Brian Sanders navigates the multitude of Serie A results before jumping in and examining the upcoming European adventures and weekend fixtures
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Nov 052013
Brian Sanders
Oct 302013
Brian Sanders, Adam Uthe and Sean Maslin look at the 2013 MLS Cup Playoff play-in and Conference Semifinals
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Oct 122013
After a indifferent first half which showed why Jamaica had progressed to this point in qualification the locally based Graham Zusi came on for Landon Donovan as a second half sub and made his impact in scoring the first, and only needed, goal for the US as America defeated the island nation 2-0 at a vocal Sporting Park in Kansas City.
Initially Jamaica showed that they were intending to give their faint playoff hopes credence but it was the extreme measures of Brad Evans who provided the best save as he cleared the ball of the line and saving the United States from being down early in the match.
From an offensive look the States were not good for the attendees money as they struggled to break down Jamaica. But as has been the case in recent times the halftime adjustments have paid off.
With the changes in personnel and changing the shape the United States was making more forays into the Jamaica half culminating with Zusi’s goal which gave the sold-out crowd the desired goal and for all purposes broke the will of Jamaica that everything else that would follow would be seen as a total dominating appearance.
Jozy Altidore was able to score a rather easy goal as he was unmarked and onside for a point blank shot from 5 feet out and the party was in full sway with flags waving, scarves swinging, and voices bellowing their pleasure as the United States firmly established themselves as the best team in the region.
With this win the United States has gone again with winning all their home matches in qualification for yet another cycle.
Something that no nation can claim. An achievement to be proud of.
Sep 102013
Brian Sanders, Adam Uthe, and Sean Maslin review the Champions League Group stage draw picking out the winners and losers
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Sep 062013
Brian Sanders and Vincent La Rosa look at the Italian game after two weeks of Serie A, the Azzurri’s two World Cup Qualifiers, the close of the transfer window, and the groups for Italian teams in the Champions League and Europa League
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Aug 222013
Brian Sanders(@KCNFFC), Luis Palmitesta(@lep17), and Vincent La Rosa(@vincelikesstuff) go team by team in previewing the 2013-14 Serie A season complete with expected scudetto winners and relegation losers.
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Jul 262013
With a traveling inflatable MLS All Star jersey moving from iconic KC location to location already underway and plenty of activities from service projects to Macklemore concert and fan interaction activities including a FIFA 13 tournament the 2013 MLS All Star Game looks to be a very exciting time for Kansas City, close to what the city experienced with last summer’s MLB All Star Game.
The game itself will have ample chances for media coverage as both AS Roma and the MLS All Stars will be given the royal treatment(not like the British Royals who had a baby). AS Roma has slightly modified their crest, hired a new manager, and brought in quite a bit of talent while spending close to $93 million this transfer window.
Extensive coverage will be coming every bit of the way.
Good thing this writer has been brushing up on Italian.
Jul 062013
Yes every CONCACAF Gold Cup since 2005 has pitted Mexico v USA but for the likes of Martinique and Belize this is as good as it gets. So, lets look at the possibilities.
Group A has heavy weight Mexico, good Panama, a YOUNG Canada, and surprise Martinique. Mexico better roll in every game as their manager is sitting on a really hot seat at the moment. Canada is in search of direction so they are playing an extremely young squad. Panama is still in the race for the World Cup but need to find some more depth for further success. Martinique is happy to be here and willing to upset the apple cart if they can, remember Cape Verde in the African Cup of Nations? Winners: Mexico, Runner-up: Panama, 3rd and possibly in quarterfinals: Canada, Last: Martinique
Group B is the best of the three with El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago. For Honduras the focus is building more depth for a side that could seriously make the World Cup. Haiti sees themselves as being able to take the mantle of best in the Caribbean from Jamaica, who didn’t make the Gold Cup, and will see this side as one who will be ready to make a push and develop over the next few years. El Salvador is kicking themselves for not making the hexagonal but with a very young side will look for the future to build on. Trinidad and Tobago made the hexagonal in qualification for 2010 but missed a generation so are having to rebuild and will look to this tournament for assisting in that. Winners: El Salvador, Runner-up: Honduras, 3rd and possibly in quarterfinals: Haiti, Last: Trinidad and Tobago.
Group C is like A with a heavy weight in the USA, a newcomer in Belize, with Costa Rica looking for qualifying depth, and Cuba just looking for something. Cuba is a weird one. They do well at making youth tournaments for a county that is very much baseball and boxing first. They always seem to have a player defect during the tournament but are one of the best in the Caribbean. Whenever Communism falls on this island and helps develop soccer they could become formidable indeed. This is just a looking for depth USA team that has a lot of players who have been out of the loop, play in smaller leagues, or just have had recent bad luck. Enough said. Belize is making their first major tournament as they did so and caused Guatemala to miss out. Costa Rica is looking for more players to help in qualification. With the hex as it usually is that leaves few places in Brazil outside the USA and Mexico. Winners: USA, Runner-up: Costa Rica, 3rd and possibly in quarterfinals: Cuba, Last: Belize
Best Group Stage Match: Honduras v El Salvador, as much history as the football itself. In 1969, after a World Cup qualifier playoff game that was won by El Salvador and had massive violence surrounding the previous two matches that the playoff was played in Mexico City.
Quarterfinal matchups:
Panama v Honduras: Each team will need this for the same reasons, to find more depth for their ongoing World Cup qualifying campaign. Honduras seems to have more talent but Panama the better squad cohesion. Going with Honduras in a talent comes through.
Mexico v Haiti: Should Haiti make a massive upset there would be riots all over Mexico and a certain few head will roll and be on spikes or worse. But honestly the talent is so vast in diversity that it would be farcical to say Haiti would win. Mexico through.
United States v Canada: In hockey this would be a different story but this is soccer. Since 1986 the fortunes of Canada and USA have gone in opposite directions. Canada will be happy with their quarterfinal appearance but no shot against the US unless this was played in Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, or Edmonton. USA through.
Costa Rica v El Salvador: This is a fun one. Costa Rica is looking to find more depth while El Salvador is trying to usher in a new generation. The distinct advantage El Salvador will have will be they could fill M&T Bank Stadium and make the 12 man felt. Need an upset somewhere. El Salvador through
Semifinals:
Mexico v Honduras: Mexico has the better talent but if they don’t make the final it is because Honduras finds it in them to replicate what they did against Mexico early in the year and possibly one better, a 2-2 draw in Honduras. Common wisdom says Mexico will find a way to get a winner but this will be the most nerve racking of the semifinals. Mexico through.
USA v Costa Rica: the United States will see this as just another step in asserting their dominance of the region as they pry it away from Mexico. Costa Rica will give them all they can handle but it will be more of the same from the group stage match. USA through.
Finals: The big two will go at it again and depending on what comes from an all Liga MX side and the pressure their coach is under will mean what kind of opposition the US will face. The States gained so much confidence from winning at Azteca last August and the draw in March. Mexico has totally lost the mojo they had coming away from the Olympics. As feisty as this usually is the relatively inexperienced Mexican side will have difficulties dealing with the enormous pressure. USA as Champions
Jun 262013
It would seem that current Italian champions Juventus have got their Argentine as Carlos Tevez moves from Manchester City where he has been since the 2009-2010 season.
The price tag is 12 million euros with add-ons. Tevez has been on massive wages ever since his controversial move to Manchester City from rival Manchester United.
Tevez has had a career that has taken him from Argentine giants Boca Juniors, Brazilian giants Corinthians, to England first with West Ham United, then Manchester United, and finally and most recently Manchester City. Winning a title wherever he plays. He has made 62 appearances for Argentina scoring 13 goals.
Jun 222013
The 36 program from NBC Sports Network now features Sporting KC as they look at the defenders Matt Besler and Aurelian Collin.
Proper credit to what Sporting has done in developing into the blueprint of how to build a club. Being there at the Community America Ballpark years the transformation has been epic.
MLS 36 with Sporting KC
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