Arsenal Struggle to Hold Lead

            The Arsenal and Liverpool game today was an exciting one to say the least, all the way up to the final whistle. With a poor Arsenal side looking to go one down at the end of the first half, a late goal by Debuchy put the teams level going into the break. Then, Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal the lead coming out of halftime, which lasted all the way into extra time. Partly due to a head injury to Martin Skrtel, a large amount of stoppage time was added, and Arsenal needed to hold the lead. In the ninth minute, however, Arsenal let up a corner kick, which was driven into the goal by Skrtel to equalize the final score. While Arsenal had some low points in the game, Arsene Wenger was still upset by the loss, and felt that the team should have done better to hold on to the lead. No doubt Liverpool feels that they at the very least deserved the tie, but they really could have had the win against this lacking Arsenal team. Like most of the other games or happenings at Arsenal, the draw raises question to Wenger’s tactics with the team. Pulling out Giroud, a strong aerial player, proved to be a poor decision, and decisions need to be stepped up in order for Arsenal to have any chance to do well this season. 

More Transfer News

            Transfers are always talked about year-round in any sport, soccer included, and by this point there are a lot to discuss, big and small. First, someone who may have gained some more attention this summer playing for Belgium in the World Cup, Kevin De Bruyne, is currently playing in the Bundesliga for Wolfsburg. Having a try at the Premier League earlier in his career at Chelsea, he never was able to fit in the system, but it seems he may be ready to have another go at it. According to The Mirror, De Bruyne may be set to move to Pellegrini’s Manchester City for 20 million pounds at the start of 2015. This move reflects Manchester City’s problems and needs right now, as their injury-laden squad could use an attacking midfielder to beef up the lineup. Also, City is looking at bringing in Spanish star Koke from Atletico Madrid. This would undoubtedly upset most fans of Atletico and Spanish soccer in general, as this move most likely take away from the momentum and progress of Atletico of recent. While this is just rumor, no tips are too far-fetched to look into or even hope for.

            One player has been on the negative side of transfer discussions recently; Fernando Torres. Since his stay at Chelsea was unproductive to say the least, Torres has not had any better luck on loan at AC Milan. Much like at Chelsea, his story has been a sad one, lacking any sort of attacking prowess and failing to convert even the simplest of goals. Liverpool has also had little luck with one transfer in particular, the one bringing in Mario Balotelli. Balotelli also seems to lack inspiration lately, and it is somewhat surprising that Liverpool is looking to bring in Torres to fill in the gap that is left up top. Personally, I don’t see how Torres’ move to Liverpool will be any better than the one to AC Milan, and I don’t see him providing any real improvement or use to the team.

            Finally, along with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United, Aston Villa is also trying to bring Tom Cleverley on a permanent deal from United. While he hasn’t been able to take off and really produce at Manchester United, Cleverley has had success at Villa, and that is what they want to bring back. Villa would be able to wait out the move until the summer when the loan would be up and he would be back without Villa having to spend anything. However, Villa could use the midfielder as soon as possible, so the option to bring him back in January at 7.5 million would not be unlikely. There is still much more to look out for, and we won’t truly know what teams will do until January.

Crazyquick vs Elastico

            As winter has arrived, and practices and games are moving indoors for many soccer players, Adidas has released their indoor-specific line of shoes. All under the name of FreeFootball, the collection is made up of four different shoe styles, with a variety of indoor court and artificial turf selections. Overall, I think that the shoes have a good look to them, all offering a fairly premium look with a color scheme that adds to the quickness that they are trying to sell.

One quick look at the FreeFootball Crazyquick shoes, with any knowledge of indoor shoes, and you will see a resemblance to Nike’s Elastico Finale II. The Elastico has NikeSkin, a type of mesh synthetic upper to the shoe, and the Crazyquick employs Adidas’ own similar material. While I won’t go into major detail about the materials, they are basically both a mesh with a plastic overlay to form a flexible upper. This material then is meant to form tightly to your foot, giving a somewhat sock-like feeling in a lightweight shoe. While I haven’t been able to try on or use the Adidas Crazyquick, I do own a pair of Elastico Finales and they do a great job and feel fantastic.

 Whenever two major brands such as Nike and Adidas come out with a similar product, many are quick to point fingers at either side to label which side copied the other. As in most cases, while they may look similar, I don’t really think that any copying was involved here. First of all, shoes go into development way before their release, and while Nike released their mesh upper shoe before Adidas, it is still possible that Adidas was looking into the idea before Nike. Also, the actual basis for the upper, a mesh synthetic with a plastic overlay, is definitely the direction for soccer cleats, indoor or outdoor, as it allows for extra reinforcement where it’s needed while remaining flexible. Really, only the pattern of the upper on the Elastico is what may have influenced the Crazyquick, with a raised honeycomb-like texture across the top. However, both sides, along with many other brands have had raised elements to their shoes, and this pattern seems to make the most sense for a minimal texture.

That is pretty much where the similarities end, and the shoes offer very different performances. First, the Elastico Finale is meant to be a flexible, lightweight indoor shoe, and really became the first indoor shoe to give a sort of barefoot feel. The mesh part of the upper on the Crazyquick, unlike the Elastico, is much denser, giving a sturdier, and therefore heavier, feel. This shoe comes in at around 11 ounces, which is considered heavy by the Elastico’s standards, but a pretty average weight for an indoor model. Also, the entire back is exposed mesh, compared to the Elastico’s upper being the same all the way around. The Crazyquick comes in at about 80 dollars while the Elastico is slightly more expensive hovering just above one hundred dollars. Overall, while the material for the upper may appear similar, the shoes fill completely different categories of the game, and both options well suit players that prefer either style.

The Future of Chelsea

            After a fairly successful season so far, Chelsea manager Jose Morinho continues to discuss his actions during the transfer season and still backs them up. Talking about Frank Lampard, long time Chelsea player, Morinho stresses that he still believes that the loss of him was the right thing for the club. "He left Chelsea as a free agent and chooses his life, we can't complain about it, that's football. It's his life, nothing to do with us. We made the right decision.”(World Soccer Talk) He continues, stating that the future of the club lies with new players such as Cesc Fabregas, Matic, and Boga. He believes that Lampard’s run at Chelsea had run its course, and Chelsea needed to move on, and I can’t help but believe him. With a 2-0 win against Hull City recently and good season by many standards, you can’t really argue with the changes that have been made. Morinho and his decisions have proven to be effective so far, and I think they will be in the future of the club.

Liverpool and United

            During a crucial game today between Liverpool and Manchester United, something was shown about both sides that has been prevalent all season and will continue to affect the way the season ends for the teams. Over the last week and a half, Liverpool has been having a sort of dry spell, falling out of the Champions League, nearing elimination from the Capital One Cup, and having a tough league ahead of them. While, besides goalie De Gea, Manchester United were nowhere near their best, the way that Liverpool played made it so that they didn’t have to be, and the two teams have essentially switched positions in the league standings from last year. Although the loss was full of misfortune, Liverpool still were at fault for the lack of form, and a complete turn around is needed if they want any chance in any league or tournament.

            Part of this fault on Liverpool rests with its manager, Brendan Rodjers, and his decisions before major games. In this game, for example, he decided to sit Simon Mignolet and play Brad Jones in goal instead. Let’s just say that Jones’ performance sharply contrasted that of De Gea and his outstanding performance. This problem goes all the way back to the summer when Liverpool, despite picking up 9 players in total, neglected the need for a goalkeeper. Obviously, the value and role of a goalkeeper was shown by Manchester United, and it should definitely be on Liverpool’s list come January.

            While transfers are to blame on the Liverpool side, there is little to thank them for on the Manchester United side. All of the starting eleven in the game were inherited by Louis Van Gaal, and look at what they were able to do against a somewhat formidable opponent from the Premier League. As top clubs, Manchester United included, spend hundreds of millions of dollars each transfer season, it leaves us to wonder what the point is. It makes sense to spend money to bring in a new player for a position that just wasn’t working out before, but to spend money just to get named players is just foolish. Looking at many performances such as Manchester United where previous players did well or Barcelona where loads of spending don’t provide any real benefits in the end, it seems that clubs are going about it all wrong. Really, teams should just develop the players they have and put the money into their current players and making them better. When players are easily replaceable, there is no real sense of lasting connection between players and there is no team, leading to a disconnect between players, managers, and fans.

Adidas Messi 10.1

            In the world of soccer today; the best players not only are watched and supported, but they are also highly commercialized. Sponsorships are everywhere, and what clothes or shoes a player wears, what he eats or drinks before a game, and even the video games he plays are all often sponsored. This is mainly prevalent in the cleat area of the game, and not only do brands want top players to use their shoes, but they will even go so far as to make a special cleat just for a specific player. While some players will have special colorways that are considered “theirs”, the two players with the most popular boots are definitely Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Ronaldo has, in previous years, had his own version of Nike’s Mercurial Vapor, and this year he has a Mercurial Superfly, but he is always with Nike and their speed boot. On the other end of the brand spectrum, Messi has been with Adidas’ speed boot, the Adizero F50. Both are typically priced around the same, at a little over 200 dollars, and I would say that both are premium, quality shoes for anyone to wear.

            Recently, Adidas has released yet another Messi version of their cleat, Messi logo and all: the Adidas Adizero F50 Messi 10.1. This version has a bright orange base with jagged, teal stripes across the upper. The color and style of the cleat is meant to represent and honor the home of Lionel Messi: Argentina. Besides its looks and meaning, the cleats are the same as any other Messi version of the F50, coming in at just 6.2 ounces.

            As specialized boots for players grow, and the type of cleats these are changes, it makes me wonder about the future of soccer cleats. First of all, at a youth level, it doesn’t seem strange to wear a pair of cleats that have the name or support of your favorite player, and it seems like a fun idea for some younger players. But once you look at higher levels, it doesn’t seem as clear as to whether or not this is an okay thing to do. At the professional level, most people would agree that it would be strange to wear a pair of cleats that have the name of another current professional player, favorite or not. This raises the question to at what point this is right. Is it right at the college level? Is it right at some of the professional B-leagues? Is it right even at the high school level? I would say that if it seems strange at all, that it wouldn’t be right, and that about the highest level should be at high school.

            Also, the cleat styles that have popular player backing are mostly speed, lightweight cleats. Both the Mercurial and Adizero lines are under 8 ounces at the highest level, and this is considered a very light cleat. While the demand for lighter cleats grows, many want a traditional feel that can offer the protection lacking from a light shoe. The lighter cleats are just the ones that become the most popular, and therefore make more money, leading to the company supporting their lighter cleats the most. While this may be good for business, it creates a market full of light cleats and leaves the people who prefer a traditional style out of the main market. Sadly, I think that the future of soccer cleats is going to different brands trying to make the lightest cleat possible, and eventually options and choices for buyers will drop away.

FIFA: A Reflection

            For those that love the game of soccer, there is another option to experiencing it besides actually playing on the field. For a long time, that option has been through video games, and most popularly, FIFA. Each year, EA comes out with the current edition of the game, updating simple things like players and squads, but also, the experience and features grow each year. Although this is a steady process, and the change from year to year is minimal, from the first edition of the game, FIFA International Soccer, to the newest, FIFA 15, the change is drastic.
            The first game, for example, only had the ability to play internationally with national teams, as the FIFA name would suggest. Now, playing with club or even MVP teams is probably the most used part of FIFA. Also, other features absent from the early games are commonplace in FIFA and pretty much all sports games of recent. Game modes like the option to create your own player and play a season are well enjoyed by many players. Now, you can start from scratch, making a player and working through his career, playing at different teams if you choose. Also, you can choose to play as a real player, such as Messi or Ronaldo, and start from where they are in their career and go from there. Also, the improvement of graphics, looks, and feel continues to amaze me from year to year and especially looking over time.

            The realism of in-game tactics also grows, and the variety and depth of features are often unused as they are just too much for more casual gamers. However, these features aren’t forced, so many go unused. Some of these options are actually quite useful, though, such as mentality (like attacking or defending mindset) or set piece tactics (like free-kick plays). These features add to a much more realistic, knowledge-of-soccer based game, and it appeals to many who enjoy soccer analysis or just following their favorite teams. Also, online play has increased in new editions, allowing for players to play against other people, but they don’t have to be in the same room. Creating your own team with FIFA Ultimate Team is another fun way, making your team by buying players from all teams, winning games to build your team to be the best. This feature is also available to play online with.

            Besides the development of games, TV’s, and any other graphics improvements made to video games over the years, the change in FIFA throughout its years represents more; the changes and growth of the game itself. As soccer in the world, and mainly in the US, has grown dramatically over the last decade and more, the growth in FIFA mirrors that. While it may just seem like cumulative changes to a video game, EA needs support and an interest in the game to improve and grow the game and keep producing it. This is exactly what the world gave it; a hunger for a true soccer experience to be played off the field. And one of the most successful markets for the game, in the US, was necessary for this growth in the game. Looking back, the changes and growth in the seemingly insignificant topic of FIFA directly shows the growth and demand in the world of soccer, and I can only wonder where it will go next.

Nike Shine Through

            Recently, Nike came out with their “Shine Through” collection, or basically just a group of similar colorways for all of its different soccer cleats. The boots in this collection all have a white base, with logos and the outsole as bright, vibrant colors. Of course, with such an improvement as drastic as a color change, there is a price increase as well. For an already expensive shoe such as the Mercurial Superfly, this new price is up to $290, a price that would be considered extremely high for many, but obviously not for some. Nike, and other brands as well, continues to release new editions and collections of shoes at similarly high price points, yet is still able to do it over and over again. Obviously, the price is not an issue for some, and their support drives further releases.

            The release, and supposed success, of these cleats draws up the discussion of what soccer shoes are becoming today, and if we really like where they are going. First, and probably least important, is the idea of what these cleats should look like today, where many prefer the classic “plain black and white” feel that doesn’t really attract attention but the majority of large releases today consist of bright colors. Personally, I don’t mind bright colors, and the white with bits of color in the Shine Through collection are not as extremely colored as other releases, but I also like the simplicity that an all or mostly black shoe brings. Also, the increasing price and demand of premium soccer shoes is another change. Basically, all players want the same cleats as the professionals, but some are able to more or less ignore the price for them while other can’t afford them. While it’s unfortunate that many are excluded from these shoes, I appreciate the fact that those who want, or are able to pay for, premium boots are able to get them, and I think that opportunity is here to stay with the ever-growing demand for them.

MLS Best XI

            Each season, MLS officials, players, and leaders vote on the players that they feel should make the top eleven players in the league, making a team out of them. This vote resulted in a 3-4-3 formation, voting for 3 defenders, 4 midfielders and 3 forwards. This season’s MLS Best XI is a notable group, with many of the players included having one of the best seasons of their career. Despite the growing nature of the MLS, all of the nominees have been on the list before except for two. Even as players Landon Donovan and Thierry Henry are set to leave the league after this season, they were included nevertheless after what have been great seasons for both. Donovan reached notable career statistics for himself and also broke the record number of times being included in the Best XI, now up to seven times. Henry makes the list for his third time, along with teammate Bradley Wright-Phillips who has had an exceptional season as well. Scoring a remarkable 27 goals in the regular season, Wright-Phillips tied the league record for most goals scored in a season.

            Another player making the list is Robbie Keane, making it 3 years straight after scoring 19 goals in the season, joining teammates Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez. In fact, all players making list are from just five different teams: DC United, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and the New York Red Bulls. This raises question to the credibility of the selections, making me wonder if they are truly chosen by the best performing players or if all of the best players are actually on the same selection of teams. Either way, it shows that the selection at least should be only taken for what it is; a naming of the most popular, current players in the MLS. Rather than a definite judgment of players with some elaborate process for deciding, it really means very little, and I feel that, although it is interesting to look at and read about, it is relatively unimportant to even the MLS. 

Arsenal Down Again

            After losing a game they were up in during the midweek and a slow, unproductive start to the season so far, Arsenal’s hopes to compete in the title race this year are looking more and more far-fetched as the season goes by. Today, playing Swansea in the pouring rain, Arsenal looked to get back on their feet and show the league their chances at having a successful season. After one goal in the first half by Sanchez to put Arsenal up, it looked that that may be a possibility. However, the hope didn’t last long, and in the end, Swansea took all three points and again knocked Arsenal over with a 2-1 victory.

            Again, Sanchez and Danny Welbeck proved to be Arsenal’s most valuable combination, connecting to lead up to the goal. If there is anything that is still able to give hope to Arsenal and its fans, it’s the pairing between these two players. Like all other things Arsenal, however, these players aren’t enough to make up for what Arsenal does lack in defense and pretty much all other areas. With the attacking speed that comes with Sanchez, most defensive sides against Arsenal will be troubled, but the same could be said about Arsenal’s own defense. Also, today they were facing a Swansea side that kept and moved the ball well, holding Arsenal to few attacking opportunities and only allowing for Arsenal to have limited fast breaks. This kept Arsenal from creating trouble for Swansea defensively, and kept the game in Swansea’s hands and away from Sanchez and Welbeck.

            Another problem that persists with Arsenal is its manager’s, Arsene Wenger, stubbornness and unwillingness to change the lineup based on previous games and what is proven to work for the team. Again, the decision was made to play Nacho Monreal at center back despite the three goal comeback in the Champions League and repeated defensive breakdowns. This placement is partly due to the fact that Arsenal’s bench is limited because of extended and widespread injuries, leaving only one defender on the bench and ready for play. This also comes back to Wenger, as it was his decision as to who was picked up during the transfer season and anyone can see that it would have been a wise one to sign a few more defenders and give Arsenal an option as to who they play. As to the defenders who did play, they were beaten time after time down the sides and left areas open in the middle. Overall, Arsenal is going to have a very tough time as injuries persist and the defensive side is left unorganized.

La Liga Weekend Review

Barcelona:

            After two losses, Barcelona was looking to avoid a third and get out of the slump of the last few games. However, at the end of the first half, things looked grim, as Almeria were up 1-0. Luis Enrique, in an attempt to regain some momentum, played Luis Suarez, Neymar, and Xavi off of the bench and made some wise substitutions to put the game back into control. Two second half goals came from assists by Suarez, one by Neymar and one by Jordi Alba. Late goals coming from Suarez gave Barcelona a 2-1 win that they very much needed.

Real Madrid:

            Following a winning hot streak, Real Madrid are now at the top of the league table, and it seems no one can hold back their attacking power. Scoring twice but giving up one in the first half, Rayo Vallecano still looked to be in the game and to have a chance to at least lose by a reasonable scoreline. However, the second half was not as welcome to Rayo, and Real Madrid put away the game with three more goals to put them up 5-1 at the end. Also, Real Madrid now has a two point lead at the top of the league, at least until tomorrow when further league games continue.

Malaga:

            Defensive mistakes led to Malaga going one goal down just before half to Eibar, but they scored right away in the second half, showing some signs of perseverance. Then, at the last possible chance, Amrabat put away a penalty in the 90^th minute after handling in the box by Eibar, giving Malaga a 2-1 victory. Malaga has been successful lately, and has climbed up to sixth in the league presently.

Granada and Celta Vigo:

            After a goal by Sergi Gomez was disallowed in the first half, neither side was able to pick up enough speed to overcome the other, and the game remained a 0-0 tie to the end. Despite going undefeated for four games, Celta has now dropped a point and into seventh place in the league. Granada, thanks to their goalkeeper and holding off goals, has moved up into fourteenth place, up two places from their previous standing.

Rooney Still Struggling

            There is no doubt or argument against the fact that Manchester United has been lacking in productivity this season, and the disconnect between players may be a part of the cause for this. There is, however, one area where fans and all spectators disagree about Manchester United, and that is about Wayne Rooney and his role in the team. He is, without question, one of the hardest working players on the team and spends each game across the entire field, and I can’t question his effort. Still, I must point out the fact that he has not produced as expected and needed for this struggling team, and the problem is not that too much is being expected of him.

            Earlier in the season, Wayne Rooney was named captain of Manchester United, and that itself promoted some criticism from many people. Many don’t see Rooney possessing the leadership qualities necessary to be a captain, and that was seen right away as Rooney spent many games yelling at teammates for mistakes that he himself could have fixed, and that is not the way to support and help struggling teammates. Having not scored necessary goals, or not making a proper clearance from the back, Rooney was making the same mistakes as the rest of the team, and he was not playing at the level of a top-class, top-earning player. This lack of leadership was also demonstrated when Rooney got a red card for a poor tackle against a player, hurting United when they needed him most. Also, I might add, his team did fairly well during his three game absence due to the red card, especially while missing their top striker and regular captain.

            Also, Rooney is getting a salary that United is paying him to keep him at United, as he has had his fair share of hints at leaving the club for another. In the past, Rooney has led on that he wants to stay at Manchester United for his career, but has repeatedly attempted to leave the club for others. As a result, Rooney is being paid more than players from other teams that are more productive than him just to keep him to stay with United. The team and fans deserve more than what Rooney is giving them, and after his break Rooney has still been less than satisfactory, coming in with sloppy touches and missed opportunities. Rooney is not earning the salary that he makes, and unless he picks his game up, his position at United should be reconsidered. 

More Problems for Dortmund

                With Borussia Dortmund having as poor of a start as they come and I having already discussed this slump, another game has been played, and another loss recorded, and I want to expand on the numerous causes to their troubles. After being up 1-0 against top Bundesliga Bayern Munich, they succumbed to a 2-1 loss that pushes them deeper into trouble. The first, and possibly most important, problem begins with how Dortmund spent their transfer time and money, and what they did to replace lost players. Giving up players like Gotze and Lewandowski, Dortmund had a challenge on their hands, but they also had plenty of time to figure out how to replace them and fill the gap they left. To replace Lewandowski, for example, Dortmund decided that instead of replacing him with one player, they would use two, and they spent plenty of money in the process for players that will take time to adapt. Also, rather than looking on home soil for growing Bundesliga players, they looked abroad to places like France and Ukraine for selecting new players. Again, these players require time to fit in to the system already present at Dortmund, causing a slow start to the season.

                At the beginning of the season, coach Jurgen Klopp knew the journey would be tough, and with plenty of injuries and not enough replacements, he was right. Due to injuries, Klopp has had to do his best to create a working lineup, and this starting squad has changed almost every game. This continuous shuffle of players doesn’t allow for a team to settle in and grow in a successful direction. The team may be better off if a lineup was chosen and stuck with, giving the players a chance to figure out the system and connect with each other in the long run. Another thing Dortmund players are missing along with a solid position is a real self-confidence. Looking to the very beginning of this win drought, Dortmund has been losing confidence after every game, each time hoping to come back in the next for a win but being repeatedly shut down. Match after match, Dortmund have lost with a glimpse of hope, with most losses being by just one goal, but they have failed to come back to get at least one league point from the game, taking away from their confidence piece by piece. 

Barca Losing Style?

                This Friday, Suarez had his big chance at a home debut for Barcelona, and many hoped it would provide a bounce back from the disappointing loss to Real Madrid previously. With Messi posed to set a La Liga goal record with one more goal and Suarez yet to show his true attacking linkup with the team, the home game against Celta Vigo was hoped to provide some reassurance. Throughout the first half, Barcelona held the majority of possession and had no shortage of opportunities; however, their defense still looked shaky. This pattern continued until the 55^th minute when Celta finally put one away and themselves ahead away against Barcelona. After some substitutions for Barcelona, the attack grew again, but nothing came of it and the game ended as another disappointing defeat for Barcelona.

                This loss creates further trouble for Luis Enrique and his plan for the team, as bringing in Suarez hoped to make more opportunities and, in turn, goals. So far, in his first two games, Suarez has yet to score and begin what is hoped to be a successful career with Barcelona. However, Suarez has created opportunities and has one assist, but he is still lacking a goal. Also, talk of Messi breaking the La Liga career goal record started before the Real Madrid game, but he has yet to score the record-breaking goal. Thus, Barcelona has not been the most effective attacking-wise in the last few games, and despite such big name strikers, a real attacking force is yet to be seen.

                However, offense is not the only part of the game that Barcelona is struggling with, and their defense is not as strong as it needs to be in order to do well in the league. Like Celta, Barcelona was able to create chances offensively, and, with a sound defensive side, could have held on to at least sustain a draw. Unluckily, this was not the case, and working backwards Barcelona looked shaky as ever, and lacked any real defensive presence from any one player. In the buildup to the goal by Celta, Barcelona’s defense was outmuscled multiple times and, in the end, were scored on due to a lack of strong defensive presence. In order for Barcelona to compete with very attacking teams such as Real Madrid, they need to connect going forward and grow as an offensive force. Also, the defensive side needs to get stronger and someone needs to step up as a leader in the back. 

Adidas Crazylight Pack

                Just recently, Adidas released Crazylight versions of their four major soccer cleat silos: F50, Predator, Nitrocharge, and 11pro. Featuring stunning colors and unique designs, these shoes are sure to make you stand out on the pitch. The Crazylight versions of these cleats are only for the firm ground stud patterns and there is only one color and model for each branch. With each boot being under 8 ounces and the F50 being under 5, these are all very lightweight cleats especially considering the fact that some of them utilize leather or leather-like synthetics. At first impressions, I was very excited to see these new cleats, and each colorway is distinctive and intriguing. Even though these are basically just slimmed-down versions of Adidas’s top model cleats, I think they did a good job of bringing down the weight, maintaining stability and structure, and creating a color and feel unique to the Crazylight models.

                To me, the feel of the cleats that I am wearing is an important part of deciding which ones to buy, and weight contributes greatly to the feel of a boot. Nothing is worse than the feeling of heavy, weighed down cleats. Although anything under 9 or so ounces is fairly light on the feet and the difference between 9 or 6 ounces is hardly noticeable, there is a freshness about not being able to tell that you are wearing shoes. Because of this, it is nice that Adidas is able to create the support of their regular cleats while taking off some of the excess weight. While not everyone will be able to afford these cleats, as premium cleats come with a premium price, I appreciate how Adidas still makes them as there are people who want this extra lightweight feel. Along with the high-end feel, there are no lower-end models that share the same colorway as the Crazylight models, guaranteeing the wearer to stand out on the field. Unlike the Crazylight shoes, normal models of cleats at any level share the same colors, so a high-end shoe looks very similar to a lower-end shoe on the field, creating a lack of a premium feel to some people. Overall, Adidas did a lot of things right for this release, improving on all of their regular top models by dropping weight while keeping the positives of the regular shoes.

United Shows Strength

            Despite a slow start to the season, and a loss to Rooney to suspension and Falcao to injury, Manchester United put on their most convincing show against Chelsea today. Both teams were likely saying the same things about the game; that they were both unhappy to not win. Chelsea feels this way because they are currently seen as the greatest contender for the title and have started the season as such while United feels that they played a game deserving of a win. United seemed to be winning the game, ending up with over twice the shots and greater possession time than Chelsea, but ended up down by one after a goal by Drogba. At this point, Chelsea looked to dominate and kill the game like they do so well, and it looked as if they would succeed and turn out with the win. However, in the 94^th minute, a free kick by Di Maria ended up at the feet of Van Persie who put the ball in the back of the net and gave United a much needed, and deserved, 1-1 tie to league leaders Chelsea.

            For Manchester United and its fans, today’s game against Chelsea was going to show a lot about the team and where they stand going forward. For one, Rooney, their captain and long-time starting forward, was out due to suspension after a red card in a previous game. There has been dispute to Rooney’s position as captain and if he deserves the title, and how the team plays without him could change that status. After losing to much less competitive teams than Chelsea, United was not expected to do extremely well against them, but this improvement does show that United may be better off without Rooney as their captain. In the absence of Rooney, Robin Van Persie took on the role as captain against Chelsea, and he played a game deserving of the captain’s band, scoring the late goal to equalize and give the team a point in the league. Going forward, I wonder if this may be a permanent change in statuses, with Van Persie remaining as captain and Rooney losing the title. Depending on how United does in the next games without Rooney, this may become a more likely outcome. Either way, the game was a very disappointing one for Chelsea and gives hope to what Manchester United can do in the future.

Borussia Dortmund Crisis

            Borussia Dortmund has seen three wins in three games in the Champions League group stage while losing three consecutive games in the regular season as of now. It’s this reason why Dortmund tried to use their Champions League “luck” in their season game against Hannover today. After receiving permission from league authorities, Dortmund chose to wear their Champions League jerseys in the game, but the luck did not seem to carry over across leagues. After a tie at halftime, Hannover snuck by with the win due to a free kick that gave them the 1-0 victory against hopeful Dortmund.

            Now with four losses in a row, it is only getting harder for Dortmund and fans to provide excuses or reasons for the lack of form. Many, including coach Jurgen Klopp, have stated that “We have made little from a lot, the others a lot from little,” (ESPN). While Dortmund does have plenty of opportunities and many of them turn to nothing, this does not really look at the root of the problem. Hummels states the frustration of losing despite being the better team, and he describes it as “inexplicable”. Even media in Germany and elsewhere can’t come up with a sound theory as to why the team lacks, and typical questions float around regarding the coach or the system, but still no answer. With no real lack in talent or opportunities going forward, I believe the problem must lie somewhere in the team aspect of the players. As there are no other real solutions, I wonder if there isn’t a disconnect between players or something wrong with the unification of the team. No matter how strong a team may look on paper, if they can’t be put together as a working team, the end result won’t ever be a success. While there is no evidence or rumors supporting the idea of a lack of team bonding, there just doesn’t seem to be any other explanation for a strong team to be losing games that they should easily win.

To fix this, Klopp’s strategy is to just persevere and play the way they have been while trying to improve on what they can. He feels that eventually the problem will resolve itself and the team will fall into form. With games coming up against strong opponents such as Bayern Munich, Dortmund needs to fix this problem if it wants to have any success in the future.

Balotelli Shirt Swap

              For Liverpool’s transfers this summer, many believe that they were not successful, and this is shown by their start to the season. One part of these transfers was the decision to bring in striker Mario Balotelli. Balotelli is known for his talent and ability to score and create when he puts in the effort and keeps his attitude in check, but he is equally known for his behavior issues. This trade-off is the reason that many feel that it was a bad idea to take on Balotelli regardless of the price. So far this season, behavior hasn’t been a real issue for Balotelli, but attitude and effort have overshadowed any good he has done for Liverpool to date.

            Having scored just one goal so far in a Liverpool jersey, he has not been successful by the standards of a striker. Missing wide-open nets and looking all around sluggish and uninspiring, Balotelli is making some of his critics correct. The major headline regarding Liverpool these days also includes Balotelli, yet again on the wrong side of the news. At halftime when down 3-0 to Real Madrid, Balotelli and Real Madrid’s Pepe swapped shirts, angering fans and managers. Many feel that Balotelli should have been focused on how to come back into the game ready to make a difference rather than getting a souvenir from an opponent, especially an opponent beating his team by three points. While I feel that there was nothing inherently wrong with Balotelli swapping shirts with the opposition, it was neither the time nor the place to do it. I agree that it should not have been done going into halftime and that Balotelli’s mind should have been elsewhere. If he truly wanted to swap shirts with Pepe, it should’ve been done after the game and outside of the demanding nature of the game.

             Also, I think that the entire event should not have been made a big deal by the media and especially by coaches. After the game, the Liverpool manager stated that he would deal with Balotelli and discipline him as needed, which I feel is very extreme and just adds to the pressure of the situation. Although Balotelli was in the wrong, this should not have become a big deal, and the coaches should have reinforced that idea by playing it all off and not furthering the problem by disciplining him. 

Liverpool Turn Out Lucky

            With a largely unsuccessful season so far, Liverpool were looking for a crucial victory over Queens Park Rangers this Sunday. However, by the end of the first half, it was a wonder how QPR was not up by at least 2 goals to Liverpool. The same problems remained; Liverpool’s defense isn’t adequate against set pieces and going forward the team still does not create enough opportunities. After going 1 up after an own goal in the second half by QPR, Liverpool seemed like they would scrape by with a win up to the last three minutes. At that point, Vargas scored his first English goal and equalized, instilling some fear into Liverpool fans. The lead for Liverpool was restored, but yet another goal by Vargas again put them under pressure. Finally, at the fifth minute of stoppage time, a cross by Sterling was directed into the net for another own goal, giving Liverpool a 3-2 win over QPR.

            The statement made by Liverpool player Gerrard sums up the thoughts of all; "We're still in shock to be honest. We're very lucky today,"(from Sky Sports). The performance by Liverpool was undeserving of a win, to say the least, but the three points are still welcomed and bring the team into fifth place in the league. In the end, the consistent pressure by Liverpool and the defensive breakdown by QPR won them the game, and that is the most positive thing that they can take out of the game. On the other hand, Liverpool’s defense lacked quality and was ineffective against set pieces, and this problem almost cost the team the game. Also, their attacking side only finished on one of the three goals scored, and if the team can’t defend, then the least they can do to win is outscore their opponents, but that seems very unlikely after this performance.

            Another talking point of the game is the fact that Raheem Sterling was back after not playing for his national team due to feeling tired. Sterling played a major role in Liverpool’s attack today, and he is glad to be back to playing the game, according to Sky Sports. He was glad to play again and, like the rest of the team, to get the three points. Sterling is important the attacking side of Liverpool, and hopefully is still able to handle his international duties while staying fit and rested. 

Sergio Aguero at 100%

            For some players, top form is achieved every few games, or at the end of the season, and for others, they may never reach their full potential in a season. For Sergio Aguero in Manchester City’s 4-1 dominance over Tottenham today, this peak performance was reached, and it showed. In order for Aguero to reach this potential, it often takes time and some patience, but when he is at 100%, there are few that can stop his sheer attacking nature.

            His first goal in the game was a perfect display of the havoc that Aguero can cause when he’s fit. The ability and confidence to control the ball in the presence of a defender and let loose a shot that would leave many keepers standing is a characteristic any coach wants in their strikers, and Aguero has it. Playing the lone man forward, Aguero and his team kept the attack up, leading to three opportunities from the penalty spot. With Aguero taking all three, two goals were made and another was saved by Tottenham’s goalie, Hugo Lloris.

            The quickness and acceleration that Aguero possesses is something to be marveled at, and most defenders don’t stand a chance at keeping up with him for short distances. Aguero is able to drive past defenders with pace, constantly unpredictable, and also keep his cool when it comes time to take a shot. Throughout the entire game, Aguero continued to put pressure on Tottenham and kept the defenders guessing, and it showed in the end score. Taking all four goals for City while helping to keep Tottenham to just one goal, Aguero put on a show to remember, and put himself further in the talk of the best strikers around. This attacking mindset with confidence is a quality that I see as the most important for a forward player, and along with Aguero’s pace when he is fit, this quality leads to many goals. With this performance, Aguero took the lead as Manchester City’s top goal scorer in the Premier League with 61 league goals. If Aguero stays at this level of play, he may be able to lead City to yet another league title, but he must stay at 100% fitness.

Messi vs. Ronaldo: El Clasico

            When it comes to discussions of the best footballers in the world, throughout seasons and tournaments, there have been only two true contenders over the last five years at least: Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Both currently playing for Spain’s biggest clubs, it has been hard to determine a clear winner of the title, and both are unquestionably phenomenal players. With Messi holding four consecutive player-of-the year awards and Ronaldo winning the most recent, it has been a close race to say the least. During this season, however, there is one more factor that adds to the discussion.

            In Spain, the most career La Liga goals is 251 and the record is held by Telmo Zarra. After today’s game against Eibar for Barcelona, Messi sits at 250 La Liga goals, and is consistently expected at least one goal per game, and delivers almost all times. This would lead to the conclusion that Messi should easily surpass the record by his next game, and this is expected. However, this game is arguably the most important one of the season, and it seems like everything is happening at this game. First, it is El Clasico, the game where the two Spanish giants play each other: Barcelona and Real Madrid. Also, a big rival to Messi’s career, Christiano Ronaldo plays for this club, and the battle is always much anticipated. Another big talking point to this particular Clasico is the fact that this is the first game that Luis Suarez will be available for Barcelona after his ban, and many are waiting to see his impact for the team. All this seems to set the perfect stage for Messi to put away one more goal and reach the record set by Zarra. All of these aspects of the game should prove to be motivating for Messi and his team, and I wonder how it will play into how the team plays.

            As to the discussion of who reigns as the best player in the world, it has previously been argued that Ronaldo is the better all-around player while Messi only plays a specific role. While this may have been true at certain times, Messi has been developing a role for Barcelona rarely seen from him before, and he is scoring less individual goals while setting up teammates all over the place. Also, both players have their problems with fitness, as to be expected with top players who start every game for club and internationally. Recently, Ronaldo has struggled with leg issues that may not ever fully recover, and Messi has had no shortage with injuries throughout his career. All in all, both players are fantastic on the pitch and to watch, and they both deserve the praise of the best players in the world, but it is impossible to determine which is the best without displaying personal affection based on team preference.

European Games Gone International?

            With the game of soccer gaining popularity tremendously in the states over the last few years, there has been talk of having some of the European leagues hold matches in the US. Whichever way the games and schedules are formatted for this endeavor, there are still plenty of concerns for fans on either side of the Atlantic.

            To start, the fairness of the competition seems to be jeopardized when games are played in different countries. If one round was played overseas, the number of away vs. home games would be changed, and the venue of a soccer game is known to hold power over the result. On the other hand, if one game was added for each team, teams would play each other at different amounts than other teams would play them. For example, one team would play an easier team for the added game while another team would play a difficult team, hurting some teams’ chances for the title. Some serious thought would have to be put in to make it fair, and even two overseas rounds may have to be added.

            Another concern with matches taking place away from their home country is the fan support. Many, me included, would argue that a club is a part of their community, and those in that community should have the right to go to their games. Moving games, especially important ones, away from the home fans would be upsetting and would take away from those wanting to watch their community team play. Also, imposing a completely different league on the countries that these foreign matches would take place in could prove harmful. In the US, for example, the MLS has been growing rapidly through the years, and needs to continue to build up fan support, and it definitely needs fans to attend matches played. When fans pay to watch soccer games, the club has more money to spend on new players, and ultimately the league grows in its player diversity and performance. If European games were played in the US, most people would go to their game over a local MLS one, drawing support and money away from MLS teams, which it is in great need of. Overall, I think that, at least with the current state of American soccer, European games should not be played in the US. Preseason games or friendlies would be welcome, but league games should stick to their home countries.

Landon Donovan International Farewell

            Over the last 14 years there have been many put on the US Mens National Team jersey and play for their country, but one stands out as the most influential. Landon Donovan has had 57 goals and 58 assists for the national team during his run, and many would say that he has shaped American soccer forever. Between his MLS and international careers, Donovan has been fairly successful on American soil to say the least. Announcing his retirement from professional soccer this summer after being left off the World Cup roster, Donovan had one last international debut this Friday.

            In this farewell game against Ecuador, Donovan was given the captain’s band and a starting position. Within the first five minutes, Donovan’s cross into the box eventually led to goal by Diskerud, and the game looked likely to become a happy ending for his international career. With a few missed chances later in the half, Donovan left the field for the last time with a few minutes left in the half, receiving hugs and applause from the fans and teammates. What happened after his exit marks the state that US soccer is left in after his retirement. When Landon left the field, the best his team could do at that point was to settle for a 1-1 draw. The team was left in a sort of awkwardness, riding along the emotion that the farewell brought, but failing to hold on to a win. Like how American soccer feels as a whole, it has to be decided what direction the sport wants to be taken now that Donovan is out.

            Landon Donovan has been the face of American soccer and MLS over the past years, and the growth that he brought to the sport is tremendous. By not taking his talent to European leagues and staying in America, Donovan was able to bring a competition to the league that it desperately needed, and still needs. For a long time, the MLS has been seen as an easy league, where top players go when they are over the hill but still want to play. With Donovan and players like him, MLS has grown in to a competitive league that grows players that are not only skilled, but when put together create a formidable opponent to some of the greatest countries of soccer. The progress that the league has made during Donovan’s years is astounding, and the young players of this last World Cup give promise for more. If players like DeAndre Yedlin can step up like Landon did and stick with the MLS, the continued growth that it could see is beyond needed, and these players could be a part of the growth of the sport of soccer in the US.

Suarez and El Clasico

                For every Barcelona or Real Madrid fan, there is one fixture that trumps all others and is the most popular between these two teams; El Clasico. The rivalry between the two sides is great, and when they meet in the season, the game becomes one of, if not, the most important games in the season for the teams. The fans of the two Spanish giants thrive off of the opposition between the sides, and losing to the other team would be an utter disgrace to either team. Just one piece of the puzzle has been missing from Barcelona this season, and that is Luis Suarez, out on a four month ban from the World Cup this summer. The timing of when that ban runs out could not be more perfect, or wrong, depending on which side you support. The first game that Suarez will be eligible for with Barcelona is for that perfect game, against Real Madrid.

            The main question that most people have about the game is what role Suarez will play, if he even takes the field at all. The concern of whether he should play or not begins with the fact that he hasn’t played any real competitive games since June. While Suarez has played with the Barcelona B team this season and will have played two friendlies with Uruguay by the Clasico, many fear that he may have lost his edge, or at least forgotten it for the time being, and will need to get back into things. I feel that, since he has remained in training and has played some minor matches, Suarez should be in good condition for the Real Madrid matchup. Unlike an injured player, Suarez has been able to work with the ball and his teammates and should be physically and mostly mentally ready. Also, after four months on the sideline, Suarez should have plenty of motivation built up.

            Many also question whether or not he should start or be subbed in later in the game, or if he should be eased into things throughout later games. With his performance at Liverpool last season, Suarez should be able to be an impact player, and should tremendously add to the Barcelona score sheet. Players like Pedro have filled in his gap so far this season, and have done enough, but have not made much of an impact. However, they do have the experience of the season to date, and I believe that Suarez will not start the game, but will rather come in later to cause trouble for Real Madrid in their defense. While Suarez should definitely be ready to play in the game, I feel that he should be used, in this case, as a player to be subbed in partway through the game to create more opportunities going forward.

United Back on the Rise?

           With their captain out for a red card from a previous game and painful start to the season to say the least, Manchester United needed some of their new players to prove their value against Everton, and that is exactly what they did. When Angel Di Maria moved from Real Madrid to United this summer, he became the most expensive player in English football history, and he is proving that further each game he plays. With a second-string player in at right back for the Everton side, it took no time for Di Maria to expose the left side of the field in their attack. After the opening goal in this game against Everton, Di Maria has had 3 goals in 4 games with United and plenty of assists and other opportunities to go along. The pricey but productivity has showed his worth for the team, and he is looking the best out of all of United’s new signings for the season.

            On the other side of the scoring done by United this season, there is Radamel Falcao. Unlike the productive start of Di Maria, Falcao can seemingly not get started at United, and by the fourth game had still yet to score. Attempt after attempt, Falcao remained goalless and has been looking less and less valuable to the team. Not only in goals has Falcao been unproductive, but he has lacked attack and skill throughout the field during his time at United so far. Then, after a shot gone wide by Di Maria, Falcao was able to reach the ball and put it into the back of the Everton net, opening what is hoped to be a high-scoring season for him this year. With relief, Falcao was not only able to score the goal that would lead Manchester United to a victory over Everton but was also able to save another from going into his own goal, making for a fairly productive game for a striker. After the start to the season that United has had, a win like this is necessary to the confidence and success of the team. To have this win without their captain is even more of a victory, and it raises questions to the viability of Wayne Rooney as the captain of the Manchester United team, and it will be interesting to see how the team does in further games without their captain and how these results will impact his role when he returns.

Manchester City vs Aston Villa Recap

            With Chelsea sitting comfortably at the top of the table, and an uninspiring start to the season for these champions of last season, a win and three points were crucial to City against Aston Villa today. Sluggish and under-performing players have been just one of things hindering the start of the team. Looking to reign English champions yet again this season, Manchester City needed a win and for certain players to “wake up” and reach top form.

            With 68% of the possession throughout the game and 7 shots on goal for a total of 27 shots, Manchester City seemed to be the likely winners. Keeping composed and continuously attacking, City held control of the game for the most part. However, as City kept sending men forward to get involved in the attack, Aston Villa gained more chances on the counter attack and appeared to still be in the fight, with the score remaining 0-0 at half.

            Yet again, players including Yaya Toure were not playing at their best, and it was showing as the game could still go either way. Toure seemed to be only barely enduring another uneventful game for him, and critics still had a point. Attempt after attempt City attacked, but the score still held even at 0, but City kept at it. Finally, at 8 minutes before full time, Yaya Toure hits a long-range strike past the keeper, putting his team up and his critics to rest. From there, City could only grow stronger, with another goal by Sergio Aguero 6 minutes later, seemingly placing Manchester City far enough ahead to last the remaining 2 minutes to a victory. After 90 minutes of possession dominated by City and little attacking power, but defensive composure, from Aston Villa, Manchester City were finally able to reach a much-needed victory over their opponents. This may have been a critical awakening for a large group of City players, and it will be further proven after the next few games, showing whether or not City has a chance at reaching the top of the Premier League once again. Also, the game proves the defensive composure and endurance of the Aston Villa side, holding City to no goals up until the final 10 minutes. If one or more of Villa’s counter attacks would have resulted in a goal, the game could have had a completely different outcome and City may not have been in a position to succeed in the league this season.

Nike Elastico Superfly IV Release

             With all the hype and success that has surrounded Nike’s release of the Mercurial Superfly IV early this spring, it is no surprise that they have chosen to expand on it. This highly anticipated release came with no shortage of technical improvements, and with the mid-cut design with a knitted upper, the boot looked to revolutionize the modern soccer footwear. From the World Cup this summer to the start of club seasons, the top professional players have been promoting and sporting these cleats, drawing the attention of many fans and other players. Now that summer has ended and indoor training is approaching, Nike has released its new line of indoor-specific boots, including a new Elastico-Superfly hybrid.

            This summer, Nike had a limited-release Superfly indoor that was assumed by many to be a sort of test to if customers were willing to pay a premium price for an indoor version of their top-end outdoor shoe. The stock at all places to purchase these boots sold out almost instantly, and the market for premium indoor shoes was proven to be present. Now, towards the beginning of this fall, new colorways of the Elastico Superfly were released alongside the updated Elastico Finale indoor line. With the success of the outdoor version of this shoe being so great, it seemed inevitable that the top-end shoes would end up on the indoor courts. This indoor version of the Superfly keeps the vital technology of the outdoor version, such as the mid-cut design, the Flyknit upper, and the Flywire integrated into the upper. Also, this model adds things more necessary to indoor playing surfaces, such as a viable traction pattern, and gets rid of technology unimportant indoors, such as Nike’s All Conditions Control, an application to the upper that is supposed to help maintain control when playing in all weather conditions. As indoor courts should be free of rain and mud, this feature shouldn’t be necessary and it’s good to see it leave the indoor model as it should help to keep the price down. With this release by Nike of a successful, top-end outdoor model of boot being integrated into an indoor model, with alterations of course, it will be interesting to see if other brands take to similar tactics. Also, we may see further integration by Nike, bringing some of their other top boot lines to indoor courts.

Barcelona Phenomenal Season Kickoff

           When it comes to starts to La Liga this season, it could be argued that Barcelona has one of if not the best. With contenders to the title like Real and Atletico Madrid, it is a tough league to do so well in, especially while keeping the other teams from scoring. Despite the less than satisfactory draw against Malaga, Barcelona has had a great start to the season and has yet to concede a goal. Fans have seen a new side to the Spanish giants, one that attacks as a team, but continues to hold the opponents from scoring.

            On the offensive side, Barcelona have been making plays and combinations that have never been seen by this team before, with Messi having more assists than goals by feeding other strong attackers such as Neymar. This ability of Messi to distribute the ball from the midfield stems from the fact that new signing Ivan Rakitic is placed ahead of Xavi, allowing for Messi to start deeper and even begin to play defense. With the skill of Messi now focused on all-around playmaking, the attack is more consistent and widespread, allowing for goals to originate from all areas of the field. Also, with Luiz Suarez coming soon off of his four month ban and Messi moving further away from the central striker role, there is only more to come for the attacking side of this Barcelona team.

            As Suarez is reaching the end of his ban period, there is some concern as to how he will fit in with the already successful team and if he will even draw away from the success of the other strikers. As his debut with the top Barcelona team approaches, coach Luis Enrique appears to be making arrangements to build the team around his arrival. With Messi playing less of a central striking role, room for Suarez to come in is being created, and the system already is being proven to work as shown by their stunning start to the season. Regardless of Suarez’s form coming to his debut at Barcelona, the team has already proven their effectiveness as a team, and it is continually proving to be a great year for Barcelona fans.

Ronaldo to Wear Red Again?

            With the summer transfer window closed, it has taken no time for new speculations to come up for the next big moves, and one in particular is seeing a lot of headlines lately. Anything to do with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is big news, and talk of Ronaldo moving back to Manchester United seems to be at the top of the list now. While many United fans would love to see the star come back and many Real Madrid supporters wouldn’t want to see him go, there are many problems that go along with all of this talk.

            First, with the way that Manchester United is playing this season, the last thing they need is another big attacker. United has had no trouble scoring goals this season, but rather with giving them up. This last transfer season, the major players picked up by United all fit into the attacking role of the team, which is not necessarily bad. However, when the team can score three goals on a team but conceives five, another attacking player should not be the top priority of the team. While it would be interesting and make a good story if Ronaldo were to go back to United, it wouldn’t fit the needs that the team currently has.

            Another problem that United would have by picking up Ronaldo would be the price of the move. Estimated by numerous British newspapers, the move would eventually cost United upwards of 140 million pounds, or 228 million dollars. While the club could potentially afford that price point, it seems hardly reasonable to spend such a large sum of money to improve an attacking side that is already successful and to neglect such a void in the defensive side of United.

            While the move seems hardly likely, and even unworthy of mentioning, it has not failed to spark and excite the energy of United fans. There has been no shortage of signs, posts, and, lately, planes flying banners asking Ronaldo to “come home” to United during his games with Real Madrid. Even as Ronaldo has recently stated that his future lies in Madrid, fans continue to support the idea of a move and will most likely continue until the final decision is made, whether or not the player even gives hint of a move, and even whether or not it would be back to Manchester United.

United Captain Controversy

            There is one player who has stolen the headlines for each Manchester United game, win or loss, and that is Wayne Rooney. Selected as the captain for the team by coach Louis Van Gaal, that decision and the choices made by Rooney on the field have arisen many questions and doubts as to Rooney’s capabilities as captain. Throughout recent games, Rooney has failed to prove his leadership qualities to many, and some believe that he does not deserve the role of captain.

            During that staggering defeat last week against Leicester City, Rooney began to show these qualities, or faults to some. As United began to break down on defense and allow attack by Leicester, Rooney seemed to collapse or break down himself under pressure. During a certain play, Rooney had the chance to clear an attacking ball by Leicester, which he failed to do efficiently, and eventually the play led to a goal on United. As captain, Rooney at that point should have accepted the mistakes and tried to encourage the team, and himself, to fix them. However, the controversial captain proceeded to go from teammate to teammate, yelling at them for their mistakes rather than help the team reassemble or take responsibility for his own mistakes. This leadership is deemed by many as “fake”, as the leader or captain is not always the one yelling at teammates but leading the team through his play, and this is not what Rooney did at this game, and the game eventually fell to a 5-3 loss by United.

            Now, Rooney was given another opportunity to lead his team up the table, with a home game against West Ham United. The game looked to be a successful show by United, leading at half 2-1, one of which was scored by Rooney himself. As United were seemingly in a comfortable position going forward, their defensive side again looked quite shaky. As Rooney tracked back, he was unable to catch up to West Ham midfielder Downing, and kicked him from behind in the United half. Rooney was then promptly sent off by the referee, leaving his team to hold on to their slight lead without their captain. As leader of the team, Rooney should have seen United’s position score-wise and not have made the tackle. Rooney put his team in jeopardy, and was lucky to see a win in the end. Also, the captain will sit out for three following games in the season, leaving an already unstable side without their leader. Rooney does not fit the role of captain of his team in my opinion, as he does not truly lead his team nor does he make decisions that help the team, but rather he decides to not play at all.

Premier League Transfers Part II

                Finally, transfer season discussions end for the summer, and, although talk has already begun for the next transfers, I am finishing the summaries of Premier League transfers.

 Liverpool:

                Losing Luis Suarez to Barcelona early in the summer left a large role to fill in Liverpool’s attack as Suarez was a large goal-scorer for the team and had a great previous season. With such an important piece to the puzzle lost, I wonder if Liverpool will ever reach their top form of last season and if the team will grow together. To fill in the gaps, Mario Balotelli was brought in from AC Milan with mixed feelings from Liverpool fans. Most agree that he should score goals for the team, maybe as Suarez did but some also feel that the risk of his behavior acting up is not worth it. Overall, I am slightly worried that Liverpool might not have the season they did last time and it may become a disappointment if they can’t come together.

Arsenal:

                This season, Arsenal is looking to rise into the top four and even compete for the title, but they needed a reliable transfer season to have a chance at these efforts. While Arsenal did not lose many key players from their squad, they did look to build on it. Bringing in Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona at 30 million pounds, Arsenal should benefit from this trade should Sanchez fit the playing style of the team. Another player brought in is Danny Welbeck from Manchester United. This trade and others did spark some controversy as fans feel that they are not to the caliber of Arsenal, and I can see what they mean as these are not the top end players that many expect. However, these transfers are in no way bad, and they should all be helpful in some way towards improving the Arsenal side.

Throughout all of the transfers and scrambling to improve squads, one point is becoming clear as the season begins: the smaller teams in the league are competing with even the best teams and there is no clear favorite for the title yet. Many expected the Manchester United side to make top four, but now spectators question their ability to beat teams at the bottom of the table. This season in the Premier League should prove to be very interesting and unpredictable, and I hope to be able to shed some light on all of it throughout the season.

Manchester United Defeated Again

                For many of the fans in red today, the Manchester United game was a disgrace and a shame, and for many, a confirmation of the doubts of this team. As Louis Van Gaal took the coaching position of this team this year, he looked to improve and build up this team, but it seems that not enough was done for new players this year and the squad is not working as a team. Spending 150 million pounds this summer on top strikers such as Falcao and Angel Di Maria while picking up smaller name defenders such as Marcos Rojo, it has been worried that United will have to outscore their opponents rather than keep the other team from scoring. This has been confirmed by the start of the season for this team.

                With a slow start to the season having lost a game and tied two, United were looking very grim this last week. Then, as fans became desperate for any sign of improvement, United crushed QPR at home last Sunday 4-0. Some fans saw this as the end to the team’s slump, while others insisted that the game meant very little as to how the team would fair throughout the season as they were not challenged defensively. Today, it seemed, would decide the verdict; whether or not the team could last an entire 90 minutes ahead of their opponents, and at the start it seemed they would, with a 2-0 lead over Leicester City. However, it did not last, as Leicester began to expose the weak back and came back for an astonishing 5-3 win over United. With this defeat, the old predictions about United this year arise yet again and there is serious doubt as to whether or not the team will reach their goal of the title or even making top four. To win against attacking teams with their current defense, United will have to score a plethora of goals to outscore the teams, and I don’t see how the team has it in them to reach any great accomplishments this season.

Premier League Transfers Part I

            To wrap up the discussion of summer club transfers, all that are left are the top Premier League teams. Many clubs are looking to move up in the standings this year, and the fight for the top four continues.

Chelsea:

Many would argue that Chelsea had one of the best of the transfer seasons this summer, and in many ways they would be right. While outing players that have struggled recently, Chelsea was able to bring in new players that should fit the system and provide a successful season for the team. To begin, Chelsea was able to sell David Luiz to PSG for a good price, and after his World Cup performance with Brazil, this is a good move by Chelsea. Also, Chelsea was able to bring in a top striker in the form of Diego Costa for another fair price, and Costa has already proved his worth. In just the first few games, Costa is on track to set a goal-scoring record for the league, and although this record is unlikely, Costa should still provide goals for Chelsea as long as he can stay fit.

Manchester United:

            With a new coach and a new season, United needed to up their game through transfers and team-building this summer, and I am not too sure of their success in these efforts. While United spent 150 million pounds and picked up the important strikers Radamel Falcao and Di Maria, they did not do much to build their defense. To truly improve the defending side and pick up some quality center-backs, Manchester United would have had to have been willing to pay the magnitude that they paid for their strikers, which they must not have been willing to do. Instead, United went for top-class strikers and lower-class defenders who are just not to the standards that United want and expect them to be. I feel that Manchester United will be able to score on many chances in their games but will get beat in the counter-attack and in the final score in the end.

Manchester City:

            Winning the title last season, City is looking to finish top for at the very least and is hoping to repeat a win for the title. With that in mind, Manchester City had less to do in terms of transfers this summer compared to other teams. By taking care of small purchases and sales, City was able to maintain their status in the league. To give an idea of some of these transfers, players including Frank Lampard and Fernando were brought in while Javi Garcia and Gareth Barry left the club. Overall, not much changed at Manchester City.

            To end this frantic summer of transfers, there will be just one more post summarizing the trades of more of the clubs in the Premier League.

2022 World Cup Controversy

As of now, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is to be held in Qatar and during the typical time frame of early summer. However, new complications have risen up as to when the tournament should be held and even as to where. Many claim that the decision to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was biased and corrupt, but that may not be attestable and therefore I only want to examine what changes or decisions can be made now to make the tournament a success.

            First, many feel that there is a threat to the safety of the players and the fans that would attend the World Cup in Qatar and think that the area is not in a state that is secure enough for such an event. This seems like a viable concern, considering the possible threats that occurred during the recent Olympics held in Russia. Also, the desert heat of the Qatari summer would not provide healthy or safe conditions for players, and despite the previously promised air-cooled stadiums, FIFA representatives now claim that the summer would not be a good time for the tournament to be held in Qatar. This problem leads to the next area of concern; when the World Cup should be held should it be in Qatar.

            As the typical June time slot for the World Cup seems to be out, November or January are the options that FIFA has provided for alternates. Although these winter schedules seem to be out of the summer heat, they bring up new complications for club teams and the rest of the world. The club season is reaching its midpoint during the winter months, and taking a pause to send their top players on international duty doesn’t seem to please these teams or players. It is well known that many players who contest in the World Cup come back with injuries or in need of large amounts of time to recover. Normally, this happens in the summer, the offseason, giving these players time to rest before their club seasons start. This would not be ideal for the middle of the season when players are reaching top forms. Also, the entire schedule for many leagues would be set off for a substantial amount of time to accommodate the tournament. Also, a January time frame for the World Cup would potentially conflict with the 2022 Winter Olympics which are assumed to begin in February. These two competitions could compete for sponsors and network time, which is a bad situation for all parties involved.

            Overall, there seem to be many things wrong with the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. I wouldn’t be surprised, or upset by, a complete venue change to a different host country in either Europe or North America. The risk and all the questions about the tournament in Qatar don’t seem ideal for the players, teams, or fans.

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