Category

North/South America

  • 05.22.13
    Man City and the NY Yankees create a new MLS club North/South America | Comments Off
    When it comes to sports in the United States, the MLS certainly is a minority league. But yesterday it took a major step in the right direction to boost it's profile amongst the country's sport-loving citizens. Manchester City has announced that the club will join forces with major sporting franchise the New York Yankees to create the MLS' 20th club. . They will be called New York City Football Club. Of course where better than New York, America's biggest city with a metropolitan area of 19 million, to become home to a new MLS club. Aside from the football-loving communities of Hispanics, ...
  • 06.25.12
    What exactly happened to Ronaldinho? Mavericks, North/South America, Superstars | Comments Off
    The magic. The showmanship. The skills. The athleticism. The technical ability and the adoration of millions: Ronaldinho had the lot. Everything he touched seemed to turn into gold with the numerous individual and team awards. But sadly the magic somehow didn't last forever. Where did it all go wrong? His 2003 transfer to Barcelona was a win-win situation for both club and player. Even though David Beckham was Barça's first choice signing that summer (he eventually went to rivals Real Madrid), in the end it was Ronaldinho that became Barcelona's number 10. He brought excitement and - more importantly - results back to ...
  • 11.24.11
    Boca ’til I die….and after then also! Footballers' mad moments, North/South America | Comments Off
    In this day and age, most (if not all) major and minor clubs around the world flog merchandise such as replica jerseys, tracksuits, posters, eveningwear, underwear and dog-collars to generate revenue. It was only a matter of time before Argentine giants Boca Juniors catered for their departed fans. For the equivalent of €165, one can have a tailor made coffin with the club's yellow and blue colours and a silk interior. Fans can even have the club's crest engraved on the coffin's lid. Boca have notorious passionate fans (including a certain Diego Maradona), so it's no surprise to learn that the ...
  • 11.03.11
    Bebeto’s famous baby hits the big time North/South America | Comments Off
    The World Cup in the United States in 1994. Famous for moments such as the over-the-top opening ceremony with Diana Ross, Roberto Baggio's divine ponytail and John Aldridge losing the plot with an official on live TV.  But it was also the tournament that sparked a celebration that would be imitated thousands of times over. Brazil's Bebeto, who was playing for Deportivo La Coruna at the time, was the creator of the famous "rocking-an-imaginary-baby" in his arms celebration as a tribute to his third-born child, delivered just days before a quarter-final match against Holland. That child, called Matheus, is now 17-years ...
  • 08.17.11
    Robbie Keane’s American dream North/South America, Republic of Ireland, Transfers | Comments Off
    The Los Angeles Galaxy, as many of us know, have this week acquired the services of our own Robbie Keane. The 31-year Tallaght man chose to play his football in the Californian sunshine for the next two seasons. Yet some people think that it may not be the right move for Ireland's captain. But playing in the MLS isn't exactly like playing in La Liga, I know. Will Keano's football be affected by a move to this league? I don't believe so. He'll give it his all and I fully believe he'll be a big hit in the Home Depot Center. ...
  • 07.25.11
    Balotelli’s self-indulgence tests Mancini’s patience Footballers' mad moments, North/South America | Comments Off
    Manchester City's pre-season trip of the US finished up at the weekend with a friendly in Los Angeles as Roberto Mancini's men faced David Beckham's LA Galaxy. But, never being one to shy away from controversy, Mario Balotelli will be talking point of the game for his unusual act of self-indulgence in the first half that saw him substituted followed by a pitch-side argument with manager Mancini. It started well though. Twenty minutes in City were awarded a penalty in which Balotelli took - and scored. Less than ten minutes later the Italian found himself clean through on goal and attempted ...
  • 07.01.11
    Copa América is a feast for football lovers’ eyes Internationals, North/South America | Comments Off
    The 43rd edition of the Copa América, hosted by Argentina, is upon us and some of South America's finest stars will flock to Buenos Aires and seven other cities in a bid to claim the continent's top international prize. Argentina have played host the most amount of times and won the competition a record 14 times (tied with neighbours Uruguay). "We are always obliged to win, no matter where we are," Argentine star Lionel Messi told newspaper El Pais, "Argentina is always among the favorites and we have to fight to win everything, and more so playing at home in front ...
  • 05.18.11
    Brazilian free agents and massive pay-cuts Europe, North/South America, Transfers | Comments Off
    The summer transfer window is fast approaching and no doubt some big money signings will take place. Already the media are hyping up big-name players to major clubs for ridiculous amounts of money. Smaller clubs should will be making their signings also. But they needn't spend the fortunes for decent players. In some cases, they needn't spend anything at all. Three Brazilians who are currently without a club are former AC Milan 'keeper Dida and ex-Barcelona stars Juliano Belletti and Sylvinho. OK, none of them are exactly young. But these three are capable of giving even the best players a tough ...
  • 04.01.11
    100 goals and counting…for the ‘keeper Mavericks, North/South America | Comments Off
    Last week, all the newspapers in Brazil were celebrating in the headline of Sao Paolo's Rogério Ceni claiming his 100th league goal. I know what you're thinking: 100 league goals for a 37 year-old isn't a big deal. Well, Ceni is Sao Paolo's goalkeeper. The former Brazilian international now holds the prestigious record of having scored the most goals for a goalkeeper in the history of the sport. Paraguay's flamboyant José Chilavert is in second place being two goals behind Ceni. What made the milestone goal even sweeter was the fact that it was the winning goal in a 2-1 win ...
  • 01.07.11
    Pelé brings back the Cosmos North/South America | Comments Off
    Of all the many now-defunct clubs in the United States in the 70's and 80's, probably the most famous was the New York Cosmos. At one stage or another they fielded players such as Carlos Alberto, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Neeskens and Pelé to name but a few. Well guess what...they're back. Last August, original player and now honorary president Pelé announced the return of the Cosmos under the ownership of English property developer and Spurs' vice-chairman Paul Kemsley. They even have a well experienced board of directors such as David Beckham's former manager Terry Byrne and former Liverpool CEO Rick Parry. ...