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News
MLS Standings With No Divisions
How much more robust-looking a league this is with all 16 teams set one atop another. No messy East-West breakouts, top 4 teams going to special tournaments, and the 2 last place teams dropping to the USL. Scroll over for a larger view.
NewsUnited States
USA v Brazil through Brazilian Eyes
Last night’s friendly gave Brazil fans something to cheer about again. After Dunga’s stifling tactics robbed the Canarinha of their usual flair in South Africa, the country demanded the return of joga bonito. TV outlet Globo (the largest commercial television network of Latin America and the third largest in the world) recapped the game with a to-be-expected nationalistic slant. Huge thanks to Mark Gannon, our correspondent on the ground in Brazil, for the translations.
For the original article in Portuguese click over to globoesporte.
Football is joy! New Brazil attacks with strength and beats the United States
In the first friendly of the Mano Menezes era, the Seleção won 2-0 in New Jersey. Neymar and Alexandre Pato scored the goals in the win. By Leandro Canônico, Direct from New Jersey (Globo.com)
Speed, dribbling, “pedaladas,” joy… the ingredients that were missing from the Seleção are back. At least in the first friendly of the Mano Menezes era it went that way. Well-organized defensively and offensive like in the good times, Brazil didn’t have much work to beat the USA 2-0 on Tuesday.
New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, full of fans wearing yellow shirts had room even for shouts of “olé” for the canary-colored team with Paulo Henrique Ganso, Neymar, and Robinho on the field. And that trio that shone at Santos in the first semester was still reinforced by Alexandre Pato.
Commentary
Bob Bradley to Aston Villa?
There’s a lot of rumbling about Coach Bob heading to Birmingham to take over at Aston Villa after Martin O’Neill’s surprising departure just days before the season starts. It’s been a strong side, and O’Neill has done well during his tenure there. His leaving was as sudden as it was mysterious, though most assume he was simply fed up with the transfer pot at his disposal.
Bradley has 11/4 odds of being selected, and he was given polite backing by Sir Alex during Man U’s tour of the States. Before the Brazil matchup last night, Tim Howard thought better of criticizing the coach:
“With his style, I think he’d be accepted by all the players. It’s hard to say how he’d do, because the way things happen now with managers in Europe, and certainly England, is pretty damn crazy. But overall I think he’d be accepted. And that’s the biggest thing, is player acceptance.”
There’d be a learning curve for certain, but Bradley is a decent tactician and clearly knows how to motivate his players. He prepares well, his teams are always fit, and I think he’d make a good showing holding the reins at Villa. I say go for it, Bob!
Commentary
RedBulls v Fire: A Few Thoughts
Having watched a good portion of last night’s Designated Player matchup I am again reminded that while individuals can make an impact in moments, it’s the whole team that wins or loses a game. Obvious stuff, but easy to forget when the hype swirl around Henry, Marquez, Angel, Ljungberg and Castillo would have you think we were about to see these 5 guys play between themselves in some sort of Yuen Woo-ping gravity defying super-powered action.
Henry left early with a groin strain, not good but probably just being cautious. But he hadn’t done a ton before that anyway, though it’s not entirely his fault. He had poor service, and Marquez, for as calm as he was interrupting play and delivering the ball to the wings, couldn’t quite deliver a 50 yard pass to his striker’s foot. There looked to be loads of open space in the middle of the red bulls attack with no one willing to manage the area, while the Fire came forward well with their latest DP, Freddie Ljungberg.
CommentaryNews
Red Bulls Strengthen Their Spine
With the addition of Rafael Márquez, the NY Red Bulls have put together a team bound to impress. There’s been a lot of atteniton thrown to the front line in the past few weeks, but Márquez is the piece that takes this team from contendor to champion.
You’d think with Henry and Angel up top the wins would come with ease, but a potent attack isn’t automatic, and holding a lead is not easy. Having seen some of the world’s best offenses bearing down upon him, Márquez will sit either in the back line or just in front of it and look to interrupt the attacking motion. He’ll also lend vision moving forward, starting counters with intelligently played balls and knowing when to settle the team into a patient attack.
Classy players that they are, Henry and Angel are already gelling, and Lindpere has impressed with his service from the wings. But, as with most teams in the MLS, the Red Bulls’ defense has been porous and easily pulled apart. If he does his job right, Márquez will provide the Red Bulls with a solid base to launch an attack that is going to be fun to watch.
Commentary
MLS All Star Game
Let’s get the hype going with a couple of quick links. Commentary to follow as the hour comes closer.
The MLS and CONCACAF Champions League schedules aren’t exactly friendly to Galaxy players right now (nor to Toronto’s squad for that matter), and Bruce Arena has a player fitness angle to consider. The game is this Wednesday—that’s tomorrow btw— and while United have about half a first team squad, they’re still a force.
Speaking of MLS and England coming together, Sir Alex has given a nod to Mr. Bradley potentially taking over the reins at Craven Cottage. Not so sure that’s a great first move for the coach, but it would definitely cement Fulham as my EPL team of choice.
Past the bump for the MLS squad.
News
Mascherano Wants Out
New ‘Pool manager Roy Hodgson has waited patiently to hear from his Argentine holding midfielder who’s been vacationing after World Cup duty. His patience has paid off with an immediate transfer request from the snaggle-toothed hatchet man upon stepping foot inside the training facility. This isn’t exactly shocking news, and the Daily Star suggests plans are already in place for Inter to send Sulley Muntari northward, while Hodgson wants to also add Hammer Scott Parker with a share of the Mascherano proceeds.
Better news about Torres, who is apparently happy to come back to the Reds:
“As far as I know he is looking forward to coming back here on Monday,” said Hodgson. “He is enjoying a holiday – a well-deserved break as he has not had one for three years – spending a lot of time with his family, keeping a low profile.”