midfielders - Recent posts

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Once again, Liverpool are sabotaged by RAFA BENITEZ'S ultra-cautious philosophy

Liverpool Kop 22 November @ 03:25 PM EST
On Friday, Rafa Benitez emphasised the importance of beating Manchester City when he described the encounter as a 'make-or-break game' for Liverpool's season. Given the club's horrific run of bad luck and bad results, it was Benitez's responsibility to make the kind of positive decisions that could enhance the team's chances of winning. Click to continue reading...

Chelsea 4 Wolves 0 - Essien and Kakuta shine for imperious blues

bridge views 22 November @ 09:35 AM EST

Yesterday's afternoon stroll saw Chelsea put four past a hapless Wolves, yet never get – or need to get - out of first gear. Essien was the driving force at the core of the Chelsea machine, but his fine showing was rivalled by the 30 minute outing for wonderkid Gael Kakuta.
The first five minutes of the ninety suggested we would witness a spirited performance from Wolves, and Mick McCarthy's men did carve out two or three reasonable chances.

Click to continue reading...

RIVER OR LIFE: Defenders

DCUMD 22 November @ 08:40 AM EST
Continuing the series where we vote "River" for players that we want to see DC United cast away and we vote "Life" for players that we hope will return, let's take a look now at DCU's defenders. I have a feeling this group will prove more interesting than the defensive midfielders, who received mostly favorable ratings. Click to continue reading...

Wayne Rooney Man United Captain? He Will Have To Wait!

Man United Devils 21 November @ 10:34 AM EST
Wayne Rooney was made England captain last weekend for England against Brazil due to injuries to John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that if Rooney wants to be Man United captain, he will have to wait.
Sir Alex has been quoted as saying: "I have never really been an advocate of centre forwards being captain. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

Oh, You Beauty... 21 November @ 10:15 AM EST
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Babel
Ngog
Goals:
Skrtel 50'
Adebayor 69'
Ireland 76'
Benayoun 77'
Paid the price for sitting on a lead and for poor marking on set plays. And, of course, less than 10 minutes later, Liverpool went behind to an incredibly dubious goal. Click to continue reading...

Sunderland preview - The Arsenal are back

Arseblog 21 November @ 04:21 AM EST

Right, well football's back and we can finally put the Interlull behind us. Obviously there was plenty about Thierry, Ireland and France and what have you at Arsene's press conference yesterday but I think enough has been said on here about it.

The only thing I will comment on is his call for technology to be used to help referees.

Click to continue reading...

SBI's Friday Free Kicks: What about Shalrie, where will Schelotto go, and more

Soccer By Ives 20 November @ 01:07 PM EST

Landon Donovan was named the 2009 MLS Most Valuable Player on Thursday, and while it is tough to argue against awarding the U.S. national team star for his performance this season, the MVP results still raised a glaring question.

What about Shalrie Joseph?

It isn't a question so much about choosing between Joseph and Donovan, which is a subjective debate that has supporters on both sides.

Click to continue reading...

SBI's Friday Free Kicks: What about Shalrie, where will Schelotto go, and more

Soccer By Ives 20 November @ 01:07 PM EST

Landon Donovan was named the 2009 MLS Most Valuable Player on Thursday, and while it is tough to argue against awarding the U.S. national team star for his performance this season, the MVP results still raised a glaring question.

What about Shalrie Joseph?

It isn't a question so much about choosing between Joseph and Donovan, which is a subjective debate that has supporters on both sides.

Click to continue reading...

Sunderland-Arsenal Preview

The Offside - Arsenal 20 November @ 11:55 AM EST

Sunderland

Position: 8th, 5-2-5 (17 points, +1 goal differential)

Recent Form: DWLDL

Home Form: 4-1-1

Last Meeting: Arsenal 0-Sunderland 0 (2/21/09)

Back in action at the Stadium of Light tomorrow, for what I expect to be a very tricky match.

Click to continue reading...

(Now) I Know What You Did (Since) Last Summer, Part III

The Offside - Arsenal 19 November @ 11:32 PM EST

Finishing up our "what did we miss out on?" series today:

FELIPE MELO Arsenal were probably linked with Felipe Melo this summer more than any other player. The biggest difference between Arsenal's 2007-2008 season and our 2008-2009 season, which saw the club take a large step backwards, was the absence of Mathieu Flamini.

Click to continue reading...

Alberto Aquilani Is Asked To Kick-Start Liverpool's Season

Anfield Talk 19 November @ 03:56 PM EST
Alberto Aquilani is in contention to make his long-awaited full Liverpool debut on Saturday as Rafael Benítez looks to the £20m summer signing to reinvigorate the club's season against Manchester City.
The Italy international has played only 21 minutes for Liverpool since arriving from Roma in August, as a substitute against Birmingham City and Arsenal, because of his recovery from ankle surgery plus illness. Click to continue reading...

What We’ve Learned From the USMNT European Adventure

Major League Soccer Talk 19 November @ 11:14 AM EST

The United States played two tough European opponents and were defeated in both matches. But we certainly learned something from both games, and thus this European Adventure has been useful for Bob Bradley.

  • The US has its style: tactically Bob Bradley is modeling his team after what Carlo Ancelotti did at AC Milan.
Click to continue reading...

Liverpool’s Faith In Controversial Serbian Healer Pays Off

Anfield Talk 18 November @ 01:38 PM EST
Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera are in contention for a surprise return to the Liverpool squad for Saturday's clash with Manchester City after some controversial therapy.
They have been treated by a Serbian physiotherapist credited with accelerating recovery from injury with the use of placenta cells. Click to continue reading...

United Autopsy 2009 | Part III: In the Middle & At the Top

The Fullback Files 18 November @ 10:19 AM EST
Carrying on from our look at the goalkeepers and defenders in Part II, it's now time to address the midfield and forwards. Once again, note that I'm including the loanees and injured reserve guys in this roundup. Midfielders John DiRaimondo: With... Click to continue reading...

SBI's 2009 MLS Rookie Best XI

Soccer By Ives 18 November @ 10:14 AM EST

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Almost eleven months ago, during a sunny week in South Florida, you could tell the 2009 MLS Draft Class had the potential to be special.

During the rough days of the MLS Combine, even as player struggled with fitness and playing with their new teammates, there was a sense that this year's crop of talent had the potential to provide MLS with a serious infusion of talent.

Click to continue reading...

SBI's 2009 MLS Rookie Best XI

Soccer By Ives 18 November @ 10:14 AM EST

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Almost eleven months ago, during a sunny week in South Florida, you could tell the 2009 MLS Draft Class had the potential to be special.

During the rough days of the MLS Combine, even as player struggled with fitness and playing with their new teammates, there was a sense that this year's crop of talent had the potential to provide MLS with a serious infusion of talent.

Click to continue reading...

Williams, Sanderson and West Named Daktronics All-Midwest Region

Springfield MO Soccer 17 November @ 04:34 PM EST

Drury's Emily West in front of MSU's Rachel Weimer

Drury Panther standouts Nicole Williams, Jessie Sanderson and Emily West have been named to the Daktronics All-Midwest Region women's soccer squad, the organization announced on Tuesday.

Williams, a sophomore forward who led the Panthers with 11 goals this season, and Sanderson, a junior keeper who posted 11 shutouts in Drury's 13-5-0 campaign, were named to the First Team.

Click to continue reading...

Williams, Sanderson and West Named Daktronics All-Midwest Region

Springfield MO Soccer 17 November @ 04:34 PM EST

Drury's Emily West in front of MSU's Becky Handley

Drury Panther standouts Nicole Williams, Jessie Sanderson and Emily West have been named to the Daktronics All-Midwest Region women's soccer squad, the organization announced on Tuesday.

Williams, a sophomore forward who led the Panthers with 11 goals this season, and Sanderson, a junior keeper who posted 11 shutouts in Drury's 13-5-0 campaign, were named to the First Team.

Click to continue reading...

Poll: Where Would Arsenal’s Injury List Finish?

The Offside - Arsenal 17 November @ 02:14 PM EST

As you know, we complain about injuries, even though a lot of other clubs (Liverpool, Chelsea) have plenty of injury problems of their own. But we now have fully eleven players injured, and crying doesn't help, so why not have a little fun with it?

Our 11 players could be configured into a lineup:

Fabianski

Traore-Djourou-Clichy

Denilson

Walcott-Wilshere-Diaby-Vela

Bendtner-van Persie

An unconventional formation, sure.

Click to continue reading...

MLS Best XI

Covering the Pitch 17 November @ 02:00 PM EST

By now you've heard that the MLS has dropped their official Best XI. And while we'll get to that at the end of this bit, there's a better way to do that. Some players in the mix didn't belong there. Hence the reason to build OleOle's own version of the best XI.

Without further adieu, here we go.

Click to continue reading...

MLS best XI

The Beautiful Game (2) 17 November @ 09:22 AM EST
First the list, then the thought.
Goalkeeper: Zach Thornton, Chivas USA.
Defenders: Geoff Cameron, Houston; Wilman Conde, Chicago; Chad Marshall, Columbus.
Midfielders: Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto FC; Landon Donovan, Los Angeles; Stuart Holden, Houston; Shalrie Joseph, New England; Freddie Ljungberg, Seattle.
Click to continue reading...

Kenny Cooper injured in training

Soccer By Ives 17 November @ 09:21 AM EST

photo by ISIphotos.com

Kenny Cooper has been struggling for playing time with TSV 1860 Munich lately, and now it appears he will have to wait even longer to get on the field.

Click to continue reading...

Kenny Cooper injured in training (UPDATED)

Soccer By Ives 17 November @ 09:21 AM EST

photo by ISIphotos.com

Kenny Cooper has been struggling for playing time with TSV 1860 Munich lately, and now it appears he will have to wait even longer to get on the field.

Click to continue reading...

The MLS All XI is minus Cuauhtemoc Blanco

Soccerblog 16 November @ 09:17 PM EST


Why is this man not in the All XI?

Its the numbers you produce and not the little things that you do on the pitch to improve your team which seems to drive the MLS All XI. Even when you factor in stats it does not seem to add up to why Cuauhtemoc Blanco was left out.

Blanco played 21 matches, started in 15 of them and in 1452 minutes of playing time he scored 5 goals and 8 assists.

Click to continue reading...

MLS Commish Don Garber Speaks

100 Percent Soccer 16 November @ 04:29 PM EST

Garber gave an earlier and less formal state of the league address than he has in years past in a teleconference with reporters today.

Garber announced the MLS Best XI during the call, which includes one player apiece from the Galaxy and Chivas USA:

goalkeeper - Zach Thornton
defenders - Chad Marshall, William Conde, Geoff Cameron
midfielders - Dwayne DeRosario, Landon Donovan, Stuart Holden, Shalrie Joseph, Freddie Ljungberg
forwards - Conor Casey, Jeff Cunningham

Other major talking points included:
*A reiteration MLS is looking to become a 20-team league.

Click to continue reading...

Donovan, Joseph and Ljungberg headline 2009 MLS Best XI

Soccer By Ives 16 November @ 04:23 PM EST

Major League Soccer announced its Best XI on Monday, with no real surprises among the selections.

MVP finalists Landon Donovan, Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Cunningham headed the group, while MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Zach Thornton also got the nod.

Here is the MLS Best XI

GOALKEEPER- Zach Thornton

DEFENDERS- Chad Marshall, Wilman Conde, Geoff Cameron

MIDFIELDERS- Landon Donovan, Shalrie Joseph, Stuart Holden, Freddie Ljungberg, Dwayne DeRosario

FORWARDS- Jeff Cunningham, Conor Casey

What's our take?

Click to continue reading...

Donovan, Joseph and Ljungberg headline 2009 MLS Best XI

Soccer By Ives 16 November @ 04:23 PM EST

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Major League Soccer announced its Best XI on Monday, with no real surprises among the selections.

MVP finalists Landon Donovan, Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Cunningham headed the group, while MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Zach Thornton also got the nod.

Click to continue reading...

MLS Best XI Announced: Conde Honored

Fire Confidential | ChicagoNow 16 November @ 04:15 PM EST

MLS announced it's 2009 Best XI today and one Fire player, defender Wilman Conde, made the list. It's the first time on the Best XI for the 27-year-old Conde, who made the list despite missing 11 regular season games due to injury.

The honor caps a solid season for Conde, who was a rock in the back for the Fire and even contributed two goals and two assists on the year.

Click to continue reading...

MLS Releases Best XI

WVHooligan 16 November @ 03:27 PM EST

Today Major League Soccer has announced it's Best XI for the 2009 season.

Keeper: Zach Thornton

Defenders (3): Chad Marshall, Wilman Conde, and Geoff Cameron

Midfielders (5): Dwayne De Rosario, Landon Donovan, Stuart Holden, Shalrie Joseph, and Freddie Ljungberg

Forwards (2): Conor Casey and Jeff Cunningham

Some shockers may jump out at your like Seattle's Ljungberg.

Click to continue reading...

USMNT loses, on to Denmark

The Beautiful Game (2) 16 November @ 01:39 PM EST
An injury-riddled, star-lacking USMNT team lost 1-0 to Slovakia over the weekend. I didn't watch, so I don't have much to add.
Seems like a fair result on the road. Here's the tweaked lineup for the upcoming Denmark friendly:
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Troy Perkins.
Click to continue reading...

Recap [USA vs. Slovakia, 11.14.09]

Project 2010 16 November @ 01:16 PM EST

The USA played the first of its pre-World Cup friendlies against Slovakia on Saturday. With nothing to play for, Bob Bradley utilized the opportunity to test his team's depth. The results? Despite the 0-1 defeat, there were more positives than negatives.

Most promising of the group were the performances of our center backs and central midfield.

Click to continue reading...

Cesc Fabregas’ Secret Weapon

Arsenal Station 16 November @ 08:22 AM EST
Our regular Guest Contributor, Ted Harwood, takes a look at Cesc Fabregas' secret weapon, Alex Song, and his emergence this season as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Song's form is directly related to Cesc's performances this season of 10 assists in 10 league matches, just one less than the total that led the league last season, as well as his 9 goals in all competitions. Click to continue reading...

Fantasy Premier League: Get Ready for a - 8

Never Captain Nicky Butt 15 November @ 08:45 PM EST
I wish Arteta was fit so I could replace Lampard with an absolute on the ball genius
This international break has not been meaningless by any means- in fact, it's been quite exciting as Nic Anelka gave France a 1-0 lead over Ireland, and former Fantasy Premier League stars Obafemi Martins (Nigeria) and Amr Zaki (Egypt) got their countries one step closer to South Africa as well. Click to continue reading...

What is Best For Manchester United and Rooney?

EPL Talk 15 November @ 05:54 PM EST


With the international break nearly over, the excitement of the Premier League will be back with us and Manchester United will be looking to get back to winning ways against Everton at Old Trafford at the weekend.

Following the Chelsea defeat I began thinking about what the best Manchester United eleven actually is?

Click to continue reading...

RSL to Meet the Galaxy For The MLS Cup!

Soccer Tickets Online 15 November @ 09:23 AM EST

1 for 2 isn't bad when you're picking Soccer matches and last night the boys from Salt Lake came through and defeated the Fire 5-4 in Penalty Kicks. I'd take total credit for picking this one, but RSL didn't manhandle the Fire like I thought they would, but now I think we something else we need to discuss concerning the two teams who will vie for the MLS cup this season.

Click to continue reading...