FIFA U-20 World Cup: Argentina 0 - 0 Czech Republic

After watching two games today involving two highly hyped teams, I came away a bit more pleased with this evening's product.

Yes, the Czech Rep. tied a team they had no business holding, but they looked more like a team who were counting their lucky stars. In comparison, the Poles (a man down, I might add) looked like a squad who played with poise and purpose to a series of lucky breaks in the case of the Czechs.

Argentina swarmed the Czechs for most of the 90 minutes, peppering 22 shots on the Czech keeper to their opponent's 2 lonely attempts. As opposed to the Brazilians, who seemed to lose composure near the penalty area, Argentina only lost their nerve when staring down legitimate chances.

The big names on the Czech team, Strestik, Fenin and Pekhart were held relatively silent, with Strestik in particular looking pedestrian, especially during open play.

Finishing surely was the difference at Frank Clair stadium this evening. Players like Aguero, Zarate and Banega looked a class above their opponents, save for their finishing prowess. Banega in particular had almost a half dozen long range drives from good position sail harmlessly over the net.

The gem of the Argentine side might be their 5'3" midfielder Moralez. This dynamic half-pint drifted around the field at will and pestered the Czech defenders to no end, particularly in the first half. Watch out for this guy as the tournament progresses.

The CBC production was much better this time around, deferring the play-by-play duties to Premiership stalwart Steve Banyard. All by himself, he managed to keep the presentation lively and interesting, even as Argentina looked more and more like caged animal thrashing against the Czech wall. Perhaps they have John Champion and Martin Tyler somewhere in the wings as well...

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Poland 1 - 0 Brazil

Wow.

The pre-tournament favourite (or at least co-favourite with Argentina) was deservedly humbled this afternoon by a composed Polish squad.

Before the frogs start dropping from the sky however, it should be noted that the Polish team had what I think was a fortunate combination of events. They had some quality early possession, mostly due to some fine work by Janczyk up front and Cywka down the left. These efforts led to a fantastic free kick from Krychowiak putting the Poles up 1-0 in the 23rd minute.

Minutes later, Krol was sent off for a second yellow card. After this, the Poles dropped further and further behind the ball, leaving little room for the Brazilians to move. By the final 15 minutes of the game, Brazil could come up with precious little in the final third of the pitch.

The Polish rearguard deserve all the credit for holding on to the lead. The Brazilians would work the ball around the penalty area at will, but anything going into the box was quickly snuffed out.

The CBC broadcast team seemed disappointed by Brazil, but they seemed to discount the efforts of the Poles. Brazil was near flawless at the back. The Poles had no success running at Brazil, with any attempts to blow past the back four easily snuffed out.

Had Krol not been sent off, the Poles would have likely been caught out at some point, as they almost were a couple of times in the last few minutes of the match.

Pato and Jo both produced flashes of quality, but the Poles left little room for them to move. Many of the Brazilian players seemed to pass when they had space to turn and shoot or shoot when there was little daylight to get a ball in on net.

I will agree with Steve Armitage and Paul Dolan, the CBC crew, that Brazil might regret leaving Marcelo on the bench. Once he came on, room down the left flank did open up and several half-chances appeared.

In upcoming games, be sure to keep an eye on Pato, Jo and Marcelo for Brazil. These guys will find a seam in either the U.S. or South Korea to exploit.

For the Poles, Janczyk is a gem. He runs very well with the ball and uses his body to devastating effect. Watch for him to sneak through a less competent back line than that of Brazil.

Arsenal's Road To Mediocrity

Henry's out and Wenger's seems to be thinking about it.

The times are a wee bit troubled at the Emirates stadium in these hot summer days. Arsenal likely got a fair price for their talismanic striker (about 16.5 million pounds) and Cesc Fabregas is making rumblings about taking his leave before the new season.

After his pal David Dein was given his walking papers in the latter parts of the season, rumours started to surface that Wenger's days were numbered. Now, the pot is on full boil.

The rumoured replacements for Henry consist of Nicolas Anelka and Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Not exactly setting the world on fire, are we?

The root of Arsenal's current predicament is twofold: the new stadium and Wenger's curious transfer philosophy.

The Emirates stadium cost around 390-million pounds to build. According to the club, the vast majority (260-million) of the cost was financed by a consortium of lenders. With this heap of debt lingering around, is it any surprise that few - if any - star calibre players have been signed?
The transfer coffers appear to be bare for Mr. Wenger, save those he can generate on his own.

Viera and Henry have been sold prior to their expiration date in successive seasons, apparently as part of Wenger's idea that a club should cash in on player value just after it has peaked. Along with Pires, these sales represent the very core of the squad that had the Premiership at its feet for two seasons.

Unfortunately for the Arsenal manager, without significant funds to bring in immediate injections of talent and without successors in the wings, Arsenal may be doomed to the UEFA cup after the upcoming season.

You can almost smell the glee coming from Whitehart Lane, whose Spurs seem the likely candidate to snatch the final Champions League position from their arch-rivals.

The Importance of the Spine

I've been busy lately and haven't had time to write on anything current, at least in a manner that would do any justice to the topic.

I'm planning on previewing the six teams who will be playing FIFA U-20 group matches here in Ottawa, starting with the Czech Republic. Hopefully I'll have something down by tomorrow.

In the meantime...

The Spine

For those who are football fanatics, more than likely you've heard about the Championship Manager/Football Manager series of PC games. The object of these life-consuming applications is to build and manage virtually any club or nation in football to glory.

One of the principles of building a good team in the virtual worlds of CM/FM is to build your team around the spine. That is, a goalkeeper, center back, central midfielder and a striker. Any quality team will have top-rate players in these positions week in and week out.

For example, Chelsea have Petr Cech, John Terry, Michael Essien and Dider Drogba down the middle of their squad (you could make arguments for different midfield players, which Chelsea have in abundance, but Essien will do for sake of illustration). Any manager, looking at Chelsea's squad list, would pick these players first and build from there.

This theory, as I suppose it is, can be interesting to apply to both transfer moves and speculations surrounding targets for a particular club.

Alan Curbishley has recently been active in the transfer market with West Ham, with both good and bad results. He bought Scott Parker from Newcastle, but was unsuccessful in his 16-million pound exchange deal for Darren Bent. The interesting thing, when looking at the West Ham squad, is that he is trying to shore up the middle of his team, who were nearly relegated.

When you consider that Carlos Tevez will likely be sold this summer and the trio of Bobby Zamora, Carlton Cole and Marlon Harewood didn't exactly set the Premiership afire with their scoring touch, Bent would have been a more than welcome addition.

Likewise, captain Nigel Reo-Coker has expressed his desire to leave the Hammers, prompting Curbs to go out and sign a slightly older and slightly wiser replacement in Parker. With the failure to capture Bent and apparently a bucketful of cash to spend, watch for West Ham to pursue another top-shelf striker this summer.

This same spine concept yields a different conclusion when it comes to another Premier team. Middlesbrough, like West Ham, spent too much time in the bottom half of the table this past season. However, their rookie manager, Gareth Southgate, has different plans that his London counterpart.

Southgate today warned off suitors of his star winger, Stewart Downing. While Downing may well be one of the top players in the squad, Boro need help. They recently lost Mark Viduka to Newcastle on a free transfer and Yakubu has expressed a desire to leave the northeast (possibly back to Portsmouth).

Many of the other keys to the spine of the Boro team, Ugo Ehiogu, George Boateng, Gaizka Mendieta and Mark Schwarzer are all in their thirties and in need of replacement sooner than later.

The sale of both Downing and Yakubu combined with several prudent signings (particularly a central defender) would go much farther than protecting one of your only commodities who will struggle if goals are not kept out, midfield battles are lost and there is nobody to aim a cross at in center of the park.

Similarly, Rafa Benitez summer will hang on his ability to find a center forward who can score 15+ Premier goals in a season. This has proven to be Liverpool's Achilles heel in the recent past and I think that this target will be the difference between challenging for the title in the upcoming season or being a bridesmaid again.

Unfortunately my favourite target for the Reds problem position, Miroslav Klose of Werder Bremen, has expressed his desire to play for Bayern Munich. I haven't seen any suggestion that the Reds were interested or that this might be a good idea, but Klose would have been a good fit. Good in the air, proven scorer in Germany (where players seem to make an easy transition to England), would have been relatively cheap and shows up for big games (see his World Cup record). But what do I know?

Two for TFC?

Canadian duo available after being released in England

With the close of the English league seasons, there have been a pair of players come available that might figure into the near future of Toronto FC.

Tomasz Radzinski and Paul Peschisolido have both figured in the recent history of both the Canadian national side and varying levels of English football. As Canadians, they would seem to be a natural fit for Canada's only MLS side. Just as Jim Brennan made the move from England to North America, both Radzinski and Peschisolido are in a position to follow.

Radzinski would be the most logical choice for head coach Mo Johnston to take a crack at signing. He was released by Fulham FC on May 22, after turning down a appearance-based contract offer from the club in late 2006.

He was a good Premiership goalscorer, which would figure to translate easily into a good MLS goalscorer. Radzinski has transformed his game in recent seasons, morphing from a out-and-out striker to a player who is comfortable in a forward midfield position, on a wing or just behind a striker.

He would add age to a veteran TFC club, but if utilized in a midfield role in the MLS, he would prove to be valuable to the fledgling club. Growing up in Mississauga, TFC would provide the opportunity for him to become a hometown-favourite type player. And at 33, Radzinski could continue to contribute to the Canadian national set-up (his last cap was in March) with regular play and without the arduous travel often involved with playing club football in Europe.

Peschisolido is a different case. At 36, he is older than Radzinski. He also no longer features in the Canadian side, playing his last international match almost 3 years ago. Also a striker, he was recently released by Derby County after their promotion to the Premier league, starting in the playoff final against West Brom at the new Wembley.

Pesch has managed to maintain a high level of performance, but he would seem to be a less likely candidate to make the move back to Canada. His wife, Karen Brady, is employed by Birmingham FC and the couple have two children. One would conclude that he would seek work in the English lower divisions before leaving Britain.

Clearly this is mere speculation. Radzinski could certainly find work in England, but there are compelling reasons to think that a properly ambitious Mo Johnston (and MLSE, TFC's owners) could see the attraction of luring such a player. Pesch would be well received in Toronto to be sure, as he has always been one of the more dynamic performers on the pitch for Canada. Circumstance will likely stand in the way of such a move occurring, however.

Their Little Big Horn

A great deal of the talk in the English media as well as the American media have pegged England's match tomorrow as the make-or-break match for manager Steve McClaren. I'd certainly have to agree. His failure to break away from the same habits and tendencies that were despised in his predecessor, Sven Goran Eriksson, have him equally despised by the England faithful. Anything less than a victory against Estonia will certainly lead to his firing or will at least see him fall on his own sword, sparing the FA bosses the embarrassment of the past 11 months.

The other culprit who needs to be wary of an England loss is midfielder Frank Lampard. He has somehow earned the undying trust of his manager, being included despite well over a year's worth of lacklustre performances for the national side. While it almost goes without dispute that Lampard is an great player, even great players need to be dropped if they fail to perform.

An England failure in Tallinn will likely mean the end of McClaren, hence continued Lampard failures while wearing the Three Lions will make the choice about his future selection as clear to the next England manager as it should to the current one.

A couple of good ones worth a read...

Well, Toronto FC take down Colorado over the weekend, Canada's U-20 men get spanked by the Americans and Beckham follows the script on Friday's 1-1 draw with Brazil. More to come later this week with the run-up to more Euro qualifiers, but in the meantime, these two articles are worth a read:

Paul Tomkins on LiverpoolFC.tv: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/NG156087070603-0752.htm

This will be of particular interest to not only Liverpool fans, but fans of the biggest English sides. Speaks volumes about the economics of the Premiership and the evolution of football over the past 20-odd years.

Tony Evans on The Times Online:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1882436.ece

Another Reds related article, but once again brings up bigger issues, this time with the way UEFA manages its big-match business and the shameful exploits of a small percentage of Liverpool fans.

Beckham for England and on loan; Toronto FC thoughts

BECKHAM ENGLAND'S MAN?

As the guy in my circle who follows football on a regular basis, friends and acquaintances asked me what all the hoopla was when David Beckham joined the L.A. Galaxy. Was he still any good? Isn't he a washed-up has-been who is simply trying to cash in one more time before a full-time acting career calls?

I calmly answered no to such questions and explained to the uninitiated that I thought the Galaxy had signed the man who would become the best player to show up for an MLS fixture.

To be entirely fair, Beckham earned his bad rap on a Real Madrid team chock full of superstars who have become complacent in their Galactico roles. Until recently, Madrid looked nothing like a side who seemed even remotely interested in living up to their considerable pedigree.

Madrid now sit atop the La Liga table alongside the 2006 European champions (who are also looking to claim the underachiever's crown by crawling to the league title). Beckham has played an inspiring role in this reversal of fortunes, looking much more like a savvy veteran footballer in the process. So much so in fact, England manager Steve McLaren has given him a recall to the squad.

So what, right? McLaren needs to save his job so he goes back to the well? I think this may be the brightest thing McLaren has managed to do since he took over from Sven. As he was quoted in an article on ESPNsoccernet.com, McLaren will "stand or fall" over the decision to recall the former captain. It seems that a year after Germany, England need Beckham again.

Beckham won't single-handedly save England from missing Euro 2008. However, like Sheringham in the run up to WC 2002, a wise manager can use Beckham's considerable talents, particularly to win games against the sides like Israel and Andorra that seemed to present such a problem.

Beckham, on the right to start or coming on in the middle could provide an inspiration that has been sorely lacking from the English sides of late. Beckham still works hard, can cross the ball and is their best set-piece option. A match, either in a starting role or as a sub, against a side like Estonia (next week) will show that he still has a role, albeit diminished, in the side.

GALAXY MUM ON LOAN POSSIBILITY

This leaves the question: how will the Galaxy handle an England star, not just a former England star? Reports on various sites have discussed the possibility of Beckham going on loan to Europe (likely England) during the MLS close season.

Initially, club general manager Alexi Lalas shot down the idea. Now, some reports are saying Lalas is okay with the idea whilst coach Frank Yallop is the one opposed.

I can understand their apprehension. You've got a guy who you're paying $25-million (USD) a year and what happens if he gets broken while across the Atlantic? He will be the best player on the Galaxy when he arrives, if not the best player in the MLS (Juan Pablo Angel might have something to say about that though). Yallop didn't run from the dysfunctional CSA just to have is meal ticket ruined putting games in overseas to maintain a England squad place.

I don't, however, think that this should be seen as a bad thing. The MLS league season is 32 games long and is largely devoid of the additional games that wear down players in the European leagues. Teams like Chelsea or Manchester United played in excess of 60 games this season accounting for the League, FA and European cup competitions.

If MLS sides can loan a player out to participate in quality, competitive football for a short period during the off-season, they should take advantage of the opportunity. Players currently play in winter leagues anyways, so continued participation in a professional league would only serve to benefit the league.

As for the Galaxy's particular concern for an extremely valuable asset, these can be somewhat alleviated too. Loan deals are contractual. Contracts, particularly of this nature, carry clauses with them that would help to protect Beckham or any other player. A maximum number of games, no cup competitions, only brown M&M's in the training room, whatever. Clauses could also be inserted to cover salary in the event of a long term injury.

Not only would specific clauses limit the exposure of a player to injury and the club to financial loss, they would likely dissuade potential suitors as well. In other words, Beckham wouldn't be loaned to Derby County who couldn't take such a chance. A side like Newcastle or Aston Villa, with deep pockets and great aspirations, could afford these risks.

At any rate, the loan list status of Mr. Beckham will be worth watching once he joins up with his new club.

TORONTO FC

As a Torontonian by birth if not much else, I follow sports in that city: the Maple Leafs, the Blue Jays, the Raptors and now Toronto FC.

I caught the second half of the game between TFC and the Columbus Crew on Saturday night. I've followed the team through the papers and the 'net previously, but it was great to catch some live action.

Aside from some spotty camera work, the match was entertaining. TFC live up to their reputation as the roughest side in the league, throwing themselves into tackles with abandon at times. However, they play with passion and I think that they will quickly cement themselves in the hearts of many Torontonians, just as they have with the supporters who turn up to BMO field.

Jeff Cunningham, acquired earlier in the week from Real Salt Lake, will be a hit. This guy is fantastic, with a knack of slipping behind the last defender for runs on goal. He was unlucky to be kept off the score sheet on Saturday, but him and Danny Dichio will be formidable up front in the matches to come. Keep an eye out for these two this Saturday against Colorado.

How long will Freddy hold on?

On the heels of the Champions League Final in Athens, some of the biggest news from England outside of Liverpool's defeat has been billionaire Mike Ashley's takeover bid for Newcastle.

Ashley has ponied up at least $118-million (Canadian) to purchase 41.6 per cent of the club from Sir John Hall, according to BBC Sport. Hall had apparently rebuffed other suitors prior to accepting Ashley's bid.

Where does this leave Ashley? The easiest route to claiming the 75 per cent of shares required to completely takeover the club would be to buy out chairman Freddy Sheppard's share, which is just under 30 per cent. Along with smaller blocks of shares, this would allow Ashley to take Newcastle off the open market.

Freddy, however, is shocked. He, along with new manager Sam Allardyce, were surprised by the move. Several reports indicate the two will meet to discuss the future following Ashley's purchase.

That Newcastle need a fresh start goes without saying. The club hasn't won any silverware since 1969 and after a 13th place finish they are no closer. They have a stadium that should be the envy of most other Premiership sides and loyal fans, but a succession of managers have squandered cash on a collection of also-ran players.

Freddy is passionate about his club. I can recall many times over the years his promises to repay the support of the Toon Army, but the trophy case remains bare. I suspect that after a great deal of moaning, he will give in to reason and relinquish control. BBC reported that he is due a $2.15-million buyout if ousted from his position as chairman. He could always stick around to be the thorn in Ashley's side, but eventually he'll cut and run.

Allardyce, on the other hand, shouldn't be trying to suck up to Sheppard. Rather than running to the chairman to get the scoop, he should have been calling up the new stockholder and congratulating him. Big Sam, one of the best managers in the Premiership, needs the full support of the man with the big chequebook.

For Newcastle fans, this is fantastic news: a fresh injection of cash to go along with the new manager. Ashley is not a wealthy American, so a deal will go down without any of the xenophobic fear mongering that has surrounded the Liverpool, Aston Villa or Man United deals. He's young (45) and ambitious, just what the doctor ordered.

Newcastle has the potential through new ownership, huge stadium and loyal fan base to join the elite of the Premiership, but not with the old hands on the tiller. Newcastle supporters will keep their fingers crossed, I'm sure.