US Aiming To Create History

By Aditi | June 30, 2009 5:47 am |
Categories:
Update

US aiming to create history The United States Men’s national team is all set to create history in the on-going Confederation Cup when they take on Spain, which is ranked as the world’s number one in the semifinals. Being in a group which had Brazil and Italy, the U.S. team has certainly managed to surprise quite a few people. However, it would be a tough test for them as they play against Spain who have ousted 15 teams in a row and have not been defeated for as many as 35 matches.

The last meeting of the two teams was in U.S. where Spain won 1-0. The U.S. team owes its success to Bob Bradley who has certainly transformed the entire team. Although the Confederations Cup semifinal is important, U.S. team must be relishing the thought of making it to the ultimate level-the World cup.

The confederation Cup is surely proving a great launching pad for the United States team before the 2010 World Cup. The team is almost certain to play two more games depending on the result against Spain for either 1st or 3rd place. The Spain team looks in great form and in the right frame of mind. They defeated New Zealand by 5-0 in their opener and easily came over Iraq and South Africa to reach the semis.

The United States team therefore has to pull up its socks and come up with something very special in order to keep their hopes alive in this tournament. This is the best chance for the team to create history.

Spain The Kings of Europe

By Jason | July 1, 2008 7:49 am |
Categories:
Euro 2008

Who could ask for a better final match. Two powers that are top quality, class, and flight.  Spain versus Germany will surely be remembered.  Fernando Torres’ lone goal that sealed the deal for the Spanish in Euro 2008.

Well my final prediction was half right. I said that Germany would be in the final. You can see it here.

Luis Aragones and company ruled with class and very top caliber play from the group to the final game. I would have to say that this has been very fun and enjoyable.

Now we will all wait until the Olympic Games start to watch some more soccer!  This will be very fun as the youth squads of the world go head-to-head and not the senior clubs. For the men, the age restriction is set at 23 however three over age players are allowed to compete.  For the women there is no age restriction.

More insight will come for the Beijing Games.

Spain Passes on Penalties

By Jason | June 23, 2008 7:14 am |
Categories:
Euro 2008

Today two giants, Spain and Italy, clashed to see who would win.  At the end of regulation and extra time, niether could muster the strength to score a single goal on the other.

Spain and Italy: If a game had to be decided between two powers like these two, I would pick the penalty shoot out.  Why?  For many reasons:

  1. I would rather see two good team play longer than 90 minutes.  Who really has the endurance to last that long.  Who will fight till the end or just give up.
  2. While it is one of the sadest and gives a player the feeling of helplessness, it is one of the fairest.  Both teams have an equal chance.  Both have equal numbers of shots on goal.

Next Up: The first semi-final game is between Germany and Turkey which should be very interesting.  I will like to see the turntout of this game.

Surprise, Surprise Its Russia Advancing

By Jason | June 22, 2008 7:55 am |
Categories:
Euro 2008, Rumors

Totally unbelievable. A team that dominated its group competition in the group of death falls to Russia. My money was on Holland but it is not so. Igor Akinfeev played a good game only giving up one goal to the offensive happy Dutch who scored 4 goals on both Italy and France. Russia truly pulled off an upset and a miracle on the pitch today, which should be both applauded and mourned for. Applauded that the youngest team in the tournament beat the favorite team for the match. Mourning Dutch fans because they were so sure.

Future: Tomorrow Italy plays Spain to decide who will play Russia. Now this will be the game of the quarters. I liked watching Germany and Portugal but I will enjoy watching Spain and Italy do battle. Maybe it is because two of my favorite teams-Barcelona and AC Milan-are Spanish and Italian teams, respectively.

Two Quick Hits: 

  1. Barcelona and AC Milan are both vying for the services’ of the Arsenal striker, Adebayor.  An AC Milan scout believes his team has a 50% chance of acquiring the striker.
  2. Former Sunderland keeper Tim Carter has been found dead in a park with a rope tied around his neck.  Authorities do not believe that there is any foul play involved and his death is unfortunately classified as a suicide.

Let the Quarters Begin

By Jason | June 20, 2008 7:57 am |
Categories:
Euro 2008, Transfer Central

Today, the Euro 2008 Quarter-Finals have started.


Germany beat Portugal today.  While the Portugese side did very well in taking the champions title for their group, Germany snapped up their hopes for 08.  The game got very exciting in the last minutes as Portugal scored a goal to make the final score 3-2.

Future Fixtures:

Tomorrow- Croatia vs. Turkey: I like this game.  The heroics of Turkey in their win against Petr Cech and the Czech Republic proved to the world that they are here to play.  However, they did trail in that game which is a weakness.  At the same time, Croatia did win all of their group games defeating Germany in the process.  Once again, I like this game. 

Saturday- Holland vs. Russia: In short, miracles may happen, but Holland hasn’t shown very many weaknesses.  I like the competition and level of play Igor Akinfeev will be up against but I don’t like his chances.  The power of the Oranje will prove to be too much for Russia on this day.

Sunday- Spain vs. Italy: This will be another good game.  Power vs. Power.  Class vs. Class. What better game than this that pits two top class keepers against one another(Casillas v. Buffon).  The defensive corps each possess.  The midfield so chalked full of talent.  And the strikers to finish.  This is truly the game that I will watch.

 Transfer Rumors:

  • Barcelona put out an opening bid on David Trezeguet.

Holland and Italy To Move On

By Jason | June 18, 2008 1:06 am |
Categories:
Euro 2008

Group C closed today and it is Holland and Italy.  The two World Cup finalists will not move on hand and hand this time as the power of Holland was too much for both teams. 


 Italy: defeated France 2-0 today as they will be moving on as the runners up from Group C.  They will be facing Spain in the knockout round-Quarter Final.  This will be a good match.

Holland: ended the hopes of Romania as they are the true spoilers of Group C, first with a tie against France, then with the same result against Italy.  I have a new found respect for the whole lineup aside from the afore posted Chivu and Mutu.  Holland will face either Sweden or Russia who go head to head tomorrow to round off the Group D.

 What’s ahead: Tomorrow Spain will take on Greece who are set to finish in last place of Group D if they do not pull off a win tomorrow against first place Spain.  Spain will finish in first tomorrow even if they lose.  They have defeated both Russia and Sweden making it impossible for them to lose the top spot by points. 

Russia or Sweden: Based on previous games, Sweden has the advantage over Russia.  Sweden only lost 2-1 as Russia lost 4-1.  However, the amount of goals scored does not really give any team the edge.  Russian Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is a guy that I really like, however he and his squad are still relatively young.  They will be together for many Euros and World Cups to come.  I will watch this game to just see a good match and I leave no prediction for tomorrow.



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Living The Life: Two Points on Being A Pro
by Peanut
hey jason, nice article, and definitely something to think about. It is true that there is a huge gulf between say club soccer, high school soccer, and college level soccer. You know that I want to play at the NCAA level, but I do understand that, realistically, I'm just not
Future Sights: Euro 2008
by jason
I realized my blunder shortly after...notice my Just Kidding!
Future Sights: Euro 2008
by Robert Day
Hello?? England? They didn't qualify so I don't see how you will enjoy watching them!
Name: Jason Fukushima
Nick: jason



Name: Aditi
Nick: cleo



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