soccer

We really need some points from this match. Quite the weather for the match in Colorado... Go Yanks!

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Organized crime gangs have fixed or tried to fix hundreds of soccer matches around the world in recent years, including World Cup qualifiers, European Championship qualifiers and and two UEFA Champions League games, Europol announced Monday.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1326579/680-matches-suspect-in-soccer-match-fixing-probe?cc=5901

 

The only thing new about this investigation is the scope, involving looking at 380 matches in Europe and another 300 in the rest of the world. Fifty people have already been arrested.

I know this is pretty OT, but I thought we might all enjoy a little debate about it. If you haven't seen this yet, take a watch below:

In the above video, Chelsea star Eden Hazard decides that the proper response to a kid's fumbling (gamesmanship? Does it really matter?), is to give him a swift kick in the ribs. I thought I would check in to see what you all think about this. A few points for discussion:

1 - How do european soccer fans' responses to this compare to US sports fans' responses to players on field activities? I notice a lot of commenters beneath that video are berating the boy for falling on the ball, basically defending Hazard's kick.

2 - In that vein, what was the boy doing there? Some say he was trying to kill time to hasten the end of the game, towards whatever ends. Others say Hazard pushed him over and he was just discombobulated on top of the ball after he fell.

3 - Is a red card enough for this kind of behavior? The boy was not a player in the game nor a part of either team. Whether you think the boy was simply clumsy or intentionally trying to mess with time in the game, do you think a red card handles it, or should there be something more severe?

4 - How does this differ from, say, a streaker trying to get into the game, and getting clocked by a linebacker or something? When those guys get hit, do you feel they deserve it?

Congratulations to Kofi Opare for his selection by the reigning champions of MLS, LA Galaxy. Apare was the 5th pick in the 2nd round and 25th pick overall.

Superdraft results here. 

MLS bio here.

U-M bio here. 

 

MLS Combine coverage featuring Opare.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sportvideo/9778415/AC-Milans-Kevin-Prin...

Some of you guys might recognize Boateng and some of us probably remember him from Ghana's victory over the US team in the 2010 world cup.

 

The former Portsmouth and Tottenham midfielder was so incensed by the chants emanating from one corner of the ground that he picked the ball up and booted it towards the offending supporters in the stands before ripping off his shirt and storming off the pitch.

There was a brief period of confusion as players from both sides tried to talk to Boateng, but Milan’s Italian captain Massimo Ambrosini instructed the rest of the Milan team to walk off in a show of support for Boateng.

 

IME this is could bring long overdue attention to addressing the racism rampant in soccer culture overseas.

EDIT: Oh, just, don't even read the comments on the link. 

Delete if inappropriate, though hopefully this is informative.

Per USSoccer.com (link),

Landon Donovan and Break Shea have been ruled out of the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after further evaluations conducted by the U.S. Soccer medical Staff on Tuesday morning. U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has indicated that no immediate replacements will be added to the roster.

Donovan suffered a knee injury in the LA Galaxy's 2-1 loss this past Saturday night. He will return to Los Angeles later today to be further evaluated by club doctors.

Shea entered camp with an abdominal strain that kept him sidelined for FC Dallas since Sept. 29. Shea will continue treatment in Dallas....

Also USSoccer.com reported on Wed (link) that

U.S. defender Edgar Castillo has been ruled out of both upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches with a foot injury following an MRI evaluation this afternoon, and Fabian Johnson will not participate in the Oct. 12 match against Antigua & Barbados while he recovers from the flu. Johnson will join the team in Kansas City, Kan., to prepare for the team's final qualifying match of the Semifinal Round on Oct. 16 against Guatemala.

Hopefully, everyone gets well soon, especially Fabian, who can get back for Guatemala.  Dang, was looking forward to seeing Landon & Brek. Wonder who goes in at LB against Antigua & Barbuda with starter and backup out.  Commence panic?!