Well, not something completely different, but it is time for a change, time to shake things up here and get out of a rut, time to broaden the scope of this blog.
For close to a year now, for a variety of reasons, I've felt pretty burnt out on soccer and have felt the need to pull back. What I've learned in this time is that I'm less cynical and jaded when I get soccer in smaller doses and on my time and terms.
The Champions Leagues were dominated by teams from Germany, Spain, and Mexico; Baby Kim is saber rattling; and the Iron Lady is gone, time for a throwback edition of your Friday goals.
More after the jump:
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Volkswagen has recently started airing a commercial in Italy, as part of its Viva il Calcio campaign, featuring Roma's Francesco Totti and Michael Bradley playing of the language divide with each making attempts at speaking the other's language.
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Bale and Messi are hurt, Real Madrid conquers Istanbul, and the United States Soccer Federation celebrates 100 years by taking over Times Square today, it's time for your Friday goals, but with a twist.
More after the jump:
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El Capitán is headed back to Dallas, turmoil in the United States National Team's locker room, March Sadness is underway, and World Cup Qualifying resumes, it's time for your Friday goals.
More after the jump:
Video: Real Madrid ping pong
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Barcelona proves that it's not dead yet, Galatasary fans try to tunnel into a stadium, the Charlie Stillitano rants about the EPL team bias of English language UEFA broadcasts, and Leonardo proposes to Anna Billo on tv, it's time for your Friday goals:
Video: Kozak completes hat-trick as Lazio moves on
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Video: Cassano goal gives Inter hope
Earlier this month, Roma forward Francisco Totti picked up his 225th Serie A goal in a match against Genoa. That goal tied Totti with Gunnar Nordahl for second place on Serie A's all-time scoring list. Totti, who is 36, made his debut with Roma back in 1993 and was part of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad.
The Houston Dynamo went into last night's 2nd leg CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals tie against Santos Laguna at Estadio Corona with a 1-0 aggregate lead, but by the end of the night, the Dynamo gave up 3 unanswered goals and were booted from the competition.
Santos evened up the score 1-1 in the 23rd minute when Juan Pablo Rodriquez picked up the rebound goal after Tally Hall had blocked Rodriquez's penalty shot.
On Wednesday, March 13th, the Confederation of North, Central America, and the Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup groups and schedule, with Houston being awarded Group B games featuring El Salvador vs. Haiti and Honduras vs. Trinidad & Tobago at BBVA Compass Stadium on Monday, July 15th.
The 2013 MLS season has started, Real Madrid has bumped Manchester United from the Champions League, and David Beckham road the bench for PSG, it's time for your Friday Goals.
Video: Bale header gives Spurs early lead
Video: Quagliarella extends Juventus lead against Celtic
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Video: Rusescu penalty gives Steaua 1-0 advantage
Obtained from a Press Release issued by SUM:
The Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) announced on Wednesday March 6, 2013 that the Mexican National Team will face the current Africa Cup of Nations champion, Nigeria, on Friday, May 31 (9:00 p.m.
Photo by Nigel Brooks.
The first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals began in Houston, Texas with the Dynamo hosting Mexico's Santos Laguna at BBVA Compass Stadium.
On the whole, much of the match seemed fairly balanced with both teams being unable to take advantage of opportunities presented as a result of defensive breakdowns on both ends of the pitch.
Photo by Nigel Brooks. The Houston Dynamo kicked off the 2013 MLS Season at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday March 2nd with a 2-0 victory over D.C. United, with Ricardo Clark having a role in both goals.
Over 20,000 soccer fans showed up in the eastend of Downtown Houston on a chilly, windy winter evening to get a first glimpse of how the team that lost the last two MLS Cup finals is shaping up for their next run at the MLS Cup final.
The 2013 MLS season starts tomorrow, Saturday March 2nd, and the Houston Dynamo will be hosting D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium. Click here to purchase tickets. It's been a somewhat busy week for the Dynamo as they get ready for the new season and another shot at the MLS Cup.
Contracts have been a big issue this week with Brian Ching and Mike Chabala getting new contracts and Chris Canetti getting a contract extension.
With Major League Soccer set to start the 2013 season this weekend, I felt it was time to suggest some resolutions for the forthcoming season. Some of these might not be acceptable to some (or maybe a large amount) of MLS fans, but I am of the opinion that trying to abide by these resolutions would result in the 2013 MLS season being an enjoyable season, for us all.
