A look back in time

I felt that for this post it would be great to look back at why we even play this great sport. Perhaps Ronaldinho playing as a kid will remind you or even the Joga Bonito videos will serve us all well. However, most importantly, the game is played because of the love we have for this universal game, this universal language!

King Rooney

Goal of the year? Yes. Most athletic play of the year? Yes. Only found at a Manchester United? Check. Prior to Rooney's bicycle kick today, Berbatov held the honor of having the best bicycle kick of the year. And of course, he's another Manchester United player. I don't think I need to say much besides just post the video below and allow it to do all the talking.



Jersey of the Post: Wayne Rooney Signed Manchester United Jersey

Torres departs Liverpool, Suarez Screwed

Suarez: "Hey Torres, I'm looking forward to playing with you!"
Torres: "Haha okay. Actually, I'm just gonna leave and join Chelsea!"

We can presume that this is essentially what would have been said between the two if they actually met before Torres signed a 50 million Euro deal with the Blues. Furthermore, what makes all of this even better is that Torres will face his now former side, Liverpool, on Sunday. I surely can't wait to see what happens. With Torres completely out of form it will be interesting to see whether it's Torres' teammates that were poor or whether he simply can't contribute to the game at this time in his career. Sunday, 11 am ET, Stamford Bridge.
*This is also the fourth biggest transfer, all time. Let's see if Chelsea's investment was even worth anything.

Poster of the post: Stamford Bridge 10x8 Print

Suarez headed to Liverpool, joins Torres

With Torres continuing is horrendous form since the World Cup, Liverpoool have been looking for what many will call a "replacement". However, this isn't quite the case. Rather, Torres simply has had no help on the Liverpool side. With the addition of Suarez to the squad, Torres can finally redeem himself and start getting back to scoring.

After Suarez's performance in the World Cup, it's no doubt that he can be of great help to the Liverpool side. The Ajaz forward will be leaving his 5 year old home as a Amsterdam member to join a very well-regarded english side. Hopefully with Suarez Liverpool will begin to produce some much needed results.

Jersey of the Post: adidas Fernando Torres Liverpool Away Jersey 10/11

Viva España!!!

Before I begin, if you didn't watch the game today then you really shouldn't even be allowed to ever talk about soccer again. Today was THE biggest sporting event of the year, already. Spain played the Netherlands in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. As I had predicted before the World Cup even began, Spain would win. And yes, many other people also predicted they would win.

Overall, it wasn't the greatest game of soccer. Spain and the Netherlands both had a few really good chances however, both sides were shockingly unable to capitalize. The game would go into overtime where Iniesta would score what is now the most historic goal in Spain history with just a few minutes left in the second half of overtime.

But what I want to spend a little more time looking back on is Vincente del Bosque's idiotic decision. Sure, they won the game but let's begin with Bosque's decisions to sub Fernando Torres in for David Villa. In all previous games of this World Cup, Spain had never scored a goal while Torres was on the field. Today that changed. And today we also saw what horrible shape Torres is in. Furthermore, IMHO if Bosque had to put Torres in, sub him in for Iniesta. At that point in the game, Iniesta was disgracing football...he was diving all the time and on top of that he was playing horribly. Besides, David Villa and Iker Casillas were the only reasons why Spain had in fact even gotten to the finals. Highlight video here.

Nonetheless, congrats to Spain! I wanted them to win and they did! Viva España!!!

Jersey of the post: adidas David Villa Spain Away Jersey 10/11

Semi-Final #1 Review

Yesterday, Uruguay took on a strong Netherlands side in a very historical game. Both teams were fighting for what would be a prestigious moment in soccer history as both teams would look to advance to the final where they would gain a chance to play powerhouse Germany or Spain (either way, the Final is going to be unbelievably good!). Anyhow, the game was very even with both teams having (withing 1 of each other) almost the same number of shots, shots on target, fouls, corner kicks, offsides, possession (47-53 in favor of Holland), yellow cards, and saves. Statistically, the scoreline was also a perfect match. In most of these areas Holland did fair better and as we can see, the 3-2 scoreline is a perfect epitome of this.

Van Bronckhorst would be the first to score then Forlan would soon follow to make it 1-1 a little before the half. In the second half, the game seemed to begin to sway towards the Dutch as they were able to score another two goals thanks to Sneijder and Robben. However, Uruguay kept with tradition and played literally to the final moments when they were able to score another goal before full time on Periera's behalf. Clearly, a very well played game by both teams. Best of luck to Holland in the finals against the winner of the other semi-final game with coverage beggining at 1:30 ET on ESPN and espn3.com  today.
Click here for the full replay of the Holland vs Uruguay game (view under "REPLAY" tab).

Here's what happened the last time Germany and Spain met (208 Euro Final: Spain 1-0 Germany)


Jersey of the post: adidas Miroslav Klose Germany Home Jersey 09/11

Great first day of Quarterfinals

For the first time in history, Brazil led in the first-half and lost the game to Holland. Felipe Melo gave up an own-goal early in the second-half and would later on get a red card exactly 20 minutes later in the 73rd minute. However, just prior to the red card Sneijder had a fabulous header that would prove to be the goal that sends Holland to the finals.

In the Ghana vs Uruguay game, Ghana would take a first-half lead but Diego Forlan wouldn't care - 8 minutes into the second-half he would score an amazing free-kick. However, in the final minutes of extra time Suarez would purposely use his hands to block a guaranteed goal for Ghana. Fortunately/ unfortunately for Suarez, he will miss the next game but that hand ball would prove decisive as the penalty would be missed and Uruguay would advance on pk's, 4-2. Perhaps this year the hand of magic will be Suarez's hand. Smart guy if I may say so myself (although disgraceful at the same time).

Jersey of the post: Nike Sneijder Holland Away Jersey 10/11