David Beckham Leaves LA Galaxy on High After MLS Cup Win

Posted by James in Football, Sports

David Beckham guides LA Galaxy to a second successive MLS Cup win in his last game in the MLS.

David Beckham wanted to sign off from the MLS in style and he managed it after guiding LA Galaxy to a 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo.

LA Galaxy fell behind to a goal by Houstons Calen Carr but equalized when Omar Gonzalez scored from a header.

Then came 2 penalties for LA Galaxy, one converted by Landon Donovan and the other by Robbie Keane after he was tripped in the penalty box during overtime.

The 3-1 victory saw LA Galaxy win the MLS Cup for the successive seasons and gave David Beckham the send off he wanted as he contemplates his future in Soccer. He left the field in the 93rd minute to the LA Galaxy fans chants of “Thank you Beckham”.

David Beckham summed up his feelings,

“This is a very special place for me and it will continue to be. I am happy to have been part of this club for six years and I am grateful to have been successful for the last four years. I am sad this is the end.”

A whole host of clubs are now chasing the Beckham signature including big names from the European leagues. They know that they not only get a soccer player but a brand name like no other.

If anything, brand Beckham is stronger now than at anytime in the past with Victoria Beckham also enjoying a wave of success in the fashion world. David Beckham still pulls the fans and media to him like no one else.

Who Is David Beckham?

David Beckham is from East London, England (now known as the area that hosted the 2012 London Olympics) and his soccer career started when he won a place in the Bobby Charlton Soccer School after via a skills competition. This led to a place in the Manchester United youth scheme and David Beckham went on to play for the first team winning the league for the first time in 26 years and a dramatic European Cup win in extra time. David Beckham captained his country and played in the World Cup and European Championships. He won the Spanish league while at Real Madrid and the American league with LA Galaxy. He married the Spice Girl, Victoria, and they have had 3 sons and 1 daughter. The Beckhams are known all over the world as style icons, global superstars and David Beckham even has a statue in a Thai monastery.

Photo: The Bay Area Bias

Fabrice Muamba Interviewed for the First Time

Posted by Jeff in Football, Sports

Fabrice Muamba speaks about his ‘death’ in his first interview since collapsing in a televised football match.

Fabrice Muamba was speaking in an interview with the sun newspaper when he said that he “asked God to protect me, and he didn’t let me down.”

Fabrice Muamba is a soccer star for the English Premier League team Bolton Wanderers and collapsed during an FA cup game with Tottenham Hotspur on 17th March 2012. The match was being shown live on TV and was eventually abandoned.

Fabrice Muamba said that he ‘died’ for 78 minutes during the ordeal and insists he did not feel unwell before his heart stopped beating in the 41st minute of the game.

It took doctors 15 goes to get his heart started again and Fabrice Muamba believes that it was a God given miracle that he not only survived, but survived without any brain damage or other serious effects.

Fabrice Muamba told how he had asked for protection from God before the game, he said “Someone up there was watching over me. On the morning of the game I preyed with my father and asked God to protect me and he didn’t let me down. I am walking proof of the power of prayer.”

Fabrice Muamba Unites Football

Fabrice Muamba tribute picture

The event that day had a profound effect of the football community as supporters from rival teams all over the country, indeed the world, came together to show their support for the footballer and his family.

Tributes were paid, t-shirts were worn by players, his name rang around the grounds of every football stadium in the country and scarves of every football club were placed at Boltons football ground.

Fabrice Muamba himself is overwhelmed by the support he has received and has set a goal for himself to make an appearance at a football match before the end of the season.

Photos: Crystian Cruz & Ronnie Macdonald

Real Madrid Resort Island Coming to Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK)

Posted by Clive in Football, Real Estate

Real Madrid Resort Island is being planned for the Al-Marjan Island in Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK) for 2015.

Al-Marjan Island is a group of man-made islands in the Northern Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK), park of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and about 45 mins drive from it’s more famous neighbor, Dubai.

Real Madrid and the RAK authorities are planning to take over one of the islands and turn it into a Real Madrid resort island, hoping it will become a mecca for Real Madrid and fooball fans alike.

Covering about 50 hectares, the Real Madrid Resort Island aims to attract 1 million visitors a year once it is completed at the start of 2015. The final cost is expected to be around $1 billion.

Real Madrid Resort Island Business

No one has ever accused Real Madrids President, Florentino Perez, of lacking ambition and so it is with the Real Madrid Resort Island project. He hopes that it will bring the sporting culture of Real Madrid closer to the now vital Arab and Asian markets.

There is sound business sense behind the Real Madrid Resort Island decision, RAK is located in the sweet spot between the old economic world of Europe, and the new economic powerhouses of Asia. Giving the resort access to a vast number of Real Madrid fans within a short(ish) flight, an estimated 300 million fans with over half located in Asia.

The likelihood too is that a fair chunk of the cost for the project will be picked up by the RAK authorities. They rightly see the PR value of having such a high profile brand lead the way in their drive to become a high profile tourist destination. RAK aims to have 20% of it’s GDP generated by tourist related activities within 10 years.

If the plans come off, sports fans will see an amazing resort come to life. A marina, amusement park, luxury hotels and sporting facilities such as an incredible soccer stadium opening up to the sea will await them.

His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi of RAK said

“This is an exciting project developed with a world leading brand. We are proud for being chosen by Real Madrid. We appreciate their vision and we have a million reasons to be optimistic. I wish to congratulate Florentino Perez for his vision and for where he’s taken this club. This is going to transform the United Arab Emirates. We are ready to embrace progress and the millions of visitors who will come to Real Madrid Resort Island.”

Chelsea FC News: Andre Villas-Boas Sacked

Posted by Jeff in Football, Sports

Chelsea FC news is coming through that manager Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked.

After less than a year in charge at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC‘s manager Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked after a run of poor results.

A statement on the Chelsea FC website said,

Andre Villas-Boas has parted company with Chelsea Football Club today.

The board would like to record our gratitude for his work and express our disappointment that the relationship has ended so early.

Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season.

The club is still competing in the latter stages of the Uefa Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League, and we aim to remain as competitive as possible on all fronts.

With that in mind we felt our only option was to make a change at this time.

With immediate effect Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed first team coach on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Villas-Boas was recruited in June 2011 by Chelsea FC to bring a more attractive playing style to Standford Bridge but owner Roman Abramovich is not known for his patience.

A run of one win in seven games was not good enough for Abramovich and he has obviously decided to act. Rumor has it that there was also tension between the senior Chelsea players and Villas-Boas.

Player power has always been strong at Chelsea among the senior players and appears to have been the downfall of several managers during the Abramovich era.

One thing is for sure though, whoever becomes the next Chelsea FC manager will be a brave man.

Photo: sekimura

Socrates the Brazilian Soccer Legend Dies Aged 57

Posted by James in Football, Sports

Socrates, the former Brazilian soccer captain has died in Sao Paulo aged 57.

Socrates had been admitted to intensive care on Friday suffering from an infection of the intestines and passed away over the weekend.

He had already been taken to hospital twice in the last 6 months with internal bleeding and had admitted that he had problems in the past with alcohol abuse and smoking.

Socrates was widely considered to be one of the best midfielders to ever play the game of soccer. He won 60 caps for Brazil between 1979 and 1986 and played in 2 world cups.

Socrates was a tall player even for a sportsman at 6’4″ and possessed the physical strength to match his two footed technical skills.

He was also able to read the game and was blessed with vision to pick a pass and see the bigger picture of what was happening in a game. He could do the hard work as well as show the silky skills.

Personally I remember the 1982 World Cup very well and a particular goal that Socrates scored in that world cup.

He ghosted past the first tackle, dummied to shoot flooring another player and then unleashed a right foot shot from well outside the penalty area that fizzed into the top corner.

Socrates & the Brazilian World Cup 1982

Beckham Celebrates LA Galaxy MLS Cup Win

Posted by Jeff in Football, Sports

Beckham celebrates LA Galaxy’s win over the Houston Dynamo for the MLS Cup in what could have been his last game in the MLS.

In damp conditions on a soggy pitch that must have reminded David Beckham of his days playing for Manchester United, Landon Donovan chipped the ball into the net to seal a deserved win for LA Galaxy in the MLS Cup.

The goal came late on in the match during the 71st minute. David Beckhams header was flicked on by that other LA big name, Robbie Keane, to the 3rd big name Landon Donovan. He deftly chipped the ball into the corner of the net.

La Galaxy had dominated for most of the game with Houston offering little in the way of attack and goal attempts.

The absence of their playmaker Brad Davis was evident from the start and was a major problem for them. No one was able to step up and fill his shoes.

LA Galaxy also had the advantage of playing at home and the 1-0 win means that they were unbeaten at home all season.

The title is the 3rd in LA Galaxy history after they won in 2002 and 2005. They have also lost in the title decider 4 times including 2009.

Talking Soccer: Donovan Scores for MLS Cup

The win means alot to David Beckham who has had some serious flak directed his way during his 5 year spell at LA Galaxy. Questions over his commitment have especially hurt the player.

Now with an MLS Cup gained in his last season under his current contract he must feel that he has achieved on the field what he came here todo.

Talking afterwards he mentioned his doubters, that it is always nice to prove them wrong.

Talking Soccer: Beckham Interviewed Post Game

Talking Soccer: What Did Beckham Achieve for MLS Soccer?

With many people questioning the David Beckham experiment and whether it was worth his large salary, it is interesting to see if he has done what he set out todo and change the way the MLS is perceived.

As a brand builder there is no one better than David Beckham. He is known in every corner of the world and even has a statue in a Buddhist monastery.

It would be fair to say that pre-Beckham, hardly anyone even knew the MLS even existed outside the US, and plenty who didn’t inside the US too.

Now, 5 years later, the LA Galaxy are known worldwide and can be seen as a small but global player.

Although Beckham is at the end of his contract he will still take part in the Galaxy PR tour that is now a feature of every major world club to bolster support across lucrative markets.

Media coverage has also changed, MLS now commands attention across the sports channels rather than being ignored. And next season there is the big one, a $55 million deal with Time Warner to broadcast matches on their cable network.

There are also 23 other designated players who followed Beckham into the MLS, including his team mate Robbie Keane. Would they have come if Beckham hadn’t first blazed the trail?

I don’t think Beckham knows himself where he will be next season, his family are settled and he loves the LA lifestyle…

But he has offers from other clubs, he is determined to play in the British Olympic team, would love to make his last move a big one back to a big European league and he has now done what he set out todo, win an MLS title.

So the odds are looking stacked against a longer stay in LA.

Let us know your views in the comments below. What do you think of David Beckhams time in the MLS?

Photo: NathanF

English Premier League: Man Utd 3 – Chelsea 1

Posted by James in Football, Sports

Man Utd 3 Chelsea 1 was the final score in this pulsating English Premier League encounter yesterday.

It was end to end stuff with barely a chance to get your breath back before some other moment of drama.

Admittedly, alot of the drama came from both teams throwing caution to the wind and playing all out attack with mistakes littered through out the game.

Alex Ferguson told the BBC in an interview after the match that it was like watching a basketball game and was agony for him to watch.

In truth it could have been 7 or 8 goals for each team.

Rooney missed a penalty when his standing foot went from under him as he attempted to kick the ball. Torres missed an open goal after doing the hard bit and rounding the goalkeeper. A moment that he will be unlikely to forget easily.

It could have been 1-0 to Chelsea inside the first few minutes if it wasn’t for a great save with his foot by Man Utd‘s goalkeeper, David De Gea, from Ramires.

But it was Man Utd that struck first with a header from Chris Smalling after Chelsea rather fell asleep while defending.

Man Utd were then 2-0 up just after the 1/2 hour mark when a lovely cross field ball found Nani on the right side.

Instant control and pace allowed Nani to come infield and head towards the penalty box. When 3 Chelsea players looked like they would close him off, Nani took the initiative to unleash a shot that zoomed into the top corner giving Petr Cech no chance.

Nani increasingly looks like he has the makings of another Christiano Ronaldo when he is on his game. He lost favour last season after a great start and again in his interview, Alex Ferguson hinted at a lack of consistency.

Far be it for me to disagree with Sir Alex Ferguson, but whenever I have seen Nani play he always caused the opposition problems, even last season. I believe that Nani has suffered from a perception of inconsistency rather than a reality. A hangover from his earlier career when perhaps it was true.

Maybe this season is the season that he finally sheds that image. Ronaldo had the same problem at Man Utd for a time and look at the heights that he hit.

Phil Jones has been one of the outstanding newcomers in the Man Utd team this season and he was at the heart of the 3rd goal. Playing give and go, he rampaged into the box and fought for a loose ball with John Terry.

The ball was hit against Nani and conveniently landed at the feet of Rooney in front of the goal, he promptly passed it into the net.

In the second half Anelka came on for Lampard and immediately made an impact with a perfect pass for Torres, he calmly lifted the ball over the Man Utd goalkeeper. With no time to think and working on instinct it seems Torres can still look like a player worth £50 million.

Man Utd then got a penalty when Nani was fouled in the box after following up his own shot, another scorcher that hit the bar and bounced back.

Rooney stepped up but as he was about to strike the ball his standing foot slipped and the ball screwed horribly wide. Rooney landed on his backside to jeers from the Chelsea fans.

Memories of David Beckham in Euro 2004 and John Terry against Man Utd in the Champions League Final both came to mind.

Rooney had another chance to score not long later but he didn’t get a clean strike of the ball and turned Patrice Evra’s cross onto the post.

The follow up saw Ashley Cole lunging at the ball and only succeeding in catching Javier Hernandez full on the shin. The full force of his body weight then twisting the unfortunate strikers leg. Hernandez winced in agony, had to be taken off and Cole got a yellow card.

It would have been a penalty but the referee ruled that the ball had already gone out of play. It looks like Hernandez will now be out for a while and is a blow for Man Utd as his partnership with Rooney is one of the reasons they have been so successful this season and last.

There was still time for Torres to produce his awful miss, perhaps too much thinking time was available and with low confidence, strange things can happen to the best players.

Substitute Berbatov also had a chance at the very end, but had his effort cleared off the line by Cole. A better ball from Rooney and it would have been a certain goal.

In fact it would have been wiser for Rooney to have a go himself, but when you are scoring for fun you don’t mind sharing the opportunities around so much.

Photo: gordonflood.com

Manchester United 8 – 2 Arsenal Premier League Rout

Posted by James in Football, Sports

Manchester United give Arsenal a bloody nose as they thumped them 8 – 2 in the English Premier League.

Arsenal‘s chaotic start to the season continued as they were comprehensively outplayed, outperformed and outscored by a Manchester United team in full flow. It was Arsenal’s worst defeat for over 100 years.

Manchester United now move to the top of the English Premier League on goal difference, above the other outstanding team of the 2011 campaign so far, Manchester City.

Meanwhile Arsenal are rapidly racking up red cards as yet another player was sent off. Arsenal have now had players dismissed in each of their Premier League matches so far.

This is giving Arsene Wenger even more selection problems than just his mounting injury problems.

In an interview with the BBC, Alex Ferguson was sympathetic towards Arsene Wenger saying that he was probably missing up to 8 players for this match.

The game itself was a masterclass of fast paced attacking football. Wayne Rooney got a hat-trick with 2 free kicks and a penalty late in the game.

Arsenal also had a penalty but David De Gea pulled off a save from Robin Van Persie.

Manchester United’s new signing Ashley Young, who has had a promising start to the season, added to the score sheet with 2 superb goals and Welbeck, Nani and Park Ji-Sung scored the rest.

Danny Welbeck was later taken off with a hamstring injury which will not only be a blow for Manchester United after his promising start to the season, but also England as we move into a period of international qualifying games.

Arsenal’s 2 goals came from Theo Walcot and Robin Van Persie, but in the second half Manchester United could have scored at will. Arsenal were perhaps fortunate to escape letting in just 8.

The transfer window is still open for Wenger to bring in enforcements for his depleted team, but only for another 3 days so it’s no going to  be an easy task. He desperately needs to bring in talent though, even more so after losing Nasri and Fabregas.

Photo: Paolo Camera

Arsenal Latest News: Samir Nasri Transfers to Manchester City FC

Posted by James in Football, Sports

Arsenal latest news just coming in is that the transfer of Samir Nasri from Arsenal to Manchester City is complete, pending a medical.

Arsenal agreed to the transfer when it became clear that Nasri wanted to move away and they knew that he would not sign an extension to his contract.

With only a year left on his current contract they really had no choice but to let him go if they wanted to earn a transfer fee.

Ironically, Nasri has been Arsenal’s best player since the 2011 Premier League kicked off earlier this month.

Having lost Fabregas to Barcelona before the season started, and now without Nasri, Arsenal were in a difficult position before they even started.

The whole transfer saga around the two players has also been difficult for Arsenal FC to deal with, Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, admitted that the transfer negotiations had been draining.

At least it looks like it is now over and done with, even though they have lost 2 star players, having 2 unhappy star players at a club is probably worse.

Arsenal have started the league poorly, grabbing just a point from their opening games and facing a difficult Champions League game against Udinese this week.

Arsenal Latest News: Transfer Rumours

They can also concentrate on bringing in some new players, Arsenal latest news indicates that they may be making a move for the Lille midfielder Eden Hazard.

The Belgium midfielder is considered to be worth over 30 million Euros and is the kind of playmaker that Arsenal need and like to have in midfield. However, Lille are unlikely to want to let him leave.

With cash from the sale of Nasri and Fabregas thought to be around £50 million, it is likely most of it will go into the transfer kitty for Arsene Wenger to strengthen his midfield.

Photo: Ronnie Macdonald