Upset of a Lifetime

Tell me you watched. Tell you me were able to get off work or had the game recorded and you experienced the same wondrous, awe-inspiring, history-defining moment that occurred on Tuesday in Barcelona. If you don’t know, you’re about to: Chelsea, a club that has been disappointing in Premier League play this season, pulled off the upset of the century in the Champions League semifinals against the mighty Barcelona.

The week before at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea played phenomenally and held off Barcelona 1-0 to take a lead going into the leg in Spain. Even though they were down, no one expected that Barca would have any trouble regaining their form and moving on at home. Then, Saturday happened. What happened, you ask? The all-important match with Real Madrid that pretty much decided the La Liga title ended with a loss for Barcelona. In that match, and in the first leg with Chelsea, something looked off with the Spanish giants. They didn’t have the consistent and precise touch and finishing that has been so frustrating for opposing sides the last few years.

After that loss, I thought that Chelsea might have a chance to move on, even though on paper they were the far inferior team. This thought was weakened when the game began. Camp Nou was rocking and Barcelona came to play, dominating from the get-go. Sergio Busquets gave them a lead in the 35^th minute and then John Terry committed a dirty knee-in-the-back foul and earned himself a red card just a couple minutes later. Chelsea found themselves a man and then another goal down after Iniesta scored Barca’s second. However, just before halftime, Ramires took a wonderful through-ball from Frank Lampard and scored a beauty of a goal, chipping the ball over Victor Valdes from the edge of the box. This goal evened the aggregate score and gave Chelsea some hope.

For me, the deciding blow came shortly after halftime. Barcelona were again pressing heavily in the Chelsea box and Didier Drogba, who has played so well in Champions League, committed a penalty in the box. Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player of this generation, stepped to the spot to finish the Blues off. Right as he went to kick it, there seemed to be a moment of hesitation and he banged it off the crossbar.

After the Messi miss, there were still an innumerable amount of chances for Barcelona to score the winning goal. They had possession almost non-stop and were in Chelsea’s half constantly. In this manner, they looked the Barca of old. However, they lacked just the right amount of finesse to finish off their chances. Chelsea even tried to help. They brought on Fernando Torres, who up until that time was the biggest bust of recent transfer memory, for Drogba. Torres struggled a bit in defense and it seemed that he could be the goat once again. But in the 90^th minute, Torres broke free on a clear and coolly slotted home the goal that assured Chelsea of advancement. To have Torres finish off this monumental upset was symbolic of the greatness of this accomplishment.

Taken as a whole, this round was as unlikely as anyone could have imagined. Even the most loyal of Chelsea fans had to admit that their chances were minimal. But Chelsea showed that heart and willpower could trump a less-than-perfect Barca squad. Over a span of eight days, Barcelona fell hard from glory. They were bounced out of both Champions League and La Liga title contention and on Friday, coach Pep Guardiola stepped down as Barca’s top man. Barcelona will have to use this offseason to re-group and evaluate how to get back to the pinnacle.

Chelsea, on the other hand, will have a tough time in the final against Bayern Munich, who won in astonishing fashion against Real Madrid, as they lost several players on yellow cards and Terry’s red. Though their chances will be slim yet again, I will not doubt Chelsea’s chances, even if they have to travel to Bayern’s home stadium to play. No matter the result, I have to like interim coach Roberto Di Matteo’s chances of becoming the permanent coach, as he has done an amazing job of keeping this squad on task. We can only wait and wonder until May 19^th to see how this crazy and exciting Champions League season comes to a finish.

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.

Failure to Launch

What does it mean for US Soccer that they were not able to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London this summer? I am not quite sure yet, but it did not leave a good feeling in my gut. The United States plays in the CONCACAF region, which includes North and Central American countries, as well as the island countries in the Caribbean. If you think this is an area chock-full of soccer powers, you are quite mistaken. Mexico is obviously the most formidable foe for the United States, and outside of that there are only a couple Central American countries that are somewhat respectable (Panama is the only other team in the top 50 in the world). So, it should be a given that both the U.S. and Mexico qualify for every major world tournament, right? Before this failure, I would have thought the answer was yes, but let’s take a look at what went wrong and if it matters at all.

It must be noted that the United States U-23 team was playing in these qualifying games. While it is easy to use this as an excuse, it would have been nice to see the future of American soccer show that they were ready for the big stage. Just because some of the main cogs of the national team did not participate, rising stars such as Freddy Adu, Juan Agudelo, and Brek Shea still played. One of the main reasons that they did not qualify is that, in my opinion, they may have thought the task too easy and simply failed to muster up the motivation to play 100%.

The national team is coming off of a huge road win against Italy, as noted here by an expert soccer journalist. Even though it was in a friendly competition, coach Klinsmann was able to quiet his doubters as the U.S. earned their first significant victory in a couple years. This should not have taken the focus away from Olympic qualifying. Even more, World Cup qualifying begins this summer, so the staff may have lacked in the effort and strategy categories.

The main reason I am disappointed in this result is that it is a huge buzz kill for the high that American soccer fans were feeling after the Italy match. The Olympics could have been a chance to show off the young talent that Klinsmann has at his disposal over the next couple of World Cups. Instead, the U.S. will focus on qualifying for the World Cup and hope to beat the soccer powerhouses of the Caribbean and Central America to reach the World Cup…in 2014. London could have given the Americans a chance to measure up to high caliber competition before Rio de Janeiro. It will not match up to the level of play that we see at the World Cup or near what we will see in Poland and Ukraine at the Euro Cup this summer. However, it will be a good measuring stick for the future of soccer all over the world.

American soccer still has a ways to go to reach a consistent level of success. No matter how frustrating this is, I am used to my sports teams letting me down, so I will keep the faith. Plus, the hiring of Klinsmann and the subsequent events still give me hope that the future is bright. I would just love to get to this future a little quicker.

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.

One Large Leap for US Soccer

So the last day of February rolled around this past Wednesday, the twenty-ninth day of this odd month, and the United States Men’s National Team found itself in Italy facing a side that it had never defeated. Never! Unfortunately, I found myself in class, and since you can’t skip grad school classes, I was forced to find a way to watch and participate in higher learning (borrow a classmate’s laptop and sit in a strategic part of the classroom!).

I originally thought about writing this article about how this team, under the still-new leadership of Jürgen Klinsmann, was not progressing at the rate it needed for several reasons. The full ‘A’ squad has not played together yet, including stars Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, and constantly injured Stu Holden. Furthermore, they have had a couple good performances littered amongst some mediocre showings. I was also going to comment on a couple players who I thought had received a fair audition but were not national team-worthy just yet.

But here we were, in Italy on a day that only comes once every four years. I tuned in about 20 minutes into the game to see the Americans donning their new away jerseys (which I didn’t hate). The first half wasn’t perfect, but Italy was held in check. The U.S. came back in the second half and it seemed as though they were not the same timid team that we saw at the end of 2011.

The pitch was very slow. Italy was spending too much time on the offensive, and Jozy Altidore was spending too much on the ground. But after some good ball movement, Fabian Johnson got a good cross in to Jozy, who instead of trying to draw a penalty kick, dropped it off to Dempsey who slotted it home for the winner. I must admit, I almost cheered out loud in the middle of class, but somehow kept my composure.

The last 35 minutes of the match were not easy. Italy pushed the ball repeatedly and we witnessed the best defense the US has displayed in a long time. Captain Carlos Bocanegra led his defenders into battle; players were diving and sacrificing their bodies to block shots and break up passes in a manner you only see during power plays in the NHL. It was hard for me to contain my emotions because the only thing I enjoy more than goals is stellar defense. The line held and the US walked out of Italy with their first victory ever against this world soccer power.

While Italy wasn’t at full power, the Americans were also short a couple key players. Playing on the road, they never backed down and though they didn’t play at their best, they played well enough to complete a much-needed signature win. Now, Klinsmann has a game that he can point to in meetings as the “see, you can beat the big boys” game.

Even more than these typical motivating points, the Americans can feel good about a win while still realizing that they didn’t play their best. It’s much easier to self-criticize and improve after a victory and now they can stay positive while still perfecting their craft.

This game may also provide Klinsmann the break he needs to get out of the media spotlight and work on building his team in time for World Cup qualifying. For the short term at least, he can concentrate on assembling his ideal squad. Up next for Klinsmann and co. is Scotland and then a home test against 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil. These matches won’t happen until May, so the Americans can ride this feel-good wave until then. However, these international friendlies will be quickly followed by World Cup qualifying. At that time, we hope to finally see a team ready to take the leap.

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.

Uh Oh, Mario!

Mario Balotelli. Those two words have the ability to haunt even the fans of the teams he plays for. Balotelli is the much-maligned, but very skilled, striker for Manchester City. If not for his abilities with a soccer ball, he would have been looking for other work a long time ago. On multiple occasions, he has made a fool of himself but has failed to realize that he comes off as a disgrace to the game.

Balotelli’s on- and off-field antics have become well known; from telling a police officer that he was carrying excess cash because he is rich to having trouble putting a practice bib on to upsetting his teammates and coach when he decides to be fancy on the pitch. Balotelli brought his antics to America last summer when, during the World Football Challenge, City was playing the Los Angeles Galaxy. Balotelli was played through and had a teammate accompany him into the box, but instead he did a fancy spin backheel that went wide. The crowd booed and manager Roberto Manicini immediately took Balotelli out of the game. To make matters worse, Balotelli came to the bench, talked back to his manager, and walked away unapologetically.

Most recently, Balotelli entered City’s match against Tottenham as a substitute and almost immediately created controversy. He received a yellow card for an early tussle with Scott Parker, and then in the last 10 minutes of the match, he took a shot with Parker sliding in. The first foot landed and hit Parker, but that could be dismissed as an accident. The second foot came down and the video shows that Balotelli stomped on Parker’s face, as seen here. Referee Howard Webb seemed to have been right there, but made no call. Even in the instance that Balotelli did not have a prior yellow, this could have been a straight red. But no call was made and Balotelli remained in the game. Then in the waning moments, Balotelli drew a penalty kick and converted for the winner in a 3-2 thriller.

The Football Association reviewed the video and has suspended the Italian for four matches. There is no question that something needed to be done, but given that he stayed in the game and had such an impact on the final outcome, a four game suspension seems inconsequential.  

The real problem here is that the Balotelli’s of the world keep getting playing time and attention. At some point, Mancini is going to be forced to decide if he wants to keep playing with fire and risk the antics for the small return of Balotelli’s talent, or save his team and cut ties with the troublesome player. It already happened when the striker played for Inter Milan, and I am sure an ultimatum is going to arise for City.

Soccer is known as the beautiful game, but this notion has been muddied by players embellishing and diving, accusations of racism, fan riots, and awful officiating. Some of these are an easy fix, and some are not. Mario Balotelli is someone who cannot be controlled behaviorally but if no one gives him a chance to play, only then can he learn to respect the game. Until then, any time he steps on the pitch, we will continue to say to ourselves, “Uh oh, Mario.”

A Possible Turning Point

This weekend marks one of the biggest in the English Premier League as there are matches with the potential to throw the race wide open. Bolton and Liverpool square off to lead a set of intriguing matches on Saturday, but Sunday brings two of the biggest matches of the season. Tottenham visit Manchester City while Manchester United travel to Arsenal. Both are the second matches between each set of teams and all four have come a long way since the first go-round. City embarrassed the Spurs 5-1 in their first meeting in August while United shellacked Arsenal 8-2 on that same fateful day.

Arsenal and Tottenham have actually rebounded quite nicely since. Arsenal were on a roll with only three losses in 15 matches until two road losses in their last two matches. Tottenham may very well be the hottest team in the league with only one loss in 19 matches since. Currently, Tottenham sits only five points out of first place with a chance to become a true title contender come Sunday.

City has slowed down on the goal-scoring tear they were on in the early parts of the season (as predicted by yours truly) and have incurred a couple losses that have created a little doubt in their title aspirations. United have had significant injuries that have caused Paul Scholes to come out of retirement to give some aid to an ailing midfield. Both are still forces to be reckoned with because they still have the payroll, immense fan support, and the ability to make a game-changing move before the end of the January transfer window.

Now, I would love to make predictions for all the matches this weekend, but if you read last week’s article—of course you did—you know that I was only mediocre in my picks (4-5). So, instead of trying to predict all the matches, I am going to focus all of my crystal balling on these pivotal match-ups.

Tottenham at Manchester City—I am very excited for this game. Hotspur are on a roll, to put it lightly, and City have only been showing up every other match, so we will see who shines. If this season has told us anything, it is that home field advantage does not mean as much. As a United fan, I would love to see a hard fought battle that ends as a disappointment for both teams, and I think that is what will occur. 2-2 tie.

Manchester United at Arsenal—After Arsenal’s miserable season in 2010-11, I was a proponent of Arsene Wenger hitting the road. It was not that I thought he is not a good manager, but I thought he had lost his touch to be able to motivate a team that seemed dazed and confused. However, he has, if Arsenal maintain a level of success, earned Manager of the Year honors for bringing this team back into contention. United have dealt with the disappointment of losing in the Champions League, losing captain Nemanja Vidic to injury, and having goalkeeper David de Gea fall out of first team favor. Still, they have done a good job at keeping pace with City and look to take advantage of Arsenal once again. Even with Arsenal’s impressive stretch, I still do not think they have enough to keep pace. 3-2 United.

This Sunday looks to be an intriguing day of football in England and America. These two matchups, no matter the results, will tell us who is ready to make a stretch run toward the title. Though these are by no means the equivalent of the NFL Conference Championship games we will see later in the day, they may eliminate two teams from competition or show that a changing of the guard is occurring.

An Attempt At Expert-dom

The English Premier League season has reached its halfway point and we are still a ways away from crowning a champion. The top four entering this weekend are Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Chelsea. The teams currently facing relegation include Bolton, Wigan, and Blackburn. The last couple weeks have seen City and United fall to lesser competition (Sunderland and Blackburn, respectively). We are also beginning to see transfers as we approach the meat of the January transfer window. Last week, United and City faced off in a thrilling FA Cup match that ended in a victory for United, showing that City do not have total control of the league just yet.

Now, I have made predictions in the past, and if you look at our predictions page you will see that I have performed quite admirably (but only in the NFL). I am going to now try my hand at a weekend of matches in the EPL. This weekend seems to have some pretty routine pairings, but we will see what happens. If I have any sort of success in these matches (don’t count on it) I may continue this into the future. Here we go!

Everton at Aston Villa—Landon Donovan and Tim Howard are paired up once again with the Blues needing to show some consistency to be taken seriously. 2-1 Everton.

Fulham at Blackburn—Clint Dempsey is coming off his first Fulham hat trick and Blackburn are riding high after recently beating United. 2-2 tie.

Sunderland at Chelsea—As disappointing as United has played in its losses, Chelsea has been even worse in its debacles. Yet they remain near the top of the table and here is where they can get back in it. 3-1 Chelsea.

Stoke City at Liverpool—This is probably the match of the weekend between the 8^th and 6^th place teams. It should be a thrilling match at Anfield, with Liverpool taking this one. 2-1 Liverpool.

Bolton at Manchester United—Bolton are struggling to stay out of the relegation zone and United have regained confidence after taking down their crosstown nemesis. 3-0 United.

Wolverhampton at Tottenham—This may be the easiest pick of the weekend, as Hotspur are riding a hot-streak and the Wolves again find themselves at the bottom of the table. Apologies for the jinx, Spurs fans. 4-1 Tottenham.

Norwich City at West Brom—Norwich have been a surprise for me as they have been very competitive in their first season back in the EPL. 3-2 Norwich.

Queens Park at Newcastle—Impressive striker Demba Ba has the Magpies on a hot streak as they come off a dominant win against Manchester United to see a somewhat reeling QPR come in. 2-0 Newcastle.

Arsenal at Swansea City—Thierry Henry’s return to his former club was as glorious as could be, as he scored the only goal of the match to give Arsenal an FA Cup win over Leeds. This one will not be as easy, but Arsenal should take it against a hard-working Swansea squad. 1-0 Arsenal.

Manchester City at Wigan—City have been an enigma the last month, losing games (against United and Sunderland) that they would have won handily in October. Do not be fooled, they are still the favorite and should take this one. 4-2 City.

So there you have it. My first attempt at predicting a weekend of matchups in the EPL. If I am successful, you can consider me at the ranks of all the “experts”. But if not, it was all in jest. Happy footballing!

The Race Against Racism

Recently, Luis Suarez was banned from the English Premier League for eight games for making racist remarks toward Patrice Evra in Liverpool’s match against Manchester United. John Terry, beloved captain of Chelsea and English national team, is facing criminal charges for racially abusing an opponent. And to add more fuel to this fire, FIFA President Sepp Blatter made headlines when he said that racism was no longer an issue in soccer.

These events have dominated the scene this season as these cases have included a war of words between players and managers. Furthermore, as we all know, when controversy strikes star players, these issues get blown out of proportion. But in this case, this issue cannot be blown out of proportion enough. It is inexcusable for any athlete to act in this way, let alone the captain of England and one of the star players for Liverpool. And for Blatter to publicly deny these issues is the opposite of what needs to occur in this case.

Blatter needs to embrace that racial issues still exist and tackle them head on. For a long time, advertisement boards on the sides of soccer pitches have occasionally held messages of anti-racism, but issues continue to arise. One thing that American sports fans will have trouble understanding is the true passion that soccer brings out in others around the world. Soccer is truly a part of the culture of many countries to the level of religion. Thus, much more is involved in the wins and losses of clubs or international teams (see: Andrés Escobar).

Ignorance is the fundamental reason that racism still exists in our world. Failing to understand another person because of his differences arises feelings of superiority over that person. Combined with continual conditioning by the long-standing beliefs of ignorant family members or friends, these superiority complexes become ingrained in personalities. Combine these traits with extreme passion brought about by sport, and the issues become clear.

There is no harm in embracing that our society is imperfect. Innately, human beings are meant to be blemished, and if we do not recognize this, then we do not truly understand life itself. Though I have gone on a little tangent, without thinking about the bigger picture, sports we love so much will never flourish if we continue to deny the problems.

I am sure that many professional athletes do charity work or donate money to non-profit organizations, but the true punishments that fit the crimes of Terry and Suarez and the other athletes who have done wrong should involve actually addressing their personal issues. Ignorance is not incurable. But if the athletes we idolize are simply allowed to get away with wrongdoings against another human being, then how can we teach our children to change the ways of the past generations?

In no way am I suggesting that athletes should be perfect role models or human beings. They should, however, be held to moral standards that we can all agree upon. A simple look at the economics of professional sports shows who demands the most publicity. We pay hundreds of dollars/pounds/Euros to go watch our favorite sports teams, but if we continue to do this without holding them accountable, then sports will always be marred with stories such as what has occurred in the EPL this season. Next time it may not be racism, but where does it stop? Blatter and the other powers that be need to take a good hard look at how they are doling out punishments for offenses that have little to do with playing soccer. It is also time that we as fans decide if sports take a priority over our morals or if we will finally recognize the right thing to do.

Top Soccer Moments of 2011

As we close out another year and chapter in our lives, I am taking a few moments to reflect back on the most significant memories of 2011 in the world of soccer—both at the club and international levels. It has been quite an interesting year on and off the field and though this year is ending, we have much to look forward to in 2012.

7. Fernando Torres to Chelsea There were many significant transfers this year, including Samir Nasri to Manchester City and Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, but the one that got the most press was the star Spanish striker moving to Stamford Bridge for a fee of £50 million (yes, that is pounds), only to disappoint by not scoring his first goal for over 900 minutes of action.

6. Barcelona Dominance This seems to be a common trend the last few years, but again, we cannot ignore the greatness of Lionel Messi and his crew of Spanish stars. They once again dominated the Champions League when they dismantled a very good Manchester United squad in the final. They also won La Liga and even though Real Madrid won the coveted Copa del Rey, Barca still managed to win that battle.

5. FIFA Scandals 2011 started off with a scandal for FIFA in both the presidential election process and the picking of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup sights. There were accusations that choosing Qatar for 2022 was not clean. In the past few months, FIFA President Sepp Blatter attracted criticism when he denied the presence of racism in soccer. This was followed up by serious allegations against prominent EPL players Luis Suarez and John Terry that they used racial abuse during matches. Hopefully, 2012 will be a better year for FIFA with World Cup qualifying and the Euro Cup.

4. Manchester City’s Rise to Prominence City flirted with the top of the table during last season’s campaign, only falling when United smacked them down with the goal of a lifetime (see below) and recaptured the title. City was not deterred and acquired Samir Nasri over the summer and came out on fire this season, culminating in a 6-2 shellacking of hated cross-town rivals Manchester United. Both teams are currently tied atop the table, so 2012 should bring much drama in the EPL. City’s talent, however, is not to be doubted any longer.

3. Hiring of Jürgen Klinsmann At the end of July, after much speculation, the US Soccer Federation fired embattled coach Bob Bradley and hired fan-favorite Klinsmann. This was a move that many thought was going to happen a few years ago, but finally came to fruition in 2011. Klinsmann’s start to the US era has been slightly disappointing, but with a few months to go until World Cup qualifying, he still has time to measure the talent available and create a side that will be somewhat respected on the international scene.

2. Wayne Rooney Bicycle Kick If you have not seen this play yet, please do so now. This was one of the best goals I have ever seen and came near the end of the crucial aforementioned match against a surging Manchester City squad. It is also synonymous with the growth in Rooney’s career as a professional soccer player and will be replayed on top ten lists for centuries to come.

1. Women’s World Cup In any other year, Rooney’s goal would have taken the top spot. However, for anyone who watched the WWC this summer, you will agree that this was the soccer event of the year. Women’s soccer has never been considered on the same level as the men’s game, but the women proved they are no joke. The feel-good story was the US Women’s team, which was the favorite going in, but did not win their group, then had some amazing matches against Brazil and Japan in the knockout round. In the end, even though the US, Brazilian, and German teams got all the coverage, an underdog Japanese team took the title by showing that heart can win out over talent. The sportsmanship displayed during the tournament left a good taste in everyone’s mouths, a refreshing turn from the embarrassing antics by some of the men’s national teams in the recent World Cup.

As you can see, this has been a fantastic year of soccer at all levels. This year was also big for me personally, as I joined the ranks of soccer journalism with MyBriefs.com, and it has been a wonderful ride. I hope you stick with us into the New Year, as we get ready for the great goals, moments, and competitions of 2012!

A Season To Remember

Welcome to December! The malls are crazed, school and work have become places to daydream about Christmas, and every snowflake is magical. This is also the beginning of a treacherous trek through the winter months of the Premier League. We are finally through the part of the season where managers blame mistakes on rust and into the segment where Carling Cup, Champions League, and other competitions intertwine with EPL pressures to ensure that only the fittest survive.

Right now, Manchester City have built a comfortable lead with a monster goal differential, so it seems that if they can make it through the coming months with few blemishes, then springtime will be all flowers and no showers. But the teams behind them are in a scrum that may not be sorted out until the final matchday. I am going to do my best to get to the bottom of this to see who will survive and take the four Champions League spots and EPL title.

1.     Manchester City—This may seem like the easy pick, but here’s why they will stay at the top. With Chelsea experiencing a surprising freefall, and Liverpool having to settle for draws when it deserved to beat both Manchester squads, Manchester United remain the top challenger to the title. Tottenham and Newcastle have had great starts to the season, but sadly, they do not have the budget or depth to keep up with City. I think City finally keep their heads on straight (if they can avoid Balotellitis) and take home their first Premier League crown.

2.     Manchester United—In the past, I may have predicted Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad to come out and snatch back the title from City, but they seem a little off this year. The second spot comes down to United and Liverpool, as they are the two teams who have looked most impressive behind City. Their first match resulted in a draw at Anfield, but United was lucky to escape with the point. The second match, in February, could very well decide who challenges City for the title.

3.     Liverpool—Kenny Dalglish has done a wonderful job of reinvigorating the Reds after two disappointing seasons. They are playing aggressive, team soccer and if not for a somewhat groggy start, they may have been right next to City at the top of the table. If they can get over the unlucky breaks that have weighed on them early this season, they will be lying in wait should City or United slip up.

4.     Tottenham—I have a feeling Spurs fans will take this as a sign of disrespect. Currently, Tottenham sit in third place, only two points out of second with a game in hand. However, it is hard to overlook the shellackings they took from both Manchester teams at the start of the season. They have rebounded nicely and are on a 10-game unbeaten streak, including a beat down of Liverpool. They have more staying power than Newcastle and even Arsenal, and could very well take a top three spot. I gave the edge to United and Liverpool because, unfortunately, money still means something in this league and they have more of it. While Hotspur is my favorite nickname for any club, they may have to settle for a Champions League spot when May rolls around.

Now, don’t discount Arsenal, Chelsea, or Newcastle, who are all within seven points of second place. But they haven’t shown just yet that they can compete at the top level of the table this season. With so many teams in contention, this season is turning out to be one for the ages. City would be wise not to take their foot off the pedal, as many teams will be eager to trip them up.

What I’m Thankful for in Soccer

 It’s a few days before my favorite holiday of the year, Thanksgiving! Many of us have memories of going around the dinner table and saying what we are thankful for. While I am thankful for a lot of people and things in my life, I would like to take a few moments to talk about what I loved about the last year in soccer.

I am thankful for… Sunil Gulati, president of US Soccer, coming to his senses and hiring Jügen Klinsmann as head coach of the US Men’s National Team. This was a hiring that had been looming for years. While it was unfair to put former coach Bob Bradley in a tough spot, this is the change the US needed. Though they won’t be a top 10 or 15 team right away, this move will pay off in the long run. This hiring (hopefully) will be looked as the starting point in a paradigm shift to a new American approach to the beautiful game.

I am thankful for… the MLS Cup on Sunday evening, which promises to be an exciting game. David Beckham is in his last year of a ballyhooed contract with the LA Galaxy. The Houston Dynamo have some awesome orange jerseys and a team that is on fire. The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan missed the last two US international friendlies so he could rest up for the game, showing how important the MLS has become in the eyes of both national and international players. Another interesting note is that Beckham has won a championship in his final season with his last two clubs. Let’s see what happens!

I am thankful for… what is shaping up to be an interesting winter in the English Premier League. While both Manchester squads have jumped out to a big lead, a couple new teams are fighting for top spots in Newcastle and Tottenham. Even Arsenal has rebounded after a dismal start and Liverpool look a threat again. Another surprising note is that all three teams new to the top level are in the middle of the table. The January transfer window will prove to be a key factor in the title run.

I am thankful for… the high amount of goals that have been scored so far in the EPL. As we head for winter, where goals go down and games are won on brute defense and strong team play, we should appreciate that the fall has given us 43 matches with 4+ goals scored! If teams shore up weaknesses in the transfer windows, then the spring will again show a plethora of goals and great soccer action.

I am thankful for… an upcoming year in which we should see a fierce battle for the Champions League crown, the European Championship, and World Cup Qualifying. World Cup Qualifying won’t really get underway until the summer, but the Champions League will get hot and heavy in early 2012. It may end up being a clash between Spanish and English clubs, but German and Italian clubs will definitely have something to say before all is decided. We have to wait until August for Euro 2012 in Poland/Ukraine, but the build-up will be great as we experts (just run with it) debate over whether a favorite or upstart will take the crown.

I hope you are as thankful for this beautiful sport and for all the family and friends in your life. We have a great year ahead of us and the excitement is just beginning! I wish you safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving!

At a Crossroads: The Story of US Soccer (October 2011)

As we head into another international break from club soccer, I wanted to discuss a few players who are bound to excite and raise hopes for American soccer fans. Sam’s Army already received a jolt with the hiring of Jürgen Klinsmann earlier this year, but some young players will certainly get our hearts racing. If the Americans are to be taken seriously in Brazil in three years, several things must happen. Klinsmann must develop a cohesive system of play that emphasizes passing, unity, and smart decisions. Furthermore, the following players will have to play at their top level to help the Americans move deep into the tournament.

Juan Agudelo, F: Agudelo is not new on the scene, but he is the possibly dominant forward that Americans have been waiting for (and dreaming about). He has excellent finishing abilities and instincts, while his ball skills are rather impressive. Only 18 years old, he could develop into the face of US Soccer for the next decade or so.

Jozy Altidore, F: Jozy’s success may go hand-in-hand with how Agudelo performs on the international stage. Altidore has been the lone ranger at the top of the formation and has been inconsistent. He has shown the ability to finish, but can disappear in games and will not win a lot of 50-50 balls. With Agudelo alongside at the top, he may start to show his true ability and become one of the better strikers in recent memory.

Clint Dempsey, M: Dempsey has been probably the most fun and frustrating to watch for American soccer fans. He has had the most success of all US players on the club scene, as he is a star player for Fulham in England. However, on the international stage, Dempsey has left something to be desired. He has the talent to be a star, but tends to fall into the European mindset of diving to draw a foul and will spend too much time complaining to the referee. For the Americans to save face on the international scene, Dempsey needs to become the much-needed leader of this team and start creating opportunities for the goal-scorers around him.

Brek Shea, M: While out with some friends for Klinsmann’s debut against Mexico, we were very impressed by Shea’s ability to create scoring opportunities. Given his tall stature and bright hair, we nicknamed him, “Big Bird”. He has been just as helpful to this team as the actual Big Bird was to me when I was learning the alphabet as a child. If he can continue to develop and take some pressure off Dempsey, the Yanks can start building a strong, respectable midfield.

Gale Agbossoumonde, D: Though he may not play as large a part in the next World Cup as the other players I mentioned, he has by the far the best name. His development has been slowed not by injuries, but by a stupid contract signed with a greedy sports agency. Thus, he has had rare opportunities to play and hone his skills, but his potential is very promising. If he can impress Klinsmann, he could provide some support to Oguchi Onyewu and Carlos Bocanegra to, at the very least, form the best-named back line in soccer history. Oh, and by the way, that’s Gah-lay Og-BOSS-ooh-mon-day.

There are obviously a lot of other factors that come into play besides the players mentioned above. Others must step up, and Klinsmann must unite this team to mimic the best in the world: Spain, Netherlands, Germany, etc. The 2014 World Cup will most likely be the last for legends Tim Howard and Landon Donovan. Moreover, it could set the program back or could put the Americans on the international scene for a long time. There is a plethora of developable young talent and US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati finally has his head coach in Klinsmann. The pieces are finally falling into place and I can say, on behalf of other American soccer fans, let’s hope this is it.

The Klinsmann Reaction (August 2011)

If you haven’t already read the Gab 4’s discussion on the hiring of Jürgen Klinsmann as the new head coach of the US Men’s National Team, you should go ahead and do that. As a US Soccer fan, I was very excited when US Soccer Federation head Sunil Gulati announced that Bob Bradley’s replacement would be the German soccer legend. A few years back, Bradley was put into a tough spot when it was announced that Klinsmann was close to becoming coach before he turned down the offer, making Bradley a dead man walking. However, Coach Bradley performed admirably, though failed to make the US into an international power so many hoped to see. Losing a 2-0 lead to rival Mexico in the Gold Cup Final seemed to be the last straw and led to the much-anticipated hire of the Klinsmann-ator.

Personally, I think this is a great hire for several reasons. I thought one of Bradley’s biggest weaknesses was sticking with players who seemed to underperform. Furthermore, second half collapses due to a failure to adjust became commonplace under the Bradley regime. Coach Klinsmann will not only bring a fresh perspective to a program that has seemingly hit a wall, but will ignite a fan base who has longed for a European influence on the American team.

I do not expect Jürgen Klinsmann to bring a World Cup title to America (at least not in 2014); while that would be awesome, I know that it is a tall order when one looks at the talent in Europe and South America. However, if Klinsmann is able to successfully change the mindset of this country’s attitude toward soccer by having teams that attack, defend and play consistently, he will have done his job well. Furthermore, if he fortifies the youth soccer system, US Soccer will be well off for a long time. Ideally, if Jürgen Klinsmann is successful in these areas and the worldview of US Soccer improves, then players will benefit and the success will be sustainable. For me, the biggest benefit of this hire is that more European clubs will give American players a chance to play in the top leagues, and players will be ready for top competition by playing against it every week.

As you may tell by the tone of this article, I am slightly stoked about this hire. It is a pleasure watching Spain, Netherlands, Brazil and the like play beautiful soccer, and I hope to see it for a long time going forward here in America. (Not to set the bar too high or anything). Get your popcorn ready; this should be a great ride!

MLS not quite there yet but future is bright (July 2011)

In lieu of the recent dismantling of MLS’s Seattle Sounders by Manchester United, I decided to analyze the ever-narrowing (or widening?) gap between European club soccer and America’s Major League Soccer.

One of the biggest hindrances to soccer’s popularity in the United States is the lack of a high quality professional league to rival the NFL, MLB or even the NBA. Because it is truly the world’s game, this is the one sport where America’s professional league doesn’t dominate in competition, revenue, or popularity.

In addition, the fact that the MLS does not compete in the UEFA Champions League hurts American soccer as well. The only time European clubs interact with MLS teams is in events like the currently on-going World Football Challenge. This competition has brought teams over from England and Spain (Manchester United, Manchester City, and Real Madrid to name a few) to compete against MLS teams that are in mid-season form.

However, fans that are rooting for the MLS to close the competition gap with European teams continue to be disappointed. In recent matches, the European teams have shown superior technical skills, organization, finishing ability and depth. Even in games such as Manchester City-Vancouver, where the game was close throughout, City showed that they could finish when it mattered most and won a tight game even though they are in pre-season mode.

The most disappointing game thus far was the match between my beloved Manchester United squad and one of the best MLS teams this season, the Seattle Sounders. Now, I’m not trying to throw salt on an open wound, but that was a total embarrassment. The first half was fun to watch; Seattle actually dominated possession and United only took a 1-0 lead on a great counterstrike and finish. The second half was a different story. With a handful of substitutions for both teams, Manchester United opened up and scored six (yes, 6) second half goals to make it seem like more of a clinic than a match between two professional squads.

Sure, one can argue that United added Wayne Rooney, but for a team who is still in pre-season mode to play one of the best MLS teams at their home stadium and to win 7-0 is unfortunate. United showed superior depth, and even though they are going through some changes at several positions, showed better teamwork than Seattle.

I do believe, contrary to what these games have suggested, that Major League Soccer is closing the gap. It is unfortunate for them that they don’t have the revenue to bring in and keep world-class players, but there are a couple teams who could fend for themselves at the world stage, even if they aren’t at the levels of a Manchester United or Barcelona. Maybe the embarrassing status of professional sports in America will turn kids to playing soccer and the game will develop here in the United States.

While I am a huge fan of the English Premier League and European soccer in general, I wish only the best for Major League Soccer. It has the ability to bring a clean, fresh perspective to professional sports in a country that has to deal with money-centered lockouts in the NBA and NFL, steroid-use in Major League Baseball, and whatever that mess is called in the NCAA. This is the time for the MLS to step up and finally take a step in the right direction. One only knows we need it.

MLS All-Star Game Gab (July 2011)

The MLS All-Star game is upon us. Manchester United is playing the fourth game of their five game USA tour with and tonight is their first chance to pick up some silverware. Last year ManUtd became the first team to beat the MLS All-Stars in regulation after outscoring the home team 5-2 in 90 minutes. This year the MLS looks to right the ship against the Premier League Champions, when the teams take the field at the Red Bulls Arena in New York City, or at least in New Jersey, which is basically the same thing anyways. There is no limit on substitutions, which means that unlike league play, every player on the bench can take the field. This rule is more likely to affect the All-Stars since their side consists of players specifically elected to play in this game. Also, if the score is tied after 90 minutes there will be no 2009 MLB All-Star draw. It will go to the most exciting tiebreaker in sports-the Penalty Kick Shootout.

The MLS has seen unprecedented growth in the last few years. In 2009 they added a new franchise, the Seattle Sounders, who quickly became the most popular club in the league. The MLS followed this up by adding the Philadelphia Union in 2010 and creating the Cascadia rivalry by adding the Portland Timbers and Vancouver (B.C) Whitecaps this season. They supplemented this expansion by continuing to recruit some of the biggest soccer names on earth; namely, David Beckham in 2007 (a former Red Devil) and Thierry Henry in 2010 (a former Arsenal/Barcelona striker).   

Tyler- The MLS All-Stars will be led by Red Bulls coach Hans Backe, who was named as the head coach, mostly out of convenience, since the game is taking place in his home stadium. The fans, the commissioner, Backe, and MLS players selected the team. Selected by the fans to the All-Star team, Seattle Sounders GK Kasey Keller was flown to New York after playing a CONCACAF Champions League game in Panama. Even though he was selected to the First XI he will be listed as the third GK tonight behind Tally Hall, a Seattle native, and Colombian Faryd Mondragon. United States international Tim Ream will have his work cut out for him, as he must keep English superstar Wayne Rooney out of the penalty area. This is even more important because Chicharito Hernandez will not make an appearance after spending last night in the hospital with a concussion. Other notable absences include Seattle's Osvaldo Alonso who many believe to be the leagues MVP at moment. He was selected to fill the roster but will not be in New Jersey. Canadian standout Dwayne De Rosario, Eric Hassli, who scored a wonder-goal in Seattle in June, and USMNT star Landon Donovan will be held out due to injury. Starting XI Mondragon-Convey, Ream, Olave, Franklin-Davis, Beckham, Joseph,-Henry, Wondolowski.

Ankur--Well, here we are. The most anticipated match-up of this whole Europe vs. MLS mini-season is by far the MLS All-Stars vs. Manchester United. I have been increasingly more interested in these exhibition matches every year as I feel that MLS teams are slowly closing the gap between American and European soccer. However, there's still a long way to go. First of all, the European teams that have been playing are at the top of the class: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Manchester City and others are some of the best teams in the world. While some of the games have been pretty close, others have been lopsided; clinics put on by individuals (Cristiano Ronaldo) and teams (United) show that the MLS still has a ways to go. Hopefully, tonight we'll see better competition than what was witnessed in Manchester United's 5-2 shellacking of the MLS All-Stars last summer.

Tyler- The MLS came out nervous, a couple soft back passes, almost let Rooney get in the back. They looked in awe of the giants they were playing, but seem to have settled down a bit.

Ankur- Manchester United are coming off another great season. Though they lost to Barcelona in the Champions League Final, they put forth a brilliant Premier League season and proved to be the most consistent, talented team in England. They’ve filled some holes through transfers and have played well in America so far, having outscored their opponents 14-2 in three games. So far in the first few minutes, the MLS All-Stars have played well and kept their attack up! Usually when All-Star teams play together, especially after only one or two practices, their defense struggles because of miscommunications and misunderstandings between players. They're hoping to keep United out of the net long enough to steal a goal.

Tyler- Other than lots of disappointed Mexicans in the stands, what kind of impact do you think not having Chicharito will have on ManUtd?

Ankur- Well, Chicharito was probably the biggest surprise and the best rookie to arrive on the soccer stage this past season. Not having him means United may lack that extra goal-scoring minded player if the MLS concentrate on shutting down Rooney and Berbatov. However, one of the reasons a team like United differ from an MLS team is that they have access to multiple star players and have more depth than almost any team in the world.

Tyler- The depth showed for United in Seattle, when Sigi Schmid's team held them to one goal in the first half but hemorrhaged goals in the second half, giving up six more. All of that without their "Little Pea". The depth shouldn't be a problem in tonight's game with most of the league's best players taking part in the show.

Ankur- The abundance of depth for the MLS squad is exactly why I am most intrigued by this match. I fully expect United to win, but only because they have played a lot as a team and that will prevail over the 90 minutes. And with that, the first goal! Beautiful passing by United, which was no match for the MLS defense. I hope that the MLS stay composed and push forward with more chances to equalize. 1-0 Manchester United.

Tyler- United exposed the biggest difference between a club team and an All-star team, communication. The All-Stars had a chance at the other end before the goal but Davis was unable to find anyone available inside of the box. The lack of communication could be the downfall of this team.

Ankur-Exactly. While the MLS All-Stars are individually in mid-season form, United is practically in mid-season form already. Their season just ended at the beginning of June and they've now played three games in the Herbalife World Football Challenge. So United have a distinct advantage in a couple aspects.

Tyler- The MLS is content with taking shots from distance. While I understand that the lack of communication is keeping them from linking together enough passes to warrant Ole's, they have to realize that this isn't an MLS keeper and their strikes aren't doing much but giving Lindegaard an opportunity to make brilliant saves. Now Olave the only person who really has the speed to keep up with Rooney is down and probably out.

Ankur- I agree, but give some credit to the MLS. Lindegaard is fighting for a spot, so he may have some nerves and might make an error. Brad Davis and David Beckham had great shots stopped and they've had a few corners as well. They should continue to pressure, but need to be wary of the counter-attack that Rooney, Park, and Berbatov run so well.

The MLS seems to finally have found their possession. Unfortunately, unlike United they HAVE to make changes to the line up. Similarly unfortunate, Ji-Sung Park expanded the gap between the two teams with an outstanding example of individual skill, rattling the bravado of the Americans and the inside netting with a single strike just before the break. Manchester United lead 2-0 at halftime.

Ankur-That video montage of top plays from the MLS season reminds me. Who are your favorites for Goal of the Year? My top three currently stand as the Rooney bicycle, the Hassli volley bomb, and the dos Santos floater. Any to add? We're seeing some beautiful soccer this year, and I think the rest of the year will lead us smoothly into Euro 2012!

Tyler- I know we can definitely forget about Balotelli's back heel. I'm stuck between whose goal I would put on top. Rooney's goal was great and every child old enough to kick a ball dreams about a bicycle goal. On the other hand, Hassli's goal was pure brilliance, a no looker from the corner of the box. I'm not sure we are going to see a goal like that for a long time. The second half is underway with 5 new players on the field 3 field players for the MLS (LaBrocca, Beckerman, Pierce) and a keeper change for each side (Hall-MLS/Amos-ManU).

Ankur- I was hoping the MLS would keep the same players for the most part for some of this half, but I guess they want everyone to get some minutes. Berbatov tries to imitate Rooney with a chip over the goalie which hits off the crossbar; but Berbs is there with a chest and slam home to give United a 3-0 lead. United have had huge advantages over the MLS squad and while the MLS have shown some flashes, they have been dominated overall by a team hitting its stride.

Tyler- The All-Stars just had their first real chance this half; their passing has been more fluid and it's only a matter of time before their balls find the netting. It should be a game then, because according to a poorly quoted Ronaldo, "Goals are like ketchup, they either all come at once or not at all."

Ankur- Good run of chances by the MLS All-Stars, but again, unable to finish. Still better, more organized play by Manchester United, but the subs for the MLS have come to prove that they belong on the same field. And I must say, David Beckham can still pass the ball with the best of them!

Tyler- Becks can still play with the best of them but not at a holding midfield position like Hans Backe wants him to. An outstanding strike by Danny Welbeck from outside the box makes it 4-nil in United's favor in the 68'. The Red Devils have completely dominated the MLS on every stop of this tour. It makes me wonder if it's a lack of skill on the part of the MLS or if United has become unstoppable. They haven't been this dominant before; this year has been something else.

Ankur- I touched on this a bit in my last article. The ugly thing about this sport and almost all professional sports is that money truly brings sustainable success. Sure, you may have a flash-in-the-pan team here and there, but the Manchester United's and Real Madrid's are going to be successful almost every season because they can afford more top-tier talent up and down their starting lineups and benches. The MLS can't afford multiple stars, and will lack in their level of play because of this bankroll deficiency. It sounds like a long time from now, but I think in 10 years the MLS will be able to truly compete with the rest of the world. Their time is coming!

Tyler- The biggest hurdle for the individual teams is the Salary cap. Each team is allotted $2.675 million with each of the 3 Designated Players counting as 335k of that cap with the rest of the salary coming out of the owners’ pockets.

In the 81st minute a legend enters the field. Kasey Keller has officially made his last professional appearance both as an All-Star and against ManU, magical. He was my hero growing up and I watched his game tape online to make me a better keeper.

Tyler- That's all she wrote. After 90 minutes, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils have proven once again that they are the most dominant teams in the world by beating the MLS's Best by a score of 4 goals to zero, zilch, nil, nada. The MLS started off rough and didn't ever really find their stride. Manchester United dominated the game from the first touch to the last. The All-Stars are all in midseason form and will return to their clubs tomorrow to begin the fight for other silverware, while United will head to America's capital to face off against Barcelona in a UEFA Champions League final rematch. The showdown in DC will not be quite what the fans bargained for since both teams will be missing key pieces of their team.

The atmosphere was magical. Between the soccer legends Ferguson, Beckham, Henry, Rooney, and Keller, America got its fix tonight. The most magical moment came in the 81' when the original American soccer legend Kasey Keller entered the game in what is his last year of professional soccer. The country’s respect for this man forced the MLS to fly Keller in to play.

While I would have liked to see the MLS hand United their horns in a bucket, I, like the rest of the country, have to remember that it was only an exhibition match that doesn't reflect how the league performs. Alex Ferguson has said he believes his team will enter the Premier League winning games 4 or 5 to zero. So far, I would have to say I agree with that prediction. The MLS may not have the money to work deals with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Petr Cech, Nnamdi Asom..., but the point is that with such a small salary cap the MLS can't attract top notch talent. However, that doesn't stop them from growing and becoming stronger. It's only a matter of time before the US Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League draw comparisons to the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

Ankur- You said it. Money is the biggest difference between the teams that have continued success and the teams that don't. It's a shame that professional sports are marred by something that should have very little influence over the competition, but sadly it does. We are still drawn to the beautiful aspects of the sport: the goal-scoring, the physical ability, the ball skills, and the overall love of the world's game. While I mostly follow European soccer, I hope that one day there is a Champions League-type competition that includes the MLS and South American teams that is as highly regarded as the UEFA version. Being able to see the Seattle Sounders take on Manchester United in a World Football Challenge that actually matters and is more evenly matched would be amazing. That would mean that America has finally embraced the most beautiful sport in the world and that money has taken a backseat to the pride and athleticism that make soccer so fun to watch and play.

Until next time, this is your Soccer Briefs guys signing off. We look forward to your comments! Let us know how we did on our facebook page MyBriefs.com, or @MyOwnProdigy (MLS News, Rumors and more) and @AnkursBriefs (Premier League) on twitter!

Excitement, pressure aplenty as EPL comes to a finish (April 2011)

This season’s race to become champion of the English Premier League has certainly been an interesting one. A few years ago, the big four—Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal, dominated the EPL. While those teams are still consistently toward the top half of the table, other teams are stepping up. Tottenham Hotspur (I love that nickname), Manchester City, and Everton have all had strong showings this season in creating an interesting battle for Champions League spots next year.

Though Manchester United and Arsenal had been battling for the top spot most of 2011, it was Chelsea who jumped out to a strong lead in the first half of the season, only to choke it away on over-coaching and a surprising move to bring in highly touted striker Fernando Torres. Not only has Torres struggled (scoreless in almost 700 minutes in a Chelsea uniform until his first goal Saturday), but he has also taken playing time away from the always-dangerous Didier Drogba. Admirably, Chelsea has fought back to 2^nd place, and are threatening to take the title if United should falter.

After the last week’s events, it seems that Arsenal are officially out of the title race, dropping to 9 points out of the lead after a loss at Bolton. Time and again, Arsenal field squads that are solid on paper, but are missing chemistry on the field. After he tried to inspire confidence by saying Arsenal were within reach of the Quadruple, manager Arsene Wenger can only be frustrated and befuddled by a team who fails to win the “big matches”, as rightly he should. Now he awaits his fate as to whether he will be returning to the sidelines in Emirates Stadium next season. A new manager is not necessarily the best move, but it may be what is needed to light a spark for the Gunners.

Finally, in the top spot since late last fall, Manchester United have rather quietly set themselves up for the Double (Premier and Champions League titles). After a rather disappointing loss to their Manchester counter-parts in the FA Cup, United can focus on what are the two most important races for a team of this caliber. Sir Alex Ferguson has done a rather commendable job in balancing his multitude of starting-XI worthy players throughout the various competitions; even though both Arsenal and Chelsea remain on the schedule, United should coast to the Premier League title. Many critics will view this season as one of Sir Alex’s finest if he can lock down both titles. With many intriguing matchups still remaining, the Premier League again gives fans an exciting finish to the season.