El Dane

Valuing Strikers: The Case of Thierry Henry

ElDane — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:48:00 GMT

Thierry Henry was sold to Barcelona for £16 million. Darren Bent was sold to Spurs for £16.5 million. Fernando Torres was sold to Liverpool for £27 million. Perhaps I am a bit confused. Perhaps there is a reason why I am sitting here writing articles instead of sitting behind a negotiating table for one of Europe’s big clubs. I see some serious discrepancies in the values placed on these strikers considering their ability, big-game potential, and overall résumé up to this point.

Let’s start with Henry. He has been arguably the best foreign player to ever leave his mark on the Premiership. He has been undoubtedly the most productive foreign player in the Prem, scoring 174 goals in 254 league matches for the Gunners. Not to mention the fact that only two years ago he led a very young Arsenal team to the Champions League final. Last year he suffered a long term injury as the wear and tear of leading such a young squad got the better of him. Appearing in only 16 league games he still managed to rack up 10 goals. Out of the three strikers I mentioned above, Henry sold for the least amount of money and that is due to two main factors: last season’s injury and age. For Barcelona’s sake Henry’s injury was the best thing that could have happened. It brought his value down from a purported £30 million to around half that sum. At the age of 29, people are saying Arsenal may have been the biggest winners to come out of the deal and that they sold at the perfect time. However, if Henry is anywhere near his top fitness at the beginning of the season, which I suspect he will be, then Barcelona will have come away with a great bargain.

Some pundits claim that adding Henry to a list of egos such as Ronaldinho, Eto’o, and Messi will be disastrous. However, if Rijkaard can find a way to keep a lid on Eto’o (or perhaps if Laporta can sell him) then Barca will possess one of the most feared striking arsenals (no pun intended) in football history. And just one last point about Henry. Those who say Arsenal made the right move because Henry is past his prime at 29 simply need to look at a man named Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He moved from England to Spain under similar circumstances with people claiming that his best years were behind him. Ruud proved everyone wrong by winning the pichichi with a staggering 25 league goals at age 30, leading Madrid to the title. Don’t be surprised if Henry does the same in Barcelona.

While Darren Bent is rated, along with Wayne Rooney, as the best English striker, his transfer fee seems a bit over the top. Spurs splashed out more for Bent than Barca did for Henry. 16.5 million for a man who only scored 14 league goals last season, has never played in Europe, and who has not proven himself for England. The justification for such a large fee is, once again, his age. At only 23, the price tag is more based upon promise and faith than performance. Spurs made the signing of the season last year with Berbatov. Let’s hope, for their sake, Bent justifies his price tag.

The most baffling transfer fee of them all lands firmly on the doorstep of Liverpool. A very hefty £27 million for El Niño Torres is what the Merseysiders are praying will bring them back to prominence in the Premiership. Torres is chomping at the bit to play in the Champions League and excited to form a partnership with fellow Spaniard Rafa Benitez. However, similar to the Bent deal, there are some issues with this signing. The first is that historically Spaniards do not adapt well to the Premiership. There is something about the lack of sun, good food, etc. that the Spanish have difficult adapting to culturally. As far as football goes, the likes of Morientes and Luis Garcia were never fully accustomed to the British style of play and soon found themselves back in the Iberian Peninsula. Torres himself, while still only 23, has been a professional since the age of 16. He has captained Atletico for a few years now, but has led them nowhere. They always begin the season with a lot of promise, but have never fully convinced. While Torres has consistently scored around 15 goals a season, there is something missing. A lot of his goals are soft. They come when his team is already down by three or when they are drubbing a bottom of the table side. He is not the sort of player who picks the team up in the last ten minutes to lead them on to victory. But perhaps with Gerrard by his side to do that part of it, he will be able focus on putting the ball in the back of the net and help Liverpool fight for the league title.

With Chelsea, Manchester United and now Liverpool clearly the top three clubs in pole position to win the Premiership, Arsenal may be ruing the intangibles that Henry brings to their squad. Confidence, leadership, guidance, and passion are qualities that every team needs. Although Arsenal just bought Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb to fill Henry’s role, there is no replacing the man himself.

Spain and England's Top 10 Players 2006/7

ElDane — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:12:00 GMT

With the premiership players flying off to their holiday destinations for the summer and the Spanish season winding down, it seems to be the appropriate time for some reflection. While ManU ran off with yet another Premiership crown in the remaining weeks of the season, La Liga is still extremely tight with only two points separating Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla with two weeks to play. While all top ten lists are subject to ample criticism and argument, this is my take on who deserves the lion’s share of the praise in the two most exciting leagues in the world.

Top 10 England:

10. Michael Carrick: The Manchester United midfielder was bought from Spurs for a seemingly exorbitant price of 18.6 million pounds during the summer transfer window. His critics were abound throughout the first half of the season, but his tactical awareness, keen passing and tough tackling slowly won over the Red Devil faithful. Carrick’s massive performance against Roma in the Champions League quarterfinal included two fantastic strikes which seemed to justify his price tag, but he did one better by playing an integral part in United’s first Premiership title since 2003.

9. Jonathan Woodgate: Many people will scratch their heads at this one, but there’s one simple reason he’s on this list: without Jonathan Woodgate Boro would have been in a relegation battle. A keen signing by manager Gareth Southgate, Boro secured Woody’s services on loan from Real Madrid. It was a risky choice considering that he had rarely seen the pitch in his two years in Madrid due to recurring injuries. However, Woodgate proved his fitness, showed that he was a top class defender and often single-handedly kept Boro in tight games. Middlesbrough fans should be thanking their lucky stars he has decided to stick around next season.

8. Tim Howard: Most pundits have Petr Cech as the top goalie in the Prem, but my vote, perhaps a bit ethnocentric, goes to American Tim Howard. He was sent on loan by ManU to Everton in order to gain some more first team experience, but ended up proving he is among the best in England. His shot stopping and positioning have both improved as he showed time and time again throughout the year. Everton has qualified for the UEFA Cup next year and has signed Howard to a four year contract. His importance was underlined in the third to last week of the Premiership season when Howard was on the bench due to contract terms and his replacement gifted ManU four second half goals and ultimately the Premiership title.

7. Ricardo Carvalho: The Portuguese player was the best defender in the Premiership. As Chelsea scrambled to deal with so many injuries in their back line, it was Carvalho who stepped up and held the team together week in and week out. He finally broke down and succumbed to injury in the last three weeks of the season, perhaps condemning Chelsea to a second place finish.

6. Mikel Arteta: Brought over from Real Sociedad on loan two seasons ago, the Basque midfielder has proven to be one of the biggest bargains over the last few years. His energy, pace, tackling, leadership, and dead-ball accuracy have made Arteta a hit on Merseyside. Scoring some spectacular and also important goals, he led the charge for Everton’s run toward the UEFA Cup spot.

5. Michael Essien: In the fifth spot, the same as the number on his shirt, is Chelsea man Michael Essien. Is there anything that this guy can’t do? Chelsea having a defensive crisis? Just move Essien to center back. Chelsea need a goal in the last minute? Just get the ball to Essien. Chelsea need possession? Just let Essien tackle the guy. At times it seemd like there were about five Michael Essien’s running around the pitch. It’s no wonder that Mourinho basically begged the Chelsea board to sign this warrior. Every team should be so lucky as to have a player with the talents of Michael Essien.

4. Steven Gerrard: Everything I just wrote about Michael Essien can be applied to Steven Gerrard. Captain fantastic always pulls Liverpool up by the boot strings and leads them in the right direction. Granted, Liverpool’s season fizzled out in the Premiership, but when it comes to Europe, no English team knows how to win like Liverpool. And the engine to their driving success has and always will be Stevie G. Everyone knows he does the most damage in the middle of the park, but even pushed to the right wing he still does the business.

3. Dimitar Berbatov: Can you get any smoother than this guy? The Bulgarian super-striker proved to be an incredible buy for Spurs and his teaming with Robbie Keane hands-down the best in the league. He can score goals in any conceivable way – side volleys, headers, angled finishes, chips, free-kicks, etc.- and is now being offered massive sums of cash from the Prem’s big four clubs. He has pledged to stay at White Heart Lane for the foreseeable future, but a talent like Berbatov will ultimately look to play for a club competing in the Champions League.

2. Didier Drogba: He finally produced the season everyone had been expecting of him. Scoring 33 goals in all competitions made Drogba an obvious candidate for player of the year. Many say that Shevchenko was simply a waste of money, but his movement and status forced defenders to pay extra close attention and Drogba used that extra space to find the back of the net on a regular basis. To put the cherry on top of a marvelous season, he scored the extra-time winner in the FA Cup final to beat rivals ManU.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: Love him or hate him, he is the best player in the Premiership. With his Lord of the Dance-esque step-overs, lightning quick pace, scoring ability from midfield, and his penchant to win penalties in tight games, Ronaldo has cemented himself as one of the world’s top players. Without Ronaldo picking up the goal-scoring slack, Manchester United would not have won the title, plain and simple. Now when people say Ronaldo, no one thinks of the striker in Milan, for they all know it’s that slick winger playing for ManU.

Honorable Mention:

Mascherano/Tevez : When these two moved to West Ham it began as an absolute disaster. Their arrival coincided with the team’s disastrous dip in form and descent into the relegation zone. However, Mascherano moved to Liverpool where he quickly gained a first team spot and Tevez almost single-handedly saved West Ham from relegation. Not a bad ending to what began as a nightmare.

Gilberto Silva: With Thierry Henry injured for most of the season, the Brazilian midfielder was handed the captaincy. At Arsenal, Gilberto was in charge of an extremely young, inexperienced team who needed a leader. Gilberto quietly and cooly took the reigns and helped turn the Arsenal boys into men. The results were not there for the Gunners, but this year’s learning experience, led by this man, should lead to future success for the Londoners.

Petr Cech: When he went down with the head injury that nearly ended his career, Chelsea’s form went with it. His injury was perhaps the number one reason Chelsea lost the title this year. The Christmas period saw Chelsea drop points to teams that they typically beat. Arguably the best goalie in the world, his quick recovery helped Chelsea push forward and win the FA Cup.

David Bentley: A revelation for Blackburn, this David Beckham-like player has the ability to put the ball anywhere he wishes at any time. He scored and set up numerous goals for the Rovers and with more time and experience could play a big part in the English National Team set-up.

Benni McCarthy: The South African was the bargain buy of the year and his 18 goals saw him competing for the league scoring title. Perhaps Mourinho should have brought him over from Porto instead of spending 30 million pounds on Shevchenko.

Top 10 Spain

10. Raul Tamudo: An absolute hero for the other set of fans in Barcelona, Tamudo led Espanyol to an improbable second place finish in the UEFA Cup. If I was a betting man, there was no way I would have had money down on Espanyol to even get a sniff of the UEFA Cup final in Glasgow. But, alas, through grit and determination, little Espanyol, led by captain Tamudo, found themselves a few penalty shots away from glory. Meanwhile in La Liga, Tamudo has quietly put together a fine season, scoring 12 goals as Espanyol looks forward to a comfortable mid-table finish. P.S. They also have the chance to play spoiler for local rivals FC Barcelona if they can pull off a victory at the Camp Nou this weekend.

9. Gabriel Milito: Zaragoza have been arguably the most exciting team to watch in La Liga due to their all-out attacking style. However, all that attacking can only be done with a solid back line and a confident captain. Gabi Milito has been that rock in the back all year for Zaragoza which has allowed them to push forward with ease, knowing their defense is secure. Aided by his goal-scoring brother, Diego Milito, Gabi now has the chance to score the ultimate revenge against the team that snubbed him due to a bogus medical exam and knock off Real Madrid at La Romareda.

8. Alexis: It is generally difficult to measure the importance of a defender, but in the case of Alexis, it is quite simple: He has led Getafe to the best Goals Against statistic in the league, giving up only 30 all season long. At 21 years old, Alexis has been coveted by Real Madrid and Barcelona but has chosen to pledge his future to Valencia as a replacement for the departing Ayala. His emphatic performances have led little Getafe to the Copa del Rey finals and a place in next year’s UEFA Cup.

7. David Silva: A member of the devastatingly quick Valencia side whose wingers give other teams nightmares, Silva made his presence known to the rest of the world with a spectacular goal against Chlsea in the Quarterfinals of the Champions League. For those of us who watch La Liga week after week, Silva has quickly become a household name, but the rest of the world was introduced to the 21 year old after he lased a 25 yard angled ball past the helpless Petr Cech. There is a lot more to come from this special player and it should be a lot of fun to watch.

6. David Villa: Another David from Valenica, this young striker has lit La Liga on fire with his speed, intelligence, and inventiveness. With his 20 goals in all competitons, he has vaulted himself ahead of Raul and Fernando Torres in the Spanish National Team pecking order. Rumored to be heading to Chelsea next year, Villa could cost the Blues upwards of 30 million Euro. Talent like this doesn't come cheap.

5. Carlos Puyol: This man defines FC Barcelona. While other stars have been injured or far from their best, Puyol has led Barca game after game. Even as his team gave up a ten point lead to Real Madrid, Puyol would step out on the field and confidently do his job. Barcelona are tied with Getafe in the goals against column and that is largely due to Barcelona’s captain. After a large dip in form over the last few months, Barca appear to be back on track in order to fight Madrid for the league title. They are tied on points and are almost a lock to win their next two games, hoping Madrid will slip up and gift them a third successive title.

4. David Beckham: The script writers in Hollywood couldn’t have come up wth a more dramatic story than that of David Beckham. His well-documented tale of woe and redemption has inspired Real Madrid to claw their way back to the top of La Liga. Don’t be fooled by the glitz and glamour; Real Madrid’s ascendancy has coincided 100% with the re-emergence of Beckham. His play has been outstanding and his leadership undeniable. If he leads Madrid to the title, he will be hailed as a God in the eyes of the Madridistas for all eternity.

3. Fredi Kanoute: Kanoute left Spurs an un-wanted man after two barren years with the London outfit. His time in the South of Spain has brought out the best of the Mali-born striker as he is still fighting for the pichichi (league scoring title) and the League title as well. Having already won the UEFA Cup, any of the two aforementioned awards would be a fitting end to a truly spectacular season.

2. Ruud Van Nistelrooy: After a relatively slow start to the season by his standards, the Real Madrid striker is back to his best, leading the league with 23 goals. He is the ultimate poacher, poking in goals from all angles, but has also proven to be capable of the spectacular including one of the season’s best, a smashing volley from a cross field ball. His renewed love affair with Beckham has lifted Real Madrid to the top of the Spanish table and if he can put the ball in the back of the net a few more times in the two remaining games, Madrid will lift yet another league trophy.

1. Dani Alves: The street-urchin-looking Brazilian has been the most electrifying player in Spain this season. His break-out year has seen him vault his way onto the Brazilian national team. He is a right back but is feared as a lethal attacking force. He appears to be chiseled out of the mould of a young, right sided Roberto Carlos with jet-setting runs down the flank, great tackling and excellent crossing ability. Alves is coveted by nearly every top team in the world right now and will certainly be leaving Sevilla at the end of the year.

Honorable Mention:

Javi Navarro: The Sevilla captain has led his team to the UEFA Cup two years in a row and has been an absolute force in the back.

Sergio Ramos: The Real Madrid right-back has scored important goals in the last few weeks to keep his team in the title chase. He is quickly becoming the new favorite at the Bernabeu and will surely take over the captaincy once Raul steps down.

Nikola Zigic: The gigantic forward for Santander has poured in 12 league goals this season and has proven a very difficult player to defend. He has the height of Peter Crouch with a little more bulk and a similar efficiency in front of goal.

Roberto Soldado: On loan from Real Madrid, Soldado’s form this year for Osasuna has culminated with his call-up to the Spanish National Team. Madrid should be looking to hold onto this young talent who surely has many great years ahead of him.

I’ll Take the UEFA Cup

ElDane — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:06:00 GMT

The outcome of Wednesday’s Champions League final was all too predictable. Two tired teams were dragging their heavy legs, beaten from a grueling season, into Athens to play for the greatest prize in club football. But it was never going to be a replay of Istanbul 2005. Neither team was going to let that happen again, which left only one option. A display of dull, overly-tactical, mind-numbingly boring football.

Milan and Liverpool each played with a lone striker and two defensive midfielders in what looked like an instructional match on how to pass the ball around midfield. Granted, Liverpool attempted pushing down the wings through the lively Jermaine Pennant, but 100% his crosses were fantastically errant. So it was down to a deflected free kick that provided the opening goal. A DEFLECTED FREE KICK! The European Cup Final and this is how we open the scoring? With Inzaghi celebrating like he actually meant to have the ball rifled off his shoulder past Pepe Reina? Thankfully, for the sanctity of the game, he scored a proper goal to kill the game off in the last ten minutes, but the match had been over for a long time. Even Gerrard couldn’t conjure up any of his magic which we have become so accustomed to seeing. It must be said, that 2007 has been a year of truly disappointing Cup Finals, save only the UEFA Cup.

As dull as the Champions League Final was, it was shockingly less boring than the FA Cup final. After the thrill and excitement of the 2006 FA Cup Final between West Ham and Liverpool, Chelsea and Man U served up the mother of all sleepers. We can just thank our lucky stars that we weren’t subjected to that twice in one week and that they were both knocked out of the Champions League.

It is common to hear a debate about whether the top clubs play too many games. There is only one side to this argument. All those in favor say YAY, all those opposed should have their heads examined. When players can’t give 100% in a Cup Final because they are so overworked, there is a serious problem. With teams like Chelsea touring various countries during the pre-season, playing in the Carling Cup, Supporter’s shield, FA Cup, and Champions League, all while fighting for the league (not to mention players who leave for their respective international teams), it’s no wonder they hammer out a dull 1-0 game in the Cup Final. Mourinho had every right to lament the fact that he didn’t have the luxury to rest players, as Liverpool did, in the run-up to the end of the domestic season. Fatigue is the principal reason why the UEFA Cup is always such an entertaining game while the Champions League final is hit or miss. The teams who compete for the UEFA Cup usually aren’t packed full of international stars running fixture-heavy schedules.

Teams such as Liverpool, Milan, Real Madrid, and Barcelona are accustomed to making it deep into the group stages of prestigious competitions. On the other hand, teams such as Espanyol, Sevilla, Spurs, and Bayer Leverkusen are not. So, for example, when a team like Espanyol makes it to the UEFA Cup final they are going to play their socks off. They don’t have the luxury of playing defensive, over-thought football. Their club may never get this chance again. A team like Sevilla seems like they are always fighting for trophies, when in reality last year’s UEFA Cup victory was their first silverware since 1948 (we are yet to see if they run out of steam in the fight for the league and King’s Cup trophies). The final between the two was packed full of glorious goals, late game dramatics, and one or two heroes from each side. Essentially everything you could ever want from a final.

There are years when the Champions League and FA Cup Finals are spectacular, but the more top players and teams are forced into meaningless cup competitions and international money-makers for FIFA, the quality will continue to diminish. So for now, I will continue to be a major proponent of the Champions League’s little black sheep sibling, and support the little guy fighting for the UEFA Cup.

Catch Me If You Can

ElDane — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:10:00 GMT

This season may provide two shining examples of how to blow a league title. Manchester United and Barcelona have been leading their respective leagues all season and are now conspiring to lose it all in the remaining weeks. ManU, with one eye seriously trained on the Champions League appear to have forgotten about the Premiership. In the last three weeks they lost to Portsmouth at Fratton Park and hashed out a decidedly mediocre draw against a decidedly mediocre Middlesbrough side. While over in Spain the last three weeks in La Liga has seen Barcelona lose away at both Zaragoza and Villarreal. With a serious injury crisis, a tough upcoming schedule, Chelsea breathing down their necks and three competitions to compete in, Manchester United will be hard pressed to hold onto the league lead much longer. Barcelona have been in a battle with Sevilla since September and with the re-emergence of a focused Real Madrid, the Catalan giants may also end the season with only a King’s Cup title. The last few weeks will prove whether these two sides will be able to pull it together in order to lift the storied silverware or come away with the scraps of what could have been a glorious year.

Manchester United could win the treble this season. They are four points ahead of Chelsea in the Premiership, just defeated AC Milan 3-2 in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, and face off against Chelsea, yet again, in the FA Cup final. But is it all going to be too much for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men? They are missing three first choice defenders which has left their back line looking shaky at best. Against Milan, they were fortunate not to have Kaka put four past them in the first half. The loss to Portsmouth three weeks ago was a serious shot across their bow. After cruising along in the league all season they suddenly looked vulnerable. Achilles was struck with the fateful arrow. However, like all great sides they came back with perhaps the best performance (combined with one of the worst by their opponent) of any team in the world this year and thrashed Roma 7-1. But after dispatching already relegated Watford, they went to Boro and looked human once again. All this time Chelsea never missed a beat. They have kept stride with the Reds in 2007 and had the chance to put the title within their grasp against Newcastle. The Magpies, however, did not comply and Chelsea sit four points adrift of ManU.

So how will it all end up for the Red Devils? Will they go on to win the treble? My prediction is that they just simply don’t have the horses. They must travel to Goodison Park to face a much tougher prospect than either Pompey or Boro and will be recovering from this week’s bruising confrontation with Milan. They are already stretched thin and are going up against an Everton side with European ambitions. They then have the Manchester derby against a Man City side who have only lost one of their last seven. After that they will be playing the make or break match against Chelsea. It will all be won or lost in those three ties. As far as the Champions League goes, a tough trip to Milan with a 3-2 lead is hardly a sure thing. As we have seen in Madrid, a 3-2 lead means little in Europe. The one-off FA Cup Final with Chelsea may be their best bet for silverware this season, but even that looks to be a daunting task. We saw Arsenal’s trophy ambitions smashed in only ten days and if Manchester United aren’t careful they may be heading down that same path.

So what about Barcelona? With Sevilla and Madrid breathing down their necks, the Spanish press have gleefully pronounced, “Hay Liga!” (“The League is on!”) Barcelona have been leaders since week one. Sevilla have occasionally eclipsed them, but Barca have always battled back to take the lead. Madrid have never seriously been in the title hunt until now. With Madrid being knocked out of the Champions League and King’s Cup, they have been able to focus solely on the league title. With a grade school catch phrase to rally behind, “Juntos Podemos” (“Together We Can”), the Madridistas have been chalking up the wins. A cracking goal from Ruud Van Nistelrooy combined with a majestic set piece from Beckham to Sergio Ramos saw them essentially knock Valencia out of the title hunt.

But back to Barcelona. Leo Messi has finally taken his step towards being one of the great all time footballers with perhaps one of the best goals you will ever see. After a long and arduous search for the next Maradona, Argentina and the world can finally tack all their hopes and dreams to this 19 year old wonder kid, playing for the same club Maradona did at that age. But while Messi has risen to the challenge, his teammates have seemingly done the opposite. Eto’o, Deco, Puyol, and Ronaldinho have all looked like shadows of their former selves and are on the brink of total destruction. Madrid and Sevilla are now being labeled as the two favorites even though Barca has the easier run in to the end of the year. Of course, only time will tell and football is always full of shocks and surprises. But if both Barcelona and Manchester United finish the year trophy-less, don’t say that you weren’t warned.

The Luxury of Being a Football Fan in the US

ElDane — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:13:00 GMT

With a little help from our good friend 'Globalization' the US, (yes, the United States of America, bastion of Baseball, Basketball and American Football), should be seen as the perfect place for the football fan. On any given weekend, you can watch matches from up to ten different leagues in ten different countries. Major League Soccer appears to have finally taken root with new teams, stadia, and David Beckham himself coming to spread the good word. While the best football in the world is played in Europe and South America, the US, like many other goods and services, imports the best the world has to offer.

Last weekend I saw games from Spain, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, and the US. And the best part of the whole thing: As an American you can support whoever you want. Football lovers from other countries are saddled with their boyhood club for life. For example, I played with a guy from Liverpool who ruefully told me he was a Tranmere Rovers fan because the ground was two blocks from his house. He had no choice in the matter. His loyalties were determined at birth. Granted you may live in Columbus, Ohio and are obliged to support the Crew, but when it comes to teams outside our borders, it's an absolute free for all. Pick a team from any footballing nation out there. You can choose any big, small, rich, poor, cosmopolitan, or backwater team you want, order a jersey online, learn the songs, and off you go.

South Africa? How about the Kaizer Chiefs. I always like the band, maybe the team is good too...Brazil? Why not Gremio, seems like a cool enough name, and I think Ronaldinho used to play for them...Spain? Well I went to an all night bender in Mallorca and they have a club....Japan? How about the Nagoya Grampus, sounds like they might need the support...Italy? Perhaps somewhere you want to visit. Maybe get down and dirty in Napoli. Maradona did, why not you? It can go on and on...

Being a US soccer fan in the 1980's was like walking through the decrepit remains of once-beautiful city. The NASL, replete with stars such as Cruyuff, Beckenbauer and Pele, just went under and the men's national team was nothing to write home about. There was no satellite TV that could beam games in from anywhere around the world. The internet had not yet taken off. What the hell did you do back then? Today's generation has all the resources to become just as knowledgeable as any football fan from Europe or South America. Also, with airfare and travel accommodations as cheap as they are, a trip to Europe to catch a Napoli or Mallorca game, for example, isn't out of anyone's reach. You don't want to go to Europe, you say? No problem. Just head down to the Home Depot Center in LA to watch Becks or Lando ply their trade. Or maybe over to The *** in Denver (I just had to throw that in there. Can you believe they named it that?) The options are abound and future generations are going to have it even better.

Many see the Beckham move as a make or break moment in finally making football a top-end sport in the US. I am not one of those people. Who knows what is going to happen this summer when Beckham arrives. Will he push football and make it just a flash in the pan success for all the fringe fans? Or will he have a lasting impression and push the sport to the popularity levels of baseball and basketball. My answer is: It doesn't matter. The roots are already firmly in place. Little kids no longer wear baseball or American football jerseys. They are wearing Arsenal beanies and Real Madrid sweatshirts. With English clubs being bought out by American owners combined with intertwining deals between MLS clubs and those abroad, the global market already has its paws on the US. The biggest clubs in the world already spend their summers abroad in the US, and don't be surprised when in 20 years the World Club Cup has a semifinal matchup between the New England Revolution and Sao Paolo playing the winner of Real Madrid and Yokohama FC. I may be getting ahead of myself here, but the bottom line is that the growth is palpable and the US footballing culture is going strong.

So start looking for those teams you want to support and maybe next summer they will appear at your local stadium. And even if you don't get to see Gremio face off with Nagoya Grampus, you could always catch a webcast, go to your local pub and watch it on satellite, or hop on a plane to join in with the locals. Such is the luxury of being a soccer fan in the US.

Romans on the brink of conquering Europe

ElDane — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:35:00 GMT

Emperor Francesco Totti is leading his Roman legions deeper and deeper into enemy territory. They conquered the French in Lyon and standing in their warpath at the moment are the mighty Britons; the fire breathing Red Devils of Manchester. Silly historical comparisons aside, the tie between AS Roma and Manchester United serves up one of the tastiest match-ups in recent European history.

Roma have been historical underachievers in Europe's premier competition. This is their first trip to the quarterfinals in 23 years. In 1984 they were defeated in the final on penalties to one of the best Liverpool sides to date. This year they occupy second place in the Serie A, a whopping 20 points behind Inter, and their form has been a bit schizophrenic . On their day, Roma are among the best in the world. Games like a 4-0 thrashing of Parma and a ludicrous 7-0 demolition of Catania are evidence of their potential. But they also have losses and draws to teams such as Reggina and Messina.

This all lies in contrast to Manchester United who are six points clear of Chelski in the Premiership. With a struggling Wayne Rooney, the revelation that is Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as not only one of the best players in the league, but one of the best in the world. His Lord of the Dance-esque stepovers leave defenders bamboozled and confused as he simply breezes by on his way to the title. The Red Devils already have an eye on the Treble, and perhaps not one, not two, but three potential season-deciding clashes with new rivals Chelsea. However, it would be to their detriment to discount a very difficult tie with AS Roma.

The jibes and insults have already begun between the two sides. The always politically correct Francesco Totti hit out not only at Sir Alex Ferguson, but English football and, if that wasn't enough, England itself. When asked who the biggest individual threats were going into the quarterfinals, Ferguson rattled off a long list that omitted a certain Signor Totti. So the Giallorossi captain promised Sir Alex that after the tie he will remember the name of Francesco Totti. And for good measure he also added, "I don't like the way English football is even if some great players play there. I don't like English football and I don't like England either because of the weather." No mincing of words by Francesco Totti. Following in the footsteps of their ever-loyal captain, Roma's defenders decided to up the ante as well.

The hardened Roma defenders have made it clear that Golden Boy Ronaldo will not dance around like he does in the Premiership. They have accused him of getting help from various referees, but that will all change when he visits the Olimpico. Christian Panucci said "Ronaldo's class is unquestionable. But I believe he abuses his dribbling talents and always exaggerates his falls. I've watched Premier League matches and he is protected by referees. I don't think he will be on Wednesday." The solid defensive pairing of Christian Chivu and Philipe Mexes will make sure that Ronaldo takes his lumps if he tries any of his trickery. And don't think the fans won't be salivating at the chance to knock off the Reds.

Manchester's fans have been used to seeing the last eight of the Champions League, save the last two seasons. They will be singing their hearts out like they do at every match and will no doubt be invading Rome on Wednesday. But the Romans have waited 23 long years to get back to club football's biggest stage. The Olimpico will be an absolute tinder box waiting to ignite. Expect an extremely hostile reception for the Britons. This isn't your average away match against Wigan, Fulham or Watford. This is another step in the direction of hell.

A few final questions remain. Can Totti produce the magic he does week in and week out in the Serie A against ManU or will he fall into the shadows? Can Ronaldo dance his way around the Roma defense like he does with such ease in the Premiership? Will Roma look to lock it up and draw at home just to search for the away goal in Manchester? The questions are endless but after all of the insults, jibes and pre-game madness, the only thing that counts is what happens between the white lines with 22 men and a ball. All will be decided in one week's time after two scintillating legs of football. Only then will we see if Emperor Totti can lead his men to ultimate European glory in Athens.

Scotland vs. Italy: A Night with the Tartan Army

ElDane — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:33:00 GMT

All I knew about the Tartan Army was that they drank beer (lots of beer), wore funny hats, and were NOT English. Spending my final day of a week-long vacation in Italy, the last thing I thought I would find was a roving gang of Scottish soccer fans, especially in the fashion capitol of the world, Milan.

I was maneuvering the local subway system, trying to find my way to the main piazza where the famous Duomo was located. I figured, soak up some culture, try the local cuisine and head back to the hotel all the wiser. As I was waiting for the first train to come a man walked by me in a skirt. Fair enough, it’s the fashion capital of the world right? Must be some new trend. I boarded the train and thought nothing of it.

As I was walking up the stairs towards the piazza the men in skirts were multiplying and all of a sudden it looked like an extras casting call for Braveheart. The kilts, not skirts, were everywhere and as the steps ascended closer towards the piazza it started to smell more and more like a frat house keggar. The immense cathedral was simply a sideshow to thousands of Scots in their traditional garb: Kilt, kilt pouch, high wool socks, boots, a sash and a hunting hat complete with feather. The light rain suited them well as many ran around shirtless, beer in hand, kicking soccer balls high up in the air and singing.

Bemused, I asked the first person I saw what the hell was going on. “Scotland, Italy World Cup Qualifier! ‘ave a beer!” Amidst all the Chianti, prosciutto and other Italian goodness throught my trip this game somehow slipped under my radar. So naturally I took the beer and joined the party. I didn’t know when the game was, but figured I would just follow the thousands-strong Tartan Army to the San Siro and scalp a ticket. Since the Scots haven’t exactly been a soccer powerhouse of late, it’s not as though the Italians would bat an eye at them, let alone sell-out the immense San Siro.

Although they had been partying since the night before, for me, the party lasted about four hours. I walked around the piazza bumming beers off anyone and everyone. The piazza, an open-air square complete with a giant statue of a man riding a horse, smelled like a mix of B.O. and brewhouse. After about 6 Warsteiners (they were fond of the German beer, go figure), I could have cared less. The Tartan Army was formed as an antithesis to the traveling English fans. Their motto: Whatever they do, we do the opposite. They try to be friendly with the local culture and enjoy the fans, no fighting or vandalism. It was common to see a Scot in a kilt and an Italia jersey wrapped in an AC Milan flag. They were there for the party and a win would just be the cherry on top.

Slowly and drunkenly, people started boarding the trolley cars en route to the San Siro. It’s here I learned my first of many new songs. See if you can follow along: Aaaaaa… Bouncy! Bouncy! Bouncy! Bouncy! As they sang, the 100 or so thick-calved Scots would jump up and down at once and bounce the trolley car like a basketball. Everyone was thrown into everyone and we all had a good laugh. Song number two: If you hate the English, STAND UP! I caught on a bit too late and was given a few sideways looks.

I was asked a few times “Ware ya frum?” “Oh, I’m American but I’m about half Scottish though. I’m a Campbell.” I was not about to tell them that the other half is English. Didn’t feel like getting bounced right out of the trolley. As we loudly rolled through the elegant streets of Milan we caught many confused and yes, very amused looks from the local Milanese. And finally, after another 97 beers we pulled up to the immense San Siro.

I found a Milan local who promised me the 15 euro ticket was with the Scottish fans. The rain began to pound down and even the Scots began heading for the cover of the café umbrellas. I met another kilted Scotsman and asked him where he traveled from. “Me ‘ome is en the ‘ighlands,” he said in a thick brogue. He continued telling me a story but it might as well have been in Russian because I had no idea what he was saying. I became quite adept at nodding my head and smiling.

As gametime approached we made our way to the gate where the steward said that my ticket wasn’t with the Tartan Army. But a quick conversation, a few explanations and apologies and I was sitting with 25,000 Scottish fans in full voice. Which brings us to song number three: Doe a deer, a female deer, ray, a drop of golden sun…. That’s right, the one they sing in The Sound of Music. They sang this continuously and I never really understood why, perhaps because it’s just a nice tune. Either way, they got a kick out of it. There wasn’t even a pause when Milan’s own Andrea Pirlo swung a vicious free kick into the top corner.

At half time the guys next to me who were wearing fake facial hair and giant orange wigs began a chorus of song number four: Show Me The Way To Amarillo. Once again, I missed the joke but the song quickly caught on and the whole Army joined in. The beginning of the second half saw Pirlo repeat his free kick from the first half which prompted the fifth and final song of the evening: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. Suddenly I was in the final scene of The Life of Brian where even though they knew their dismal fate, they still manage to belt out a good tune.

In the end the crowd dispersed and I rode my way home on a quiet street car, quietly humming the tune from The Sound of Music. The Scots lost 2-0 but it didn’t matter. They sang some songs, had some laughs, some drinks and pulled off an invasion rarely seen in Europe anymore. Perhaps their good karma has finally been repaid as they defeated the mighty France 1-0 earlier in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Tomorrow they invade Italy once again, looking for another win on The Way to Amarillo. And maybe, just maybe they can sing their way into a major championship.

Summer Transfer Roulette

ElDane — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:57:00 GMT

All the big players are at the table waiting to bet it all. Here is a small list of who the football world's super-clubs are going to be wagering on come the summer transfer season: Ronaldinho, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Adriano, Dani Alves, Samuel Eto'o, Robinho, Arjen Robben, John Terry, Fernando Torres...and the list goes on. Not to mention the top coaches who might be on their way: Jose Mourinho, Fabio Capello, Rafa Benitez, Frank Rijkaard, Juande Ramos and others. This could be an unprecedented summer as every single "big club" out there is looking to bolster their attacking arsenal. However, as the past has shown, giant transfer fees for top name players is like playing roulette with a bunch of sharks and your gamble might not come off as planned. Let's take a closer look at five teams who may make the largest splash this offseason.

AC Milan: Languishing in fifth place is simply unacceptable for the Milan giants (especially when city rivals Inter are running away with the Scudetto). They have already captured a rejuvenated Ronaldo on the cheap, but now might lose another Brazilian along the way. Kaka has threatened to leave the Rossoneri if they fail to make the Champions League next season. His main suitor who is desperately in need of an out and out attacking midfielder is Real Madrid. Kaka has made himself the flagship player of Milan and seeing him go would be a big blow to their title hopes next season, unless... The rumors are true that Galliani is willing to splash some serious cash to get Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. Quite a good replacement as he will be re-united with Brazilian friend and teammate Ronaldo.

Barcelona: The rift in the Catalan's side is no secret. Between Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Rijkaard, someone has to go. Barcelona will be hard pressed to find a quality replacement for any of the aforementioned players, however here are some of the names rumored to be on their way to the Camp Nou. A replacement for Eto'o would be Thierry Henry. Although he is four years older than Eto'o, seeing Henry in the Blaugrana would be a lift to the defending champs. As for a replacement for Ronaldinho, well, I would say Kaka, but guaranteed Real Madrid will not let him get away, so it would be a tough sell on their part. Perhaps with Messi maturing into the player he was promised to be he will be able to slide back into the playmaker role if Ronaldinho leaves for the glamour of Milan. Also, look for Chelsea winger Arjen Robben to be wearing the Barcelona shirt next year.

Real Madrid: They are rumored to be buying everyone. With an unlimited budget the remodeling plan could get out of control. Their primary objective is Cristiano Ronaldo, who they are reportedly planning on spending a grotesque 80 million euros for. They paid less for Zidane and you are going to have to search high and low to find many people who think he is worth more than the French wizard himself. Capello looks to be on his way out and the number one suitor is none other than the "Special One" Jose Mourinho. If he is to leave Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu expect him to take a few Chelsea players with him, much as he did when he left Porto. Frank Lampard and John Terry would be the two most important as Lampard could fill the gaping midfield hole for the Merengues and Terry could replace Cannavaro. A long shot, but with Madrid you never know. They are also looking at Sevilla pair Dani Alves and Jesus Navas.

Juventus: Did you forget about the Old Lady? Well she will be back and with a bigger cane to slap around those young whipper snappers. They are in the market for Adriano as their main target and will have huge budget to sign anyone else they choose. Exactly who that may be is still a topic of debate, but be forewarned that it won't come cheap. Their re-emergence in the Serie A will cause quite a shake up and they will want to do so in the most spectacular way possible. In order to do that, you must bet big for the best players.

Chelsea: If Chelsea loses Jose Mourinho, be prepared for them to break the bank in order to grab a top class manager. Perhaps Carlo Ancelotti if Frank Rijkaard swoops for his place in Milan. Maybe even Fabio Capello if he leaves Madrid? Who knows, but if Mourinho takes players such as Terry and Lampard with him, then Abramovich will be forced to open the pocket book once again. He didn't invest hundreds of millions of pounds just to come in second place. With so much talent in world football right now, the possible replacements are available and ready to be had.

LA Galaxy: Just kidding, they already got Becks.

These five clubs are the biggest spenders and will do whatever it takes to come out on top. They are the high rollers at the roulette table who can wager it all. But will their millions spent buy them trophies? Only time will tell. As we have seen in Madrid over the last five years, and possibly at Chelsea this season, it's not always the players you buy, but the team you form. That having been said, for those who follow world football this will be a summer to remember no matter which team you support.

Wake Up MLS! Sign Roberto Carlos

ElDane — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:04:00 GMT

Dear Major League Soccer,
    If you are planning on using the "Beckham Rule" to sign big name foreign players, please try to go after those who still have something to give back to the league. Recently there has been talk of Robbie Fowler and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, two players who, in my opinion, have been past their best for some time now. While I see how each player will draw the attention of both the Anglophiles and Latinos, respectively, the overall quality of the league will remain the same. Personally, I would currently fancy someone like Nate Jaqua over either of those players. Both aforementioned players are legends who should retire as such. Fowler is the younger of the two, but has been wracked by injuries, off-the-field controversy, and rarely starts for Liverpool. Blanco is an absolute 'Dios' in Mexico and has been brought back into the Mexican National Team by coach Hugo Sanchez. However, he is pushing 35 years old and has not been the player we all remember from the 1998 World Cup for some time.
    While it is highly improbable that you are going to bring Zinedine Zidane out of retirement or make Columbus, Ohio the new home of Ronaldinho, there are some fantastic options available. My primary target would be Roberto Carlos. The Real Madrid left back has publicly stated that he will not renew his contract in June and will seek greener pastures elsewhere. Where better than New York or New England where two large Brazilian populations have been flocking to for years. At 33 he still looks to have the swagger and fitness that have made him a first choice defender for over a decade. He has an extremely friendly face and always plays with a smile. Not to mention he has the best calves in the business. Anyone who still starts for Real Madrid has quite a bit of playing time left. He would bring pace, experience, and that deadly left foot to any team. You could even push him up to left midfield so that ESPN would not get bored with him playing defense (we all know that, when it comes to football, Sportscenter only likes goals and controversy).   Someone like Roberto Carlos could teach young Americans more than they need to know about playing overseas, playing the most important games in the world, and about true professionalism.
    I have met Roberto Carlos personally and he is one of the most kind, soft-spoken people you can imagine. He takes his footballing seriously, but likes to go out on the town, have a drink or two and talk to his fans. I met him at a bar in Madrid where he was doing just that.   Fans of the MLS would love an icon of world football to join their budding league and really give it an extra push in the right direction. So, please, MLS, sign players who aren't going to come here and die. Don't sign players who come for the retirement cash like the NASL did. Give the fans someone with a few years left in his legs. Someone with the experience of two World Cup finals and over 100 Champions League caps. Only then will you see the MLS begin to turn into a competitor on the world stage. Thank you for you time.

Sincerely, El Dane

El Clasico: A Story from the Heart of Madrid

ElDane — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:15:00 GMT

When Barcelona and Real Madrid play, the whole world watches. Two of the biggest clubs on the planet always manage to entertain, fascinate, and stir up controversy. From the shocking move of Alfredo di Stefano to Real Madrid (who was originally purchased by Barcelona) to dodgy refereeing during the time of Franco, to a pig's head thrown at Luis Figo in the Camp Nou, this game divides the allegiances of neighborhoods, countries and the footballing world. My story comes from the heart of Madrid where loyalties are firmly in the corner of Real Madrid and fiercely against anything resembling FC Barcelona, serving as an example of how deep the fissures have reached between these two clubs.

Living only a few blocks from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, I could only support but one team. Everyone lives and breathes the white and purple of Real Madrid. When a big Champions League match or La Liga encounter is set to be played, the tension and anticipation is palpable throughout the entire city. The lucky 80,000 who have tickets are reading the local football tabloids AS and Marca on the metro, soaking up the last bit of team news before being herded into their seats. Everyone else packs into their favorite bar.

My go-to bar was called El Refugio (The Refuge) and it happened to be located directly across the street from the Bernabeu. It was no bigger than your living room and had a classic rock theme to it. Posters and old tickets from The Rolling Stones, The Stooges, and Jimi Hendrix covered the walls. A DJ booth was located in the far right corner and a giant projector screen showed videos of whatever song was being played at the time. That was, unless Real Madrid was on. Those nights would see El Refugio packed wall to wall with rabid fans, drinking five-euro steins of Mahou, waiting for the spectacle. All of this was on an evening of football that didn't involve Barcelona. When they entered the picture, the atmosphere was cranked up to max.

FC Barcelona fans are called Cules, which literally means Asses. They are named as such because their old stadium had no seats, just railings to lean upon, therefore showing thousands of...well...asses. Outside the Bernabeu you can buy scarves, mugs, hats, and anything else that says Anti-Cule, in big, bold letters. Upon becoming a Madrid fan, you are required (by law I believe) to hate el *** Barca as they are affectionately known. When Barcelona played against Chelsea in the second leg of their famous meeting two years ago, I decided to wander down to El Refugio to check out the action.

To my surprise, I was the only person at the bar. So I sat down with the owner, Chema, who looked something like a Spanish Wille Nelson with a long pony-tail, goatee and typically clad in all denim. This man is a Madridista to the core. From the opening Chelsea goal he was unleashing fantastic strings of obscenities at the Blaugrana. Upon every Chelsea goal he would give me a free stein of beer, which happened to be a lot that day, and so for that I joined him in the shouting. When he finally calmed down I asked him why there weren't more people in the bar, screaming obscenities at Barca as he was. He simply said that Madrid fans hate to even look at Barcelona unless Real Madrid was playing, and hopefully winning against their hated rivals. However, he seemed to be relishing in the fact that John Terry headed home the winning goal and knocked Barca out of Europe's most prestigious competition. Even when Real Madrid was not playing, you could always pray (it is a staunchly Catholic country) that those Catalans would get kicked around.

The rivalry, or morbo as it is called in Spanish, between Madrid and Barcelona is something deeply engrained and passed down through generations. Football fans around the world generally choose Madrid or Barca, but no one can truly understand the enmity like they do in these two main Spanish cities. While living in Madrid I was a passionate supporter and still am, but I was never able to fully despise Barcelona the way in which the natives did. Partly because I am an outsider and will never understand the history and intricacies of such a rivalry. Partly because Barcelona's play was so beautiful that year while Madrid looked like a bunch of sad, abused dogs. But seeing Chema scream his lungs out in such passion, reading the constant attacks in the daily tabloids, and feeling the tension in the city on the day of El Clasico gave me the slightest glimpse into the fire and emotion this game demands.

This year both Spanish giants have been ousted from the Champions League in the same week and the league title remains their last chance at an important trophy. Real Madrid and Barcelona will be looking for redemption against their hated rival and the stakes, as always, could not be higher. Raul and Puyol, the captains of their respective sides will lead their teams out onto the Camp Nou pitch on Saturday night to fight for their city. Back in Madrid, Chema will be hosting a packed house at El Refugio, awaiting goals, glory, and a chance to prove that his team is the best in Spain. As if there was any doubt in the first place.

Atmosphere versus Security: The Stadium Debate

ElDane — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:09:00 GMT

When the Prime Minister of England starts complaining about high ticket prices, you know there's a problem. Recently, Tony Blair suggested that Premiership clubs are alienating their own fan base with rising entrance fees. Football has always been the "working class sport", but that moniker may be at risk. The average cost of the cheapest tickets for a Premiership game is 33 Pounds or about 60 Dollars US. Ever since the Taylor Report was passed, which forced all clubs to change to all-seater stadiums, ticket prices have been on the rise. When terracing (cheaper areas of the stadium with no seats, just graded concrete) and fencing around the pitch were removed and seats were introduced many fans complained that it killed the atmosphere. Here in lies the debate: Terracing versus seating, fencing versus no fencing and whether or not those two factors should change ticket prices.

Many fans in England are in favor of bringing terracing back into Premiership grounds. Their principal argument is that the seats kill the atmosphere that can only be created by standing together as one, piled on top of one another, singing 'til your lungs burst. When the stadium police or PA announcer tells you to remain seated, it really kills the mood. However, the stadium disasters at Heysel and Hillsborough (where, total, 135 people were killed) are still very fresh in everyone's collective memory. Terracing was dominated by firms and crews of hooligans that made it their job to take other pieces of terracing as if it were a piece of strategic land on a battlefield. Not exactly the best family atmosphere. With the re-introduction of terracing, ticket prices would be lowered and would subsequently attract the type of fan that large clubs, perhaps, are looking to keep out. The re-emergence of large scale British hooliganism would be a disastrous thing for world football.

When the English use the excuse that terracing has killed the atmosphere in Premiership stadiums, they should only blame themselves. At all-seater stadiums in Germany and Spain the atmosphere is absolutely fantastic. At a recent Bavarian derby between Bayern Munich and Nurnberg, one of the loudest, most spectacular crowds I have ever seen was rocking the place off its foundation. Crowds at the Sanchez Pizjuan in Sevilla (not Betis) consistently produce one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the world. The excuse that seats kill the atmosphere is a sorry reason to bring back terracing.

Perhaps the biggest safety concern with terracing is the overselling of tickets. No matter how regulated the stadium may be, scalpers and fans are going to find new and creative ways to pack themselves into the ground. Compare it to the war on drugs where smugglers are always going to find their way into the country, no matter how impressive the security. The Hillsborough disaster was a direct result of an oversold stadium and a steel fence around the pitch. There was a terrible incident in the recent Manchester United-Lille match in France when forged tickets were used to pass through the gates. There was a large crush and teargas was used by French police. Fortunately no one was hurt, but all the signs pointed to another disaster in the making. The other factor that made the recent Man Utd. incident all the more worrying was the large barriers around the pitch leaving the supporters with no escape.

It is a fact that if you treat people like caged animals, they will act like caged animals. The only good thing about fencing around the pitch is that it, in theory, keeps people from throwing objects at players, coaches, and referees. The recent events in Seville, with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos being knocked unconscious after a full bottle was thrown by a Betis supporter, would be a good case for fencing. However, fencing does not stop everything. In the Milan derby a few years back, Dida was struck with a flare thrown from the upper levels of the San Siro, from behind a fence. So what good does it do in the end? The answer is nothing. It simply gives people an excuse to act like animals because they are treated as such. If there is any major crowd disturbance, the chances are far greater that a crush against the fencing will occur. Many stadium disasters in South America happen because fencing collapses and people are killed. "Fans" who throw objects at players and invade the pitch should be taken care of before entering the stadiums rather than dealt with after the fact.

With terracing and fencing, the two main culprits for stadium disasters, out of the picture in England (for now), do clubs still have the right to charge 100, maybe even 200 Pounds for a ticket in their all-seater, barrier-less stadium? The answer is yes, unless people take a stand. As long as people are willing to pay outrageous prices and fill 60,000 seats at the Emirates, the clubs will continue to charge it. With high profile figures such as Tony Blair finally speaking out against such outrageous prices, perhaps the clubs will listen. But ultimately it is the fan who is responsible for speaking out. The fans must say no, band together and demand reasonable ticket prices. With Premiership clubs signing outrageously lucrative television deals (in the area of 700 million Dollars), it seems crazy that clubs haven't already lowered entrance fees. But the bottom line is that football is a business and will be conducted as such until the fans rebel.

Tony Blair has made his voice heard, and maybe someday, if Roman Abramovich looks out and sees a half-empty Stamford Bridge, he will realize the power of the common fan and charge a reasonable amount for a ticket. The common fan who is responsible for creating atmosphere. The common fan who is able to police himself. The common fan who is the backbone of every club around the world.

Rooney Article Response

ElDane — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:27:00 GMT

I would like to thank diligent readers, such as Hoppie00, who point out oversights like the fact that Rooney stamped on Carvalho, not Ronaldo. When I conjure up the scenario in my mind, it was Ronaldo who was the instigator, victim and villain. He did the baiting, got stomped on and winked. Obviously this was not the case, but such an act, in the life or death circumstances of the World Cup, takes on fairy-tale-like proportions after a while and the facts fade into history.

Also, it is clear that the reach of Goal.com is widening. My Rooney article first appeared on Thursday, February 22nd after Manchester United's infamous win over Lille in the Champions League. On Saturday, February 24th, a curiously similar article appeared on ESPN Soccernet. Glad to see those ESPN guys are keeping up with their reading.

Thanks again and keep the excellent comments coming!
-El Dane

Would the Real Wayne Rooney Please Stand Up

ElDane — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:25:00 GMT

When a 16 year-old Wayne Rooney took a pass from his Everton teammate and smashed a 25 yard scorcher into David Seamen's net, effectively ending Arsenal's 31 game unbeaten run, he announced his superstar potential to the world.   Since then he has signed a mega-bucks deal with Manchester United, scored some beautiful goals, been sent off multiple times for his vicious temper, and been labeled as the savior of England's national team. Overall, has Wayne Rooney turned into the great player he was hailed to be back in his Everton days? The answer is yes...and no.

Rooney is a mercurial figure. One game he will be hardly recognizable on the pitch and the next he will score a brilliant hat-trick. The problem is that you never know what you are going to get. His most recent performances, in Lille and at home versus Charlton, showed the two sides of the man-child. In Lille he failed to press the home side and looked rather anonymous except for one solid chance which he weakly tapped over the bar. Against Charlton, however, he was all over the Addicks and beautifully set up the second goal with a soft chip that most strikers would have tried to hammer on goal. Granted the two teams are miles apart with Lille sitting at second place in France's Ligue 1 and Chralton down near the bottom of the Premiership, but that small fact leads to another question: Does Wayne Rooney show up in big games?

The numbers speak for themselves: after scoring a hat-trick in his first ever Champions League match against Fenerbahce, Rooney has yet to score again in the competition. The biggest club tournament in the world has seen one of the game's superstars fail to produce. He has now gone 17 games without seeing the back of the net. Historically the biggest players shine on the biggest club stage. Raul, Van Nistelrooy and Andriy Shevchenko are the three all-time leading scorers in the Champions League. Granted, they have had more games to put those goals in the back of the net, but Rooney's paltry total of 3 looks rather pedestrian in comparison.

In the big Premiership games this year Rooney has also failed to produce. Against the top Prem teams, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle he has managed only one goal and that was in the 2-1 loss to Arsenal. Hardly inspiring stuff. Fortunately he is part of such a well-balanced team where goals can come from anywhere, his shortcomings have been largely overlooked. It is not to say, however, that he is not a leader. He always fights and scraps to win possession and create chances for the likes of Saha, Ronaldo, and now Larsson. When Man Utd. were locked in an FA Cup battle with Portsmouth he came off the bench to score two unreal goals, the latter a Cantona-esque chip from the top of the box.   The two sides of Wayne Rooney in evidence once again.

When he plays for the English National Team, the results are often the same. After an excellent Euro 2004 he gave a meek performance in the World Cup this past summer. Granted he was coming back from a long injury lay-off, but when an entire nation is counting on you to produce the goods, the 'great players' must come to the fore. He left the tournament in shame after receiving a red card for stamping on United teammate Ronaldo. With Rooney, the world and, in particular England, is still waiting for his best. At 21 years of age his brightest football should still be on its way if he is able to harness his temper and produce against top competition. However, so far in his career, no one knows which Rooney will make his way out on to the pitch. So it must be said, would the real Wayne Rooney please stand up.

The Wild World of Strikers

ElDane — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:44:00 GMT

There is a striker out there for everyone. No matter your tastes or preferences, it is a wild world of strikers in the footballing universe, full of poachers, geniuses and destroyers that is sure to have something for you. I was watching some recent Liverpool highlights yesterday when the lanky figure of Peter Crouch came onto the screen. I could not get past how awkward, sickly skinny and just plain goofy he comes off, let alone how he is one of England's first choice strikers. It got me thinking, however, that above all other positions, the football striker comes in many different shapes and sizes, styles and forms.

The traditional choice of managers around the world has been the combination of the small, fast striker with the larger player who is good in the air and keeps possession. The former can be found in abundance and comes with varying personalities. Argentina seems to have an assembly line pumping them out lately with Javier Saviola, Leo Messi and Kun Aguero leading the charge. The British Isles have Michael Owen, Craig Bellamy, and Kieron Dyer which, in all honesty, doesn't inspire much confidence. Africa has seen Obafemi Martins light up the Premiership while many others of a similar mould are playing in the French Ligue 1. The target striker to be paired with the little guy is perhaps the most important component of the attacking pair. Samuel Eto'o, Adriano, Didier Drogba, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are the archetypes of this model. The combination of these two players seems to be the preferred pairing of managers around the world; two varying styles in order to torment the opposition's defense. But then, as is always the case in football, there are the wild cards, the exceptions to all the rules.

The rotund, inarguably brilliant Ronaldo, the extra-tall, bicycle kicking Peter Crouch, and the man-child himself Wayne Rooney have their own distinct attributes. Ronaldo will lull you to sleep only to do a few step overs, make you trip over your feet and pass the ball into the bottom corner (or at least he used to). Crouch will simply use his stork-like frame to out-jump you and head the ball home and possesses a surprisingly soft touch for a big man. Rooney will do whatever it takes to score. He is the ultimate bulldog with a diamond necklace. He may push you over and hammer the ball into the net, or gently lift a sweet chip from 25 yards depending what mood he is in. These anomalies to the standard quick-tall combination are what make the striker position so much different from any other on the pitch.

There are two other types of strikers that deserve their own label: The Genius and The Poacher. The Genius is a rarity that is used both as a striker and as a central midfielder. Ronaldinho and Francesco Totti embody this position. They are the focal point of any team and play as a depressed third attacker, a.k.a "in the hole". Maradona was the best the world has ever seen, but give Ronaldinho some more time and he may have a few more special seasons in those Nike's of his. On the other hand, The Poacher is almost the complete opposite. Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Pipo Inzaghi, Hernan Crespo, and Miroslav Klose are the world's best. They are just another cog in the wheel until that moment of opportunity arises. Then, after perhaps 80 minutes of anonymity, they pounce to score that one vital goal. The poacher is almost always near the top of the goal scoring charts.

Whether you like the traditional set-up or prefer something a bit out of the ordinary, do not fear, there is a striker out there for everyone.

Beckham Rising

ElDane — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 13:27:00 GMT

You just can't keep the man down. After a long absence from the Real Madrid squad David Beckham is rising once again. Don Fabio Capello has finally given in and included Becks in the list of players making the trip to Real Sociedad this Saturday. The Madrid coach is hoping that his presence will help spur the floundering team on to a much needed victory. Beckham has gone through some very difficult times in his career and has always managed to overcome. Love him or hate him, he has a resilience that always earns the respect of his teammates and always sees him rise above difficult challenges.

Ever since Becks signed for LA, there have been a number of articles written about the man: some hailing him as the savior of US soccer, some saying he is not worth the money, and others saying that he is just flat out not a good player. I fall on the side of the fence that believes he is an excellent teammate, a damn hard worker and deserves to be respected as such.   Here is why:

For starters, Fabio Capello is the General George Patton of coaches. He is extremely difficult to please and for Beckham to work hard enough to get back into the team, after all Capello has said about the MLS contract and going behind Madrid's back, is amazing.   Don Fabio has taken the hard line stance against some players at Madrid in a mafia-like fashion. If you disrespect the family, you sleep with the fishes. Poor Antonio Cassano learned that the hard way after his petulance relegated him to the fringe, as did a certain Ronaldo who, as we all know, ended up in Milan.   But Beckham, by being himself, which means showing up day after day to work and train and never back down, has thrown off the dunce cap and returned to the front of the class. Capello has recognized his mistake and apologized. And when Capello is forced to apologize, that, in and of itself, is a miracle.

Secondly, David Beckham's teammates have had his back from the start of this mess. At every press conference since the news about Beckham broke, Madrid's players, down to the man, have stood up for ol' Becks. Iker Casillas was very candid about his sadness saying he would lose a good friend and teammate. Salgado mentioned that Beckham should be in the team. Finally, when one of the sacred cows of Madrid, Guti, said that Beckham should be free to help the squad, Capello had to listen. All the evidence points to Becks being not only a world class professional, but a world class teammate as well.

Thirdly, Real Madrid need his help. Capello likes wingers who are fast, take players on and press forward into the opponent's box. Beckham has none of these qualities. What he does have, however, is a level of experience about how to win important games, an uncanny ability to posses the ball and supply strikers with gilt-edged opportunities to score. Madrid has lost their last two (without scoring a goal) and their last four out of six and are in desperate need of a win. Reyes and Robinho look like shadows of their former selves and Ruud needs some service. In tactical terms, Don Fabio doesn't have many other options than Goldenballs himself.

After being sent off in the 1998 World Cup, Beckham faced a nasty reception from fans back in England, but he persevered and ended up winning a treble with Man U in 1999. After falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2003 he made the move to become the most marketable footballer on the planet at Real Madrid. After being dropped from the English National Team and losing his starting spot at Madrid he signed with L.A. to bring an unprecedented level of notoriety to the league. Now he has won his place back at Real Madrid. Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit, there is just no keeping the man down.