Saturday, October 25, 2008

Seattle to Sign Freddie Ljunberg?




According to a Swedish newspaper, the Seattle Sounders are preparing to announce the signing of former Sweden international Freddie Ljungberg.

Rumors had been swirling around the Internet for a couple of weeks about Ljunberg heading to Seattle to play for the newest MLS side in 2009. The former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder, who is currently clubless, is reported to complete a deal later this week that will see him become the Sounders' designated player.

If the Ljunberg rumors are indeed true - and they appear to be with each passing day - then he will join midfielder Sanna Nyassi, forward Sebastien le Toux and former U.S. national team goalkeeper Kasey Keller as the first players on the Sounders' squad.

Seattle starts their 2009 campaign in March.


What do you think of Ljunberg to Seattle? Smart move by both sides? At 31-years-old is he worth a DP slot? Will Seattle be the worst team in MLS in 2009? Share your thoughts below.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Fire Dominate Red Bulls 5-2




A Chris Rolfe hat trick was all that was needed against the New York Red Bulls for a victory on Thursday night, but the Chicago Fire forward also set up two more goals in what was one of, if not, his best performance of the year as the Fire beat up on the Red Bulls 5-2.

Rolfe's inspired performance started in the 11th minute as he headed the ball into the open net from close range with nobody marking him. His seventh goal of the season was followed up by two more first half goals, the second of which was a splendid volley, and he then capped off the night with two second half assists.

"It's the first time I have had a hat trick since, I don't know, college or high school," said the Man of the Match. "It feels great. It was just one of those nights."

Last night's loss automatically forces the Red Bulls to become die-hard Colombus Crew supporters. A win or a tie by the Crew over D.C. United this weekend sees the Red Bulls advance to the play-offs, while a win by D.C. would mean the end of New York's post season dreams.

"Collectively, except for one or two players, everybody else should be very ashamed of how we played," said Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "To be honest, as it is right now, I have a big question mark about whether we deserve to be in the play-offs."

Regardless of his post-game sentiments, Osorio wants to extend this year and make it into the post season, but his team must now sit anxiously and hope that the Columbus team, which has already secured its Eastern Conference play-off spot, can manage at least one point against a D.C. United side that will be fighting for their play-off lives.

Osorio may not have admit it, but at this point, that's all that matters to him.


What did you think of last night's game? What about Rolfe's jaw-dropping performance? Will D.C. United beat Columbus this weekend? Share your comments below.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Chicago Fire v New York Red Bulls




The 2009 MLS regular season initiates its final week with an entertaining yet interesting match-up tonight. The Chicago Fire, looking to secure their spot as the #2 seed in the East, will be hosting the troubled New York Red Bulls, who have just started to recover from the hang over that was last week when lengthy suspensions were issued to goalkeeper Jon Conway and defender Jeff Parke for taking banned substances.

The Red Bulls can secure their position in the play-offs with a victory tonight, and head coach Juan Carlos Osorio would love for nothing more than to get to the postseason by defeating his former team. However, the opposite also holds true as the die-hard Chicago fans would be pleased with derailing New York's play-off aspirations.

Tonight's match can be seen nationwide on ESPN2 at 9:00 PM eastern. The windy city is the venue for this evening's bout and the Fire should expect to have a rowdy crowd in attendance. Can Osorio's Red Bulls overcome all the adversity they're facing and secure their play-off spot or will Chicago ruin their dreams with a win at home? Tune into ESPN2 tonight and find out.


Who do you think will come out on top tonight? Any key match-ups your looking forward to? What's your prediction for tonight's match? Share your thoughts below.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

UEFA Champions League: Matchday 3 Results




Well Matchday 3 has come to a close and there were some very entertaining games on display. We witnessed some impressive team play as well as incredible individual efforts. All in all, it was a good two days of football action.

If you missed any of the matches or didn't get to catch some of the final scores, here are the results from Matchday 3:

Group A

Chelsea 1-0 AS Roma
Bordeaux 1-0 CFR Cluj

Group B

Inter Milan 1-0 Anorthosis Famagusta
Panathinaikos 2-2 Werder Bremen

Group C

FC Basel 0-5 Barcelona
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-1 Sporting Lisbon

Group D

PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Olympic Marseille
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Liverpool

Group E

Manchester United 3-0 Celtic
Villarreal 6-3 AaB Aalborg

Group F

Bayern Munchen 3-0 Fiorentina
Steaua Bucharest 3-5 Olympic Lyon

Group G

FC Porto 1-0 Dynamo Kiev
Fenerbahce 2-5 Arsenal

Group H

Zenit St. Petersburg 1-1 BATE
Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid


Which games did you get to watch? How did your favorite club team do? Which goal scored was your favorite for Matchday 3? Share your comments below.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Eriksson on the Hot Seat in Mexico?



Could Sven-Goran Erikkson really be on his way out of Mexico already? It's a possibility.

According to the secretary general of the Mexican Football Federation, the Swedish-born manager's future will be decided after Mexico's World Cup qualifier against Honduras. Mexico needs at least one point against the Catrachos to secure their spot in the final round of World Cup qualifying for CONCACAF in 2009.

"There is full support for this process of the national team and we'll meet again after this round of the qualifiers" said secretary general Decio de Maria.

El Tri opened up this round of qualifying with three home victories but failed to win either of their last two road qualifiers as they lost to Jamaica 1-0 and had to come from behind twice to draw with Canada 2-2.

It's simple for Mexico, a draw or a win and they're through to the Hexagonal. Either result will be enough to satisfy their rabid fan base, but a loss could end their World Cup dreams prematurely.

Sure the men in charge will review Eriksson's first six months as Mexico's manager regardless of the result, but I just don't see how the FMF goes searching for their third coach in as many years unless the Mexicans fail to get out of this semifinal round, which is possible but improbable.


What is your take on Eriksson's results so far with the National Team? Is he to blame for the situation they're in? Even with a win, could you see Eriksson getting the axe? Share your thoughts below.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Beckham to Train with AC Milan




Updating previous reports, it appears that David Beckham will indeed train with a European team this winter. However, it won't be with an English club. Reports have come out stating that the MLS poster boy will be heading to Italy to train with AC Milan.

"If Beckham would like to train with us, there wouldn’t be a problem for me,” said Milan's Head Coach Carlos Ancelotti, who also admit to the team being in the running for Becks' services when he was set to leave Real Madrid two summers ago. But the Los Angeles Galaxy were also interested in Beckham and offered him a lucrative deal that he couldn't refuse as he put pen to paper for the MLS side instead of the Italian heavyweights.

The Galaxy wraps up its 2008 season this weekend and the former England captain should head out for Italy not too long after the season finale. With Beckham leaving to train with Milan, could a potential loan work itself out? One would think so, especially with England Manager Fabio Capello asking for first team minutes from his players.


How do you feel about Beckham training with AC Milan? Do you see a loan in the works? If so, how would a Ronaldinho-Kaka-Beckham-Pirlo midfield pan out? Share your comments below.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Becks Eyeing Premiership Loan?




David Beckham could be heading back to England to play his club ball, but only temporarily. The Spice Boy's LA Galaxy have been eliminated from play-off contention after last night's 3-0 defeat to the Houston Dynamo. Becks will be heading into another long offseason, one which England Manager Fabio Capello is not too fond of.

"For the next game Beckham can play. Whether he will play, I don't know. But for the game against Spain he won't play. He will not be in the squad." said the Three Lions manager.

Beckham is hoping to find a loan move during the MLS offseason in an effort to stay in playing shape while also maintaining himself in Capello's good graces. With Beckham only being a role player for England, he is expendable, at least in Capello's eyes.

For the former England skipper to prolong his career with the one time World Cup Champions, he's going to need to make the move to Europe soon, especially if he wants to earn that coveted 108th cap.


How do you feel about Beckham's situation? Think Capello is doing the right thing? What team would you like to see Becks loaned out to? Share your thoughts below.