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Preparing for the World Cup: Player to Watch, Kaká Comments

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Thomas Rooney
Kaká is the leader of the Brazilian squad for the 2010 World Cup.

Kaká is the leader of the Brazilian squad for the 2010 World Cup.

A team does not become one of the World Cup 2010 betting favorites without talent in all positions and great overall depth, but Brazil’s hopes of glory are strongly pinned to the performance of their top player Kaká. The Real Madrid playmaker should be one of the stars of the tournament and prove on a global stage why he was once voted the World player of the year.

Some of the world’s greatest ever players do not have great World Cup records and Kaká’s previous appearances – 25 minutes as a substitute in 2002 and a solitary goal, albeit a superb one, in an unmemorable Brazilian campaign four years later – means the best Brazilian player of his generation might end up being included on that list.

However, everything is in place for Kaká to make this his career-defining year. At 27 he is at his peak and part of a team that is many observers’ favorite to lift the trophy. He is the attacking heartbeat of the Samba Kings, able to prompt attacks with his guileful passing and surging dribbling.

True, the goals have dried up recently – only four since he was voted the world’s best in 2007 – but he is hitting the net regularly for free-scoring Real Madrid and can be expected to get more chances for his national team in the summer, who often go through the motions in friendlies.

Not since 1986 has a World Cup-winner be sustained throughout the tournament by the brilliance of one man, and whilst it might be too much to expect Kaká to hit the heights Diego Maradona reached in Mexico, if he plays his best it is probably safe to say that World Cup 2010 odds will back Brazil to become world champions for the sixth time.

Preparing for the World Cup: Will Maradona’s Ego Cost Argentina? Comments

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Thomas Rooney
Is Diego Maradona capable of leading Argentina to success at the 2010 World Cup?

Is Diego Maradona capable of leading Argentina to success at the 2010 World Cup?

Usually World Cup previews focus on the players who are likely to be involved but Argentina, as with most things involving Diego Maradona, are a special case. The sputtering qualification campaign which saw the Albicelestes secure their place in the tournament with a late goal against Uruguay was well documented. Equally well reported was Maradona’s foul-mouthed rant which followed that win. His outburst earned him two month ban from his official duties, meaning he missed the 2010 Football (Soccer) World Cup Draw.

However, it’s highly unlikely that Maradona’s absence is the reason behind a lacklustre run of friendly games for Argentina. A defeat to Spain in November suggests the side will struggle to cope when it comes up against the leading contenders at the World Cup. More worrying though were the unconvincing wins over Costa Rica and Jamaica. The former was described by Argentine newspaper La Nacion as “a victory which didn’t provide the necessary answers”.

Despite this, Maradona said that he has decided on 60 per cent of his squad already. And this could be part of the problem. Although players such as Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano would no doubt walk into any other team in the world some of the manager’s other favourites are more puzzling. Jonas Guiterrez is a fine example of this. He currently plays in the English Championship and although his pace and ability to go past players are not in question, he struggles with crossing and shooting and it’s hard to envisage him ever making a massive impact on the world stage. Read the rest of this entry →

St. Louis Athletica Announces 2010 Schedule Comments

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Lauren Salter
Chicago Red Stars vs St. Louis Athletica

St. Louis Athletica announced their home and away schedule for 2010 on Thursday. The second season of the WPS will show four more games per team, bringing the total of games played to 24. The Athletica will host 12 home games at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park this year.

A major highlight of the year starts immediately, with the Athletica hosting WPS Player of the Year Marta and FC Gold Pride on April 11.

“I love that we open up against Marta,” goalkeeper Hope Solo said. “Now that is the way to kick-off the season! Big game right out of the gate, you got to love that.”

The Athletica will also face FC Gold Pride on Wednesday, June 9.

St. Louis will travel to Chicago on Saturday April 17 to take on the Red Stars in their home opener. They will be looking for redemption as Chicago beat the Athletica in their home opener in 2009.

With the new 24-game schedule, the Athletica will play the seven other WPS teams at least three times each. They will face the Washington Freedom, Atlanta Beat and Chicago Red Stars four times.

Read the rest of this entry →

Preparing For The World Cup: As One Problem is Solved, Another Develops Comments

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Thomas Rooney
Wayne Rooney and England is getting ready for the World Cup.

Wayne Rooney and England is getting ready for the World Cup.

The scramble for World Cup places is well underway. All potential England squad members know they need to prove to Fabio Capello that they are fit and in form, with little managerial instinct or sentimentality coming into play. There will be no bizarre call-ups this time around, no repeats of the Theo Walcott controversy in 2006.

Despite this, there are several ‘untouchables’, notably Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Barry, Ashley Cole and, still on the list, John Terry. Football World Cup Betting experts know that these players are guaranteed a place on the place to South Africa, dependant on fitness.

This means there are as many as 15 places still up for grabs and it is ironic that the Three Lions are suddenly stronger in attack than in defence. Finding in-form strikers has been a problem that has plagued England recently, with the centre of defence looking after itself.

Not anymore. Wayne Rooney is in the best form of his life and seemingly ready to take the finals by storm. Jermain Defoe is enjoying his most productive season, whilst Darren Bent is back in the goals after finding regular football at Sunderland.

Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole’s seasons have been disrupted by injury, but so good has Peter Crouch’s form been at Tottenham, they have not been missed. Gabriel Agbonlahor is ready to make the step up to international level. Read the rest of this entry →

FC Gold Pride Release Brandi Chastain; Is This the End? Comments

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Alondra Hernandez

Is this the end for Brandi Chastain?

Is this the end for Brandi Chastain?

Breaking news has come out of the Bay area sports world as FC Gold Pride announced today that they have released veteran Brandi Chastain.

“We are grateful to Brandi for the contributions she has made to our team, organization and to the growth of the game,” explained Pride General Manager Ilisa Kessler. “She has been an outstanding representation of the Pride and Women’s Professional Soccer.”

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Brandi and her foundation, Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI).”

Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya explained that it was a tough decision to make, but it was necessary to make the best possible roster for this season of WPS. “She is a great leader and we all wish her the best as she moves forward with her career,” he added.

Chastain is widely remembered for one moment in the 1999 Women’s World Cup. She scored the game-winning penalty kick against China to win it all for the USA. What came next is what the 90,185 fans at the Rose Bowl, and thousands more watching on their TV all across America witnessed. She ripped off her jersey, as often seen by male soccer players, and caused arguably the most controversy in women’s sports to this date. Read the rest of this entry →

PUMA Hardchorus; When Your Mate Can’t Compete With Your Mates Comments

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Todd Civin
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For those of us who can’t decide between our “mates” and our “mates” this Valentine’s Day, the creative minds at PUMA have come up with the perfect gift.

Think of how deep you’d be buried in the doghouse if a Feb. 14th match between Chelsea and Arsenal took precedent over the whispering of sweet nothings into the ear of your better half.

Thanks to the PUMA Hardchorus, sports enthusiasts of all kinds can go on-line and dedicate a special song to that special someone. That someone who is destined to be home alone on Valentines Day, while you’re busy knocking back a pint with fans of the team that makes your heart skip a beat. Read the rest of this entry →

  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Bill Bradley – An All-American Hero
      March 4, 2010 | 11:06 pm
      Bill Bradley was a three-time ALl-American at Princeton.

      Bill Bradley was a three-time All-American at Princeton.

      In honor of the upcoming NCAA “March Madness”, we recognize as the March Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month a former college basketball superstar who helped lift a college not known for its basketball prowess to unprecedented heights.

      Bill Bradley embodied the true meaning of the term student-athlete. A Rhode scholar, Bradley was a three-time All-American at Princeton University and was the College Basketball Player of the Year as a senior in 1965.

      Read more »

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