A Win Streak??? What???

Happy Tuesday everyone!



Richie Williams must be doing something right in NY, as in just 2 games, the Red Bulls interim coach has managed to double the teams win total for the season, avoid the record for worst team in MLS history, and upset the defending MLS Cup champs (with Sunday night's 1-0 win over Columbus at Giants Stadium). All credit for the goal has to go Dane Richards (with a little help from Seth Stammler), who picked up a loose ball off of a Columbus corner kick (a ball that was loose thanks to a block by Stammler), raced it a full 50 yards, and made Brian Carroll look like a fool with a couple of nifty shifts at the top of the box, before slotting home past Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum. Check out the goal---a Goal of the Week nominee---from MLSnet.com: http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=6385179&team_id=t107&topic_id=t107



For the second consecutive week, the Red Bulls came out aggressive (both offensively and defensively) and really pushed the play to their opponents. While John Wolyniec was a workhorse once again up top, the inclusion of Mac Kandji in the second half really made a difference, as the young Senegalese striker and wiley veteran hooked up almost immediately after Kandji stepped on the field, Kandji setting up Wolyniec for a rocket off the post.



On a side note, Gruenebaum---Columbus' backup 'keeper---must absolutely dread playing in Giants Stadium. Last year, it was Gruenebaum who gave up the only goal a goalkeeper has scored in the MLS...scored by Danny Cepero at Giants Stadium:

Sunday, Gruenebaum didn't manage to record a single save en route to his 2nd loss of the season---only the 4th of the season for the Crew, and snapping the team's 16-game league unbeaten streak.

On one final Red Bulls note, SoccerJunkie has gotten his date for seat selection in the new Red Bull Arena---a reason to start getting excited for next year! You can check out the webcam of the new stadium, including an interior webcam showing the field installation here: http://www.earthcam.com/clients/redbullarena/

The summer transfer window has closed, and it certainly ended with a bang for Portsmouth... The south coast club, under the new ownership of Sulaiman al-Fahim (the man behind the takeover of Manchester City by the Abu Dhabi Group, though he has since split from them), brought in 3 new players on this final day: Watford centerback Mike Williamson (for around 3 million Pounds), Benfica midfielder Hassan Yebda (on a season-long loan), and their marquee signing, Manchester City centerback Tal Ben-Haim (for approx. 4 million Pounds). Just as these players were on their way in, equally as many were on their way out, including David Nugent (on a season-long loan to Burnley) and midfielder Niko Kranjcar to Tottenham. Kranjcar figures to fit right in as a replacement for his teammate on the Croatian National Team, Luca Modric, who was lost for 6 weeks to a broken leg in the weekend's win over Birmingham.

The move of the day has to go to Everton, who has signed Athletico Madrid (and as well Holland international) centerback Johnny Heitinga for 6.2 million Pounds (although the deal could rise as high as 7 million Pounds depending on performance). The oft-injured Heitinga will replace Joleon Lescott, who has sealed his move to Manchester City (thus freeing up Ben-Haim for his Pompey move)---even taking on Lescott's now-vacant #5 jersey. If Heitinga can remain healthy, this move (in addition to the purchase of Sylvan Distin from Portsmouth last week) should help Everton sure up what has been a horrendous defense so far this season.

The US returns to World Cup qualifying Saturday night, hosting El Salvador at Salt Lake's new Rio Tinto Stadium, before heading to Trinidad for a midweek match. While the top 4 teams in CONCACAF have begun to separate themselves, this next week could go a long way to boost---or hurt---the possibilities of automatic qualification for all 4 teams at the top of the CONCACAF hexagonal (the top 3 gain automatic entry to the World Cup, while the 4th-place finished plays the South American 5th-place finisher in a home-and-away aggregate playoff for a spot in South Africa). Heading into this week's games, here's how the teams currently sit:

Costa Rica 4-2-0 12 pts 0 goal differential

Honduras 3-2-1 10 pts +4 GD

United States 3-2-1 10 pts +3 GD

Mexico 3-3-0 9 pts -1 GD

El Salvador 1-3-2 5 pts -2 GD

Trinidad & Tobago 1-3-2 5 pts -4 GD

This week's matches feature:

Sept. 5th: El Salvador @ US, Trinidad @ Honduras, Mexico @ Costa Rica

Sept. 9th: US @ Trinidad, Costa Rica @ El Salvador, Honduras @ Mexico

The US, with by far the easiest schedule, needs to use these games to lock in a top 3 (more realistically a top 2 spot)...Mexico, which has the most difficult schedule, could see themselves fighting just for the playoff spot, though their recent form should make these some very interesting games.

Check back later in the week for SoccerJunkie's in-depth previews/analysis of the US matches!

Well, it's been a while...

SoccerJunkie returns after an unwanted layoff, and there is plenty to talk about...

First off, congrats to WPS' first champion, Sky Blue FC. If you knew going into this season all the turmoil this team would face, there's certainly no doubt that this squad would have had the worst odds for winning it all. Three coaches---the final being captain/player/coach Christie Rampone---a run of roster changes, a struggling superstar (in Natasha Kai, who's facing off-season shoulder surgery), and needing to accomplish a worst-to-first turnaround all made a title seem unlikely. Even heading into the playoffs---which Sky Blue backed into (LA beat Boston on the final day of the regular season after Washington beat Sky Blue the evening prior)---the Jersey team looked to have little chance...as the #4 seed, they'd face 3 road games in just 8 days, having to play at teams they hadn't beat this season. But you have to give the girls credit---they never once looked like a team that didn't belong, outplaying Washington, St. Louis, and LA for long stretches in each game, and picking up crucial goals along the way. After an extremely shaky regular season, Jenny Branam had a HUGE postseason (SoccerJunkie is still trying to figure out how Mark Rogandino and Jenn Hildreth believed that she was one of the best 'keepers in the league this year...they did attend games, right??? Branam struggled to hold on to the ball, making meals of easy saves, even dropping a cross---directed parallel to the goal---into her own net against Boston). But in the playoffs, Branam was nothing short of a complete monster---aggressive, sure-handed, and took one heck of a beating, but somehow managed to pop back up to hold on for the win (granted, against both Washington and St. Louis, I'm not sure Branam would've finished the game if Sky Blue hadn't already used all three subs). While Heather O'Reilly was named MVP---and she correctly named Rampone as a better choice for MVP---I'm not sure there was any single MVP...Jen Buczkowski replaced Euro-bound Anita Asante along side Rampone in the central defense and never missed a beat; Keeley Dowling capped an outstanding defensive effort with the game-winning goal against St. Louis; Kerri Hanks stepped into a starting role, and had a couple of terrific games before giving way to super-sub Kai in the final; Rosana moved from her customary midfield position to become the second striker with ease; and Kacey White terrorized on the outside midfield, doing everything but scoring a goal. From top to bottom, this is the definition of TEAM. And if team efforts win championships---which they do---then there is no more deserving champion than Sky Blue FC. Congratulations, ladies.

To say it's been a week of changes for the Red Bulls would be an understatement... After Juan Carlos Osorio "resigned" (by mutual consent...so let's be honest, the franchise let him save face by resigning before he was fired), the team managed to get off the schnide with a 3-2 home win over FC Dallas on Sunday afternoon. Juan Pablo Angel tied the Gio Savarese's franchise record for regular season league goals with a nifty chip over FC Dallas 'keeper in the first half, then passed it---and tied Clint Mathis' franchise record for goals in all competitions---with the game-winner, a rebound of a terrific shot from Mac Kandji late in the second half. Dane Richards added his second of the season in the first half, a one-touch finish of a John Wolyniec cross. Wolyniec had a strong game, starting up front as Kandji continues to work back from a hamstring injury, and turning in the workman-like effort we've come to expect from the vetran.

(Richards scores in the first half...)(and is stopped by Sala in the second...)
(while Danny Cepero comes up with a first half save)

One win doesn't mean this is a turn-around, though. The team is still a point shy of the league-record for fewest points in a season, and is being led by an interim coach, Richie Williams. Whether or not this team is really going to make a true turnaround---which it can't with this personnel on the field---will hinge on the decision the owners make this offseason regarding the front office of the team. If history tells anything...don't hold your breath. Since purchasing the team, Red Bull has appointed two people to lead the franchise...Marc de Granpre, a marketing exec from the drink side of the company, and Eric Stover, a stadium guru (handy to have with the opening of Red Bull Arena this coming Spring) who currently leads the front office. Neither of these men has ANY experience leading a professional sports franchise, and it's shown---leading to a revolving door of coaches and GM-style positions (which have had a variety of names). After the company got Mo Johnston to step down, Bruce Arena was brought in to assume both roles (without much down time following his 8-year reign with the US National Team), then dropped without being given a chance to really shape his team. Enter Juan Carlos Osorio (at the cost of draft picks to get him from Chicago) and Jeff Agoos (who has no previous executive experience), who are held as equals by the franchise---which should lead to Agoos' dismissal at the end of the year. Almost every player signed by this duo has failed miserably---Angel, Cepero, Goldthwaite, Richards, Wolyniec, Stammler (even Sassano and Ubiparapovic) were Arena signings (or prior)...while players like Rojas, Mbuta, Pietrovallo, Cinchero, Pacheco have all struggled mightily during their tenure. The next coach/GM that Red Bulls bring in need to have a clear understanding of the American game, and be given appropriate time to build their team. There's a reason Americans succeed in Europe, but few have in South America (Jonny Walker is the only player I can think of off the top of my head), and the next coach and GM need to realize that. Jurgen Klinnsmann is still available, right???

The new Premiership season is underway, and already there are some surprises. Who would've thought that one of the last teams on 0 points (and bottom of the table thanks to a 6-0 thrashing against Arsenal) would be Everton? And who would've thought that newly-promoted Burnley would shock Manchester United and Everton? Liverpool tied for first is no surprise, but Tottenham leading the way is a bit of a stunner. Granted, it's early (remember Tottenham's start to last season? Or Hull's start, then finish?), so there's nothing but time for the usual suspects to make this a two-horse race, but things could easily be interesting at the bottom of the table all season long, as SoccerJunkie will predict now that at least one "established" team WILL be relegated this season.

It Ain't Over 'Til the Fat Lady Sings...

That's right---there IS meaningful soccer left to play in the NY metro area...and I'm not talking about the upcoming collegiate seasons, or the FDNY/NYPD game at Giants Stadium.

As late as 7pm Sunday night, halftime in the LA/Boston WPS season finale, it appeared that Sky Blue's tumultuous season was coming to a close (for those who haven't heard, defender and US Captain Christie Rampone has taken over as coach---the team's third this season---after Kelly Lindsey abruptly resigned prior to practice almost 2 weeks ago. Lindsey's resignation came on the heels of the suspension of one of her assistants, a move the team has said was necessary and justified, but wouldn't describe the offense(s).). In the end, though, LA popped home 2, including a meaningless (but still controversial) penalty, for a 2-1 win, and Sky Blue will be the only pro team in the metro area that has something left to play for. They may also be the only team to have a goal to be like the Red Bulls---last year's version, which made a run to the MLS Cup final after backing into the playoffs. It'll take 2 road wins (against Washington and St. Louis) to get to the WPS Final in/against LA...the same number of road wins the Red Bulls needed (against Houston and RSL) last year to make the final, also held in LA.

As for the Red Bulls, well the season that seems like it can never get worse...keeps getting worse. The Red Bulls crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions League in embarassing fashion last week, as captain Juan Pablo Angel was sidelined with a grade-II concussion. Despite scoring two crucial away goals in a 2-2 tie at Trinidadian club team W Connection, the Red Bulls were beaten on their home turf (literally, the FieldTurf surface at Giants Stadium, a type of surface the Caribbean teams are rather unfamiliar with---most can't afford the expense of the installation of the surface, and why would they want to (most of these teams have gorgeous fields)) in front of a smaller crowd (roughly 2,000...in an 80,000-seat stadium) than W Connection drew in their 10,000-seat home. A goal for the Red Bulls for this week: draw more than that 2,000 for Saturday night's home game against Chivas USA.

(photo courtesy WorldStadiums.com)

Wednesday afternoon, 100,000+ will pack the Estadio Azteca for the USA/Mexico World Cup qualifier---a game that has all the meaning in the world to both teams. The US wants to cement their place as the team to beat in CONCACAF---and get rid of the monkies on their back (revenge for the 5-0 Gold Cup final loss at Giants Stadium, and pick up their first ever win in 12 matches at the Azteca)...while 3 points would be vital to Mexico's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup. As the standings are now, the US sits in 2nd, 4 points ahead of 4th-placed Mexico. A 4th-placed finish would send Mexico to a playoff against the 5th-placed finisher from the South American federation. The US roster for the game:

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton FC, England)
DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England)
MIDFIELDERS: Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC, England), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus, Sweden), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca, Mexico)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Hull City, England), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (FC Sochaux, France), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

This is certainly a A-team (unlike the B/C-team that faced Mexico in the Gold Cup final), and is a team that has the talent and confident to pick up that first Azteca win. Even still, a tie on the road would be a massive success, as this is a game the US has had to have planned for 0 points in the road to South Africa. Best line-up for success? It'd have to be a 4-4-2 that utilizes speed up top paired with a target forward, and plays the players that have played best together thus far...which means two players in particular, Jozy Altidore and Steve Cherundolo, will find themselves on the bench to start. Brian Ching is the best target man in the country, especially when it comes to having a player playing off of him---a skill Altidore should refine in the Premiership this year. As for Cherundolo, the play of Jonathon Spector in the Confederations Cup this summer makes it nearly impossible to sit him in this one. The best line-up for success:
Howard; Spector-DeMerit-Onyewu-Bocanegra; Dempsey-Bradley-Clark-Donovan; Ching-Davies




The English Premier League season had it's curtain-raising event Sunday, as Chelsea beat Manchester United on penalties to win the Community Shield. If the officiating in this one is any indication of the season to come, this is sure to be an interesting run. Chelsea has the official to thank for their second goal, as a blatant elbow by Michael Ballack (Sir Alex claimed it was worthy of a red card, though a yellow would have been a more justified) left Patrice Evra laying injured on the ground as Chelsea stormed up the field to score. The kicker: the referee had twice stopped play prior to that to allow injured players---including Ballack himself on one occasion---to be tended to. Inconsistency is the biggest downfall for referees, and football fans worldwide can only hope it gets better from here.

99% Full Moon...

Even though there were no big games to really talk about tonight, there is a wide array of expected, surprising, and just old weird news (the moon is 99% full tonight, naturally)...

--Kansas City has fired head coach Kurt Onalfo, replacing him with team executive (and former MLS star) Peter Vermes. The Wizards made the change sitting 2nd-to-last in the Eastern Conference at 5-7-6 for 21 points...a full 11 points ahead of the Red Bulls (2-15-4, 10 points), with 3 games still in hand. Onalfo's career record with KC ends at a very average 27-29-22... Hard to believe that that is grounds for firing, yet the 11-26-14 record of an unnamed coach in NY is satisfying enough to keep him in charge.

--Should New York advance in the CONCACAF Champions League tomorrow evening (hosting W Connection in the 2nd leg, tied 2-2), the Red Bull corporation will have a lot of Champions League to prepare for this year. Salzburg advanced through the 3rd qualifying round in the UEFA Champions League 3-2 this afternoon.

--On one last Red Bull-related note, there's another new twist in the Jozy Altidore "saga" (his story is quickly becoming one since he left for Europe). After getting minimal time with Villareal after his transfer (not at all unexpected), then not playing at all during his loan at Xerez (completely unexpected), there are new questions about where he will play this year. Over the last few weeks, a new loan deal to Olympiakos in Greece appeared likely...but now Premier League side Hull City are said to be offering Villareal 6.5 million Pounds to purchase the American striker. Two other Premiership sides (both with Americans already on the roster), Everton (Tim Howard) and Fulham (Clint Dempsey), are also said to be in the mix, which could lead Villareal to cash in on Jozy. The Spanish side paid MLS approx. $10 million (roughly 5 million Pounds at the time) for Altidore, meaning this could be a quick profit for a player who hardly played for the team.

In more international news:

--Real Madrid is continuing their spending spree, as Liverpool has agreed to sell midfielder Xabi Alonso to the Spanish giants. The move, worth 3o million Pounds, shines the light on a larger problem...

as does...

--Everton defender Joleon Lescott is said to be writing the team's chairman, asking for a transfer to Manchester City. City has had bids on 15 and 18 million Pounds denied, and are reported to be preparing another bid.

The problem? Players demanding transfers. Soccer is one of the only sports in the world where players are commodities, bought and sold by clubs. Even this years swap between Inter Milan and Barcelona saw Inter include $56 million with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in exchange for Barca striker Samuel Eto'o. Players sign their contracts, but an increasing number of these players are trying to force their teams into selling them to competitors (just look at Lescott, who wants Everton to sell him to a Manchester City team that Everton could easily be in a grueling season-long battle with for a spot in European competition next year). In other major sports, when a player signs a contract, they honor that contract until they become free agents...soccer players should be held to that same standard.