the Hazards, Chelsea had to go out and purchase the other Hazard. In recent news, not only has Eden Hazard signed for the English giants, but also his little brother, Thorgan Harzard, has jumped on board. The 19 year old is transferring from the French based club Lens. He only made 14 appearances for the Ligue 2 team. Like his brother, Thorgan is also an attacking midfielder/winger. It seems that he hasn't a lot of playing time, but because he is Eden Hazard's brother and he comes from a very dominant footballing family it seems that he must be able to succeed.

Eden Hazard

Thorgan Hazard IS only 19, so he still has a lot of time to develop. It looks as if the Chelsea first team is full at the moment, so when the transfer has officially been completed, the only reasonable thing Chelsea could do is loan him out. It sounds bad, but he needs the experience. I really do wonder why Chelsea made the move on Thorgan? Maybe, once Thorgan has gotten the experience he needs Chelsea will proudly be able have the cool name "Hazard Brothers" or "The Hazardous Brothers" being echoed through Stamford Bridge Stadium. The only other brother pairs that play for the same team are Kolo and Yaya Toure who play for Manchester City and the the twins Rafael and Fabio who play for Manchester United (but Fabio just recently got loaned out to QPR).

But anyways, for whatever reason Chelsea has for bring Thorgan Hazard to the club, for skills or for just because, once he is able to make it into the first team I'm going to be really excited to watch the two brothers play side by side!

Andres Iniesta

 

Brought up from the ranks of La Maisa like many Barcelona players, Andres Iniesta has shown the world that he is in fact a world class player. Impressing FC Barcelona scouts at the age of 12, Iniesta moved from Albacete to begin his footballing dream. And ever since then, Iniesta has been with the Catalans. He's won many trophies with FC Barcelona and has also won many individual trophies as well.

I always enjoy watching him play. To me he is a combination of Xavi and Messi. Meaning he has a great eye for passing and he is an exceptional dribbler. If you've you seen him dribble, he's amazing when he's in cramped places. The only way to get the ball away from him is either to foul him or hope that he makes a mistake. He doesn't score many goals, but he is a vital part of the team. He helps to set up the attack. He may not directly assist the the goal scorer but he sets up the assistant. It's hard to explain. Like many would say, he's a very versatile player....a complete player you could say.


Oh and how can you forget, he has scored important goals in his career. Like stated before he isn't a prolific goal scorer, but when a goal needs to be scored, it just so happens to be Iniesta to the rescue! For example in the 2008/2009 season for Barcelona, Iniesta scored the goal against Chelsea that sent them to the Champions League final (even though that was a controversial game, the past is the past, ok?). And how could your forget the goal he scored during the World Cup, specifically the World Cup final. Time was a ticking and again Iniesta to the rescue! I would have to say the goal he scored for the World Cup was probably the most important goal of his career. The game ended 1-0 and Spain were able to obtain their first ever World Cup title.

I don't have much to say about this guy. He's 28-years-old and has a bit of time on him left. I would say he's in his prime right now. If you watched the Euro 2012, you saw how important of a player Iniesta was. He even won the Euro Player of the Tournament. Just goes to show how amazing and complete player he is. He is prone to injury, but when he's in good shape, Iniesta will shine and show the world he knows how to play football.

(He just got married recently so congrats to him and his newly wedded wife!)

Iker Casillas

What? I'm writing a blog about a Real Madrid player? How could I? Well here is the fact, Iker Casillas is my favorite goal keeper like ever! Coming up from the Real Madrid youth system and staying with them ever since (which is very rare for Real Madrid players), Iker Casillas is probably considered the best goal keeper in the world right now. He's won numerous trophies with Real Madrid and some of the most important with his country Spain. Just recently he won the Euro 2012. He also won Euro 2008 and the World Cup 2010 and he was the captain in all three tournaments.


One reason I like him is because he's a really good captain. He has class and knows how to keep his head. After the 4-0 win over Italy for the Euro 2012 final a video of Casillas trying to convince the ref to not have injury time by saying "Respect for Italy" shows his class. Italy were already down to 10 men and they weren't gonna make 4 goals in probably two or three minutes. Let's be honest the game was going nowhere for the Italians so it was best to end it. If you want to see the video for yourself click on the link below.

CLICK HERE TO SEE CASILLAS WITH CLASS 

Not only is Casillas a great example for a captain, he's of course a very talented goalkeeper. By watching him play, his positioning and how fast he reacts shows he's world class. Just watching him during the final of Euro 2012 and watching him make incredible saves during the World Cup 2010 makes me think "Wow he's BA". I know there is no comparison, but as a Barcelona fan I'm sorry to say but I would choose Casillas over Valdes any day and I think that Del Bosque has shown that and shown why. You know as wine ages, the better it gets. Apparently that's what happens with goalkeepers. The older they get the better they are and Casillas has proven that. He's 31 and he's still beasting. 

I absolutely love this picture. Even if they are rivals,
They can still be friends. 

A while back I wrote a blog about Xavi Hernandez, the midfield maestro who plays for FC Barcelona, Real Madrid's rival. If you want to check it out here's the link (LINK TO XAVI BLOG POST). ANYWHO, even though they both for play teams that have the tensest rivalry in football, they are actually very good friends. They have been very  friends ever since they were teenagers and their friendship has lasted for 15 years even if Barcelona and Real Madrid are the definition of rivalries. I think that this is respectable from both sides. This shows that just because you come from places where you're told to hate the other side, doesn't mean you have to. Casillas and Xavi have shown that their friendship is important even with the outside tension of their club rivalries. If you didn't hear, during the most recent season, Casillas and Mourinho had a little spat and apparently the reason was because of Casillas's and Xavi's friendship. Casillas's was defending his friendship while Mourinho didn't approve. I remember that little incident between the two and I'm not sure if I should believe that is the reason for the incident, but if it is I'm proud of Casillas. Also during this interview (INTERVIEW WITH XAVI) it's in Spanish sorry, he said:

"We talk, we talk a lot, Iker and I. We do. And now now because of the Barca-Madrid fight. no, no. We have talked all our lives, our friendship is at least 15 years strong, since we met at the Sub-17. We put our friendship before everything else." 

I respect these two individuals, especially Casillas, even though he plays for the rival team, I still consider him amazing and love watching him play! 

English Premier League vs. La Liga

 

These two leagues are probably the two most popular and competitive leagues there are. But which one is the best  league of the two? Each league is unique and play different styles of football. Here is what I think:

I think the English League is definitely more competitive than La Liga. If you think a little harder, there are multiple top clubs competing for the title such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and honestly it seems that most of the clubs have somewhat a fighting chance unlike La Liga. In La Liga it's literally two clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid, fighting for first place, and everyone else trying to win third place. That's 2 large Spanish Clubs verses 5 large English Clubs. I'm not trying to say that the other Spanish Clubs can't compete, because they can, but until the La Liga tables fluctuate as much as the EPL table, then EPL wins for the most competitive league out there.

BUT who has the best teams in the world? This might a bit biased, but I believe that La Liga holds the two best teams in the world. To play in the two Spanish Giants it's almost a dream come true to many footballers. Some of the best players to ever play the sport had their best moments while they played in La Liga, like Zidane, Ronaldinho, Figo, etc. And currently the two best players right now (Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo) play in La Liga. So yes, I believe that La Liga has the best teams. Both clubs are very competitive in their league and in the Champions League (yes I know Chelsea AN ENGLISH CLUB won the most recent one, but BOTH Spanish giants were able to make it to the semi-finals, ok?)


I just want to mention though, that I don't think that English Clubs can't compete with the two Spanish Giants JUST because I say that Barcelona and Real Madrid are the best two teams. I'm just saying that Barcelona and Real Madrid are the best two teams. I believe that big English clubs can compete with the two teams and I have always believed that. AGAIN Chelsea has proven it this past May.


There is one more comparison that I would like to mention: the type of players each league produces. Right now, I think that Spain wins. They have produced and produce some of the best midfielders lately. And come to think of it, I really can't think of any English players that play in the Spanish League. But I know some Spanish players who played or play in the EPL. EXAMPLES WOULD BE:


David Silva (Manchester City)
Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
Fernando Torres (Chelsea)
Juan Mata (Chelsea)
Xabi Alonso (ex-Liverpool)
Cesc Fabregas (ex-Arsenal)
Alvaro Arbeloa (ex-Liverpool)
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
David de Gea (Manchester United)

This is only a small list of some current and recent Spanish players. The most recent English Players in La Liga were Jonathan Woodgate (Real Madrid) who only had 9 appearances for the club. He was then loaned off and then went back to the EPL. Then of course the very famous David Beckham (Real Madrid). Other than that, I don't know any English players. I think this goes to show that Spanish players are vital for teams. I think it's because of their midfield mastery and magic (cheesy I know) they bring to a game. Another reason there may not be many English players in La Liga could be because Spain and England have very different styles of play. England concentrates more on strength and La Liga is more finesse....patience.


So which league do I prefer the most.....I would actually have to say the EPL. Even though Barcelona is my favorite club team and I root for Spain, I chose the EPL because there is more competition between clubs. None the less though, I still love La Liga! I watch it just as often and always checking on updates about that league....but everyone likes more competition.

Truths and Rumors

TRUTHS: Chelsea have purchased the young and  upcoming Belgium Eden Hazard who seems to have a bright future in the football industry. He has definitely impressed many of the big clubs that were after him while he was Lille; now will he impress while he's in a big English football club?


Another truth, after the many issues with Eric Abidal, Barcelona have finally made a purchase for a left back. His name is Jordi Alba. If you watched the Euro 2012, you saw that the 23 year old impressed. He may be small but he is FAST. He has the energy and speed to run the pitch. And like I said before he even got a goal in the Euro 2012 final! Like many of the Barcelona players, he is a product from La Maisa so he has the Barca DNA in him. He really began his professional career when he played for Valencia FC and that's where he turned into the talented left full back he is today. Now he's back at his boyhood club and I'm pretty sure he's ready to impress.


Also other truths, Arsenal have made two big purchases, Lukas Podolski a forward who also plays on the wings and a straight up striker Olivier Giroud. Currently the contract issues with Arsenal's star Robin van Persie are unstable.


RUMORS: So the rumors can come true or never happen, but here is what's currently on the market. Chelsea are about to make another big move about 25million pounds for a Brazilian attacking midfield named Oscar. He is supposedly another up and rising star (only 20 years old), and if Chelsea can sign him he can show the footballing world what he has. (Chelsea, because of Roman Abramovich, have a lot of spending power on them).

Another rumor, and it seems like it's going to go through is that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago from AC Milan are going to be moving to Paris-Saint Germain (PSG). The French club currently have the money and with money comes power. They are spending big this summer as we can see with the targets such as Ibra and Thiago.

Oh, Real Madrid hasn't made any purchases yet, but it seems that their target Luka Modric from Tottenham will be making the moved to the Spanish giants. This move seems inevitable, but nothing has been put and set in stone so until the papers say "REAL MADRID SIGN LUKA MODRIC" this is going to be a rumor. This also makes me think, what is going to happen to Kaka?

AND Newcastle seem to want Andy Carrol back, but Liverpool want a good 20 some million pounds for the guy.

NOW to the coaches. There have been lots of new changes for the next season and they are all truths.


Tito Vilanova has finally begun his run as the first-team head coach for FC Barcelona after Pep Guardiola resigned from his four year reign in La Liga. They are currently training and awaiting for their pre-season to begin. Liverpool has sacked Kenny Dalglish and has been replaced by Brendan Rodgers who was the former Swansea City coach. And in Tottenham news, Harry Redknapp has been sacked and  replaced by (surprisingly) Andres Villas-Boas. Yeah, you didn't think that he'd show up this fast after his minimal time at Chelsea. Speaking of Chelsea, Roman Abramovich made the right move and hired Roberto Di Matteo as the full time head coach.

There is definitely more to come! I wish I had blogged more this summer. But this is actually the third time I've actually turned on my computer this summer. Or is it the second?

Summer full of Soccer...I mean Football

What a summer that has been filled with football. Usually the summer is when the clubs and players are able to rest, but no this year was the Euro 2012! And what do you know, SPAIN WON IT! WOOOHOOOO!!!! Yes I was rooting for Spain the WHOLE TIME. I had the fear that Germany were going to win the title, but Spain has proven they are the powerhouse of football winning the Euro 2008, World Cup 2012, and Euro 2012 back to back to back.

The Euro Cup surprised me and scared me. What surprised me first was that the Netherlands got kicked out at the group stages. It's kind of shocking to expect that from a team who had gone all the way to the World Cup 2010 finals. Second what surprised me was that Italy beat Germany 2-1 so they could move on to the finals. I expected a Spain vs. Germany final, but the Cup may pull of a few tricks.

The things that scared me the most was the penalty shoot-out with Spain vs. Portugal. I couldn't watch it, but in the end Cesc Fabregas sealed the deal and Spain were able to go off to the finals. I was also scared that Spain had to play Italy. The two teams had to play each other during the group stages and they tied 1-1. I did not want the final to end like that (you know go into overtime then PKs). BUT it didn't. It was quite the opposite actually! Spain thrashed Italy 4-0. Goals from Silva, Alba, Torres, and Mata. So far it's been a good summer. Now it's time for pre-season games and then the actual season to begin!