F.C. Girondins de Bordeaux Away Jersey
Marouane Chamakh -- Forward (Morocco)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Jackson 5 - I Wanna Be Where You Are (Via: Armed Snobbery)
Good morning fellow Zinedine Zidane-esque headbutters;
Lots of action in UEFA Champions League yesterday and today. Look for a recap of select 2-round matches after next week's second leg.
If you're able to find it, check out F.C. Internazionale Milano take on F.C. Barcelona at the San Siro in UEFA Champions League action later today. Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be making his first return to Milan after leaving Inter this summer for Camp Nou and, similarly, Samuel Eto'o will face F.C. Barcelona for the first time after swapping clubs in the same deal. F.C. Barcelona sent Eto'o and 40 million euro to Inter for Ibrahimovic.
Enjoy the sun if its around, keep FOX News off the TV, and relax with my lady-friend Aretha.
-Barry
Read an excellent column from ESPN's Harry Harris in which he frames Chelsea's recent troubles with EPL's recent policy implementations (HERE)
Read BBC's Chris Jardine's editorial on the recent Emmanuel Adebayor incident (HERE)
Also from the BBC:
"Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor appeared to recreate his controversial celebration from Saturday's 4-2 win over his old club Arsenal after scoring in training on Tuesday. The Togo striker . . . smiled as he ran and slid to his knees in front of his team-mates." (Via BBC)
Check ESPN Soccernet for recaps of yesterday's UEFA Action (HERE)
**(UPDATE) Emmanuel Adebayor accepted his three-game ban from FA (BBC HERE).**
Photo(s): The Jackson 5, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
English Premier League....Protectionism & Nativism at their finest
"As of next season clubs will be required to have a squad named of up to 25 players, of which no more than 17 can be over the age of 21 and not home grown."
A home grown player is "any player who has played for an English or Welsh club for three years before their 21st birthday. (ESPN)"
The EPL's new exclusionary policy seems, at its heart, to directly contradict the notions of international professionalism and premier football. From what I can discern, this policy aims to a) maintain a high class of football in the English National program, b) maintain a high presence of english footballers among England's premier professional club teams, c) limit the extravagant transfer spending and high wages that accompany competing for widely-desired international talent, and, perhaps most importantly d) encourage the fan/footballer relationship among both english fans and the footballers themselves.
In actuality, it is likely to a) distort salary wages between international and english players in an effort to keep the premiere English talent while filling international talent into fewer available roster spots, b) worsen the overall caliber of EPL play, and, ultimately, c) worsen the overall face of the EPL throughout the international football community.
This policy is snobbish and elitist; an attempt at buoyancy, a last stand by a fearful and sinking football superpower. Racism, ethnocentrism, and nativism are woven throughout the policy, as is economic protectionism in its definition.
In America, as an American sports fan, I've never experienced or been privy to the notion of losing national stardom to an international league -- in most instances, international talent comes to America (NBA, NFL, PGA Tour, etc.). Within the context of soccer (sorry, ugh), our rare national talent has traveled to international leagues (often unsuccessfully), but, nevertheless, it's not as if I, or anybody for that matter, was hoping they'd play in the MLS -- in every instance its benefited the nation's soccer program as a whole.
While I admit that I lack context in collecting my thoughts on this issue, I do feel a certain relevancy in terms of the merit of professional club football. Most consider the EPL to offer the highest class of professional football in the world and the EPL certainly broadcasts themselves within that proclivity.
I dislike the policy because it is exclusionary and protectionist, it will worsen the caliber of team skill in the EPL because it discourages an international marketplace approach to the game where players are sought out of need and adequacy and then promptly forced out due to inadequacy and need. My fear as a fan is that other countries and their respective leagues will reflexively adopt or strengthen existing policies, hence lowering the overall caliber of professional football.
This policy sounds very Republican. . .
-Barry
There are other financial elements to the policy which I don't understand (see BBC article (HERE) for a comprehensive report).
Emmanuel Adebayor. . .Stamping what? Inflammatory celebration what?
For those who missed it. . .
It's ironic that only days after I spoke of my loathing for nihilistic football (sports) fans, only days following my condemnation of club supporters who consider fan-hood an entitlement rather than a luxury, Manchester City F.C.'s new star Emmanuel Adebayor (Forward - Togo) disgraced himself, his club, his city, and the sport in his childish antics in Manchester City's 4-2 victory over Arsenal this weekend.
(Watch Video Footage Below)
For those unaware, Adebayor spent four seasons with Arsenal before signing to Manchester City this summer for 25 million pounds. Since his signing, Adebayor has ruthlessly criticized Arsenal and his former fans. In the days leading up to the match, it was obvious that there could be a potential confrontation between Arsenal (fans) and Adebayor.
As it appears, Adebayor consciously "stamped" on the face of Arsenal's Robin Van Persie (Forward - Netherlands) following a Van Persie slide tackle. Van Persie sought medical treatment, before returning to play and, in keeping with both his football skill and athletic character, scored a goal later in the match.
On the official arsenal website, Van Persie issued the following statements:
"He set out to hurt me. I do feel lucky that I have not received a greater injury."
"I have not received an apology from him, there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda today and that is bad for football. It's bad for the game we all love."
Adebayor told reporters:
"I was trying to kick the ball. I see him tackling and I don't have time to take my feet back because I'm trying to kick the ball."
"My feet touch his head. I feel sorry for him and even straight away, and at the end of the game, I said sorry."
As for the second part of this story, following Adebayor's head-in goal ('80) he sprinted the length of the pitch and maliciously taunted Arsenal fans, for which the referee issued him a yellow card. Adebayor's celebration infuriated Arsenal fans to the point where they hurled objects on the pitch; one such object incidentally struck a steward, who needed to be taken to a hospital for treatment.
Obviously, the FA are looking into the situation and most rumors are saying that Adebayor will receive a multiple game suspension.
Since starting with Manchester City, Adebayor (and other transfer season signing Carlos Tevez) have made a huge impact. Manchester City is currently third in the Premiership table, but have played one fewer game then the other four top teams. Adebayor has four goals scored in four games played.
I've been a huge fan of Adebayor's talent since becoming a Premiership follower, but his temperament and character is clearly questionable. While I'm routinely quick to give athletes a lot of moral leeway when engaged in competition, athletes often broach a point where playful taunting becomes insidiously disrespectful, where displays of self-pride and inner-celebration become boastful moments of profligacy.
While I do agree with Charles Barkley that athletes don't need to be role models, they do need to be aware that in certain instances, at certain times, athletes themselves transcend their sport, while their sport simultaneously transcends itself. Sports, at times, become more than just a sport, as we all now. In the make of the West Ham United/Millwall anarchy, Adebayor should and needs to be more consciously aware of the repercussions that inciting aggression among football fans can have.
Adebayor's actions were, at best, immature.
Adebayor's punishment should be at two distinct levels: 1) he should be suspended 2-3 games (Manchester City plays 9/20 vs. Manchester United, 9/23 vs. Fulham (Carling Cup), and 9/28 vs. West Ham United) and 2) the Premiership should force Manchester City to, as Juventus had to, play a match behind closed doors -- hence losing ticket revenue for a match.
While its often said that sport builds character, it can be equally discerned that sports are character revealing even at the most elementary of levels. Whereas aggressiveness, egotism, gamesmanship, and, well...cheating, have a place and time (Michael Jordan's foul) in sports, the fabric of sports often exists primarily within the moral compass that it is founded on, that it is played under.
(**Update**)
My initial response portrays Adebayor as the sole instigator of the situation that erupted on Saturday, improperly so. It should have been more duly noted that the Arsenal fans behaved similarly childish and are responsible for inciting Adebayor's response. While he clearly escalated the incident to that beyond the acceptable confines of gamesmanship (both among players and fans), the actions of the Arsenal players was disrespectful and disappointing as well.
-Barry
Footage of the "stamp" in question and Emmanuel Adebayor's goal and subsequent celebration:
See BBC Football story (Here)
See ESPN Soccernet story (Here)
Quotes taken from BBC Football Story
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Feliz Saturday. . .
Good morning boppers.
I woke up and saw a can of PBR on my nightstand. . .
So. . . listen to this:
*Notice how this is all in one take. . .
I'm going to watch Liverpool vs. Burnley on ESPN2 and drink coffee.
Stay nice,
-Barry
Friday, September 11, 2009
It's a Right, Not a Privilege (#2)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A note on Hooliganism. . .
It is unfortunate in that hooliganism--an act of intolerance and anarchic disobedience neither short of prejudice nor ill-content--is so closely associated with a sport that has so often transcended the simple notions of a game; rather, it has been a facilitator of cultural competency, understanding, and social hospitality.
Whereas a club team can feature internationals from feuding states/nations, whereas a match may feature two teams with a history of war, how can fans who share everything besides team allegiance also share a loathing for each other?
What is it about this sport that makes fans nihilists?
What is it about this sport that can turn what should be an exercise in pride and celebration into violence, international humiliation, and immaturity?
All too often, Americans look at soccer (sic) within the frame of hooliganism, pint glasses, and scarves. While I questions the morality of NASCAR (HAHA) fans--also stated as Republicans--more than that of football hooligans, where in the football manifesto is hooliganism prescribed?
I'm the first to recognize the enormous global popularity of football and respect the international sentiment it poses, yet I'll always be quick to question the overriding character of the football fan. What is it in football that causes its escalation into something worth assaulting over? Something worth killing over? (See Honduras & El Salvador ("The Football War"))
It often seems that the radicalization of fans--referring clearly to hooliganism, but on a broader spectrum, as well, to describe those whom seem so soulfully attached to the fate of those teams they feel a right, rather than a privilege, to root for, to describe those less-than-able individuals that seem to despise those superstars whom they live vicariously through, yet despite of--is facilitated by their own failures of athletic prowess, their general disdain for those capable of successes and athletic feats that seem merely dream-worthy.
Now there is clearly difference in an alley bar-fight between feuding 21-year-olds from Iowa State and the University of Iowa and an escalation of violence between grown men where broken bottles, knives, and other metal objects are brandished. More so, the expectation of such violence furthered by the organization of violence poses an entire separate and graver problem. If players for a club, say West Ham United, aren't willing to fight (scuffle or elbow aside) with the players from an opposing side, then why do fans--mere consumers of a product--feel a need to do so with opposing fans?If there is a sentiment within man that demands of him a need to struggle for his beliefs, attachments, passions, then there surely are more comendable acts displaying significantly more honor (HERE or HERE or HERE).
Otherwise, stay peaceful.
-Barry
Footage of West Ham & Millwall riot from August 25, 2009:
BBC Story on August 25th West Ham/Millwall incident (Here)
Story on history of West Ham & Millwall supporter violence (Here)
Documentary style footage of the 1985 incident between Manchester United and West Ham firms (source unknown):
USA 1 - 0 Trinidad & Tobago
On a lighter note, the USA beat Trinidad & Tobago last night in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
The US squad had a lackluster performance again, but fortunately Tim Howard (Keeper, FC Everton) was positively awesome and Ricardo Clark's (Midfield, Houston Dynamo) goal was nasty. Sidenote, T&T's Kenwyne Jones was awesome. At first glance, his size and athleticism may be something the USA squad is missing at the forward position. I'm not sold on the tandem of Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore in the dual-striker position, although I love them as individual footballers. (ESPN Recap HERE).
Highlights from last night's match:
It's a Right, Not a Privilege (#1)
It's my distinguished pleasure to announce a new running post-series at Taming Posh Beckham: "It's a right, not a privilege." In this series we will focus exclusively on the funkiest, nastiest, most sexually appetizing football gear on the planet. In today's addition, I bring you Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden - FC Barcelona).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Juventus Jersey
Ibrahimovic Ajax Jersey
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
USA vs Trinidad and Tobago FiFA World Cup Qualifying Preview
USA vs Trinidad and Tobago
FIFA World Cup Qualifying
Hasley Crawford Stadium
Port of Spain, Trinidad
09/09/09 6:30p.m. EST
ESPN Classic & ESPN360.com
Game Notes
As I correctly predicted they would be, Jozy Altidore and Charlie Davies were awesome Saturday night against El Salvador in Utah.
Although the US scored two goals (Clint Dempsey '41 and Jozy Altidore '45) in the first half and ultimately won the game, they did once again concede an early goal to El Salvador (Cristian Castillo '32).
USA holds series lead with Trinidad & Tobago at 15-2-3 (since 1982)
USA is 3-3-1 on the road in 2010 FIFA qualifyings
USA Key Figures
The guy continues to prove why he's the premier USA footballer. His lone goal allowed Saturday night (Video Here) was caused by poor defense and he was solid throughout the second half.
As much as I dislike him, he's the general of the offense and one of the team's most physical defenders day in day out.
Forwards
(Maryland / Hull City) -- (New Hampshire / Sochaux)
The guys have chemistry. Jozy continues to establish himself on a course that may lead him to be the American soccer star we've never had, while Charlie's continuing improvement and ceiling-less potential make him a potential star striker.
*Note: A yellow card for Jozy tonight suspends him for the next qualifying match.
Dislike him; always have, but I need to give him a shout out. He plays well virtually every match and is always capable of grabbing the occasional headdie goal (like he did on Saturday).
Onyewu returns after a one-game suspension. He'll most likely be charged with containing Kenwyne Jones (see below), as well as his return should let Bocanegra move to left back. I'd rather see Spector there because of his size and speed, but. . .
Trinidad & Tobago Key Figures
The stereotypical modern big athletic striker, shutting down Jones is clearly the game plan for the US. Jones is 6'2" and a big 187lbs. While this year's numbers aren't impressive (2 goals, 2 assists in 9 games), he's only had 3 shots on goal and 9 shots total.
Don't know too much about this guy; I've heard he's a speedy winger.
ESPN Soccernet Video Preview (Here)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Important Lameness Update
Wearing a David Beckham Los Angeles Galaxy jersey makes you as lame as this guy:
We still don't Adu well. . .
As he continues to fail to live up to the great white (uh?) hype/hope role he was
supposed to play for USA Soccer, Freddy Adu has once again switched clubs. Adu
spending last season on loan at AS Monaco FC (France Ligue 1). Adu will now join C.F. Os Belenenses (Portugal) on a one-year loan.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The English Premier League is like Republicans, taking advantage of the little guys. . .
Crewe Alexanda F.C. have reported that an unnamed
English Premier League club illegally approached a
15-year-old to sign from their academy. Check out the
And now, my favorite dirty story of the day.
Le Havre Athletic Club F.C. has launched
an attack on
Manchester United F.C. for the improper signing of Paul Pogba this summer.
Le Havre is claiming that:
- Pogba's parents were paid 200,000 pounds each
- Pogba's parents were given a house
- Pogba was promised bumper wages once he turned 17.
Read on (HERE)
Looks like a likely assault of the big-spending tactics of the major club teams. As club football so often deals with recruiting and signing teenagers, deals are abound to be often shady and questionable. Strong parallels can be clearly drawn to the inexcusably grotesque signing habits of NCAA Basketball and Football where schools aim to take as much advantage as possible of poor black kids who can run real fast.
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