Soccer Blogs Posts Tagged season opener

Carling Cup Prev: Pompey

2008-09-24T03:44:24+00:00

Chelsea's attempt to regain the Carling Cup begins Wednesday against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Pompey will no doubt be out for revenge, following the 4-0 thrashing theytook in their Premier League season opener at Stamford Bridge a month ago.

They'll have a hard time doing so.

Portsmouth enters this match on the heels of its most embarrassing defeat in quite some time a 6-0 slump against Manchester City at the weekend.

Recap: Kerkyra 2 - 0 Ethnikos Piraeus

2008-09-22T03:36:45+00:00

After missing the Beta Ethniki season opener due to a registration issue, Peter Philipakos made his season debut for Ethnikos Piraeus as they visited Kerkyra in a clash of two promotion-hopeful clubs.

Villa, Osasuna, Timo and Valencia

2008-09-20T21:56:32+00:00

So it looks like David Villa is ready and able to play against Osasuna tomorrow after all.

I'm happy about that. And while I will let this issue slide, I am still of the opinion that bringing Villa into the game against Maritimo on Thursday was the wrong decision. He shoots and scores and we're all really happy about it.

Who Are These Guys?

2008-08-29T16:11:17+00:00

As I'm sure you've noticed, the promises I delivered about contributing regular articles and even live blogs during my time in Germany were as empty as...well as a net after Cunningham has had a breakaway. The live blogs were not possible for various reasons:

Colorado: I couldn't get a consistent feed (just like the TFC strikers, but thankfully one of them buried a deadly set piece)

New York: I was on an 8 hour train ride home from Freiburg, where I watched the season opener of my other team, 1860 Munich.

Doble jornada for Mexican-Americans

2008-08-27T07:23:00+00:00

There will be a near-full slate of action in Mexico tonight as Jornada 6 will continue.

Of course, two games have already been played while another is slated for November and those three games involve teams who have some of our players on them: San Luis-Cruz Azul, Toluca-Chivas and Jaguares-Pumas.

The World's Top 25 Soccer Clubs, Aug. 25, 2008

2008-08-26T15:38:00+00:00

This week's Top 25 is delayed because we wanted to wait for the outcome of the Manchester United - Portsmouth game. It's largely more of the same, though (which can be expected at this early stage of the season). But because we know how badly you want it, we're going to give it to you now rather than withhold gratification any longer:

1.

Back in the Booth

2008-08-24T05:09:57+00:00

Well, I certainly didn't see this coming. I'll be back on the Big Ten Network this fall, calling men's college soccer. My man Richard Broad and I will have the season opener on August 31 when Akron plays at Indiana, as well as a few other matches. As they say, check your local listings.

Arkansas Razorbacks Shut Out Missouri State Bears

2008-08-23T18:41:49+00:00

The Razorbacks report provides a pretty good analysis. I show all the shots on goal (3) that MSU got in the video, opening with the best opportunity which came in the 65th minute. The goal came from a corner kick, that was pushed out deep to defender Fawley and it seemingly pulled all of the MSU defenders out and away from the goal scorer who is left unmarked.

Preview: Weekend Dutch action

2008-08-22T09:36:42+00:00

TOP Oss heads back out on the road this Friday evening while Heerenveen prepares for their season opener with a final weekend of training.

Elmander Proves His Worth, But Where’s the Love?

2008-08-20T11:38:00+00:00

By: Chris C.
Soccer City FC

At long last the new year of football is underway and all is right with the world, if only for 90 minutes at a time. Off the pitch, we've still got the normal events of the day with Dimitar Berbatov asking to leave Tottenham in favour of greener pastures with Manchester United.

Adios, El Pescadito

2008-08-20T03:17:00+00:00

The second time around wasn't nearly as sweet for Carlos Ruiz, as the Guatemalan forward was mercifully traded to Toronto FC on Tuesday afternoon, ending weeks of speculation over his future with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

It wasn't clear what the Galaxy would be getting from Toronto in return for one of Major League Soccer's most prolific goal-scorers, but the trade certainly falls into the 'addition by subtraction' category.

Toronto FC lands Carlos Ruiz from LA

2008-08-19T23:14:55+00:00

Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Los Angeles Galaxy has traded Carlos Ruiz to Toronto FC, sources told SBI on Tuesday evening. Details of the deal were not available yet. To make room for Ruiz on the roster, TFC has waived French midfielder Laurent Robert.

Middlesbrough Musings: Week One - Tottenham And Transfers

2008-08-19T16:59:33+00:00

I've decided to document my journey this season as I follow my new team Middlesbrough. Thanks again to all of you that left comments and suggestions on teams to follow for this season. This week's goal was to do some reading and research ahead of the season opener. While I was familiar with the club on [.

Berbatov… Any minute now…

2008-08-18T21:47:05+00:00

Dimitar Berbatov's side fell to Middlesbrough in their season opener, as the very frustrated Bulgarian sat on the bench. "If I had been laughing when I was on the bench, people would say I was an idiot," he said. Obviously Berbatov has fallen out of favor with Tottenham. So like any heavily pursued footballer Berbatov revealed his "dreams", [.

Quote of the Day...

2008-08-18T12:48:00+00:00

"Spurs without Berbatov are a different team."

"Tottenham need to make big signings to appease the fans but they need time to adapt. You saw that today with Giovanni, an excellent player."

Former Spurs Striker Mido sums up Tottenham's performance as his Middlesborough take the season opener 2-1 at the Riverside, via The Telegraph.

United's Silva lining as Neville looks set for continued bench role...

2008-08-18T08:55:00+00:00

United drawing with Newcastle on Sunday did not surprise me, I'd predicted it might well happen on this blog, nor has it surprised me in the slightest that Gary Neville looks to have dropped down the pecking order with Wes Brown and Raphael da Silva being preferred to the England defender.

Gary Neville has done well to recover following his 16 month struggle to regain full fitness, but in some ways his biggest battle lies ahead.

The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Aug. 18, 2008

2008-08-18T04:57:00+00:00

And so, it begins. The offseason, if we even had one, is now officially over. EPL clubs are back at it, the Champions League qualifiers are in the final round and the hottie interns have left the office to return to campus. The signs, in other words, are everywhere: summer is ending. But don't be sad.

Canberran lights up A-League

2008-08-16T22:45:00+00:00

Great to see former Belconnen junior Adam Casey playing for Sydney FC last night...

And didn't he shine particularly in the first half. Adam is back from a long-term injury but has pace to burn.

It's a fantastic asset and he caused Melbourne Victory a heap of problems last night in Sydney's season opener.

Arsenal labour to the win, but win nonetheless.

2008-08-16T17:31:00+00:00

Ah, football. So nice to have you back. Having not been able to see the entirety of the Twente match - not a bad thing from the sound of it - this was my season opener.

And didn't it open in a lovely fashion? Nice work by Clichy led to a precise pass by Denilson and a smooth finish from Nasri.

Reds closing in on Berbatov...

2008-08-15T15:11:00+00:00

Reports claim that long term transfer target Dimitar Berbatov is at Carrington undergoing a medical ahead of joining the Champions this weekend. The transfer is unlikely to completed in time for the player to play against Newcastle but if all goes well the Bulgarian could be unveiled as a United player this weekend when the two sides clash in the season opener at Old Trafford.

The Baines Gamble

2008-08-15T08:41:00+00:00

David Moyes has stated publically that Leighton Baines is considered the best left back at Everton. However competition for starting spots in the Everton backline is fierce, and the things have been shaping up that Baines may not have gained a starting role. His smaller size seems to have counted against him as Lescott and Yobo are more robustly built, and these players seemed to be the favorites of the gaffer.

Dude knocks teammate out in locker room

2008-08-11T15:40:00+00:00

French soccer is wild!

Nantes midfielder Djamel Abdoun was knocked unconscious after being kicked in the head by teammate Stefan Babovic during a violent dressing-room bust-up on Friday.

Oddly enough, two days later both were in the starting line-up and played all 90 minutes in the season-opener against Auxerre.

QPR's Chris Barker Joins Plymouth

2008-08-09T11:03:00+00:00

-
Plymouth Official Site - BARKER SIGNS

ARGYLE have signed defender Chris Barker from QPR.

The Yorkshire-born defender has followed former Loftus Road team-mate Simon Walton to Home Park on a three-year deal after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

Cleaning the sheets

2008-08-03T18:54:00+00:00

How's that for a confidence booster? With only 7 of our normal starting 11 in the lineup, and only 6 guys starting who started against KC in the season opener, United somehow came together to produce a big win and their first shutout of the year. With a first look at the starting lineups and the revelation that Ryan Pore was starting at forward, I kind of had a feeling that this could finally be THE ONE, and the team did not disappoint.

Sydney 2 v Wellington 3: Sydney's limited player roster backfires (again)

2008-08-02T12:33:00+00:00

This match sounds like it just about turned into a fight. With Mitchell Prentice earning a straight red (Wellington Captain Andrew Durante go his 2nd yellow in this incident), and Alex Brosque and Dez Giraldi earning suspension causing yellows. With Sydney now out of the pre-season cup, and only 19 signings and Giraldi as cover for injured Aloisi, born again Melbourne Victory have been prized an easy round one for the start of the A-League season.

Sangre americana J2 preview

2008-08-01T18:03:00+00:00

Week Two (or Jornada 2) in the Mexican Apertura 2008 is upon us. Several of our America-born players have already seen action in both la Primera and Primera A but others have yet to debut and won't debut this weekend either.

Here is a preview of the Mexican-Americans down south.

Edgar Castillo, Santos vs Pumas, Sunday 3 p.

Thursday Catch-Up: Pali Blues in W-League Final & More

2008-08-01T06:59:05+00:00

Apologies, busy with a big project and not much time to blog.

A few things to pass along:

*Pacific Palisades-based W-League team Pali Blues defeated reigning champion Washington Freedom 2-0 earlier tonight earning a berth in Saturday's final against FC Indiana. Game reports here.

Your Favourite Team’s Favourite Team (part 3)

2008-07-31T12:37:00+00:00

As we pushed through the bustling crowd that had gathered at Mile End Stadium, I think some of the Boafista stars were feeling the pressure a bit. We all knew what was required of us: one win out of the two remaining games would earn us promotion to the Premier League, with both our closest promotion rivals, Southwark Lions and the formidable Fidel, standing in the way.

Edgar in the Times

2008-07-24T16:17:00+00:00

Edgar Castillowas profiled in the New York Times on Wednesday.

If you're a regular reader of this blog, there may be little new information in there that you haven't already come across here. But his story is clearly of interest to more than just soccer fans as a whole new audience has now been exposed to his tale.

Vela Keen To Start For Gunners At Underhill

2008-07-18T19:36:23+00:00

Arsenal and Mexico forward Carlos Vela is already keen to start for Arsene Wenger's side, when the Gunners take on League 2 side Barnet tomorrow afternoon at Underhill in the traditional pre-season opener. Arsenal manager Arséne Wenger has included him in the squad, which is a mixture of first team and Reserve players.