International Break Diaries, Part I

Since we're not close enough to the actual World Cup, I'm still not grooving on the WC international breaks. Give me my, EPL!

This first one is a tad bit biased, just the teensy-bit one-sided, from Online Gooner, but I have to say it's completely spot on and incontrovertibly correct. Phil Brown is a wanker.

...his failure to deliver results in the second
half of the season and his lack of managerial experience (his spell at
Derby was an unquestionable disaster) identify him as a rank novice who
should conduct himself with far more decorum.

Hull,
Premiership fledglings, have proved themselves to be most distasteful
to all Gooners and their anti-football attitude epitomised by the
horrible Brown should lead all Arsenal fans to rejoice in the delights
of Arsene, Arshavin and Arsenal.

Add to that, the excitement of knowing that ex-Arsenal assassin Freddy Ljungberg is going to see action tomorrow, though the tickects are with Jon this weekend (aaaargh!). Go get 'em, Freddy & stay healthy.

Whelan to Ashley: You Dirty Tot!

Wigan's Dave Whelan takes Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to task for the Toon troubles that have the once proud club on the brink of Championship football. All correct, in my mind, but here's a scathing comment:

"You can't get a Tottenham fan buying Newcastle and letting people thinks he
supports them.

"It's not right, there's no pride left in the club.

Ouch! Don't know whether that's a bigger swipe at Ashley or Spurs fans.

Freddy Montero

Short profile of FC Sounders striker Freddy Montero. The piece notes that his one-year contract will likely see him bought by a bigger, non-MLS club. I wouldn't be surprised to see Freddy go somewhere in Europe. Enjoy him while you can.

Sounders Create Some Noise In Debut

Just got back from Qwest Field, a raucous, charged atmosphere, as 32,000 football (soccer) fans cheered their new Seattle Sounders FC on to a smashing 3-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls, last year's MLS runner-up. (more here & here)

Although they struggled to posess in the first 5 minutes, the newbie Sounders quickly clawed their way into the game with quick, aggressive play in the midfield and an attacking third that looked as dangerous as they were quick. When they scored early, the Sounders were off to the races.

Young Colombian Freddy Montero became the first Sounder to score in the MLS, with a well-placed ground roller just past the Red Bull keeper's outstretched hand. Montero bagged a brace with a 2nd goal in the 75th minute. By that point, Sounders had a 2-0 lead, based on Brad Evans 24th minute nutmegger on the soon-to-be hapless NY stickminder.

This was a great game, a great atmosphere, and a great start to what I think is going to be a great team that is starting a new tradition of top-level football in Seattle. I can't wait for the next home game!

After having watched EPL for so many seasons and becoming a fan by remote of Arsenal FC, it is really nice to have my own home team to cheer and to watch live. Sure, it ain't EPL. Sounders are not Arsenal, but hey, based on what I saw tonight, they ain't bad. In fact, they're fun to watch.

Arsenal Spit in Hull's Eye

Well, not really. But a dramatic, come-from-behind 2-1 win to push the Gunners into the FA Cup Semis is marred afterward by accusations that former Manchester United pizza delivery boy spit at (towards? near?) a Hull City assistant coach. While one hopes this is not true, it certainly wasn't a bigger crime than the incessant whining afterwards of Hull's Phil Brown, a former coaching genius (back in the early start of the season, when his team was winning) who seemed to believe that the loss was down to Arsene's steely intimidation of the ref crew. Yeah, buddy, we get all the calls.

On to the semis!

Arsenal Blast Blackburn

Today's match at Emirates with Blackburn brought a surging Arsenal side that swamped the visitors in a 4-0 drubbing. NewGunners Andrei Arshavin opened his Arsenal account with a first half goal (and possibly one earlier, though the official game stats are blaming it on an andrei Oijer OG), and former booboy Eboue scored two late goals to complete the spanking.

It was nice to see Arsenal rampaging again - and scoring! Hopefully, this is the beginning of a late season rally.

Arsenal To Take On Roma

The Gunners face a big match tomorrow, lacing up against AS Roma in Italy. The lads will have to do it without Emmanuel Adebayor, who is continuing to battle fitness issues in his recovery from a hamstring pull.

Fortunately, Arsene Wenger has some lads who look dangerous around the opponents area. Eduardo and Carlos Vela created two nifty goals in Sunday's demolition of Burnley. In my book, Eduardo ought to be getting lots of match time. He looks ready to play and appears to be as close to in-form as he was just before his leg break January before last. This lad's a goal scorer and we need one.

I also think young Vela should be on the pitch, certainly before Miss Nick Bendtner, who owns a horror show of misses for a player so young.