Friday 4 November 2011

Thursday night is date night with the Mrs. and usually it's a nice dinner & movie. Last night we skipped the dinner and just saw a movie and what a movie. Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story is a documentary about an american soccer player who at 21 decides he has what it takes to play professionally in Europe, he didn't take no for an answer and always looked for his light at the end of the tunnel!

If you know about the English soccer structure you will understand that going from sub's bench in the 2nd division of the Sunday "Pub League" to Captain of Watford and starting in the English Premier League is only a dream! DeMerit made it happen and really gives credence to the saying "Never Give Up"

Sir Alex Ferguson is celebrating 25 years in charge of Manchester United this Sunday, here is a look at his all time starting 11 in those 25 years!

Roll out all the good things and all the goals accomplished, blah blah blah, Championships are what matters and until Seattle can produce one we as fans will always feel a tad bit disappointed!

The Galaxy moved one step closer to making that a reality Thursday night, when Landon Donovan scored on a penalty kick in the 74th minute and Los Angeles beat the New York Red Bulls 2-1 to advance to the Western Conference final.

Brian Ching scored at the end of the first half, and the Dynamo defeated the Union 1-0 Thursday night, advancing 3-1 on total scoring after a 2-1 win Sunday at Philadelphia.

MLS Playoffs are set

WEST

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake, Sunday, 6 p.m., The Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com, TSN2

EAST

Sporting KC vs. Houston Dynamo, Sunday, 2:30 p.m., LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kan.
TV: FOX Soccer

This Weekends Soccer TV & Online schedule


Goals of the Week!!



The Joy of Six: Sir Alex FergusonFrom a vigilante dust-up in Guyana to the mother of all sentimental gestures, highlights from an astonishing career.


LA Galaxy 2 vs. 1 New York Redbull (3-1 aggregate, 11/3/2011, MLS Playoffs)



A wearer of rimless Armani glasses; a multilingual; an owner of over 25 designer suits; a possessor of a calm demeanour; a winner of 17 trophies (became the first ever manager to win a double in three different countries); and the third most successful, record wise, England manager of all-time (played 67, won 40, drew 15, lost 12). Superficially, Sven-Göran Eriksson looks the part of the wise Professor and his record should be considered among the best managers of the modern era but on closer inspection, the Swede’s achievements and activities leave a lot to be desired of a manager who has coached some of the biggest teams in the world.


Houston Dynamo 1 - 0 Philadelphia Union (3-1 aggregate, 11/3/2011, MLS Playoffs)



Ibrahimovic's book, 'I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic', has caused a storm with his controversial comments about his former team-mates and employers. And the Swede also took aim at World Player of the Year Lionel Messi for forcing him out of his favoured position. Ego's are a great thing!!


Soccer AM Showboat!!



For all of the big names who have been key to the Los Angeles Galaxy’s impressive success in 2011, two of the most important pieces to their championship-contending puzzle are players Bruce Arena picked up off the MLS scrap heap: two players who came into MLS nine years ago with so much promise; two players who are enjoying career years almost a decade after becoming pros.


Fulham 4 - 1 Wisla (Europa Cup, 11/3/2011)



A look at what the "Americans Abroad" have in store this weekend.


Celtic 3 - 1 Rennes (Europa Cup, 11/3/2011)



Growing up I have been a fan of Italian soccer, not only because of my heritage & name comes from Italy but my earliest memories of watching soccer on TV was the 1982 World Cup when Italy won in Spain and then 8 Years later the 1990 World Cup was played in Italy and a little know player named Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci stole the show!!


Athletico Madrid 4 - 0 Udinese (Europa Cup, 11/3/2011)



Ching had scored the Dynamo's first goal at the stadium in 2006, and he longed to score the final one in the 2011 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Union, he did just that!


PSV 3 - 3 Hopoel Tel Aviv (Europa Cup, 11/3/2011)



Sir Alex Ferguson had been in the job as Manchester United manager for less than 48 hours before he subjected his first victim – team bus driver Derek Sutton – to the hairdryer


Anderlecht 3 - 0 Strum Graz (Europa Cup, 11/3/2011)




Talking is easy. Not talking enough is generally agreed in Sunday league to be highly counter-productive. Players are urged before kick-off for "lots of talking", especially "back there". Not talking is an accusation that can only be levelled at a whole team (or at least its rearguard), rather than an individual (unless it is the captain, who must shout indiscriminately for ninety minutes, for that is his job.)


Austria Wien 2 - 2 AZ Alkmaar (Europa Cup, 11/3/2011)







Lazio 1 - 0 Zurich (Europa Cup, 11/3/2011)