Soccer Source

The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Nov. 9, 2009

2009-11-09T00:25:00.005-05:00

There was a lot of action in topflight soccer last week, with a full suite of Champions League, Europa League and domestic competition on tap. After the dust settled, however, the number one team is the same one it's been for three weeks running now. Not that anybody should be surprised by that. There was plenty of movement elsewhere in the top 25 however. Enough for you to want to take a look. Here you go:

1. Chelsea
Last ranking: 1
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 15-2-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 7 Liverpool at home in Premiership (2-0, Oct. 4), beat then-No. 4 Man United at home in Premiership (1-0, Nov. 8).
Commentary/recent results: Yesterday's showdown with Man United at Stamford Bridge was by no means a great game. In fact, it was barely good. Neither team seemed willing to take risks in the first half. Things opened up a bit in the second but it took John Terry's goal in the 76th minute to finally make things interesting. (Did Didier Drogba foul Wes Brown and did it affect the play? Who knows. The replays I've seen were not conclusive. But yes, Darren Fletcher did foul Ashley Cole on the play that led to the freekick that led to the goal) Chelsea held on for the victory. They now have a five point lead in the Prem, albeit with a game on hand over Arsenal. Man U are five points back as well, with the same amount of games played. Tottenham Hotspur sit fourth but we know that won't last.
Upcoming schedule: Host Wolves, but not until Nov. 21.

2. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 2
Record: 10-1-5
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17), lost at Sampdoria (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 13 Dynamo Kiev at home (2-2, Oct. 20), beat then-No. 13. Dynamo Kiev on the road (2-1, Nov. 4).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to win at Dynamo Kiev in midweek Champions League action but suffered a slight hiccup in their Serie A game yesterday, managing just a 1-1 draw to AS Roma. This is not the AS Roma team that was in the Top 25 for parts of last season but one that is decidedly mediocre, occupying 13th place in the Italian topflight. Inter's lead over second-place Juventus shrinks to five points as a result. Will it matter? We'll have to wait and see.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Bologna after the break next week. Then things get very interesting. First it's off to Camp Nou (the seventh-biggest soccer mecca in the world) for a crucial Champions League tie, Fiorentina at home Nov. 29, at Juventus Dec. 5 and home to Rubin Kazan Dec. 9. By that point Inter could be anywhere from first in this list, to off of it altogether. Or more likely, some point in between.

3. Barcelona
Last ranking: 3
Record: 11-1-4
Results of note: Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 14 Dynamo Kiev at home in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29), drew at then-No. 18 Valencia (0-0, Oct. 17), lost at home to then-No. 23 Rubin Kazan (2-1, Oct. 20), drew at then-No. 11 Rubin Kazan (0-0, Nov. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Barca played a scoreless draw at Rubin Kazan at midweek. The result could be crucial because it gives the Russian side the tie-breaker over the Catalan one should they be tied on points at the end of the group stage. Barca did win 4-2 over Mallorca Saturday without breaking much of a sweat.
Upcoming schedule: Host Cultural Leonesa in the return leg of their Copa del Rey match-up. Barca won the away leg 2-0 and shouldn't have much trouble there. Visit Bilbao when play resumes Nov. 22 before a crucial Champions League match at home versus No. 2 Inter.

4. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 5
Record: 9-2-3
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 9 Sevilla (2-1, Oct. 4). drew at then-No. 17 AC Milan (1-1, Nov. 3).
Commentary/recent results: The merengues finished the midweek Champions League match at the San Siro in a 1-1 deadlock. There's still everything to play for in that group with the top three clubs separated by a mere point. Real then nearly blew a 3-0 (second half!) lead against city rivals Atletico late Saturday but held on to prevail 3-2.
Upcoming schedule: The return leg of the Copa del Rey match-up at home against Alcorcon, whom we hadn't heard of before either, before they trounced Real 5-0 in the first leg. Will Manuel Pellegrini's side make it interesting in the return leg? Maybe.

5. Sevilla
Last ranking: 6
Record: 10-2-2
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 24 Glasgow Rangers in Champions League group stage (4-1, Sept. 30), defeated then-No. 1 Real Madrid at home (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Los palanganas drew one and won one last week. The draw, at VfB Stuttgart was enough to put them through to the next round of the Champions League. The victory came yesterday over Villareal and allowed Sevilla to hold on to third place in La Liga, where they trail Real Madrid by three points and Barcelona by four.
Upcoming schedule: The home leg of their Copa del Rey matchup with some minnow club. They won the first leg 4-2 so don't expect much noise from this one.

6. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 12-3-2
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20), lost at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-0, Oct. 25), lost at then-No. 1 Chelesa (1-0, Nov. 8)
Commentary/recent results: The loss at Stamford Bridge hurts but at least Red Devils have nothing to worry about in the Champions League where they drew CSKA Moscow midweek. There's still everything to play for in the Prem race as well. Remember last year Chelsea had an eight point lead over Man United at one point. I don't feel this year's Man U squad is as good as last year's, however (and yes, the absence of CR7 has a lot, if not everything, to do with that) but we'll see. It's a long season.
Upcoming schedule: Host Everton Saturday, Nov. 21.

7. Arsenal
Last ranking: 9
Record: 12-2-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12), beat then-No. 15 Olympiakos at home in Champions League group play (2-0, Sept. 29), beat then-No. 20 Liverpool at home in League Cup (2-1, Oct. 28).
Commentary/recent results: A pair of 4-1 victories for Arsene Wenger and the gars last week. The first, over Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar, sees them through to the next round of the Champions League. The second, over Wolves, permits them to take over second place from Man United.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Sunderland when play resumes Nov. 21.

8. Juventus
Last ranking: 10
Record: 9-2-5
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16), drew at then-No. 17 Bayern Munich in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30).
Commentary/recent results: The bianconeri did the bare minimum in defeating Maccabi Haifa 1-0 at midweek, then trounced Atalanta Bergamo 5-2 over the weekend. But let's not get too excited about that: Bergamo are one spot away from relegation.
Upcoming schedule: Host Udinese on Sunday, Nov. 22.

9. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 7
Record: 12-3-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 16 Bayern Munich at home (2-1, Oct. 21), won at then-No. 19 Bayern Munich (2-0, Nov. 3).
Commentary/recent results: After the impressive midweek victory over Bayern Munich to effectively knock the German club out of the tournament, Bordeaux lost 2-0 at Lille yesterday. They're still first in Ligue Un, but by a solitary point.
Upcoming schedule: Host Valenciennes when play resumes Nov. 21.

10. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: 11
Record: 19-5-6*
Results of note: In Champions League group stage lost at then-No. 20 Dynamo Kiev (3-1, Sept. 16), drew then-No. 6 Inter Milan at home (1-1, Oct. 6), won at then-No. 1 Barcelona (2-1, Oct. 20), drew then-No. 3 Barcelona at home (0-0, Nov. 3).
Commentary/recent results: The Russian champs played Barcelona to the letter again, but this time drew the Spanish champs 0-0. They then won 2-0 at fellow Champions League participants CSKA Moscow over the weekend. Kazan lead the Russian league by four points with just two matchdays remaining.
Upcoming schedule: Host Zenit St. Petersburg Nov. 20.
*Russian league starts in the spring.

11. Porto
Last ranking: 8
Record: 10-3-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes won at Nikosia to clinch a spot in the next stage of the Champions League at midweek. Their weekend was far less successful, however, as they lost 1-0 at Martimo Funchal. Fortunately for Porto, first-place Sporting Braga also lost so they didn't lose any ground. They remain five points behind the leaders.
Upcoming schedule: A cup match when play returns Nov. 22.

12. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 12
Record: 12-2-3
Results of note: Beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-1, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: L'OL missed knocking Liverpool out of the Champions League when they drew Reds just 1-1 at home last week. As it is, Liverpool are still likely to miss the elimination round. But the draw does secure Lyon's spot in the next stage. Felicitations! Then they played a wild 5-5 draw (not a typo) against Olympique Marseille yesterday. A win would have put Lyon top in France's Ligue Un. Instead they're second, one point behind leaders Bordeaux.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Grenoble when play resumes Nov. 21.

13. AC Milan
Last ranking: 17
Record: 8-3-5
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 8 Inter Milan (4-0, Aug. 27), won at then-No. 16 Olympique Marseille (2-1, Sept. 15), won at then-No. 2 Real Madrid (3-2, Oct. 21), drew then-No. 5 Real Madrid at home (1-1, Nov. 3).
Commentary/recent results: After the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid, Milan won at Lazio Rome, 2-1 to hold onto third place in Serie A and move within five points of leaders Inter.
Upcoming schedule: Host Cagliari on Nov. 22.

14. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 15
Record: 13-2-3
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28), beat then-No. 10 Dynamo Kiev at home in domestic cup match (2-0, Oct. 28).
Commentary/recent results: Shakhtar won at Toulouse in midweek Europa League action, their fourth win in as many games in said tournament. Their weekend league match was canceled, as were all in the Ukraine.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Dynamo Kiev, Nov. 21.

15. Valencia
Last ranking: 14
Record: 8-1-5
Results of note: Defeated then-No. 9 Sevilla at home (2-0, Aug. 30), drew then-No. 1 Barcelona at home (0-0, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: Los xotos managed just a 2-2 draw at Slavia Prague in midweek Europa League action, a disappointing result because the Czech side sit dead last in that group while Valencia are in the midst of a three-team race for two spots in the knockout round; Lille leads the group with seven points, followed by Valencia at Genoa on six each. Two matchdays remain. Valencia also defeated Zaragoza yesterday to remain fourth in La Liga, five points behind leaders Barca.
Upcoming schedule: Host the return leg of their Copa del Rey matchup with Alcoyano tomorrow. Valencia won the first leg, 1-0.

16. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 13
Record: 12-3-3
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 2 Barcelona in Champions League group stage, drew at then-No. 4 Inter Milan (2-2, Oct. 20), lost at then-No. 22 Shakhtar Donetsk in domestic cup (2-0, Oct. 28), lost at home to then-No. 2 Inter Milan (2-1, Nov. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Dynamo lost a tough one at home to Inter Milan at midweek. Their weekend league match was canceled. Not sure why. Hope it's not political.
Upcoming schedule: Host Shakhtar Donetsk Nov. 21.

17. Fiorentina
Last Ranking: 21
Record: 8-3-3
Results of note: Beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League qualifier, lost at then-No. 13 Olympique Lyon (1-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 13 Liverpool at home (2-0, Sept. 29), tied at then-No. 8 Juventus (1-1, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: La Viola won both games they played last week, over Debreceni in the Champions League and at Udinese in Serie A. The latter victory moves them up to fourth in Italy's top flight, eight points behind first-placed Inter.
Upcoming schedule: Host Parma when league play resumes Nov. 21.

18. PSV Eindhoven
Last ranking: 20
Record: 13-0-5
Results of note: Drew at Twente (1-1, Aug. 9).
Commentary/recent results: Played FC Kopenhagen to a 1-1 draw in Europa League action and won easily at The Hague by a 5-1 score. PSV remain second in the Dutch Eredivisie, two points behind Twente.
Upcoming schedule: Host Heracles Almeto when play resumes Nov. 21. That sounds like a club from Greece or Spain or Portugal or something but they appear to be Dutch.

19. Bayer Leverkusen
Last ranking: 24
Record: 7-1-5
Results of note: Won at then-No. 15 VfL Wolfsburg (3-2, Sept. 12), drew at then-No. 14 Hamburg SV (0-0, Oct. 17),
Commentary/recent results: Leverkusen defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 to hold onto first place in the German Bundesliga. Their lead over second-placed Werder Bremen is three points. Is this the year Leverkusen finally, finally break through and win the title?
Upcoming schedule: Visit Bayern Munich a week from Sunday.

20. VfL Wolfsburg
Last ranking: -
Record: 9-5-4
Results of note: Lost at home to then-No. 20 Hamburg SV (4-2, Aug. 23), lost at Bayern Munich (3-0, Aug. 29), lost at home to Bayer Leverkusen (3-2, Sept. 12), lost at then-No. 4 Manchester United (2-1, Sept. 30).
Commentary: The Wolves are back in the top 25 for the first time since the very early days of the season: Two wins, one a vital one at Besiktas Istanbul in the Champions League that may be enough to put Wolfsburg through to the elimination round. They then won at Hoffenheim, 2-1 on Saturday. They move up to fifth in the Bundesliga with the latter victory, five points behind the leaders Leverkusen.
Upcoming schedule: Host Nurnberg ahead of a crucial Champions League game at Moscow.

21. Fenerbahce Istanbul
Last ranking: 25
Record: 12-2-1
Results of note: Beat Galatasaray (3-1, Oct. 25)
Commentary/recent results: Fener won both games last week, at home against Steaua Bucharest in Europa League actoin and against last-placed Ankaraspor yesterday. They maintain their three point lead atop the Turkcell League or whatever it's called.
Upcoming schedule: Play at Besiktas Istanbul Nov. 22.

22. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 16
Record: 12-3-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 12 Arsenal in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: It was not a good week for Olympiakos, who lost at Standard Liege 2-0 and failed to wrap up a spot in the Champions League knockout stage. They then managed to just draw Iraklis Saloniki at home in weekend domestic action.
Upcoming schedule: At PAOS Ioannina Nov. 21.

23. Galatasaray
Last ranking: -
Record: 13-2-2
Results of note: Lost at Fenerbahce (3-1, Oct. 25)
Commentary/recent results: Galatasaray make their return to the top 25 after nearly six weeks' absence (Sept. 28 was the last time they were seen in these parts) on the strength of a two-win week. The Turkish side blew away Dinamo Bucharest in a midweek Europa League match and won their weekend domestic game as well. They are second in Turkey, three points behind Fenerbahce and have assured advancement out of their Europa League group.
Upcoming schedule: More domestic action, none against teams I've ever heard of.

24. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 19
Record: 9-4-6
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28), lost at then-No. 22 Hamburg SV (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 5 Juventus at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30), lost at then-No. 17 Girondins Bordeaux (2-1, Oct. 21), lost at home to then-No. 7 Bordeaux (2-0, Nov. 3).
Commentary/recent results: Bayern lost at home to Bordeaux in a Champions League match they couldn't afford to lose and drew Schalke at home 2-2. So why are they still in the Top 25? Simple, because of all the other dropouts. In a normal week Bayern would be gone but they get a stay of execution this time.
Upcoming schedule: They'll have a chance to show they belong and a chance to perhaps rescue their season when they host first-placed Bayer Leverkusen Nov. 22.

25. LDU Quito
Last ranking: -
Record: 9-2-4
Results of note: Defeated Velez Sarsfield in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals.
Commentary/recent results: The Ecuadorian side are no strangers to the Top 25 with their last appearance coming in March it appears. The defending Copa Libertadores champions are through to the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana (which is the spring version of the tournament. Spring being fall in South America). I don't know how many clubs have won that double in their entire history, much less in one year's time. Domestically, Quito appear to be second but that information is tough to come by (good luck finding any in English).
Upcoming schedule: Face Uruguay's River Plate in the Sudamericana semis. The first leg is at Uruguay Thursday. The return leg in the Ecuadorian capital a week hence.

Dropping Out:
Manchester City (18), Sporting Braga (22), Hamburg SV (23)

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
RSC Anderlecht, Olympique Marseille, Ajax Amsterdam, Standard Liege

Please Note:
We've officially dropped the goofy "bylaw" that required placing clubs from South and Central America in this list regardless if they deserved it. We'll still include those teams if the situation calls for it, but not just because.

The next top 25 will appear Nov. 23.

Photo taken from The Independent.

Liverpool's Champs' League hopes hang by a thread and a dogfight in Group F

2009-11-04T16:57:00.004-05:00

Liverpool's chances of advancing to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage are on life support after the team's 1-1 draw at Olympique Lyon earlier today. With the point from the draw, Lyon become the first team in the group to advance. Likely to join them are Fiorentina, who sit second on nine points. Liverpool are third with four points. Debreceni take up the rear with zero points, which means Reds will in all likelihood have a chance to salvage their season in the Europa League.

Rafa Benitez' men visit the Hungarian side on the next matchday, which is Nov. 24. They'll need to win the game and hope Fiorentina are defeated at home by Lyon. The first should be simple enough. Debreceni are horrible, having posted a goal difference of 5 for, 14 against in their four Champions League games. They're not even good in Hungary, where they sit sixth (albeit with two games in hand on most teams). This is not a team that should be in anything called a "Champions" league.

Then again, neither should Liverpool. Their record this year is an even .500 (it's an American term. Don't worry if you don't understand it) in all competition. When they met Debreceni at Anfield in September, a first half stoppage time goal by Dirk Kuijt was all that separated the two sides. So who knows they'll even be able to win the game? It's Debreceni's last chance to get into the Europa League and Liverpool are wounded, perhaps mortally. Maybe the Hungarians will pull it together and hand Reds another loss?
Assuming Rafa Benitez' side win at Budapest Nov. 24 (and assuming they're still Rafa Benitez' side) and assuming Fiorentina lose at home to Lyon, Liverpool will then need to defeat the Florentine club at Anfield on Dec. 9, the final Champions League matchday. If they get there, we like their chances. But Lyon has not been on form lately and will probably not be favored to win in Florence.

But all this Liverpool talk is depressing. Let's focus on the most exciting Champions League group, the one with four (count 'em!) Top 25 clubs: Inter Milan (ranked second), FC Barcelona (third), Rubin Kazan (11th) and Dynamo Kiev (13th). No pundit had anybody but Inter and Barca advancing out of that group but now there is a (at least somewhat) realistic chance neither will make it. Today Milan finally got their first win of the group stage, coming back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to win at Dynamo Kiev and take first place in the group. Rubin Kazan and Barca, who played a scoreless draw in Russia today, are tied for second with five points each, one fewer than Inter. Dynamo sit fourth, on four points. So absolutely anything is possible. Inter play at Camp Nou next and then finish up the group stage with Kazan at the San Siro. Having lost to Rubin Kazan previously, Barca needs to post a better result than the Russian champions the rest of the way (by virtue of the first tie-breaker, which is head-to-head competition). The Spanish champs finish up group play at Dynamo. Chances are good that all four teams will still be alive after the next matchday. In fact, the only club that can be eliminated is Dynamo, and for that to happen they need to lose at Rubin Kazan and Inter will need to win at Barcelona. Then again, if that happens, Barca will be eliminated as well. Madness!

Photo taken from TheSun.co.uk.

The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Nov. 2, 2009

2009-11-02T00:25:00.002-05:00

Welcome to November. A week of domestic competition is behind us. This week clubs go back to work in the Champions- and Europa Leagues (as well as the Copa Sudamericana but those clubs do not figure in the Top 25 at this point). Here's where they stand ahead of a crucial week in those competitions:

1. Chelsea
Last ranking: 1
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 14-2-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 7 Liverpool at home in Premiership (2-0, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Blues vindicated our decision of putting them in the top spot by winning both games with ease last week. Didier Drogba and Deco each scored twice in the two victories. Granted their opponent, Bolton Wanderers, whom they faced in a midweek League Cup match as well as in Saturday's Premiership action, is not a top 25 club (or even close). But it's a better week than many other contenders for the this space had...
Upcoming schedule: Visit Atletico Madrid tomorrow in the Champions League. Then things finally get a bit more interesting with a showdown with Man United at the Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 8.

2. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 3
Record: 9-1-4
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17), lost at Sampdoria (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 13 Dynamo Kiev at home (2-2, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri won both games with relative ease last week; a 5-3 decision over Palermo (after a 4-0 halftime lead) and 2-0 over Livorno. Their Serie A lead is now seven points. And it's November.
Upcoming schedule: A huge Champions League at Kiev Wednesday. Host AS Roma Sunday in what would normally be an interesting match-up. But Roma are, uh, 14th in Serie A.

3. Barcelona
Last ranking: 2
Record: 10-1-3
Results of note: Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 14 Dynamo Kiev at home in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29), drew at then-No. 18 Valencia (0-0, Oct. 17), lost at home to then-No. 23 Rubin Kazan (2-1, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Barca had no problem with their minnow opponent in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie, defeating Cultural Leonesa (whoever they are) by 2-nil. But the weekend match was tougher, and Barca did not impress. Though they had a late 1-0 lead at Osasuna, an own goal by Pique two minutes into stoppage time gave the Pamplona side a 1-1 draw against the defending champs.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Rubin Kazan in the Champions League Wednesday. Host Mallorca Saturday.

4. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 12-2-1
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20), lost at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-0, Oct. 25).
Commentary/recent results: A pair of 2-nil wins for Red Devils last week: At Barnsley in the League Cup at midweek and over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday in the Premiership. Neither opponent was very good so we're not moving Man U up. That may change however...
Upcoming schedule: Host CSKA Moscow tomorrow in the Champions League. Visit Chelsea Saturday in the Premiership.

5. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 5
Record: 8-2-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 9 Sevilla (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Disaster befell the merengues at midweek, as they inexplicably lost 4-nil to AD Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey first leg. Luckily for them we don't count results of first legs, even if they are blowouts. Besides, Real could very well come back and win the home leg 5-nil or something. Seriously, it could happen. More importantly, they rebounded to win 2-0 over Getafe on Saturday, to move within a point of leaders Barcelona.
Upcoming schedule: Visit AC Milan in the Champions League tomorrow. Then the Madrid derby at Atletico on Saturday. A big week.

6. Sevilla
Last ranking: 6
Record: 9-2-1
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 24 Glasgow Rangers in Champions League group stage (4-1, Sept. 30), defeated then-No. 1 Real Madrid at home (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Los palanganas had an easy week, defeating Ciudad de Lorqui in the first leg of their Copa del Rey match and at Xerez 2-0 on Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Host Stuttgart Wednesday and Villareal Sunday.

7. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 9
Record: 11-2-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 16 Bayern Munich at home (2-1, Oct. 21).
Commentary/recent results: Bordeaux won both Ligue Un games last week, including a 1-nil decision over second-placed Monaco Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Bayern Munich for a crucial Champions League match tomorrow. Also play at Lille Sunday.

8. Porto
Last ranking: 7
Record: 9-2-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes managed just a 1-1 draw at home to Belenenses Friday night.
Upcoming schedule: Play at Nikosia tomorrow in the Champions League and at Martimo Funchal Sunday.

9. Arsenal
Last ranking: 12
Record: 10-2-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12), beat then-No. 15 Olympiakos at home in Champions League group play (2-0, Sept. 29), beat then-No. 20 Liverpool at home in League Cup (2-1, Oct. 28).
Commentary/recent results: A pair of impressive wins for Gunners last week. The first, 2-1 over Liverpool in the League Cup plunged Red back into a crisis made even more acute by their loss to Fulham Saturday. The second, 3-0 over Tottenham, sends Spurs fans back to earth and (hopefully) stops them from pining for their club to be included in this list. Who knows, it may even vindicate our decision never to include Spurs in this space. But probably not.
Upcoming schedule: Host AZ Alkmaar in a Champions League tie Wednesday. Visit Wolves Saturday.

10. Juventus
Last ranking: 8
Record: 7-2-5
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16), drew at then-No. 17 Bayern Munich in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30).
Commentary/recent results: The bianconeri won one and lost one last week. The victory was impressive: a 5-1 decision over third-placed Sampdoria at midweek. Then they lost at home to Napoli Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League Wednesday and Atalanta Bergamo in Serie A Saturday.

11. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: 11
Record: 18-5-5*
Results of note: In Champions League group stage lost at then-No. 20 Dynamo Kiev (3-1, Sept. 16), drew then-No. 6 Inter Milan at home (1-1, Oct. 6), won at then-No. 1 Barcelona (2-1, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: The Russian champs won a domestic league match to hold their one point lead atop the standings.
Upcoming schedule: The return leg against Barcelona is Wednesday. Think Barca will want revenge? Did the Russians want revenge after Stalingrad? Also visit CSKA Moscow over the weekend.
*Russian league starts in the spring.

12. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 13
Record: 11-2-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-1, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: L'OL won at St. Etienne Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Host Liverpool Wednesday for what might be Rafa Benitez' last match in charge of the Merseyside club. Also host Olympique Marseille Saturday in another massive encounter. A big week for Lyon.

13. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 10
Record: 12-2-3
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 2 Barcelona in Champions League group stage, drew at then-No. 4 Inter Milan (2-2, Oct. 20), lost at then-No. 22 Shakhtar Donetsk in domestic cup (2-0, Oct. 28).
Commentary/recent results: Dynamo had a rough week, losing to rivals Shakhtar Donetsk in a midweek cup tie and managing just a draw at home to Karpaty Lvov on Saturday, seeing their league lead shrink to four points (over Skakhtar, natch) in the process.
Upcoming schedule: Host No. 2 Inter Milan Wednesday. They get another shot at Shakhtar on Saturday, Nov. 21.

14. Valencia
Last ranking: 15
Record: 7-1-4
Results of note: Defeated then-No. 9 Sevilla at home (2-0, Aug. 30), drew then-No. 1 Barcelona at home (0-0, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: Los xotos won both road games by 1-nil last week over Alcoyano and Malaga, respectively.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Slavia Prague in Europa League action Thursday. Host Zaragoza Sunday. Their next name brand opponent is Real Madrid, whom they host Dec. 13.

15. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 22
Record: 12-2-3
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28), beat then-No. 10 Dynamo Kiev at home in domestic cup match (2-0, Oct. 28).
Commentary/recent results: Defeated Dynamo Kiev in midweek cup tie and won their weekend league cup match against some club I can't pretend to have heard of before.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Toulouse in Europa League action Thursday.

16. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 14
Record: 12-2-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 12 Arsenal in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: The Greek side won one and lost one last week. They lost against Panserraikos to exit the Greek cup but beat Atromitos Halkidona in league action over the weekend.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Standard Liege Wednesday ahead of a league match Saturday.

17. AC Milan
Last ranking: 21
Record: 7-3-4
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 8 Inter Milan (4-0, Aug. 27), won at then-No. 16 Olympique Marseille (2-1, Sept. 15), won at then-No. 2 Real Madrid (3-2, Oct. 21).
Commentary/recent results: The rossoneri managed just a 2-2 draw at Napoli at midweek before defeating Parma at home by 2-0 on Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Host Real Madrid in the Champions League tomorrow. That should be a good one. Visit Lazio Roma Sunday.

18. Manchester City
Last ranking: 17
Record: 8-1-4
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12), lost to then-No. 4 Manchester United (4-3, Sept. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Another draw for Citizens, this one at Birmingham City. Oh yeah they also beat Scunthorpe United in a midweek League Cup match. Woop de doo.
Upcoming schedule: Host Burnley Saturday. Then appear to have a two week break before a trip to Anfield on Nov. 21.

19. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 18
Record: 9-3-5
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28), lost at then-No. 22 Hamburg SV (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 5 Juventus at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30), lost at then-No. 17 Girondins Bordeaux (2-1, Oct. 21).
Commentary/recent results: Bayern beat up on Eintracht Frankfurt at midweek to advance a round in the German cup. Then played a scoreless draw at Stuttgart.
Upcoming schedule: Host No. 7 Girondins Bordeaux tomorrow and Schalke on Saturday. A big week for die Bayern.

20. PSV Eindhoven
Last ranking: 25
Record: 12-0-4
Results of note: Drew at Twente (1-1, Aug. 9).
Commentary/recent results: A week after their season debut in the top 25 PSV showed they belong, winning both Eredivisie games last week. They remain unbeaten in all competition, which is only good enough for second in Holland (Twente are first by two points).
Upcoming schedule: Visit FC Kopenhagen in a Europa League match Thursday and at Den Haag in Eredivisie action Sunday. Hey, Den Haag sounds a little like The Hague doesn't it? Weird.

21. Fiorentina
Last Ranking: 19
Record: 6-3-3
Results of note: Beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League qualifier, lost at then-No. 13 Olympique Lyon (1-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 13 Liverpool at home (2-0, Sept. 29), tied at then-No. 8 Juventus (1-1, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: La Viola won one and lost one in their two Serie A games last week. They were defeated at Genoa in midweek and beat Catania at home, 3-1, yesterday. Fiorentina remain fifth in Serie A
Upcoming schedule: Host Debreceni in Champions League action Wednesday. Visit Udinese Sunday.

22. Sporting Braga
Last ranking: 23
Record: 9-0-1
Results of note: Won at Sporting Lisbon (2-1, Aug. 22), beat then-No. 10 Porto at home (1-0, Sept. 19).
Commentary/recent results: Braga came up with a big win over second-placed Portuguese side Benfica Lisbon Saturday, winning 2-0 at home to expand their lead to three points.
Upcoming schedule: At Vitoria Guimaraes Sunday.

23. Hamburg SV
Last ranking: 16
Record: 9-3-4
Results of note: Won at then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg (4-2, Aug. 23), lost at Rapid Vienna in Europa League group stage (3-0, Sept. 17), beat then-No. 9 Bayern Munich (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: HSV lost at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach to drop to third place in the German Bundesliga.
Upcoming schedule: Host Celtic in a Europa League match Thursday and play at Hannover 96 Sunday.

24. Bayer Leverkusen
Last ranking: -
Record: 6-1-5
Results of note: Won at then-No. 15 VfL Wolfsburg (3-2, Sept. 12), drew at then-No. 14 Hamburg SV (0-0, Oct. 17),
Commentary/recent results: Leverkusen make their debut in the Top 25 largely thanks to taking sole possession of first place in the German Bundesliga, where they are unbeaten (their one loss came in a cup tie back in September). But no European action puts a ceiling on how high they can go (see Manchester City and Sporting Braga). Last week they played a 2-2 tie at Schalke 04.
Upcoming schedule: Host Eintracht Frankfurt Friday. A date with Bayern looms Nov. 22.

25. Fenerbahce Istanbul
Last ranking: 24
Record: 10-2-1
Results of note: Beat Galatasaray (3-1, Oct. 25)
Commentary/recent results: Fener drew at Kayserispor yesterday but we're keeping them in the Top 25 anyway. With Galatasaray winning, their lead in the Turkcell Super Lig shrinks to three points.
Upcoming schedule: Host Steaua Bucharest in Europa League action Thursday and last-placed Ankaraspor Sunday.

Dropping Out:
Liverpool (20)

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
FC Bruges, Galatasaray.

Please Note:
We've officially dropped the goofy "bylaw" that required placing clubs from South and Central America in this list regardless if they deserved it. We'll still include those teams if the situation calls for it, but not just because.

Hooliganism in the USA, part III

2009-10-30T11:04:00.006-04:00

To read Part I in this series, please click here.
To read Part II.

Yes, this again. Soccer hooliganism is coming to the USA. Check that: it's already here.

In fairness, the "analysis" is a bit different this time. Whereas in the past hooliganism was all about things that were (supposedly) going on in Major League Soccer, it is now all about stateside supporters groups of English teams. Not just any English team, mind you, but one Liverpool FC.

I'm getting ahead of myself. The above links to an open letter addressed to an "esteemed member of the football media" (who sent it to me). It concerns the 16-year old individual who tossed the now-infamous beach ball on the pitch at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Oct. 17. As we all know this ~~caused~~ contributed to Liverpool's 1-0 defeat that day because the Sunderland goal was scored when the (soccer) ball bounced off the beach ball and into the Liverpool net. As you might imagine this angered the otherwise polite Liverpool supporters a great deal, and they vented their anger on various bulletin boards and other Internet forums. At some point--perhaps (hopefully?) in jest, perhaps not--they threatened the young lad's life, which understandably upset him a great deal.

Apparently, some of these fans were in the U.S. and other places outside the mother country. To wit:

“These people were from America and Australia and all over the world – so-called fans who never come to Liverpool," said the 16-year old, who added that after discovering this he "just ignored them."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what led Mr. Wesley Chin to pen that letter to members of the media. As far as I can tell, it does not appear to be an act of satire, at least not intentionally.

Chin writes:
"I respectfully ask that this story does not fall through the cracks, and receive the attention that it deserves. We, as football fans to the beautiful game, simply cannot allow these reports of violence, hate, and intolerance be swept under the rug. The people responsible for the threats against this boy need to be held accountable for their disgusting actions, and not be given a pass for their actions. By letting this slip by us, it sends a message that they can say and do whatever they want with online protective anonymity. Silence is consent."

On second thought, maybe it was intended as satire? In that case the joke is on those of us stupid enough to take it seriously. Anyway, here goes:

Dear Mr. Chin,
Thank you for your letter (which was not sent to me personally, but whatever). I agree that violence, hate and intolerance should not be swept under the rug. I also agree that people who issue threats of physical violence need to be held accountable for their actions.

But with all due respect, I think you are taking this far too seriously.

While I do not in any way condone the actions of a select few soccer fans who threaten physical violence, I do not believe this is a reflection of the sport itself. Sports fans are a passionate group, as you point out. Sometimes this passion gets the better of them and they say and do stupid things. Sometimes, they actually mean them. In such instances, authorities need to get involved to protect the individuals affected.

This is not unique to soccer. Bill Buckner received death threats. So did that kid who interfered with the foul ball at Wrigley Field. In some non-soccer circles (college sports come to mind) death threats would be an improvement over some of the banter found on Internet boards.

I am sorry that you are left "feeling completely disgusted" by the news. However, referring to it as an "atrocity" is I think a bit much. So is your "silence is consent" talk.

I have been a fan of the beautiful game for about 30 years and have watched it grow in this country for the past 20. This blog, now two years old, is very much a reflection of what I have experienced. I feel fears of hooliganism and fan violence not only overblown, but alarmist and self-serving.

Allow me to refer you to an earlier statement I made on the subject of soccer violence. I realize this situation is a bit different, but think the message still applies. Please take it to heart:

Nobody wants to see anything resembling the extremely dangerous atmosphere at football grounds in Europe from the mid-60s to early 90s (least of all me, who has firsthand experience with at least a sliver of that time and place). But there is absolutely no chance of that happening in the U.S. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada. The null set. There are many reasons for this: socio-economic reasons, cultural reasons, geographic reasons and many more. Too much to get into at this point. (Sometime later, maybe. Though probably not).

What we will continue to see--and not only in this country--are episodes of violence or unruly behavior when you put large numbers of young men in a confined space at the same time and add alcohol. It happens at (American) football games, baseball games, basketball games, hockey games and yes, soccer games. Every time it happens at a soccer game we can be sure to hear and read about how hooliganism is coming to the U.S. Don't believe it. It's just somebody else taking themselves too seriously and thinking they know something about soccer culture. Or as the Guardian's Barney Ronay put it, "most likely, one of the culprits here is a lingering US fascination with the cliche and paraphernalia of English football hooliganism." Indeed. Time to get over that, folks. Whenever you're ready...

Are you ready, Mr. Chin?

Can Seattle do for soccer what it did for $5 lattes and grunge music?

2009-10-29T10:18:00.010-04:00

If you've been anywhere near Major League Soccer this season you will have heard of the Seattle Sounders FC, the league's newest club. Not so much for what they've done on the field--this being MLS most clubs do pretty much the same thing--but for the attention they've attracted locally.

The team is a massive hit in the Pacific Northwest, where it has become a pop culture phenomenon. More on the cultural impact in a bit. First some numbers to put the Sounders success at the gate into perspective:

The team averaged 30,943 spectators for its 17 regular season home games this season. That is an MLS record--not for an expansion team, for all teams, all time.
That number is higher than it is for German champions Wolfsburg, French champions Bordeaux and Premiership side Fulham FC among others, according to this Wikipedia table, which is probably wrong (did Juventus really average 21,000 fans last season?) but whatever.
Perhaps most impressive of all: The Sounders are the first U.S. soccer club to rank in the top 50 in the world for average regular season attendance (they're 50th but still).

The club has a FC Barcelona-type ownership structure, which came about at the behest of minority owner Drew Carey (yes, that Drew Carey). Carey also thought up the idea of having supporters march into the stadium en masse on game days accompanied by their very own marching band, the Sound Wave. This concept marries traditions from Latin America with those from U.S. sports and is precisely the type of thing America needs to do to make soccer its own.

Seattle may be the perfect place to launch such initiatives. It was here, after all, that Starbucks began charging (and receiving!) outrageous rates for coffee on the premise that it would provide patrons the "third place" that had been sorely lacking from U.S. culture. The flannel shirt, grunge music and self-loathing were all popularized here. Why not soccer?

Of course, Americans have had various love affairs with the sport in the past, but all were short-lived. There was Pele and the New York Cosmos and the North American Soccer League, which peaked around 1978. The 1994 World Cup caused a stir when it was held in the U.S., as did its 2002 incarnation when the U.S. national team made a run to the quarterfinals. The history books tell us of other "golden ages" in the more distant past.

Is this merely another "false dawn" in American soccer? Or is the sport finally, finally making sustainable inroads with the U.S. public? In other words, is this the $5 latte, which is alive and well nationwide despite the recession, or flannel shirts, which are not (though I heard somewhere they're making a comeback. Or maybe I just dreamed it).

Only time will tell. There is probably evidence on both sides, but consider this: The Philadelphia Union, a club that begins play next season (in its own soccer-specific stadium to boot) had sold 6,000 season tickets by May and has a fervent fan base ready to go. New York's MLS franchise will open its own soccer-specific stadium (in New Jersey, but still) that is attracting rave reviews from players and fans. Even the local business community is anteing up. If the "Sounders phenomenon" catches on in those cities, soccer will be a lot harder to displace from the American imagination.

Photo supplied by AmericanSoccerNews.net

The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Oct. 26, 2009

2009-10-26T00:25:00.009-04:00

It was a crazy week in European club soccer with the top three clubs all losing key matches. The fourth didn't do much better, drawing a Champions League encounter at home. So who was left to take over the top spot? Or would we forgive one of the top four's transgressions? Read on to find out.

1. Chelsea
Last ranking: 5
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 12-2-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 7 Liverpool at home in Premiership (2-0, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Blues took advantage of an easy stretch in their schedule to take back first place in the Premiership and with it, the top spot in our Top 25. They won last week's games by a combined score of 9-0. Granted the opponents were Atletico Madrid and Blackburn Rovers and both games were home, but still. So why are they number one? Partly by process of elimination. Blues are the only club who have an unblemished record against "quality" competition. Yes, the quality of this quality competition has not been as high as might be desired. Chelsea have yet to face Man United or Arsenal (to say nothing of Barcelona and Inter Milan) for example. But first place in the Premiership counts for a lot. So do wins in big games even if the competition is "only" Liverpool and Porto--though they also defeated Tottenham Hotspur when some in North London were claiming Spurs to be title contenders. Face it: Chelsea are the team to beat right now. In England, and in the world.
Upcoming schedule: The cupcakes keep coming. Host Bolton Wanderers Wednesday in the League Cup Wednesday, then travel to Trotters in Premiership action over the weekend, then Atletico again. Then things finally get a bit more interesting with a showdown with Man United at the Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 8.

2. Barcelona
Last ranking: 1
Record: 10-1-2
Results of note: Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 14 Dynamo Kiev at home in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29), drew at then-No. 18 Valencia (0-0, Oct. 17), lost at home to then-No. 23 Rubin Kazan (2-1, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Barca suffered their first defeat of the season, at home to Rubin Kazan. They rebounded nicely against Zaragoza by 6-1. That's not a typo.
Upcoming schedule: Cultural Leonesa (that's not a typo either. It's a Copa del Rey match) at midweek, Osasuna on the weekend.

3. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 4
Record: 7-1-4
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17), lost at Sampdoria (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 13 Dynamo Kiev at home (2-2, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri dodged a bullet in drawing Dynamo Kiev at the San Siro last Tuesday and followed this up with a 2-1 victory over Catania Saturday, maintaining their hold on first place in Serie A in the process.
Upcoming schedule: Host Palermo Thursday and travel to Livorno Sunday.

4. Manchester United
Last ranking: 3
Record: 10-2-1
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20), lost at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-0, Oct. 25).
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils lost their second game of the season at Liverpool yesterday. They previously won at CSKA Moscow in midweek Champions League action.
Upcoming schedule: At Barnsley tomorrow in League Cup action. Host Blackburn Saturday.

5. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 2
Record: 7-2-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 9 Sevilla (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: It was not a good week for the merengues, who lost at home to AC Milan in Champions League and played a scoreless draw at Sporting Gijon.
Upcoming schedule: Play some Spanish minnow in a Copa del Rey match tomorrow. Host Getafe Saturday.

6. Sevilla
Last ranking: 6
Record: 8-2-1
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 24 Glasgow Rangers in Champions League group stage (4-1, Sept. 30), defeated then-No. 1 Real Madrid at home (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Los palanganas had an easy victory at VfB Stuttgart in midweek Champions League action, then played Espanyol Barcelona scoreless at home.
Upcoming schedule: Face some Spanish minnow in Copa del Rey action tomorrow and at Xerez in Liga action on the weekend.

7. Porto
Last ranking: 7
Record: 9-2-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes struggled to defeat Nikosia at home in a midweek Champions League game. After going down 1-nil a brace by Hulk (his real, or at least Brazilian, name. Not making this up) gave Porto the 2-1 victory. Then beat Academica de Coimbra yesterday.
Upcoming schedule: Host Belenenses Sunday.

8. Juventus
Last ranking: 9
Record: 6-1-5
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16), drew at then-No. 17 Bayern Munich in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30).
Commentary/recent results: The bianconeri defeated Maccabi Haifa by the narrowest of margins (1-0) in the Champions League, then won at Siena by the same result in weekend Serie A action.
Upcoming schedule: Host second-placed Sampdoria Wednesday. That should be interesting. Also host Napoli Saturday.

9. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 17
Record: 9-2-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 16 Bayern Munich at home (2-1, Oct. 21).
Commentary/recent results: Bordeaux got back on track last week, winning both games. First they spotted Bayern Munich a goal before defeating the Germans 2-1 in the Champions League, taking first place in the group in the process. Over the weekend they beat up on Le Mans, 3-0 in a Ligue Un match, to take back first place in France as well. The eight spot jump is still pretty gratuitous, but we give extra credit for first-placed teams in their domestic league.
Upcoming schedule: Host second-placed Monaco Saturday. That should be a doozy.

10. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 13
Record: 12-1-2
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 2 Barcelona in Champions League group stage, drew at then-No. 4 Inter Milan (2-2, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Dynamo did well to draw Inter Milan 2-2 at San Siro at midweek and followed it up with the obligatory victory in domestic league action.
Upcoming schedule: Host Karpaty Lvov Saturday and Inter a week from Wednesday.

11. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: 23
Record: 17-5-5*
Results of note: In Champions League group stage lost at then-No. 20 Dynamo Kiev (3-1, Sept. 16), drew then-No. 6 Inter Milan at home (1-1, Oct. 6), won at then-No. 1 Barcelona (2-1, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: The Russian champs pulled off their country's biggest victory since Stalingrad, defeating Barcelona at Camp Nou by a 2-1 score. They followed this up with a domestic league victory to maintain their hold on first place. They take a massive leap in the top 25 as a result. (But not yet over Dynamo Kiev, whom they lost to back on Sept. 16).
Upcoming schedule: The return leg against Barcelona is a week from Wednesday. Think Barca will want revenge? Did the Russians want revenge after Stalingrad?
*Russian league starts in the spring.

12. Arsenal
Last ranking: 10
Record: 8-2-2
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12), beat then-No. 15 Olympiakos at home in Champions League group play (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: A pair of draws for Gunners last week; 1-1 at Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League and 2-2 at West Ham United yesterday. They gave up a 2-0 halftime lead in the latter match.
Upcoming schedule: Now things get interesting, with Liverpool paying a visit in the League Cup Wednesday and Tottenham Hotspur doing likewise Saturday.

13. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 8
Record: 10-2-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 20 Liverpool (2-1, Oct. 20).
Commentary/recent results: L'OL took advantage of Liverpool's weak form by beating Reds at Anfield last Tuesday, then inexplicably lost at Nice (it's pronounced "niece") Saturday. By 4-1 at that. Ouch. Oh yeah that was Lyon's second straight Ligue Un loss. Not good. They slip to third in the process.
Upcoming schedule: Visit St. Etienne Saturday.

14. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 14
Record: 11-1-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 12 Arsenal in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: The Greek side met obligations in defeating Standard Liege at home by 2-1 after spotting the visitors a goal. Saturday they defeated AE Ergotelis by the same score in a Greek league match. Olympiakos are in good shape to advance out of their Champions League group. They sit second with six points from the first three games, with a four point lead over AZ Alkmaar.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Panserraikos in a cup tie tomorrow and some other Greek team in a league match over the weekend.

15. Valencia
Last ranking: 12
Record: 6-1-4
Results of note: Defeated then-No. 9 Sevilla at home (2-0, Aug. 30), drew then-No. 1 Barcelona at home (0-0, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: Los xotos somehow managed just a 1-1 home draw with Slavia Prague in the Europa League but won decisively at Almeira by a 3-0 score. They sit fourth in Spain.
Upcoming schedule: The first leg of a Copa del Rey matchup at midweek and also play at Malaga on the weekend. Their next name brand opponent is Real Madrid, whom they host Dec. 13.

16. Hamburg SV
Last ranking: 15
Record: 9-2-4
Results of note: Won at then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg (4-2, Aug. 23), lost at Rapid Vienna in Europa League group stage (3-0, Sept. 17), beat then-No. 9 Bayern Munich (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: After defeating Celtic 1-0 in a Europa League match, HSV led Schalke 04 by 2-0 and somehow settled for a 3-3 draw in weekend Bundesliga action. They're still tied for first place with Bayer Leverkusen.
Upcoming schedule: Host Borussia Moenchengladbach Saturday.

17. Manchester City
Last ranking: 11
Record: 7-1-3
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12), lost to then-No. 4 Manchester United (4-3, Sept. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Citizens managed just a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham. That's their third draw in a row. They will need to step it up if they want to see the Top 25 for much longer.
Upcoming schedule: Host Scunthorpe United in a midweek League Cup match and play at Birmingham City Sunday. Liverpool are the next "big four" opponent, Nov. 21. That one's at Anfield. No European action for Citizens, so this is as much as we're going to get as a point of reference.

18. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 16
Record: 8-3-4
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28), lost at then-No. 22 Hamburg SV (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 5 Juventus at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30), lost at then-No. 17 Girondins Bordeaux (2-1, Oct. 21).
Commentary/recent results: Bayern had a 1-0 lead over Girondins Bordeaux but lost their Champions League match 2-1. They drop to third place in their group, one point behind Juventus and three behind Bordeaux. At least they beat Eintracht Frankfurt in weekend Bundesliga action. They sit fifth in Germany, just four points behind the leaders.
Upcoming schedule: At Eintracht again, this time for a cup tie. At Stuttgart Saturday. Host Girondins next week.

19. Fiorentina
Last Ranking: 18
Record: 6-3-3
Results of note: Beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League qualifier, lost at then-No. 13 Olympique Lyon (1-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 13 Liverpool at home (2-0, Sept. 29), tied at then-No. 8 Juventus (1-1, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: La Viola won their midweek Champions League match at Debreceni, 4-3, to take sole possession of second place in the group, three points behind Lyon but three ahead of Bayern Munich. Then lost at Napoli yesterday, slipping to fifth place in Serie A.
Upcoming schedule: At Genoa Wednesday. Host Catania Sunday.

20. Liverpool
Last ranking: 20
Record: 8-6-0
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 4 Chelsea (2-0, Oct. 4), lost at home to then-No. 8 Olympique Lyon (2-1, Oct. 20), beat then-No. 3 Man United at home (2-0, Oct. 25).
Commentary/recent results: What a week for Reds! After losing at home to Lyon, they rebounded to defeat arch rivals Man United yesterday, probably salvaging Rafa Benitez' job in the process. But they are still in big trouble; both in the Champions League, where they likely need to win all three remaining games to advance to the knockout stage, and in the Premiership where they are fifth, nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
Upcoming schedule: No rest for the weary. A League Cup tie at Arsenal looms Wednesday. Visit Craven Cottage and Fulham over the weekend before a trip to Florence next week.

21. AC Milan
Last ranking: -
Record: 6-3-3
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 8 Inter Milan (4-0, Aug. 27), won at then-No. 16 Olympique Marseille (2-1, Sept. 15), won at then-No. 2 Real Madrid (3-2, Oct. 21).
Commentary/recent results: The rossoneri are back in the Top 25 thanks largely to their 3-2 win at the Bernabeu that puts them in a tie for first in the group (with Real Madrid). Too bad they had to lose at home to FC Zurich otherwise they'd be sitting pretty. Then there's their situation in Serie A, which leaves a lot to be desired as well (Leonardo's club are sixth, seven points from the top).
Upcoming schedule: Visit Napoli Wednesday. Host Parma Saturday

22. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 19
Record: 10-2-3
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28).
Commentary/recent results: The Ukrainian side beat up on Toulouse 3-0 in the Europa League but managed just a 1-1 draw in their weekend Premier-Liga game. They drop six points behind league leaders Dynamo Kiev in the process.
Upcoming schedule: Another Ukrainian league game this weekend followed by the return leg with Toulouse, this time in Southwestern France.

23. Sporting Braga
Last ranking: 21
Record: 8-0-1
Results of note: Won at Sporting Lisbon (2-1, Aug. 22), beat then-No. 10 Porto at home (1-0, Sept. 19).
Commentary/recent results: Braga drew at Rio Ave Vila do Conde on Sunday, the first time they've dropped points this season. They hold a three point lead over Benfica Lisbon in Portugal's Liga Sagres.
Upcoming schedule: Speaking of the devil, they host Benfica this Sunday.

24. Fenerbahce Istanbul
Last ranking: -
Record: 10-2-0
Results of note: Beat Galatasaray (3-1, Oct. 25)
Commentary/recent results: Fener make their season debut in the Top 25. It's been over a year since their last appearance. Two seasons ago they were ranked as high as 10th at one point. They've done well this season. Yesterday they defeated archrivals Galatasaray to expand their lead in the Turkish league to five points. Earlier in the week they put Steaua Bucharest to the sword in a Europa League match. They lead the group with six points from three games.
Upcoming schedule: At Kayserispor Sunday.

25. PSV Eindhoven
Last ranking: -
Record: 10-0-4
Results of note: Drew at Twente (1-1, Aug. 9).
Commentary/recent results: PSV make their season debut in the Top 25. Quietly unbeaten in all competition, they have flown under our radar by not being a first place club in their domestic league (the Dutch Eredivisie, Eindhoven being a town in the Netherlands, Dutch being the adjective used for the Netherlands, which is sometimes called Holland) but also by lacking the all-elusive "quality win". Their Europa League group includes FC Kopenhagen, CFR Cluj and Sparta Prague, neither of which is going to set the world on fire. Oh by the way, PSV last gave up a goal Sept. 26 against Wilhelm II. That's six games and counting.
Upcoming schedule: At Roda Kerkrade Wednesday. Host Vitesse Arnheim Saturday.

Dropping Out:
Twente (22), San Lorenzo (24), Aston Villa (25)

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
Benfica Lisbon, Bayer Leverkusen, Sampdoria.

Please Note:
We've officially dropped the goofy "bylaw" that required placing clubs from South and Central America in this list regardless if they deserved it. We'll still include those teams if the situation calls for it, but not just because.

The Top 25 may not appear next week depending on my schedule.

Weak week by Spanish clubs cast La Liga's dominance into question

2009-10-22T19:03:00.005-04:00

Four losses, two wins, one draw. It was not a good week for Spanish clubs in European competition. Champions League title holders Barcelona, previously thought to be all but unbeatable, kicked things off with a dispiriting home loss to Rubin Kazan Tuesday. A day later, the Madrid clubs turned in a pair of stinkers; Real played poorly in losing to AC Milan at home and Atletico were trounced 4-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Thursday Valencia struggled to draw Slavia Prague at home and Villareal were put to the sword by Lazio in Europa League competition. Only Sevilla (3-1 winners at Stuttgart) and Athletic Bilbao (2-1 over Portuguese side Nacional Funchal) managed victories.

There's no way around it: This was a very poor showing. Too much to be written off as a series of random events that conspire to trick you into seeing a pattern where none actually exists. (You know, that black swan stuff. Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Yada yada. Not ringing any bells? Okay, forget it, it's probably not even an apt metaphor).

Anyway this was weak by the Liga clubs and it should give pause to those who were calling the Spanish league the best thing in the universe over the summer (you know who you are, Rio Ferdinand). The Spanish clubs are beatable. Even Barcelona. Even at home. The galacticos have no defense, Barca's midfield can be dealt with and the league isn't really very deep beyond that. The Champions League trophy, along with the No. 1 ranking in our Top 25, are not the exclusive domain of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. They can very well go to an English or Italian club. Or who knows, maybe even a French or German one.

To be fair, Atletico Madrid and Villareal are in deep crises. Villareal sit dead last in La Liga and have won just once (a 3-1 decision over Levski Sofia) in 10 matches. Atletico are about to fire their coach after a pathetic start where they've won just one liga match and a Champions League campaign that saw them draw APOEL Nikosia, among other disasters. The rojiblancos aren't going anywhere this season. Not in Europe; probably not in Spain either.

Then you've got teams like Deportivo La Coruna, Mallorca, Sporting Gijon and Espanyol Barcelona who have started strongly to the season and would probably do a lot better representing their country in Europe had they qualified last season. (Though one could say the same thing about Manchester City and Aston Villa vs. Everton and Fulham). And let's not forget about Sevilla, who have nary a blemish so far this season; their two losses came in Liga matches, which suggests the Spanish league is perhaps not that bad, either.

Or does it? Sevilla's Champions League group, with Stuttgart, Glasgow Rangers and Unirea Urziceni, is the weakest of the bunch--by a significant margin at that. You can't really say the Andalusians are being tested domestically or in Europe, and the Champions League knockout stage will likely prove their undoing (depending on who they draw, of course).

Real and Barca may very well get it together and should be able to mount a serious challenge in Europe before it's all said and done. But La Liga is not the dominant force many had (prematurely) figured. That much should be clear at this point.

Photo from wikimedia.

Upsets rule the day in UEFA Champions League

2009-10-20T18:31:00.004-04:00

In one of the most shocking UEFA Champions League matchdays in recent memory, no fewer than four of Soccer Source's Top 25 clubs were upset or had to settle for draws. The biggest, undoubtedly, was No. 1 Barcelona's fall from grace in a stunning 2-1 home loss to No. 23 Rubin Kazan. Few soccer fans had even heard of the Russian upstarts before the group stage draw, and the club appeared destined to fade from memory just as quickly when it lost at Dynamo Kiev on the first matchday. A 1-1 draw at home with Inter Milan a fortnight ago made some of us--the Soccer Source ranking committee included--take note, but it is safe to say nobody expected this in a million years.

Kazan's victory was punctuated by a superb goal in the opening minutes of the match. The goal, a rocket from about 30 yards by Alexandr Ryazantsev, was so unexpected it even caught the video cameras off guard (scroll to 2:35 of this video. I haven't seen any better angles yet). Barca leveled the game in the second half before the guests got the winner in the 73rd minute. Ryazantsev, whose first name is sometimes spelled Alexander in Western press, is a 23-year old Russian midfielder who appears to have come out of FK Moscow's youth system.

Yet Kazan's victory was by no means the only shocking result on the day. Indeed, it wasn't even the only one in its group! In the other Group F match, No. 13 Dynamo Kiev twice led No. 4 Inter Milan at the San Siro before settling for a 2-2 draw. Amazingly, Barca still lead the group (on goal difference, but still) as one of three teams on four points. Inter are last, on three points. The two megalith clubs may end up advancing to the knockout stage, but the Eastern Europeans have already made the group far more interesting than anybody could have anticipated.

If there was one big loser on the day it was Liverpool, who lost not only their home match to Olympique Lyon, but also Steven Gerrard to injury. The midfielder is expected to miss this weekend's match against Manchester United, an encounter that may very well be Rafa Benitez' last chance to save his job. Liverpool are already in dire straights in Group E, trailing second-placed Fiorentina by three full points after La Viola won their game at Debreceni. No wonder Benitez is already saying Reds must win their last three group stage games to qualify for the knockout round. Liverpool have been in holes before since the Spaniard took charge, but probably none this deep.

It was not a good day for British clubs. Arsenal managed just a draw at AZ Alkmaar and Glasgow Rangers were overrun by Unirea Urziceni (talk about clubs nobody has ever heard of!) 4-1 at Ibrox. Rangers are dead last in Group G, with one solitary point from three matches. Walter Smith's side have even less of a chance as reaching the knockout stage than Liverpool. The Daily Mail is calling it one of the lowest points of Smith's career. Not knowing much about Smith or Rangers, I can't really comment about that. But Rangers are definitely a major disappointment in probably the weakest CL group.

Ranking the world's soccer meccas: No. 7, Camp Nou, Barcelona

2009-10-20T13:21:00.001-04:00

For ranking methodology and other information about the series, see the original post. To read the about the No. 8-rated stadium, the Monumental in Buenos Aires click here. To see all "soccer mecca" entries click here.

7. Camp Nou, Barcelona
Open since: 1957
Capacity: 98,000
Tenant(s): FC Barcelona
World Cup hosts: 1982

In its relatively brief (by soccer mecca standards) history, Barcelona's Camp Nou has hosted some memorable matches: a World Cup, a memorable Champions League final (very memorable for Manchester United fans) and an Olympic gold medal game, to name but a few. Then there are the countless Clasico matches between its primary tenant, FC Barcelona, and a certain Real Madrid, each of which is memorable in its own right.

The stadium was built in the mid-1950s to accommodate surging interest in the club, especially after the arrival of Hungarian superstar Ladislau Kubala, according to the club's Web site. Hard as this may be to believe today, Hungary were once a world footballing power even though Kubala, who joined the club in 1950, played only three times for the country (he also played for Czechoslovakia and Spain. This being in the days before FIFA mandated rules on international eligibility). Kubala is an interesting case about whom a whole can be written, but for our purposes it is only worth noting that he was one of the major catalyst's for the construction of Camp Nou.

The stadium is massive. Nearly 50 meters high, it once fit 120,000 spectators and a massive pitch (120 meters, or about 115 yards long and 83 meters, or 78 yards wide) that was eventually downsized to UEFA regulations. "The stadium is like a sporting canyon, with the pitch actually some 25 feet (8m) below street level and the tiers of seats seemingly rising to the heavens," writes urinal.net. Even at its current capacity of 98,000 it remains the largest soccer grounds in Europe. It plans to become the largest in the world, after an extensive remodeling that was announced around the stadium's 50th anniversary two years ago. Fortunately for those of us who have not yet been there, the renovation will "maintain the characteristic asymmetry of the Camp Nou (between the lateral area and the grandstand)" while altering just its outside appearance.

The grounds has hosted numerous famous matches that we'll get to shortly, but what might be more interesting is the number of superstar players who have called Camp Nou home over the decades. Names like Cruyff, Maradona, Schuster, Lineker, Hagi, Stoichkov, Laudrup, Romario and Ronaldo have all figured in the team's lineup at some point. So have Figo, Kluivert, Larsson, Davids, Riquelme and Overmars, to name but a few. Add in the players who have been on the visitor's end of Camp Nou and the grounds has literally seen who's who of the biggest names in the game the past half century.

Those include David Beckham and Lothar Matthaeus, who faced off in one of the more memorable Champions League finals in history (certainly since it's been known by that name) at Camp Nou on May 26, 1999. As any fan over the age of say, 15, can recall, United were down 1-0 late but got a pair of stoppage time goals to capture their second European trophy. Bayern narrowly missed putting the game to bed several times in the second half, with the post or crossbar or Peter Schmeichel's heroics keeping the ball out of the Man U. net. The outcome was particularly cruel to Matthaeus, who was playing his last game for Bayern and had suffered a similar fate in the 1987 final.

Camp Nou hosted five games in the 1982 World Cup, though not the famous semifinal between West Germany and France (that was held in Seville). It did host the other semifinal, where a Paolo Rossi brace saw Italy advance at the expense of Poland. Italy would hoist the trophy three days later in Madrid.

The 1982 tournament's opening match, between Argentina and Belgium, was also held at Camp Nou. Belgium upset the defending champs 1-0 thanks in no small part to some superb saves by Jean Marie Pfaff. Scroll to 1:55 of this YouTube video if you don't believe me. Or 6:15 of this one. Though the entire Belgian defense was superb that day.

Camp Nou also was where a trio of second-round group stage matches were played in the '82 tournament, though the stadium was definitely on the short end of the stick, hosting Poland, Belgium and the Soviet Union while across town at the Estadio Sarria Italy, Barcelona and Argentina were in a "group of death." The Camp Nou still saw Zbigniew Boniek score a hat trick in Poland's 3-nil upset of Belgium. Belgium also lost their second match of that stage, 1-0 to the Soviet Union, which made the finale between the USSR and Poland effectively a quarterfinal match with the winner advancing to the semis. The match ended scoreless, allowing Poland to advance on goal difference.

Just weeks before the World Cup curtain-raiser, Barca hosted Standard Liege in the final of the 1982 Cup Winners' Cup. Down 1-0 in first half stoppage time, Denmark's Allan Simonson equalized to put Barca on their way. Quini got the winner around the hour mark to give Barca's legendary German coach Udo Lattek his third European trophy--a feat that was later matched by Giovanni Trapattoni.

Many famous Clasico matches took place at Camp Nou. The biggest in recent memory was probably the first leg of the 2002 Champions League semifinal, also known as the "pig's head match" because Figo was pelted with that object when he went to take a corner. Real won 2-nil on their way to capturing the trophy and Barca was fined for their fans' behavior. How they managed to sneak an entire pig's head into the game is another question entirely.

That event is almost child's play compared to some from the more distant past.

In the 1970 Copa del Rey quarterfinal return leg, Barca were up 1-nil (they had lost the first leg 2-0) and threatening to score when referee Emilio Guruceta called an extremely dubious penalty in Real's favor. The penalty was converted, several Barca players left the match in protest and fans invaded the pitch, literally chasing Guruceta and his assistants and forcing the suspension of the match two minutes from time. Real went on to capture the Copa in one of the few seasons where neither club managed a top three league finish. "Thus began the famous Guruceta affair, a long-running controversy as to whether the young but cocky referee had succumbed to temptation and been bought off by someone in the pay of Real Madrid," writes Phil Ball in Morbo: The story of Spanish football. The matter remains in dispute, but what is accepted fact is that Guruceta later took a bribe from Belgian side Anderlecht ahead of its 1984 UEFA Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest. Ball later tracked down one of Guruceta's linesman from the 1970 match and in a scene right out of All the President's Men, got the information he was looking for. (You'll have to buy the book and read it yourself. I'm not going to spoil it for you).

Of course Real's storied teams from the 1950s played (and often, though not always) won at Camp Nou. The two sides faced each other in the 1960 European cup semifinal, with Madrid winning both legs by 3-1 scores en route to their fifth straight European crown. The following year, Barca put an end to Real's streak when the clubs met in the first elimination round. The return leg at Camp Nou was again controversial with Real this time on the receiving end of some dubious refereeing (they were disallowed four goals). Barca went on to the final and lost to Benfica. Still, the blaugrana became the first club to eliminate Real Madrid from European competition and pulled this feat off at their storied home grounds--a lone bright spot in one of the club's worst decades.

In 1990 the two sides faced each other in the Spanish Supercup final return leg at Camp Nou, in a match made (in)famous for Stoichkov stepping on the referee's foot. Real won 1-nil and its Mexican striker Hugo Sanchez added an exclamation point by making obscene gestures to the Barca faithful. He was suspended four games. Stoichkov got eight.

There was also Lineker's hat trick in January 1987, Romario's hat trick en route to a 5-nil Barca beat down in 1994, Roberto Carlos being hit in the head with a cigarette lighter launched from the stands in 1997 and Raul's "shushing" the Camp Nou faithful in 1999.

Of course, Barca also played some memorable games against Camp Nou that were not against their archrival. In 1984 they defeated Manchester United in the first leg of an epic Cup Winners' Cup quarterfinal before advancing 3-2 on aggregate after Bryan Robson led a spirited Red Devils comeback.

In 1983, Atletic Bilbao's Andoni Goikoetxea nearly ended Maradona's career with a brutal foul. Then there was an epic UEFA Cup semifinal encounter with IFK Gotheborg in 1986. After losing the first leg in Sweden by 3-0, Barca returned the favor and won the match on penalties (they would lose the final to Steaua Bucharest). In the same tournament the following season, Juan Carlos Rojo (who famously won the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship MVP ahead of Maradona) made a triumphant return from injury, scoring twice as a substitute against Germany's Bayer Uerdingen. Rojo's career would sadly be cut short by injury the following year, leaving Barca fans wondering what might have been.

The early 1990s nevertheless saw a new golden age of Barca football with the so-called Dream Team era (named after the NBA stars who won gold for the U.S. at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics). That comparison is of course patently unfair; The Dream Team quite literally didn't break a sweat in steamrolling all its opponents while Barca had to put forth sustained efforts to win matches during its "dream team" era--and even then, they didn't win them all. Still, there were some impressive feats by the blaugrana, now under the tutelage of Johan Cruyff: four liga titles between 1991 and 1994, the 1992 European Cup (right before it became the Champions League), the European Super Cup in 1992 and three Supercopas.

We've noted some memorable moments from those years that took place at Camp Nou. Others include a 5-4 victory over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the 1997 Copa del Rey semifinal (okay I suppose this was technically after the "dream team" era). After tying the first leg at Calderon 2-2, Barca were down 3-nil but somehow rallied to advance to the final, where they beat Real Betis.

On the final matchday of the 2000-2001 season, Barca were fifth, three points behind Valencia and the last Champions League spot. The two sides faced off at the Camp Nou. Rivaldo supplied a hat trick for the home side, who won 3-2 and edged Valencia from fourth place. Nearly a decade later, Barca fans are still raving about Rivaldo's third goal, two minutes from time.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the 1992 Olympic gold medal game between Spain and Poland. In retrospect it is somewhat amazing that a Spanish side featuring the likes of Alberto Ferrer, Luis Enrique, Pep Guardiola, Abelardo and Kiko "only" won by a 3-2 score. Poland actually had the lead at halftime and the match seemed destined for extra time when Kiko scored the winner in the waning minutes. It's safe to assume the victory was Spain's greatest triumph at Camp Nou--and arguably its greatest victory period until Vienna last summer.

Photo supplied by Wikimedia Commons.

The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Oct. 19, 2009

2009-10-19T00:25:00.004-04:00

And we're back. Is it just me or did the internationals break feel a lot longer than two weeks? Anyway, club soccer was back in action this weekend, with several surprising results. How did that affect our rankings? Let's take a look:

1. Barcelona
Last ranking: 1
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 9-0-2
Results of note: Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 14 Dynamo Kiev at home in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29), drew at then-No. 18 Valencia (0-0, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: Barca suffered their first blemish in domestic competition (after previously playing Inter Milan to the same 0-0 score a month ago in the Champions League). Maybe this means Pep Guardiola's side aren't as superhuman as many would have you believe. Or maybe Valencia are pretty good. Either way, there's still nobody else more deserving of this spot. Not after everything else that went on this weekend.
Upcoming schedule: Host Ruben Kazan in Champions League action tomorrow and Zaragossa (how the hell do you spell that?) on the weekend. The return leg with Inter Milan is on for Nov. 24.

2. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 2
Record: 7-1-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 9 Sevilla (2-1, Oct. 4)
Commentary/recent results: The merengues rebounded from their loss to Sevilla to easily defeat Valladolid at the Bernabeu Saturday. With the victory they narrow the gap to first place Barcelona to a single point. So the Catalan side are not running away with anything yet.
Upcoming schedule: Host AC Milan in Champions League action Wednesday. In case you're wondering, the first Barcelona match is at Camp Nou, Nov. 29.

3. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 9-1-1
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils jumped out to a 2-0 lead and held on to win 2-1 against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Saturday. Not a terribly convincing win but it's the results that count--especially with Chelsea and Liverpool both losing this weekend. Sir Alex' side take back first place in the Premiership with the victory.
Upcoming schedule: Travel to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League and to Anfield this week. A big week, in other words.

4. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 6
Record: 6-1-3
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17), lost at Sampdoria (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri won at CFC Genoa, who we thought were supposed to be good, by a 5-0 score. They move up two spots with the victory, which also gives them sole possession of first place in Serie A.
Upcoming schedule: Host Dynamo Kiev tomorrow and Catania Calcio Saturday.

5. Chelsea
Last ranking: 3
Record: 10-2-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 7 Liverpool at home in Premiership (2-0, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Blues went down at Villa Park Saturday, losing to Martin O'Neill's side by 2-1. It was a decent game, with Chelsea taking the early lead, then falling asleep and letting Villa back into the game. Chelsea clearly could have played better but Aston Villa deserved the victory. Blues relinquish first place in the Premiership and third place in our standings as a result.
Upcoming schedule: A schedule packed with easy games they have absolutely no business losing: Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers (all home), then Atletico again. Then things finally get a bit more interesting with a showdown with Man United at the Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 8.

6. Sevilla
Last ranking: 5
Record: 7-2-0
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 24 Glasgow Rangers in Champions League group stage (4-1, Sept. 30), defeated then-No. 1 Real Madrid at home (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Los palanganas followed up their stirring victory over Real Madrid with a 1-nil defeat at Deportivo La Coruna Saturday. This is a good La Coruna side however. Their record is identical to Sevilla's and they lost a close game at the Bernabeu on the first matchday of the season. We may have to make room for them in the Top 25 at some point. Maybe even soon. Maybe even very soon...(but not this week)
Upcoming schedule: Visit Stuttgart in Champions League action tomorrow. Host Espanyol Barcelona over the weekend. In case you're wondering, they don't face FC Barcelona until January.

7. Porto
Last ranking: 9
Record: 7-2-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes beat Sertanense 4-nil on Saturday, their fourth shutout victory in a row. It was a cup tie and doesn't affect their Liga Sagres standing (which is third but only with one loss).
Upcoming schedule: Host Nikosia in Champions League action Wednesday and Academica de Coimbra Sunday.

8. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 7
Record: 9-1-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: L'OL met their match in Sochaux Saturday, losing 2-0 at home in a game Sochaux coach Francis Gillot dedicated to the team's seriously injured U.S. striker Charlie Davies. It's Lyon's first loss of the season in any competition. They hang on to first place in Ligue Un despite the loss, albeit on goal difference. Newly-promoted Montpellier are second, ahead of defending champion Bordeaux whom we'll get to in a minute.
Upcoming schedule: Play at Anfield tomorrow and at Nice Saturday.

9. Juventus
Last ranking: 8
Record: 4-1-5
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16), drew at then-No. 17 Bayern Munich in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30).
Commentary/recent results: The bianconeri managed just a 1-1 draw at home to Fiorentina Saturday. That's fourth-placed Fiorentina, who are now equal on points with Juventus (Juve have the edge in goal difference).
Upcoming schedule: Host Maccabi Haifa in midweek Champions League action and play at Siena Sunday. An interesting encounter with Sampdoria is on the docket Oct. 28.

10. Arsenal
Last ranking: 11
Record: 8-2-0
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12), beat then-No. 15 Olympiakos at home in Champions League group play (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Gunners had no problem in the Birmingham derby, defeating Birmingham City by 3-1 on Saturday. They move up to fourth place in the Premiership with the victory.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Dutch champs AZ Alkmaar and Upton Park this week. Then host Liverpool on what looks like just on day's rest and Spurs the weekend after that. Oh my.

11. Manchester City
Last ranking: 10
Record: 7-1-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12), lost to then-No. 4 Manchester United (4-3, Sept. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Citizens played a pair of 1-1 draws since our last ranking came out. The first back on Oct. 5 was at Villa Park. The second, yesterday was at the JJB. If Pablo Zabaleta hadn't been sent off halfway through the second half they might have even managed to win it--or at least put in an effort instead of bunkering, which is what actually happened. City drop to fifth in the Premiership with the draw--behind fourth-placed Arsenal. We know they beat Arsenal on the field but Gunners have been better recently. So they move ahead of City in our rankings.
Upcoming schedule: Host Fulham, whom they previously defeated in overtime in the League Cup, on Sunday. Liverpool are the next "big four" opponent, Nov. 21. That one's at Anfield. No European action for Citizens, so this is as much as we're going to get as a point of reference.

12. Valencia
Last ranking: 18
Record: 5-1-3
Results of note: Defeated then-No. 9 Sevilla at home (2-0, Aug. 30), drew then-No. 1 Barcelona at home (0-0, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: Los xotos vindicate their place in the top 25 (they made their season debut last time) with a scoreless draw against mighty Barcelona, the best team in the universe. So just how good are these guys? They are just sixth in La Liga and are in decent shape in their Europa League group with one win and one draw in their first two games. If it wasn't for a strange 3-1 loss at Getafe back on Sept. 23 they'd be unbeaten.
Upcoming schedule: Host Slavia Prague in Europa League action Thursday and play at Almeira Sunday. Their next name brand opponent is Real Madrid, whom they host Dec. 13.

13. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 15
Record: 11-1-1
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 2 Barcelona in Champions League group stage,
Commentary/recent results: Dynamo spotted Obolon Kiev a 1-0 lead then scored twice in six minutes with a certain Andrey Shevchenko scoring the winner. They maintain their four point lead atop the Ukrainian league standings with the victory.
Upcoming schedule: A key Champ's League game at the San Siro against Inter Milan is tomorrow. Dynamo are in decent shape in the group but only because Inter have just two points from two games. They can expect Mourinho's men to come after them in numbers tomorrow. So we're about to find out just how good (or not) the Ukrainian side are.

14. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 16
Record: 9-1-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 12 Arsenal in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: The Greek side notched an impressive 3-nil victory over Asteras Tripolis, who were hanging around the top of the table prior to their meeting. Olympiakos are tied for first in the Greeek Super League with Panathinaikos. It looks like it's going to be a two team battle as well; the third-placed team, PAOK Saloniki, are five points off the pace.
Upcoming schedule: Host Standard Liege in the Champions League on Wednesday. If they win the game, Olympiakos will be in very good shape for a place in the elimination round, seeing as they already lead Liege and Dutch side Alkmaar by two points. Arsenal are first and have effectively already booked their ticket in a very weak group.

15. Hamburg SV
Last ranking: 14
Record: 8-2-3
Results of note: Won at then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg (4-2, Aug. 23), lost at Rapid Vienna in Europa League group stage (3-0, Sept. 17), beat then-No. 9 Bayern Munich (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: There was no winner in the Spitzenkampf between top of the table sides HSV and Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. In fact, there weren't even any goals. The two clubs remain tied for first atop the Bundesliga standings, with the edge (by one goal) still to Hamburg on goal difference.
Upcoming schedule: A Europa League game at Celtic Thursday, followed by a trip to third-placed Schalke Sunday. Celtic are fourth in the group with just one point and need the win worse than Hamburg do so it will definitely be interesting.

16. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 17
Record: 7-2-4
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28), lost at then-No. 22 Hamburg SV (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 5 Juventus at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30).
Commentary/recent results: Bayern won at Freiburg Saturday, 2-1. They move up to fifth in the Bundesliga with the victory, or about four spots behind where we thought they would be at the start of the season.
Upcoming schedule: A clash at Girondins Bordeaux on Wednesday. That promises to be interesting. Then a pair of games with Eintracht Frankfurt, one in the Bundesliga, the other in the DfB Pokal (German cup).

17. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 12
Record: 7-1-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: After not losing a game for seven months, Bordeaux have now lost two in a row. Two weeks ago was at St. Etienne. Saturday it was at Auxerre. The loss drops les Girondins to third in Ligue Un but only one point behind the leaders (Lyon and surprising Montpellier). But things don't gt any easier because...
Upcoming schedule: Bordeaux host Bayern Munich in a Champions League thriller Wednesday. This is shaping up to be a very tough group; Bayern and Bordeaux are first with four points from two games, followed by Juventus with two points, with Maccabi Haifa bringing up the rear with zero points. If Bordeaux beat Bayern they're in good shape. If not, well, then they aren't. But the Europa League will happen regardless.

18. Fiorentina
Last Ranking: -
Record: 5-2-3
Results of note: Beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League qualifier, lost at then-No. 13 Olympique Lyon (1-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 13 Liverpool at home (2-0, Sept. 29), tied at then-No. 8 Juventus (1-1, Oct. 17).
Commentary/recent results: Fiorentina return to the Top 25 for the first time since the Sept. 14 iteration (they were 18th then too). The catalyst is more a string of solid performances (see above) than the one this weekend (though a tie at Juventus is not bad by any means). La Viola are fourth in Serie A, four points behind first-placed Inter, whom they face Nov. 29.
Upcoming schedule: At Debreceni in the Champions League tomorrow, followed by Napoli at home Sunday. They'll need the win in Hungary; they're tied with Liverpool on points in that group. A trip to Genoa is up a week from Wednesday.

19. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 20
Record: 9-2-2
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28).
Commentary/recent results: Beat Karpaty Lvov 5-1 in a league match yesterday. Shakhtar continue to trail Dynamo Kiev by four points.
Upcoming schedule: Host Toulouse in Europa League action Thursday. Shakhtar lead the group with victories in their first two games.

20. Liverpool
Last ranking: 13
Record: 7-5-0
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 4 Chelsea (2-0, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Reds are in serious danger of being dropped from the top 25 after a 1-nil loss at The Stadium of Light Saturday. The game was emblematic of how Liverpool's season has gone, with the only goal coming on a Darren Bent shot that bounced off a beach ball and into the Liverpool net. What a beach ball was doing on the field is anybody's guess (it was branded with the Liverpool logo though). But Rafa Benitez' side is in serious trouble, having lost three in a row and not scored since their 6-1 beatdown of Hull City back on Sept. 26. They are eighth in the Premiership, seven points behind the leaders.
Upcoming schedule: Things don't get any easier for Reds, with Olympique Lyon, Man United and Arsenal up next. The Lyon and Man U matches are at Anfield though. Reds will need the home support.

21. Sporting Braga
Last ranking: 21
Record: 8-0-0
Results of note: Won at Sporting Lisbon (2-1, Aug. 22), beat then-No. 10 Porto at home (1-0, Sept. 19).
Commentary/recent results: Sporting Braga defeated Sporting Covilha in a cup tie Saturday, 1-0, to continue their unblemished streak so far in the 2009-2010 campaign. They don't have to worry about European competition, however. But they've faced (and defeated) some quality sides in Portugal (see above).
Upcoming schedule: A cup tie at Sporting Corvilha when they return from international break, Oct. 18.

22. Twente
Last ranking: 22
Record: 10-3-1
Results of note: Lost a Champions League qualifier against Sporting Lisbon (1-1 on aggregate).
Commentary/recent results: Twente picked right up where they left off, defeating defending Eredivisie champs AZ Alkmaar 3-2 Saturday. They remain in first place in Holland, with a two point lead over PSV Eindhoven. Their only "loss" on the season was the Champions League qualifier against Sporting Lisbon (and they didn't even lose on the field but were eliminated due to the away goal rule).
Upcoming schedule: Visit Sheriff Tiraspol in Europa League action Thursday. Host Groningen this weekend.

23. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: -
Record: 15-5-5*
Results of note: In Champions League group stage lost at then-No. 20 Dynamo Kiev (3-1, Sept. 16), drew then-No. 6 Inter Milan at home (1-1, Oct. 6).
Commentary/recent results: The Russian champs are back, thanks to a string of solid results that have them atop the domestic league table. The most notable recent result was the 1-1 draw against Inter Milan a fortnight ago. Over the weekend they defeated FK Khimki, 2-1.
Upcoming schedule: Play at Camp Nou and top-ranked Barcelona, tomorrow. That will show us if they belong here.
*Russian league starts in the spring.

24. San Lorenzo
Last ranking: -
Record: 7-0-4
Results of note: Drew Estudiantes at home (2-2, Sept. 2) and Velez Sarsfield away (0-0, Sept. 12) in Argentine league action.
Commentary/recent results: San Lorenzo are first in Argentina's Apertura League and through to the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana, where they face River Plate over two legs. They're also undefeated.
Upcoming schedule: At River Plate's El Monumental (No. 8 in our ranking of world Soccer Meccas) Wednesday for the first leg of the Sudamericana quarterfinal. At Colon de Santa Fe Friday. Host Arsenal Sarandi Sunday. That's one busy week.

25. Aston Villa
Last ranking: -
Record: 6-2-1
Results of note: Won at then-No. 7 Liverpool (3-1, Aug. 24), beat then-No. 3 Chelsea at home (2-1, Oct. 17), drew then-No. 10 Manchester City at home (1-1, Oct. 5)
Commentary/recent results: Hey where is the Mexican league club? Isn't this supposed to be a world's top 25? And isn't there some kind of ironclad rule about CONCACAF needing to be represented? And why Villa? Why not [insert blank with your club]? One at a time, please. First things first: I made an executive decision to jettison the goofy "you must include CONCACAF" rule. It's bad enough to require a South American team's inclusion. Now that the Mexican clubs aren't even playing the Copa Sudamericana anymore, there is no real way to compare them to anybody of interest (they are still playing the Libertadores, right? Anybody know?) So the CONCACAF clubs are gone for now, though they may of course return when there is reason for them to do so (i.e. when they beat somebody outside their own league in a competition that actually matters). Now as for why I've included Villa, three words: Look at their record. Find somebody else who has beaten clubs as good as Liverpool and Chelsea and we'll gladly include them in their spot. (Sorry Spurs fans, Hull City, West Ham United, Birmingham City or any of the other crap sides your club has defeated this season do not count. In fact I'm not even sure Liverpool do anymore either, but whatever).
Upcoming schedule: At Wolves Saturday. No European competition for these guys.

Dropping Out:
Standard Liege (19), Sampdoria (23), Velez Sarsfield (24), Deportivo Toluca (25).

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
Bayer Leverkusen, Deportivo La Coruna.

Photo supplied by Wikipedia.

One reason why football (soccer) will might not be a major success in the U.S.

2009-10-14T13:06:00.006-04:00

Fellow soccer bloggers Caught Offside yesterday offered up seven reasons why football (soccer) will never be a major success in the U.S. It got lost in all of the hullabaloo over Charlie Davies' accident but I wanted to take the time to address it now.

First things first: Caught Offside are wrong on all but one count, namely that the sport is not stat-intensive enough to become a major deal in the U.S. And frankly, even that's debatable. The others (others sports have a headstart, the U.S. is not very good at soccer, there aren't enough interruptions for advertising, there's no full-time buzzer, not enough cheerleaders and the love of other sports is too great) are, to put it politely, completely off the mark. Many of them are not even true in their own right, much less as reasons for why the sport will fail (again) in this country.

Other sports have a headstart? Sure they do. Just like baseball and basketball did when pro (American) football entered the mainstream in the 1960s. Where was ultimate fighting 10 years ago? Prior to the 1980s the NCAA college basketball tournament was not even televised in its entirety. There are countless other examples of sports entering an already crowded marketplace and succeeding in a major way. A lot of this, it is true, was due to technological advancements (the ubiquity of televisions in American households in the 1960s for pro football) or major events that captured the attention of the nation at the time (think Bird vs. Magic at the 1979 NCAA basketball finals) as well as other factors. So yes, other sports might have a headstart. Big deal. It doesn't mean anything.

The "love of other sports is too great" argument is really no different than this one. Whether these sports have a headstart or people simply love them too much, it just drives home the same point: that there is no space for another "major" sport. But there is always room at the top in America. Just ask the ultimate fighting guys or Lance Armstrong or Tony Hawk or Bode Miller or anybody else who is a household name in this country in a sport outside of football, baseball, basketball or ice hockey.

The U.S. is not very good at soccer? Compared to whom, Brazil? We played them to the letter in the Confederations Cup final a few months back. Yes, they did beat us, but it was darned close. At the last World Cup, in an otherwise meek showing, the U.S. played a scoreless draw against eventual champions Italy. I'm not even bringing up the 2002 World Cup. You might argue the U.S. is not (yet) world class in soccer, but "not very good"? That's just not very accurate. Besides, you want not very good? Look at the U.S. ice hockey team's performance at the last Olympics. Or look at our baseball teams, which performed poorly not only at the last Olympic games, but at the World Baseball Classic. Yet baseball and hockey somehow remain popular, major, sports in this country.

The 'not enough stoppages for advertising' argument is as old as television itself. For the 1994 World Cup advertisers and media companies figured out a way to televise the game "commercial free" by putting a big corporate logo in one of the corners of the screen alongside the game clock and score. Problem solved. If this was still an issue, ESPN never would have acquired the rights to Premiership and Champions League games. Even without constant commercials, soccer sells on TV. This is not only a non issue for the sport's popularity (or lack thereof) in this country, but not a factor, period.

The full-time buzzer argument is even more nonsensical. "There is something very exact in nature about the way the big sports in the U.S. come to a halt," writes COS. Maybe, but what's inexact about a final whistle? Seems pretty finite to me. Baseball doesn't have a final buzzer either, by the way. Baseball games don't even have a clock, in fact. But that's okay because baseball isn't very popular in the U.S., is it?

Nor does baseball have cheerleaders. But soccer does at all levels in this country. High school and college for sure, and with various MLS teams as well. Ever heard of the ChivaGirls? Meanwhile several pro football and basketball teams don't have cheerleaders either. Nor does hockey. Nor does NASCAR. This argument sounds like it was made by somebody who is not very clued in to U.S. soccer. Or U.S. sports. Or, well, pretty much of anything.

Sure, Americans love their stats and there might (might!) be something to soccer's more ethereal nature that keeps it from becoming a major success in this country. (Though one could point to figure skating and gymnastics to nullify that point). More likely, other factors are at work. One of these is the very nature of MLS itself. The top U.S. professional league was created largely so American players would be able to earn money playing in their home country. In this, it has been an unbridled success: nearly every member of the national team got his start in MLS and the nats are more successful than ever before. But MLS, despite its moniker, is not a major soccer league. It is not the EPL. It will probably never even come close. That's fine of course, but there is something to the argument that American consumers clamor for the best and will accept no substitute. But the popularity of events like the World Cup will only grow. If we make a deep run in South Africa next summer we'll see exactly how much.

What's left to play for in World Cup qualifying?

2009-10-12T14:49:00.003-04:00

Thought you'd never ask. First let's take a look at the teams that are already through as of Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 (in no particular order):

South Africa, Germany, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Holland, Denmark, England, Mexico, USA, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Australia, Japan, South Korea, North Korea.

Serbia is quite possibly the biggest surprise there. The Beli Orlovi played in their first qualifiers as an independent nation and obviously made it count, finishing ahead of 2006 World Cup finalists France. Then there is Chile, who were last seen on this stage in 1998. The Roja are a young side with few recognizable stars and only a handful of players who earn their money in Europe. But they nevertheless managed to beat Argentina twice and Brazil once in qualifiers and may very well be a force to be reckoned with in South Africa next year.

Beyond that, the following teams have qualified for, or are (in one instance) already playing in tie-breakers:

Bahrain, New Zealand, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russia, France, Ireland, Switzerland, Greece, Slovakia, Costa Rica, Honduras.

Among these, Switzerland or Greece, Slovakia, Costa Rica or Honduras could still qualify directly depending on the outcome of the last round of games in their group. Bahrain and New Zealand are in the middle of their tie-breaker. The first leg, at Bahrain, ended scoreless. The second will take place at New Zealand this Saturday. Of course neither of these teams will have a chance at advancing past the first stage at the actual World Cup, but that's okay. We need them there too.

Now let's take a look at teams who "control their own destiny" in the last round of games. A win and they're in:

Switzerland (host Israel Wednesday. Actually only need a point from that game), Slovakia (play at Poland Wednesday), Argentina (at Uruguay Thursday), Uruguay (host Argentina), Costa Rica (at the U.S. Thursday), Cameroon (at Morocco Saturday), Tunisia (at Mozambique Saturday), Algeria (at Egypt Saturday. According to my calculations as long as Algeria don't lose this game by four goals or more they're in), Egypt (host Algeria Saturday and need to win by four goals or more).

The following teams can still qualify directly but need help:
Greece (must beat Luxembourg and hope Switzerland lose to Israel);
Slovenia (must win at San Marino--what are the chances of that happening?--and hope Slovakia lose or draw at Poland. Yes, Slovenia and Slovakia really are two different countries. I should know, I've been to both places. Honest);
Nigeria (must win at Kenya and hope Tunisia lose or draw at Mozambique);
Gabon (must win at Togo and hope Cameroon lose or draw at Morocco);
Honduras (must win at El Salvador and hope Costa Rica lose or draw at Washington, D.C.);
Ecuador (must win at Chile by five goals or more and hope Uruguay and Argentina draw).

These teams can make the play-off by their own power:
Portugal (must beat Malta at home Wednesday);
Slovenia (must win at San Marino);
Ukraine (must win at Andorra);
Ecuador (must win at Chile).

These teams can make the play-off but need help:
Sweden (must beat Albania and hope Portugal draw or lose to Malta);
Israel (must win at Switzerland and hope Greece somehow lose or draw at home to Luxembourg. Hey, if Switzerland did it...);
Croatia (must win at Kazakhstan and hope Ukraine somehow lose or draw at Andorra);
Czech Republic (must beat Northern Ireland and hope Slovenia somehow lose or draw at San Marino).

The following squads are eliminated all but mathematically, facing essentially insurmountable hurdles just to make the playoffs:
Hungary (must win at Denmark by at least seven goals, hope Portugal lose at home to Malta and Sweden draw or lose to Albania at home);
Venezuela (must win at Brazil by a high score, hope Ecuador lose at Chile and hope Argentina beat Uruguay by a high score. With a 15 goal difference between Uruguay (+9) and Ecuador (-6) this is effectively impossible because it means Venezuela will need to win at Brazil by, say eight goals while hoping Argentina defeat Uruguay by eight goals. Ain't gonna happen);
Northern Ireland (must win at Czech Republic by a wide margin and hope Slovenia lose at San Marino by a wide margin. The combined margin of a N'Ire win and Slovenia loss must be at least seven goals).

Lastly, let's look at some possible playoff ties:
Portugal vs. France
Ukraine vs. Russia
Bosnia vs. Greece
Argentina vs. Honduras
Uruguay vs. Honduras
Ireland vs. Slovakia
Russia vs. Bosnia
Greece vs. Russia

Ranking the world's soccer meccas: No. 8, El Monumental, Buenos Aires

2009-10-07T06:45:00.010-04:00

For ranking methodology and other information about the series, see the original post. To read the about the No. 9-rated stadium, the Bombonera in Buenos Aires click here. To see all "soccer mecca" entries click here.

8. Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti (El Monumental), Buenos Aires
Open since: 1938 (renovated 1978)
Capacity: 66,000
Tenant(s): River Plate, Argentine national team
World Cup hosts: 1978
Closest U.S. stadium comparison: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.

If the Bombonera is Argentina's version of Fenway Park--an odd-shaped, quirky, loud grounds in a residential neighborhood--then El Monumental is Yankee Stadium: big, grandiose, corporate, of "the establishment." Some of that of course stems from the identity of the stadium's main tenent; River Plate is very much the "establishment" club of Argentina (one of the club's nicknames is los millionarios, or the millionaires), and of the posh Nunez neighborhood where El Monumental was built. Just like the Yankees...if Yankee Stadium weren't in the Bronx, that is.

The Monumental is the national grounds of Argentina, where its storied albicelestes play (nearly all) their home games. Imagine if Wembley Stadium also hosted, say, Chelsea, or the Stade de France held Paris Saint Germain games, and you get a a bit of the idea.

Wait, so if the Bombonera was already featured, what is the Monumental doing here? Are there really two stadiums from one city in the list of top 10 soccer meccas? Yes there are. However, both are relatively far back in the rankings (at eight and nine there are seven stadia still ahead of them). Each is distinct and famous in its own right (and for different reasons at that). It would have been an injustice to leave out one or the other. So there you have it.

El Monumental was Argentina's first industrial, steel and concrete soccer stadium and consists of two tiers in the shape of a horse shoe. During its early years it contained a school and medical practice.

The Monumental edges the Bombonera in the standings for one simple reason: it hosted a World Cup. Not only that, but it was the scene of both the 1978 final and third-placed games (won by Argentina and Brazil, respectively).

That World Cup tournament is historically significant, but sadly for all the wrong reasons. It was a propaganda coup for the military junta that ruled Argentina at the time (indeed 1978 may have very well been the peak of its power--no coincidence there). In this respect, many have compared it to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. An LA Times article from last year deals with this theme at greater length.

In the three decades since the tournament, other nefarious allegations have surfaced. Did the Colombian mafia bribe the Peruvian national team to throw its second round game with the host nation, as this Daily Mail piece points out? Were the Argentine players doped for the final? (A urine sample that was supposed to have been taken from an Argentine player showed the individual in question to be pregnant, a strong indication that the samples were at least tampered with, if not doctored outright).

As for the Monumental, it hosted Argentina's first round games but not the infamous win over Peru (or the violent scoreless draw against Brazil; those matches were held in Rosario). It did host a preview of the 1982 final, between Italy and West Germany (the game ended scoreless) as well as Italy's first round upset of the hosts (a 1-nil game where a certain Paolo Rossi assisted on the winning goal) that kept Argentina from playing its second round games at El Monumental. It was also where Argentina narrowly defeated France (with a young Michel Platini) in its opener.

And of course the final, an overtime thriller the hosts won through a brace by their hero Mario Kempes, was held here. That match, undoubtedly the most famous in the stadium's history, and probably one of the most exciting World Cup finals of all time, was not without controversy either. The home side didn't like the Israeli referee assigned to the match so it lobbied (successfully) for an Italian one. Argentine players delayed the kickoff protesting a cast on the arm of a Dutch player. Once it finally started, the home side (through Kempes, natch) took a first half lead before Holland's Dick Nanninga equalized eight minutes from time. The Netherlands apparently had Argentina on the ropes at this point and were robbed of a clear penalty moments after the equalizer by the Italian referee. In stoppage time they came an inch or two from winning their only World Cup when Robbie Rensinbrink fired a shot off the post from point blank range. The Oranje have not come close since. The Argentines scored twice in overtime to clinch the victory.

Did the most famous Argentine player of all time ever play at El Monumental? Not in that World Cup he didn't. The then-17-year old Diego Armando Maradona was left off of Cesar Luis Menotti's squad. But there were many other appearances, including several for the Argentine national team. He scored several goals as well, both for the albicelestes and for club side Boca Juniors. His first appearance at the Monumental may have been as early as 1973 when his Argentinos Juniors' Cebollitas youth club beat River's juniors 5-4 in a city final, according to the Leandro Zannoni book Vivir en los medios: Maradona off the record (page 21). It appears Maradona played his last match as a professional at the Monumental, in a 1997 SuperClasico won by Boca Juniors to whom he had returned in 1995. Maradona also coached his first game for the Argentina national team here, a 4-0 victory over Venezuela this March.

Other than the '78 tournament, the stadium may unfortunately be best known for the Puerta 12 tragedy of June 23, 1968 (a decade and two days before the Holland-Argentina final). 71 fans were killed in a crush at the Monumental's Gate 12. There are various explanations of what happened in what was one of the worst incidents with soccer fans in the history of the sport (and the worst on Argentine territory, ever).

Of course there are happier memories as well. Many from the annual SuperClasico between Boca Juniors and River Plate. In October, 1972 the home side went up two-nil, was scored on four straight times, rallied to win 5-4 in the highest-scoring SuperClasico of all time. Another famous River comeback was in 1997, when the home side was down three goals but managed to eke out a 3-3 draw. Boca Juniors had their moments as well, the biggest (by score at least, not necessarily magnitude) in a 5-1 blowout victory in March 1982. More recently, in 2004 Boca won the return leg of a Copa Libertadores semifinal on penalties after the two sides traded goals in the final minutes (Carlos Tevez supplied one of the goals for Boca Juniors).

In 1986, River won their first Copa Libertadores final, winning the return leg at the Monumental over America of Colombia by 1-0 (they won the first leg 2-1). This event was repeated, with identical protagonists, in the 1996 version of the final, though this time River lost the first leg at Cali before coming through in the return at the Monumental.

The Argentine national team has played several historic matches here (beyond 1978 of course) and a few they'd rather forget. The biggest of the latter may be a 5-0 loss to Colombia in a 1993 World Cup qualifier, a scoreline made even more incredible by the fact that Argentina had a 33-game unbeaten run coming into the game. (Was this what caused Pele to famously predict Colombia would win the World Cup in 1994? Who knows). The albiceleste were forced to play a qualifier with Australia as a result.

Another bitter memory (from an Argentine point of view) came in the semifinals of the 1987 Copa America games, where Uruguay upset the hosts 1-0. Uruguay went on to win the tournament over Chile (also at the Monumental). Argentina didn't even win the game for third place, succumbing to Colombia.

More pleasant albiceleste memories are the 1946 South American championship. Argentina played several times at the Monumental, winning all games including the final against Brazil in another famous encounter marked by fighting on the pitch with police. In the 1959 iteration of the tourney, Argentina beat Brazil (with a 19-year old Pele) again in the final--again at the Monumental.

Speaking of Pele, he did quite well at the Monumental. In the aforementioned 1959 tourney, he scored an astonishing eight times in six games. Amazingly, those appear to have been the only times Pele ever played in Argentina as a member of the selecao (not sure about his appearances with his club side. Somebody else can research that).

Now is where all the Boca fans can cry about the injustice of putting the Monumental ahead of their beloved Bombonera. Have at it, Xeneizes!

Photo taken from 100x100millonario.blogspot.com

The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Oct. 5, 2009

2009-10-05T00:25:00.042-04:00

T'was a very busy week for the world's top soccer clubs, with a full round of UEFA Champions and Europa league action as well as domestic competitions. Several top 10 clubs lost games and were dropped to the second tier as a result. Who would replace them? Read on to find out. Note: The Top 25 will not appear next Monday due to the internationals break.

1. Barcelona
Last ranking: 2
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 9-0-1
Results of note: Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16), beat then-No. 14 Dynamo Kiev at home in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Another perfect week for Barca, who were barely tested in either contest at their home grounds, defeating Dynamo Kiev at midweek and Almeira on Saturday without conceding a goal. With Real Madrid losing at Sevilla, Barcelona assume the No. 1 spot many have argued (not without merit) was their rightful place all season.
Upcoming schedule: Things get a bit more interesting with a trip to Valencia on the docket when league play resumes a week from Sunday. Not that anybody should expect Barca to lose (or even draw) that game...

2. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 1
Record: 7-1-0
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 9 Sevilla (2-1, Oct. 4)
Commentary/recent results: The merengues met their match at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan yesterday, losing 2-1 in a game that would not have been as close if it wasn't for the heroics of one Ilker Casillas. True, Cristiano Ronaldo was kept out of the game due to an ankle injury, and true Sevilla are a formidable team (and on we very well may need to take into the equation not only in the Spanish Liga, but perhaps even the Champions League). But the loss is still a blow to Manuel Pellegrini's side, whose defensive play was particularly disappointing. Renato was left completely unmarked on the winning goal, for example--not for the first time in the game either. Where do Real Madrid go from here? It's a long season and they will likely have plenty of chances to make up the lost ground. But with Barca firing on all cylinders, there will likely be little room for error.
Upcoming schedule: Host Valladolid when league play resumes Oct. 18. Host AC Milan the following Wednesday. In case you're wondering, the first Barcelona match is at Camp Nou, Nov. 29.

3. Chelsea
Last ranking: 4
Record: 10-1-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15), beat then-No. 7 Liverpool at home in Premiership (2-0, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: After a closer-than-comfortable 1-0 win at Nikosia in the Champions League, Blues booked their biggest win of the season, defeating Liverpool 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. They take back first place in the Premiership, two points ahead of Man U. There's a chance they may not relinquish the spot again this season.
Upcoming schedule: A potentially intriguing game at Villa Park a week from Saturday.

4. Manchester United
Last ranking: 3
Record: 9-1-1
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils needed a stoppage time own goal by Anton Ferdinand to draw Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday. Sir Alex' men did not play particularly well, but losing would not have been very just either seeing how little Black Cats contributed to the flow of the game (not that one could or should any different from anybody playing at Old Trafford). Earlier in the week Man U saw off a pesky Wolfsburg side by 2-1.
Upcoming schedule: Host Bolton Wanderers when they return from the international break, then travel to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League and to Anfield the following weekend.

5. Sevilla
Last ranking: 9
Record: 7-1-0
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16), won at then-No. 24 Glasgow Rangers in Champions League group stage (4-1, Sept. 30), defeated then-No. 1 Real Madrid at home (2-1, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: Los palanganas pulled off their biggest win in recent memory yesterday. Sevilla exposed a leaky Real Madrid defense and frankly outplayed their opponents from the Spanish capital. What does the victory portend for the future? We'll have to wait and see. But Sevilla are for real.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Deportivo La Coruna (quietly fourth in La Liga) when play resumes Oct. 18. In case you're wondering, they don't face Barcelona until January.

6. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 6
Record: 5-1-3
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17), lost at Sampdoria (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: The nerazzurri suffered a setback in Champions League play, managing just a 1-1 draw at Russia's Rubin Kazan last Tuesday. They rebounded to defeat Udinese 2-1 at the San Siro over the weekend, on a late goal by Wesley Sneijder. Even though they deserve to drop in the rankings after the former result, poor play by the teams immediately behind them spared Inter this fate. Next time they probably won't be as lucky.
Upcoming schedule: Visit CFC Genoa when Serie A returns to action. Don't look now, but that's a fifth-placed Serie A team we're talking about. Then it's off to Dynamo Kiev. Will that game be a "must-win" already? No. But if they lose they'll be in big trouble in their Champions League group.

7. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 10
Record: 9-0-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: L'OL trounced Debreceni 4-0 in their midweek Champions League match and followed this up with a 2-0 victory at Lens on Saturday. Lyon remain unbeaten in all competition. One of very few (two, in fact) of those type of teams left.
Upcoming schedule: Host Sochaux when they come back from international break. Travel to Anfield the following week. An Oct. 31 game at Bordeaux-beaters St. Etienne has the potential to be interesting.

8. Juventus
Last ranking: 5
Record: 4-1-4
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16), drew at then-No. 17 Bayern Munich in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30).
Commentary/recent results: It was a tough week for the bianconeri. The scoreless draw at Bayern Munich was one thing. We can forgive that, even though Bayern have been struggling somewhat. But yesterday's 2-nil loss to Palermo was horrible. We're talking about a team (Palermo) that had just one win from six games going into yesterday's meeting. Meanwhile, the Vecchia Signora has not won a game in two weeks. Weak. Come to think of it, why are they still a Top 10 team? Talk about a fortunate ranking.
Upcoming schedule: Host Fiorentina a week from Saturday. An interesting encounter with Sampdoria is on the docket Oct. 28.

9. Porto
Last ranking: 13
Record: 6-2-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: The Dragoes had absolutely no problem with either opponent last week, defeating Atletico Madrid 2-0 and Olhanense 3-0. It says the Atletico game was a Champions League encounter but that's got to be a mistake. Champions League teams are supposed to be good, and Atletico Madrid is anything but.
Upcoming schedule: Host Sertanense when we rturn from the internationals break.

10. Manchester City
Last ranking: 11
Record: 4-1-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12), lost to then-No. 4 Manchester United (4-3, Sept. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Beat West Ham United 3-1 a week ago.
Upcoming schedule: Play at Villa Park later today. Liverpool are the next "big four" opponent, Nov. 21. That one's at Anfield. No European action for Citizens, so this is as much as we're going to get as a point of reference.

11. Arsenal
Last ranking: 12
Record: 7-2-0
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12), beat then-No. 15 Olympiakos at home in Champions League group play (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Gunners won both games last week, over Olympiakos in the Champions League and Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership. The former was a "quality victory" given the Greek club's status as a Top 25 club. We still can't move Gunners ahead of a team they lost to on the field, however. But if the quality victories begin to add up...
Upcoming schedule: Host Birmingham City Saturday, Oct. 17. Visit Dutch champs AZ Alkmaar and Upton Park the following week.

12. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 8
Record: 7-1-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: Bordeaux suffered their first defeat in seven months, losing 3-1 at St. Etienne on Saturday. This after defeating Maccabi Haifa in midweek Champions League action. The loss drops les girondins to second in Ligue Un, one point behind Olympique Lyon. Perhaps more importantly, they exit the Top 10 as a result.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Auxerre Oct. 17. Host Bayern Munich in a Champions League thriller the following Wednesday. They don't meet Lyon until Dec. 12, if you're wondering.

13. Liverpool
Last ranking: 7
Record: 7-4-0
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 4 Chelsea (2-0, Oct. 4).
Commentary/recent results: A terrible week for Reds, who dropped a pair of 2-nil decisions on the road. The first, at Fiorentina, was disappointing but should probably not cost them much in the long run. The second, at Stamford Bridge, is more damaging. Rafa Benitez' men have to be careful now, because they could see the season slip away from them in the weeks ahead. Check out their...
Upcoming schedule: At Sunderland when the Premiership returns to action a week from Saturday. Okay, that shouldn't be terribly difficult. But then it's Olympique Lyon, Man United and Arsenal. The Lyon and Man U matches are at Anfield though. Reds will need the home support.

14. Hamburg SV
Last ranking: 16
Record: 8-2-2
Results of note: Won at then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg (4-2, Aug. 23), lost at Rapid Vienna in Europa League group stage (3-0, Sept. 17), beat then-No. 9 Bayern Munich (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: HSV passed both tests last week, defeating Happoel Tel Aviv in Europa League action and Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga yesterday.
Upcoming schedule: Host Bayer Leverkusen, with whom they are currently tied in points atop the Bundesliga standings, on Saturday, Oct. 17.

15. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 14
Record: 10-1-1
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 2 Barcelona in Champions League group stage,
Commentary/recent results: Dynamo didn't put up much of a fight at Camp Nou, succumbing to Champions League holders Barca by 2-nil. Their first loss of the season. Rebounded to beat Arsenal Kiev in a derby match yesterday. Dynamo have a healthy four point lead atop the Ukrainian league.
Upcoming schedule: Another Kiev derby, this one with Obolon (?) Oct. 17 followed by a key Champ's League game at the San Siro against Inter Milan.

16. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 15
Record: 8-1-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16), lost at then-No. 12 Arsenal in Champions League group stage (2-0, Sept. 29).
Commentary/recent results: The Greek side rebounded from their midweek loss at the Emirates, defeating Levadiakos 3-0 Saturday. They maintain first place in Greece with the victory.
Upcoming schedule: Host Asteras Tripolis Oct. 18 before hosting Standard Liege two days later in a Champions League tie.

17. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 17
Record: 6-2-4
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28), lost at then-No. 22 Hamburg SV (1-0, Sept. 26), drew then-No. 5 Juventus at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 30).
Commentary/recent results: A pair of scoreless draws last week, both at home. The first, against Juventus, is forgivable. The second, against Cologne, is not.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Freiburg Saturday, Oct. 17. A clash with Girondins Bordeaux looms Oct. 21.

18. Valencia
Last ranking: None
Record: 4-1-3
Results of note: Defeated then-No. 9 Sevilla at home (2-0, Aug. 30).
Commentary/recent results: Valencia book a pair of solid victories last week, forcing us to take notice and include them in the Top 25 for the first time this season. It also helped that they are the only club in the world to have defeated Sevilla this season (even if it did come in August). At midweek they defeated a very solid CFC Genoa side 3-2 in Europa League action before booking a 1-nil win at Racing Santander. Los xotos move up to fifth in La Liga with the latter victory.
Upcoming schedule: Host No. 1 Barcelona when league play resumes next week. We have that to look forward to.

19. Standard Liege
Last ranking: None
Record: 5-1-6
Results of note: Lost against then-No. 14 Arsenal at home in Champions League group stage (3-2, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: Standard's unlucky home loss to Arsenal was their only loss of the season (though it is true that they've drawn a bunch). Last week they drew former Top 25 side (and Dutch champions) AZ Alkmaar 1-1 in their second Champions League group game. The fourth team in the group is Olympiakos so a Round of 16 spot is there for the taking. Stay tuned.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Westerlo (shouldn't that be "Westward Ho"? Never mind) Sept. 27 before traveling to Olympiakos in the ensuing Champions League round.

20. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 18
Record: 9-2-2
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28).
Commentary/recent results: Had no problem with Partizan Belgrade in their Europa League match, winning 4-1. This weekend's escapade was less successful, with a 2-2 draw at Dnepr Dnepropetrovsk (if I spelled that right it's only because I copied and pasted it correctly). After nine games, Shakhtar train Dynamo Kiev by four points in the Ukrainian Premier Liga.
Upcoming schedule: Host Karpaty Lvov (see Dnepr Dnepropetrovsk above) when league play resumes Oct. 17. Then host Toulouse in Europa League action. In case, you're wondering: the first meeting with Dynamo Kiev is Nov. 21.

21. Sporting Braga
Last ranking: 22
Record: 7-0-0
Results of note: Won at Sporting Lisbon (2-1, Aug. 22), beat then-No. 10 Porto at home (1-0, Sept. 19).
Commentary/recent results: Beat Vitoria Setubal 2-0 at home Saturday. Braga are unbeaten and untied. They don't have to worry about European competition, however. But they've faced (and defeated) some quality sides in Portugal (see above).
Upcoming schedule: A cup tie at Sporting Corvilha when they return from international break, Oct. 18.

22. Twente
Last ranking: None
Record: 9-3-1
Results of note: Lost a Champions League qualifier against Sporting Lisbon (1-1 on aggregate).
Commentary/recent results: Go ahead and laugh. Twente's have not lost since the unfortunate Champions League qualifier back in July and August. Even then they didn't actually lose but were eliminated due to the away goal rule (which we count as a loss). Their run since is good enough for first place in the Dutch Eredivisie. Perhaps most impressive was their Sept. 17 victory at Fenerbahce Istanbul in a Europa League game (which they followed up with a disappointing scoreless draw at home to Steaua Bucharest last week. But we don't need to talk about that).
Upcoming schedule: Host defending champs AZ Alkmaar Oct. 17.

23. Sampdoria
Last ranking: 21
Record: 5-1-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 5 Inter Milan at home (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: Managed just a 1-1 draw against Parma at home yesterday, relinquishing first place in Serie A in the process (though they're still level on points with Inter).
Upcoming schedule: Visit Lazio when league play resumes a week from Sunday. A trip to Juventus looms Oct. 28.

24. Velez Sarsfield
Last ranking: None
Record: 7-0-2
Results of note: Defeated Boca Juniors in the first round of the Copa Sudamericana.
Commentary/recent results: Argentina's reigning Clausura champs drew at Chile's Union Espanola to advance to the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals where they'll face LDU Quito.
Upcoming schedule: Host Argentinos Juniors Friday and Lanus Saturday. Can that be? Games on back-to-back days?

25. Deportivo Toluca
Last ranking: None
Record: 8-2-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Drew San Luis at home, 1-1 yesterday. The diablos rojos have the best record of any team in Mexico, but we are seriously close to dropping our requirement that one team in the Top 25 must come from CONCACAF. Especially now that they aren't even playing the Copa Sudamericana anymore.
Upcoming schedule: Host Tigres, Sunday.

Dropping Out:
Galatasaray (19), Benfica Lisbon (20), Estudiantes (23), Glasgow Rangers (24), Club America (25).

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahce Istanbul, Aston Villa.

Photo taken from palanganas.com.

Champ's League roundup: (Most) favorites assert themselves

2009-09-30T16:34:00.005-04:00

With one (Red) exception, all major favorites won their games in the Champions League's second round of group play. Then there was AC Milan, who have already struggled so much this season they barely deserve to be favorites of anything. Case in point: FC Zurich came away 1-0 winners from their visit to the San Siro today. Leonardo's club has one solitary point from its last three games, a stretch where they scored zero (0) goals. They've actually scored just five times in eight games all season. This from a club whose roster includes Pato and Fippo Inzaghi, among others? Pathetic. Still, the rossoneri could very well go through from this group. Zurich have been losing games to clubs named Young Boys (said to be Michael Jackson's favorite Swiss team) and ~~Xanax~~ Xamax. Olympique Marseille managed a scoreless draw with French champions Bordeaux back on Aug. 30 and have not been heard from since. They were trounced 3-0 by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu today. Expect them to fight out the third spot with Zurich while the Milanese get their junk in order. It may take firing their Brazilian coach, who despite all his charms as a player, does not appear cut out for the job of managing.

Once again, the biggest game of the round ended in a scoreless draw. Last week it was Barcelona and Inter Milan, this week Juventus and Bayern Munich. But there were plenty of goals elsewhere. Olympique Lyon and Sevilla rang up four each on hopelessly overmatched opponents in Hungary and Scotland, respectively. And to think we had Rangers as a top 25 club last week? Shame on us! Though with Unirea Urziceni and VfB Stuttgart, the group is even worse than Milan's (by far, actually), Rangers may just manage to advance to the quarterfinals. All they really need to do is play Stuttgart to a scoreless draw when the teams meet at Ibrox, while hoping they match the German side's record in other matches. Though we really can't see Stuttgart losing 4-1 at home to Sevilla. So 'Gers may need to win against the Swabian side when they meet in Glasgow on Nov. 24.

Other favorites had a harder time of it, but came out winners nonetheless. At Old Trafford, Manchester United went down a goal to German champions Wolfsburg, but managed to turn the game around with a pair of late strikes from Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick, respectively. (Yes, Ryan Giggs is not only still playing, but also still scoring goals and still turning around Champions League matches). Maccabi Haifa managed to hold onto a scoreless draw for 82 minutes at the Parc de Lescure before French champions Bordeaux got the winner from Michael Ciani. Group A could be a real dogfight, with Bordeaux, Juventus and Bayern slugging it out for the two spots. Impossible to handicap their chances at this point, but the next matchday could be telling: Bordeaux host Bayern and Juve host Haifa. If there is a winner in the Bordeaux match, they will be in the driver's seat with seven points from three games, followed by Juventus with five points (assuming the Italian side beat Haifa, which is certainly expected).

Then there was Liverpool, who were defeated 2-0 by Fiorentina in a game that was nowhere near as close as the score might indicate. This is typical stuff from Reds at this stage of the season (and unlike Milan, Fiorentina aren't terrible, though they aren't great either). Despite the loss, we still see Liverpool advancing to the Round of 16. It will be close, and will likely require them to defeat Lyon at Anfield in three weeks' time, but Rafa Benitez' club are used to these type of situations. A team that could be in trouble, however is Inter Milan. Tuesday's draw at Ruben Kazan leaves them third in the group with just two points from their first two games. But they get a chance to pass Dynamo Kiev, whom they face at San Siro on the next match day, on Oct. 20. It all depends on what the Ukrainian side are capable of. Judging by their performance at Camp Nou, not much. Though that too, could of course change. They play these games for a reason, after all.

Photo taken from footballitaliano.org.

Ranking the world's soccer meccas: No. 9, Estadio Alberto J. Armando (La Bombonera), Buenos Aires

2009-09-29T10:20:00.002-04:00

For ranking methodology and other information about the series, see the original post. To read the about the No. 10-rated stadium, the San Siro in Milan, go here. To see all "soccer mecca" entries click here or on the "topics covered here" link below right.

9. Estadio Alberto J. Armando (La Bombonera), Buenos Aires
Open since: 1940 (renovated 1995-96)
Capacity: 57,395
Tenant(s): Boca Juniors
World Cup hosts: Never
Closest U.S. stadium comparison: Fenway Park, Boston.

Okay, so how can a place make this list if it never even hosted a single World Cup match? Because it's the Bombonera, that's why. The Estadio Alberto J. Armando (it's official name since 2000) is preceded by its quasi-mystical reputation. It is said to be the most intimidating place to play, anywhere. The curious shape that gives the grounds its name (a "flat" stand on one side of the pitch and three steep stands around the rest resembles a candy box, or bombonera in Spanish) only adds to its mystique and contributes to the raucous acoustics. The place quite literally sways back and forth when its crazed fans are in full frenzy. Attending a match at the Bombonera, preferably for a Boca Juniors vs. River Plate superclasico, is arguably a requirement for anybody wishing to call themselves a true fan of the beautiful game.

If this makes the stadium sound like a veritable temple to the sport, that's because it is. So why then isn't it higher up in these rankings? Indeed, why isn't it No. 1? Simple. For all its (numerous) charms, the Bombonera has hosted few matches of historical significance. Perhaps because one of the times it did, in 1969, the home side (in this case the Argentine national team) managed just a 2-2 draw with Peru in a vital World Cup qualifier that kept the albiceleste out of the 1970 World Cup. It was not used in the 1978 World Cup. Unfortunately, this dearth of historic activity keeps the grounds from becoming the mecca of the sport.

Which is not to say La Bombonera hasn't hosted some important, if not groundbreaking events in world soccer. It was here that a certain Diego Armando Maradona received his first cap for the Argentine national team, entering as a second-half substitute in a 1977 friendly against Hungary. (Maradona did not play his first professional game here, as is often assumed because of his affiliation with Boca Juniors, a club he did not actually join until 1981, when he was 21 years old. Previously he played with Argentinos Juniors). Juan Riquelme got his full international debut at La Bombonera in a 1997 World Cup qualifier against Colombia (which ended in a 1-1 draw). In 1968, Manchester United played here (and lost, to Estudiantes) in the first leg of the Intercontinental Cup. In 1977, Boca Juniors hosted Borussia Moenchengladbach of Germany (after Liverpool passed on the invite) in the same tournament. England played a friendly here in 1977 (and drew, 1-1. Hard to believe there were once "friendly" matches between England and Argentina).

Then there are the Superclasico matches, between River Plate and Boca Juniors, about which an entire book can be (and probably has been) written. The U.K.'s Observer famously listed attending one of these matches as the very first of 50 "sporting events you must do before you die." About 220 such matches have been played, not including friendlies. Many of these have been held at La Bombonera, including several epic encounters: In 1962, Boca beat River 1-0 to move into first place (they captured the title in the next round). In 1974, Carlos Garcia Cambon scored four goals in his Boca Juniors debut as the home side won 5-2 (Gambon remains the only player of either team to have scored four times in the Superclasico). In 1996, Claudio Caniggia scored three as Boca defeated River 4-1. In 2000, Boca won the return leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinal by 3-0 to advance to the semis 4-2 on aggregate. They would eventually win the tournament. Of course, River had their share of triumphs at La Bombonera as well, perhaps most famously in 1977 when they scored a last minute winner on their way to the Metropolitano championship.

Photo taken from stadiumguide.com.

The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Sept. 28, 2009

2009-09-28T00:25:00.006-04:00

Some major upsets in Italy and England had the potential to shake up the Top 10 this week. Did they? A little. Take a look:

1. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 1
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 6-0-0
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Real beat both opponents last week, Villareal and Tenerife, without giving up a goal. Can't find much fault with that. This is not the Villareal of years' past, however. The yellow submarine have just two points from their first five games, which puts them in the penultimate spot in the Liga standings. Not that any of that is of concern to Real Madrid. The merengues are rolling.
Upcoming schedule: Things finally get a bit more interesting when Real host Olympique Marseille in the Champions League Wednesday. They then get a lot more interesting with a trip to Sevilla Sunday. This should give us an idea of whether Real are truly deserving of the top slot. We expect them to not only win both games, but win them decisively.

2. Barcelona
Last ranking: 2
Record: 7-0-1
Results of note: Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: Like Real Madrid, Barcelona won both their league games last week with ease. The two sides are already atop the Liga standings, each with perfect 5-0-0 records. Will it last? Yeah.
Upcoming schedule: Host Dynamo Kiev when the Champions League returns to action tomorrow. Host Almeira Saturday.

3. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 8-1-0
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils won a close one at Wolves in the League Cup on Wednesday, then got a pair of second half goals to book a win at the Brittania Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Host VfL Wolfsburg in the Champions League Wednesday and Sunderland Saturday. Wolfsburg could be tricky, but probably won't be. Sunderland won't be. A visit to Anfield looms Oct. 25.

4. Chelsea
Last ranking: 3
Record: 8-1-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: After a closer-than-comfortable 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers in the League Cup at midweek, Blues fell apart at Wigan on Saturday, losing 3-1. Ouch. So why do they only drop one spot in the rankings? For one, the teams behind them didn't do particularly well. For another, it was their first loss of the season.
Upcoming schedule: At APOEL Nikosia in the second CL game Wednesday. Liverpool visit the Bridge Sunday.

5. Juventus
Last ranking: 6
Record: 4-0-3
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: With Inter Milan and Chelsea both losing games last week, the stage was set for Juve to take a significant step up our rankings. Perhaps as high as No. 4? We'll never know, because the bianconeri blew a 1-0 halftime lead to draw Bologna, 1-1, at home. This four days after a 2-2 draw at CFC Genoa. Still, Juve are undefeated. Which is more than I can say of the teams immediately behind them. But some victories are needed if Juve are going to hold on to this perch.
Upcoming schedule: Play at Bayern Wednesday in Day Two of Champions League group play. Then it's off to Palermo, Sunday. Host Fiorentina a week from Saturday. As with Real Madrid, this should give us a better perspective of what this team is capable of.

6. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 5
Record: 4-1-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17), lost at Sampdoria (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: Had no problem with Napoli midweek, but the nerazzuri met their match at Sampdoria Saturday, losing 1-0 to the most surprising team of the Serie A season thus far. And, we should add, the best. Just look at the table.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Rubin Kazan tomorrow in the Champions League. They'll need the points after that scoreless draw against Barca in round one. Host Udinese Saturday. Visit the other Genoa team, CFC Genoa, a week from Saturday.

7. Liverpool
Last ranking: 7
Record: 7-2-0
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Okay so what is it with "Big Three" clubs winning their League Cup matches by 1-0? Reds did it at Leeds United Tuesday. They spotted Hull City a goal yesterday before shellacking them with six unanswered.
Upcoming schedule: Things get interesting with a trips to Fiorentina and Stamford Bridge this week. A crucial week for Rafa Benitez' men.

8. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 8
Record: 6-0-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: Les Girondins held on to defeat Stade Rennes yesterday. This may not sound like much (and is not enough to move them up in the rankings, as the teams ahead of them faced two games last week) but Rennes were previously unbeaten. Bordeaux maintain a two point lead atop the League Un standings with the victory. Lyon are second. Marseille have dropped a bit off the pace, five points behind Bordeaux and three behind Lyon.
Upcoming schedule: Host Maccabi Haifa in the second CL matchday the Wednesday. That's a must-win. Also play at St. Etienne Saturday. Then at Auxerre a week later. Then host Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

9. Sevilla
Last ranking: 10
Record: 5-1-0
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: Sevilla won both games last week without giving up a goal. More of the same, in other words (they were last scored upon Sept. 12, five games ago). But now things are about to get real.
Upcoming schedule: A trip to Ibrox is on tap tomorrow. Then Real Madrid pay a visit. We shall soon know if Sevilla are truly a top 10 team.

10. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 13
Record: 7-0-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: Beat Toulouse Saturday, reversing a 1-0 halftime deficit to win 2-1. Lyon remain unbeaten.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Hungarian side Debreceni when the Champions League returns to action tomorrow. Visit Lens (it's pronounced "Lon's") Saturday. A trip to Anfield looms Oct. 20 in the third CL matchday.

11. Manchester City
Last ranking: 11
Record: 4-1-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12), lost to then-No. 4 Manchester United (4-3, Sept. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Idle, so they hold on to their edge over Arsenal.
Upcoming schedule: Host West Ham United later today (I knew I should have taken off for Yom Kippur). Then a tough one at Villa Park Saturday. Liverpool are the next "big four" opponent, Nov. 21. That one's at Anfield. No European action for Citizens, so this is as much as we're going to get as a point of reference.

12. Arsenal
Last ranking: 12
Record: 7-2-0
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12)
Commentary/recent results: Gunners won both games last week, at W.B.A. in the League Cup (2-0) and Fulham in the Premiership. The latter game was close: 1-0. We still can't move them ahead of a team they lost to on the field, however.
Upcoming schedule: Undefeated No. 15 Olympiakos visit the Emirates tomorrow. Then Blackburn, then Birmingham City.

13. Porto
Last ranking: 15
Record: 4-2-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: Porto booked their biggest victory of the season to date, defeating Sporting Lisbon 1-0. The Dragoes move up to third place in Liga Sagres with the victory, three behind Benfica and five behind unbeaten and untied Sporting Braga.
Upcoming schedule: Host Atletico Madrid Wednesday and visit Olhanense Sunday.

14. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 14
Record: 9-0-1
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: Dynamo had no problem with Zorja Lugansk Friday, winning 2-0 to maintain their two point lead atop the Ukrainian league standings.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Camp Nou. That will be interesting (we hope). Then it's a derby game with Arsenal Kiev on Saturday.

15. Olympiakos
Last ranking: 17
Record: 7-0-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: It was a big week for the Greek side and they answered the call, winning both games, midweek at AEK Athens (2-1) and Saturday over Panionios Athens at home (1-0). They're second in the Super League, two weeks behind Panathinaikos.
Upcoming schedule: An even bigger week. It's off to the Emirates for the second Champions League group stage match tomorrow, which should give us an idea of whether they are deserving of this spot. (Alkaar have turned to crap, so that victory doesn't really do much for them). Also visit Levadiakos Saturday.

16. Hamburg SV
Last ranking: 22
Record: 6-2-2
Results of note: Won at then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg (4-2, Aug. 23), lost at Rapid Vienna in Europa League group stage (3-0, Sept. 17), beat then-No. 9 Bayern Munich (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: I'm convinced HSV are completely schizophrenic. They lose to teams like Rapid Vienna and now VfL Osnabrueck (on penalties in a cup tie last Wednesday) then defeat Bayern Munich (1-0 Saturday). Did I mention they're in first place in the Bundesliga? Will the real HSV please show up?
Upcoming schedule: Host Happoel Tel Aviv in Europa League action Thursday. They'll need the three points after that meltdown in Vienna. Visit Hertha Berlin Sunday. Host Bayer Leverkusen, with whom they are currently tied in points atop the Bundesliga standings, on Saturday, Oct. 17.

17. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 9
Record: 6-2-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28), lost at then-No. 22 Hamburg SV (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: First the good: Bayern had no problems with their minnow opponent (Rot-Weiss Oberhausen, if you must know) in their midweek cup tie, winning 5-0. Now the bad: they then went to Hamburg and lost, 1-0. They drop eight spots on the latter result. A bit harsh, but justified if you look at their overall record. Now they'll have their chance to recover lost ground, however, because...
Upcoming schedule: Host Juventus in the next Champs League game on Wednesday. Also host Cologne Saturday. A clash with Girondins Bordeaux looms Oct. 21.

18. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 16
Record: 8-2-1
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28).
Commentary/recent results: Drew at Metalist Kharkov 1-1 at midweek but recovered with a 4-0 victory over Obolon Kiev yesterday. Metalist Kharkov are certainly decent (made a deep run in the UEFA Cup last season) but I'm going to dock points anyway, partly because I have nowhere to put them.
Upcoming schedule: Host Partizan Belgrade when the Europa League returns to action Thursday, with another Ukrainian league game on tap Saturday.

19. Galatasaray
Last ranking: 18
Record: 7-0-1
Results of note: Beat Besiktas Istanbul at home (3-0, Sept. 12), won at Panathinaikos in Europa League group stage (3-1, Sept. 17).
Commentary/recent results: Galatasaray won their first game of the week, at Kasimpasa Istanbul Monday, their seventh straight to start the season. Then they inexplicably drew Eskisehispor yesterday, 1-1. At home. But wait! Eskisehispor are fourth in the Turkish league, with no losses! So I'm keeping Galatasaray in the Top 25, just a spot lower than they were.
Upcoming schedule: Host Sturm Graz in the next Europa League encounter Thursday and play some other Turkish club Sunday.

20. Benfica Lisbon
Last ranking: 21
Record: 7-0-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Benfica had no problems with Leixoes Matosinhos yesterday, walking off with an easy 5-0 win. They sit second in Liga Sagres, behind surprising Sporting Braga, whom you'll hear about in a moment.
Upcoming schedule: Visit AEK Athens when the Europa League returns Thursday. Play at Pacos de Ferreira Sunday. Host Everton in Europa League action a week from Thursday.

21. Sampdoria
Last ranking: None
Record: 5-1-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 5 Inter Milan at home (1-0, Sept. 26).
Commentary/recent results: Too bad the Samp lost their midweek game at Fiorentina. Had they won, they would have made an even better Top 25 debut. By "debut" I mean all time. They've never been here before. Bienvenuti! So wait, how come they don't move ahead of Inter Milan the way Man City are ahead of Arsenal and HSV ahead of Bayern? We're going to need more evidence. This was the Samp's first big win of the season and they don't play in Europe.
Upcoming schedule: Host Parma Sunday. Visit Lazio a week later. A trip to Juventus looms Oct. 28.

21. Sporting Braga
Last ranking: None
Record: 6-0-0
Results of note: Won at Sporting Lisbon (2-1, Aug. 22), beat then-No. 10 Porto at home (1-0, Sept. 19).
Commentary/recent results: Like the Samp, Braga make their first ever appearance in the top 25 rankings. The catalyst was not what they did last week (a 1-0 victory at Olhanense Saturday) as what they did earlier (see above) or their overall record (ditto). Like Sampdoria, we are not moving them ahead of the foe they vanquished (in this case Porto) due to the discrepancy in schedules.
Upcoming schedule: Host Vitoria Setubal, Sunday. Unfortunately they (like the Samp) are not in any European competition this year.

23. Estudiantes
Last ranking: 24
Record: 6-0-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Estudiantes beat Boca Juniors by 2-1 Saturday, taking sole possession of first place in the Apertura table with the victory .
Upcoming schedule: Visit Argentinos Juniors Saturday.

24. Glasgow Rangers
Last ranking: 23
Record: 3-0-4
Results of note: Drew at VfB Stuttgart, 1-1, in the Champions League group stage opener.
Commentary/recent results: Another scoreless draw for Rangers, this one at home to Aberdeen. They're still unbeaten though.
Upcoming schedule: No. 9 Sevilla pay a visit tomorrow. The old firm is on tap Saturday. Lose both and we won't have any reasons to keep Rangers in the top 25. Win, and they could move deep into the Top 20. We'll just have to wait and see...

25. Club America
Last ranking: 25
Record: 5-1-3
Results of note: Beat Deportivo Toluca at home (7-2, Aug. 31).
Commentary/recent results: Beat Atlante 1-0 yesterday. Amazingly, they're only third in their Apertura group, one point behind Monarcas and two behind Monterrey.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Pachuca Saturday.

Dropping Out:
AC Milan (19), Olympique Marseille (20)

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
PSV Eindhoven, Bayer Leverkusen, VfL Wolfsburg.

Photo supplied by Wikipedia.

While we were gone -- at the bottom

2009-09-25T14:15:00.002-04:00

There's no nice way of saying this: Portsmouth are a terrible team. The first team to lose their first six games since Leicester City in the early 1980s, and they've scored three and conceded 12 goals in those games. We're looking at a potentially record-breaking season of awfulness here.

The worst part of it (for Pompey fans) is that while some very good players left in the summer -- Sol Campbell and Niko Kranjcar to name two -- they still have quality in their squad: David James, Younes Kaboul, Tal Ben-Haim, Jamie O'Hara and Tommy Smith, for instance. That's not get-you-into-Europe quality, but it's also not worst-Prem-team-ever quality, either.

And yet so far it is. Paul Hart always had a tough task this season -- one Guardian pundit suggested that if they stay up he should win the manager of the year award -- but things have gotten real bad real quick and the pressure's starting to show. What's more, it seems Pompey's loadsamoney Arab owner is somewhat less spendthrift than his Manchester City-owning cousins, and now news comes that their one rock of stability over the past year or so is considering leaving the club.

This week sees them taking on a resurgent Everton, who seem to have regained their winning ways after a slow start, winning four of their last five games, and two of three in the league.

Hull face the most daunting trip of the struggling teams, going to Anfield for what should be a shellacking by Liverpool. Hull manager Phil Brown is in big heap trouble these days -- as the Guardian notes, his team has won just one league game in its last 22 outings, form that would make even a Pompey fan blush.

The other team at the foot of the table is Blackburn Rovers. Many in England don't like Sam Allardyce -- just ask Newcastle fans -- but his record at Blackpool, Notts County and Bolton Wanderers deserves respect. As does the work he did at Rovers in the second half of last season. It'd be a surprise if his team are relegated; then again, maybe it would just prove the naysayers were right all long.

As with Hull and Pompey, Blackburn face a tough tie, at home to an in-form Aston Villa, winners of five straight. Perhaps the recovery will have to wait another week.

Photo taken from The Sun Web site without permission.

While we were gone -- at the top

2009-09-25T08:39:00.008-04:00

If the English Premier League season is a party, consider us (very) fashionably late. But now that we're six games in, the standings are starting to take shape: who would bet against the top four being the same come May? Not yours truly, that's for sure.

After a series of 1-0 wins, Manchester City proved they're for real by tonking Arsenal and giving neighbors United a run for their money. Can they hold off a challenge from Arsenal? Time will tell but, as ever with Arsenal, there are concerns about how brittle they are. By all accounts, Thomas Vermaelen has proved to be a great signing, but does a midfield of Diaby, Eboue, Fabregas and Alex Song have enough steel? Maybe Wenger should have tried harder to keep certain defensive players.

Meanwhile, Chelsea trundle ominously forwards, the only unbeaten team and with a 100% record. The straw many rival fans might cling to is that the African Nations Cup could derail them, what with Drogba, Essien, Kalou and, possibly, Mikel all set to miss at least a month in January/February to play in the competition.

And what of the other top teams? All have been spotty -- Manchester United losing to Burnley but beating Arsenal, City and Spurs, Liverpool losing to Aston Villa and Spurs, and Villa themselves losing to Wigan on opening day. It'll likely be another month or so before we can judge which of them, if any, will mount a credible challenge to Chelsea.

This week's fixture list shouldn't pose too many difficulties for the top teams, though it should be noted Stoke can be tough to beat at home. The most intriguing game may be Fulham v Arsenal -- Fulham, despite a slow start to the season, are among the best of the non-top six teams.

That said, perhaps Hull will shock us all and take points from Liverpool at Anfield. The beauty of football is that you never really know, do you?

--Smoods

Man City badge image supplied by Wikipedia.

New series: Ranking the world's 'soccer meccas'

2009-09-22T12:17:00.008-04:00

Just like there is only one true Mecca, can there really only be one true spiritual home of world soccer? Until recently, such a place existed in the form of Wembley Stadium (the most storied grounds in the capital city of the founding nation of the sport? I don't think anybody could compete with that) but the old Wembley was demolished in 2003 and replaced with a new version four years later. Impressive as the new Wembley might be, it simply does not have the history or character (yet) to inherit the title. So who does? Probably no single stadium is the obvious heir apparent, but Soccer Source came up with a short list and ranked them.

A word on our ranking methodology:
Put simply, there were three criteria: the number of times a stadium hosted major events such as World Cup matches, the magnitude of these events in the history of the sport, and the stadium's "aura." This last item was admittedly harder to pin down: It could be architecture, location, size, quirks or other intangibles that make the grounds in question a temple of the sport.

In this, the first iteration of the series, we unveil 10th place. Next time we'll bring you No. 9, the issue after that, No. 8, and so on until we will have a complete list. Enjoy!

10. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Milan
Open since: 1926 (renovated in 1989)
Capacity: 80,000
Tenant(s): AC Milan, Inter Milan
World Cup hosts: 1934, 1990

The San Siro is home to two of the world's most storied clubs but has never hosted a World Cup or Euro final. It did host the final for the Champions League (or its predecessor, the Champions Cup) three times, most recently in 2001 when Bayern Munich defeated Valencia on penalties, largely thanks to the heroics of one Oliver Kahn. The others were in '65 (Inter Milan over Benfica Lisbon) and '70 (Feyernoord Rotterdam over Celtic).

It was here that Cameroon's Indomitable Lions defeated Argentina in the curtain raiser of the 1990 World Cup. That event was likely the "coming out" party for African soccer on the world stage, as Cameroon became the first team from the continent to advance to the quarterfinals at a World Cup. In that same tournament, eventual champions West Germany played their group stage matches at the San Siro.

In 1934, Italy defeated Austria's Wunderteam (probably the favorites to hoist the trophy that year) 1-0 in a semifinal game.

Architecturally, the stadium is not terribly interesting, though the four corner towers give it a distinct signature. It is massive, modernist and rather impersonal, though it certainly gets very loud on gamedays.

Have you been to the San Siro? Where do you think it ranks among 'soccer meccas'?

The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Sept. 21, 2009

2009-09-21T00:37:00.015-04:00

It was a very busy week in topflight soccer, with Top 25 clubs playing twice, often against each other. Remarkably, there were no major upsets to report, leaving the top 10 very much unchanged. The second tier, however, was all shook up. Let's get to it:

1. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 1
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 4-0-0
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Real won their two games last week by a combined score of 10-2. Granted, FC Zurich and Xerez, their opponents, did not present ~~much~~ any type of challenge. Cristiano Ronaldo scored four of Real's 10 goals. That's six goals in four games for CR7 if you're counting.
Upcoming schedule: Things get a bit more difficult with a game at Villareal Wednesday, followed by another easy one against Tenerife Sunday. The Champions League group stage campaign is of course highlighted by back-to-back dates with AC Milan (Oct. 21 at Bernabeu, Nov. 3 at San Siro).

2. Barcelona
Last ranking: 2
Record: 5-0-1
Results of note: Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29, drew at then-No. 6 Inter Milan in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: There was no winner in the season's first clash of the titans at the San Siro last week. Had Barclona won, we no doubt would have moved them up a spot (which is where many quite adamantly insist they belong). But they didn't win. They didn't lose, and it was an away match against one of the best teams in the world, so we can't exactly deduct points either. Barca followed this up with a 5-2 dismantling of Atletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Racing Santander tomorrow, Malaga Sunday. Then host Dynamo Kiev when the Champions League returns to action Sept. 29.

3. Chelsea
Last ranking: 3
Record: 7-0-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 Porto in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: Blues passed both tests last week, beating Porto 1-0 and putting Tottenham Hotspur to the sword, 3-0.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Wigan Saturday. At APOEL Nikosia in the second CL game a weeek from Wednesday. Liverpool visit the Bridge Oct. 3. Man United come to town Nov. 17.

4. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 6-1-0
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29), beat then-No. 13 Manchester City (4-3, Sept. 20).
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils did what they needed at Besiktas Istanbul, winning 1-0 at midweek. Yesterday they traded goals with Man City before winning 4-3 in (deep) stoppage time in what Sir Alex is calling the best Manchester derby ever.
Upcoming schedule: That was fun. Hope you enjoyed it because it will be a little while before United face decent competition. Other than a Champions League home game with VfL Wolfsburg and a visit to CSKA Moscow Oct. 21, Sir Alex' men probably won't be tested until their grudge match at Liverpool, Oct. 25.

5. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 6
Record: 3-0-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29), drew then-No. 2 Barcelona at home in Champions League group stage (0-0, Sept. 17).
Commentary/recent results: Their weekend victory at Cagliari required some effort, with the nerrazurri coming back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to win 2-1. Diego Milito notched a brace, with both goals coming within five minutes of each other. Earlier there was the scoreless draw with Barca. Inter move up a spot thanks to Juve's home draw with Bordeaux.
Upcoming schedule: Host Napoli, Wednesday. Then things get very interesting with a trip to Genoa to face Sampdoria, who are unbeaten and untied atop the Serie A table.

6. Juventus
Last ranking: 5
Record: 4-0-1
Results of note: Drew then-No. 9 Girondins Bordeaux at home in Champions League group stage (1-1, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: Juve rebounded from a 1-1 draw with Girondins Bordeaux by beating Livorno, 2-0. We're still docking points for the home draw though. It's only fair.
Upcoming schedule: At Genoa, Thursday, followed by a trip to Bologna and Bavaria (Bayern Munich).

7. Liverpool
Last ranking: 7
Record: 5-2-0
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Reds won both games last week by the narrowest of margins, topping Hungarian side Debreceni 1-0 and beating West Ham 3-2 at Upton Park Saturday. Hey, as long as they keep winning...
Upcoming schedule: After playing Hull City at Anfield Sunday things get interesting with a trip to Fiorentina and Stamford Bridge next week.

8. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 9
Record: 5-0-2
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30), drew at then No. 5 Juventus (1-1, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: Les Girondins did well to draw Juventus 1-1 midweek and followed it up with an easy 2-0 victory over Boulogne Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: Host Stade Rennes Sunday and Maccabi Haifa in the second CL matchday the following Wednesday.

9. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 8
Record: 5-1-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28).
Commentary/recent results: Bayern continued their hot streak, winning both games last week (3-0 at Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League opener and 2-1 over Nurnberg at home). But the latter of these required a bit more effort than might have been expected. After a scoreless first half, the teams traded goals before a late header from Daniel van Buyten clinched it for the Bavarian side. (In case you're wondering, Nurnberg are lower mid-table. This game wasn't supposed to be close).
Upcoming schedule: After a midweek cup tie against some minnow (Rot Weiss Oberhausen, if you must known), Bayern pay first-placed Hamburg SV a visit on Saturday. Then host Juventus in the next Champs League game a week from Wednesday.

10. Sevilla
Last ranking: 11
Record: 3-1-0
Results of note: Beat then No. 21 Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group stage at home (2-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: After the easy midweek victory over Unirea Urziceni, Sevilla played well in a 2-0 win at Osasuna.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Bilbao next week. A trip to Ibrox is on a week from tomorrow.

11. Manchester City
Last ranking: 13
Record: 4-1-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12).
Commentary/recent results: What's this? Man City lost their game last week and move up two spots? Where's the justice in that? Mark Hughes' men showed they clearly belong, playing one of the very best teams in the world to the letter. Without Emmanuel Adebayor to boot. The back-and-forth battle with No. 4 Man United was only decided six minutes into stoppage time when Mickey Owen broke Citizens' hearts with the winning goal. In fact, Hughes wants the FA to look into the incident, believing the final whistle should have sounded before Owen had a chance to get the game winner.
So here is where things get interesting: City have a better record than Arsenal and beat them on the field. But Arsenal played twice last week and won both. What gives? What happened on the field is what decides this one. That, and Arsenal had a tough time in their first game last week in Belgium. Belgium.
Upcoming schedule: Host West Ham United a week from today. Then a tough one at Villa Park Oct. 5. Liverpool are the next "big four" opponent, Nov. 21. That one's at Anfield.

12. Arsenal
Last ranking: 14
Record: 5-2-0
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12)
Commentary/recent results: After a gutty (though not particularly convincing) mid-week win at Standard Liege in the Champions League opener, Gunners had absolutely no problem with Wigan, winning 4-0 at the Emirates Saturday. Well done Gooners. Even if it was Wigan.
Upcoming schedule: An easy stretch of games: Fulham, Olympiakos, Blackburn and Birmingham City. All but Fulham are home.

13. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 15
Record: 6-0-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 18 Fiorentina at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: L'OL did well defeating Fiorentina at midweek then dropped points at the Parc des Princes, drawing Paris Saint-Germain 1-1. They had to come from behind to do that as well. PSG are looking pretty good though, tied for sixth in Ligue Un with a 3-1-2 record. We may hear from them again before the season is out. As for Lyon, they are quietly unbeaten.
Upcoming schedule: Host Toulouse Saturday. Visit Hungarian side Debreceni when the Champions League returns to action a week from tomorrow.

14. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 20
Record: 8-0-1
Results of note: Won home match against then-No. 22 Rubin Kazan in Champions League group stage (3-1, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: Another strong week for the Ukrainian side, with victories over Rubin Kazan and Metalist Karkov.
Upcoming schedule: Zorja Lugansk, Saturday. Visit Camp Nou a week from tomorrow. That will be interesting (we hope).

15. Porto
Last ranking: 10
Record: 3-2-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 3 Chelsea in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: A tough week for Porto, who lost a pair of 1-0 decisions. The first, at Stamford Bridge, was a forgivable offense. The second, at Sporting Braga less so. But Braga might just be a force to be reckoned with in Portugal this year.
Upcoming schedule: It doesn't get any easier with Sporting Lisbon and Atletico Madrid up next. At least both games are home.

16. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 19
Record: 7-2-1
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28).
Commentary/recent results: Had no problem in either game last week, winning the Europa League opener at Bruges, 4-1 and their weekend Ukrainian league match over Arsenal Kiev (they're really called that) by 4-2.
Upcoming schedule: At Metalist Kharkov, who if we aren't mistaken went pretty far in the UEFA Cup last season, on Wednesday. Host Oblon Kiev, whoever that is, this weekend. Host Partizan Belgrade when the Europa League returns to action Oct. 1.

17. Olympiakos
Last ranking: None
Record: 6-0-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 17 AZ Alkmaar at home in Champions League group stage (1-0, Sept. 16).
Commentary/recent results: The Greek side make their first appearance in the top 25 in a very long time. It's well-deserved. Olympiakos are unbeaten and are coming off a 1-0 victory over Dutch champs AZ Alkmaar in their Champions League opener.
Upcoming schedule: Visit AEK Athens Wednesday. Host Panionios Athens Sunday. Then it's off to the Emirates for the second Champions League group stage match, a week from today.

18. Galatasaray
Last ranking: None
Record: 6-0
Results of note: Beat Besiktas Istanbul at home (3-0, Sept. 12), won at Panathinaikos in Europa League group stage (3-1, Sept. 17).
Commentary/recent results: Galatasaray are forcing people (us included) to take note of them, with six straight wins to open the season. Last week's victory over Panathinaikos was particularly impressive.
Upcoming schedule: At Kasimpasa Istanbul, later today. Host Eskisehispor Sunday and Sturm Graz in the next Europa League encounter a week from Thursday.

19. AC Milan
Last ranking: 18 (Sept. 1)
Record: 3-1-1
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 8 Inter Milan (4-0, Aug. 27), won at then-No. 16 Olympique Marseille (2-1, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: A solid week by the rossoneri catapult them back into the Top 25 after a one week absence. First came the Champions League victory at Marseille, then they beat Bologna 1-0. The second is a bit close for comfort, but they'll take it.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Udinese Wednesday; Bari Sunday. The next Champions League encounter is against FC Zurich at the San Siro a week from Wednesday. That one should be tough. Not.

20. Olympique Marseille
Last ranking: 16
Record: 4-1-2
Results of note: Drew then-No. 12 Girondins Bordeaux at home (0-0, Aug. 30), lost at home to AC Milan (2-1, Sept. 15).
Commentary/recent results: L'OM rebounded from their disappointing Champions League loss by defeating a decent Montpellier side 4-2 at the Velodrome yesterday. That's good enough for third place in Ligue Un.
Upcoming schedule: Visit Valenciennes Saturday. The second Champions League matchday has them at the Bernabeu, Wednesday. With their backs already against the wall after the home loss to AC Milan, they'll need to at the very least keep things close.

21. Benfica Lisbon
Last ranking: None
Record: 6-0-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: A fast start to the season for Benfica, though there have not been any real quality victories yet. Last week's 2-0 win over Belarussian (right?) club BATE Borisov, a Champions League participant last season, might be the closest thing yet. Also won their weekend domestic league match.
Upcoming schedule: Host Leixoes Matosinhos Sunday. Visit AEK Athens when the Europa League returns a week from Thursday.

22. Hamburg SV
Last ranking: 12
Record: 5-1-2
Results of note: Won at then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg (4-2, Aug. 23), lost at Rapid Vienna in Europa League group stage (3-0, Sept. 17).
Commentary/recent results: What the hell happened to HSV last week? First they lost 3-0 (that's three-nil) at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League. Then they followed it up with a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt yesterday. They're lucky they didn't lose the latter game; we might have had no choice but to take them off this list altogether. And yet, Bruno Labbadia's side sit top of the table in Germany.
Upcoming schedule: A cup tie Wednesday before receiving a visit from No. 8 Bayern Munich Saturday.

23. Glasgow Rangers
Last ranking: 23
Record: 3-0-3
Results of note: Drew at VfB Stuttgart, 1-1, in the Champions League group stage opener.
Commentary/recent results: After impressing with a 1-1 draw at Stuttgart midweek, Rangers played a rather disappointing scoreless draw at Kilmarnock Saturday. We're still keeping them here, but their margin of error is now nil.
Upcoming schedule: Host Aberdeen Saturday. Then Sevilla pay a visit. The latter game is a big one, for a number of reasons. Lose and we won't have any reasons to keep Rangers in the top 25. Win, and they could move deep into the Top 20. We'll just have to wait and see...

24. Estudiantes
Last ranking: 24
Record: 5-0-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Estudiantes won their league match at Atletico Huracan with ease Friday, taking first place in the Apertura table with the victory (on goal difference, but still).
Upcoming schedule: Host Boca Juniors, Sunday. Boca have had a rough start to the season, with just five points from their first four games. But a win could turn their season around. Stay tuned...

25. Club America
Last ranking: 25
Record: 4-1-3
Results of note: Beat Deportivo Toluca at home (7-2, Aug. 31).
Commentary/recent results: Played a scoreless draw at Querentano yesterday but we don't have anybody to replace them in the Top 25.
Upcoming schedule: Host Atlante, Sunday.

Dropping Out:
AZ Alkmaar (17), Fiorentina (18), Unirea Urziceni (21), Rubin Kazan (22)

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
Sampdoria, Atletic Bilbao, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Braga, Bayer Leverkusen, Dinamo Bucharest, VfL Wolfsburg.

Photo taken from Sportinglife.com without permission.

Champions League Round 1, Day 2: Arsenal come from way back to win at Liege

2009-09-16T16:41:00.006-04:00

Down two goals after just four minutes, Arsenal mounted a furious comeback at Standard Liege to capture an improbable 3-2 victory on the second day of Champions League group stage openers Wednesday. Eduardo cost Gunners the first goal with a miserable clearance off a corner, but made good for his mistake by scoring the winner nine minutes from time. The Belgian side doubled their lead off a penalty just four minutes in. Nicklas Bendtner got Arsenal on the scoreboard shortly before halftime and Thomas Vermaelen (ironically a Belgian) equalized on 78 minutes. Standard complained (not without merit) of offside on the equalizer but this being soccer and not tennis or (American) football they did not have any means with which to challenge the call.

The win is significant for Arsene Wenger's club, which had previously suffered consecutive defeats in the Premiership and dropped to 14th in our Top 25 rankings (after starting the season fourth, a decision we'd admittedly like back). But Gunners obviously have a long way to go. Standard Liege are not a top tier club by any means. If Arsenal are going to have any pretensions at any silverware this season (to say nothing of a top 10 spot in our rankings) they'll need to start putting away clubs like that by wider margins.

The marquee match of the round, between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona, ended scoreless. This lends a little credence to our decision to keep the Spanish champs second in our Top 25 (but not much. The game was played in Milan, after all).

In the second-most intriguing match of the day, Olympique Lyon got a late goal from Miralem Pjanic to defeat Fiorentina at the Stade Gerland. Both clubs had been hot coming into the game (and both in our Top 20; Lyon 15th and Fiorentina 18th). Lyon appear on a mission to recapture some of the glory they lost last season, but with Girondins Bordeaux they'll have some stellar competition for the Ligue Un crown.

We said Glasgow Rangers (23rd in our rankings) faced a good test at Stuttgart. Consider having passed the test. Rangers played well in the second half to secure a 1-1 draw. The group is by far the weakest of the eight, with just Sevilla presenting a challenge. We'll find out just how much of a challenge next week when they visit Ibrox Park.

The only upset of the day (if it can even be called that) took place in Greece where Olympiakos defeated Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar. We had the Dutch side ranked 17th. Expect that to change.

Elsewhere, No. 7 Liverpool beat Debreceni by the narrowest of margins, No. 11 Sevilla had no problems with Romanian side Unirea Urziceni (who were 21st but will now in all likelihood drop out of the top 25) and No. 20 Dynamo Kiev rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to put away No. 22 Ruben Kazan by 3-1.

Photo supplied by Wikipedia.

Inzaghi brace gets AC Milan back on track

2009-09-15T16:55:00.003-04:00

Filippo Inzaghi scored goals on either side of halftime to secure a vital away win for AC Milan on the first day of Champions League group play. With the 2-1 win at Olympique Marseille, the rossoneri keep pace with Real Madrid, who easily won their game at FC Zurich by 5-2. Milan were outplayed for large portions of the game, according to at least one report, but with the way things have been going, they'll take it. After winning their first game of the season at Siena, Leonardo's side were shellacked 4-0 by crosstown rivals Inter Milan and last weekend played a disappointing scoreless draw at Livorno. The latter result dropped Milan from the most recent iteration of our Top 25.

Was that decision premature? Or entirely unwarranted? Time will tell. The rossoneri will need to get past winless Bologna this weekend for us to even begin having any discussions. As for l'OM, our 16th-ranked team coming into today, their fate for the short term rests on a match-up with surprising Montpellier at the Velodrome this weekend. The newly-promoted Montpellier Hérault Sport Club (its official name) sit third in France's Ligue Un, with three wins and two draws from its first five games.

While we're on the subject of French sides, how about Girondins Bordeaux? In the top match of the day (according to our rankings, at least, pitting No. 9 Bordeaux at No. 5 Juventus), the French champs pulled off a surprising 1-1 result. Czech international Jaroslav Plasil equalized for les Girondins 15 minutes from time. Thanks for vindicating our faith in you, mecs!

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich continue to be red-hot, vanquishing Maccabi Haifa by 3-0. England's representatives both got wins, Man United at Besiktas Istanbul and Chelsea over Porto. No surprises there, though we're glad the Portuguese side (10th in our rankings) at least managed to keep pace with Blues.

Finally, VfL Wolfsburg might not be as terrible as their Bundesliga form (three losses in a row) has let on. Granted, CSKA Moscow might not scare many clubs but a Champions League victory is a Champions League victory--even if it came at home against a Russian team.

In many ways today was just a warmup, however. Tomorrow, Inter Milan host FC Barcelona in a clash of the titans. We'll be back to report on that one.

Photo taken from bestfootballers.net without permission.

The world's top 25 soccer clubs, Sept. 14, 2009

2009-09-14T00:02:00.005-04:00

The world's top club leagues returned to action after a two week layoff for international matches. With one exception (you know who you are, Arsenal), the top clubs in our ranking won their games this weekend. Ahead of the UEFA Champions League schedule, which kicks off this week, things are about to get very interesting. Who knows what the Top 25 will look like next? But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Here are this week's rankings:

1. Real Madrid
Last ranking: 1
Record (wins-losses-ties, in all competition; two-leg match-ups count as one): 2-0-0
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: It took a little while for Real to get on the scoresheet, but they ended up having no problems at Espanyol Barcelona, winning 3-0 on Saturday. Second-half substitute Cristiano Ronaldo even made the scoresheet, getting Real's third goal in stoppage time. That's two goals in two games for CR7 (the first was by penalty, but still).
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League opener at FC Zurich tomorrow. Then Xerez at home Sunday. Los merengues then face a potentially troublesome trip to Villareal Sept. 29. Barca looms Nov. 29 at Camp Nou. The Champions League group stage campaign is of course highlighted by back-to-back dates with AC Milan (Oct. 21 at Bernabeu, Nov. 3 at San Siro).

2. Barcelona
Last ranking: 2
Record: 4-0-0
Results of note: Beat Shakhtar Donetsk (at the time ranked 14th) in overtime in the UEFA SuperCup, Aug. 29.
Commentary/recent results: Won easily at Getafe, 2-0 on Saturday. That's two wins and a 5-0 goal difference from two games in La Liga.
Upcoming schedule: A trip to San Siro and Inter Milan on the Champions League opener Wednesday. Atletico Madrid visit Camp Nou Sunday.

3. Chelsea
Last ranking: 3
Record: 5-0-0
Results of note: None yet
Commentary/recent results: It took stoppage time (and shoddy goalkeeping from Thomas Sorensen, who we feel should have done better with Florent Malouda's shot) for Chelsea to defeat Stoke City 2-1 and remain unbeaten and untied in Premiership action. Still, hard to argue Chelsea weren't the better team and didn't deserve the three points at the Britannia Saturday. Moreover, the victory showed grit and character--the type of things you need to make a run at Premiership (and European) glory. So Blues get to keep their spot.
Upcoming schedule: The CL opener with Porto, tomorrow. Then an intriguing London derby match with Spurs at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool visit the Bridge Oct. 3. Man United come to town Nov. 17.

4. Manchester United
Last ranking: 4
Record: 4-1-0
Results of note: Beat then No. 4 Arsenal at home (2-1, Aug. 29)
Commentary/recent results: Red Devils started badly at White Hart Lane (a bicycle trick goal by Jermaine Defoe less than a minute in) but quickly recovered and ended up winning 3-1.
Upcoming schedule: The CL opener at Besiktas Istanbul tomorrow. Then the Manchester derby (it's pronounced dar-bee). Other than a Champions League home game with VfL Wolfsburg and a visit to CSKA Moscow Oct. 21, Man United probably won't be tested until their grudge match at Liverpool, Oct. 25.

5. Juventus
Last ranking: 5
Record: 3-0-0
Results of note: Won at Roma (3-1, Aug. 30).
Commentary/recent results: Juve won their second consecutive game at Rome's Olympic Stadium, easily putting away Lazio 2-0 on Saturday. David Trezeguet is back (and scored Juve's second goal) but Diego left the game with an injury. Losing him would be a massive blow.
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League season kicks off with Girondins Bordeaux tomorrow. Then Livorno at home, followed by a trip to Genoa next Thursday.

6. Inter Milan
Last ranking: 6
Record: 2-0-1
Results of note: Beat then-No. 10 AC Milan (4-0, Aug. 29).
Commentary/recent results: Inter had no problems with Parma, winning 2-0 at San Siro yesterday. But things are about to get very interesting, because...
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League campaign kicks off in grand style when Barcelona visit Wednesday. That's about the only game of note for the next couple of months.

7. Liverpool
Last ranking: 7
Record: 3-2-0
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Reds had absolutely no trouble with Burnley on Saturday, discarding with the Clarets by a 4-0 score.
Upcoming schedule: The CL opener with Debreceni, Wednesday. It will likely be October before Reds face quality competition, though a Sept. 29 trip to Florence is by no means a pushover.

8. Bayern Munich
Last ranking: 9
Record: 3-1-2
Results of note: Beat then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg at home (3-0, Aug. 28).
Commentary/recent results: As expected, Bayern have started firing on all cylinders. This weekend, Borussia Dortmund were made believers by a 5-1 score. The game was played at Dortmund, which is supposed to be a tough place to play. Look out, because Bayern are back.
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League campaign kicks off at Maccabi Haifa tomorrow. Then Nurnberg, then a cup tie. Then HSV is on tap Sept. 26.

9. Girondins Bordeaux
Last ranking: 10
Record: 4-0-1
Results of note: A scoreless draw at then-No. 18 Olympique Marseille (Aug. 30).
Commentary/recent results: With a 1-0 win at Grenoble Saturday, Bordeaux assume their rightful spot at the top of the Ligue Un table.
Upcoming schedule: With Juventus, Maccabi Haifa and Bayern Munich, les Girondins have a group of death on their hands in the Champions League. They get the toughest one out of the way first, with a trip to No. 5 Juventus tomorrow.

10. Porto
Last ranking: 11
Record: 3-0-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: After a disappointing 1-1 draw at Pacos de Ferreira to kick off the Liga Sagres campaign, Porto have now won three in a row by a combined score of 10-2. Granted, this was against mid-table Portuguese sides, but they'll take it.
Upcoming schedule: It gets real right away. At Stamford Bridge tomorrow. Then first-placed Liga Sagres side Sporting Braga (away), Sporting Lisbon (home) and Atletico Madrid (home).

11. Sevilla
Last ranking: 13
Record: 1-1-0
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Beat up on Real Saragossa, 4-1 on Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: The CL opener at Unirea Urziceni (say that three times fast) followed by Osasuna Saturday. Host Mallorca and visit Bilbao next week.

12. Hamburg SV
Last ranking: 14
Record: 5-0-1
Results of note: Won at then-No. 11 VfL Wolfsburg (4-2, Aug. 23).
Commentary/recent results: HSV are off to a fine start in the Bundesliga, which they currently lead. Bruno Labbadia's side beat VfB Stuttgart Saturday. Too bad they had to choke last year and miss the Champions League spots.
Upcoming schedule: The Europa League opener at Rapid Vienna Thursday. Bayern Munich come to town Sept. 26.

13. Manchester City
Last ranking: 16
Record: 4-0-0
Results of note: Beat then-No. 8 Arsenal at home (4-2, Sept. 12).
Commentary/recent results: Citizens put away Arsenal by a 4-2 margin, the club's biggest victory since, well, who knows? We haven't had reason to pay any attention to Man City since that record-breaking shopping spree blew up in their face last season. But this year, it appears, will be different. Mark Hughes men looked very good against Arsenal and are the only club not named Chelsea with a perfect record in the Premiership. Unfortunately we won't be seeing them in European competition. Maybe next year.
Upcoming schedule: The Manchester derby at Old Trafford, Sunday. We don't expect a victory from that one.

14. Arsenal
Last ranking: 8
Record: 3-2-0
Results of note: Lost at then-No. 5 Man United (2-1, Aug. 29), lost at then-No. 16 Man City (4-2, Sept. 12)
Commentary/recent results: That's two losses in a row for Arsenal. Much has been made of Emmanuel Adebayor's antics, which overshadows the fact that Man City looks to be a club to be reckoned with. But more on them in a bit. As for Arse, they may have stumbled a bit in the early going this season, but have a chance to right the ship over the coming weeks because...
Upcoming schedule: An easy stretch of the schedule awaits Arsene Wenger's side, who open the Champions League campaign with a visit to Standard Liege Wednesday. Then it's Wigan, Fulham, Olympiakos, Blackburn and Birmingham City. All but Fulham are home.

15. Olympique Lyonnais
Last ranking: 20
Record: 5-0-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: L'OL beat Lorient 1-0 Saturday to continue their flying start. The competition has ben crap but that is about to change...
Upcoming schedule: Fiorentina visit in the Champions League opener Wednesday. Then it's off to Paris, where PSG have a hot start of their own going on.

16. Olympique Marseille
Last ranking: 17
Record: 2-0-2
Results of note: Drew then-No. 12 Girondins Bordeaux at home (0-0, Aug. 30).
Commentary/recent results: L'OM beat Le Mans 2-1 yesterday.
Upcoming schedule: Host AC Milan in the CL curtain raiser tomorrow. The second Champions League matchday has them at the Bernabeu. So we'll soon know what Marseille are made of.

17. AZ Alkmaar
Last ranking: 12
Record: 4-2-0
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: After four wins in a row following their season-opening loss, the Dutch champs lost at The Hague by 2-1 Saturday.
Upcoming schedule: At Olympiakos in the Champions League opener Wednesday, followed by Nijmegen and Ajax Amsterdam.

18. Fiorentina
Last Ranking: -
Record: 3-0-1
Results of note: Beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League qualifier.
Commentary/recent results: Fiorentina had a bit of a slow start to the season, which is why they did not receive consideration for a Top 25 spot until now. After squeaking by Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League qualifer, La Viola drew Bologna on the first Serie A matchday. They've come on since, with wins over Palermo and Cagliari. Their upcoming games are sure to be more difficult, however.
Upcoming schedule: At No. 15 Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League opener Wednesday, followed by Roma (away) and Sampdoria (home). Then a brief respite against Livorno, followed by Liverpool, Lazio and Juventus. Have fun with that, ragazzos!

19. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last ranking: 19
Record: 5-2-1
Results of note: Lost UEFA Supercup to then-No. 2 Barcelona (1-0 in overtime, Aug. 28).
Commentary/recent results: Won what appears to have been a Ukrainian cup tie over the weekend. They remain second in the league, behind Dynamo Kiev.
Upcoming schedule: At FC Bruges in the Europa League opener Thursday.

20. Dynamo Kiev
Last ranking: 21
Record: 6-0-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: Won their weekend match over Metalist Kharkov, who unless we're mistaken were a UEFA Cup semifinalist last season. Dynamo have resumed their dominance of the Ukrainian Premier-Liga with five wins and only one draw (and a 21-4 goal difference) albeit against very suspect competition.
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League opener at home against Rubin Kazan, Wednesday.

21. Unirea Urziceni
Last Ranking: -
Record: 4-1-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: We cannot even pretend to have heard of the Romanian side before the Champions League draw. Maybe because they're one of those former Communist party clubs that changed their name? But what we know now is they only lost once all season, in the opener against CFR Cluj (which was in the Champions League last year and may have even had a run in our Top 25, if memory serves). Since then, they have rattled off four wins and a draw by a 7-2 combined score, a streak that includes victories over Steaua and Rapid Bucharest.
Upcoming schedule: The Champions League opener at No. 10 Sevilla, Wednesday. Then at Dinamo Bucharest. With Glasgow Rangers and VfB Stuttgart the other teams in their Champions League group, they are capable of actually advancing.

22. Rubin Kazan
Last Ranking: -
Record: 14-3-4*
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: One of two Russian Champions League representatives, this one happens to lead the Premier Liga by six points over Spartak Moscow. They've reeled off six wins in a row, dating back to a scoreless draw with Zenit St. Petersburg on July 25. That includes victories over three Moscow clubs (FK, Dynamo, Spartak).
Upcoming schedule: At Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League opener Wednesday.
*Russian league starts in the spring.

23. Glasgow Rangers
Last ranking: 23
Record: 3-0-1
Results of note: Nothing yet.
Commentary/recent results: Rangers played a scoreless draw at Motherwell Saturday. They continue to lead the SPL, however, tied with their friendly neighbors Celtic.
Upcoming schedule: The CL campaign kicks off at Stuttgart Wednesday, which will be an important test to see if Rangers do indeed have a chance at advancing.

24. Estudiantes
Last ranking: 24
Record: 3-0-1
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: After dropping their first points of thee season in a 2-2 draw at San Lorenzo, the reigning Copa Libertadores champs beat Independiente 2-1. They are second in Argentina's Apertura League, behind Rosario Central, who somehow have a perfect record through four games.
Upcoming schedule: At Atletico Huracan, Friday. Boca Juniors are up after that, on Sept. 27. Unfortunately no Sudamericana action for these boys.

25. Club America
Last ranking: 25
Record: 4-1-2
Results of note: None yet.
Commentary/recent results: After a 1-1 draw at Tigres, Sept. 6, los aguilas (eagles?) beat up on Tecos by 5-0 to continue their torrid start.
Upcoming schedule: At Querentano, Sunday.

Dropping Out:
VfL Wolfsburg (15), AC Milan (18), Besiktas Istanbul (22).

Also receiving consideration (in rough order of consideration received):
Panathinaikos, Valencia, PSV Eindhoven, Galatasaray, Sporting Braga, Bayer Leverkusen, Feyernoord Rotterdam, BATE Borisov, Goias Esporte Clube.

Photo taken from CNN.com without permission.

A big day for England (less so for the rest of Britain)

2009-09-09T15:23:00.004-04:00

With a 5-1 victory at Wembley, the English national team was able to exorcise the ghosts of its last meeting with Croatia and advance to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 5-1? Against effectively the same Croatia side that gave England fits in their 2007 meeting? You could write off last year's 4-1 England victory in Zagreb as a fluke, but this suddenly makes England look pretty good. Compared to their pre Euro 2008 selves, that is.

The victory makes a few things perfectly clear:
1. Steve McClaren was a horrible national team coach (or manager, as he's known over there).
2. David Beckham has absolutely no place in the England lineup and should not be included in the World Cup squad, even as a substitute. Let him play in a ceremonial friendly match for all we care, but for God's sake please declare his national team days over and done with, once and for all.
3. Aaron Lennon is a player on the rise and a star in the making and should be given every chance to flourish fnor England (see item 2, above).
4. Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard might just be able to form a solid midfield nucleus, provided they aren't asked to do too much. With players like Lennon, Wayne Rooney and (when he's healthy) Theo Walcott, they won't need to.
5. Robert Green may be a serviceable national team goalkeeper, but more skill is needed on defense if England are going to go anywhere at the World Cup.

So much for England.

Coming into today's crucial World Cup qualifying matches, we naively (and, it turns out, wrongly) thought all four British teams plus the Republic of Ireland had a shot to make the main event in South Africa.

How quickly things change! It looks like England will now be the sole representative from the U.K. Wales, a distant longshot to begin with, are now officially eliminated after losing to Russia. Scotland lost at home to the Netherlands and are now done as well. Northern Ireland, which actually had an outside chance to win its group and qualify outright, lost at home to Slovakia and now has a real fight on its hands if it is even going to finish second.

That leaves Ireland, which didn't even play but saw its (slim) chances of winning Group 8 dashed after Italy beat Bulgaria. With a five point lead on the third-placed Bulgarians with two games to play, you might figure Ireland to be in the driver's seat. But a look at the remaining schedule (Ireland host Italy and Montenegro; Bulgaria are at Cyprus and host last-placed Georgia) reveals potential trouble ahead for Giovanni Trapattoni's side. Two points from the last two games are likely needed if Ireland are going to finish second. Montenegro may not have a win yet, but nearly all the games they have played have been close--including a scoreless draw against the Republic one year ago.

Elsewhere, Portugal threw a giant wrench in Hungary's plans, winning at Budapest 1-0. With first-placed Denmark stumbling in Albania (a 1-1 draw) the group is very much up for grabs. The next matchday features a battle between Denmark and second-placed Sweden. The Danes then host Hungary on the last matchday. If Portugal win out (they host Hungary next and finish with Malta at home) they should finish second.

Matters are tight in Group 2 as well, with four teams (Switzerland, Greece, Latvia, Israel) still in the race. Greece somehow managed to drop points at lowly Moldova, while Switzerland and Latvia drew.

In Group 4, Russia and Germany will fight it out for first place in the next matchday. Russia trail by a point. Everybody else is out of it.

Turkey stayed alive with a 1-1 draw at Bosnia, meaning Bosnia will need a result from one of its last two games (at Estonia and home to Spain) if it is to hold off the Turks for second place in Group 5. Spain have won the group after trouncing Estonia. No surprise there.

France barely managed to stay alive with a 1-1 draw at Belgrade. With a four point lead, the Serbs can clinch the group if they win one of their last two games (at home to Romania and at Lithuania). Expect France to win their last two games, against Austria and the Faroe Islands, to finish second.

That brings us up to date in Europe. Stay tuned for the situation in the Americas once those games are completed later tonight.

Photo taken from Aaron Lennon unofficial Web site without permission.