In my life - outside of family - there are three people who have influenced me the most, whom I can
point to as being a true role model for me. One was Paul Oberjuerge, my former editor at The San
Bernardino Sun, who gave me my start in journalism and allowed me to cover soccer back in 1998. The
other was a trainer I had at my local gym, whom you will hear about soon enough.
In my life - outside of family - there are three people who have influenced me the most, whom I can
point to as being a true role model for me. One was Paul Oberjuerge, my former editor at The San
Bernardino Sun, who gave me my start in journalism and allowed me to cover soccer back in 1998. The
other was a trainer I had at my local gym, whom you will hear about soon enough.
Liverpool striker David N'Gog was initially thought to be part of a player-plus-cash deal with
Sunderland over Jordan Henderson, but the 22-year-old ended up staying with the Reds for the time
being.
Sunderland is still keen on N'Gog, who has been deemed surplus by Kenny Dalglish, and are hoping to
wrap up a deal soon.
Coming into the summer transfer window, the expectation among most was that it'd be quite a busy
summer at Manchester United, and so far, it looks very much like that will be the case, with United
hitting the ground running even with Fergie on a well-earned holiday.
However, what was not expected was that United would shell out eight figures for a young and
relatively unproven English center back only a year and a half after shelling out eight figures for
another young and relatively unproven English center back.
I know that's a bold statement right off the bat, but I'm getting genuinely baffled by a
competition that clubs, players and particularly UEFA consistently treat as the Champions League's
annoying little brother. So by the end of last night's ‘entertainment' I found myself asking this
exact question rhetorically, because there seems to no love left for UEFA's secondary
competition.
It was nice having the Saturday off from a Portland Timbers game. Not that Timbers games are
"work" or any such thing, but I do enjoy getting the chance to watch as many weekend MLS matches as
possible as it helps me figure out just how well the Timbers are doing overall, especially in terms
of tactics.
Peter Nowak is among the 25 on the Player Ballot for the 2011 class of the National Soccer Hall
of Fame. Congratulations!
The Brotherly Game quotes a report from Monday in Guatemala-based Prensa Libre that says Carlos
Ruiz was in discussion with the Union but terms could not be reached.
SEATTLE/PORTLAND In September, the Portland Timbers planted a slightly taunting billboard near
Qwest Field declaring "PORTLAND, OREGON SOCCER CITY USA 2011." But it didn't look like this. As
part of the "There's no pity in the Rose City" marketing campaign, billboards are popping up around
Portland featuring attractive women (and men) holding forestry tools.
So you've been waiting in unbearable anticipation, I just know it. The time has come once again
for "Fuzion does the Power Rankings". I know it's been a long time coming, mostly due to changing
jobs, but nevertheless it is here! Can you feel the excitement? This time around I've changed up
the process just a little, and if you're interested -- well, you'll just have to jump to join us,
now won't you?
Righto no small talk, no chit chat, here is the first advertisement for the No Guts, No Glory
campaign. It was finally released yesterday afternoon (Perth time). Have a gander:
So what do you think? Love you to throw in your two cents worth in the comments section as well as
vote in the poll question in the side bar.
More than a few American soccer fans asked that question last summer when then 18-year-old striker
Conor Doyle signed a professional contract with English Championship side Derby County.
The questions continued as Doyle quickly saw time with the first team.
It's a Christmas miracle! Our boys did it. With all the pressure and expectation, they went out
there and beat Chelsea. It was probably our best 90 minutes this season if you look at our
consistency and overall play during the match. With the help of some personnel changes, including
the beast I call Theo van Nasregas, the players stepped up, worked their socks off, and pulled off
the win we all knew they were capable of getting.
