Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) Became The First American To Appear In A Champions League Final

 

    The USMNT still has a ways to go but today was a special moment as its brightest star-Christian Pulisic-became the first American to ever appear in a Champions League Final as Chelsea blanked its Premier League rival Manchester City 1-0 to win its second Champions League title in club history. The 22-year-old from Hershey, PA subbed in for striker Timo Werner in the 66th minute and just missed scoring the insurance goal that would have put Chelsea up 2-0 on the favored Manchester City who won the Premier League this season. In 24 minutes of action off the bench, Pulisic had 19 touches of the ball and made 16 passes while recording one shot. He capped off an up-and-down season personally in the best possible way, as a legitimate contributor to the top club team in the world. 

    In 10 Champions League games this season (which included four starts), Pulisic had two goals and two assists. In 27 Premier League appearances in 2020-21 (18 starts), he had four goals and two assists. He also played in six FA Cup matches (three starts) and two USMNT friendlies where he added a goal in two starts. It's been a very busy stretch for Pulisic who battled a hamstring injury and saw his former manager at Chelsea-Frank Lampard-get fired and be replaced by his old Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel. It's easy to get caught up in the frustrating aspects but the bottom line is that there he was smiling from ear-to-ear and lifting the Champions League trophy this afternoon in Porto with his Chelsea teammates so that had to make all the hard times well worth it. 

    For the record, he wasn't the only American there either as Manchester City's backup goalkeeper for most of the season was Zack Steffen-another native of Pennsylvania. He was understandably stuck behind City's star Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson but the 26-year-old still managed to get in the occasional starts in the League Cup, the FA Cup, some USMNT friendlies, the Premier League and the Champions League in this past campaign. This is a guy who was in MLS just a few years ago so I'd say that his future also looks very bright considering how far he's come in his career. More than anything with the next World Cup coming up in 2022, seeing Pulisic and Steffen as key parts of two of the best club teams in the world, as a fan of the USMNT you have to be psyched about the future with so many talented players scattered all around the world.

Tweet

Follow @RichSlate 

Samantha Mewis Goes to Man City Which is Great For Her & USWNT but Bad News for the NWSL

 

    Hello friends, I thought that I should check in after over a year since my last post. Haha so what have you been up to lately, are you enjoying the pandemic as much as I am? With no Olympics this summer (maybe next summer?) plus all USMNT and USWNT matches cancelled due to the coronavirus, there has not been a whole lot going on with our best men and women's soccer players. Yes, our top men like Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) and numerous guys in the Bundesliga gave us something to watch this spring/summer when European leagues returned to action. Similarly, many of the top women's players were in the successful NWSL Challenge Cup tournament in Utah which concluded in July. 

    Still, there are so many question marks in all of our lives these days, so imagine if you were a professional athlete in the prime of his or her career. What a nightmare. Whitman-Hanson alum (shoutout to that Massachusetts high school) and UCLA star Samantha Mewis has improved by leaps and bounds the last few seasons to become one of the best midfielders in the world. As such, she wants to challenge herself and the fact that there is no certainty if the NWSL will even have anymore games this year, she made the prudent decision to head to England to play for Manchester City. 

    I have always taken the opposite view to our USWNT players than the USMNT guys (who I always want to go abroad) since they are in the mix every year for the best national team in the world so you would hope that the United States could sustain a top-flight women's professional soccer league. Turns out, no matter how many World Cups (four) or Olympic gold medals (also four) that they win, all that love and positive momentum that they gain in the brightest spotlight, without fail always fades a bit too much when they return home. 

    That's why more and more of the USWNT's top stars head to Europe like Carli Lloyd or Alex Morgan (before she got married and had a baby) to play for powerhouse clubs like Man City or Lyon. Rose Lavelle is also rumored to be going to Man City any day now. There are only eight teams in the NWSL and even though Mewis' club-North Carolina Courage-is one of the best, she needs more certainty in her professional life. Women's soccer is slowly getting more popular overseas and it's no wonder that the juggernaut men's clubs can also field a women's team in its own backyard. 

    I will never lecture anyone on what to do with their time but with that said, this is my personal feeling on the subject of women's soccer in the U.S.: if you enjoy the USWNT, please support them at their club teams as well and make the NWSL or whatever women's league is around in the United States more stable so that our best players don't have to compete elsewhere to stay in top shape for the World Cup, Olympics, She Believes Cup, friendlies, etc. Rant over. 

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

Hi Haters: Landon Donovan Continues To Do Work For Everton On His 2nd Loan

I've never pretended to be the biggest Landon Donovan fan.

In a column last week, Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl referred to U.S. fans as either Donovan supporters or Clint Dempsey honks. Without question, I fall into the latter category but I have to admit that Landycakes is getting it done in Everton, again.

In today's 1-0 win over Manchester City, Donovan had the assist on the game-winning goal by Darron Gibson in the 60th minute.



As you can see in this shaky YouTube highlight that was obviously taken right from a TV, the deflection in the box comes to Donovan. Rather than rush or force a shot, he lays it off softly for Gibson who hammers it in.

If you're scoring at home, this was the fifth assist for Donovan in seven matches (including FA Cup games) with Everton on this loan spell, his second with the Toffees.

A cynic would say where is this guy when the United States plays non-CONCACAF legitimate opponents but hey, at least he is doing this somewhere against top-flight competition. All we can hope is that this pushes him into a great spring and summer with the U.S. as they start World Cup qualifying for Brazil 2014.

PS Tim Howard had the clean sheet for Everton, handing Manchester City only its third loss of the EPL season thus far.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

There Will Always Come A Day When A Great Player Will Leave Arsenal

It's hard to relate it to American sports since they're a great club team that spends money and is always one of the top squads in Barclays Premier League and Europe but it's a proven fact (over and over again), that almost all great players will leave Arsenal at some point.

The latest to join his fellow French countrymen (Patrick Vieira, Kolo Toure) at Manchester City is left back Gael Clichy, who signed a four-year deal with the team that finished third last season in the Premier League and captured the FA Cup.

Arsenal was forced to sell the 25-year-old Frenchman because he had only one year left on his contract and could have moved on a free transfer at the end of next season.

Clichy spent eight years at Arsenal after joining from Cannes in August 2003. His ability on the left of defense was one of the reasons the Gunners were able to allow England international Ashley Cole to make a high-profile switch to Chelsea three years later.

Clichy was backup to Cole when Arsenal won the 2003-04 Premier League title with an unbeaten record, making him at the time the youngest player to earn a Premier League winner's medal - aged 18. He was the last member of that squad still with the north London club.

"I can't wait to get started and I think anything is possible with this team,'' Clichy said. "When I first came to England, it was Kolo Toure and Patrick Vieira who took me under their wing and really looked after me.

"Kolo would pick me up and drop me at home and his wife used to cook meals for me. Patrick was always there to offer me advice, so it's wonderful to be back and at the same club they are at.''

City did not say how much it paid for Clichy. British media widely reported the fee to be about 7 million pounds.

"I'm really happy to be joining such a great club,'' Clichy said. "I hope I can add to the quality we already have here because we have a fantastic squad who I believe will continue to get better.''

With their playing style, supporters and history, Arsenal is one of the most likable club teams in the world. British author Nick Hornby wrote the book Fever Pitch about them before it was adapted into the terrible Jimmy Fallon movie about the Boston Red Sox.

So if you're a fan of the Gunners, you must go to sleep every night worrying that their current superstars Andrey Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas will eventually leave you at some point. That's no way to live.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Say goodbye to Adam Johnson, for three months

Manchester City has earned its spot (currently third in the EPL) and they look destined for a Top-4 finish barring a collapse. However, the news today that midfielder Adam Johnson is out for three months doesn't help their cause.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed that winger Adam Johnson has been ruled out for three months with ankle ligament damage.

Johnson sustained the injury in an accident in training on Thursday and City initially ruled him out of Saturday's FA Cup tie against Notts County.

However, following the 1-1 draw against the League One side, Mancini revealed the bad news for City supporters.

"We have lost Adam Johnson for three months,'' Mancini said. "This will be a very big problem because he is an important player.

"The injury is like the one Aleksandar Kolarov had earlier this season. We do not have another player like Adam.''

The news means it is very unlikely that Shaun Wright-Phillips will be allowed to leave City prior to the close of the transfer window on Monday night, despite suggestions he will hand in a transfer request.

"I can understand his position," Mancini said. "We haven't had any offers for Wright-Phillips at this moment but it is difficult for Shaun to join another team now. We still have another 24 hours, so anything can happen but it probably affects it."

Mancini also ruled out a bid for wantaway Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and confirmed skipper Carlos Tevez had missed out with a back injury rather than merely being rested, as it was thought.

He usually comes off the bench but with three goals, three assists and 28 shots in 22 games, Johnson has quickly become one of the most trusted reserves on the world's most expensive club team.

Other transfer news

So many things going on as far as the transfer window is concerned since it ends this Monday.

Fulham captain Danny Murphy has signed a deal that will keep him at Craven Cottage through the summer of 2012.

"I'm delighted to have signed a contract extension this morning," Murphy told the club's official website. "As a Club we've achieved great things during my time at Fulham so far, not least our highest ever League finish and reaching the Europa League Final, and it is a great source of pride for me, as club captain, to have played a role in some truly historic moments for Fulham Football Club.

"We've made great progress as a club, on and off the pitch over the past few years, and with the chairman's continued support, I believe we've got many more great years ahead of us.

"On Sunday we've got a massive game against Spurs in the FA Cup and as a team we will give our all tomorrow afternoon to earn a place in the fifth round. I'm sure it's going to be a great atmosphere at the Cottage and hopefully we can continue our impressive start to 2011."

Murphy joined Fulham from Tottenham in the summer of 2007 and has made 119 Premier League appearances for the club.

Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given wants to drop down to the Championship in order to play more often and regain his form.

The Ireland 'keeper saw Roberto Mancini opt to make Joe Hart his No. 1 at Eastlands and he has cut a frustrated figure through the autumn and winter. He has made few comments about his future but, after Mancini said last week that he was reluctant to let Given leave as it may leave him short should Hart pick up an injury, he has now signalled his determination to move on.

Given is prepared to drop down the divisions and is hopeful a recall clause may persuade City to let him head out on loan.

"I just want to play football," Given is quoted as saying in the Irish Times. "I do not want to go for an entire season without playing, which is how it's looking if I don't get games.

"I am prepared to go to a Championship club immediately to get some games and to be on a 24-hour call-back to Manchester City. That would benefit me, by getting me match-sharp, and City, who would have an experienced, match-sharp goalkeeper to come in if Joe got injured. I'd hope it would also benefit the club I'd be at. There are a couple interested."

Chelsea is ready to offer a record $40 million pounds for Fernando Torres.

It is understood that having failed with offers of £28 million and £32 million, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to sanction a bid of £35 million plus the £5 million-rated Daniel Sturridge in order to bring Torres to Stamford Bridge.

That offer would represent a British transfer record, but it remains to be seen whether it would be enough to convince Liverpool to sell the striker, who has scored 65 goals in 102 Premier League games for the club since his move from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007.

Torres has made his own perspective clear having shocked the club's fans by submitting a written transfer request on Friday. Liverpool subsequently announced that the request had been denied as manager Kenny Dalglish is determined to retain the services of the Spain international.

However, it is understood that Torres is desperate to play Champions League football - a scenario that looks deeply unlikely at Liverpool for next season, even if the club are on the brink of signing Ajax forward Luis Suarez for £22.8 million.

Chelsea have left it late in the transfer window to secure Torres but hope to sign the striker prior to the deadline closing on Monday night at 2300 GMT.

The Blues are also considering whether to increase their offer for Benfica defender David Luiz to £25 million after seeing talks collapse with the Portuguese club on Friday.

It is understood Abramovich has been advised to complete the two transfers in January, rather than the summer, in order to make it easier for Chelsea to comply with UEFA's incoming Financial Fair Play regulations.

A source told ESPNsoccernet: "The snag over Luiz for example has been quite small, but Abramovich has been told that he must spend now because if he wants to keep within the new rules, it will be more difficult in the summer.

"January is not normally the time when the big clubs recruit in this way, but it is an exception because of what is coming up in the summer."

Manchester United is interested in Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

A dependable presence in South Africa last summer for the World Cup finalists, the Ajax goalkeeper is highly rated across the continent. And now United coach Rene Meulensteen has confirmed the 28-year-old - who only has a year left on his current deal with the Eredivisie club - has attracted Sir Alex Ferguson's interest.

"Stekelenburg is indeed the 'keeper who is at the top of our wanted list," Meulensteen said. "We naturally talk a lot among ourselves about who should replace Van der Sar. Alex Ferguson has spoken about Stekelenburg with Edwin and that does not seem strange to me at all."

United's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele acknowledged earlier in the week that the club had three targets in mind who could potentially succeed Van der Sar, who will retire at the end of the current campaign, with assistant manager Mike Phelan suggesting on Thursday that Sporting Lisbon's Rui Patricio is also someone of interest to the Old Trafford hierarchy.

"He's a young keeper with enormous potential - we've known Rui Patricio for a long time and we've also played against him a few times," Phelan said of the 22-year-old. "The only thing I can confirm is that we haven't made any offer."

Tottenham won't sell Gareth Bale according to head coach Harry Redknapp

Bale is one of the most talked about players in Europe, having twice this season tormented European champions Inter Milan in the Champions League. His form in the Premier League has been of a consistently high standard and his wicked left foot has seen him become the subject of widespread transfer speculation.

It was claimed this week that Inter were readying a summer bid believed to be in the region of £40 million, although this was swiftly played down by the Serie A giants. The chatter has not been missed by Redknapp and he has once again made it clear that Tottenham have no intention of selling a player they bought for £5 million from Southampton in 2007.

"We won't be selling Gareth Bale in the summer, it's up to the chairman but I'd be very surprised if we were interested in selling him at any price," Redknapp said. "You have special players in your team and if we're going to be a top team you've got to keep your top players, you can't be selling Gareth Bale.

"You've got three or four players who can make a difference and he's one of those players. And, if you lose him, you can't replace him. Where are you going to replace him? You go and get one from here, one from there, another one.

"When he gets the ball something happens, he can do something that no one else can do. We can't afford to lose him."

Redknapp has revealed that midfielder Tom Huddlestone has suffered a setback in his bid to return from the ankle injury that has sidelined him since September.

"Tom's had a setback and it seems he's going to be longer than we expected," Redknapp said. "His ankle is sore. He tried to do a bit of running and is still a long way away.

"We will have to look at his situation with regard to the 25-man squad. I am hoping he'll be okay as he is important to us and is a fantastic player."

Spurs fail to get Nolan Carroll.

Tottenham Hotspur have failed with a reported offer of £25 million for Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll.

Harry Redknapp has been linked with a move for the England international, 22, for much of January and it is understood that Spurs firmed up their interest with a formal offer.

However, Newcastle rejected the bid, reported to be in the region of £25 million, and have instructed Tottenham they do not want to lose Carroll before the transfer window closes.

The striker, who travelled to Sweden on Friday to address a troublesome thigh injury, has scored 11 goals for the club this season.

Carroll's impressive form for the Magpies saw him win his first international cap in the game between England and France in November.

Spurs want Scott Parker from West Ham.

West Ham have rejected a last-ditch bid by Spurs to snatch Scott Parker in exchange for Robbie Keane. The Hammers are still hoping to sign Keane, although negotiations are now sure to run until the final day of the transfer window on Monday.

ESPNsoccernet has been told that the Keane deal with Spurs will be concluded over the weekend and the deal signed on Monday morning.

But West Ham were forced to tell Spurs "no" for the third time regarding Parker, as Harry Redknapp has twice before tried to capture the midfielder. Redknapp was desperate to bring in his long-term target and offered £8 million plus the £6 million-rated Keane, but again West Ham turned them down, even though Spurs might have also thrown in Jamie O'Hara as part of the package.

West Ham want to take Keane on loan, paying a £1 million fee, with a view to a permanent deal on the condition that the Hammers stay in the Premier League at the end of the season. Spurs want a £6 million fee even if they go down, and that issue is the final piece of negotiations.

West Ham United chairman David Gold confirmed the move to sign Keane before the close of the transfer window, having also signed striker Demba Ba from Hoffenheim.

"Robbie Keane is a player we greatly admire. He is clearly available and quality players rarely are," Gold said. "We see him as a potential acquisition. We are looking at all players that are available from top-quality clubs.

"David Sullivan (West Ham's co-chairman) was up until the early hours of the morning still pursuing targets that we have. It will probably go right to the wire. We like to think we don't leave a stone unturned. Our people will go the extra mile to do whatever it takes to try to bring in players that otherwise you wouldn't get if you didn't pursue."

West Ham have also rejected moves by promotion-seeking Cardiff to bring Wales defender Danny Gabbidon home. Cardiff boss Dave Jones wanted the 37-times capped player - who spent five years with the Bluebirds. Cardiff offered £250,000 but it was instantly turned down.

Sunderland have indicated they would offer £3.5 million for Frederic Piquionne, which was also immediately rejected by West Ham. The offer arrived via an agent but was dismissed out of hand by the Hammers.

Sunderland secures loan of Sulley Muntari.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has finally made a transfer breakthrough when he secured Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari on loan for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old Ghana international, who left Portsmouth for Inter in a ¬16 million move in July 2008, will join compatriots John Mensah and Asamoah Gyan at the Stadium of Light.

Bruce said: "Sulley is a fabulous acquisition for the club. When the opportunity arises to bring in a player of his ability - even in the short term you have to take it, and I'm delighted that we have been able to.

"His adaptability is a great asset. He did extremely well at Portsmouth so he knows the Barclays Premier League well and you have to be some player to move to Inter Milan for the fee that he did. He's a great addition."

Adebayor loaned to Real Madrid

The big transfer news in England and Spain the last few days has been Emmanuel Adebayor shifting from Manchester City to Real Madrid.

Adebayor, 26, is in the Spanish capital to complete a move for the rest of the season and after undertaking tests on the Togo striker, Real's chief of medical services Carlos Diez said he was impressed with Jose Mourinho's latest signing.

Diez told Real's official website: "He is a physical marvel. He is in very good physical condition and will be able to immediately be incorporated into the team.''

Real will sign Adebayor on loan with an option to buy him in the summer, though the former Arsenal frontman has been signed chiefly as a temporary replacement for injured striker Gonzalo Higuain.

He was initially a massive hit at City following his £25 million move north from the Gunners 18 months ago, scoring in his first four games, but his star faded after Roberto Mancini replaced Mark Hughes as manager.

A change in scenery often turns things around and this could be the case with Adebayor. He's got the talent, now he just needs the results with Cristiano Ronaldo and his new Real Madrid teammates. Then he'll get paid and everyone will be happy.

Here's a story that everyone can enjoy

There are few certainties in life but you can always and I mean always count on Craig Bellamy to do something stupid and get caught in the process.

The latest saga of his never-ending off the pitch escapades was your run of the mill assault charge.

Police say Wales striker Craig Bellamy has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting two men in a late-night incident last week.

South Wales Police say the 31-year-old Bellamy, who is currently on loan at Cardiff from Manchester City, was released on bail on Wednesday after speaking with officers.
The alleged attack took place in Cardiff's city center in the early hours of Sunday and left the two men with facial injuries.

Bellamy dropped into English football's second tier when he signed for Cardiff - the city of his birth - in August last year. He has also played for Liverpool, Celtic, Newcastle and Blackburn.

The fact that Bellamy keeps getting a million second chances can tell you something about his talent and also the fact that he'll never change or grow up. When you sign this joker, you have to know he'll pop off sooner rather than later and that's what I have always admired about him. Anyone who can do as many stupid things as him and still be gainfully employed (and not behind bars) deserves some type of award. We pour out this lager for you Craig and look forward to your next mess.

Tevez is not leaving Man. City, at least not right away

Nothing like a public spat with your team played out in the British tabloids. I've found that always solves my problems.

Carlos Tevez must agree as his latest drama has involved his should I stay or should I go deal with Manchester City. The newest chapter is that he withdrew his transfer request, he must be in the holiday spirit.

City announced that Tevez's contract, which has 3 1/2 years to run, remains unchanged and that the Argentina international has "expressed his absolute commitment to the club.''

Tevez retained the captaincy for Monday's game against Everton and received a warm reception from the home fans, but could not prevent his side slipping to a 2-1 loss that leaves City third, two points behind leader Manchester United.

The defeat soured the mood at Eastlands following the earlier news that Tevez, the club's top scorer and highest paid player, had had a dramatic change of heart.

In a total PR damage control move, Manchester City tried to sweep all of this under the rug. Nothing to see here folks.

"Manchester City can confirm to its fans that 'clear the air' talks have been held with Carlos Tevez,'' the club said in a statement. "During the meeting Carlos expressed his absolute commitment to the club and formally withdrew his transfer request. Carlos' contract remains unchanged and both Carlos and the football club are keen to focus on the opportunities that lie ahead.''

Tevez is seen as pivotal to City's hopes of winning the top flight title for the first time since 1968. His 10 league goals have put City on course for a top four finish and qualification for the Champions League.

"Carlos is a world class player whose contribution since he joined the club has been invaluable,'' City manager Roberto Mancini said. "I am pleased that we are now able to focus on pure football matters and to be able to look forward to Carlos continuing to play a significant role in the club's progress.''

The statement contained no direct comment from the 26-year-old Tevez, and Mancini did not reveal what had prompted Tevez to change his mind.

"I think that it's not important,'' Mancini said "It's important that the situation was clear in this moment and everything went in a good way, that's important.''

This will be something to pay attention to as the EPL season goes by and depending on how Manchester City ends up. For Tevez and the team, it has to be Champions League (top 4) or bust.

Balotelli plays one game with Man City, gets hurt

Chalk it up to the fact that he played in Serie A but I can't believe it took this long for us to mention Mario Balotelli.

The Italian bozo is one of soccer's great headcases and he's already made quite an impact after his transfer from Inter Milan to Manchester City. Or maybe not and he scored a goal in his first game (an exhibition) but also tore his meniscus in the same match and will be out six weeks.

Like most bozos at this level, he's very talented (hence why he's stuck around) but he is kind of a poor man's Craig Bellamy in terms of nuttiness (not that crazy) and skills (good not great).

Balotelli made his long-awaited move to Eastlands from Inter in mid-August but, having made an instant impact with a goal on his debut against FC Timisoara, he sustained an injury in the same match.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Striker Mario Balotelli is to undergo surgery on his injured knee that could rule him out for up to six weeks.

"The Italian's injury is to the lateral meniscus, one of the two most crucial structures in the knee, and medical wisdom is to try and encourage the problem to heal without recourse to an operation.

"It was hoped that the symptoms would settle down but, once Balotelli began to step up his recovery programme this week, it became clear that action would need to be taken."

Balotelli has now flown back to Milan for the operation.

Seeing that disgusting haircut makes me wonder if Cisse is still alive? Last I heard, I think he was playing in Turkey (no joke).

Milner leaving Aston Villa, shipping up to Manchester City

It was a move that was whispered for weeks and possibly months, now it's official: James Milner is done at Aston Villa and bound for Manchester City.

Milner, 24, will undergo a medical at Eastlands on Tuesday afternoon and City midfielder Stephen Ireland will move in the opposite direction to Villa Park.

City manager Roberto Mancini hopes to tie up all the loose ends by Wednesday at the latest.

"I hope we can close it between today and tomorrow,'' Mancini said. "I think that Milner is a good player, an English player which is important. I think that Milner can play in different positions.''

City have been pursuing the England international all summer and had an initial bid rejected before the start of the World Cup. The final fee is reported to be around £20 million.

Milner played his final game for Villa in their opening Premier League fixture on Saturday, starring and scoring in a 3-0 home win over West Ham. He received a standing ovation from the home fans.

The midfielder moved to Aston Villa in 2008 having enjoyed a successful loan spell at Villa Park during the 2005/2006 season. Last term he was named the PFA Young Player of the Year and was also selected in the Premier League's Team of the Year.

Aston Villa is good but Manchester City is better, expect them to finish in the top four in the EPL this season and qualify for the Champions League after they just missed out last season by finishing fifth. They lacked an English presence so Milner is a good choice since he's young and his best years should be ahead of him, particularly when you surround him with such talent.

Barry questionable for World Cup

We are down to 33 days and counting until the World Cup begins on June 11 and England midfielder Gareth Barry could miss out with ligament damage in his ankle.

The Manchester City man is estimated to be out for up to four weeks, which means he should be back right around England's opener against the US (you probably haven't heard about it) on June 12. He hurt it playing for his club against Tottenham on Wednesday in the Peter Crouch game-winner match.

With Ashley Cole, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Barry, England's injured list is growing by the hour.

"Gareth is a fantastic guy and a fantastic player," City manager Roberto Mancini said Friday. "I hope he can play in the World Cup but [England coach] Fabio Capello and his medical staff must decide.

"I don't know exactly how bad, maybe three to four weeks, so I hope he can still go. He deserves to play in the World Cup."

Teams must submit 30-man rosters to FIFA on Tuesday, then cut to 23 by June 1. Injured players can be replaced up until 24 hours before a team's opener.

The Three Lions have exhibitions against Mexico on May 24 and Japan on May 30.

Peter Crouch is bulletproof (for now)

On Wednesday, Tottenham beat Manchester City 1-0 thanks to English striker Peter Crouch's header.

It was a monumental win for Spurs since it breaks the chokehold on the top 4 in the EPL (Chelsea, Man. U, Arsenal, Liverpool) and gives them at worst the fourth spot and a berth in the playoffs for the Champions League next season.

If they can win at Burnley on Sunday in their final match of the season, Tottenham could move up to the third spot and thereby avoid the playoff.



The goal ironically came a few moments after Crouch couldn't connect on a cross at his feet that skipped across the goalline. Hopefully in this upcoming World Cup, England learns from its mistake in 2006 of targeting Crouch constantly in the air. He's great in the air but they have to diversify their attack a little more than that; a team with as much talent as England should never be as low-scoring and predictable as they were in 2006. End of rant.

United win, scrub's brother gets beaten

Mame Biram Diouf is a 22-year old striker from Senegal that rarely plays with Manchester United's first team. He has one goal in five games with United since transfering from Molde (a Norweigan club) in January.

English hooligans were never known for their intelligence and this story should warm the hearts of those that thought hooliganism was a thing of the past or Hollywood movies (Green Street Hooligans is very underrated).

Diouf's brother was assaulted outside Eastlands on Saturday afternoon following United's thrilling 1-0 derby win over Manchester City.

The United forward's agent, Jim Solbakken, told the Daily Mail: "There was an incident after the match. He was attacked from behind by some Manchester City supporters as he was walking away from the ground.

"Fortunately there was no need for medical treatment and he got away without any serious injuries.''

Diouf's brother's crime? Wearing a United shirt with his brother's number on it. So yeah, he definitely deserved to get beaten. Thanks hooligans.

Adebayor has played his last game for Togo

Following the tragedy in January involving Togo's national team at the African Cup of Nations, star striker Emmanuel Adebayor has decided to retire from international play.

He claims to still be haunted the attacks which killed an assistant coach, press officer and bus driver. Goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale and defender Serge Akakpo both recovered after being hit by bullets, along with Togo boss Hubert Velud.

You can't blame anyone for backing away after a life-changing experience like that.

"I have weighed up my feelings in the weeks and months since the attack, and I am still haunted by the events which I witnessed on that horrible afternoon on the Togo team bus. We were just footballers going to play a football match and represent our country, yet we were attacked by people who wanted to kill us all. It is a moment I will never forget and one I never want to experience again."

Adebayor has had a fine season with his new club Manchester City, scoring 13 goals and 3 assists in 21 games.

Scoring a hat trick in 12 minutes? So easy even a Caveman can do it

I had DVR'd the Wigan-Manchester City game this afternoon but I turned it on in about the 68th minute and boy was I in for a treat.

Manchester City striker and one of our current favorite strikers in the world (see Carlos Tevez All-Stars) Carlos Tevez saved his team with three goals in 12 minutes as Man City turned a tight game (and must-win) into a laugher.

With the win, City vaulted over Liverpool into fifth place in the EPL. They're two points ahead of Liverpool and two points behind Tottenham (who's in fourth place).

Conversely, Wigan is just two spots ahead of relegation (16th place) and four points ahead of Hull City (18th place).

Wigan defender Gary Caldwell had received a red card in the 55th minute (for a rough challenge on Tevez) which left Wigan with 10 men for the rest of the match.

Tevez finally came through in the 72nd minute after Wigan striker Paul Scharner and goalie Vladimir Stojkovic ran into each other, allowing Emmanuel Adebayor to tap it forward and then Tevez put it in the vacant net.

Two minutes later, Tevez finished a Adam Johnson cross that was flicked on by Vincent Kompany. He proceeds to run to the end line and take off his shinpad which has his new baby's name on it. How cute.

In the 85th minute, when Tevez gained possession in the attacking third, you had to know that he was going for the hat trick (ie. he wasn't going to pass it). After faking out Scharner and Titus Bramble, Tevez put his shot far post for the hat trick.

That celebration was even more mint as he jumped over the advertisement boards and into the loving arms of City fans. And that's how you celebrate a hat trick.

Wayne Bridge, not loving life either

One can't mention John Terry these days without also talking about Wayne Bridge.

Proving the world is not a fair place, Bridge is doing arguably worse than even Terry. The Manchester City defender and former English defender (who refuses to play on the national team with Terry) had to have hernia surgery yesterday which will cause him to miss a month of action.

Bridge had just recently come back from a knee injury which shelved him for 13 games earlier in the EPL season.

Manchester City is battling for the fourth spot in the EPL standings, which would enable them to qualify for next year's Champions League. It would also throw a curveball into the Big 4 of English soccer: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Adebayor accepts four-game suspension

Former Arsenal striker and current Manchester City hired gun Emmanuel Adebayor has accepted a four-game suspension after being sent off with a red card in Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round replay loss to Stoke.

He hit Potters defender Ryan Shawcross with a flailing arm and he chose not to appeal the decision. It's normally a three-game suspension but an extra game was added since it was his second violent act of the season.

Adebayor received a three-game suspension in September after a crunching tackle against former Arsenal teammate Robin Van Persie.

City is also without another former Gunner, Patrick Viera, who kicked Stoke defender Glenn Whelan in last week's premier league match with Stoke.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=747240&cc=5901

Altidore's goal for Hull vs. Manchester City

As promised earlier, here is Jozy Altidore's goal vs. Manchester City from Saturday. It was his first EPL goal and what a strike it was as he ran onto a perfect pass and fired it into the corner.

http://ballsession.blogspot.com/2010/02/hull-followed-up-tuesdays-draw-with.html

I apologize that this isn't a YouTube file. This blog was the only place I could find it. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and the goal happens around the 28 second mark.

Jozy Altidore says hello from the UK

It only took 18 games but American Jozy Altidore finally scored his first EPL goal today in Hull's 2-1 upset of Manchester City.

The 20-year-old striker has played 18 games for Hull, starting 11 but before today he had only recorded two assists. He also had a goal for Hull in the Carling Cup but today's goal was particularly special since Hull is near the bottom of the EPL standings and they need every win that they can get.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=269894&cc=5901

One of the best parts about the EPL is the concept of relegation. While the top three teams advance to the Champions League (and the fourth is a qualifier that must win its way in), the bottom three squads (18-20) are all fighting to avoid relegation which can mean the difference of obscene amounts of money.

Imagine if American professional sports leagues (namely the NBA, MLB and NHL had this): it ensures that virtually every game has some meaning to it. The same can't be said for that Pirates-Nationals game in September or Islanders-Oilers in April.

A quick YouTube search showed that the goal wasn't up yet but I'll post it when I can find it.