Cristiano Ronaldo ready for new, exciting, dating challenges [Kickette]
Pablo Mastroeni looking to accumulate red cards in Europe soon [Colorado Springs Gazette]
Revs player retires to become priest [USA Today]
Other inanity after the jump
Retired Israeli star leaving the country after incurring underworld's wrath [Haaretz]
USSF club competition hurting High School soccer in California [LA Times]
Rumor round up, Daily Mail style
Bentley to Spurs; Carson to Stoke; Pennant to Blackburn?
Roque Santa Cruz to Spurs?
Berba to Man U?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Monday Backpasses: Mastroeni is old
FA Cup of British Rock - Round of 16 / Match #4
These are the ground rules: 16 teams, each represented by a musician or band who happens to be a supporter. You, our fair reader, vote on who advances. Use whatever criteria you wish: favorite team, favorite band, prettiest uniforms (looking at you Elton), etc. Ballot stuffing is not encouraged, but will be tolerated, because we’re just as corrupt as the real FA. Voting for the Round of 16 will close on Sunday, July 20.
Today's matchup is the derby game of this tournament. A titanic clash of Britpop giants who had an entertaining feud and managed to single handledly save rock and roll. Etc...etc...etc....
In the blue corner we have the boys from Manchester, Oasis, noted Citeh supporters.
In the other Blue corner we have Damon Albarn, Blur frontman and later involved in the Gorillaz, as well as a supposed Chelsea fan.
Oasis, founded by the Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, were the most commercially successful of the Britpop bands of the mid 90s. Cool Britannia, Tony Blair, New Labour, and all the rest... While they weren't the most innovative musicians, they did have a knack for songwriting and a catchy tune. When Definitely Maybe was released in 1994, it marked the start of a new era of guitar-influenced rock music, and their follow up, So Whats the Story Morning Glory, became a huge seller both in the UK and the US. Around this time Oasis provided forests worth of copy for the likes of NME and Q, as the brothers Gallagher feuded both with themselves and with Damon Albarn. Be Here Now, released in 1997, was the height of Oasis's powers. It featured ridiculous Beatles-rip off riffs and music videos, 10 minute songs with 3 minute sample intros (including Vietnam war reenactments), and proclamations of "bigger than Jesus" greatness from Liam. Its been pretty much all downhill from then on as their sound has more or less stagnated and the world has moved on. Way on. Noel especially is a noted City fan, and earlier this year he ripped his despotic owner for sacking SGE after a great (as in not fighting for relegation) season.
Albarn, on the other hand, was always more intellectual. Think art school. Blur could lay claim to being the more innovative of the Britpop bands, but they never achieved the same commercial success as the boys from Manchester. Pretty much everyone in the US can pick out a (one) Blur song, but there is no way in hell they could tell you who did it. The band pretty much petered out by the early oughties, and Albarn went on to achieve great success with the Gorillaz. Couldn't unearth any football-related punditry from Damon, so I can't tell you what his thoughts are on the 4-5-1.
I can't leave without some youtubage. Best Behind the Music Ever.
So, who's ego deserves a bit of massaging? The louts from up North or the vegetarian Chelsea supporter?
Read more on "FA Cup of British Rock - Round of 16 / Match #4"...
Huckerby knows the way to San Jose...
It's on order....
Bigus doesn't usually watch the MLS because Bigus thinks it's piss poor. Well all of that is about to change. Not only will Bigus be watching the MLS as often as he can (ordered percocet and sticks for my eyes) but he has a team! Bigus is throwing himself into the deep end of the MLS pool... Head first.
Bigus has become a San Jose Earthquakes supporter.
Why Bigus? Why San Jose? Why the worst team in the country? And WHY a team that is managed by a bin man?
Darren Huckerby: The folks of San Jose are lucky b#st%rds! Some seem to think that Roeder saw Huckerby's popularity as a threat to his reign at Carrow Road, some think that Roeder wanted to free up Huckerby's high wages and some just think that Roeder just didn't fancy him. One thing is clear however, lack of ability, skill and pace are not factors. You see, this summer, Huckerby has had 12 offers on the table in the U.K and 1 from a Premier league side. At 32 years old, Huckerby is still a serious danger at Championship level. "But if he is so good Bigus, then why is he signing for the worst team in the MLS?" Fair question readers. Darren Huckerby is settled in Norwich. His kids attend school there and his rapport with the fans can be described as nothing short of a 'love affair'. Since his arrival in 2003, Darren has been adored for his style of play and love for all things NCFC. He will be a fixture in the stands this season when the MLS season ends. Darren declared recently that he had bought Norwich tickets for next season's campaign. When Huckerby was released, he announced that he would never play against Norwich again, and that doing so would be "too hard" for someone who has become a legend in a city where heroes are thin on the ground and a five year spell has provided him with a place to settle after a career at 7 clubs. "When I said that I would not play against Norwich I was 100 per cent certain that's what would happen. Even some of my team-mates thought I was crazy. But they know me. They know when I say something I stick to it." Huckerby should have an absolute blast in the MLS, as the sub-par standard of play, coupled with most teams' desire to force attacking football, should allow Earthquake fans to see the guy that was capable of just about anything during his time at Norwich. Huckerby has never been a prolific goalscorer but when he does score they are usually very tasty indeed. Notable goals include a 70 yard run against Birmingham City and a fantastic goal against Manchester United. So what does Huck's think about his move to California? Up the City and Go 'Quakes.
There is only one reason blog fiends...San Jose have just signed my favorite player in the history of the game. Darren Huckerby has signed for the 'Quakes and boy will there be some shock waves. At this level Huckerby is a 9.8 on the soccer scale. He is far too good for the MLS and San Jose fans are in for a treat.
When Darren was released by Norwich at the end of last season by manager Glenn Roeder . The majority of Norwich fans were perturbed and confused by the decision to say the least. Roeder's motives for ditching the most popular player in the club's recent history are a hot topic this summer.
Huckerby's last goal (at the end of this) for Norwich was just 2 months ago against Sheffield Wednesday away
Huckerby's attitude towards the game is first class and he loves a challenge. According to one coach at Norwich, he "trained like an animal" and was often the "first to turn up" and "the last to leave". Quakes fans can also take note that Huck turned down 4 times the amount of money than the Earthquakes can offer, and is leaving his family behind in Norfolk to run out at Buck Shaw stadium... a sure sign of someone who just loves playing football. As long as coach Frank Yallop plays Huckerby where he belongs on the left, I can see nothing short of success for Darren and some great times ahead for Earthquake fans. "To be honest it's a really nice living culture in California, the average temperature is 25 degrees [Ed. Note: he's talking Celsius] all year round and it's the safest place to live in America - it's like the Norwich of the States."
...and the MLS...? "It's very direct over there, it always has been. From speaking to him [Yallop] defenders tend to play one-on-one a lot. Let's hope they do. Because as I have found out in the last four or five years teams usually end up doubling up on me because if it's one-on-one then I can get to work.”
Huckerby also turned down a move to Toronto to sign with San Jose citing their plastic pitch as the main turn off. "Obviously they (Toronto) had first rights on me but they play on astroturf and train on astroturf and it was a big doubt in my mind. But don't get me wrong they are a great club and have world class facilities."
One thing is for certain: Toronto's loss is San Jose's gain. Earthquake fans are sure to be entertained and that now includes Bigus... road trip, anybody?
-Bigus.
PS. Huckerby could make his debut tomorrow when the Earthquakes take on the Honduran Olympic team.
UEFA U19 Championships
Thanks to commenter Mike Georger for pointing out UEFA.com's excellent coverage of the UEFA U19 Championships, which are currently ongoing. Liverpool reserve player Krisztián Németh has cut the ribbon on scoring in Hungary's match against Bulgaria. I'd like to point out that the UEFA U19 Championship is where Fernando Torres made his first big mark winning player of the tournament.
Read more on "UEFA U19 Championships"...What Do Undertakers, Cat Fights, Zimbabwe, Jermain Defoe Have In Common?
They are all found in this post. Seriously. Sometimes in my research I come across some truly awe-inspiring articles. This is one of those times. So much good stuff...so little time. Ostensibly, this article is about Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari and his off-field women issues, but it continues on to a broader perspective.
Let's just start at the beginning, in Zimbabwe...
Apparently, the Undertaker, as Benjie is affectionately known and has huge following probably because of his money, arrived at the night club late on Saturday in the company of a group of girls and his brother.Great. I did not know Benjani was the Undertaker. He might to watch out for Vince McMahon, who could sue him for infringment.Benjie and his crew were seated at the VIP section, an eyewitness said, when an argument arose between the two unidentified ladies.
"Benjani came to (name of the nightclub) with a group of ladies and they went to the VIP bar section. No one knows the reason these ladies fought. We only saw Benjani and his brother (name supplied) dashing out of the VIP bar section leaving the two ladies to finish what they had started. However, the two followed him and they exchanged blows in front of him,” said an eyewitness.
Women fighting over a footballer...nothing new but definitely fun.
Footballers fighting over a woman? Even better.
The article goes on detailing other Zimbabwean footballer women foibles. I suggest you read it yourself.Remember that Benjani is the same player who once fought former Warriors skipper, Peter Ndlovu, over a woman.
Better. Also of note, Benjani has also taken Ndlovu's armband as captain of the Zimbabwe national team. This is getting better.Ironically, the man who replaced Benjani at Portsmouth Jermaine Defoe was recently said to have ‘… probably slept with the majority of the female patrons in any given London nightclub.’
Bliss. A nice dig at Defoe. Now back to the Ndlovu.Ndlovu, arguably the best player ever to emerge from this nation, has had a fair share of such headlines.The Flying Elephant, as he is affectionately known, is “blessed” with countless children.
Well, I'm not sure if blessed is the word I would use, especially if it's associate with countless.There is one case of a promising Highlanders player who was beaten up over a girl recently. Another Highlanders’ duo went as far as literally fighting over a prostitute at a Harare hotel.
Plus, there is an added bonus of Beckham, Ronaldo, and Abramovich bon mots towards the end.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
FA Cup of British Rock - Round of 16 / Match #3
These are the ground rules: 16 teams, each represented by a musician or band who happens to be a supporter. You, our fair reader, vote on who advances. Use whatever criteria you wish: favorite team, favorite band, prettiest uniforms (looking at you Elton), etc. Ballot stuffing is not encouraged, but will be tolerated, because we’re just as corrupt as the real FA. Voting for the Round of 16 will close on Sunday, July 20.
Round 3 is a little like Round 2 in that one guy probably couldn't get the FBI—oh, oops. FA, Britain, etc... MI5—to properly hide him. The other probably couldn't get arrested, which is saying something because he's from Liverpool.
Eric Clapton. Deity. West Brom fan.
-vs-
See, told you that you wouldn't know. Lee Mavers, he fronted The La's and he's an Everton supporter.
Gonna be hard to find some solid parallels between Eric Clapton and West Bromwich Albion unless kids in England were tagging "Jeff Astle is God" on bridges and buildings throughout the Sixties. Or maybe the Baggies were also so torn over their love for Patti Boyd Harrison that they all smacked themselves up to the gills before the 1970 League Cup Final. Even then, losing 2-1 to United and failing to win dick since isn't really akin to recording Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. But here we are, with Slowhand and West Brom. You could make an argument that both have been less than stellar since the mid-Eighties. West Brom's record unquestionably bears that out; and nothing Clapton has done in ages can touch what he did from the time he was in the Yardbirds to his early solo career, possibly up to but not including Backless in '78 (sure Clapton won six Grammies for his Unplugged record, but he thought it was so piss poor that he originally didn't want it released). But now that West Brom has earned promotion, maybe they've got "The Core" of a solid team so they can "Let it Rain" goals on their opponents and stay up in the Prem "Forever Man." Yes, I should be punched in the kidneys for that.
Tell me there isn't a pro-Liverpool F.C. bias on this site. Really, it's pretty easy to do because I don't think anyone has ever denied it. But if somehow that fact was lost on you consider the following: Sir Paul McCartney is an Everton fan. Okay, so for this contest we take a pass on the Beatle as the Evertonian of choice in favor of whom? Ian Astbury? Nope. Ian Ball? Eh-eh. It's not even an Ian. Instead we give you Lee Mavers of The La's. So they are a one-hit wonder, but at least they did it twice. Huh? "There She Goes" charted on two separate occasions. On top of that, it might be one of—if not the—best pop songs ever about heroin (please, VU isn't pop). She calls my name. She pulls my train. Pulsing through my veins. So no, it's probably not a fucking love song. Anyway Mavers got disillusioned and what seemed like a promising start ended up being largely insignificant. If that doesn't sound like every Everton season since about 1990... Save for maybe '04-'05 when they made the Champions League, and the handful of seasons where they fought off relegation by finishing 17th, but you get the point.
Anyway, who do you love? West Brom and God [MP3 link], or Everton and some guy [MP3 link] you probably couldn't pick out of a line-up (and seeing how he's a Liverpudlian, you might have to at some point. Zing!).
Saturday, July 12, 2008
FA Cup of British Rock - Round of 16 / Match #2
These are the ground rules: 16 teams, each represented by a musician or band who happens to be a supporter. You, our fair reader, vote on who advances. Use whatever criteria you wish: favorite team, favorite band, prettiest uniforms (looking at you Elton), etc. Ballot stuffing is not encouraged, but will be tolerated, because we’re just as corrupt as the real FA. Voting for the Round of 16 will close on Sunday, July 20.
Here’s our next match-up features two singers who rose to fame at the height of punk:
Punk godfather John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), former rat exterminator and lifelong Arsenal supporter
- versus -
Essex boy and spasticus autisticus Ian Dury, the man who embodied West Ham United
With both the Sex Pistols and PiL, John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) did what he could to tear down staid, English establishments: proving that anyone could form a band, releasing “God Save the Queen” (from her fascist regime) to commemorate the Queen’s jubilee, inspiring a million bands to form in his wake, falling out with Malcolm McLaren when it was clear that Lydon was merely being exploited, quitting punk to form the dub-based and influential post-punk groups Public Image Ltd. Whether you find Lydon either groundbreaking or tedious, at least the man has been completely consistent throughout his long career, which is more than most musicians can achieve. It’s just that England was such an easy target and provided such fertile ground for quasi-anarchist social commentary. But, there is just one institution that Lydon respects, and that is his beloved Arsenal. Here he was speaking on the subject last year.
For most Americans -- unless you spent the late ‘90s reading copies of Mojo and Select Magazine like yours truly -- there is a decent chance that you’ve never heard of Ian Dury. You could also maybe argue that there are much more famous West Ham supporters. But, for my money, no one embodies West Ham United more than the late, great Dury. Having developed polio as a child, he merely incorporated the disability into his persona as he crooned in his thick Essex boy accent. Dury rose to fame in the late ‘70s as part of Stiff Records, which would also produce Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, the Damned and Madness, although Dury’s style was totally unique and not totally wedded to punk -- more biting social commentary over pub rock / dancehall music. Sadly, Ian Dury passed away in 2000 from cancer, but he continues to have a small yet devoted following, even if Dury’s only impact on American shores was his hit “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.” Some things just don’t quite translate across the Atlantic, just like the way that West Ham United’s working class history is somehow purely English. To prove the point, here is Dury and his backing band the Blockheads’ “Clever Trevor,” perhaps in tribute to West Ham legend Trevor Booking?
And now, you get to vote who advances to the next round...
You can still vote on the other match: Man U/Stone Roses v. Watford/Elton John
Friday, July 11, 2008
Friday Backpasses: Pic for the ladies
Hleb to Barcelona. London too chaotic for him. Looks for calm nightlife in Spain [AFP]
Tottenham to sign Luis Garcia. He'll be good cover when Keane goes to Liverpool [The Sun]
More hand-wringing on the Blanco incident [Big Soccer]
Justin Timberlake loves soccer. In a very "I'll watch it if it's on" sort of way [The Red Card]
More junk if you click this link:
Another Best Eleven list. Which teams and leagues did the goalscorers in Euro 2008 come from? [The Best Eleven]
A modest proposal from The Sun. Let's give Blatter the boot [The Sun]
English bookie refuses to honor winning bet from Euros [The Sentinel]
And, finally:
English fans abandoning the EPL for the Bundesliga. Check out the discrepancy in ticket prices [Soccer Fanhouse]
Breaking News: Guzan Gone
Although it has been rumored that Chivas GK Brad Guzan was going to Aston Villa of the English Premier League, Sideline Views reports that its source has confirmed the rumor.
Good for Brad. Hopefully he has a successful international career like other US keepers before him.
Update: Soccer by Ives and the LA Times are all over this story, too.
Guzan leaves for only $1.5 million, although he was out of contract this winter anyway. That just means one less place for Benitez to flog Carson to for extra cash.
FA Cup of British Rock: Round of 16 / Match #1
These are the ground rules: 16 teams, each represented by a musician or band who happens to be a supporter. You, our fair reader, vote on who advances. Use whatever criteria you wish: favorite team, favorite band, prettiest uniforms (looking at you Elton), etc. Ballot stuffing is not encouraged, but will be tolerated, because we’re just as corrupt as the real FA. Voting for the Round of 16 will close on Sunday, July 20.
Here’s our first match-up:
The Stone Roses, that Madchester baggy band who rose to fame circa 1989, representing Manchester United.
- versus -
Elton John, ducksuit-wearing pop pianist, as well as lifelong supporter and chairman of Watford.
If the Stone Roses never existed, someone would’ve invented them: Rising to fame despite having a lead singer who can’t really carry a tune (still to this day, God bless him!) thanks to attitude, a tight rhythm section, a mercurial guitarist, and a sound that crossed over from rock to dance just as piles of E were landing on English soil. And then it all went horribly wrong: lingering legal problems with an old label and hard drugs led to a massive delay of their follow-up Second Coming (which, in retrospect, isn’t as bad as advertised at the time), by which time Brit Pop had passed the Roses by, leading to a still-lingering feud between childhood friend Ian Brown and John Squire. But the Stone Roses were always about the collective experience, such as 75,000 signing “This Is the One” as Manchester United come out at the beginning of matches. And, a very little known fact about the Stone Roses is that in the early ‘90s their bassist Mani was once caught on TV spitting at Gordon Strachan, who had left the Reds for Leeds United (I looked for footage to no avail). Although, now it looks like they’ve kissed and made up and Mani claims that he’s a Celtic fan – probably spending too much time with Bobby Gillespie. In any case, Manchester United are hardly ever underdogs, but the Stone Roses were, and if not the Stone Roses than Man U would be stuck with Mick Hucknall.
Okay, despite the embarrassing ducksuit, Elton John deserves props for being one of the only 70s/80s pop musicians to actually age gracefully. I mean, can you imagine Billy Joel hanging out with Eminen, Timbaland and the Scissor Sisters? Not very likely. Sir Elton might be most famous for that maudlin post-Diana “Candle in the Wind” business, but just try listening to "Rocket Man" or "I'm Still Dancing Standing" [ed: oops! I quit allmusic.com for a reason] a couple times without it being stuck in your head for weeks. And then, to his greatest credit, Elton John took the reins of Watford FC starting in 1976, and guided the team from the then-fourth division all the way up to a few spells in the top flight. As the club’s honorary “president for life,” Sir Elton still regularly attends games and even gets actively involved in the club from time to time, such as when Al Bangoura was threatened with deportation. Yes, the bitch is back, indeed!
And now... You decide which team will advance to the next round.
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