There comes a time in every footballer's life when they need to play regularly if they hope to
develop or retain their skills. But in reality this isn't always possible to do, especially for
youngsters because there are so many more players than positions available. This is why we see
players loaned out to other teams on a regular basis.
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has accepted the harsh criticism that has been unleashed at him
ever since Monday's 2-1 defeat at home to Wigan but remains committed to bouncing back from the
setback against the Latics.
Ramsey entered Monday evening's match as an early substitute for Mikel Arteta and with the
Gunners falling two goals behind within the opening eight minutes, there was heavy pressure on the
Welshman to deliver against a relegation-threatened opposition.
FC Bracelona made short work of a physical Racing Santander side with a comfortable 2-0 victory
at the El Sardinero stadium. Two goals from Lionel Messi, the second coming from a penalty was
enough to help Barca fetch all three points and reduce the lead on top to ten points. With a 72%
possession statistics this game was as comfortable as it can get, barring the constant kicking and
hacking down our players have to go through.
It didn't take long for Sebastian Le Toux to make an impact for the New York Red Bulls. His game
tying strike, and a steady performance from goalkeeper Bill Gaudette guided New York through brutal
heat en route to a 2-2 tie against the visiting Seattle Sounders.
For the second time this season, Leo Gonzalez has found himself fined by the MLS Disciplinary
Committee after "embellishing contact" while getting tangled up with Real Salt Lake's Alvaro
Saborio.
The play involved Gonzalez coming up behind Saborio, who was accepting a pass from the
backfield, and initiating enough contact for both players to go to the ground.
As you've probably heard by now, Bryan Meredith is going to start for the Seattle Sounders on
Saturday against the Philadelphia Union. Michael Gspurning has what the team has only called a
"right hip injury" and is going to be out for 2-3 weeks.
Chances are, most of you have not seen much of Meredith.
The next month or so will be very telling for the Seattle Sounders. As Dave point out earlier
this week, the Sounders are now entering one of the most crowded fixtures in their young MLS
history.
Sure, the Sounders have played a lot of games in a relatively tight frame in the past. Last
year, alone, they had three separate instances in which they averaged at least one game every four
days for at least 18 days.
MLS commissioner Don Garber said before the season that the league's disciplinary committee
would take a hard line on excessive challenges and instances of embellishment, and the first
instance of that more rigid stance has been put in motion.
The league has suspended and fined Houston Dynamo midfielder Adam Moffat for a harsh challenge
and fined Seattle Sounders midfielder Alvaro Fernandez for embellishing contact in their matchup a
week ago.
It's so bold, audacious by nature for a campaign slogan. Why should the public be surprised by
President Obama's slogan? He wrote a book called The Audacity of Hope.
In so many instances, the word 'bet' has negative connotations. It's part addiction and part
low-life.
Admit it. You thought Chivas USA were crap. That's okay, you were probably in good company.
Chivas USA were given about as much hope of making the playoffs as a mule would be in winning the
Kentucky Derby, but this red-and-white mule could turn out to be a thoroughbred, one few saw
coming.
So I was listening this evening to the excellent 5live report on Arsenal's finances, a
discussion with some knowledgeable men present: Martin Keown, former Liverpool MD Christian
Purslow, Jeremy Wilson from the Telegraph and Nigel Phillips from the AST. It's a great listen and
I urge you to have a crack if you've not done so already (not sure if it's available overseas –
it seems not).
By Charles Boehm - WASHINGTON, DC (June 21, 2012) US Soccer Players -- One of the more intriguing,
and often overlooked, aspects of Bob Bradley's stint in charge of the National Team was his
willingness to help members of his player pool secure opportunities overseas. In several instances,
Bradley provided a bit of extra playing time for those being scouted by European clubs, granting
timely exposure and lending extra legitimacy for Americans ready to move.
Shalrie Joseph was the latest victim of the MLS Disciplinary Committee. On Tuesday he was slapped
with a one-match ban for an incident during Thursday's 1-0 loss to FC Dallas. On the play, Joseph
went into a tackle from behind, toppled Ricardo Villar and was booked for doing so.
Not good enough, the committee decided and in essence decided that the play was worthy of a red
card.
Along with all decent people, UEFA were worried about racism during Euro 2012, and these fears were
exacerbated when Dutch players were subjected to monkey chants during a pre-tournament public
training session. Thankfully, however, instances have been isolated at worst, and the group stage
has thus far passed by without too many alarming scenes.
FC Sion midfielder Geoffrey Serey Die is in a whole heap of scheisse after being caught on
camera slapping one of the Lausanne ballboys across the face after his side's 2-0 defeat last
night...
Lausanne striker Steven Lang (who we think is the chap on the touchline that comforts the child
after the slap) gave his account of the incident to Blick:
"Serey has gone to the ball boy and he said something that I can not repeat.
The threat of racism in Poland and Ukraine has become a feature of the build-up to Euro 2012.
With players and supporters uncertain if there is a real danger of being a victim of
racially-motivated prejudice.
But now UEFA have made their position clear on the matter. The president of European football's
governing body, Michel Platini, has allowed referees to halt matches should instances of racism be
encountered.
Here we are again, people. I know it's been a while but another howler of a decision by a
refereeing crew in England today in a massively important football game has again thrust the issue
of video technology onto the front burner again worldwide. Premier League referee Martin AtkinsonÂ
ruled that Chelsea had scored following a frantic goalmouth scramble to take the lead in their FA
Cup Semi Final at Wembley Stadium, London against Tottenham.
Certain words aren't used in polite company. In heated moments we all use words we wish we
hadn't. What Colin Clark did went a bit beyond a heated moment. His targeting of foul and
homophobic language at a minor, which as caught on national television goes beyond Kobe Bryant and
Joachim Noah's infractions.
The Referee Bias Index (100 = Total Bias in Favour of Team; 0 = Total Bias Against) is revealing
with regard to football clubs that are systemically targeted over seasons within their leagues.
Take Arsenal.
In the last 7 seasons in the Premier League, Arsenal have not once achieved the average total of
50.
"What is this existence if full of care; now we have no time to stand and stare." These
well-known lines through the poem Leisure by W H Davis sum up my frame of mind in direction of
everyday living. The daily life we direct should be really worth residing. Uncover out what famed
personalities consider living, with these popular everyday living rates.
"What is that this living if brimming with treatment; we now have no time for you to stand and
stare." These famed lines in the poem Leisure by W H Davis sum up my mind-set towards lifestyle.
The lifestyle we lead need to be truly worth living. Discover out what renowned personalities give
thought to daily life, with these famous existence quotes.
Last Sunday was yet another game at home and, while we didn't get the result we all wanted,
looking back it was a sad occasion for more than just the draw. It was Troy Perkins' last game as a
Portland Timber. Of course, we didn't know it at the time, but with the recent trade, it's almost
hard to remember the game at all.
Marco Di Vaio's first season in MLS could potentially be coming to an abrupt halt.
The Montreal Impact Designated Player faces up to a six-month ban for allegedly failing to
report instances of match-fixing carried out by his teammates when he played for Bologna. Di Vaio
is currently in Italy for a disciplinary hearing and will miss the club's match against the
Philadelphia Union this weekend.
In his Press conference in Seattle ahead of tonight's game, RDM was asked about Florent Malouda and
he said:
"I still haven't had a chance to speak to Florent, so I need to speak to him first and
see what his intentions are, then we will see what the best interests are for him and the
club.
Image:Â ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/GettyImages. You think Sergio Ramos and Fernando Torres ever get tired
of co-signing "SerNando" on fans' memorabilia? Since both of their siggys are required, how
attached at the autograph are they? Is it always Sergio who starts things off with "Ser" or are
there instances where Fernando scrawls his "Nando" suffix first?
After witnessing Tottenham's 3-1 loss to Manchester United last month, where a Tottenham side
devoid of their defensive stalwarts succumbed to three short instances of United pressure, I came
to the conclusion that this Spurs side that had been...
Traditional arcade video games permitted to remain team entertained from many years. Nowadays,
they stay although many of the largest proportion typical video games on the market, in spite of
this smattering personnel experience monitors in course of an arcade or perhaps the bit of
equipment in course of sing out the games which they love.
It's the first week of March and most of the NCAA Division I conferences are just now finishing up
their regular season. March Madness is taking forever to get here.
This week's college basketball results have been all about where teams land for seeding purposes in
their respective conference tournaments.
