There have been some truly shocking purchases in the Premier League this season but I think I’ve pin-pointed who the worst five are. Without further ado, I’ll just dive right in.
1. Fabricio Coloccini, Newcastle
When you pay £10million+ for a centre-half you expect pure quality. Unfortunately for Newcastle fans they didn’t get that with Coloccini and his performances below par all season. As an Argentinean international you would expect so much more but this frizzy haired flop has brought nothing to the Newcastle team.
2. David Bentley, Tottenham Hotspur
The next David Beckham? Not this season anyway. To be fair to Bentley he has been played out of position a bit but his performances have been shocking and considering Spurs paid Blackburn £15million for his services I think it is fair to say he has been a waste of money.
Bentley can’t even get in the team when Aaron Lennon is injured and it looks almost certain he will be playing his football elsewhere next season.
3. Dave Kitson, Stoke
The ginger haired former Reading striker became Stoke’s record signing last summer when they paid £5.5million to bring him to the Britannia Stadium. It didn’t work out for Kitson at Stoke and he was quickly loaned back to Reading in January without scoring a single goal for the Potters.
4. Nigel de Jong, Manchester City
This may be a bit harsh as he only joined City in January but so far the Dutchman has offered very little to the Man City team. They paid a massive £18million for him in January but they could have waited until the summer and paid a paltry £1.8million, based on his performances since his move it seems a safe Premier League bet that this would have been the better option.
5. Jimmy Bullard, Hull City
Again possibly a little harsh but so far Bullard hasn’t even played 45 minutes for the Tigers. He suffered a knee injury in his first match that ruled him out for the rest of the season, and probably the start of next. To top it all Hull smashed their transfer record and spent £5million on Bullard and are paying him massive wages.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Chatting with Chivas USA: Shavar Thomas
A weekly feature that puts your favorite Chivas USA players on the spot. This week we present you defender Shavar Thomas:
Friday, May 29, 2009
Chivas USA pays official team visit to Disneyland
Chivas USA paid its annual team visit to Mickey Mouse and friends and celebrated the club's Fifth Anniversary at Disneyland Resort on Friday. Players and staff were invited to ride several classic attractions dressed in Mickey gloves and ears as MLS's first-place team was honored with a special cavalcade along Main Street, among other attractions.
PHOTOS: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA
PHOTOS: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA
Chivas USA vs. Chicago Fire game recap!
Preki, Paulo Nagamura, Jesse Marsch and Mariano Trujillo react to Thursday night's disappointing 3-2 loss to the Chicago Fire.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
AUDIOS: Chivas falls to late Fire goal in front of 20,379 in Carson / Chivas pierde con gol de último minuto ante 20,379 aficionados en Carson
Chivas USA allowed two late goals and fell to the Chicago Fire 3-2 on Thursday night in front of 20,379 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco scored two goals on penalty kicks, the second deep into second-half injury time, to give Chicago the win.The loss, Chivas USA’s first at home in 2009, drops the Red-and-White’s record to 7-2-3 (W-L-T) on the season.
However, Chivas USA remains in first place overall in MLS with 24 points. Chicago improves to 5-0-6 on the season and stays in second place in the league with 21 points.
Chivas USA played the last 27 minutes down a man after Jesse Marsch received his second yellow card in minute 63. The match had a total of 11 yellow cards; 7 to Chivas USA and 4 to Chicago.
Chivas USA scored twice in the first half, as Paulo Nagamura hit a long range shot in the 16th minute and Maykel Galindo finished a penalty in minute 37 after he was fouled in the box. Nagamura is now tied for the team lead with four goals, and Galindo scored his second of the season, and his first-ever penalty for Chivas USA.
Fire forward Patrick Nyarko scored in the 89th minute to tie the game at two, and Blanco hit his second penalty kick of the game deep into injury time to win the match. Blanco’s first penalty came in the 25th minute and tied the game at one.
Following the match, Chivas USA will pay a visit to Disneyland Resort on Friday for a series of events as part of the team’s fifth anniversary celebration. The visit kicks off at 9:00 a.m. and will include Chivas USA players on various attractions, a cavalcade along Main Street USA, a special team photo in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, and a special team lunch. For more information, please contact Chivas USA Communications (contact information above).
Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on tonight’s match: “[The late penalty was] a devastating call to the group that played their hearts out… What are you going to do? The results went against us, but I know that group in the locker room is a tough group and will bounce back.” (For a full quote sheet, please visit cdchivasusa.com.)
Chivas USA will play its next match a week from Saturday against Seattle Sounders FC, at The Home Depot Center on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to catch the top two teams in the Western Conference; for more information, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
PHOTOS: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA
AUDIOS
Click here to listen to post-game audios from:
Escuche aquí los audios en español sobre el partido de:
Miami FC Fan Robert Scorca in Honduran News
Robert Scorca is a member of the Miami Ultras and has missed maybe one or two Miami FC games since the team started. He was also a devote Miami Fusion fan and was broken hearted when the Barcelona Miami bid for MLS fell apart. But one thing that many might not know about him is his love of the Honduran National team.Robert was recently interviewed by the Honduran newspaper site Diario DIEZ in an article titled "Robert Scorca, apasionado por la Bicolor". Here is a little I translated:
Robert Scorca is a 53 year old American who has followed the Honduran national team since 2003, his love of Honduras is thanks to the Miami Fusion. “Alex Pineda Chacón, played for the Fusion he is my friend and is a humble person, he keeps in touch with me. Since then I started to identify with Honduras and I am always following what they do and when they come here. I consider myself a Honduran"
Robert says is best friend is "Samuel Caballero, too bad he was not called to the team this time. But I can't just name one player because they all say hello to me when they see me."
Many Honduran Soccer Fans left over 30 comments, most think Robert is a U.S. spy! Here are a few:
Carlos says: "As a Honduran we should learn, many are against the national team, this man from another country follows this team with his heart... Thanks for supporting Honduras..."
Albertini writes: "Ok, I hope you are not a spy!"
Catrachito: "Wow! How I envy him with all those cards of players, right when I was wondering how I could obtain posters of our warriors. I'd love to have a huge poster of our national team with Costly, Pavon, Suazo, Palacios, Guevara, Valladares etc. VERY WELL DONE Mr. Scorca!"
LUIS: "He is a great person I met him at many Honduras games here in Miami. he knows more about the national team then most Hondurans."
Noemi: "For those that say Robert is a spy, don't say things that are not true, you should learn from him and support our national team with your heart. Keep it up Robert!"
Carlos says: "As a Honduran we should learn, many are against the national team, this man from another country follows this team with his heart... Thanks for supporting Honduras..."
Albertini writes: "Ok, I hope you are not a spy!"
Catrachito: "Wow! How I envy him with all those cards of players, right when I was wondering how I could obtain posters of our warriors. I'd love to have a huge poster of our national team with Costly, Pavon, Suazo, Palacios, Guevara, Valladares etc. VERY WELL DONE Mr. Scorca!"
LUIS: "He is a great person I met him at many Honduras games here in Miami. he knows more about the national team then most Hondurans."
Noemi: "For those that say Robert is a spy, don't say things that are not true, you should learn from him and support our national team with your heart. Keep it up Robert!"
Note: Some Honduran fans have even started a campaign to help Robert finance his trip to watch the U.S. vs Honduras match to take place in Chicago on June 6.
Read more of the article and comments in Spanish here
If you see Robert at the next Miami FC game let him know he is famous and buy him a beer!
Hell, buy me a beer too!
Hell, buy me a beer too!
Miami FC player pictures and a few links
This week I had everything planned out... I was going to write about the Watch party at Fritz and Franz this past Saturday which ended in a 0-0 tie between Miami FC and the Minnesota Thunder. Read more here. But at the last minute I didn't go.Then I was going to write about the Open Cup draw that will see Miami FC play vs Lynch’s FC of Jacksonville at Tropical Park on Tuesday June 9, 2009 at 8pm and then I saw the Miami Ultras site already wrote about it. Read it here
Unfortunately I don't have the brilliant creative genius that Burrito has so I decided instead to bring you Miami FC player pictures courtesy of Robert Scorca. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
AUDIO: Cuauhtémoc habla previo al juego de mañana ante Chivas USA
Escucha lo que el delantero mexicano del Chicago Fire, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, tuvo que decir un día antes del partido entre los líderes de la Conferencia Este y Oeste el jueves en El Home Depot Center a partir de las 7:30 p.m. PT.
Blanco participó los 90 minutos en la victoria del único invicto de la liga, el Fire de Chicago, sobre los Red Bulls de Nueva York el domingo pasado. Escuche lo que tuvo Blanco tuvo que decir sobre su condición física de cara al partido ante Chivas USA.
Escuche las declaraciones aquí.
El encuentro será el último partido de Blanco antes de integrarse a la Selección Mexicana de cara a las Eliminatorias Mundialistas 2010 y será televisado por ESPN2 y ESPN Deportes. Favor de revisar el itinerario completo de ambos equipos. Para más información sobre el encuentro, o para comprar boletos, favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visitar cdchivasusa.com.
Blanco participó los 90 minutos en la victoria del único invicto de la liga, el Fire de Chicago, sobre los Red Bulls de Nueva York el domingo pasado. Escuche lo que tuvo Blanco tuvo que decir sobre su condición física de cara al partido ante Chivas USA.
Escuche las declaraciones aquí.
El encuentro será el último partido de Blanco antes de integrarse a la Selección Mexicana de cara a las Eliminatorias Mundialistas 2010 y será televisado por ESPN2 y ESPN Deportes. Favor de revisar el itinerario completo de ambos equipos. Para más información sobre el encuentro, o para comprar boletos, favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visitar cdchivasusa.com.
Chivas USA welcomes Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Fire for Thursday night battle
First-place Chivas USA squares off against Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the second-place Chicago Fire this Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center in one of the most anticipated matches of the year. The Fire are coming off a 1-0 win at New York and are the only remaining undefeated team in MLS, with a record of 4-0-6 (W-L-T), for 18 points, while Chivas USA has a 7-1-3 record, six points ahead of Chicago.
Watch the game preview here:
The match is Blanco’s final road game before joining the Mexican National Team for the upcoming 2010 World Cup Qualifiers for ‘El Tri’, and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. Tickets for the match are going quickly but are still available starting at just $15; for more information, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
Watch the game preview here:
The match is Blanco’s final road game before joining the Mexican National Team for the upcoming 2010 World Cup Qualifiers for ‘El Tri’, and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. Tickets for the match are going quickly but are still available starting at just $15; for more information, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
Chivas USA se enfrenta a Chicago Fire en duelo en la cima de la MLS en Carson
El superlíder Chivas USA se enfrentará mañana a Cuauhtémoc Blanco y su equipo, el invicto Chicago Fire a las 7:30 p.m. PT en El Home Depot Center en uno de los encuentros más esperados de la temporada. El Fire viene de una victoria por la mínima diferencia ante los Red Bulls de Nueva York y son el único equipo invicto en la MLS, con un récord de 4-0-6 (G-P-E), con 18 puntos, mientras que Chivas USA posee un récord de 7-1-3, con seis puntos por encima de Chicago.
Ve lo que los jugadores de Chivas USA, Paulo Nagamura y Mariano Trujillo, tuvieron que decir al respecto:
El encuentro será el último partido de Cuauhtémoc Blanco antes de integrarse a la Selección Mexicana de cara a las Eliminatorias Mundialistas 2010 y será televisado por ESPN2 y ESPN Deportes. Favor de revisar el itinerario completo de ambos equipos. Para más información sobre el encuentro, o para comprar boletos, favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visitar cdchivasusa.com.
Ve lo que los jugadores de Chivas USA, Paulo Nagamura y Mariano Trujillo, tuvieron que decir al respecto:
El encuentro será el último partido de Cuauhtémoc Blanco antes de integrarse a la Selección Mexicana de cara a las Eliminatorias Mundialistas 2010 y será televisado por ESPN2 y ESPN Deportes. Favor de revisar el itinerario completo de ambos equipos. Para más información sobre el encuentro, o para comprar boletos, favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visitar cdchivasusa.com.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
AUDIO Y FOTOS: Fire y Chivas USA entrenan previo al duelo del jueves en El Home Depot Center
Los jugadores de Chicago Fire y Chivas USA entrenaron esta mañana de cara al esperado choque de los mejores equipos de la MLS este jueves, 28 de mayo, a las 7:30 p.m. PT en El Home Depot Center.
El invicto Chicago Fire, comandado por el mexicano Cuauhtémoc Blanco, entrenó la madrugada del miércoles en una cancha exterior al Home Depot Center.
Simultáneamente, los superlíderes de la liga también regresaron de un día festivo de descanso y se declararon listos para enfrentar a su rival del Este.
El partido ante el Fire comienza a las 7:30 p.m. PT el jueves, 28 de mayo, y será televisado por ESPN2 y ESPN Deportes. Pueden adquirir boletos para el juego más esperado del año en El Home Depot Center por sólo $15 al llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visitar cdchivasusa.com o en la taquilla de boletos de El Home Depot Center de 10 a.m. a 6 p.m. el martes y el miércoles, y el jueves de 10 a.m. hasta la hora del partido.
Le presentamos una foto galería y audios a continuación:
AUDIOS (Haga click de derecha y presione 'Save As..." para bajar el audio a su computadora)
Escuche aquí a Eduardo Lillingston hablar sobre el juego y el duelo ante Cuauhtémoc Blanco.
Escuche aquí a Cuauhtémoc Blanco hablar sobre el partido ante Chivas USA.
Esuche aquí a Wilman Conde hablar sobre la racha invicta de su equipo, el Fire.
FOTOS: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA
El invicto Chicago Fire, comandado por el mexicano Cuauhtémoc Blanco, entrenó la madrugada del miércoles en una cancha exterior al Home Depot Center.
Simultáneamente, los superlíderes de la liga también regresaron de un día festivo de descanso y se declararon listos para enfrentar a su rival del Este.
El partido ante el Fire comienza a las 7:30 p.m. PT el jueves, 28 de mayo, y será televisado por ESPN2 y ESPN Deportes. Pueden adquirir boletos para el juego más esperado del año en El Home Depot Center por sólo $15 al llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visitar cdchivasusa.com o en la taquilla de boletos de El Home Depot Center de 10 a.m. a 6 p.m. el martes y el miércoles, y el jueves de 10 a.m. hasta la hora del partido.
Le presentamos una foto galería y audios a continuación:
AUDIOS (Haga click de derecha y presione 'Save As..." para bajar el audio a su computadora)
Escuche aquí a Eduardo Lillingston hablar sobre el juego y el duelo ante Cuauhtémoc Blanco.
Escuche aquí a Cuauhtémoc Blanco hablar sobre el partido ante Chivas USA.
Esuche aquí a Wilman Conde hablar sobre la racha invicta de su equipo, el Fire.
FOTOS: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA
Monday, May 25, 2009
La 'Cuauhtemanía' azota a Los Ángeles
El delantero mexicano y recién convocado a la Selección Mexicana, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, y el Chicago Fire llegaron a Los Ángeles por la madrugada del lunes en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Los Ángeles de cara al partido ante Chivas USA el próximo jueves, 28 de mayo, a las 7:30 p.m. en El Home Depot Center. Tanto Chivas USA como el Chicago Fire entrenarán el martes y el miércoles por la mañana en El Home Depot Center.
El partido ante el Fire comienza a las 7:30 p.m. PT el jueves, 28 de mayo, y será televisado por ESPN2 y ESPN Deportes. Pueden adquirir boletos para el juego más esperado del año en El Home Depot Center por sólo $15 al llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visitar cdchivasusa.com o en la taquilla de boletos de El Home Depot Center de 10 a.m. a 6 p.m. el martes y el miércoles, y el jueves de 10 a.m. hasta la hora del partido.
Le presentamos una galería de la llegada del Cuau y el Fire:
El partido ante el Fire comienza a las 7:30 p.m. PT el jueves, 28 de mayo, y será televisado por ESPN2 y ESPN Deportes. Pueden adquirir boletos para el juego más esperado del año en El Home Depot Center por sólo $15 al llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visitar cdchivasusa.com o en la taquilla de boletos de El Home Depot Center de 10 a.m. a 6 p.m. el martes y el miércoles, y el jueves de 10 a.m. hasta la hora del partido.
Le presentamos una galería de la llegada del Cuau y el Fire:
PHOTOS: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Chivas USA 1-1 Kansas City Wizards :: Lillingston earns fourth goal of year for MLS-leading Chivas
Chivas USA earned a 1-1 draw with the Kansas City Wizards tonight at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan., coming back from a 1-0 deficit to earn the point. Eduardo Lillingston scored his fourth goal of the season off an assist from Sasha Victorine to give the Red-and-White a draw.
The tie improves Chivas USA’s record to 7-1-3 (W-L-T) on the season, good for 24 points and first place overall in MLS heading into Thursday’s match against Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire. The match kicks off on Thursday, May 28, at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center. For more information on the match, or to purchase tickets, call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
The Red-and-White outshot the Wizards 15-8 in the match, but it was Kansas City that took the 1-0 lead in the 56th minute, when Wizards forward Claudio Lopez hit a free kick from 23 yards over the wall and past goalkeeper Zach Thornton.
Chivas USA forward Eduardo Lillingston scored the equalizing goal in the 64th minute, taking a pass from midfielder Sasha Victorine for a close range strike. Victorine now has one goal and two assists in two games against his former club since arriving to Chivas USA on Sept. 15, 2008 in a trade with Kansas City. The midfielder entered the match at halftime, replacing Sacha Kljestan, who suffered a mild left ankle sprain in the first half.
The Wizards finished the match with 9 men after a red card to Josh Wolff in minute 68 and a second yellow card to Santiago Hersig in minute 83. Chivas USA had seven shots on goal in the match, and Kevin Hartman finished with 5 saves for KC.
Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on tonight’s match: “We played a good game, and we'll take the point, regroup and we have a tough game against Chicago coming up.” (For a full quote sheet, please visit cdchivasusa.com.)
Chivas USA is undefeated at home and will return to The Home Depot Center on Thursday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. to face Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire. Don’t miss your chance to catch this important match; for more information, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
The tie improves Chivas USA’s record to 7-1-3 (W-L-T) on the season, good for 24 points and first place overall in MLS heading into Thursday’s match against Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire. The match kicks off on Thursday, May 28, at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center. For more information on the match, or to purchase tickets, call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
The Red-and-White outshot the Wizards 15-8 in the match, but it was Kansas City that took the 1-0 lead in the 56th minute, when Wizards forward Claudio Lopez hit a free kick from 23 yards over the wall and past goalkeeper Zach Thornton.
Chivas USA forward Eduardo Lillingston scored the equalizing goal in the 64th minute, taking a pass from midfielder Sasha Victorine for a close range strike. Victorine now has one goal and two assists in two games against his former club since arriving to Chivas USA on Sept. 15, 2008 in a trade with Kansas City. The midfielder entered the match at halftime, replacing Sacha Kljestan, who suffered a mild left ankle sprain in the first half.
The Wizards finished the match with 9 men after a red card to Josh Wolff in minute 68 and a second yellow card to Santiago Hersig in minute 83. Chivas USA had seven shots on goal in the match, and Kevin Hartman finished with 5 saves for KC.
Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on tonight’s match: “We played a good game, and we'll take the point, regroup and we have a tough game against Chicago coming up.” (For a full quote sheet, please visit cdchivasusa.com.)
Chivas USA is undefeated at home and will return to The Home Depot Center on Thursday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. to face Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire. Don’t miss your chance to catch this important match; for more information, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
Friday, May 22, 2009
New Chatting with the ChivaGirls series
Get to know your favorite ChivaGirls from a different perspective. Today, we present a new weekly series called “Chatting with the ChivaGirls” that will feature a different ChivaGirl each week. Find out their interests, hobbies, favorite celebrities and much more. This week, we meet second-year ChivaGirl Monique, who reveals her dream job, her favorite celebrity, and the secret behind her “intense” dance moves.
Nueva serie de Chatting with ChivaGirls
Conozca a su ChivaGirl favorita desde una perspectiva diferente. Hoy, comenzamos con una nueva serie llamada “Chatting with the ChivaGirls” la cual presentará a su ChivaGirl favorita cada semana. Conozca los intereses, sus pasatiempos, artistas favoritos y mucho más. Esta semana conozca a Monique, una ChivaGirl en su segundo año, que nos hablará de su actor favorito y hasta de su paso predilecto de baile.
Nueva serie de Chatting with ChivaGirls
Conozca a su ChivaGirl favorita desde una perspectiva diferente. Hoy, comenzamos con una nueva serie llamada “Chatting with the ChivaGirls” la cual presentará a su ChivaGirl favorita cada semana. Conozca los intereses, sus pasatiempos, artistas favoritos y mucho más. Esta semana conozca a Monique, una ChivaGirl en su segundo año, que nos hablará de su actor favorito y hasta de su paso predilecto de baile.
Chivas USA trains in Kansas City
Chivas USA arrived in Kansas City on Thursday night ahead of Saturday's match against the Wizards, which will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Español, and W Radio 690 AM. The team arrived at the hotel late on Thursday, and trained Friday at 12:00 noon CT.
Some highlights from the team's practice session:
The team warming up with 6v2 keep-away in a 10x10 box:
The team then moved on to a short-sided scrimmage:
At the end of the practice, Maykel Galindo took the chance to see free kicks from another perspective, and managed to make some saves (though most were with his feet, rather than his hands):
Preki was happy to return to Kansas City, where he spent 9 of his 10 MLS seasons, winning the 2000 MLS Cup with the Wizards.
"It's a good, quiet family town," said Preki. "I enjoyed my time in Kansas City, and obviously my favorite [soccer memories] were winning a couple of trophies here. I'll always have good memories of Kansas City."
Preki also took the chance at practice to meet with a youth team that he had worked with while living in KC. Here he is speaking with them before today's training session:
For more information on tomorrow's match, click here for a match preview from cdchivasusa.com.
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