Ah, Friday. MLS players supposedly voting to strike, the league talking about progress, nothing at all happening, pre-season matches continuing as usual. Gotta love it. None of us over here are expecting a work stoppage. I think it’s just some last minute hardball before some signature pages get executed. But what do I know. Fans are excited about new teams, new arenas, and the energy is palpable. So let’s just wrap up. Okay?
So what’s the lesson boys and girls? That’s right, you can’t buy success. Although money certainly helps, it doesn’t help to have crazy people running your club. There’s something heartwarming about Real Madrid, a team that went out and bought the two best players in world, losing to a Lyon side who sold Madrid their best player as well. That’s the football gods for you.
The pitch during the CONCACAF Champions League match last night between the Columbus Crew and Mexican club Toluca was comical. It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again. How about some pitch consistency? MLS plays on everything from wonderful grass to American football fields with lines, to last night’s cow grazing pasture (post-graze). Is groundskeeper one of the positions that have been eliminated to cut costs?
Adriano’s got issues again. No one has ever questioned Adriano’s talent. But his off the field issues have been following him for years now. Adriano left Inter Milan to relieve his depression by moving back to Brazil to be closer to his friends. Robinho recently left Manchester City under similar circumstances. It makes you wonder whether the players were running from disciplinarians (more…)
So it appears that Sven is in talks to take on the Ivory Coast job. You know how I feel about that already. But this is really getting out of control. I can sympathize with a guy trying desperately to get a job. We all know that it’s hard out there these days for international managers. But seriously, Sven will take anything right now. Ivory Coast, have some self-respect. (more…)
After firing their coach and celebrating their liberation with a loss to South Korea in a friendly on Wednesday, Les Éléphants are no longer looking like serious World Cup contenders. As if things weren’t chaotic enough, rumor has it that they have been in contact with Dutch coach Guus Hiddink about coaching the team during the World Cup. Yes, the same Guus Hiddink who (more…)
Robinho looked happy again yesterday on his return to England. Clearly, unhappy players don’t play well. But what is it exactly that makes Robinho happy? Several things come to mind, but one thing stands out. Robinho seems happiest when he is playing regularly and is an automatic selection. Will that make his return to Europe more difficult if he wants to return to a top side? Are there top sides willing to risk signing a temperamental Robinho?
We’ll have a piece on this later in the week, but thought we’d throw this out now. Nigeria just appointed Swede Lars Lagerback to coach the national team on a five month contract, which obviously runs through the World Cup. Why do coaches with no experience in Africa keep getting appointed to lead African sides? Foreign coaches haven’t exactly had mind blowing results leading African sides, but they sure get paid a lot, and ultimately fired like everyone else.
Adebayor is collecting bans like Chris Hanson collects predators. It’s been a rough year for Ade. Chased out of North London, then crucified for a celebration, the ambush in Cabinda, now this. Let’s remove Cabinda from the conversation. Do you think Adebayor is that bad, or has he just solidified a reputation that’s now difficult to shake?
Not to beat a broken horse to death, but the John Terry – Wayne Bridge affair just won’t go away, and I thought it was worth muddling in the muck a bit (J/K). On a serious note, in light of Wayne Bridge pulling himself out of contention for a spot on the England squad, is there truly a code amongst teammates, you know a “code amongst brothers or sisters” or is this a bygone notion from an era long gone?
If you love perms or Didier Drogba, you’ll love the Les Éléphants shirt …
Spain is trying to conquer the world again. This time, they might succeed.
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