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What to Watch Today: Germany-Netherlands in Hamburg

November 15, 2011 — by Suman

Out of wide array of matches being played and televised today (a bunch of international friendlies, a few South American World Cup qualifying matches, and the final four qualifying playoff matches for Euro 2012), the one to watch is a friendly in Hamburg: Germany-Netherlands (2:30pmET, ESPN Classic, ESPN3.com): It's not really a friendly between these two national sides. True, this match is worth watching based just on the fact that these two are among the top handful of national sides around right now, and will be the top challengers to unseat Spain as European champions next summer. But in addition to current form, there's the history to consider. It's a history that on the pitch goes back to the famous 1974 match in Munich, which resulted in (then West) Germany's first second World Cup title, via a loss that still looms large in the Dutch national memory. The Oranje got some revenge

Checking in with the Arsenal Loan Diaspora

November 10, 2011 — by Rob Kirby

Jack Wilshere’s successful loan spell at Bolton proved the final piece of his development. More please…

Even before the quarterfinal draw for the Carling Cup paired Arsenal with Manchester City (a.k.a., the Death Squad), many speculated that the reserve teamers logging time on the big stage would soon cede their places to first team players in a push for the silverware. The best then would seek loan opportunies at smaller clubs in the Premier League, in lower leagues or, less ideally, on the continent. Arsenal has not yet faced the Death Squad in the league, but if they can annihilate the team that annihilated us 8-2, it’s hard to be too confident of much more of a Carling Cup run for any Arsenal player. Manchester City could rest Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and David Silva and continue to perma-rest Tevez and STILL expect to win at the

Onyewu-Ibrahimovic Cage Fight, At Last

November 8, 2011 — by Rob Kirby

When he's not breaking ribs at AC Milan, Oguchi Onyewu travels back in time to break Bruce Lee's ribs in Game of Death.

Seemingly celebrating the first anniversary of his altercation with Sporting Lisbon defender and U.S. international Oguchi Onyewu at the AC MIlan training grounds, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has released an autobiography that briefly details the fight (among other, far less interesting self-aggrandizement). Entitled I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic (clever), the AC Milan striker and Swedish international says Onyewu broke his rib, an injury never made public. “Close to killing each other," the two players required an alleged gaggle of players and staff members to break up the fight that transpired during a scrimmage. Hmmm, wonder why Onyewu was no longer welcome at the San Siro. Ibrahimovic boasts a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Onyewu looks like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Bruce Lee’s final movie Game of

Newcastle Bubble To Soon Burst

November 8, 2011 — by Rob Kirby

With the Manchester teams and Chelsea the next three fixtures, Demba Ba won't be celebrating another hat trick anytime soon.Not long ago, Newcastle United found itself relegated to the Championship and Mike Ashley couldn’t pay someone to take the team off his hands. (Ok, that’s going a bit far.) Yet now the Magpies find themselves in third, one off the pace from Manchester United. For a few hours on Saturday, they even occupied second place. The team remains unbeaten in the league. In what reality does this make sense? Three fixtures immediately after the international break will determine whether Toon are in the top four to stay or have been living in a boom-style bubble. If I had to bet--and I think I may check a betting site to see if I can put some money on this--the latter will prove true and they won’t get a point of the

Ready, Set, Rev Up and Get Intergalactic Dyno-mite

November 7, 2011 — by Rob Kirby

In a huge disappointment to fans of dreadlocks everywhere, no white men with dreads are likely to hoist the MLS Cup this year.Los Angeles will host the Houston Dynamo for the 2011 MLS Cup on November 20, as both teams won their conference finals by a two goal margin last night. Unfortunately for Houston, the Galaxy remains undefeated at home in 2011. The Galaxy struck first in its 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in the 22nd minute of the Western Conference Final. Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez got fouled in the box and Landon Donovan converted the penalty with aplomb, putting to bed the memory of the loss to Real Salt Lake in the 2009 MLS Cup in a penalty shootout. The goal brought his career playoffs goal tally to 19. He had the all-time record before the playoffs began and now just keeps extending it. In swift answer, RSL

Fringe American Exports Make Mexican Playoffs

November 6, 2011 — by Rob Kirby

DaMarcus Beasley and the other high-profile American exports miss out on the Mexican league playoffs.With the number of American soccer players plying their trade south of the border, it’s surprising only three will see time in the Primera Division playoffs. (Americans in the Mexican league will receive deeper analysis and description at a later date, once the off-season transfer dust settles.) Perhaps it sounds harsh, but the extant Americans hardly merit writing home about, though. No Herculez Gomez, no Michael Orozco Fiscal, no Marcus DaBeasley. Herculez Gomez, on fire of late, suffered a huge loss with Estudiantes Tecos 3-0 to Querétaro away, the team's third loss in a row. Before the losing streak, Gomez had scored 5 in eight matches. His brace in the first 16 minutes against Santos Laguna in late October may have put him in contention for a recall to the U.S. team, but it couldn't change the

What to Watch This Weekend: Athletic Bilbao-Barcelona, Guardiola Visits Bielsa

November 6, 2011 — by Suman

We've been remiss in posting our weekend TV guides the past couple weeks. This weekend we offer a belated and truncated version, consisting of a single match that's kicking off in just a few hours: La Liga's late match on Sunday, Athletic Bilbao hosting FC Barcelona, kicking off at 8pm in "la Catedral de futbol" Estadio San Mamés (which corresponds to 2pmET; televised in the US on ESPN Deportes, and also available via ESPN3.com). Why only this match? Well, there weren't any other matchups in England or across the continent this weekend that stood out as must-see TV. But this one is interesting on multiple levels. There is the fact, of course, that it's Barcelona, who we maintain you should watch whenever you get a chance. As we've heard ad nauseum, they are the greatest side of our era, featuring the best player of our time. Actually, featuring a number of

Showdown in the MLS West

November 6, 2011 — by Rob Kirby

David Beckham's going out with a bang. He drew the penalty that won the match against New York and delivered the assist on both the other Galaxy goals so far in the playoffs.

The MLS Cup final approaches ever closer, but first there’s the small matter of divisional showdowns. Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles duke it out tonight in Los Angeles (9:00 EST, ESPN), after Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo kick things off in Kansas City (5:30 EST, Fox Soccer Channel). Then, after the two U.S. international friendlies against France and Slovenia (November 11 and 15), East and West face off on November 20. Anything can happen in the playoffs, but smart money tips the victor of the MLS Western Conference final to hoist the cup. The Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake finished the regular season first and third, respectively. Kansas City

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Europe History Schedule

What to Watch Today: Germany-Netherlands in Hamburg

Commentary England

Checking in with the Arsenal Loan Diaspora

Commentary

Onyewu-Ibrahimovic Cage Fight, At Last

Commentary England

Newcastle Bubble To Soon Burst

Commentary United States

Ready, Set, Rev Up and Get Intergalactic Dyno-mite

Commentary United States

Fringe American Exports Make Mexican Playoffs

Commentary Schedule Tactics

What to Watch This Weekend: Athletic Bilbao-Barcelona, Guardiola Visits Bielsa

Commentary United States

Showdown in the MLS West