The Hunt for Silver Lining

Leagues around the world are winding to a close as we enter the end of spring (already?) and the beginning of a summer that will include Euro 2012, the Summer Olympics, and World Cup Qualifying. The last few weeks of the English Premier League have seen Manchester City squander away their stranglehold on first place. City fell apart to the extent that Manchester United climbed to an eight point lead last week and it seemed that the race was all but over. Even though this has been a down year for the EPL, this race has ensured that the title run will have some excitement.

City has regained some semblance of their early season form over the last two matches, winning by a combined score of 10-1. Meanwhile, United lost to lowly Wigan and now, after Saturday’s matches, sit only two points of City with a game in hand. If United struggle with Aston Villa on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson and crew will feel less than comfortable. The Manchester derby now looms larger than ever on the last day of April.

As I mentioned before, this has been a disappointing year for the EPL. The level of competition has been lower as it seems that injuries and lack of top form have ravaged many clubs. The title race has long been a two-team race and the battle for the last two Champions League spots has seen each team try to give it away. Tottenham started strong but has faltered. Arsenal started, well, like Arsenal, but they have come back with a vengeance to snatch third place. Liverpool continues to oscillate between competent and unmotivated. Chelsea fired their millionth manager in five years but have found a way to stay competitive. And Newcastle United continue to stick around with impressive victories and striker play from Demba Ba.

Last season, I stated that the EPL was the strongest club league in the world, closely followed by Spain’s La Liga. Barcelona and Real Madrid have been so strong this year that I can no longer state this as fact. However, there is plenty left to cheer for in England. Chelsea remain alive in the Champions League and if they can play as a unit, they may have a chance to surprise Barcelona in the semifinals. Arsenal have shown that it is possible to overcome the critics and ridicule they suffered in October. The staying power of Newcastle and Tottenham give credit to the unmatched top-to-bottom depth of the Premier League.

While this season has left many sour tastes in the collective mouth of the fanbase, there is hope that all will be better. The competition at the top of the table has been running hot for several years in a row, so we had to be aware of a letdown sooner or later. Given the apparent lack of fire by some clubs, we are still being treated to battles for the title, Champions League spots, and avoiding relegation. When players return from injury or clubs like Chelsea regain stability, the battle for glory will once again be intense and fun to watch. Until then, we can enjoy what is available and savor the last few matchdays of the season.

As the EPL Turns

It was an interesting week for the top teams in the English Premier League. Sunday brought us an upset of Manchester City by recently promoted Swansea while Wayne Rooney led Manchester United to a victory over West Brom. This turn of events allowed United to leapfrog its rivals for the top spot in England. With only 10 matches remaining, City finds itself in a precarious situation.

Both teams also played in the Europa League during the week. If you remember, both were embarrassingly knocked out of the Champions League in group play and relegated to playing in the second-tier Europa competition. Of course, both were knocked out that this week. This was just the final punctuation in what has been a miserable year for English teams in European competition (except you Chelsea, congratulations on advancing, or whatever).

So now the teams from Manchester only have the EPL title to fight over. City had been coasting along most of the season, but United has been able to fight through injuries to get results and stay within striking distance. With the shocking loss to Swansea, City finally cracked and let United into the driver’s seat.

While examining the remaining schedules, I always thought that City had the tougher road to glory. They still have to play the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Arsenal. Even more importantly, a second match against United (who they manhandled earlier this season) looms. This match may very well decide the championship.

I still believe that both teams have some kinks to work out and whichever squad is able to regain composure will take the title. Overall, the league has seen some new teams sustain success (Newcastle United and Tottenham) and a familiar face regain some pride (Arsenal). The contest for a top four spot in the EPL and thus a spot in the Champions League next season also remains in the balance.

The end of this season, however disappointing it was in Europe, still guarantees excitement as we wind down. While many may say that the EPL had a down season, I think (and hope) that they saved everything for the last two months. Whoever takes home the title will have earned it and will show the world that there are still competent soccer clubs outside of Barcelona and Madrid.

The RVP Conundrum

Robin Van Persie is one of the best strikers in the English Premier League. No, let me correct myself—in the world. But he plays for Arsenal. A couple of seasons ago, that was great for him. But Arsenal has been on an unbelievable drought, failing to win silverware since the 2004-05 season. This has become a perennial story in England and the struggles of manager Arsene Wenger to keep supporters have been well-documented. This season has been much of the same, but RVP has been phenomenal, scoring 22 goals in league play.

What to do for the left-footed striker who could be collecting trophies elsewhere? He plays for the Netherlands national team, one that is considered one of the best in the world. However, they also have not won a premier competition in quite a while.

In professional sports, we tend to highlight either the athletes who are starring for winning teams or brooding over athletes who are making the spotlight for the wrong reasons. But for every Kevin Garnett (Boston era) there is a Kevin Garnett (Minnesota era). These phenomenal talents seemingly waste away on teams that cannot truly compete for a title. But here in lies the question: is it better to have these talents move to teams that have larger budgets and better chances at the title, or should they stay with their current teams in hopes that they lift these underdog squads to glory?

A better example may be Demba Ba, Newcastle United’s breakout star. He is chasing RVP for the goal title and has 16 goals and counting. This Senegalese striker is lesser known around the world, and though Newcastle United is in contention for a top four spot, they are not a club (like Arsenal) that can compete financially with the Chelsea’s and Manchester City’s of the league.

While I can see the pros of having players like RVP and Ba transferred to teams that compete year in and year out, the part of me that loves underdogs has to prevail. It was painful to see the nightly efforts of Kevin Garnett only in the regular season, but seeing the small teams make a splash makes sports fun to watch. If my beloved Manchester United continued to sign all the rising stars, the same teams would compete and the same teams would fight for relegation.

Right now, that is the state of professional soccer. In England, both Manchester teams, Liverpool, and Chelsea can spend the most money to acquire the best talent. In Spain it is Barcelona and Real Madrid. The list goes on. Major League Baseball has the same issues because it too does not have a salary cap. At some point, the governing bodies for these leagues will have to decide if it is better to continue to alienate the small market teams or to make significant, unprecedented leaps and introduce parity into their leagues.

Even though I am a fan of the one of the top-spending teams, I vote for the latter. It is time for a change in professional sports. We have lost touch of why kids around the world play soccer or baseball or football growing up. For some reason, love for the game is trumped by money at the top levels. RVP and Ba may very well end up at other squads because they will be tempted by chances to play in the limelight, but we should root for them to stay put.

Let’s hope that rising players for smaller squads stay true to their roots and make this league more fun to watch for a wider base of fans. It will only do us all good.