...is what the New York Red Bulls are now.
New Red Bulls GM Erik Soler (right) with Red Bull Sporting Director Deitmar Beiersdorfer (left)
The Red Bulls introduced former Norwegian player/agent/broadcaster/owner/executive Erik Soler as their new Sporting Director/General Manager, charged with helping to rebuild the league's worst team. Well respected soccer writer Ives Galarcep was at the press conference introducing Soler, and came away with "the distinct impression that he may be the sharpest man Red Bull has ever hired to run its New York club." Of course, given the previous hires (with the exception of Bruce Arena), there really isn't anywhere to go but up. Red Bulls fans need to hope that he surrounds himself with MLS-knowledgeable people who actually listen and can provide him accurate information, especially for January's draft...
Just take a look at Agoos' bomb last year: the Red Bulls were eyeing fullback Evan Brown with their 18th-overall pick...until Seattle took him with the 16th pick. Agoos was left to scramble, and selected Babajide Ogunbiyi---a defender who really impressed at the MLS Combine. Of course, Red Bulls fans are probably scratching their heads and asking "Who on Earth is Babjide Ogunbiyi???" Well, that's because Ogunbiyi made it clear he wanted to play in Europe, and wouldn't join an MLS team for anything less than a senior-level contract---which is the reason he had slipped so far in the draft. In the end, the Red Bulls 18th-overall pick never signed with the team.
SoccerJunkie is willing to give this guy a couple years, let's see what he can do...
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"Hero, thy name is Tim Howard."
Howard saves!
That was the chant heard around Goodison Park on Sunday after Tim Howard stopped Tottenham striker Jermaine Defoe in 2nd-half stoppage to preserve Everton's come-from-behind 2-2 tie against their London rivals. England's Daily Telegraph took it a step further, linking the save to this summer's World Cup (look for complete analysis of the World Cup draw below): "USA 1, England 0 as Everton's American 'keeper saves Defoe penalty and denies Tottenham victory."
Howard's save was one of 3 PK stops for Premiership 'keepers this weekend, as Manchester City's Shay Given rescued their victory over Chelsea with a late stop, while Stoke GK Tomas Sorenson also picked up a save against Arsenal.
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Shay Given's PK save was just the start of an awful weekend for top-of-the-table teams in Europe...
Given stones Frank Lampard
In England, leaders Chelsea saw Manchester United's deficit cut to just 2, as the Blues lost to Manchester City. As mentioned, Timmy Howard's PK save left 4th-place Tottenham with just a draw against 15th-place Everton.
Meanwhile, in Germany, the top 2 in the Bundesliga were left with just a point each: leaders Bayer Leverkusen were held by US defender Steve Cherundolo and Hannover, while 2nd-place Weder Bremen only managed a draw against Cologne. Italy's leaders, Inter Milan, fell to Juventus, while 4th-place Parma drew against Genoa. Over in Spain, Seville fell from 3rd to 4th after dropping their match against Valladolid.
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US coach Bob Bradley talks to reporters before the draw
The US now knows who they will face in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup, and the Yanks draw for South Africa is one of the best that any fan could've hoped for, and one of the best the team has ever been given. Before answering some questions, here are the results of last Friday's draw:
Group A- South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B- Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C- England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D- Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E- Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F- Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G- Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H- Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
So here's SoccerJunkie's answer to some common questions:
What is the "Group of Death?"
Without a doubt, Group G. Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast all rank in the top 11 in FIFA's rankings, and in the top 9 of ESPN's Soccer Power Index (SPI)---Ivory Coast gets bumped up 2 spots in the SPI as they gain "home field" since the tournament's held on their home continent. No other group has 3 teams that are in the top 18 of the SPI.
Who is the favorite to win the World Cup?
Simply put, there is none. The top 2 teams in both FIFA's rankings and the SPI (Spain and Brazil) could meet as early as the 2nd-round, but no later than the quarterfinals. Other possible quarterfinal match-ups could include Argentina/France, Italy/Netherlands, and some form of England, Germany and the US. If you can find a winner with this draw, then SoccerJunkie needs your crystal ball.
How is this draw for the US?
This draw is simply scrumtrilescent for the Yanks (scrumtrilescent (adj): a word that describes something so great that, ironically, no word can describe it). It isn't just the teams involved, but the order---the US gets the most preparation time for England, being able to prepare through most of camp instead of just 3 days between games. Most important thing for the Americans? Whatever you do, don't overlook Algeria and Slovenia...one slip and the US could face the same fate as Russia: out of the tournament.
Is anybody a "lock" to win their group?
Germany, Spain and Argentina will have the easiest time progressing...but this is the first World Cup in a long time where the two spots that will advance from each group are truly up-for-grabs. Predicting who will finish 2nd in almost every group is a longshot at best.
Who is the "sleeper" in the tournament?
Watch out for Honduras in Group H---SoccerJunkie is quite familiar with them, having seen them play live twice in the last year. "Shock" results against Switzerland and Chile aren't out of the question, though they'd have to face a strong team from Group G in the 2nd round. Other possibilities? South Korea and Paraguay.
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Speaking of the US National Team... The US appears set to face Honduras in a January 24th friendly at the Home Depot Center. While US Soccer has yet to confirm the match, the Honduran federation confirmed it to their local media this morning. Since this match doesn't fall on a FIFA fixture date, expect this to be similar the US roster that went to the Gold Cup, made up mostly of current MLSers and Scandanavian-based players (the Dutch and Swedish leagues will be on winter break until March). Honduras will also likely field a team of domestic players, and, like the US, will likely feature fringe players hoping for the final spots on the 23-man roster for South Africa.
While many Americans will be tired of playing Honduras (having met twice in qualifying, as well as in the Gold Cup in the last year), there are serious limitations as to who the US can set-up as an opponent for such a date. No teams from outside North/Central America will be available, as they are in season (with the exception of Denmark, who the US just played in November), and Honduras is a team that will show up with something to prove, as their players look to make the World Cup roster. A friendly against a team like Jamaica would be less valuable to the US at this point than even an intra-squad scrimmage.
One player likely to suit up for the US: Danny Califf. But instead of joining the team due to the winter break in Denmark, he'll likely be there as a member of the Philadelphia Union. The MLS' newest franchise is finalizing a deal with Houston for the rights to the defender, with a contract already agreed upon that will have him join the Union during the January transfer window.
There are also reports that the US is working to complete an agreement for a friendly with Northern Ireland. That match would either be played on a FIFA fixture date set for March (March 3rd), or right after the end of the European league's seasons in May.
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UNC celebrates their 20th title
Congratulations to the University of North Carolina Women's Soccer Team, 2009 NCAA Champions.
The Tar Heels beat the until-then undefeated Stanford Cardinal 1-0 to take home the trophy for the 20th time in the 28 years.
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