The Lesser of Two Evils

That's what FIFA members are going to be asked to choose between on June 1. Sepp Blatter or Mohammad bin Hammam. And surprisingly, it's not an easy decision.

Here's the deal. Everyone knows Sepp is corrupt. And for his part bin Hammam has stated that his corruption will only last two terms... I mean, his presidency, will only last two terms. Like that is to be believed of anyone in FIFA. Like the oxymoron from hell. Additionally, bin Hammam suggests that ExCo, the ruiling body of votes within FIFA, will be expanded to include 1 more vote for CONMEBOL and Oceania each, 3 more for CONCACAF and 4 each for Asia, UEFA and the CAF. The general idea being foisted on us is that there will be that many more people to bribe so bribery is less likely to happen. Yeah, tell that to the Wisconsin Legislature. On top of that, bin Hammam wants to create a Transparency Committee (useless as wearing a snood in summer) and more importantly, he'll double the $250K payout to each country as a member of FIFA to $500K. Woot! Sold, to the highest bidder.

The Beautiful Game (pt.34)

Saitama, Japan...

Photo: Getty

Special 1 TV (S.2 EP.19)

"Half the teams are Jose team which means that there is more than a 50% change I may be playing with myself."

and a subtle reference to David Luis' cameo as Sideshow Bob...



Video: Doitchampions

Champions League 2011 Quarter/Semi Draw

It just came out... your quarters (April 5/6 and 2nd leg on April 12/13) is...

Quarter Finals

1. Real Madrid Vs Tottenham
2. Chelsea Vs Man United
3. Barcelona Vs Shakhtar Donetsk
4. Inter Milan Vs Schalke

Semi Finals

Winner Game 4 Vs Winner Game 2
Winner Game 1 Vs Winner Game 3

So what are your thoughts? Rough draw for Tottenham? They did overcome group play against Inter and then beat AC Milan... How about the Man U v Chelsea matchup? Personally, I think Inter got the easy draw (if that can be said of any team making the quarters in CL play). While I'd love to see Spurs make the semis, I think we can safely say this is the end of the line for 2 EPL teams.

Photo: UEFA

Goal of the Week (Mar 16th)

Not bad... I could do that... maybe... on FIFA 2011... no, not really.



The goal scorer in question is Metalist Kharkiv midfielder Cleiton Xavier.

Video: Nashfootball

I Ain't Mad at 'Cha

Looking at the callup against Argentina and Paraguay, I really don't have any big complaints. Sure, I'd like to see Charlie Davies in the mix, but all told, there is no Freddy Adu, no Ching, no Eddie Johnson, and there are a couple new faces in the mix. No word yet on whether camera whore Larissa Riquelme will be in attendance.

While it's highly doubtful we'll be seeing Whitbread or Yelldell get any game time, I think this should be a decent lineup to face Argentina at home.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), David Yelldell (MSV Duisburg)

DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Timothy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Zak Whitbread (Norwich City)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Mikkel Diskeruud (Stabaek), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)

FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt)

The Argentina game is March 26th at 6pm CST on ESPN2 from the Meadowlands while we face Paraguay on the 29th from Nashville at 7pm CST on FSC.

Photo: USSF

Real Salt Lake vs Saprissa

Tonight, the eyes of the English speaking fans of MLS will be watching the MLS season opener on ESPN, at 9:30 Eastern/6:30 Pacific. The Los Angeles Galaxy travel to Qwest Field to take on the Seattle Sounders, in what will be a matchup of two of the best three teams in the West. The third, Real Salt Lake, will be hosting first-place Saprissa of Costa Rica in their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal first leg. The game is televised in Spanish on Galavision, at the same time as the MLS opener, 10:00 Eastern/7:00 Pacific. I'll be watching Real Salt Lake host Saprissa.

Saprissa finished second in their CCL group to Monterrey of Mexico and then swept Olimpia of Honduras in the quarterfinals with wins both home and away. Real Salt Lake were the first MLS team to ever win their CCL group, and then defeated the Columbus Crew 4-1 at home after a 0-0 tie in Columbus. Tonight's game will be at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, so RSL appear to be the favorites.

All's Quiet on the Western Front

Hmmm... I guess I should be writing lesson plans, what with very little soccer on to speak of today. But, here I am, digging up something for you.

So. We've got the MLS season starting for you Tuesday night. Galaxy at Seattle on ESPN. Golden Balls is back. Landycakes is running, although it's been quiet about him in the media lately. Anyone else notice that? I mean, sure, you have half the USMNT scrubs from one era or another (Kirovski, Dunivant, Eddie Lewis to name a few) but you also have some promising players like Tristen Bowen and Omar Gonzalez as well as established, although getting long in the tooth players like Landycakes and Beckham. Galaxy, should, have a decent team to speak of this year. Traveling to what MLSNET.Com has said to be the toughest away stadium to play in, in Qwest, LA has a tough opener.