MLS Week 1: What We Learned

3/29/10 12:22 AM

Few leagues in the world are as topsy-turvy as Major League Soccer. Because of the strict salary cap and roster restrictions, any team in the league can beat any other, from the cellar-dwellers to the defending champion. It is notoriously difficult to predict, and that is both among the league’s greatest strengths and its shortcomings. Despite that, the opening weekend provided some eye-opening results and performances, and from that, we can draw some conclusions – almost certain to be proven wrong but, as Guinness says, “fortune favors the bold.” With that, here are seven things that can be taken away from MLS, week 1. 7. The Jabulani is here, get ready. For those of you less addicted to soccer than am I, the Jabulani is the...

Gunners Title Hopes Not Done Yet

2/15/10 12:40 AM

As little as seven days ago, Arsenal’s title hopes were thrown out the window by every analyst in the footballing world.  Coming off back-to-back losses to title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, the Gunners looked doomed to yet another high finish, but with no trophies to show for it.  Last Wednesday, however, Arsenal scraped out a 1-0 win over Liverpool, an Abou Diaby header in the 72nd minute providing the winner.  At the same time, United limped to a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, and Chelsea fell 2-1 to Everton, courtesy of a Louis Saha double and a top-class performance from Landon Donovan.  The Wednesday results put Chelsea on top of the table with 58 points, United one back at 57, and Arsenal six points off the pace, with...

John Terry Loses Captaincy, Shows His True Colors

2/5/10 6:38 PM

English football was rocked by scandal this past week.  No, there wasn’t any match-fixing, as one often suspects when “scandal” and “football” are included in the same sentence – this isn’t Italy.  There weren’t any racial or religious slurs dished out to players on the field – that would be in Scotland.  What’s roused the English media into a fury is the revelation that England national team captain, Chelsea captain, and jackass for all ages, John Terry, had an affair with a teammate’s (now ex-) girlfriend.  Wayne Bridge, the man cuckolded by Terry, was Terry’s teammate at Chelsea before Bridge moved to Manchester City this summer, and continues to be his teammate for...

LaDainian Tomlinson is a Legend

1/13/10 7:53 PM

Tony Reali, probably the fourth coolest host on ESPN (behind Kornheiser, Wilbon, and Michelle Beadle), introduced me to, quite possibly, the funniest video I’ve seen in the last six months.  Not only is LT a great running back, but he clearly should have played for the Bears in 1985.  Check it out: LaDainian Tomlinson - Electric Glide (Youtube)  ...

Boxing Day 2009 Preview: The Fate of Rafa

12/26/09 3:23 AM

The last two days have been absolutely brutal.  After a slate of some French Ligue 1 and Dutch Cup matches on Wednesday, the soccer world has been dead quiet for the past 48 hours.  Seriously, no matches have been played in any relevant competition.  Check ESPN if you don’t believe me. Fortunately, the beautiful game returns to the British Isles in about…seven hours, giving soccer fans a huge helping of English football to start them through that rough week between Christmas and New Year’s.  The first match kicks off at 7:45 AM Eastern, so here’s your last minute preview of the Boxing Day fixtures: Birmingham City – Chelsea, 7:45 AM, ESPN2 Birmingham has been a big surprise in the English Premier League this...