The Soccer Blog: July 2011

Lovely little interview with Mick via The Guardian below in which he waxes on the ills of Twitter. A cautionary tale of Twitter and social media in the modern – and webcams, Elano – battlefield that is football, really, but mostly it’s just nice to hear someone call out ‘cocks’ and ‘twits’ and ‘numpties’ for what they really are.

McCarthy’s ire was stoked in January when Greg Halford, who was on loan at Portsmouth but had returned to Molineux to attend Wolves’ Premier League match against Chelsea, went on Twitter to announce: “With Steve Sidwell in the stands, read what you like into that.” The following day Sidwell pulled out of a move to Wolves and joined Fulham, leading McCarthy to believe that Halford had contributing to the deal collapsing.
“I think what really should highlight that [I won't discuss transfer targets with the media] is we had Steve Sidwell at the Chelsea game. Some twit tweeted it and it became common knowledge. He is on the running machine here and having a fitness test the following day and his agent gets a call from Mark Hughes and he goes and signs for Fulham. Do you think that had anything to do with the gravepine or that Twitter line? I think it probably did.
“Players are going to get themselves into trouble over Twitter, I can tell. I can’t ban it and I’m not going to try. But they have to be careful what they say on it about the club and its policies. If they put a team selection up, which I’m sure some disgruntled numpty will at some stage, they will be in trouble. Then I think they can get fined. It is forbidden and I think it’s unforgivable anyway [to] make it known just because they are not in the team.
“We are in the process of educating them, having a media law firm come in and speak to the players about it. Having pictures of yourself misbehaving as a 16-year-old is OK until you become a famous footballer and that picture is still there and is there forever.”
McCarthy said he is aware he has an impostor on Twitter. “Someone said to me: ‘I’m a contact of yours on Twitter.’ I said: ‘You aren’t, mate, because I’m not on Twitter.’ He said: ‘Are you not, I’ve been talking to you for the past two years!’ I said: ‘Well, you are cock like the bloke who is doing it.’ Dear oh dear. I think cock is appropriate for someone who impersonates me on Twitter.”

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The Problem With Twitter…

By: chris | July 26th, 2011
Mick-McCarthy

Admit it: Mick McCarthy is awesome.

McCarthy’s ire was stoked in January when Greg Halford, who was on loan at Portsmouth but had returned to Molineux to attend Wolves’ Premier League match against Chelsea, went on Twitter to announce: “With Steve Sidwell in the stands, read what you like into that.” The following day Sidwell pulled out of a move to Wolves and joined Fulham, leading McCarthy to believe that Halford had contributing to the deal collapsing.
“I think what really should highlight that [I won't discuss transfer targets with the media] is we had Steve Sidwell at the Chelsea game. Some twit tweeted it and it became common knowledge. He is on the running machine here and having a fitness test the following day and his agent gets a call from Mark Hughes and he goes and signs for Fulham. Do you think that had anything to do with the gravepine or that Twitter line? I think it probably did.
“Players are going to get themselves into trouble over Twitter, I can tell. I can’t ban it and I’m not going to try. But they have to be careful what they say on it about the club and its policies. If they put a team selection up, which I’m sure some disgruntled numpty will at some stage, they will be in trouble. Then I think they can get fined. It is forbidden and I think it’s unforgivable anyway [to] make it known just because they are not in the team.
“We are in the process of educating them, having a media law firm come in and speak to the players about it. Having pictures of yourself misbehaving as a 16-year-old is OK until you become a famous footballer and that picture is still there and is there forever.”
McCarthy said he is aware he has an impostor on Twitter. “Someone said to me: ‘I’m a contact of yours on Twitter.’ I said: ‘You aren’t, mate, because I’m not on Twitter.’ He said: ‘Are you not, I’ve been talking to you for the past two years!’ I said: ‘Well, you are cock like the bloke who is doing it.’ Dear oh dear. I think cock is appropriate for someone who impersonates me on Twitter.”

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Daily Dose: July 26th, 2011.

By: chris | July 26th, 2011

Real talent.

[101gg]

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Daily Dose: July 26th, 2011.

By: chris | July 26th, 2011

Real talent.

[101gg]

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Tuesday 26 July 2011

The Problem With Twitter…

By: chris | July 26th, 2011
Mick-McCarthy

Admit it: Mick McCarthy is awesome.

McCarthy’s ire was stoked in January when Greg Halford, who was on loan at Portsmouth but had returned to Molineux to attend Wolves’ Premier League match against Chelsea, went on Twitter to announce: “With Steve Sidwell in the stands, read what you like into that.” The following day Sidwell pulled out of a move to Wolves and joined Fulham, leading McCarthy to believe that Halford had contributing to the deal collapsing.
“I think what really should highlight that [I won't discuss transfer targets with the media] is we had Steve Sidwell at the Chelsea game. Some twit tweeted it and it became common knowledge. He is on the running machine here and having a fitness test the following day and his agent gets a call from Mark Hughes and he goes and signs for Fulham. Do you think that had anything to do with the gravepine or that Twitter line? I think it probably did.
“Players are going to get themselves into trouble over Twitter, I can tell. I can’t ban it and I’m not going to try. But they have to be careful what they say on it about the club and its policies. If they put a team selection up, which I’m sure some disgruntled numpty will at some stage, they will be in trouble. Then I think they can get fined. It is forbidden and I think it’s unforgivable anyway [to] make it known just because they are not in the team.
“We are in the process of educating them, having a media law firm come in and speak to the players about it. Having pictures of yourself misbehaving as a 16-year-old is OK until you become a famous footballer and that picture is still there and is there forever.”
McCarthy said he is aware he has an impostor on Twitter. “Someone said to me: ‘I’m a contact of yours on Twitter.’ I said: ‘You aren’t, mate, because I’m not on Twitter.’ He said: ‘Are you not, I’ve been talking to you for the past two years!’ I said: ‘Well, you are cock like the bloke who is doing it.’ Dear oh dear. I think cock is appropriate for someone who impersonates me on Twitter.”

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Monday 25 July 2011

Daily Dose: July 25th, 2011.

By: chris | July 25th, 2011

Friendly relations.

[101gg]

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Daily Dose: July 25th, 2011.

By: chris | July 25th, 2011

Friendly relations.

[101gg]

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Daily Dose: July 25th, 2011.

By: chris | July 25th, 2011

Friendly relations.

[101gg]

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Saturday 23 July 2011

Daily Dose: July 20th, 2011.

By: chris | July 20th, 2011

This needs to happen.

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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All’s Apparently Fair In Love & Football

By: chris | July 21st, 2011

Proper sportsmanship and unwritten rules dictate…the complete opposite of this video.

Particularly considering the crushing blow dealt to the Flamengo player as the defender with ups went up…and then came crashing right down on him. Rather impressive, really, and probably rather painful.

Kleber of Palmeiras cares neither for pain nor good sportsmanship – accurate shooting is apparently off the menu as well. Mini kerfuffle ensues.

[101gg]

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Friday 22 July 2011

Daily Dose: July 21st, 2011

By: chris | July 21st, 2011

Team bus gets a surprise visit in Seattle.

[Dirty Tackle]

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Daily Dose: July 20th, 2011.

By: chris | July 20th, 2011

This needs to happen.

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Daily Dose: July 20th, 2011.

By: chris | July 20th, 2011

This needs to happen.

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Daily Dose: July 21st, 2011

By: chris | July 21st, 2011

Team bus gets a surprise visit in Seattle.

[Dirty Tackle]

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Daily Dose: July 21st, 2011

By: chris | July 21st, 2011

Team bus gets a surprise visit in Seattle.

[Dirty Tackle]

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View the original article here

All’s Apparently Fair In Love & Football

By: chris | July 21st, 2011

Proper sportsmanship and unwritten rules dictate…the complete opposite of this video.

Kleber of Palmeiras cares neither for pain nor good sportsmanship – accurate shooting is apparently off the menu as well. Mini kerfuffle ensues.

[101gg]

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Thursday 21 July 2011

All’s Apparently Fair In Love & Football

By: chris | July 21st, 2011

Proper sportsmanship and unwritten rules dictate…the complete opposite of this video.

Kleber of Palmeiras cares neither for pain nor good sportsmanship – accurate shooting is apparently off the menu as well. Mini kerfuffle ensues.

[101gg]

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Tuesday 19 July 2011

Daily Dose: July 18th, 2011.

By: chris | July 18th, 2011

Liam does a kit launch.

[OTP]

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Daily Dose: July 18th, 2011.

By: chris | July 18th, 2011

Liam does a kit launch.

[OTP]

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

USA v. Japan Match Report

After twists and turns befitting a Broadway drama the curtain finally fell on the United States’ hopes of lifting the Women’s World Cup. But, it was the steely antagonists Japan who had the final triumph on this day, defeating the U.S.A. 3-1 on penalties in a heartbreaking storyline that was also appropriate to this year’s tournament.

It was clear that Pia Sundhage had instructed her women to go right after Japan and the U.S.A. started brightly with Cheney getting shots in the 1st and 8th minutes. Indeed, within the first 20 minutes Japan were finding it hard to get into any rhythm as Carli Lloyd kept trying her luck from distance and the U.S.A. had already racked up seven shots. Hardly any of them were on goal however and squandering chances quickly became the theme of the first half from the Americans’ point of view. The best chance of the half came when the immense Wambach blasted against the crossbar with her left foot from 20 yards out. Scores were level at the break but Japan were slowly working themselves into confident passing and possession play.

After the interval Alex Morgan replaced Cheney who had picked up an ankle injury and the substitute made an immediate impact, going close but hitting the woodwork again from close — it seemed the Americans were doing everything they could to score but failing to capitalize again. Japan were asserting themselves now and showing the world why they earned the ‘giant-killer’ nickname as they whipped in a corner on 56 minutes that zipped dangerously past Hope Solo’s goalmouth without anyone there to apply the final touch.

The game was end to end with both teams pressing and possession at 50% each when the breakthrough came for the Americans. The very impressive Rapinoe got hold of the ball deep in her defensive end after a Japanese attack and picked out Alex Morgan, the lone counter-attacking player with a 60 yard ball. Morgan, only 22 years old, got around her defender skillfully and showed real class by running onto the pass and finishing with aplomb in the bottom right corner past the diving Kaihori.

The lead only lasted 12 minutes as Japan equalized on the 81st minute and made the Americans rue all those missed chances in the first half. Miyama hit home after the two American centerbacks made a hash of clearing out of their 6 yard box. Japan were fully deserving of their equalizer and had earned the extra time.

In extra time, the U.S.A. continued to exploit their size and try the long ball strategy when on the 104th minute, the talisman Wambach scored surely what would be the winner. Morgan beat her defenders in the box near the byline and crossed superbly to the flat-footed Wambach who only needed steer the ball with her head into the back of the net.

Surely this is what World Cup glory tastes like? Surely this was the time for Wambach’s generation to stop being jealous of the Hamm generation and lift the cup for themselves? Japan had other ideas.

The never-say-die Americans conceded once again to the never-say-die Japanese and we were all level at 2-2 with penalties an inevitability. Morgan was brought down just outside the 18 by Iwashimizu but her dismissal by the referee could have but little impact because it came so late.

Before the penalty phase the Americans must have felt confident with Hope Solo having such a formidable presence in goal, but putting the ball in the net turned out to be their undoing. Shannon Boxx, Lloyd, and substitute Tobin Heath all missed their penalties and Japan would never look back. Wambach netted her chance, but once again, misses cost the United States.

Full credit to Japan, a team rocked by personal loss and adversity given the earthquake and tsunami disaster was able to surmount 1-goal deficits twice on the world’s biggest stage against the world’s best team.

Written by: Tom Yonker, WWC correspondent, soccerprose.com

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Daily Dose: July 18th, 2011.

By: chris | July 18th, 2011

Liam does a kit launch.

[OTP]

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Daily Dose: July 13th, 2011.

By: chris | July 13th, 2011

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Monday 18 July 2011

Ryan Giggs Is Available

By: chris | July 15th, 2011
giggsy

Manchester United is in Seattle for a friendly and apparently “Ryan Giggs” has taken to the Craigslist personals to dabble in tasting some local flavor.

This can only go super well.

[Craigslist]

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Daily Dose: July 15th, 2011.

By: chris | July 15th, 2011

Reliving the Copa opening ceremony.

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Ryan Giggs Is Available

By: chris | July 15th, 2011
giggsy

Manchester United is in Seattle for a friendly and apparently “Ryan Giggs” has taken to the Craigslist personals to dabble in tasting some local flavor.

This can only go super well.

[Craigslist]

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Daily Dose: July 13th, 2011.

By: chris | July 13th, 2011

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Real Madrid Train at UCLA, Run Over Girl With Golf Cart

Real Madrid are in LA this week for the start of their US tour and to prepare for their match with the LA Galaxy they’ve been training on the UCLA campus. Unfortunately, they seem to be breaking the posted speed limit in this clip and the girl rushing through texting on her phone never sees this coming. That said the man in the Ronaldo jersey on the back didn’t seem to distraught as they made a hasty get-a-away.

Ouch….

Posted by: Matthew Wall, editor, soccerprose.com

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Daily Dose: July 15th, 2011.

By: chris | July 15th, 2011

Reliving the Copa opening ceremony.

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Sunday 17 July 2011

Daily Dose: July 15th, 2011.

By: chris | July 15th, 2011

Reliving the Copa opening ceremony.

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Daily Dose: July 13th, 2011.

By: chris | July 13th, 2011

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Ryan Giggs Is Available

By: chris | July 15th, 2011
giggsy

Manchester United is in Seattle for a friendly and apparently “Ryan Giggs” has taken to the Craigslist personals to dabble in tasting some local flavor.

This can only go super well.

[Craigslist]

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Thursday 14 July 2011

England v. France

A game that had everything ended in a familiar way for England. The Three Lionesses went down on penalties to a France side in thrilling and heartbreaking fashion.

Full credit goes to France who played with the most fluidity throughout all 120 minutes and with the best touch on the ball. The English 11 coughed up possession too easily, especially in the middle of the pitch, and resorted to hoisting long pass after long pass up to no one. The poor service left Kelly Smith — England’s number 10 and purported heroine — with little but scraps to feed from in a forgettable first half.

The brightest moment of the first period came in the first 20 seconds with Ellen White getting in behind the French defense and unleashing a shot. The run of play thereafter was entirely with the French however and they continued to probe and pile pressure in the attacking third, their 4th choice goalkeeper, Deville, had little to do until an England corner in the 2nd minute of extra time at the end of the first half. To their relief, the whistle blew and the ladies in England jerseys were in the dressing room with an adequate 0-0 draw at halftime; but France had dominated the shooting stats 9-1.

The second half saw the real action though as England and Yankey started brightly down the left side. Ellen White got involved right away but Yankey’s corner was nodded away by the tall French defense. France must have heard a good half-time speech too because they were always threatening on the break. On 50 minutes Thiney should have made more of her possession as she blasted right at the England #1, Karen Bardsley.

There was a good bright spot on 55 minutes from England as Fara Williams crossed dangerously into Jill Scott who headed just wide after their best spell of build up play of the half. France still had the run of possession and England kept trying long balls up the middle to Jill Scott and the invisible Kelly Smith — a technique which seemed utterly hopeless against the superior touch of the French side, until the breakthrough came in the 59th minute.

Against the run of play, Jill Scott took advantage of a fortunate bounce and excellent one-two play between Kelly Smith and Yankey after the latter placed an excellent long pass into Scott’s feet. Deville was off her line and Scott finished superbly in the top center of the net to put England 1-0 up, and the dream was alive.

But Nacib and France looked ever dangerous as they heaped on the pressure and kept the brilliant Bardsley very busy in the England goal. Soon it became too much for them and France had equalized through an incredible left footed shot from 20 yards out by France midfielder Elise Bussaglia. Now the game was on and we were going to extra time. France were in control, and England were gassed. For the last 10 minutes of regular time and the full 30 minutes of extra time Kelly Smith was hobbling with exhaustion and injury and English players seemed to be falling all over the pitch with cramping leg muscles. They quite literally limped to the end of extra time, somehow deflecting the barrage of French crosses and shots.

They had Bardsley to thank for reaching the penalty phase and it was her time to shine as she saved the first penalty from France’s #10, Abily. England made good on their first three penalties, finishing all of them calmly. Indeed it looked as if the penalties demon that haunts England’s men would not appear on this night, the Three Lionesses were 3-2 up with 2 penalties left to go.

And then it happened. 22 year-old Claire Rafferty stepped up and dragged her shot agonizingly wide, Le Sommer converted cooly, and the England captain, Faye White struck the top side of the bar with her shot to complete England’s misery.

Written by: Tom Yonker, Women’s World Cup correspondent, soccerprose.com

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