The Soccer Haus

Soccer is Coming in 3D

2010-01-06T20:29:00.003-06:00

World Cup 2010 was already a brave new world with the tournament heading to Africa for the first time, but now the tournament will be breaking technology barriers as well. Yesterday ESPN announced that it will launch the television industry's first 3D network, ESPN 3D, in conjunction with the World Cup curtain raiser between Mexico and host South Africa. Up to 25 World Cup games will be broadcast in 3D.

So besides Cuauhtémoc Blanco becoming the first athlete to fake an injury in 3D, what can we expect from the World Cup? Those who got a sneak peak when ESPN 3D was tested during the USC-Ohio State college football game raved about the technology. But the equipment won't be commonplace by June. Do you remember watching the Rams and Titans play the first Super Bowl broadcast in HD ten years ago? Me neither. As was the case with the transition to HD, viewers will need a new TV set and a cable provider that carries the network. And as for glasses, you'll need to wear them with the current sets. So check your vanity at the door; we're all gonna look like dorks.

Beyond the World Cup, ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer told me that additional events will be announced in the coming months. Whether that means ESPN's coverage of the Premier League will be broadcast in 3D remains to be seen. And while the technology could revolutionize watching sports, some images in 3D may be frightening to young viewers. Can you imagine Didier Drogba's meltdown from last year's Champions League semifinal coming right into your living room? Yikes!

Euro 2012: Flowers in the Air

2009-12-27T20:45:00.003-06:00

While the world focuses on next year's World Cup, Poland and Ukraine are getting ready to host Euro 2012. A year ago things were looking dicey and there was talk of moving the event to an experienced former host. But the co-hosts have responded and the Eastern European neighbors in a better position to host the continent's showpiece tournament.

Part of the preparations included the unveiling of the tournament logo and theme earlier this month. I'm no graphic design major, but I'm not convinced the crew who pulled this together knew they were fashioning a logo for a soccer tournament. Take a look- is this for Euro 2012 or the Warsaw Flower and Garden Festival?

Admittedly this video that reveals the brand theme is pretty slick, but tulips (Are those tulips? I don't know) don't really jive with Andriy Shevchenko and Artur Boruc. We'll just have to wait and see about the mascot. Potsie the Potted Plant?

The Best of the Decade in Soccer

2009-12-20T21:45:00.003-06:00

As the first decade of the new millennium reaches stoppage time, it's time to honor some of the stars and great moments from the past ten years. Here are some of my favorites:

Best Team- 2008-09 FC Barcelona: Great sides are measured by championships, and Barcelona won everything there is to win in 2009. The highlight was a convincing 2-0 win over defending champions Manchester United in the Champions League Final, which followed League and Spanish Cup titles. Spanish and European Super Cups and the World Club Cup completed the six-pack for Lionel Messi and company.

Best Goal- Steven Gerrard, 2006 FA Cup Final: Sure, I'm a little bit biased here, but I challenge you to find a better strike. Trailing West Ham 3-2 in the final minutes of the Final, Captain Fantastic delivered and the Reds ultimately won in a shootout.

Best Tournament- Euro 2008: June in the Alps was a month to remember. The Dutch looked like an unstoppable force in the group stages, until they were dismissed by Guus Hiddink's cagey Russian side. The surprising Turks rode their late-game heroics to the semifinals, before falling to Germany. But in the end, the tournament belonged to Spain, which extinguished decades of disappointment thanks to Fernando Torres' sublime game winner in the Final.

Best Manager- Alex Ferguson: Whether you like ManU or not (and I've made it no secret on here that I don't), you have to admire the accomplishments of Sir Alex at Old Trafford. After capping the '90s with a treble-winning campaign, Ferguson's troops kept on rolling through the decade that followed, capturing six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in 2008.

Biggest Gag- England's Euro 2008 Qualifying Campaign: Despite all their stumbles along the way, including draws against Israel and Macedonia, England were still in position to qualify for Euro 2008 heading into their final match. Needing only a home draw against a Croatia side that had nothing at stake, England fell behind 2-0, rallied to equalize, but then gave up a late winner and missed the continent's showpiece event.

Best Game- Liverpool over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final: I may have mentioned this one a time or two before on this blog, but just to show you I'm no homer, Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl gave the match similar praise in his end of decade review. Down 3-0 at the half, Liverpool tied the match within a six-minute span in the second half, then defeated favored AC Milan on PKs for their fifth European Cup.

Biggest Shock- Greece wins Euro 2004: While their defensive-minded tactics weren't always crowd-pleasing, the Greeks earned the world's attention with a stunning run to the European title in Portugal. After edging Spain for second in their group on the third tiebreaker, the Greeks netted three straight 1-0 wins in the knockout stages over France, the Czech Republic, and the hosts.

Best Way to Spend a Week- 2006 World Cup: The Germans put on a fantastic tournament for visitors from around the world, including two brothers who had the time of their lives.

Best Source of Comedy- Special 1 TV: The real Jose Mourinho held plenty of entertaining press conferences, but his puppet alter ego and his friends took soccer comedy to new heights.

Biggest Moment- Zidane's World Cup Head Butt: Zinedine Zidane was on the brink of capping his legendary career with a second World Cup title, but instead he went loco and drilled his head into the chest of Italy's Marco Materazzi. Instead of hoisting the trophy, Zidane was in the locker room as Italy triumphed in a shootout.

CLFC Co-Ed Goes Ocho

2009-12-20T21:15:00.003-06:00

While the Liverpool FC season has been a brutal disappointment from Day One, at least the Chicago LFC Supporters Club co-ed squad restored some pride with an 8-0 win yesterday, our biggest rout ever. Here's my recap from the CLFC blog. Hopefully the win brings some holiday cheer to Rafa and the Reds. Probably not.

World Cup Draw Winners and Losers

2009-12-04T21:30:00.003-06:00

The field is set for South Africa 2010. With the unique drama of today's World Cup draw complete, here's my take on the winners and losers.

Winner- USA: Most pundits will pick the US to advance from Group C. England are obviously the group favorites, but with Algeria, the last qualifier from Africa, and Slovenia, one of Europe's surprise entries rounding out the group, Bob Bradley's men have a clear path to the knockout stages.

Loser- South Africa: While the hosts got the benefit of a one seed, that distinction was negated by drawing France, a side many saw as worthy of the top row. With Mexico and Uruguay also in Group A, the home side will struggle to advance.

Winner- Germany: Germany's advantage isn't so much their manageable group, which includes Australia, Serbia and Ghana, but in the way the knockout stages shape-up. Italy, Holland, Brazil, Portugal and Spain all reside on the opposite side of the bracket, meaning Germany would avoid those top sides until at least the semifinals.

Loser- Ivory Coast: Four years ago Didier Drogba and crew landed in the Group of Death, with their first two matches against Argentina and Holland. The 2010 draw did them no favors either, with Brazil and Portugal in the mix. They may be eliminated at 0-2 by the time they face a beatable North Korean side.

Winner- Charlize Theron: A gorgeous addition to the dais, Theron hasn't looked this good since the movie Reindeer Games. Let's hope we see more of the South African native come next June.

Loser- David Beckham: Beckham's inclusion on stage was odd, given his checkered history at the World Cup. I suppose he was up there for his celebrity status and boyish good looks. That's fine, but if you're playing the role of eye candy, don't show up with a mohawk.

Winner- Spain: The reigning European champs cruised through qualifying with a perfect mark. That record should continue in a group that includes lightly regarded Switzerland, Chile and Honduras.

Loser- Korea: Both North and South landed in the two toughest groups. South Korea are joined by Argentina, Nigeria and Greece in Group B, while their Northern neighbors face Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G.

Winner- Ticket scalpers: The highest demand for tickets during the initial sales period came from the US and England. The brokers will make a pretty penny when those two sides meet on June 12.

Loser- Attendees at my brother's wedding: Unfortunately that USA-England match kicks off one hour before my brother is slated to get married. He still has six months to alter the schedule.

The Soccer Haus Mock World Cup Draw

2009-12-02T22:45:00.000-06:00

I don't know what Tiger Woods does when his wife is out of town, but when mine is traveling, I do goofy things like this: stage a mock World Cup draw. With today's announcement of the four pots that will hold the 32 teams for Friday's draw in South Africa, it was time to put slips of paper into ice cream bowls and see how things shake out. My son's stuffed elephant, Stampy, kept watch.

And the results?
Group A: South Africa, Honduras, Uruguay, France
Group B: Italy, USA, Cameroon, Denmark
Group C: England, New Zealand, Ivory Coast, Greece
Group D: Netherlands, Mexico, Chile, Slovenia
Group E: Germany, Australia, Nigeria, Switzerland
Group F: Spain, South Korea, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G: Argentina, North Korea, Ghana, Serbia
Group H: Brazil, Japan, Algeria, Portugal

The French get off pretty easy with the Group A draw; they face the weakest one-seed, the fourth-place team from CONCACAF and the fifth-place team from South America. South Africa might actually be able to get out of that group. The USA's Group B draw is tough, but not impossible. England-Ivory Coast would be a great match in Group C- Terry and Lampard face Drogba.

The Netherlands, Germany and Spain should all like their chances to win Groups D, E and F. Ghana could be a surprise winner in Group G and Brazil-Portugal would highlight the matches in Group H.

Friday's affair in Cape Town will be a little more glamorous than the stuffed animal attended draw at my house. Let's see if the official results are any different.

Rafaball Strikes Again

2009-10-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

Rafael Benitez's six seasons at Anfield have been marked by one consistent trend: when his team's fortunes appear bleakest, the Reds have the ability to summon their finest efforts. On Sunday the concept of "Rafaball" was once more on display.

The last time LFC lost four straight, Margaret Thatcher was enjoying high tea with Ronald Reagan. With captain Steven Gerrard in the stands and star striker Fernando Torres returning from injury, there was reason for apprehension as the three-time defending league champions arrived in Liverpool. But as if to borrow a line from the team's anthem, Rafa believes that at the end of the storm is a golden sky. And again that golden sky came in the form of an inspired Liverpool performance and a deserved 2-0 win that re-ignites their title chase.

We've seen this act before under Benitez. The signature Rafaball victory came in his first season in charge. Down 3-0 at halftime in the Champions League Final against AC Milan, Liverpool rallied to tie the match and won in a shootout. And Liverpool would never have reached that Final without a furious three-goal outburst in their final group stage match against Olympiakos that secured passage to the knockout round.

Since 2005 their have been many more Rafaball moments. From 2-0 down against West Ham, the Reds tied the 2006 FA Cup Final on the brink of stoppage time before winning in a shootout. There was a 2-1 win at Barcelona in the knockout stages of the 2007 Champions League, won on goals by Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise after the former had attacked the latter with a golf club in the team hotel. Passage to the 2008 Champions League group stages seemed unlikely after an 0-1-2 start, but the Reds won their next three by a combined total of 16-1 and advanced to the semis.

Manchester United were familiar with Sunday's performance. Last September LFC won at home 2-1 without the services of Gerrard or Torres. In March, just as the team's obituary was being penned, the Reds shocked the Old Trafford faithful with a 4-1 victory. In both matches, ManU scored first before the Reds rallied.

The frustrating flip side to Rafaball is that legendary wins are often followed by flat performances. Every Liverpool fan should be on guard heading into Saturday's fixture at Fulham. But if the Reds can continue to play Rafaball, this campaign will have plenty more pleasant surprises.

Sochaux and Milan: A Tale of Two Clubs

2009-10-19T21:15:00.008-05:00

AC Milan are one of the most storied sides in Europe, but they could take a lesson in class from mid-table French side Sochaux. The tragic car accident involving rising US star Charlie Davies and the awful injury to defender Oguchi Onyewu during last week's World Cup qualifier revealed the true colors of the two players' domestic sides.

While a fatal car accident put Davies' promising career in jeopardy in the early morning hours last Tuesday, there was concern from France for Davies as a man, not as an individual on a roster. Washington Post soccer writer Steven Goff had the reaction from Sochaux's president Alexandre Lacombe: "We are all in shock. The American federation was exemplary and informed us of all the events. Regrettably, his dream of South Africa has gone away and his career might be in danger. All our thoughts at FC Sochaux are with Charlie." Beyond the thoughts from the team's boss, photos from Sochaux's 2-0 upset of Lyon Saturday show that Charlie was an inspiration to his teammates and fans in victory.

Onyewu tore his patellar tendon on a non-contact play late in the 2-2 draw against Costa Rica. Rather than expressing sympathy for their player, less than 24 hours after his injury, Milan brass were demanding financial reparations. Never mind the fact that Onyewu has barely seen the pitch at the San Siro, Milan's Adriano Galliani wasn't worried about losing a defender as much as he was making a shameful demand for money. It's not the first time an AC Milan player has played for his national side and probably not the first time one has been injured in those matches. The fact that the Rossoneri would act in such a manner is as absurd as it is insulting. They'd do well to follow the lead set by Sochaux.

And on a personal note, let me add my best wishes to Charlie and Oguchi for speedy recoveries. While Guch's situation is sad, Charlie needs our thoughts and prayers most of all. Get well soon, Charlie!

LFC-Chelsea: Ready to Rumble

2009-10-03T23:23:00.003-05:00

With ManU dropping points today against Sunderland, the table sets up nicely for the winner (if there is one) of the Liverpool Chelsea clash Sunday at Stamford Bridge. As part of my blogging for the Liverpool FC Supporters Club of Chicago, I examine the Liverpool-Chelsea rivalry, from an extremely pro-Liverpool perspective, of course.

Chicago Liverpool Fans Unite!

2009-09-07T22:20:00.004-05:00

I've joined my fellow members of the Liverpool Supporter's Club of Chicago in getting our blog up and running. In addition to cheering on the Reds at The Globe, many of us get kitted up on Sundays and play in a co-ed rec league. The summer season ended in familiar style for LFC with a second-place finish. The fall season starts this Sunday.

You can visit the LFC Chicago blog for my tribute to the greatest shootouts in LFC history and a look at potential sponsors for next year's shirts.

Spain: 2009-10 La Liga Preview

2009-08-28T23:55:00.000-05:00

Earlier today Sports Illustrated soccer writer Grant Wahl mentioned on Twitter that he plans to watch every Barcelona and Real Madrid match this season. That's not a bad idea because following the two Spanish giants should give you the entire story of the upcoming La Liga season.

Depending on your perspective, the campaign will be a predictable two-team runaway or a compelling battle between two of the game's marquee squads. It's not like Real and Barca aren't accustomed to dominating the league. The rivals have combined to win 50 of 78 league titles and boast 12 European Cups between them. But this year the gap between the top two is even greater. Barcelona are fresh off a treble winning season, highlighted by a Champions League triumph over Manchester United, while Real Madrid landed the two biggest stars of the transfer season with the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

The defending champs feature Player of the Year Lionel Messi, but their hungriest star will be Inter Milan transfer Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish international is eager to capture the European glory that eluded him at the San Siro, and how well he fills in for Samuel Eto'o will be a major factor in how much hardware the Catalans secure this season.

While many Real Madrid line-ups have looked unbeatable on paper, the results in recent years have been a mixed bag. Real's performance in Europe has been especially disappointing; the nine-time champs haven't been a factor since their last title in 2002. The current collection of Galacticos, including Lyon transfer Karim Benzema and national team goalkeeper Iker Casillas is designed to do what their rivals did last year. The stage is set for a perfect ending: Madrid could capture a record 10th European Cup on their home field next May.

As for the 18 other squads, they'll be jockeying for 2010-11 Champions League and Europa League slots. Among those in contention are Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Villareal and Valencia. How many points these squads capture in matches against Barca and Real will determine not only their own fate, but the detsination of the league crown.

Picking a winner is a heads or tails proposition, but Real has far too much talent not to be considered the favorites. They're my pick to win the league and I'll be surprised if they're not hoisting Europe's biggest prize at the Bernabeu at the end of the season.

Separated at Birth?

2009-08-28T20:54:00.004-05:00

Bolton take on Liverpool tomorrow morning. I've always thought that Bolton manager Gary Megson looked like someone familiar, but couldn't quite figure out who. While watching "The Office" the other night, I finally spotted Megson's long lost twin- Dunder Mifflin HR rep Toby Flenderson, played by actor Paul Lieberstein. You be the judge.

Champions League Seeds are for the Birds

2009-08-27T08:30:00.003-05:00

College football fans love to whine about the BCS rankings, especially the obscure computer rankings that spit out unpredictable results. But the co-efficients that UEFA uses to determine the seeds for the Champions League draw, being held today, might be even goofier.

UEFA uses past European performances to weigh the teams, then splits the 32 squads into four pots of eight teams each. The top eight ranked teams are one seeds, the next eight are two seeds, and so on. Each four-team group is supposedly balanced by including one of each seed. While this system takes away subjectivity, it fails to factor in the current squad. The flaw in this method is shown in the fact that AC Milan is a one seed and Real Madrid is a two seed.

AC Milan have been one of the more successful European sides of late, winning titles in 2003 and 2007 and finishing second in 2005. But the current squad has been lessened by transfers and will struggle to contend in Serie A this year. One of those key transfers? Kaka, who joins Cristiano Ronaldo at star-studded Real Madrid. But Real have been Euro duds since their last title in 2002, so one of the pre-tournament favorites find themselves in a pot with the likes of AZ Alkmaar and CSKA Moscow.

A system that incorporated some judging of the current roster's abilities would no doubt add controversy to the process, but if done in the name of common sense, the end result would enhance the group stages.

Italy: 2009-10 Serie A Preview

2009-08-21T18:30:00.000-05:00

In 2003 Italian club football reached its peak when AC Milan and Juventus met in the Champions League Final in Manchester. Six years later, that same Final was held in Rome, but Italian sides were nowhere to be found. All of them had left the competition following the Round of 16. The 2008-09 campaign was a step back for Serie A. A combination of bad economics and aging stars has lead many observers to predict more of the same this season.

Struggles in Europe don't rule out an entertaining league competition, though. Inter Milan are seeking their fourth-straight scudetto, but domestic honors won't be enough for Jose Mourinho in his second season in Italy. The Special One was brought in to succeed where his predecessors could not- in the Champions League. Another early European exit soured an otherwise successful campaign. After the Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Samuel Eto'o swap, the champs will adjust to a new style of play. (Odd photo choice for Jose in that Soccernet piece, no?)

If Inter is to be challenged, the threat will come from Juventus. A mix of veterans and newcomers have the Turin squad poised for success. Fabio Cannavaro is back in black and white and Juve have one of the world's best goaltenders in Gigi Buffon.

Inter's San Siro roommates, AC Milan, have captured only one league crown this decade, and would love to put a stop to their rival's run. But under new Brazilian manager Leonardo, the Rossoneri are a team in transition. Leaders both on the field (Kaka) and in the locker room (Paolo Maldini) are gone, and Milan are among the many teams exercising more fiscal responsibility this year, so it could be a rough go.

Fiorentina have made a habit of earning European berths, but have yet to put together a title run. AS Roma are traditional contenders, but a messy financial situation there undermines their hopes. Teams dead set on making a run in Europe often do so at the expense of the domestic campaign, and if Inter have all eyes on a May date in Madrid, that could open the door for Juventus to take back the scudetto.

USA World Cup 2018/2022: Who Will Be Hosts?

2009-08-20T21:30:00.007-05:00

If there's one undeniable strength of the USA's bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cups, it's our stadiums. You want big facilities? We got 'em. Lots of 'em. There are enough venues in this country to host three World Cups at the same time. With the US bid due next May, today the committee narrowed the list of potential venues down to 32 stadiums in 27 markets.

In April the committee contacted 70 venues to gauge interest. While the efforts to include the entire country were noble, it was unrealistic to think World Cup games would be coming to Lincoln, Nebraska or Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In June requests for formal proposals went to 45 stadiums in 37 markets. (Note to US Soccer: Someone please fix the typo in the headline of that article. "Porposals?") Following the RFP process we have the 27 remaining cities announced today.

The final tournament will most likely include a dozen stadiums as hosts, so here's my take on which 12 US venues would make the best choices in 2018 or 2022.

The Locks
Soldier Field (Chicago), Cowboys Stadium (Dallas), New Meadowlands Stadium (New York): Giants Stadium hosted one of the two semifinals in 1994, and the new stadium would be among the favorites to host the Final this time. Jerry Jones new monstrosity in Arlington is getting rave reviews, with a Super Bowl and Final Four already on the way. The seating capacity could be expanded to 100,000 for the World Cup. And while 61,000 seat Soldier Field would be among the smaller venues, there's no way Chicago isn't on the list.

The Near Locks
Georgia Dome (Atlanta), Gillette Stadium (Boston), Reliant Stadium (Houston), Qwest Field (Seattle), FedEx Field (Washington): Atlanta isn't known as a soccer town, but the city's experience with the Summer Olympics and the number of flights to and from South America and Hartsfield Airport make Atlanta a logical pick. Houston also has experience with big events and a huge airport to handle crowds. Seattle's enthusiastic response to MLS shows it's one of America's soccer hotbeds, while the Boston area has long supported the game. The only thing keeping FedEx Field off the list of "locks" is the thought that M&T Bank Stadium in near-by Baltimore might get the nod instead due to its downtown location, but the Beltway region will certainly be included in some way.

The California Question Marks
Rose Bowl (Los Angeles), Stanford Stadium (San Francisco): LA and the Bay Area will definitely be hosts, but the question is which stadiums will do the hosting. Issues regarding proposed NFL venues have dogged both regions for over a decade. Recent talk centers around a new 49ers home in Santa Clara, and a stadium in City of Industry designed to lure the NFL back to SoCal. Neither of those are on the current list. Will these projects come to completion? Who knows. For now I'll pencil in the Rose Bowl and Stanford Stadium.

The Last Two In
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia): One of the disadvantages to a US World Cup bid is that the size of the country makes it more difficult for fans and players to travel from city to city. To overcome the issue, clustering host cities close together works well. With that in mind, Indy and Philly are my last two selections. Indianapolis is a dark horse, but the city has earned strong marks as a frequent Final Four host and in 2012 gets the Super Bowl. Plus it's just a three-hour drive from Chicago. Situated between New York and Washington, Philadelphia could be part of a "Soccer Express" train taking fans from Boston, New York, Philly and Washington.

Who's Left Out?
The heat of Orlando and Dallas' Cotton Bowl aren't fondly remembered by anyone who played in or attended the 1994 World Cup, so outdoor venues in the Sunshine State are off the list. Games in 108,000 seat Michigan Stadium sound like a cool idea, but anyone who's ever been to Ann Arbor knows that would be a logistical nightmare. Charlotte is a great soccer town and could be a nice pick over Indy, but doesn't have the reputation for hosting big time events.

Finally, I was surprised to see New Orleans not make the cut today. The Big Easy has long been a popular Super Bowl and Final Four venue because of the compact downtown area, including hotels, tourist attractions and the Superdome. On the other hand, setting a group of international soccer fans loose on Bourbon Street might not be the smartest idea, so this could be for the best.

England: The Miracle at Burnley

2009-08-19T20:30:00.000-05:00

There's no accurate comparison in the U.S. to the European system of promotion and relegation, but consider this theoretical scenario. The University of Chicago, a founding member of the Big Ten, revives its long dormant college football program, works its way up through Division III and Division II, and eventually returns to Division I-A status. And in their first home game back at the top level, the Maroons upset Ohio State.

Sound far fetched? That's basically what went down in England today as Burnley shocked Manchester United 1-0. Burnley last played in the top level of English football in the same year that I was born, 1976. Today's home opener was a festive occasion before the opening kickoff, but no one expected Owen Coyle's men to take down the three-time defending champions for the first time in 41 years.

But it happened and tonight the Clarets and their fans are celebrating. While no one is suggesting that Burnley will contend for the title, the win gives them a leg up in their efforts to remain Premier League members beyond this season.

As for the champs, was this a fluke setback or the first signs of a fading dynasty? Last year United surged to the title during a three-month stretch in which they pulled 10 one-goal victories out of 14 matches. (They won three and tied one among the other four matches.) Today ManU were on the wrong end of the simple 1-0 formula that served them so well last season. But Alex Ferguson's men won only one of their first four matches each of the last two campaigns, so there will be little panic at Old Trafford.

All we know for sure tonight is that the evening's result is one that be celebrated at Burnley for years to come.

The Sports Guy and Soccer: Together Again?

2009-08-18T22:45:00.000-05:00

Fans of ESPN.com columnist Bill Simmons, aka "The Sports Guy," may remember his short-lived dalliance with the English Premier League three years ago. In the lengthy but entertaining style that is his trademark, Simmons analyzed the pros and cons of supporting all 20 EPL teams, counting them down in reverse order. In the end he selected Tottenham over Liverpool, promising to cheer on the London outfit through the upcoming season.

And that was the end of that. Other than a couple passing mentions, Simmons was never heard from again on the topic of the Premier League. But now his interest in the game appears to be on again.

Apparently inspired by a visit to last week's USA-Mexico World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Azteca (a great column if you haven't already read it,) Simmons was tweeting about Sunday's Liverpool-Tottenham game, a meeting of his top two squads from the '06 search.

A couple thoughts here. Simmons, one of ESPN.com's most popular columnists, is hopping back on the Premier League bandwagon at the same time that his employer landed the rights to air games in the States. Coincidence or the latest example of the ever-present integration of ESPN properties? My hunch is it's the latter.

Second, in his column Simmons states that Steven Gerrard was "ridiculously, dominantly good in so many different ways," Sunday against Tottenham. Other than a well-taken penalty kick, this was far from one of Gerrard's finer afternoons. Just wait until Simmons watches Stevie G bringing his A-game.

So will the Sports Guy's burgeoning interest in soccer take root this season? We'll have to wait and see. But Bill, if by some chance you read this blog, feel free to join us at The Globe (rated by ussoccer.com as the "Best Soccer Bar in America," to watch some games if you're ever in Chicago.

USA World Cup Bid Gets Social

2009-08-14T23:52:00.008-05:00

As the bid process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups continues, the US efforts have been unveiled on a sharp yet simple Web site that highlights the movement to return the World Cup to the States for the first time since 1994.

As you'll see on the site, the folks behind the bid are rolling out all the top social media tools like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Flickr to bring the campaign to life. Such contemporary thinking on behalf of the US bid team is very encouraging. And if you support the bid, there's a free bumper sticker in it for you!

England: 2009-10 Premier League Preview

2009-08-14T23:30:00.001-05:00

I was getting ready to draft my Premier League preview when I stumbled across the news of ESPN's agreement to air games in the U.S. this season. Talk about a great way to start the season. Now that I've calmed a little from that excitement, it's time to talk Premier League!

If there is a silver lining to the global economic crisis, it might be this: With wild spending down, we are looking at potentially the most competitive season in the history of the Premier League. Only Manchester City flashed serious cash this summer, while the big four migrated back to the pack. A second tier of contenders might have a shot at the title.

But let's not get carried away. The leading candidates are still the big names we're accustomed to seeing, led by Manchester United and Chelsea. Last Sunday's entertaining Community Shield clash could foreshadow a see-saw battle between the winners of the last five EPL titles. While ManU will clearly miss Cristiano Ronaldo and, to a lesser extent, Carlos Tevez, the Red Devils will still contend for a record fourth-straight crown. ManU has gotten off to slow starts but recovered to win the league the last two seasons. To avoid another sluggish opening, they'll need goaltender Ben Foster to show he's capable of replacing the injured Edwin van der Sar on a permanent basis.

The biggest off-season addition among the big four wasn't a player, but rather new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti. The former AC Milan skipper is the fifth man to hold the top post at Stamford Bridge since 2007, but it would be surprising if he doesn't bring stability to the position. Chelsea return a loaded roster, but you have to wonder if their primary focus is the Premier League the Champions League. Europe's biggest prize is the only one Roman Abramovich's men are missing. After crushing defeats against Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona the last three seasons, the quest remains the same. Ancelotti actually won more Champions League trophies (two) than Serie A titles (one) in his time at the San Siro. If that trend is any indicator, the Blues could be celebrating in Madrid in May, while someone else takes the EPL.

Could that someone else be Liverpool? In Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, the Reds have a leading duo as good as any in the world. But in order to capture their first Premier League title, Rafa Benitez's team will need to overcome the maddening inconsistency that sunk their 2009 title bid. Liverpool took 14 points from six matches against ManU, Chelsea and Arsenal, highlighted by a 4-1 romp at Old Trafford. But a series of baffling draws against lesser opponents left the Reds in second, despite only two losses. If they can convert those draws into wins, a long-awaited title will be coming to Anfield.

Arsenal aren't going plummet, but Arsene Wenger's team has suffered too many losses to mount a serious challenge. Waiting to take their place in the leading quartet are Manchester City. Backed by big bucks from their UAE-based ownership, the Blues roster now features Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, along with last year’s key addition, Robinho. But many superstar-laden teams have looked unbeatable on paper. How this group gels under manager Mark Hughes remains to be seen, and questions abound regarding the ManCity defense.

If the race remains tight, Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham could sneak into the mix, but realistically those sides are hoping for a Champions League slot at best. Look for last year's top three to pull away again in 2010. While my heart pulls for Liverpool, by head says Chelsea. God I hope I'm wrong.

If you want EPL previews from more knowledgeable outlets, here are some options:
The Times of London
The Independent
Sky Sports
ESPN Soccernet

ESPN to Air EPL Games in the USA

2009-08-14T20:13:00.007-05:00

Like finding out on Christmas Eve that your parents did buy you that awesome present you wanted, ESPN has announced on the eve of the English Premier League season that EPL games will indeed be shown in the U.S. EPL Talk has the late-breaking story of tomorrow's opening day broadcast of Chelsea and Hull City on the deuce.

Since the summer when ESPN scooped up the U.K. rights to the Setanta package, it was unclear which, if any games would be shown in the States. Now it appears that early Saturday and Sunday games will be a part of the worldwide leader's stateside airings throughout the season. Hooray!

Update: The AP story on the ESPN deal.

The Soccer Haus Joins Forces with The Far Post

2009-08-08T23:24:00.005-05:00

Since November I've been playing soccer on Sundays with fellow members of the Liverpool FC Supporters Club of Chicago in a league run by Chicago's Windy City Wanderers. I hadn't played organized soccer in 18 years, but it's been great fun putting on the Jamie Carragher jersey each week and playing for the Reds. (I'm the only person on the team not wearing a Gerrard or Torres jersey, at least until my brother-in-law and his Dirk Kuyt jersey return in the fall.)

WCW has its own blog, The Far Post, and I've been asked to contribute occasional columns to their site. So coming soon you'll have twice as many places to enjoy my semi-insightful soccer commentary. And for those of you coming over here from The Far Post for the first time, welcome!

Checking in on the Champions League

2009-08-08T18:00:00.002-05:00

On Friday UEFA drew the 10 fixtures that will determine the final qualifiers for this year's Champions League. Under the revised format, 22 teams are already in via automatic qualifying. In one of the most appealing qualifying round meetings ever, Celtic will face 2009 semifinalists Arsenal. For two teams accustomed to appearing in the group stages, a demotion to the Europea League will be tough to take.

While the fixtures in the "Champions Route," are lacking big names, they will accomplish UEFA's goal of getting more countries involved in the group stages. The champions of Moldova, Israel, Cyprus and Latvia are among those just two matches away from a huge windfall.

Germany: 2009-10 Bundesliga Preview

2009-08-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

There's an episode of Seinfeld-the one where Kramer is mentoring a Miss America pageant contestant- where Jerry and George are watching TV in their hotel and George suddenly blurts out "Hey! Yankee game!" Jerry flips the channel and Don Mattingly promptly splits his pants. What does any of this have to do with German soccer? Not much, except when I remembered that the major European domestic leagues get underway tomorrow, like Costanza I thought "Hey! Bundesliga!"

In recent seasons the Bundesliga has emerged as one of Europe's most competitive leagues, with a "Bayern Munich vs. the Field" format unfolding. Of the last eight titles, the big, bad Bavarians have captured four, while four other squads have captured one each. Think of Bayern as the Bundlesiga's Tiger Woods. They open each season as favorites, this year being no exception, and whether or not they play up to expectations determines if a squad from the field can emerge as champions.

Which outsiders can mount a challenge this season? My darkhorse pick is Schalke. The Gelsenkirchen outfit has come close in recent seasons, but are still without a league title since 1958. The addition of master manager Felix Magath should enhance their championship credentials. Plenty of others are in the mix- Hamburg, Wolfsburg, Werder Bremen- but in a crowded group, there's no reason not to pick the safe bet, Bayern Munich, to win their record 22nd title.

Germany knows how to open the season in style. Like the NFL, the curtain-raiser is a primetime affair featuring the defending champs. Friday's only game has Wolfsburg opening at home against 2007 champs Stuttgart. The rest of the league gets started over the weekend.

The Top Five Jerseys in European Club Football

2009-08-01T22:15:00.002-05:00

I received my latest Eurosport catalog earlier this week, one of the highlights of my mail for nearly two decades. How smart are the Eurosport folks? They locked down the URL soccer.com before anyone else. Flipping through the catalog and looking at the jerseys, I was inspired to post my take on the top five jerseys in European club football.

A note before I start the list: all the jerseys listed below are the team's home kits. For reasons I don't understand, European home jerseys are rich with tradition, but for the road versions, anything goes. Squads change looks on an annual basis, and some traveling selections leave you questioning the tastes of team management.

#5: Valencia: The shirts themselves are fairly standard- white with orange trim, the latter no doubt inspired by the local fruit export. What puts these jerseys among the best is the crest. How many other teams have something as cool as a bat perched on their kits? Not many. Inspired by the city's coat of arms, the presence of the bat gives "Los Che" an intimidating look.

#4: Liverpool and Chelsea: Separately neither of these two jerseys are standouts. But when they come together, as they have so often in recent Champions League matches, the contrast is perfect. Liverpool in all red; Chelsea in all blue. Nothing looks better on a European night.

#3: Barcelona: The FC Barcelona crest squeezes a lot of symbolism into a stylish design. According to the team web site, the crest "honours the sporting dimension of the club as well as its connection to its city and country." With the crest set on bold blue and burgundy shirts, the reigning European Champs have an umistakable look. Barca also deserve credit for forgoing corporate sponsors on their shirts and instead promoting UNICEF across the front.

#2: Inter Milan: My love of Inter Milan's kits dates back to an Absolut vodka ad that cleverly pitted Inter and AC Milan on a foosball table. (I was a fan of the ad campaign long before I could legally drink the vodka.) The black and blue in the Nerazzurri's jerseys represent the night and the sky. These colors work so well together, I'm surprised more teams don't go this route.

#1: Celtic: The best jerseys in sports are simple yet distinct; they're immediately recognizable like the New York Yankees pinstripes, the red, white and blue of the Montreal Canadiens, or the Los Angeles Lakers' regal purple and gold combo. Glasgow Celtic, with their classic green and white hoop shirts join that list. The Bhoys' shirts stand out around the world. Little has changed with Celtic's kits since their 1967 European Cup triumph, but the addition of the team crest with a four-leaf clover fits perfectly. As long as there's a Celtic Football Club, these jerseys will top my list.

Let's Make A Deal

2009-07-26T19:45:00.001-05:00

Blockbuster trades have become rare in sports. They're especially rare in European football, where a team is more likely to sell a top player and put the transfer fee towards a future acquisition. That's what makes the recently completed Barcelona-Inter Milan swap of Samuel Eto’o for Zlatan Ibrahimovic so intriguing.

While Eto'o and Ibrhahimovic were both accomplished stars in their former homes, a change of venue should be mutually beneficial. The Swedish international has been a part of three-straight Serie A winning sides, but Champions League success has eluded Ibrahimovic. Joining the defending European champs gives him a chance to help bag the continent's top club prize. And though Eto'o was one of Barca's top talents, at Inter he'll have a greater opportunity to play the alpha dog role.

If Zlatan has his wish, his current and former squads will meet in next May's Champions League Final. If both men play up to expectations, that's a distinct possibility.