Good day Soccer, Futbol, and Football Fans:
So my favorite team, Manchester United, are currently on preseason in the US and one of the great things about preseason after a World Cup is that you get to see the younger players on the squad get a chance to play (unless you are like me and watch the Reserve Games). The lineup has been filled with youth against Celtic and the Philadelphia Union; both games have been victories for the Old Trafford club. Here is a list of the young players making a splash so far on preseason:
- Fabio and Rafel da Silva (twins): age 20
- Ritchie de Laet: age 21
- Cory and Jonny Evans (brothers): age 19 and age 22
- Chris Smalling: age 20
- Tom Cleverly: age 20
- Darron Gibson: age 22
- Gabriel Obertan: age 21
- Biram Diouf: age 22
- Federico Macheda: age 18
- Danny Welbeck: age 19
With great talents like this boys who are coming into form and are challenging for first team action. This seems very familiar to many people in the football world that know Sir Alex and Manchester United's history, but for the fun of it lets take a look.
1980s: Part I of "Fergie's Fledgling" saw the introduction of young players: Russell Beardsome, Tony Gill, Deiniol Graham, Giuliano Maiorana, Lee Martin, Mark Robins, Lee Sharpe, and David Wilson. This was not a great success for Alex Ferguson because only Sharpe and Martin made any great impact and only did they help win Ferguson's first trophy, FA Cup, in 1990.
1990s: Part II of "Fergie's Fledgling" gave the world the golden generation of Manchester United and the players we all know very well today: David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Chris Casper, Terry Cooke, Simon Davies, Ryan Giggs, Keith Gillespie, Gary and Phil Neville, Pat McGibbon, John O'Kane, Kevin Pilkington, Robbie Savagem Paul Scholes, Ben Thornley, and Graeme Tomlinson. These young players had greater success than the 80s Fledglings but it was not with some hardship. Once many of them broke into the first team in the 95/96 campaign they lost the openign game to Aston Villa 3-1 and one of the greatest commentary quotes in Manchester United history was by pundit, Alan Hansen who said "You'll never win anything with kids." But the kids went on to win the League and the FA Cup allowing them to do the Double. Many of these players stayed with Man United and other went on to other clubs, but these Fledglings brought many trophies to Old Trafford during the late 90s and early 2000s.
2010s: [2010] Part III of "Fergie's Fledgling" is about to come. These young players have been in the shadows of the first time for the past three season, but with many of Manchester United legends likes Scholes, Giggs, Neville, Brown (more injuries), and O'Shea (more injuries) are reaching the twilight of there careers its time for the new young guns to move in like the 80s, and 90s. These young players are very talented and if given the chance they will shine for Sir Alex and Manchester United, and with Sir Alex not making a splash in the transfer market keep a look out for these players to get more action this season.
Manchester United's future looks promising with these young players learning from their heroes, and maybe one day they will be United legends.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
MLS - The League of Retirement
Hola Football, Futbol, Soccer Fans:
Today's major transfer headlines deals with Thierry Henry transfer to the MLS' New York Red Bulls.
This comes to no surprise to me since Henry is reaching the twilight of his wonderful career. However, this is quit sad because it reinforces my notion that MLS is the retirement home for the old and wealthy footballers of Europe and other power house leagues of the beautiful game.
Lets look at the list of once greats that now play their trade in the MLS:
- Juan Pablo Angel, age 34
- Guillermo Barros Schelotto, age 37
- David Beckham, age 35
- Freddie Ljungberg, age 33
- Blaise Nkufo, age 34
- Thierry Henry, age 32
These players have had glittering careers in Europe and South America, but when it came time to call it quites on that career they turned to America and the MLS. These are only 6 players out of many who grace the MLS pitch now; there are many more from all over the globe to name a few more: Daio Sala (ARG), Ryan Smith (ENG), Jamie Smith (SCO), Gino Padula (FRA), and Juan Pera (ESPN).
All these forgein players could not make it in their own home country, because the game there is so much more competitive than the MLS.
Many big wigs in the MLS offices find signing a international star as a big success and the notion that it will help launch the MLS to a competitive league. Here is a quote from Dietmar Beiersdorfer from ESPNSoccerNet about Henry.
"It is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognisable soccer players over the past 15 years.We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come. His international pedigree is second to none and he is a proven winner."
YES, he was great the past 13 years because he was in his prime. Henry has been sitting on the Barcelona bench for the past two seasons. The whole idea that past superstars can come to MLS and make it great is bollocks; this idea hinders the MLS.
If American soccer fans want to see the game grow and the MLS become a competitive league then we have to stop shining the Hollywood spot light on these so called "Designated Player" nicknamed after Beckham. [This rule allows teams to provide a "international" star player a huge salary cap compared to the rest of the time.] Basically this sounds like a huge social security check for the already rich and famous.
Another point that helps my case is many young and talented MLS players are leaving to play overseas in Europe, especially young Americans like Altidore, Holden, and Kljestan. This goes to show that if these players want to grow as players they need to take their trade to Europe where they can get that competitive experience they crave and need to succeed in this game.
So with many young and talented players leaving the MLS and more older international players coming in one cannot help but look at the MLS like Florida for the elderly.
Today's major transfer headlines deals with Thierry Henry transfer to the MLS' New York Red Bulls.
This comes to no surprise to me since Henry is reaching the twilight of his wonderful career. However, this is quit sad because it reinforces my notion that MLS is the retirement home for the old and wealthy footballers of Europe and other power house leagues of the beautiful game.
Lets look at the list of once greats that now play their trade in the MLS:
- Juan Pablo Angel, age 34
- Guillermo Barros Schelotto, age 37
- David Beckham, age 35
- Freddie Ljungberg, age 33
- Blaise Nkufo, age 34
- Thierry Henry, age 32
These players have had glittering careers in Europe and South America, but when it came time to call it quites on that career they turned to America and the MLS. These are only 6 players out of many who grace the MLS pitch now; there are many more from all over the globe to name a few more: Daio Sala (ARG), Ryan Smith (ENG), Jamie Smith (SCO), Gino Padula (FRA), and Juan Pera (ESPN).
All these forgein players could not make it in their own home country, because the game there is so much more competitive than the MLS.
Many big wigs in the MLS offices find signing a international star as a big success and the notion that it will help launch the MLS to a competitive league. Here is a quote from Dietmar Beiersdorfer from ESPNSoccerNet about Henry.
"It is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognisable soccer players over the past 15 years.We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come. His international pedigree is second to none and he is a proven winner."
YES, he was great the past 13 years because he was in his prime. Henry has been sitting on the Barcelona bench for the past two seasons. The whole idea that past superstars can come to MLS and make it great is bollocks; this idea hinders the MLS.
If American soccer fans want to see the game grow and the MLS become a competitive league then we have to stop shining the Hollywood spot light on these so called "Designated Player" nicknamed after Beckham. [This rule allows teams to provide a "international" star player a huge salary cap compared to the rest of the time.] Basically this sounds like a huge social security check for the already rich and famous.
Another point that helps my case is many young and talented MLS players are leaving to play overseas in Europe, especially young Americans like Altidore, Holden, and Kljestan. This goes to show that if these players want to grow as players they need to take their trade to Europe where they can get that competitive experience they crave and need to succeed in this game.
So with many young and talented players leaving the MLS and more older international players coming in one cannot help but look at the MLS like Florida for the elderly.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Youth Revolution
Hi Football, Futbol, Soccer Fans:
So, many who have watched the beautiful game for a long time know that Germany is a tournament team. Germany always seems to be in the quarterfinals or the semis, but this current World Cup in South Africa many people, including myself, did not believe this German team was going to make a big splash, because the lost of Michael Ballack (captain), the unfortunate passing of Rene Adler (first-choice goalkeeper), and their youth.
Germany had an average age of 25 going into the World Cup, the second youngest team behind Ghana average age of 24.1. So many experts thought this young German team without their leader would faultier, how wrong we were.
This German team in my opinion has been the surprise team of the tournament, close second is Uruguay, and it's because of their youth. The likes of Ozil, Muller, Boateng, Schweinsteiger, and Neuer have really lite up the world with their skills. This young team has played with confidence, flair, tenacity, and composure.
The team as a whole did not have any pressure put on them before this competition, unlike England or Brazil. No, this team was just told to play Fußball, and have they played Fußball! I believe this youth revolution from the German camp has given us a new team and new players to watch for the future. Ozil and Muller have really been the backbone for this German team and they are only 21 and 20 respectively. These two players have played with more flair than any other player in the tournament; Ozil with great crossing and three assists, and Muller with four goals and three assists.
The way Germany has gone about its business during the past five games has showed us that youth has trumped experience, and the important factor that makes this statement so is the fact these young players are playing for the LOVE of the game and playing like a team. This team has six different goal scorers, and five players with assists. Like I stated earlier their was no pressure on this team to perform, and there is still no pressure to perform from their fans or country. This is extremely important, because it shows that when it comes to young players when you put so much pressure on their young minds it will only produce losing outcomes on the field, but if one instructs young players to go onto the pitch and play Fußball like they did in the backyard when they were kids then what we great is a dominate performance for the ages.
So win or loss against Spain this German team has given the World something to look forward too, especially Brazil 2014.
So, many who have watched the beautiful game for a long time know that Germany is a tournament team. Germany always seems to be in the quarterfinals or the semis, but this current World Cup in South Africa many people, including myself, did not believe this German team was going to make a big splash, because the lost of Michael Ballack (captain), the unfortunate passing of Rene Adler (first-choice goalkeeper), and their youth.
Germany had an average age of 25 going into the World Cup, the second youngest team behind Ghana average age of 24.1. So many experts thought this young German team without their leader would faultier, how wrong we were.
This German team in my opinion has been the surprise team of the tournament, close second is Uruguay, and it's because of their youth. The likes of Ozil, Muller, Boateng, Schweinsteiger, and Neuer have really lite up the world with their skills. This young team has played with confidence, flair, tenacity, and composure.
The team as a whole did not have any pressure put on them before this competition, unlike England or Brazil. No, this team was just told to play Fußball, and have they played Fußball! I believe this youth revolution from the German camp has given us a new team and new players to watch for the future. Ozil and Muller have really been the backbone for this German team and they are only 21 and 20 respectively. These two players have played with more flair than any other player in the tournament; Ozil with great crossing and three assists, and Muller with four goals and three assists.
The way Germany has gone about its business during the past five games has showed us that youth has trumped experience, and the important factor that makes this statement so is the fact these young players are playing for the LOVE of the game and playing like a team. This team has six different goal scorers, and five players with assists. Like I stated earlier their was no pressure on this team to perform, and there is still no pressure to perform from their fans or country. This is extremely important, because it shows that when it comes to young players when you put so much pressure on their young minds it will only produce losing outcomes on the field, but if one instructs young players to go onto the pitch and play Fußball like they did in the backyard when they were kids then what we great is a dominate performance for the ages.
So win or loss against Spain this German team has given the World something to look forward too, especially Brazil 2014.
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