Following up on an early Soccerati post, looks like that little book on David Beckham (the aptly titled The Beckham Experiment) might cause some serious relationship issues for the LA Galaxy.

In the book, LA team-mate Landon Donovan calls out Becks’ commitment to the Galaxy and the British international’s leadership skills.

“Maybe he’s not a leader, maybe he’s not a captain,” LD says. “Fair enough. But at minimum, you should bust your ass everyday. That hasn’t happened. And I don’t think that’s too much to expect. Especially when he’s brought all this on us.”

Oh no he didn’t!

The damage control on Donovan v. Beckham should be fun to watch.  Stay tuned for more.

Yup, the Spanish giants just reached an agreement to add Lyon forward Karim Benzema to the squad. Los Blancos shelled out 30 million GBP (yawn) for the French 21-year-old.

GALACTICOS UNITE…AGAIN!

Or it’s a done “world-record setting” deal to be more precise. That’s right, Man U and Real Madrid officially completed the 80 million GBP (how the heck do you make the Pound sign on a computer) transfer of Cristiano “The Bad Guy” Ronaldo from the Red Devils to the Los Blancos.

The done deal comes only days after Real unveiled Kaka as the newest member of Los Merengues (so many nicknames). 

GALACTICOS UNITE!

Or at least that’s what former Blues coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is doing regarding his sacking from Chelsea. Big Phil feels his demise came about because Didier Drogba, along with Petr Cech and Michael Ballack, failed to show the Brazilian any respect as a head coach.

“The people sacked are always the coaches. The main players already know this. That was my problem at Chelsea. Drogba, Ballack and Cech did not accept my training methods or my demands.”

Awwww, does Big Phil need a hug?

A day later, what comfort can be found from a second place finish in the Confederations Cup? While moral victories are reserved for trophyless Merseysiders, yesterday’s defeat reaffirmed a few things for the USMNT and perhaps revealed enough hope to take the sting off of the second half Vinnie-tug.   Lessons from yesterday:

1. Bob Bradley is not good enough.  The snapshot of playing in a FIFA final doesn’t overshadow the weeks/months leading up to it.  Disaster in Costa Rica.  Narrowly dodged embarrassment against Honduras.  Being completely outplayed by the well-below par Italians, only to be saved by their rollover against Brazil.  Being given a 10 day reprieve from unemployment, Bob finally embraced the formation that every writer, pundit and blogger knew was best-suited for the players Bob chose, and benched players (yes you, Damarcus) that no one on the team believed in.  Personnel changes forced by circumstance and injury were made against Bob’s better judgment, and the team responded.  I believe that the Egypt and Spain results were completely in spite of Bob.  The performance against Brazil, even in spite of the questionable substitutions, shows what the team could be capable of if given a competent leader leading up to the World Cup.

2. DeMerit and Onyewu are good enough.  Actually, I think they’re better than good enough, with a healthy Spector spot-marking and chasing when necessary.  That is a decent threesome to build around at the back, although I do suspect that DeMerit’s hard tackling style may attract some yellow or red paper from a sensitive referee at some point.   While Bocanegra is still satisfactory, I don’t know that he still has the pace and skill to press forward AND get back to cover, which should be possible with the other three locking up the back.  I’d like to see more push from the back at his position, and the US has players to do it.  Schellas Hyndman has been misusing Drew Moor at FCDallas for half a season now, but Moor has shown himself to be able to get forward and finish when called upon, so perhaps the shambolic club coaching will benefit the USMNT.  Not to mention about 12 others that could get a run during the Gold Cup.

3. Altidore will be good, but he needs more seasoning.  I don’t know if his early departures were conditioning-related or just Bob Bradley overthinking things, but Altidore’s play off the ball resembled a tired person.  His movement with the ball was good, and he showed that he can hold up the front sufficiently, but every run without the ball was a post pattern toward the middle rather than occasionally moving out to create width.  This left the midfielders to thread a needle, slow down to get wide themselves, or hold the ball too long.  I think that more club playing time will expand Altidore’s repertoire and improve his fitness, and then his full talent will be realized.  For now, I think Kenny Cooper is a better fit when healthy, perhaps with Altidore substituting for him later in the game.  More importantly, though, I think that Altidore/Cooper/Davies is a viable rotation up front, especially if a fourth can be found without moving Donovan or Dempsey forward.

4. Kljestan and Beasley should not appear again for the USMNT.  And I wouldn’t pay full price for a Ricardo Clark replica jersey either.  However, MBradley played pretty well in a holding midfield role, and I’m optimistic about Feilhaber.  Further, the sudden bout of patriotism by our new German  American midfielder will lock up the middle nicely.  Donovan and Dempsey remain as solid wide playmakers.  And this is all without mentioning Adu and Torres, either of whom could star in the next administration’s squad.

5. JP Dellacamera needs a new phrase to replace “…changes EVERYTHING.”  My unofficial count was 7 things, either real or hypothetical, that did or would “change EVERYTHING.”  It’s not quite onionbag annoying, but it’s not good either. 

6. While reaching the final has undoubtedly spiked interest in this beautiful game, I can’t help but wonder how many more people would be aware of or care about the game at Mexico on August 12 if ESPN/ABC/Disney had aired Sunday’s game on ABC instead of running paid programming.  During the summer months, supposed “niche” sports like soccer in America need to strike big, and this tournament is as big as the USMNT is going to swing.  Woulda been nice for it to be on in more homes.  Frankly, I think it would change EVERYTHING.

The Wall Street Journal on what an awesome but crushing loss USA vs. Brazil turned out to be.

We Believed, Then Brazil Pounced

(Via Tim, via Facebook)

If Brazil beats us tomorrow, the Dallas office is prepared to go on a classic soccer hooligan rampage. And since I would last all of two seconds in prison before I’m gang raped, I’m praying and hoping for a US victory.

We won! We won! No seriously, we won. The US scored a huge upset today by defeating the #1 team in the world, ESPANA! The win (thanks to goals from Jozy Altidore & Clint Dempsey) means our guys advance to the finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup where they’ll face either Brazil or host country South Africa.

US v Spain Highlights

Last week, the US need a stars-and-moons-aligned miracle just to get out of the group stage and now they’re playing in the finals. Man, I love soccer.

This pretty much says it all. When the mullahs came to power over 30 years ago they overthrew a corrupt, inefficient regime that employed a brutal secret service( and yes I know Savik was trained largely by the US ). And it seems the revolutionaries have become the Pahlavis. All I can say is a creative and dedicated midfield will always pry open a closed restrictive back four, especially when that back four is an assortment of thugs predicated on intimidation and street violence.

US 3-Egypt 0. Brazil 3-Italy 0. And the place goes nuts, only problem is no one here seems to care. It was without a doubt one of the most unexpected wins in the history of the national team. Sure if they only had to score a goal or try for a tie, then the possibility of the team advancing would not have been too implausible. But you had to win by three and hope, hope mind you that Brazil thumps the current world champions by three. In other words you needed everything that could go right to go right, and anything less than that and Bob Bradley is in the unemployment line. And how confident was the Brad Man? He started Brad Guzan in the net, benching Tim Howard for the game.

I’ve said this before, Bradley needs to create some serious waves for him to keep his job. And while beating Egypt may not be akin to beating Spain, the circumstances the team faced may be the spark the team and coach need to make a strong statement for next year’s World Cup.

I know I’m pretty new to this whole soccer thing, but I’m pretty sure the above is a big deal. So much for my switching cable/satellite providers to get Setanta. And does this have anything to do with Fox Sports here in the US?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8109954.stm

Apparently the “better” English Premier League provider welched on £30 million owed to the league — and though for a while it looked like an American investor might bail them out (interesting), but in the end that deal fell through.

More from the BBC’s football blogger on where Setanta went wrong here.

I only caught the 2nd half on late night replay, but here are my observations:

1) Although his personal grooming is an offense to all of mankind, Sacha Kljestan’s foul could have gone cardless, but should have drawn a yellow for the simple fact that it was very close to being dangerous if the player hadn’t been able to jump over him. The Brazilian player’s injury was as serious as Rivaldo holding his head after a ball hit him in the stomach in the ‘02 World Cup.

A studs down challenge from the front that didn’t go through the player, but rather stopped in front of him shouldn’t draw a red… ever.

And that ref works a lot of top games. That was below him. I think that a yellow would have sent the same message, but I think he just wanted to end the game right then and allow Brazil to play keep away for the rest of the game because it was obvious that the US was no threat to get back in the game and 11 v 11 could result in a more serious challenge later. Other than that reasoning, there was absolutely no excuse for that red.

Side Note: I felt that Clark’s red card was warranted, because he didn’t cock his foot back to kick the Italian hedgehog until after said hedgehog had already tapped away the ball.  That screams “CONSCIOUS DECISION to nail this guy in front of you mister referee.”

2) Demarcus Beasley sucks donkey nads.

I didn’t even see him play in this game, but The only game that he didn’t start in out of the last 4, was the Italy game and we didn’t give up a goal within the first 7 minutes. I’ve read enough message board chatter to confirm that I’m right… again.

3) Hypocritical Bullshit is alive & well

Both Donovan & Bob Bradley were quoted in the last few days that if Adu wants to play, then he needs to get regular games at his club. However, Altidore, who hasn’t played since 2008 started the last two games and D. Beasley, who absolutely embarrasses the USA everytime he takes the pitch and has barely played since last fall, has either started or come on as a sub in the last 4 games. (I’m pretty sure… I don’t want to check because his play disgusts me so much.)

4) Bob Bradley’s “offense” of firing long balls up to a forward to hold them while others come running is the least effective offense possible with the players at the USMNT’s disposal.

Far and away the best offensive attack in the 2nd half was when Spector nutmegged a defender/winger and then moved off the ball into space so that Donovan could one-time the ball back to him. Then Spector laid the ball off to Feilhaber who crushed a ball that easily beat the best keeper in the world right now (Julio Cesar), but unfortunately hit off the underside of the crossbar and bounced back out.

SIDE NOTE: I really wanted Benny Feilhaber to score against the country of his birth that he turned his back on for the USMNT.  (I’m so sick of hearing whining putos going off about G. Rossi.)

If we abandoned the lone point striker (which we should have when Brian McBride retired), we could play Kenny Cooper the way he wants to play, Donovan, Altidore (the way he’s learning to play in Spain), Adu (the way he’s been able to play since ~12 years old), and Feilhaber, Bradley, Charlie Davies… am I making myself clear?

5) Demerit might not be THE ANSWER, but he’s probably better than Bocanegra. And if Bocanegra were to battle Bornstein for the left back spot, it would be better for everybody.

Bocanegra isn’t completely worthless and his head on set pieces can save/win games on occasion, so it is nice to have him in there, but Bornstein, although not anywhere close to being a “complete player” does offer quite a bit going forward.

6) Clint Dempsey makes me want to [PUKE]… (I hope Soccerati has emoticons)

I don’t think that he should be “off the team”, but I don’t think he should be starting either. I think that he should be a late 2nd half sub. Period.

I think that playing a combination of Bradley, Torres, Clark (please no more retalitory fouls), Feilhaber, Adu, Edu (when healthy), Donovan, & Rogers (I’m a BIG fan, but he started the year slowly) is what the US needs to do.   That Colin Clark from the Denver Rapids and one of two of Houston’s midfielders should also be getting looks.

4-4-2: Altidore + Adu/Cooper up top.

4-5-1: Altidore/Cooper up top
Clark and/or Edu + Bradley, Torres, Feilhaber, Donovan

When we get the German Kid, I’m thinking he slots in immediately at the DM position (or one of the DM positions).

But having Adu and/or Cooper on the field for free kicks is crucial. Those two are head and shoulders above any other Americans on the team. A distant, distant 3rd is Kljestan and his play doesn’t warrant the risk. Donovan is so far behind those three that I don’t even know if he’s truly #4 or he’s just been on the team so long that no one questions him.

Dempsey’s free kick from distance in the second half was so far off the mark that it looked like he thought he was competing in a Punt, Pass, & Kick competition.

IN SUMMARY:

-B. Bradley’s “game plans” are mind-blowing atrocious.
-B. Bradley’s roster selection is made in a separate reality the one I live in where it would be good to play a cohesive group of guys who might have an opportunity to hold the ball and create an offensive threat.
-D. Beasley is horrible.
-Demerit is pretty good.
-Dempsey needs to be benched.
-Adu needs to play.
-Cooper should be on the team.

Any questions?

In a game Iran needed to win in order to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, five members of the Iranian national team wore green armbands. Team captain Ali Karimi and four other teammates wore the armbands as a show of support for Iranian political opposition leader Hossein Mousavi. They wore the armbands for all of the first half, only for the armbands to disappear for the second. Kudos to the Iranians for showing football can have an impact beyond the game itself. Here are the match highlights. I’m rooting for the Iranians to make it to South Africa.

Look I’m probably not the first wag to put up that title so don’t even think about sending any letters to the corporate headquarters. In what has been one of the most memorable transfer seasons in some time, Liverpool are close to announcing their first major signing. Many have hailed Glenn Johnson as the preeminent English right back in the game today. And while Chelsea may have wanted him back, his experience at Stamford Bridge has left too foul an aftertaste. So hopefully Johnson may be the first domino to fall in Rafa’s summer campaign. What is odd so far has been the relative quiet from Chelsea. With a new superstar manager, I’ve been quite surprised by their lack of activity. Could David Villa remedy this malaise?

Lately we at Soccerati have gone a tad bit Ronaldo crazy. We’re following who he’s hanging with, where he’s hanging out, and why he’s hanging out. And frankly the Dallas office is ready to choke a baby platypus to death. Yeah we know only Messi may give him a run for the title of best player on Earth, but he just comes across as a clueless dork.
Well when Spain, in it’s opening game in the Confederation Cup, demolished New Zealand by five goals their man of the match provided a refreshing tonic to a Ronaldoesque surliness. For full disclosure I’m a die-hard Liverpool fan, and I don’t want this to become some soft copy for Liverpool. But read these quotes by man of the match Fernando Torres. Sure they may sound like the usual soundbites every professional athlete throws out, but this man is different. Case in point, Fernando recently married his childhood sweetheart. In a small civil ceremony near his hometown. No huge party, no internationally known band for the reception, no sale of wedding photos to the media. In short he’s not banging fading debutantes and then going to Vegas. There’s nothing wrong with banging fading debutantes and going to Vegas. But for every Ronaldo we need an anti-thesis, and quite frankly Fernando, Liverpool’s number Nine, is quite refreshing.

What better way to celebrate a record-setting contract than to head to Las Vegas. From social scene reports last night:

Dining on Nove Italiano’s terrace was footballer for the Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo. Accompanied by seven of his closest friends, they were all fashionably clad in Gucci attire. To start, the group shared family-style appetizers. For his main course, Ronaldo enjoyed the carbonara and a 16-ounce bone-in filet mignon. Cannolis were sent out for dessert. After their meal, Ronaldo made his way into the kitchen to sign Executive Chef Geno Bernardo’s famous door. Ronaldo and his friends then headed to Playboy Club.

They say when worlds collide, the result is often the surreal. But this one just has me feeling icky all over. Seems Soccerati’s own whipping boy has gone on a hijinks spree in Hollywood. Well there just goes what few shreds of integrity CR7 may have possessed. And while most will forgive anyone for a one night stand with the Hilton, but a second date? If this has any legs, and I’m praying it doesn’t, then the term WAG will be wholly reinvented. Pray for us all.

P.S. I was so tempted to put up video of CR7 walking out of Hilton’s pad, but putting up video released by TMZ would sink what little credibility this site has.

He’s gone, good riddance. CR7 has left Man U for Real Madrid. So for 80 million pounds here’s what Real Madrid gets; one of the world’s most explosive players who can change the course of a game in seconds. Also a player who is without a doubt a major pain in the ass. He is petulant, selfish, and at times boorish beyond belief. His talent is unquestionable, his persona has the trappings of bomb waiting to go off. Without the firm guidance of a manager of Alex Ferguson’s abilities and stature, expect a massive flameout in Madrid. He WILL sulk at some point next season, and with all due respect to Manuel Pellegrini, I doubt there is anyone on the staff of Madrid who would be able to reach him when he enters into a meltdown. A second point is can Ronaldo co-exist with Kaka? Two divergent personalities rarely makes for good chemistry.

Kaka went for $92 million to Real Madrid. And anyone with access to a computer has postulated for weeks that this may be the first major domino to fall in what is knowingly called the “silly season” in football circles. Expect more massive amounts of insane figures to be rumored about and then actually thrown at players from Argentina to Zaire. Expect one player to be a lock for one club, only for a new report to surface that said player has no intention of ever leaving his current club, with the denouement being he just ends up at Manchester City. Eventually it could really drive you into the arms of your local drug merchant. Let’s face it the only way to deal with the informational overload any fan subjects him or herself to during the summer lull, is a full blown drug habit. Okay maybe not on par with Keith Richards, but something to take the bite off the waiting, shock, and incredulity that always occur during the “silly season”. Frankly I’m fully prepared to obtain a small, yet nasty, oxycontin addiction before the first kickoff for the 09/10 season. And with that said expect the next big domino to be this guy.

So you’re a world renowned manager, respected by peers and players. With a solid coaching resume and a storied playing career, getting a job shouldn’t be too great a hassle. WRONG. Welcome to the topsy turvy world of high stakes football. Roberto Mancini seems to have a problem landing a job, not due to his credentials, but his last employer has a problem with paying him while he has a job with another club. Eventually this will get righted. Chances are Inter just doesn’t want to be cutting a check to someone with a job with another club. But until it does get resolved God knows what positions will exist out there. There’s a good chance Sven Goran might have already have the Portsmouth job.
Well with their recent performances, the US national team may be in need of a new manager. No can be satisfied with the team’s showing in Costa Rica, and their play versus Honduras was anything but reassuring. Questions have come up regarding tactics and team selection. Well with the Confederations Cup coming up in South Africa, if Bradley is anything but exceptional, measures may have to be taken. With the sport’s biggest tournament on the horizon a manager of Mancini’s talent may be better off with a national team instead of a club team. No big name wants to be on the sidelines when 2010 portends to be a massive year in football. And if not with a club, a slot with a national team trying to further cement their reputation on the world stage may be an excellent option.

P.S. I watched the Tony Awards tonight. MAGNIFICENT. Not gay.