Double Double Toil and Trouble

It's not even October yet, the usual witching month, and Cristiano has been hit by a spell.
From the Daily Mail, as first reported in El Mundo.

Cristiano Ronaldo is under attack from a witch who has been hired to inflict a serious injury on the Real Madrid star.
It is claimed that a famous figure who knows the winger well has hired the practitioner to cast a voodoo spell.
‘I have nothing against this grand club,' wrote the anonymous witch in a letter to the El Mundo newspaper. 'I am a professional and get paid very well for using my powers.
'I have been contracted so Cristiano Ronaldo suffers a serious injury. I can’t promise that will be, but I can say he will be injured for more time than he plays.
'The person who has contracted me is famous, and knows the player personally.'
Madrid have shrugged off the claims, with a spokesman describing it as 'a stupid thing just like all the others Madrid comes across every day’. [end article]

I imagine the voodoo incantation would go something like this (with apologies to Shakespeare):

*stirs cauldron*

Double double toil and trouble
Cast on Ronny to burst his bubble.
Although he scampers down the wing
He will not hear Madridistas sing.
And if he falls upon the pitch
It won’t be caused by a stupid old witch.

Of course this is all mumbo jumbo, because we know that he could never be felled by voodoo...his flicks, tricks, and flair ARE voodoo! :)

El Enfado de CR7plus2

Manchester United is flying high...celebrating O'Shea's goal against Stoke

Why did I leave United?

This was bound to happen sooner or later.


Cristiano had wowed the fickle crowds of the Bernabeu with his tricks, flicks, and goals. Last week he broke the Real Madrid record for scoring in the first four games of the season...no other player in RM history had done that. They were singing his praises...he will surely win the Trofeo Pichichi (for the most goals scored in La Liga)...cantar cantar cantar...until yesterday.

RM were winning an otherwise boring match with Tenerife, promoted this year and considered minnows of La Liga. But the score was not indicative of the match at all. RM won 3-0, but Tenerife retained possession 57% of the time to RM's 43. As usual, the RM defense looked more like Swiss cheese than the properly-aged Manchego that a Primera Division side should have. Tenerife had many chances to score, and if their strikers would have finished or had better luck, then the score would have been very different.

At halftime, Kaka entered the match and scored a wonderfully-hit goal that the Tenerife keeper couldn't handle. Benzema, the spotty striker purchased from Lyon this summer, knocked in two more. One was a bungle by a Tenerife defender, but the other was a solid hit.

But that RM defense.........!Ay Dios!!! As I watched the match, I couldn't help but replace the jerseys of Tenerife with a more-proven side, such as Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus. When I did that, all of a sudden the score seemed vastly different. Their strikers don't miss the chances that Tenerife had. Their defenses do not let minnows walk through them and score. If RM expect to have any success on the world stage, then their defense will have to improve leaps and bounds. The minnows they have played so far have outplayed them, albeit unlucky to break the bag.

So...it was the 79th minute. My eyes could not believe what I was seeing. Cristiano was exiting the pitch in favor of Diarra. Why? Who knows what goes through the mind of Pellegrini. Did he think that Cristiano was tired? Impossible!! Cristiano always played 90 minutes in Manchester, in a faster, more physical league. Unbelievably...one player who played the entire match was Raul. Raul (or Baul as Madridistas mockingly call him) did nothing the entire match and did nothing after Cristiano left. Why not substitue him instead? (I have to add that one comment on marca.com called Raul "Tutanbaul"...in reference to the mummy! haha)
This is where the story gets interesting. As Cristiano exited the pitch, he did not shake the outstretched hand of his manager, Pellegrini. Nor did he even look his way. When Cristiano neared the banquillo (bench), he angrily kicked a ball that was in his way. If not for the hands of Dudek, the backup keeper for Madrid, the ball would have careened on to the pitch.
After the "match," Pellegrini addressed the press and said, "El enfado de Cristiano no tiene importancia." The anger of Cristiano has no importance. Hmmmmmm.
Curious to know what the fickle fans of the farce that is Madrid thought, I turned to Marca.com and AS.com, the two leading sports journals in Spain. Whoooaaaaaaaaaa!
Here are a few choice selections...(I translated from Spanish for you...no extra charge):

This is incredible. A player shows no respect for the trainer and then five minutes later this "tio" says it has no importance? I had thought that Florentino (Perez) had learned from his past errors, but I see he is committing the same mistakes. SMALL PUPPET PELLEGRINI! As always, you will be eliminated in the same month as the rest (alluding to the fact that Madrid has had 11 managers in 10 years), and fighting for the league and nothing else.

Pellegrini has the dreams of many...to have individuals like Kaka, Cristiano, and Benzema to compensate for the bad play of Real. Without them Real has nothing!

Pellegrini is not a trainer for this Madrid!!!! Rotations for what? Ronaldo is a machine who doesn't need to pause!!! With these rotations, Real plays very bad.

CR is not the only transgressor. For me the Trofeo Pichichi goes against the essence of football as a team sport. To win this trophy, the most egotistical (and I am not giving names) take every penalty, take every freekick, do not pass to those who are best located, etc. In time there should be an award for the most assists for goals. Then the Xavis, Kakas, and Iniestas would be recognized for their support to the spectacle. The golden boot should be an award for the most complete, including number of goals. (This person is alluding to the fact that Cristiano is in line for the award because he has the most goals in La Liga right now...but is accusing him of not passing to his teammates...which is ridiculous. His teammates can't keep up with him...that's why he doesn't pass to them!)

and lastly...

Do you know what makes me laugh? That the season has barely begun and already CR has given Pellegrini bad faces! jaja Everyone remembers what happened against City last year, but in reality there were few bad faces from CR during 6 years with United, while he has already given 6 to Pellegrini and the season has only started. He only gave about 6 total during his 6 years with United and do you know why? Because Ferguson is the leader at United, Pellegrini is only the coach, Ferguson is not only the coach but the sports director, the technician and the president in gest. Ferguson's nickname is "the gaffer" and he has earned it. Pellegrini only "thinks" he is in charge. And everyone knows you don't pay 94 million for a player to sit on the bench. If Madrid isn't careful, Cristiano won't want to play anymore!!

There you have it. I included a few examples, but couldn't put most of them in my blog because I would have had to censor them.
I will respond to the last comment. I think Cristiano has succeeded despite his teammates not because of them. When he stated the other day that he would not change his style of play to be in Spain, I think that must have ruffled the feathers of their "manager." But if Pellegrini continues to have Cristiano warm the bench, when he has scored the most goals of any Blanco, it will be HIM that gets the boot...like the litany before him!

Not acknowledging his "manager"

The Cream Rises To The Top

Nemanja Vidic shows the Potters how you get to the top.

One of my favorite attributes about Manchester United is that it is never over until it's over. In last week's derby against Manchester City, the Reds looked to draw against the Blues in a hard-fought battle. But with seconds on the clock, Michael Owen left the neighboring wannabes...well..."wannabeing."


The Reds are always slow starters in the Prem League, and this year has been no different. Chelsea always manages a big start to the season and then slowly fades, as they did last year when they ended up third behind Liverpool and the champions, United.


A perfect start for the Blues this season, with 6 wins and 18 points (although some wins were not so convincing) put them ahead of United in the standings...until today.
In an away match against Stoke City, United outplayed the Potters and won 2-0 on goals from Dimitar Berbatov and John O'Shea. Both goals were assisted by United captain, Ryan Giggs.
Chelsea struggled in their away match against Wigan Athletic, and their keeper, Petr Cech, was ejected. The offending play gave Wigan a penalty, which they converted easily. Now playing with ten, instead of eleven, Chelsea could not keep pace with the Latics. Late in the match, Chelsea suffered another blow with injured player Ashley Cole. Now down to nine (because they had used all their subs), the Blues gave up another goal in injury time...3-1.


The Latics had not beaten a top-four team in 34 attempts. But I guess the 35th time was the charm. Manager Roberto Martinez summed up his team's attempt:


"When you are Wigan and playing against the top four you have options, you can be brave and beat them or you can get hammered. That is what happened. We were beaten 4-0 and 5-0 (by Arsenal and Man United) and today the only reason we won is because we learned our lessons. We have been brave from the first moment and no-one can say we did not deserve the win. That is a big compliment to our club."


What did this match mean to United? That they vaulted to the top of the Prem League Table in front of Chelsea (on goal differential). But with only 7 games played out of the 38 matches this season, the fight is hardly over. Little mistakes can cost you big, though. Last year, Liverpool was in front of United at Christmas...one month later, United was in front of Liverpool by 10. It can happen that fast.


Has the tide turned already? I hope so...


For full match analysis, follow this link to manutd.com

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B3165B97F%2D681E%2D4B39%2DBE53%2D94EC9521C3DA%7D&newsid=6640396

Say It Isn't So, Joe!

First the Adebayor/van Persie scandal, then Diouf lying about the banana-throwing, now we have cheaters? It hasn't been a good week for footy.

UEFA, who promote the Champions League and Europa League, are currently investigating the possibility of betting scams for CL and EL ties. Involving mostly Eastern European teams who have little to no chance of advancing to the "payoff rounds," UEFA claims they are looking to cash-in early by losing.
I have attached a link for the full article from the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1216194/One-big-fix-40-European-ties-hit-bets-scam-UEFA-probes-Champions-League-match-fixing.html

I've long been weary of betting in football, especially since so many of the teams in the Premier League have shirt sponsors who are betting firms.

A Giggle From The Sun

This newspaper makes me laugh. Although I'm sure he does watch the matches, he would never give an interview to them.



Ronaldo: I still love Man Utd
Published: 25 Sep 2009

CRISTIANO RONALDO has revealed he still loves Manchester United — and watches them on TV whenever he can.
The Portuguese winger moved from Old Trafford to Real Madrid this summer in an world record £80million deal.
But despite that switch fulfilling a boyhood dream, Ronaldo still harbours affection for his old club.
He said: ""Every time I can, I try to watch United's games on television.
"I still like to know what's happening at Old Trafford. And despite now being at Real, I'm always happy when I know when United have won."
Ronaldo has wasted no time getting into the groove with his new team, becoming the first Real Madrid player to score in his first four league games for the club.
But while his skills may no longer be on show in the Premier League, the 24-year-old believes one man can step up to replace him.
He added: "I've also seen that Nani is playing much more than he was last season when I was there. That's good for him and he will benefit from that.
"Now he has more opportunities to play, he will be able to show the fans just how great a player he is.
"We still speak regularly on the phone. And it's good to see United's fans are starting to appreciate him more and have been happy with his form up until now.
"Nani is an excellent player. There's a lot more to come from him and I'm sure that in a few years he will be amongst the best players in the world."

I like Nani...but one of the best players in the world? Or by "amongst the best players in the world," he meant that he would play along side them? hehe Come on, CR...he already does!....at United!
In other CR news...he was mentioned in an article by the Daily Mail about Michel Salgado. Salgado was dropped by Real Madrid a month ago to make way for the new signings. He joined Blackburn Rovers (a stone's throw from Manchester United in Cheshire). I have attached the very nice article about him.
This is the quote about CR:
"I spoke to Cristiano Ronaldo and he said I’d enjoy the Premier League. Everyone says the way of life in England, with the weather, is boring but he says that is not real. He says that you live well, the food is good, the way of working in a club is incredible."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1216145/Real-Madrid-I-beach-Margate-says-Blackburn-Rovers-new-boy-Michel-Salgado.html#ixzz0SAUzUkgY

Michael Owen is a Made Man(c)!

Goal poacher, stupified defender, beaten keeper, jubilant Stretford End!


Vidic, Valencia, Carrick, Owen, and Fletcher celebrate (with Trollvez, #32, left to sulk)

Sir Alex gets the evil eye from City manager Mark Hughes (former United player)

Well said... (a dig at the obscene amount of money spent by City during the summer)

Idiotic goof on the Trollvez "Welcome to Manchester" billboard. Michael Owen had a reputation for being a "serial crock" (always injured). Stretford (End) is the chanting fans section of Old Trafford (the borough of Stretford lies just outside of Trafford).

Mafia movies have made big money for Hollywood throughout the years. Profits from The Godfather series alone would be too staggering to imagine. Whether strolling through the hills outside Palermo, or in the back alleys of Chicago, the characters in each flick are basically the same: the Don, the consiglieri, the huge enforcer with no brain, the loudmouth nobody trusts, and the quiet soldiers who do the bidding of the Don. The one characteristic that they all share is...they are "made" men; they've done the time in the trenches and tallied their first kill.

Let's leave the hills of Palermo and travel a few thousand miles to the northwest.

Setting: Trafford (Borough of Manchester)

It is difficult to put into words what a derby means. Pronounced darby in the Queen's English, it is a footy spectacular played between two teams situated in the same city. Twice per year fans in the English Premier League (EPL) are treated to a home derby and an away derby. Liverpool v. Everton, Chelsea v. Arsenal, and a host of other teams. But the only one which truly concerns me is Manchester United v. Manchester City.

Although some Mancunians (Mancs) who reside within the city limits (and follow City) claim that Manchester United should not be called such because it lies in the borough of Trafford, United is indeed on the Greater Manchester horizon and on the lips of those who know nothing about soccer; if one said "Manchester" while playing Password...the most popular response would be, "United."

Derbys are hard-fought and usually involve trashtalk before, during, and after the match. This year promised to be even worse, with a former United player (whom I will call Trollvez) now featuring for their rivals after a bitter contract dispute (and United-bashing from the troll). City erected a huge billboard in the center of Manchester (Deansgate) with a picture of the troll, with outstretched arms, that read... "Welcome to Manchester!" Of course this didn't sit well with United followers, who rarely even think about the bottom-dweller Blues. After all...they have won nothing and United...well...the list of accolades is too long to mention.

On Sunday last, the annual Fall gathering of the red side of Manchester and the blue (as in always sad..hehe) side of Manchester commenced at United's playing ground, Old Trafford.

76,000 fans were treated to a barnburner (largely due to United's 3 gifted goals to City), and the Red faithful were victorious, 4-3.

Locked at 3-3, thanks to a 90th minute goal by City's Craig Bellamy, the City fans were grateful for a draw against the current World Club Champions, EPL Champions, and Carling Cup Champions. But...they forgot one important fact. United...doesn't...settle...for...draws. That's why they've actually won something, compared to their trophyless, whinging (that's how you spell it in the Queen's English), upstart neighbors.

So where did United find the 4th and decisive goal? Via a lad hailing from Chester, refined by Liverpool, treated poorly by Real Madrid (as are all!), sold to Newcastle, and purchased by United (for no fee!) this past summer. Yes...Michael Owen.

World Player of the Year in 2002, Michael Owen was the darling of Liverpool. A true goal-poacher nicknamed the "fox in the box," Owen created goals by canvassing the area just waiting for a loose ball. His stay in Madrid was short (just one year) and then he ended up back in the EPL at Newcastle United. A few knocks to his knees earned him a reputation for being a "serial crock." During this time, he also played for the English National Team and was their star striker.

This past summer his contract with Newcastle expired and he was looking for a team. He sent out a 35-page dossier on himself just hoping for a bite from anyone. Who came calling? One Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United. Jumping at the chance to play for one of the most powerful and successful teams in the world, Owen was given an offer he couldn't refuse...a "pay to play" contract, meaning he would only be paid if he featured in a match. Ferguson was up front with Owen and the fans by saying that he would not be a regular starter, but would be sent in at the right time to kill a match. And that he did.

With seconds left to play last Sunday, he was hovering at the shoulders of the bewildered City defenders (happy with the draw), and then it happened. A ball knocked out of the box (by Wayne Rooney) landed at the feet of the United captain, Ryan Giggs. Owen waited for Giggsy to deaden the ball, then waved his arms to say, "Unbelievably, I'm not marked!!!" Giggsy flicked the ball through the defense to the feet of the "fox in the box" and with a desperate City defender in tow, Owen ran right at the keeper....and straight into the history books of Manchester United. 76,000 fans went berserk (oops!...I mean 73,000...I don't think the City fans were cheering!), and Owen screamed past the Stretford End (home to the most vociferous United fans), waving his arms and jumping into the arms of his teammates! Sir Alex (the Don) leapt to his feet and scampered on to the pitch, much to the chagrin of the now downtrodden City manager (and former United player!). The photos of the match are unbelievable and truly capture the excitement, despair, and utter disbelief of most in attendance. Dubbed "the derby of all time," it is perhaps ironic that the winning goal was scored (in the 95th minute) by a man who used to wear the red of Liverpool, was unemployed as of June, 2009, and featured (on crutches) in an internet viral spoofing the Trollvez billboard in Deansgate (see photo above).

Sent in for the kill by the Don (Sir Alex), aided and abetted by his fellow soldiers...with one kick Michael Owen became a made Man(c).

Welcome to Manchester.

Man United Teach Their Neighbors a Valued Lesson

I was going to write an article about this, but Rob Kelly of the Telegraph said everything I wanted to say....

In response to the idiotic billboard in downtown Manchester featuring a photo of the now ex-Red Carlos Trollvez...18x Prem League Champs 3x Champions League Winners 11x FA Cup Winners...enough said. Go home, pretenders!

Michael Owen celebrates his winner with Carrick, Vidic, and Valencia

Wayne Rooney marks the win with Michael Owen (poor Trollvez has to look on...#32)

Manchester United showed why they are champions with victory over Manchester City

By Rob Kelly Football Last updated: September 20th, 2009

After 96 minutes of brilliant, breathless football at Old Trafford on Sunday, the TV cameras panned straight to Michael Owen, whose last-gasp goal had just won one of the most pulsating Manchester derbies in history for Manchester United. Emblazoned across his face was a beaming smile, while tumbling down from the stands chants of “United, United” filled the air. The only surprise was that the home supporters chose not to sing another terrace favourite, “That’s why we’re champions”, for this truly was the stuff of champions.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men may have left it late to put their nouveau riche neighbours in their place, but their second-half display showed Manchester City that they still have some distance to go before they can consistently challenge United’s hegemony. Despite the errors in defence, despite Craig Bellamy’s 90th-minute equaliser, United still kept pushing, kept believing and kept their composure. It is what champions do.
In many ways, it was an imperfect display from United, because while they thrilled in attack, in defence they were surprisingly sloppy. Ben Foster and Rio Ferdinand were directly culpable for City’s first and third goals respectively, while John O’Shea should not have let Bellamy cut inside for the second, brilliant as it was. It will be a concern to Ferguson, but he will have no such worries about his team’s character for despite the cracks in defence, in attack United were flawless, led by the old maestro Ryan Giggs.
The Welshman was seen by some as a controversial selection as last season’s PFA player of the year, but on Sunday he showed his enduring class with an electrifying performance that made a mockery of those doubters who thought displays like this were now beyond him. Giggs at times was simply unplayable, and his crossing, passing and vision were too much for City to deal with. Some going for a 35 year-old.
Darren Fletcher deserves huge credit, too. Arsene Wenger moaned about his combative approach when United beat Arsenal last month, but in reality the Scottish midfielder is a fine player who is finally getting the recognition his exceptional improvement warrants. Sky pundit Jamie Redknapp asked after the Manchester derby if there was a player more improved in world football than Fletcher. I don’t know about the world, but in the Premier League he can justifiably lay claim to that title.
Giggs and Fletcher deserved to be on the winning team, but it was hard not to feel sorry for City’s players, who added so much to a magnificent contest. Feeling sorry for Bellamy is not something I am usually predisposed to, but he was superb on Sunday and took both of his goals with aplomb. He must be wondering how he left Old Trafford with nothing to show for a startling display. The same can be said of the imperious Shay Given, who thrived as United swarmed forward in the second half, repelling attack after attack after attack. Of all Mark Hughes’s signings at Eastlands, Given is surely the most astute.
But in the end, Given was beaten six minutes into stoppage time as United’s self-belief and Owen’s sure touch propelled them to the sort of late victory that they have perfected down the years. It was a stellar match, won by a stellar side who showed just why they are champions.

Rumblings from Espanha

Galactico's 50/50 on Real No.9 Ronaldo

2009-09-18

Cristiano Ronaldo's new Real Madrid team-mates are divided in opinion as to whether the £80million superstar is good for the club, according to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague. The Portuguese winker has enjoyed an impressive start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu with his two goals on his European debut for Los Blancos in the 5-2 win over FC Zurich taking his tally to four in just three games.However, life may not be all that rosy according to Balague, who believes some Real stars are getting rubbed up the wrong way by CR9's arrogance and feel the extra media attention he brings to the club is an unwanted distraction." It's interesting that on the one hand the vibe that I am getting from within the changing rooms is that there is some doubt about the adaptability of Cristiano Ronaldo to the values of Real Madrid," Balague told skysports.com."I think there are some people within the changing room who don't appreciate the glamour and see some of his behaviour as arrogant."But at the same time the man is scoring goals so he is becoming the star and I wonder if that is going to create a bit of a problem. [end article]

I found this quote from Fabio Capello, the England NT coach and former Real Madrid boss:

"He (Ronaldo) is not worth £25million more than Kaka," declared the Italian."You can see that Manchester United’s directors have been cleverer than AC Milan's in their dealings with Real Madrid."

Capello is alluding to the transfer price of CR (80 million GBP) that United garnered, as opposed to the transfer fee AC Milan brokered for Kaka (57 million GBP). I am inclined to agree, but the price for United was non-negotiable. They knew that they had Real over a barrel when Perez bragged in the press of their 200 million GBP cache. So United said, "we'll take 80 million of that!...cash up front." CR was never going to leave unless United gave their blessing. 80 million ducats is a soothing salve for losing your best player...and CR liked being the most expensive transfer in the history of footy. But with that title comes a hefty weight on the shoulders.

Kaka (whose real name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite...his brother couldn't pronounce Ricardo when he was little so he said Kaka :) ) is a fabulous player. And his form has been stronger than CR's at RM. But we are early in the season. When CR gets going (if he gets going), it will be despite the other jealous morons on the team. None of them were even purchased for 20 million and it's quite obvious that Perez and Company still have a ways to go if their "dream team" is going to win anything. I think Senhor Balague hit the nail on the head! With their sloppy defense (evidenced by 2 goals from a weak Zurich side) they will need more than CR freekicks to advance in the Champions League...and to beat Barcelona in el Classico.

Ade-bye-bye

From ESPN Soccernet:

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has ''reluctantly accepted" the violent conduct charge put on him for his clash with Robin Van Persie at the weekend.
The Togo international appeared to rake his studs down Van Persie's face after a tackle in a fractious encounter with former club Arsenal at Eastlands. The Dutch forward later called it a "mindless and malicious stamp."
A statement on City's club website read: ''Manchester City announce that both the club and Emmanuel Adebayor have reluctantly accepted the violent conduct charge laid by the Football Association in the wake of the victory over Arsenal. The player strongly maintains that he did not intend to act in a violent manner.
City's decision not to contest the charge means Adebayor will certainly miss this Saturday's top of the table derby with rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
A further charge of improper conduct, for Adebayor's pitch-length dash to celebrate his goal in front of Arsenal's fans, is also being considered. If found guilty another game could be added to any ban. [end Soccernet]
An unlikely ally has emerged from this embarassment to football...Harry Redknapp. The Tottenham manager released this whopper:
"It's not celebrating a goal that cause riots, it's idiots who want to start riots..."
Sounds like a National Rifle Association soundbite..."it's not guns that kill people, it's people who kill people." To quote one of my favorite comedians, Eddie Izzard, "but you have to admit the gun helps! "You don't walk up to a person and yell 'BANG!' and then they die...unless they have a dodgy heart!" Funny, but true. Old Harry ('Arry to the football literate) thinks that the Arsenal fans are to blame, as they heaped too much abuse upon their former striker. If you believe that, Arry, then are you willing to give a pass to any footballer who acts out because he said that he was taunted? That would be EVERY FOOTBALLER IN THE WORLD! Taunting is a part of every sport. I grew up watching baseball and to this day I still contradict the calls of every umpire! "Come on, Blue! Every ball can't be a strike!" I played fastpitch and I can't even count how many times I was taunted by the catcher while I was batting. But you have to put it behind you and move on. The best way to get back at the stupid catcher is to get a hit. That way they know they're not getting to you. Adebayor riled the fans by running the length of the pitch and gesturing in front of them. If he hadn't done that, we wouldn't be talking about this.
And to the argument fomented by 'Arry and others (including his son, Jamie) that footballers aren't paid to be role models and that it's hard to ignore the taunts , I say "Poppycock," "Balderdash," or any number of snooty British phrases. Adebayor plays for a team that is funded by a company, whose name is emblazoned across his chest...which was seen last Saturday sprinting down the pitch like an idiot and then almost inciting a riot. I wonder what that company would have to say about Ade's behavior that day. I'm not sure you will see a photo of him, in full lunacy, starring in an advert for Etihad (Man Shotty's sponsor)!
Players are taunted constantly. Last year during the Chelsea/Man United match, Cristiano Ronaldo was taunted by the Chelsea fans with "You should have died in the tunnel!!" They were referring to a crash that occurred just a few days before, in which he totaled his brand new Ferrari in a runway tunnel underneath Manchester Airport....."You should have died in the tunnel..." Now CR (who is the same age as Adebayor) could have pitched a fit and jumped into the stands and started a riot. Instead, his team ran riot over Chelsea. Who had the last laugh? CR, when he kissed the Premier League Championship trophy!
This incident will most likely echo throughout the season, as others transgress and then are held to a new standard. I can't say that's a bad thing. The old days of soccer hooliganism, which stunted the growth of soccer in the US, should be well past us. I'm not giving a pass to the Arsenal fans. The price of your ticket doesn't give you the right to act like an animal. Your ticket is a privilege, that some of us have never had. I would love to see a Prem League match in person, instead of screaming at it on my television. If I am ever afforded that privilege, I certainly won't yell at a player that "he should have died in the tunnel!"
Adebayor could have taken a lesson from Sister Elizabeth Kenny (who pioneered a treatment for Polio)..."He who angers you conquers you."

So Much For The Noise!!!

United Starting XI vs Besiktas


"Tame" Besiktas crowd


Paul Scholes shows them how it's done

...and celebrates with his serviceman, Nani

...who always reminds me of MJ in Thriller! hehe

Today was the beginning of the Champions League ties and United managed to squeek out a win in Istanbul. Not quite a thrilla, but winning points were all we needed.

With just 13 minutes in reg time to play, Paul Scholes (one of the senior citizens on the team) headed in a bounce back by Nani! United was able to ignore the deafening roar of the Besiktas crowd and will look forward to their other opponents in Group B (CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg).

More Champions League news...Cristiano scored two freekicks in RM's 5-2 rout of Zurich. The first was a true Ronny Rocket and was worthy of the score. The second was bungled by the Zurich keeper and punched into the net. I don't think he would have scored that against a world-class keeper that they are yet to see in Champions League ties. The RM "defense" was again abysmal. If they keep this up they will be bouncing out of the Champions League in the final 16. Chelsea, United, Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter, Porto, etc...don't make those kinds of defensive mistakes.

My MOTM for United:

Paul Scholes. My MOTM against Spurs was Giggsy. Both are the "senior citizens" of the team and obviously still know how to get it done! (A testimony to their upbringing...:)

MOTM for the...*coughs*...RM match...of course...His Royal Hotness, C.R. Although his second goal was a clanger by the keeper, I can't deny that he looked like the Ronny of old. However...I refuse to put his new number with his initials and I couldn't find a decent photo without watermarks for the blog (really it's because he doesn't look good in those drab colors...he looks best in red). Sorry, girls!

A Wound That Hasn't Healed

CR leaps high above the Chelsea defense

and heads home a winner!

and the Reds were European Champions

This is the type of photo we like...

and the ones we'd like to forget (Rome, 2009)

"Sometimes you just have to accept that bad days come along and you move on from there." --Sir Alex Ferguson

Now that friendlies and qualifiers for the World Cup are done for a month, the Prem League has once again started...then stopped.

The UEFA Champion's League ties are upon us. Tomorrow, the Reds will battle against a Turkish side, Besiktas, in what has to be the loudest stadium in the world. Known for their vociferous support, the Besiktas faithful pack the stadium in the early afternoon in anticipation of the night match. I'm not sure if they are swapping recipes for sesame bread while they wait, or merely working themselves into a frenzy. But either way, the Red Devils will have a fresh challenge awaiting them come kickoff.

This new match, however, opens a fresh wound again...that of Rome. That fateful night in May when the Reds forgot to show up for the Champion's League Final match against Barcelona. The opening ten were all Reds and then a goal from Eto'o (who was promptly shipped off to Inter Milan for his gift) put Barca ahead...and they never looked back.

The United faithful were stunned (including yours truly). How could our dominant team look so bamboozled?

Well, Sir Alex (our fearless gaffer) recently told ESPN Soccernet that he spent the summer going over the DVD of the match, looking for just that:

"You look at that defeat and you can look at reasons and excuses. But it's always better to look at the reasons. We're now quite clear about where it went wrong and that's always helpful. There were valid reasons and so we were able to move on."

And maybe Sir Alex hasn't quite forgotten that night in Rome...

''I would love the chance to redress the situation with Barcelona. Absolutely..."

He certainly has had more experience at this than I have, but for folks like me who are used to seeing United win (like the previous year...see photos), a year is a long time to wait for reciprocity.

We have a great team, and even making it to a consecutive final last year was a feat in and of itself. With Barcelona being given a gift of a match (in the semifinal against Chelsea), they shouldn't have even been in the final, much less won it. But...you play the opponent you're given. And we didn't. As Sir Alex said above, it is time to move on. We can't overlook any of our opponents (as if United ever does), and these qualifying teams would love to hang a few goals on the Reds, even if they don't win the ties. So we need to be extra careful not to be looking backward instead of forward.

Onward...GG Man United

All The Money In the World Can't Buy Class

Robin Van Persie after his mauling

Look familiar? haha


Well...yesterday was a fabulous day for my beloved Reds, but across town at the Eastlands (home to Manchester City), the game of football took a blow to the head...literally.

Manchester has two teams. United, through their successes, have firmly grasped the world's attention for many years. Champion's League victories, Premier League championships (3 in a row and counting...) world-class players winning individual trophies; they don't need to toot their own horn. Their fans do it for them.

The other team in Manchester, Manchester City (who have a nickname I won't repeat here), are the pretenders to anything owned or claimed by United. They don't get the attention through their football so they spend an inordinate about of time throwing stink bombs at their successful counterparts in the boro of Trafford (United).

City's recent purchase by a Saudi sheikh has given them the financial backing to act like "new money" in footy. If City were a person, then he would be a fake-baked, white-toothed, moron walking around the country club telling everyone how much he spent on his Ferrari (that he can't drive) and his new condo in Aspen (soooo two weeks ago). United, on the other hand, would be personified as a hard-working, well-dressed everyday guy, who doesn't need an Hermes scarf to be noticed. Because they're owned by a sheikh, City's football grounds are now affectionately referred to as Middle Eastlands....hahaha....but I digress...

City splashed an obscene amount of cash this summer (during the transfer window) on several high-maintenance players. One such player who used to play across town for a successful team (I will refer to him as Trollvez) made a fool of himself in the press about how "I wasn't in the starting XI when I should have been," and "Sir Alex didn't kiss my feet like Ronaldo.." blah blah blah. Good riddance to us...

The other purchase this summer was one Emmanuel Adebayor, a centre-forward for Arsenal (a club in London). Ade, a native of Togo, has always been a lightning-rod in the Prem League. Last year, Arsenal had yet another so-so season that saw them end up fourth in the league, far away from the champions (United) and runners-up (Liverpool). The Gunners' fans (referred to as Gooners by opponents) put their blame firmly upon the shoulders of Adebayor. Now in all fairness, it wasn't just his fault. A footy side is made up of XI players (one keeper, and usually a 4-4-2 formation for the remaining 10; 4 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 2 strikers). I believe that a team wins together and loses together. And although a side may have a star (like Ronaldo for United), those stars do not play by themselves. They depend upon the good service from others.

Well...Ade's one-way ticket from London to Manchester did not sit well with the Gunners. His loose-tongue in the press, blasting the fans for never supporting him (although true) was not a good idea. The teams meet twice a year (one at home, one away). Yesterday the Arsenal faithful traveled to Manchester to meet City and their high-priced side. And what happened next only solidified my belief that United are the classiest club in the world, and everyone else is just pretending to be them!

Robin Van Persie plays for Arsenal. The Dutchman has a great foot and scores many a goal for the Gunners. Yesterday he tangled with Adebayor and the latter seemed to stomp on his former teammate's head...intentionally. The stomp left Van Persie stunned and bleeding (see above photo...and am I the only one who thinks it resembles Michelangelo's Pieta?). Adebayor, who scored a goal, then ran the length of the pitch (a no-no according to the FA...Footballer's Association), and pointed to the Arsenal away fans...obviously to say, "haha...you will miss me"...or something like that. Well, the Arsenal fans had to be physically restrained from entering the pitch (to pummel their former centre-forward) by dozens of policemen. What a great day for the Prem League.

Now the FA has said they will look seriously into the incident involving Van Persie AND Adebayor's baiting of the Arsenal fans (he was given a yellow card for that). You might think, "what's the big deal?" Well, several weeks ago two teams met (West Ham United and Millwall), and suffice it to say...they brawled with their fans. The FA doesn't want that to happen again, and Ade's actions yesterday could have sparked a melee at the Eastlands. With all of this crap going on, the football was almost completely forgotten...City won 4-2......whatever.

My Other CR7...Chris Lemons, Flying High with the Eagles

2009 Charlotte Eagles


CRL7

CRL7 in action

Kaka post-game in Milan

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." --Albert Schweitzer

In my skant 43 years on Earth, I have been blessed to have so many different experiences. My mother wanted her children to be well-rounded. She put us in everything from art classes (I'm a calligrapher) to music classes (I play the piano, sing, and used to play the viola), and we played every sport imaginable (except for soccer!). I had a natural inclination to athleticism...I could run fast, had great balance (from gymnastics and dance), and thanks to my older brothers, I wasn't afraid to bruise myself playing tackle football, or whatever mauling sport they were in to at the time. But our well-rounded pursuits weren't restricted to just sports and hobbies. My parents packed us in the car every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night and headed off to church, where we received the best kind of fundamentals...how to be a good person.

Yes, I know that this blog is about footy. As you've read in my previous posts (and if you haven't...well...what are you waiting for?), I love watching soccer. I've never played organized soccer, and I don't claim to know everything there is about the game...well...that's not quite true. I DO, however, know someone who's life has been dedicated not only to soccer, but to utilizing the beautiful game for a higher purpose.

I met this person when he was a very young thing, kicking soccer balls around outside church with the other young things. As older kids (I can't believe I'm saying this...13.5 years older), we used to harass them (in a fun way) by taking their balls and making them chase us. It's ironic now that one such child (whom it took a whole 2 seconds to steal the ball back from me) has made a living out of kicking soccer balls...my friend, Chris...CRL7.

Fast forward many years (no number will appear here). Chris played college soccer for the Oklahoma Christian Eagles, then launched into the professional ranks, playing in such locales as Wales, Virginia, Colorado (MLS Rapids), Cleveland, Raleigh, and Charlotte. This blog will start in Raleigh...

I had seen Chris after college, when he was substituting at the private school in which I interpreted. It was several years later that his name flashed across in facebook and I thought, "I wonder where he is playing now?" It was then that I found out he was playing for the Carolina Railhawks of the USL-1. Soccer in the US (and around the world) is broken into divisions. The MLS (major league soccer), USL-1, USL-2, PDL, etc...are some of the leagues. The Railhawks play in the USL-1 and it was just my luck that their games were broadcast (via the internet). So...I watched a few matches, then a few more matches, and before you know it I was watching all of them (even while traveling for work...to the chagrin of my colleagues).

Chris is an all-around player, and by that I mean he is like a triple-threat. He is fast, thinks well on his feet, and can play any position. I'm not sure he's ever been a keeper but I'm sure he would be good at it!

After last season I wrote to Chris to tell him that I had been watching him. Fearing that he would think, "another groupie...we footballers have to put up with this all the time...*talk to the hand*" it took me several months before I would actually send the note. I wanted to tell him that he was doing a great job and that at the end of the season (when he didn't play as much), the team was faltering without him. Most matches I wanted to throttle the coach and then to top it off, one of the announcers had a rare gift for sticking in my craw (whatever a craw is). But Chris (thankfully) put the Railchickens in his rearview and headed down the interstate to Charlotte.

This season Chris returned to a team that he played with previously. It is a unique team, in that they aren't just about soccer. The Charlotte Eagles have a mission to further Christ's reach through the beautiful game.

After starting out as a defender, he moved to central midfielder...which is his best position. Midfielders are like quarterbacks...they need to see the play ahead before it happens. Chris, as I said above, has that innate ability to feel the game and the Eagles soared into the USL-2 Championship game on the end of an 8-game win streak. Unfortunately they didn't win the match, but in true Chris fashion, his text after the game said, "in the end they were just better than us."

The Eagles conduct soccer camps during the summer as well. Some of Chris' young charges would leave messages on his facebook wall. Listening to their voices made it obvious that the impact of the Eagles on the pitch was not as important as the impact they had off of it. Yes, they're athletes and they want to win...but the old adage of "how you play the game" isn't necessarily manifested in goal tallies. Their giggly voices (very obvious in written form) of "Chrissss Lemonnssssss" and "Juicy Lemons" might seem innocuous but then you realize that they're not writing on Britney Spears' (ugghh...don't get me started) page or Lindsey Lohan's page. They have role models who are playing life's game the right way.

This past summer when I was in the throes of misery over Cristiano leaving for Madrid, it was Chris who kept me grounded. Yes, he understood the loss...he's a Manchester United fan as well. But he also understood the pull CR felt...fulfilling dreams is important. For those of us who have passed the age of expiration, when life becomes more about settling in than trying new things, it was difficult for me to remember that CR is only 24. He still has a ways to go before his dreams fade into the reality that all of us face...we're getting older! :)

Imagine the impact CR could make if he practiced the same ideals as the other CR...CRL7. One of CR's teammates in Madrid (Kaka) ends his matches by removing his shirt to reveal another underneath...I BELONG TO JESUS.

My friend Chris has put his life in someone else's hands. And the endgame has a better reward. I'm so thankful every day that I wrote that note...

Mi Querido CR7...

I couldn't have a footy blog without mentioning one of the reasons I even bother with soccer. I didn't grow up with soccer...nobody played it when I was a child. Yes, we kicked around soccer-type balls in physical education (usually kicking each other more), but it would be best described as "organized mayhem on grass with spotted ball."

So if I don't hail from England, and my father wasn't Bobby Charlton (if you don't know who that is...exit this blog now!), then why do my work clothes get pushed to the back of the closet by items bearing such marks as AIG, 7, Barclay's, and Ronaldo?

I can't pin down the actual date that my vocabulary sported words like "offside," "touchline," and "Old Trafford," but I can say it's been many a year. And at the age of (insert number below 100 here), I can now say that I've been fully indoctrinated into the wonderful world of the Barclay's Premier League. Twenty teams with monikers like "Spurs," "Blackburn Rovers," and the newly-promoted "Wolverhampton Wanderers." I know. I know. They sound like square-dancing clubs. But their unique names hold a country spellbound from kickoff to the final whistle. After 90 minutes of fast-paced, furious footy, the pub-goers and the fortunate few to have season tickets, spill out onto the streets and relive every tackle, freekick, corner, and goal.

At Manchester United's grounds (Old Trafford), there is a sign on the upper deck that reads:

MANCHESTER UNITED...FOR EVERY MANC A RELIGION! (For those new to footy...MUFC stands for Manchester United Football Club).

These words could not be truer. The United Kingdom is not exactly a religious country. The Church of England is by all accounts "a hobby," as comedian Eddie Izzard would attest. So on weekends, the conversation doesn't center around what the vicar might say, but more on "do you think United will top Tottenham and garner 3 points?"

I say United is not my religion, but my license plate is CR7, my front plate is Manchester United, my wall has a signed poster of Cristiano Ronaldo right next to the calendar of His Royal Hotness...and so on and so on...

I will admit to rising at 3 in the morning to watch United when they play in the Far East. I can't say that I stay awake through the full 90, but I'm positive that my presence is felt by Ferdinand, Owen, Evra, Rooney, Fletcher, Berbatov, Giggs, Foster and Company. Every pass, knock, header, and goal is greeted with a "Yeah," "Oh NO!" "That's it!" and "YEAHHH, BABBBYYYY!"

The only thing missing this season is one Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born in Portugal...honed at Old Trafford...and shipped off to...gulp...Spain.

Ronny, as the lads called him, left United as a 24-yr-old phenom, fresh from winning every imaginable team and individual trophy in the year 2008. His stepovers and freekicks were legendary, as were his good looks that felled many a female Manc fan when he removed his shirt at the end of matches.

Irreal Madrid will never deserve him. They will never love him like we did at United. After being given the hallowed number 7 by Sir Alex Ferguson, he stepped up to the challenge and made it his own. That would be hard for any young 18-yr-old following in the footsteps of the one and only David Beckham. But Ronny didn't falter and although he didn't speak a word of English, he made the English game his own and put his name...Ronaldo...on every Englishman's lips, like it or not. His name was cheered in the Trafford section of Manchester, jeered in the Eastlands section of Manchester, and cursed in every footy ground in England. But none of them could deny his talent and all of them know the Premier League is missing a spark now that he's gone.

Sir Bobby Charlton put his departure best:

"He is a great player," he said. "He's been with us for five or six years and in that time he has improved beyond all recognition. I suppose, in time, he will reflect, and say that the best time he ever had in football was when he was at Manchester United. It was better for him and it was fantastic for the club."

He is gone. So now what?

United has never been about one player. Other legends have left and United has continued to triumph. Michael Owen, a former World Player of the Year with Liverpool, now wears the cherished number 7. Cristiano was given the number 9 at his introduction in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid...but to me...Cristiano will always be CR7.

Manchester United Thumps Tottenham

Rooney scores!


Best fans in the world


Giggsy curls his freekick home

"I've given you two warnings, Wilson...one more and I'll bite your neck!"

Ando can't believe he scored, either!

Oh joy! "Nothing could be finer than to give your opps a shiner in the....Premmmm....League!"

My beloved Reds (not the fools from 'Pool) garnered a much-needed three points today as they toppled the Tottenham Spurs 3-1. The upstarts from North London were wagging their tongues about starting perfectly in the Prem League. Well...all good things must come to an end. And so it did.

The Tottspurs' one bright shining moment occurred in the first minute of the game, when the English National Team star striker, Jermain Defoe (not related to Willem), put one in the bag. Never ones to panic, the Red Devils roared back, and it should be said that I don't remember Tottenham even being on the pitch in the second half...

At the 25-minute mark, Ryan "Giggsy" Giggs launched a perfect Ronny Rocket into the upper right and United never looked back. Anderson added a second goal (41), which was his first in 78 appearances for United. Most (including myself) have been wondering whether or not Ando could provide the goods necessary to stay on the first team at Old Trafford. Recent stints in the Reserves (where he scored a goal) gave much speculation as to his future...maybe things will turn around for him now that he's broken the bag for the first time.

Back to the match...

The ever-present workhorse from Scouseland (Rooney) smacked the net in the 78th, but not before the Reds were dealt a blow when Paul Scholes was sent off in the early stages of the second half for his second bookable offense. Yes...the Reds were now playing with 10.

The Spurs' faithful licked their lips, sensing that the Red Devils would not be able to hold on...but they were wrong. It was the same Spurs' faithful who were exiting White Hart Lane before the 90-minute bell had sounded...heads low...tails between their legs.

The official Manchester United website put it perfectly:

"Throughout the 90 minutes, United's display oozed the marriage of class and resolve that champions require, and sent out a clear warning to those teams aiming to prevent the Reds from bagging a fourth straight title."

My MOTM (Man of The Match for you Prem League virgins...*blushes*):

Ryan Giggs. Giggsy's play today was brilliant. With passes galore, steady decisions, and that beauty of a freekick...The old man of the pitch gets my vote.

Nod of The Day:

Anderson. What a delight to see this young Ronny-wannabe finally make good on his promise to score a goal. I was a bit disappointed, however, that Anderson did not strip down to his birthday suit (as he had promised he would do when he scored his first goal). Maybe the lads in the locker room were given that pleasure. (If any of the lads are reading this...email me the pics so I can post them here).

Sadface of The Day:

Michael Owen did not make an appearance. I was hoping to see the new number seven poach a goal for us. But...maybe he will play against Besiktas (Turkey) for the Champions League on Tuesday, or against Man Sh@tty for the Derby on Sunday next.

For a complete rundown of the Reds' match today, you can go to:

http://www.manutd.com/

Much Ado About Nothing

Madridistas around the globe have been waiting with hearts pounding for Cristiano Ronaldo's first "competitive" goal for Real Madrid. Today he delivered. With about one minute left to play against Espanyol (who it should be noted had given up playing 10 minutes previous), CR7+2 cooly slotted a fading winner through the legs of the keeper and...barely a celebration. The game was already won and the Espanyol faithful were resigned to another win by los blancos.

It should be said that I am no fan of Real Madrid, whom I refer to as the Irreal Madridiots. I am a diehard Manchester United fan and fell into a deep appreciation for Senhor Aveiro while watching him grow up at Old Trafford. Obviously he is not playing for us anymore *one tear creeps down cheek* but I still want him to do well, for nothing more than the Maturd "faithful" to know that he was made in the Prem League and will always be one of us. My dream season for Cristiano would be for him to score 30 goals, and his team win absolutely nothing.

We shall see...