The Sweet Spot of Scoring to Avoid Injuries

No one likes the guy who takes the ball to the corner flag at the end of the game to waste time. When you are in the lead, this is typically called "time management". For the opposing teams, you're a target to get a nice hard foul.

So where is that sweet spot between scoring goals, deflating an opponent so that they don't score, yet minimizing the fouls (possibly dangerous) against your team?

Actually, there are two answers to this question. Granted, my time and resources are limited, but by analyzing the EPL's scorelines for the 2009-10 season and comparing them with the number of fouls given/received during those games, I've determined two possible sweet spots.

The Beautiful Game Pt. 3

Campgrounds in Cabo San Juan

Photo: thewanderyear

Special 1 TV Ep. 4

Shut up Numptees.



Video: BBCComedy

Conor Doyle Signs with Derby County

Yanks-abroad.com broke the news earlier today, but for some reason are having issues with their article link, so I'm taking the time to fill you in on the move.

Doyle, an 18yo Texas native, had until recently been playing forward for the Dallas Texans. Looks like the kid turned down a scholarship with powerhouse Creighton to play some preseason trial ball for Derby, and did well enough to sign a 2yr contract with them.

Derby has given him the #23 jersey and we can expect to see him play some against Leeds tomorrow in the npower season opener (subject to a clearance by the FA which shouldn't be a problem as his dad was born in Dublin, Ireland).

Poll: Which mid-season acquisition will make the biggest impact in MLS?

Coincidence or conspiracy? It surely cannot be happenstance that Sunil Gulati and the MLS braintrust have facilitated recent high profile transfers to two of the three biggest US sports markets: New York and Chicago. Riding the coattails of the World Cup popularity, MLS figures to capitalize by boosting the playoff hopes and intrigue of these large market franchises. Surely this isn't a money play for higher ratings and playoff attendance? Hey, what's wrong with using Henry as a marketing ploy, anyways. Unless he bends like Beckham . . .

Anyways, the addition of these players is a great move for MLS. Well, for some in MLS, I suppose. Wonder what Kansas City thinks. Regardless, the second half picture for the MLS title run has taken an interesting turn. Will Chicago be able to return to glory? Will New York win it's first title? Will Seattle's loyal fans be rewarded?

SuperLiga Final All Set

The opponent for the New England Revolution in the SuperLiga final is now determined, and unfortunately, it will not be an all-MLS final. Morelia Monarcas defeated Houston Dynamo 1-0 earlier today on a goal by Miguel Sabah, who appears to have dominated the game in both halves. Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall kept the game scoreless at the break by making several saves on Mexican National Teamer Sabah, and Houston forward Cam Weaver struck the post on a header during first half injury time.

US Roster Announced for Brazil Friendly

USSF announced our lineup versus Brazil:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (6): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Étienne), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)
FORWARDS (3): Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Pachuca)

A few things strike me with the US announcement of this roster.

Why Your Team Hasn't Made All Those Signings This Offseason

I know that, if you are like me, you are upset your EPL team hasn't made that big splash into the transfer market and picked up several new and needed players.

Sure, you hear the manager's statements every year, "We don't have the money," or "We are looking for that special player." Heck, I've even heard the one where they tell you they are looking for two "impact" players and your team gets linked with every star under the sun.

The reason is relatively simple. UEFA and Plantini want your club to be sustainable and stay around for a few years. The basic jist is that the amount of money clubs are allowed to spend in any one season must equal the amount they earn. Teams that overspend are ineligible for the any Euro tournaments. In the essence of the game, the idea is that a club shouldn't face the possibility of overextending itself should another economic downturn happen. So, in effect, should there be future problems, clubs like Man U with it's nearly $1bil in debt or say, Real Madrid with a debt in excess of $500mil won't make a mess of things and go under. The ruling will take effect for the 2012/13 season.

CONCACAF Champions League Groups Set

For the second straight night, Galavision had a doubleheader of CONCACAF Champions League elimination matches, featuring one MLS and one Mexican League team. Tonight's games were the LA Galaxy trying to overcome a 4-1 deficit against the Puerto Rico Islanders, and Santos Laguna of Torreon, Mexico, hosting San Juan Jabloteh of Trinidad with a 1-0 away win on the books already.

Nike Rewrites the Past to Their Write the Future Campaign

So, you're a big bad powerful sporting apparel company. You make a series of commercials called "Write the Future". And...

Pretty much everyone staring in your commercials has a crap World Cup, if they even make it.

Wow, that's pretty bad. All those ads must have cost a fortune, not including the embarrassment of getting almost every "sure thing" wrong.

Well, what are you going to do about it?

The Divine Ponytail Returns to Italian Football

Lost in the news yesterday was the return of Roberto Baggio to the Italian National Team.

In light of their failures in South Africa, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) brought in Baggio to take over a floundering youth system, according to Rueters. Baggio's appointment, despite having only recently begun taking his coaching licenses, will get the rubber stamp of approval later today.

The 43yo former Ballon d'Oro and FIFA Footballer of the Year in 1993 and #16 on FIFA's Top 100 Footballers of the Century, racked up 27 goals in 56 appearances for Italy and is the only Italian footballer to have scored in 3 World Cups. Despite being known for shanking a penalty in the 1994 WC Finals that resulted in a WC trophy for Brazil, the technically gifted and short forward will be used to develop talent for an Italian team deep on old players and very shallow in youth.

Photo: news.xinhuanet.com

Man City with the Signing of the Century

You heard it here second... Man City have splashed the cash and signed none other than a miracle worker to solve their EPL and Cup aspiration problems. In other news, Craig Bellamy is probably now on his way out of Manchester.



Simple ridiculous and simply awesome!

Video: Talksportmagazine

CONCACAF Champions League Heats Up

Tonight was a good night full of soccer. I sat down at the end of the day looking for sports, any sports, and found a CONCACAF Champions League doubleheader on Galavision. Both matches were the second leg of elimination matches. The first match was San Francisco FC of Panama visiting Cruz Azul, and the second match was Seattle Sounders traveling to San Salvador to take on Asociacion Deportiva Isidro Metapan.

How to Win Friends and Influence Players

Yell at your players, then they'll produce.

Well, not really. Actually, it doesn't really work at all, but damn is it funny. In this case, John Sitton's Leyton Orient is down 3-0 at halftime and are in need of a pick-me-up.

The following video isn't work appropriate, so turn down the volume, or wait till you are at home for this one. And now I bring you, eloquent coach Peter Sitton:

IFFHS Doesn't Need No Stinkin Rules

About a week back, the guys over at unprofessionalfoul.com had an interesting article.

The short and skinny of it was that a group funded by FIFA, let me rephrase that, a guy propped up with FIFA money, comes up with a yearly list that ranks club teams (and their countries' leagues) against each other to determine a "best of" list.

Okay, that seems reasonable. So how is it created, you may ask? Well, competitions get certain ratings, i.e.- Copa Libertadores and Champions League get higher weighting than say Europa League or Copa SudAmerica or even CONCACAF CL, for example. Well, that sounds simple enough. And then, each team's win get points (they vary depending on some obscure and proprietary formula apparently), draws usually get half the points of a win, and a loss, well, nothing.

3rd DP To Be Announced by NYRB Today

It must be an MLS kind of day today. First, Landy gets his 100th goal, now, MLS is stating that NYRB will be announcing their 3rd DP today.

Many believe it will be Rafa Marquez. The guy was being hinted to longer than I can remember, and after being cut loose by Barcelona a few days ago, NYRB came out and said that their 3rd DP has a contract offer and just needs to sign on the dotted line. "He will line up at the back of a diamond mid", were the words being used.

So, who do you think it'll be? At the rate of weird transfer rumors, I do agree that it'll be Rafa. The only team that seems to get who they openly tap up as of late seems to be NY. Maybe they are trying to keep the Cosmos viral marketing at bay...

Yup. It's official. Rafa Marquez is your 3rd NYRB DP.

Landon Scores His 100th But Isn't Going Anywhere

Couple things out about Landycakes at the moment, so why not combine them all into one?

Well, first, his LA Galaxy came up short last night against Chicago. The Fire won 3-2 behind goals from Collin Johns, Pappas, and Mike Banner inside the first 20 minutes (2 of those were in the first 5 minutes). Landon scored back with what he does best, pks. The fact that Galaxy have only won two in the last month might have something to do with Landon getting the itch to head back to England.

Enjoy his 100th goal here:

Paul Scholes Gives a Backhanded Slap to Liverpool

Scholes was interviewed by the Sunday Mirror yesterday. The funny thing is that he was asked about Tottenham and Man City and if they had a chance at the EPL title this year.

"I honestly think it will be the same as any other season really,'' he told the Sunday Mirror. "The same teams that are always there will be up there - ourselves, Chelsea and Arsenal."

Yeah, last time I checked, for most of the last 10yrs it was Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal and Liverpool all battling it out. Not that I'm a fan of Liverpool, but they seem to be getting the flush from both players and clubs alike. Seems, like the only people rooting for Liverpool are well, maybe from Liverpool.

Well, 'pool fans? Looks like you're being discounted by everyone else now too as a contender. Time to step up or find yourself walking alone down mid table telling Spurs fans "We won the League back in 2003"... when it's 2020.

Got Your Man City Shopping Card Yet?

About 28 players. That's what Man City needs to unload in youth, reserve and first team players before Sept. 1 according to ESPN.

"From first team squad players, through to the juniors and the kids, the club have so many players on their books, it is incredible.

"The club are devoting a lot of their time contacting clubs to place players on loan for a year, or to sell them." "From first team squad players, through to the juniors and the kids, the club have so many players on their books, it is incredible.

"The club are devoting a lot of their time contacting clubs to place players on loan for a year, or to sell them."

Special 1 TV Episode 3

Voyeur is back.



Video: BBCComedy