Near Post Blog

If you haven’t heard already, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey suffered a horrific broken leg in yesterday’s match v. Sunderland. Ryan Shawcross, who was called into England’s squad shortly after the match, was sent off after a clumsy challenge that resulted in Ramsey’s injury. The tackle was extremely ill-timed, but if you take a close look at Ramsey’s leg, it appears that it was already in a pretty precarious position before Shawcross made contact.

If you’d like to see the injury, and believe me, it’s not for the feint of heart, click here.

Sorry, but it’s true.

Not a whole lot going on this weekend, aside from a handful of big matches. The main draw is the Carling Cup Final on Sunday, and the Chelsea v. Manchester City match tomorrow morning. Keep in mind, that one is in HD, so you really don’t have an excuse not to watch.

Here’s what I’ll be on the couch for over the next few days.

Saturday: Chelsea v. Man. City @7:30am on ESPN2
Sundary: Man. Utd. v. Aston Villa @10am on Setanta and Atletico Madrid v. Valencia @3pm on GolTV

As I mentioned a few days ago, last night I was fortunate enough to have the US play within 1,000 miles of my house. I made the 90-mile trip to Tampa to watch the boys take on El Salvador. If you’ve never been to Tampa, let me just give you a little background information on the travel situation. Everything was rolling along nicely until I hit I-275. It seems like every road in downtown Tampa feeds into it within 300 ft, meaning traffic slows to a crawl, and that might be being generous. I watched the “Time of Arrival” feature of my GPS go from 4:15pm to 4:40pm during a 3 mile stretch. But, with that being said, I made my way to a local bar called World of Beer. I spent about a soccer match’s worth of time bellied up, and probably had 1-2 more beers than I needed, considering it was rainy and the voice on my GPS system is the most annoying thing in the world.

I got to Raymond James Stadium at about 6:45pm, and just made it to my seat as both teams were walking onto the field. Tickets were only sold in three sections of the stadium, leaving the sideline across from my section completely empty. You’ll see what I mean when I post pictures from the match. It was raining for the first 60 minutes of the match, but I was just stoked, and a little buzzed, so the elements didn’t bother me.

But what does bother me, not just in soccer but in American sports in general, is the lack of support of some of the fans. Myself, and three other fans from Atlanta, were standing after a good effort by the US team, and a group of people behind me started crying, “Sit down! We’re trying to watch a game here!”, and all that garbage you get from douchebag fans that have no business at a soccer match. If you want to watch a match while seated, save the $50 and watch it on TV. It wasn’t a little league game, it was the national team playing. Get off your ass and cheer the boys on.

But, aside from the boring, lifeless people that were sitting behind me, the match was great. The US dominated, creating chance after chance, and ended up pulling it out in the last fifteen minutes to win 2-1. And, the El Salvador goal was created off a bad mistake by Clarence Goodsen. Overall though, I thought we might get rolled based on the players available. But, I was pleasantly surprised, and I hope we can carry that momentum into the match v. The Netherlands in a week.

All of the following matches kick-off at 1pm:

Galatasary v. Atletico Madrid on GolTV
Unirea v. Liverpool on DirecTV 462
Shakhtar Donestsk v. Fulham on DirecTV 463
PSV v. Hamburg on DirecTV 464
Roma v. Panathinaikos on DirecTV 465
Marseille v. FC Copenhagen on DirecTV 466
Anderlecht v. Athletic Bilbao on DirecTV 467

All of the following matches kick-off at 3pm

Juventus v. Ajax on GolTV
Sporting Lisbon v. Everton on DirecTV 462
Wolfsburg v. Villareal on DirecTV 463
Hapoel Tel Aviv v. Rubin Kazan on DirecTV 464
Valencia v. Club Brugge on DirecTV 465
Werder Bremen v. FC Twente on DirecTV 466
Fenerbahce v Lille on DirecTV 467
FC Salzburg v. Standard Liege on DirecTV 468

The Guardian has released a UEFA report on the financial status of European football. And, guess who’s at the heart of all the trouble? If you said the Barclay’s Premier League, you’d be correct. According to the report, 18 of England’s top-flight clubs owe an estimated 56% of all of Europe’s football debt. That equates to more than $5 billion. The reason the report only uses 18 Premier League clubs, is that Portsmouth and West Ham were not granted UEFA licenses during the year of the report because of their financial troubles.

It is reported that Manchester United have a reported debt load of over $1 billion, meaning that United have incurred over 10% of Europe’s total football debt. Liverpool also have a debt of $366 million. I’m telling you, the world’s best league is about to fall apart. Portsmouth are near collapse, United have 10% of Europe’s footballing debt, and Liverpool may be in serious trouble is they fail to finish in the fourth spot in England at season’s end. UEFA President, Michel Platini, already appears to have it out for England’s top-flight, making the new report another missile in his arsenal to go after the Premier League.

Tuesday, Feb. 23rd

Olympiacos v. Bordeaux @2:45pm on FSC (Champions League)
Stuttgart v. Barcelona @2:45pm on FSN (Champions League)
Manchester United v. West Ham @3pm on Setanta (BPL)

Wednesday, Feb. 24th

CSKA Moscow v. Sevilla @12:15pm on Setanta (Champions League)
Inter Milan v. Chelsea @2:45pm on FSC (Champions League)
USA v. El Salvador @7pm on ESPN Classic (International Friendly)

I’ll update the Europa League tv schedule tomorrow.

Who can figure these boys out? Only rivaled in talent by Barcelona, Real Madrid have all the makings of a dominant world team, but also have the volatility to completely implode. But, after crushing Villareal 6-2 today, and keeping Barcelona’s lead at only two points, the Royal Whites look poised to make a run on the domestic and European stages.

Oh yeah, Ronaldo scored another banger. Surprise, surprise. After scoring, Ronaldo lifted his jersey to show a shirt that read “Madeira”, to honor the island of the coast of Portugal in which he grew up, which was blasted with flooding over the past few days.

To my surprise, it’s taken me almost six months of having Nearpostblog.com to make any reference to my beer connoisseurism. But, since I have discovered a newfound love of stouts, I figured I’d post a beer of the week for everyone else to enjoy. Now please understand that I won’t be posting Bud Light, Miller Light, Coors Light, or any of that other garbage that we Americans pawn off as beer. Believe it or not, on my trip to the UK a couple of years ago, Budweiser was being sold as the premium American lager, which confused the bejesus out of me. Budweiser is our best beer export? Get outta here!

The beers I’ll be focusing on will be micro-brews from around the world. Also, if you want to get something special in terms of the beer world, you should definitely check out bottletrek.com. These guys have everything you could ever want, or wish for. Click on the link and have a look around.

My first review is a beer by the Great Divide Brewing Co. out of Denver. The beer is called the “Yeti”, and it is an imperial stout. It boasts 9.5% abv, and has a deep, dark color with a dark brown head that disappears a couple of minutes post-pour. The smell is great, as you catch hints of vanilla and coffee, but the smell isn’t overpowering. And as for the taste, the beer has a smooth feel, with hints of coffee and charcoal as it goes down. The beer is definitely heavy, but stouts shouldn’t be any other way. I sampled my first Yeti out of a 22oz. bottle that I got from my local beer store. Overall, I give the beer a B+.

On Wednesday, I’ll be crossing one off my bucket list when I attend the US v. El Salvador match in Tampa, FL. I’ve been meaning to make it to a match for a long time, but living in North Carolina for 25 years, and the US typically playing their home matches in LA and Houston, it made it difficult for me to find the time or money to make the trip. But, moving to the sweat-box that is Orlando, FL, my summer pain and suffering has finally paid off. US v. El Salvador in Tampa on Wednesday @7pm. Oh yes. I was planning on taking my wife to the match when the date was released, but she has a class that she can’t miss. So instead of asking a friend to go, I decided to splurge and take the money I would have spent on both tickets and buy a super-badass seat for myself. I’ll be about 20 rows up, just to the left of the midfield stripe. There is also a U-17 match v. Mexico @4:15pm, and I can’t wait to heckle the young Mexicans who have more talent in their little finger than I have ever had in my entire life. But, I bet they aren’t expert hecklers like myself, so I hope my voice can carry over the 20 rows in front of me and onto the field.

The roster for the US team is made up almost exclusively of MLS players, as the match doesn’t occur during a FIFA sanctioned break. The only non-MLS based player is Clarence Goodson, who plays his club ball in Norway. On paper, it looks like we might be in for it. The 20-man roster boasts only 23 goals in all. Also, there are only nine players that have registered double-figure international appearances. But I understand Bradley’s thought process in naming this squad. This match means nothing in terms of any qualification process, but it gives Bradley a great opportunity to give the fringe players like Kyle Beckermen and Conor Casey the chance to impress and maybe make the 23-man World Cup roster. Also, Bradley is hamstrung by the match taking place during a non-FIFA break, but we all know what we’re getting with Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Tim Howard, etc. And, I guarantee El Salvador has never seen, or heard, a redhead with a mouth like mine.

If you’re going to be at the match, shoot me an email or comment, and we’ll meet up. I’ll be posting pictures from the match as soon as I get home.

Here is the link to see the US roster.

Here’s the Live TV schedule for FSC, ESPN2, Setanta, and GolTV for the weekend. I’ll put stars by the matches I’m going to watch, and if you don’t like it, tough.

Friday, Feb. 19th
Bayern Munich v. Borussia Dortmund @2:30pm on GolTV***

Saturday, Feb. 20th
Everton v. Manchester United @7:30am on ESPN2***
Arsenal v. Sunderland @9:30am on Setanta Sports
Hamburg v. Eintracht Frankfurt @9:30am on GolTV
Wolves v. Chelsea @10am on FSC
Portsmouth v. Stoke @12:30pm on FSC
Deportivo la Coruna v. Xerex @12:30pm on GolTV
Bordeaux v. Auxerre @1pm on Setanta
Barcelona v. Racing Santander @2pm on GolTV***
Inter Milan v. Sampdoria @2:30pm on FSC
PSG v. Toulouse @3pm on GolTV
Corinthians v. Rio Branco @4:30pm on GolTV***
Nacional v. Junior @6:30pm on GolTV
Millionarios v. Cucuta @8:30pm on GolTV

Sunday, Feb 21st
Aston Villa v. Burnley @8:30a on Setanta***
Manchester City v. Liverpool @10am on FSC***
Marseille v. Nancy @11am on Setanta
Almeria v. Atletico Madrid @1pm on GolTV
Bari v. AC Milan @2:30pm on FSC
Rennes v. Lille @3pm on Setanta
Palmeiras v. Sao Paulo @3pm on GolTV***

Apparently, the rules don’t apply in the 89th minute in Munich. Bayern Munich came out a goal better than Fiorentina today, but the winner by Miroslav Klose was oh-so controversial. Klose’s header came when he was more than a yard offsides. Stupid refs!

But, Arjen Robben is talented. Enough said there.

Lukasz Fabianski, pack your damn bags! A double dose of howler gifted FC Porto a vital win in today’s Champions League Round of 16 first leg. As if the first goal wasn’t bad enough, the second showed that Fabianski hasn’t quite mastered the rules of football. I can’t wait to hear the Arsene Wenger interview after this one.

The Soccer on TV tab has been updated through the Europa League matches occurring on Thursday. Check it out in the menu bar! Now!

Guess who can’t figure out the Champions League Round of 16? If you answered Real Madrid, you are as astute as I am! And, if not, keep playing. But, with the off-season additions of Kaka, Ronaldo, and Benzema, one would assume Madrid would at least walk it to the semis. But, you and I both know what it meas to assume.

Madrid were dominant in possession, winning 66% of the ball during the match. And, it took a wonder strike from Jean Makoun to win it, but Madrid still brought the horses, and had no excuse for continuing their lackluster run in the Round of 16. I full expect them to turn it around in three weeks time, but they were less than impressive today.

After taking a two month hiatus, the Near Post is back! I’ve been knee deep in college basketball, and without the Champions League hanging around, it’s difficult to get amped. But, the Champions League Round of 16 started today, and I’m back in full force, my friends.

I had to DVR the AC Milan – Manchester United match, because my wife and I had to take our dogs to the park before they destroyed our house. We have an Australian Shepherd and a Goldendoodle, and if you know anything about those two breeds, you’ll understand why I had to miss the match live. Anywho, to the match.

Overall, the match went in waves. The first and last ten minutes of the match was AC Milan’s, while United dominated the rest. And, by United, I mean Wayne Rooney. This kid has been on the map for years, but since Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit, Rooney has shown that he is capable of scoring goals in bunches. He scored two today, both coming from open-play headers.

Milan took the lead in the third minute, when a Ronaldinho’s deflected shot off Michael Carrick found the back of the net. Milan were then denied a penalty after Johnny Evans’ errant pass found Ronaldinho and Rio Ferdinand appeared to take him down just inside the box, but the referee saw nothing wrong. United equalized through Paul Scholes in the 36th minute, when he whiffed off of a cross, but the ball hit his standing leg and trickled past Dida to level the score. Then the Wayne Rooney show started. He scored both goals within eight minutes, giving United three incredibly valuable away goals. Milan pulled one back through Clarence Seedorf, the ageless wonder, after he redirected a Ronaldinho cross in the 85th minutes. But, United were able to hold on, almost assuring their place in the quarterfinals.

Check it out. There is a long weekend of matches, so click on the “Soccer on TV” tab in the menu bar, grab a couple of beers, and take a seat on your couch.

Liverpool have been struggling on all fronts this season, and they show their faults once again, losing to Reading 2-1 at Anfield. Liverpool had the lead for the entire second half, until a 90th minutes penalty leveled the score, and then Shane Long headed home the winner in extra time. So far this season, Liverpool have crashed out of the Champions League, FA Cup, and Carling Cup, and we’re not even through January yet. Unthinkable at the season’s kick-off.

But, losing to Reading may not be the worst thing to happen to Liverpool. And, based on the need for the club to qualify for the Champions League next season, dropping out of the Europa League might not necessarily be a bad thing, either. I’m not saying that Liverpool should purposefully flame out in Europe twice this season, but the added games would only clutter the fixture list, and force Rafa Benitez to play his best players more often, increasing the risk of injury. Add to that the fact that Benitez has said that Liverpool would likely have to sell Fernando Torres if they don’t qualify for next season’s Champions League, the Barclay’s Premier League should be of utmost importance.

But, one thing I can’t criticize is Benitez’s squad selection. He didn’t treat the FA Cup like a second rate tournament, starting his big guns in Torres, Gerrard, Aquilani, and Kuyt. The only notable exception was Martin Skrtel. So, don’t blame this loss on squad selection, which I can commend Bentiez for.

UPDATE: Liverpool’s woes continue, after the news that Fernando Torres will be out for six weeks after injuring his knee, which will require surgery to repair damaged cartilage. Torres was substituted 30 minutes into yesterday’s FA Cup match, and was replaced by David N’Gog. If that wasn’t bad enough, news has also surfaced that Steven Gerrard will be out for two weeks with a hamstring strain, and Yossi Benayoun will be out three to four weeks with a broken rib. Liverpool have just agreed to terms Maxi Rodriguez, who will transfer from Atletico Madrid on a free transfer. He can’t get to Anfield soon enough if Liverpool have any hope of salvaging a top four finish.

I consider myself a casual reader. One that picks up a book, gets deeply involved in it, then quits after 100 pages. I’ll blame it on time constraints, but I watch a lot of soccer on TV, so I think I could probably finish up about the 300 random sports books I have lying around the place, but there are so many matches. But, I came across a book about a month ago that caught my eye, and once I started reading it, I felt like I had accomplished something after finishing it. I finished the book yesterday, and it took me about a month, but again, I had iron-clad excuses. I had exams, the Champions League was on, college basketball started, the dog ate my homework, etc.

Finn McCool’s Football Club is the book. It centers around a pub in New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city. I won’t give anything away, because its 300 pages are well worth your time. The book is an easy read because you get sucked in by the stories told by the author, Stephen Rea, and you feel like you’re part of the Finn McCool’s starting XI because you know everything about each player on the team. Where’s he’s from, what position he plays, and how he came to call New Orleans home….you get the picture.

The book isn’t simply a book about football. Sure, football has everything to do with why the book was written, but once you being reading, you’ll understand what I mean. The book made me remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that New Orleans was being thrashed by a Category Five hurricane, and I’ll bet the farm you’ll remember too when you pick up the book. But, mixed with all the tragedy that surrounded the Big Easy, comes the story of the pub team that survived the destruction of its home. It’s a story of camaraderie, friendship, and perseverance. If you have an affinity for football, hurricanes, or just want to enjoy a great read, I sincerely suggest that you pick up Finn McCool’s Football Club.

You can find Finn’s at amazon.com, or you can check out Stephen Rea’s website here.