August 29th, 2010
Ryan Fleming
Chris Tierney filled in at the right back position after Cory Gibbs was sent off in the first. Tierney and the Revs tried to hold onto their 1-0 lead but were unable too keep the Union at bay.
By Kevin Koczwara
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It took some late heroics from Justin Mapp and the Philadelphia Union to beat a shorthanded New England Revolution, 2-1, at Gillette Stadium.
The Union scored two goals in the last 10 minutes to take the lead and the win away from a Revolution side that played 50 plus minutes with 10 men after Cory Gibbs was sent off in the 40th minute. The loss is the third in a row for the Revolution and the team’s first since the Chicago Fire beat the Revs on June 26.
The Revs (6-12-3, 21 pts.)opened the scoring in the 31st minute when a Marko Perovic corner found Shalrie Joseph roaming at the back post unmarked. Joseph’s attempt on net was blocked, but the Revolution captain was able to push a pass to Ilija Stolica a few feet from goal. The Serbian forward quickly turned and sent a shot across the goal to the back post, beating Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz.
August 28th, 2010
JoeMeloni
Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero are hoping to overtake Inter Milan, the five-time defending champions of Italy (Photo Courtesy James Adams)
By Kevin Koczwara
Inter Milan dominated the world of top-flight soccer last season. The club won its domestic title in Italy, Coppa Italia and the one trophy the club’s fans and ownership had been dreaming of for 60 years, the Champions League. Inter was on top of the world, and when that happens in the world of soccer, people take notice and try to build off of your success.
Inter Milan needs to find a way to handle this season without manager Jose Mourinho – the “Special One” – who bolted for Real Madrid at just days after winning the Champions League title with Milan.
Inter’s league title didn’t come without tough competition. Roma made a valiant run for the title in the later months as they strung together win after win, but it was unable to knock down the reigning and eventual champions.
August 27th, 2010
Kevin Koczwara
Diego had a tough time adapting to playing in Italy and now is set to return to the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg agreeing with Juventus on a transfer fee. Courtesy Benjamin Radzun
Sky Sports – Diego set for Wolfsburg
Brazilian midfielder Diego was the Bundesliga’s top player a little over a year ago when he suited up for Werder Bremen. Then he made a big move to one of Italy’s most storied clubs, Juventus. Now, it looks like he will be heading back to Germany after one under-achieving year in Italy. The Old Lady won’t recoup all of their losses from the transfer, but with the arrival of Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool (on loan with an option to buy) it looked like it was only a matter of time before the playmaker was looking for greener pastures — Wolfsburg could be just the place.
MLSsoccer.com – Feilhaber may have options outside Aarhus GF
U.S. international midfielder, Benny Feilhaber has been looking for a move out of Swedish club Aarhus GF during the transfer window. Feilhaber is looking for more first-team playing time and stronger competition. The 25-year-old Brazilian born American played in four games for the U.S. in South Africa this summer during the World Cup and had many clubs interested after his performance.
August 26th, 2010
Ryan Fleming
Tottenham striker, Peter Crouch, might have made his signing all but worthwhile as the England international tallied a hat trick to guarantee his team's advancement into the group stages of the Champions League. (Photo Courtesy premierleagueinsider)
The Guardian – Spurs cruise into Champions League – Kevin McCarra
Despite falling in the first leg, 3-2, Tottenham roll to a 4-0 trouncing of Swiss team, Young Boys, in the second leg at White Hart Lane. With a new air of confidence surrounding the club, the Spurs believe they have what it takes to make it deep into the tournament.
The Independent – FIFA officials praise England for 2018 bid
Among the topics England proved above expectations were the level of government support and passion for the game in the country. Other such aspects were called “perfect”; giving the country a moral boost ahead of the decision. England faces tough competition in try to host the World Cup in countries as Russia, Belgium and the United States.
August 24th, 2010
JoeMeloni
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has the Hoops off to a great start in 2010-11 despite an early departure from the UEFA Champions League (Photo Courtesy Jonesy702)
By Ryan Fleming
New managers often make mistakes. Sometimes they are more frequent than the managers they replace. One common mistake is having a team revolution, or selling a majority and replacing those players with suitable ones that fit the role or the new playing style the new boss hopes to implement
Neil Lennon, the Celtic boss has done just that. Though, for the Northern Irishman, this tactic has for the most part seemed to work. Lennon took over for Tony Mowbray after the Hoops apathetic season was given an exclamation point – or maybe it’s sullen opposite – after lowly St. Mirren trounced Celtic, 4-0, at the end of March. With a month and a half left in Celtic’s woefully dismal season, Lennon was basically given a trial more than the task to catch Rangers, who were flirting with a double-digit point lead in the table.
August 24th, 2010
JoeMeloni
Claudio Pizzaro (center) celebrates with teammates after he scored in the 105th minute against Sampdoria on Tuesday to send Werder Bremen through to the Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League. (Photo Courtesy Deutsche Welle)
Deutsche Well – Werder Bremen completes massive comeback to qualify for Champions League Group Stage
Werder Bremen completed massive come back against Sampdoria on Tuesday to earn a bid to the UEFA Champions League Group Stage. After defeating the Italian club 3-1 in the first leg last week, Bremen fell behind 3-0 on Tuesday, which put them behind 4-3 on aggregate. However, a strike in the 93rd minute from Markus Rosenberg tied the clubs 4-4 and sent the match to extra time. In the 105th minute, Claudio Pizzaro scored for Bremen to seal the its place the 32-team group stage.
The Guardian – Robinho refuses to play in Turkey
Brazilian Robinho has turned down contracts Turkish sides Fenerbahce and Besiktas after deciding life in the country was not for him. The forward spent most of the summer embroiled in a struggle to remain with Brazilian side Santos before Manchester City demanded he return from extended loan spell. However, City’s summer spending spree deemed him expendable. After refusing to sign in Turkey, Robinho claimed he prefers to sign with an Italian or Spanish side, as many of his countrymen have succeeded in both nations.
August 23rd, 2010
JoeMeloni
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott scored three goals against Blackpool om Saturday, which led to comparisons to Arsenal great Thierry Henry by manager Arsene Wenger.
ESPN Soccer – Hat trick draws Henry comparisons for Theo
After scoring three goals in Arsenal’s 6-0 thrashing of everyone’s second-favorite Premier League team Blackpool, Theo Walcott has drawn perhaps the ultimate compliment from manager Arsene Wenger. While Wenger praised his future as a striker, he also compared the 21-year-old Englishman to former Arsenal legend and current New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry. Walcott has struggled to find regular playing time since joining Arsenal, but with his manager’s backing 2010-11 could be a huge season for the youngster.
The Guardian – Liverpool reject €15m bid from Barcelona for Javier Mascherano – James Callow
Despite his refusal to play on Monday in a 3-0 loss to Manchester City, Liverpool is still holding strong on its financial demands for midfielder Javier Mascherano. The Argentine has already agreed to terms with La Liga side Barcelona, as part of his family’s goal to get the hell out of Liverpool. While Liverpool respects his wish to leave Merseyside, it will not agree to any contract that does not provide any financial benefit. Roy Hodgson will need a lot of motivation to start Lucas 36 more times.
August 23rd, 2010
JoeMeloni
Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale a pair against Stoke on Saturday, but many believe his performance on Wednesday against Young Boys will decide a lot in his young career. (Photo Courtesy TottenhamFan)
By Ryan Fleming
The English soccer world was up in arms one week ago over one of their most exciting, young clubs, Tottenham. But, for no good reason.
In its first European Cup appearance since 1962, the Spurs were upset, 3-2, by Swiss side Young Boys in the first leg of their Champions League Playoff. However, a pair of second half goals to shorten a three-goal deficit gave Spurs some confidence going into their second leg Wednesday at White Hart Lane.
The frenzy that the English tabloids have themselves caught in is utterly ridiculous.
Tottenham, thanks to the likes of striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, find themselves in a awkward, yet positive position despite coming back to England with a loss.
August 23rd, 2010
JoeMeloni
New England Revolution defender Darrius Barnes heads a ball against the Chicago Fire last week. The Revs fell to the Fire, 2-1, to end an eight-game unbeaten streak. (Photo Courtesy Getty Images/RevolutionSoccer.net)
By Kevin Koczwara
The last time the New England Revolution lost a game in any competition was an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake on July 2, just before the Major League Soccer All-Star break, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City.
But, like most good things, the Revs’ winning streak had to come to an end at some point.
The Revolution lost two games in the past week as it made a road trip through Chicago and Kansas City.
The Revs lost a tough game on Wednesday to the Chicago Fire, 2-1. The game could have gone either way as both teams tenaciously battled for the much desired three points. If the Revolution had earned the desired result, it would have leapt over the Fire and into fourth place in the Eastern Conference and made up some ground in the Wild Card race for the MLS Playoffs.
What made the loss to the Fire so difficult was the way the Revolution lost the match. It took an 85th minute goal from a virtually unknown forward to seal the match for Chicago and a series of missed calls from the referee to keep the Revs out of the Fire’s net.
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