Five Thoughts on the Beautiful Game

Will You Join the American Soccer Revolution?

  by Sean Heffernan

 This week's look at the happening and going ons taking place in "The Beautiful Game" touches on the kick off the English Premier League, MLS taking on a Latino flair, and just some cool stuff. Withthe EPL back and the Champions League beginning we have plenty of soccer to enjoy as August is drawing closer to its end. So let's get started. ...

1. Manchester United's Downfall
This week saw the Red Devils fall to newly promoted to the English Premier League Burnley 1-0 in a shocker. It took a wonder goal from Burnley midfielder Robbie Blake and a superhuman day from keeper Brian Jensen to pull off the historic win, but in my opinion Manchester United hasn't done enough in the transfer market to win the EPL again. Landon Donovan is better than most of the Red Devil's lineup: Michael Owen, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Park Ji-Sung.
 
United can't expect Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov to carry them all season. They're missing a world class player who can create chances for United to score. Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo who both left Old Trafford this past season filled that description and manager Sir Alex Ferguson didn't do anything to replace that creative element in the transfer market.
 
2. London Burning:  Arsenal and Tottenham
The two teams off to the best start in the twilight of the 2009 EPL campaign have to be the duo of London based clubs Arsenal and Tottenham.
 
The Gunners of Arsenal scorched contenders Everton6-1 in their season opener and then went on to defeat Scottish power Celtic 2-0 at Celtic Park in Champions League Qualifying earlier this week. With the likes of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fàbregas, and Andrei Arshavin running the show the Gunners' attack is pretty deadly.
 
At White Hart Lane the Spurs of Tottenhamhave looked as good as ever with a surprise victory over Liverpool in their opener followed by a drubbing of Hull City 5-1 a few days later. The North London club has a stable of capable strikers in Jermaine Defoe (scored a hat trick against Hull), Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch, and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Tottenham have historically been a mid table club, but Harry Redkanpp's squad might be one of the most talented in the club's history. Spurs finished 8th last season, but don't be suprized if the Lilywhites put some heat on the Big Four this year.
 
3. Americans in the UK
 
 Clint Dempsey scored on a long range strike against Russian side Amkar Perm to help Fulhamto a 3-1 victory. Dempsey who scored three goals earlier this summer for the U.S. in the ConfederationsCup recently signed a new deal with the Cottagers. The other American at Fulham, Eddie Johnson, might see more action withstarting striker Andy Johnson out for 8 weeks with an injury.
 
Jozy Altidore looks to finally make his debut at Hull City this Saturday as the 19-year-old U.S. international has returned to England after a lengthy work permit delay because of his U.S. teammate Landon Donovan contracting swine flu. Altidore landed in England last night and will likely be used in some capacity tomorrow against Bolton. 

4. What's crackin in MLS 
 I was able to cover the Columbus Crew CONCAF Champions League game against the Puerto Rico Islanders at Crew Stadium last Tuesday for Soccer365. Guillermo Barros Schelotto returned to the starting lineup for the Crew and was a delight to watch as he carved up Puerto Rico's midfield. The 2008 MLS MVP really has a knack for always making the right pass whenever he touches the ball. The Crew won 2-0 in front of a small, but devoted crowd of fans.
 
Two Mexican players joined MLS this week with Mexican-American Jesus Padilla agreeing to a deal with Chivas USA ands Luis Angel Landin signing with first place Houston Dynamo on a loan deal from Mexico City club Cruz Azul. MLS has long been supported by the futbol-loving Latino communities in the United States and bringing in promising young Mexican players could be a very good thing for the league.
 
The L.A. Galaxy soundly defeated the Chicago Fire 2-0 on Wednesday night on ESPN2 from Toyota Park. The Fire played a poor game in front of a sell out crowd that were expecting to see David Beckham, but the superstar was out because of a red card he received in the previous game. On Thursday night the Seattle Sounders fell to the New England Revolution 1-0 in front of 32,705 fans as the Sounders continually to be the hottest ticket in the Emerald City.  

*Hot off the Press: Rumor has it that Landon Donovan may be headed to French club Paris St. Germain (PSG) on a loan deal after the MLS season is finished. Americans have recently found success playing in Ligue 1 as U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes) and young striker Charlie Davies (Sochaux) have displayed. PSG is historically one of the best clubs in France and one would think the versatile Donovan would see a lot of the field for the club.

5. Cool Stuff
If you haven't seen this yet check it out: "The Sports Guy" Bill Simmons wrote a great piece on the U.S./Mexico game that he attended. The story is indicative of the soccer movement taking place presently in American sports.

If you want to find the pulse of American soccer look no further than Soccer365 cohort Greg Seltzer's blog www.NoShortCorners.com . His blog is quickly becoming my favorite to place check legitimate soccer news pertaining to U.S. players in America or in Europe. Check it out.
 
Until next week. Feel free to comment below on "The Beautiful Game".