World Cup and European leagues

[ScotsFan]

I like the idea of giving some new blood a chance.  It might be nice to see some fresh faces on the English side.  Looks like Capello might be trying to prove a point early that spots will have to be earned and not just by name and reputation... 

[Hoosier Titan]

I like that idea too.  Another loss to the English side today--Emile Heskey is out with an injury.  There is definitely room for the new additions to make their place.  Some young players--Aaron Lennon and Theo Wolcott in particular--are playing U21 but could get called up to the senior squad.

[Hoosier Titan]

Liverpool got their first home win in the EPL since December 22 against Sunderland today, 3-0.  The first half was, even in the Liverpool FC writeup, "totally awful."  The Reds came out with more fire after the break.  Benitez started a strange defense:  Hyypia and Skrtel at center back, Fabio Aurelio at left back, and Jamie Carrigher at right back.  Carra got the scoring started with a beautiful pass into the box from the right wing; Peter Crouch put it home low and to the keeper's right.  Then Crouch hit Fernando Torres, who outran two defenders to score easily.  The last goal was a penalty taken by Steven Gerrard after Jermaine Pennant (who had a great game) was brought down in the box.  The score was probably more lopsided than Sunderland deserved for their defensive effort.

Sunderland protested two calls by official Rob Stiles.  I think they had a point on the first one; it was a shot which went into Carrigher's armpit for a call of "handball."  I think it was inadvertent--he was making a sliding tackle and it would have been an unnatural movement to haul the arm in--but the ball did deflect off his arm.

That was the only match I was able to see today.  Time to head to Shirk for two big basketball games--women, then men--with Carthage.

[Spence]

Did they not check into the way Hicks ran the Rangers?  Spend too much on zero results; not the way to run a world class club.

Good question.  I haven't been following Major League Baseball, but that information was certainly easy to find.  I feel guilty--we watched the Liverpool-Portsmouth match in a pub in Cambridge last September.  All the fans there wanted to know about the new owners and if they are reliable.  In a way I'm glad I didn't know. 

Jermain Defoe to Portsmouth at the last minute was the biggest transfer I saw--pretty quiet. 

Any thoughts about the recently-announced England side?  Here's a link to a story with the full roster.  Notable omissions:  David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Paul Robinson, and John Terry (due to injury).  New faces:  Curtis Davies (West Brom on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan), and Gabriel Agbonlahor (also Aston Villa).  Capello says he's willing to look at Beckham again when he's playing regularly here again.

Agbonlahor is a powderkeg that's waited long enough. Everything Theo Walcott was supposed to be but hasn't gotten the chance to prove yet.

It's about someone made the golden generation (that has produced no gold) earn their spots.

[Hoosier Titan]

Michael Owen scored what was apparently a great goal for Newcastle, although that was not to be the only scoring in the match with Middlesbrough.  The BBC runs a live commentary board, with people texting and emailing in comments.  Today, as fans of the two sides were trading barbs, came this one:  "Watching Newcastle and Boro fans attempt to score points off each other is truly just like watching two bald men fight over a comb."

[Browneagle64]

I can't wait until Wednesday night when the boys in Red, white and blue take on "El Tri" for a friendly (yet all out competitive) game against the boys from down south.  It should be fun to see what improvements Coach bradley and co. will bring this team around.

As for El Tri, i hope that Coach Sanchez's game plan to using more young players then vets doesn't back fire on him.

It should be a fun game.

[ScotsFan]

Browneagle,

Thanks for that reminder.  I almost forgot about that friendly.  This would be a nice win for the US.  I'm going to go set up my DVR now...

[Hoosier Titan]

I, too, am glad you mentioned the US-Mexico, Browneagle.  Since I follow the EPL primarily (and no US players are on the Liverpool side), I keep seeing good US players on the other side.  I am glad to get to be FOR them. 

[joepieters]

The thing that has always suprised me about the Americans in the EPL, is the significant number of #1 keepers we have in the League:
Keller
Friedel
Howard
Hahneman
W/ Brad Guzan looking to head to Villa in the summer.
Pretty impressive list, IMHO.

[Browneagle64]

As expected, the friendly game between Team USA and "El tri" sure did turn out be a battle. Both teams came out with a lot of young talented players who kept this game close. In fact, coach Sanchez decision to use young players since the past few months turned out to be a great plan. As for coach bradley, taking the same approach as coach Sanchez took turned out to be the best for team USA. Overall, the boys need to work more on defense. Team US 2- El Tri 2

[Stinger]

There were obviously some good things, and not so good things in the US/Mexico game last night. One, I thougtht Altidore showed that he is going to be the striker of the future for the US. Although he didn't get many touches, he looked very aggressive and obviously, had a great finish.

In the Midfield, Convey was non existent.  Not a big fan. Bradley and Clark were okay, though very defensive. They didn't get any attacking done from their positions.

Defensively I thought Gooch and Boca were solid, but Drew Moor was awful. How do you let the same guy beat you so badly?  Although he played the perfect cross to Jozy, he was still the goat of the match. Though his co hort on the left side, Coralles played awful as well.

All in all, an intense game and an average result. It's too bad Dempsey's goal was called back. That was a beauty.

[ScotsFan]

Pretty spot on with that overview of the match Stinger.  I was thinking the same thing about Moor last night.  His defensive lapses led to both goals and they just happened to be goals 1 and 2 internationally for that guy as well?!  But at the same time, he played in that beautiful delivery to Altidore for our 2nd goal.  He obviously needs to work on defending set pieces though...

Bradley and Clark were okay, though very defensive. They didn't get any attacking done from their positions.

This is something I don't understand.  The commentators mentioned that Bradley had a goal in 6 straight matches over in the Dutch League.  But it was like he wasn't given any chances to attack last night. 

Overall, a pretty good result for the US.  I like what I saw from Altidore and to think this kid is just 18! 8)  It was nice to see Freddy get some minutes as well.  Don't forget, those 2 were playing in the U20 World Cup just last summer!  The future looks bright for the Americans.  I was impressed by the play of Clint as well.  I think his time in the Premier League is paying dividends!  It was a shame they waved off that goal because it was a thing of beauty! 

And at least the unbeaten streak continues on US soil against 'El Tri'!!!  8)

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Defensive struggle is to be expected.  They didn't call up all of the best defenders for this match.  Most every great defender the US has is playing in Europe and, especially for the younger ones, the inter-continental travel does more harm to their play than it does good for the squad.  Glad to see the US doing well.

The team is really coming together well for the next Cup; a lot of these guys will be in prime form and age.

[sac]

Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

what a surprise.

[Hoosier Titan]

Hey, that feels like a victory for Liverpool, with Torres injured.