Soccer Lesson by Evan Oei

I've never known much about the world of soccer. There are a handful of team names that I can recite and that's about it. I've watched the World Cup with friends and pretty much cheered for whoever they wanted me too.

But I'm learning.

Not from watching actual games or following a club, mind you, but from my roommates' incessant devotion to FIFA. They can play for hours, and apparently the unemployed screw-up I've become has nothing better to do than watch. As you can imagine, I've learned a thing or two. Hopefully, what I've picked up from the simulated games can translate into actual football knowledge. Some important lessons:

1.     Belittle Your Opponent: The most important part of soccer is making sure that your rival feels worthless. It's as much a mental game as it is physical. From what I understand the best way to accomplish this is constantly reiterating the fact that the opposing player is "a little bitch."

2.     Curse Loud and Curse Often: The success of your team is directly correlated to the number of times you drop the f-bomb. Raising the volume of your voice and stamping your feet at the same time amplifies your success rate. As a bonus, it's almost guaranteed to improve relations with your downstairs neighbors.

3.     Get Violent When Necessary: If the opposing player scores a goal that you consider "cheap," "unfair," or "total bullshit" but won't admit it, then it is completely within reason to attack them physically. Jumping on them and punching them repeatedly is legal contact.

4.     Gloat After Victory: Winning a match means you are the superior human being. Act accordingly. The status only lasts until the next game which generally occurs immediately after the first.

I admit that there is still a lot I have to learn, but this is a good start. Everyone knows that mastering a sport takes dedication, so I work on skills #1 and #2 even when I'm not on the pitch. In time, I might even be ready to take on Sweater Kid, 2488 Hughes' Resident FIFA master. Until then, I’ll just keep practicing.

-Other Celebrity Guest Blogger Evan Oei of http://2488hughes.wordpress.com/

Johntimes on Fernando Torres

He probably missed.

I have been a fan of the Spanish national soccer team ever since I started watching the World Cup in middle school. For the past few years, Fernando Torres was one of my favorite players.  His flashy attitude as well as his quickness/ball-skills made him an exciting player to watch. Because he was so young and athletic when he joined the league, experts believed he had tremendous potential. After being the fastest to ever score 50 goals for Liverpool, he proved those experts to be right on.

Unfortunately, this recent season has been a serious disappointment with the possibility of an even worse future. After being transferred to Chelsea for 50 million Euros, Torres has recorded one of his worst years to date. He has had the same amount of goals as he as gotten carded (5). With the Euro Cup approaching in June of 2012, Torres is now fighting for his just for a spot on the Spanish national team. Roberto Soldado and Fernando Llorente are two current prospects threatening his position. 

After watching him play this summer, its obvious that Torres needs to work on his confidence and motivation. He has all the skills needed to be one of the best players in the league- yet, he hasn't been able to fully live up to his potential. Whatever issue he has right now must be resolved within the next couple months if he wants to represent Spain in 2012. Perhaps playing with his 2010 World Cup Champion team will help- but if he wants to be a continual dominant force in the Premier League- Torres has got to step his game up. 

-celebrity guest blogger John of http://johntimes.wordpress.com/

Liverpool vs. Manchester City

Liverpool yet again found themselves in the game of the week, playing league leaders Manchester City. Manchester City came into the game undefeated, and looked to preserve that untarnished record. Liverpool, on the other hand, looked to maintain the momentum gained from the Chelsea victory. I was extremely nervous going into this game, as Manchester City have looked like world beaters this season. However, Liverpool brought their A game. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, but should have been a victory for Liverpool in my opinion. The second half of the game they dominated, holding possession and creating chances all over the place. If not for the superhuman abilities of Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, Liverpool would definitely have secured those elusive three points.

Joe Hart was a brick wall in net.

Besides Joe Harts acrobatic saves in net, the other story of the game was mad man Mario Balotelli. Balotelli came on as a substitute, much to his chagrin, and played as if he was incredibly upset not to be starting. He lasted 18 minutes before being shown the red card and being sent to an early shower. Balotelli continues to add to his crazy act, either being the man of the match or the scapegoat almost every time. I continue to find him hilarious, as he is incredibly talented but possibly insane. It just seems like every time he sets on the field he's almost bipolar. Either he is a relentless attacking force, or he is a pouting child stomping about the pitch. Roberto Mancini, the manager of City, must find him much less funny than I do, and I'm surely will be bald from pulling all of his hair out by season's end.

Extended Highlights

Chelsea vs. Liverpool Recap

Glen Johnson, the former Chelsea defender, is the man of the hour.

Liverpool played a crucial away game over the weekend, playing Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge. It was crucial for the fact that Liverpool had not been playing at their best as of late, and my team the Reds desperately needed a game to show their mettle. Liverpool did not disappoint, stealing a victory in the 87th minute on a fantastic solo effort from Glen Johnson. It was especially great for me to have Johnson score a goal, as the defender is a former Chelsea man himself, so this really digs the dagger in deep. Chelsea will surely be regretting having let the England national go.

There's a link to the highlights and some more about Chelsea after the jump.

Ireland Qualifies for Euro 2012

Ireland is in to Euro 2012

Since the International break is currently taking place, and therefore there is no league football, I figured I'd take a moment to cover one of the big stories of International play. Ireland qualified yesterday for the Euro 2012, the International competition between the best of the European sides. This is a huge deal for the Irish people, and one that I can revel in, being Irish myself. It has a certain feel of redemption as well, after the so-called "Hand of Frog" (Thierry Henry's clear handball that netted the winner for France) that knocked us out of the World Cup qualifiers at the last minute. The people of Ireland are ecstatic to be into Euro 2012, and rightly should be. I know I will be anxiously awaiting the start of the tournament next June.

Tevez back? Or is he?

I had previously posted about Carlos Tevez' ongoing problems with his club Manchester City, when he decided that he could choose when to play and when not to. Since then, Tevez, the Players Association and Manchester City have worked to get Tevez back playing in baby blue. Now, however, it appears that he is determined not to play yet again, as he has gone back to Argentina against the wishes of team management. Why is this guy so determined not to play? If he wants out he should ask for it, but he just is going about it in a completely nonsensical way.

 In my opinion, he's only going to hurt himself in the end, because, what team is going to want to pay millions of dollars for a guy who only wants to play on his terms. He's the complete opposite of a team player, someone who's selfish and is completely unwilling to cooperate with not only his team, but his own Player's association. Maybe it can be worked out that he can come back to the club, but any further wrongdoing will have him out of a job. The ball is in Tevez' court now.

 Three strikes and you're out, Carlos.

Arsenal Back In It?

After an absolutely horrific start to the season for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side, I, like many throughout the sport wrote off the team from North London. Winning two of your first seven games tends to have that effect on people. However, it appears that there is a revival of sorts going on at their home, the Emirates Arena. Since this horrid start, they have rebounded, winning three of their last four, including a massive victory at Chelsea this past weekend.

There weren't many happy faces at the Emirates until recently.

While several weeks ago it appeared Wenger's head was rightly going to be on the chopping block, he now has his fans believing again that they could make something of this season. I've always had mixed feelings about Wenger, because I love the attacking, free-flowing style of play that he has implemented at Arsenal. However, he always seems too keen to buy cheap, young players that don't necessarily pan out, rather than splash the cash for established talent. It seems even when he realizes he must spend more, he will opt to buy several risky players rather than one sure fire guy. His younger players and new purchases are gelling, and it seems Arsenal's rapid rise up the Premier League table should continue, for the time being.

Manchester Derby: Manchester United vs. Manchester City

This past Sunday Manchester City travelled across town to play their old rivals, Manchester United. The game was massively hyped, as currently Manchester City lies in first, and United lies in second. The game was thought to be an incredibly even match, but the results showed exactly the opposite. Manchester City, and their new school, billion dollar squad tore Manchester United apart to the tune of 6-1. The win puts them 5 points clear of United, who will have to take a look in the mirror after this absolute destruction in their home stadium.

For better or worse, it always is Mario Balotelli.

Mario Balotelli, the 21 year old City striker known for his general craziness, had quite the weekend. Saturday, he decided to set off fireworks in his bathroom, perhaps to relieve some stress? Anyway, the idea was not the best he's ever had, and he managed to set his house on fire. To follow that up, he made even more headlines by scoring two goals in the derby, both vital in that they basically ended the possibility of a comeback. Balotelli makes good and bad headlines, but I find myself enjoying not only his style of play, but his general attitude. He seems to be a guy that doesn't take himself too seriously, as evidenced by his first goal celebration (revealing an undershirt that said, "Why Always Me"), and he appears to have a childlike enjoyment of the game.

Not to be outdone by his teammate, the Spaniard David Silva proved once again why he's been the best player in the Premier League this season. He was easily the best player on the field, making highlight pass after highlight pass, and eventually getting a well deserved goal. His assist to Edin Dzeko will probably be the play of the year in my opinion, as he volleyed the ball to himself and then hit a 30 yard gem of a pass to the wide open Dzeko, who was off to the races. If Silva can keep up this form, the Premier League player of the year award is his for the taking in my eyes.

David Silva is showing why the Spanish have the best talent in the world.

Manchester City Go Top

So after another weekend of matches, we find ourselves with Manchester City sitting pretty atop the Premier League table. They routed Aston Villa 4-1, and find themselves ahead of their old crosstown friends, Manchester United. So can Manchester City maintain their run? Certainly I think its possible, as they surely have a massive amount of talent. That of course comes with the territory of attempting to buy every player in the world for way more than they are worth, but they have the money, so why not spend it right?

Sergio Aguero, City's Newest £90 million striker

Manchester City would make the New York Yankees blush as of late, having spent an insane £1 billion since the current management group took over in 2008. Life must be good for The Citizens and their Sheikh owner, who appears willing to throw millions at anyone who can kick a ball further than 10 yards (I'm currently looking to negotiate with the the club). Whether all the egos the Sheikh has collected can survive an entire season without imploding remains to be seen, but for the time being, City look to be in great shape.

Liverpool vs Manchester United Preview

After a 2 week break from league play due to international competitions, the English Premier League gets back underway this weekend. The biggest match of the weekend is Liverpool vs. Manchester United, which will be played at Old Trafford, the famed United stadium. This match is one of the most anticipated games every year, as the two clubs have always been tremendous rivals at or near the top of the league. 

As I said in earlier posts, I'm a Liverpool fan so I obviously want them to win, but this will be far from an easy match. Manchester United are consistently one of the top two teams in the league. Any team with players as talented as Rooney, Young, Vidic and countless others is going to be difficult to beat. I'd love to say its going to be an emphatic win for the Reds, but that's just simply not the case. It'll be a hard fought game to be sure, but I think it more than likely ends a stalemate. Let's call it a draw, you could say.

It has never been the most friendly of rivalries

Tevez Controversy

Sporting News- Tevez broke a fundamental rule of sport—that no individual is more important than his or her team—when he sat moodily on the bench at a time of dire need for Manchester City, seemingly refusing to play on Tuesday night in the Champions League.

A millionaire striking. How pathetic and how distasteful at a time when so many less fortunate than Tevez are feeling the economic pinch.

If City manager Roberto Mancini is telling the whole truth here and Tevez really did mutiny, then football has witnessed a saddening new low.

At his rampaging best, the muscular, boxy Argentine can turn matches around with his penetrating runs on goal. Given how well Bayern were playing and how dispirited Mancini's team looked, even Tevez might not have been able to rally City. But he is used to thriving in adversity. He grew up in a rough Buenos Aires neighborhood known as "Fort Apache." He carries a childhood burn scar on his neck with some pride, refusing to hide it with plastic surgery. Because of his background, Tevez should be more aware than most how lucky he is to be so handsomely paid for kicking a ball. Besides, his teammates needed him.

But astoundingly, said Mancini, Tevez's response when he called him was, "No."

"He refused to do a warm-up again and he refused to go on the pitch," the Italian said later, clearly fuming and shaken.

Manchester City's enigmatic striker Carlos Tevez has recently created a huge controversy through his behavior off the field during a match. According to his manager, Roberto Mancini, he refused to take the field during a pivotal Champions league match. The repercussions of his actions seem to be tremendous, as Manchester City is currently saying that they not only will not let him play until at least January, they also will attempt not to pay him throughout the suspension. This will not only affect the player, who will lose millions of dollars, it will affect the team as well who will surely miss out on Tevez' goal scoring abilities. Tevez is currently denying that he refused to play, but if this turns out to be true, it is a sad day for sports indeed.

My question is, how can a guy making millions of dollars playing a child's game actually justify refusing to enter the game when asked? He is one of the most highly paid players in the sport, and he somehow is right to say "No thanks" when told to warm-up? I think Tevez is totally in the wrong on this one.

Premier League Table 9/28/11

Let's take a look at how the Premier League table is shaping up through the first month of the season. Manchester United, and their seemingly ageless manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, are tied with their cross-town rivals, Manchester City. These two seem to be the real favorites at this point, and it'll be interesting to see if they can live up to the hype. 

Three points back of the Manchester teams lies Chelsea, the North London team looking to make a title challenge. I'm not sure that they will truly challenge for the title, as their striker situation needs to be sorted out as Fernando Torres is not scoring much, and Didier Drogba is looking older with every game. Newcastle United are the surprise of the top four, netting 12 points so far this season. Two points behind them lie my Liverpool Reds, who can hopefully gain a few points on the top four teams. 

Down at the other end of the table are Blackburn, West Bromwich, and Bolton, respectively. Bolton has struggled mightily this season, gaining only three points from a possible eighteen. Also alarming is the fact that they have a -8 goal differential already. If they don't pick things up they will surely be relegated to the lower division. 

Chelsea at Manchester United Review

This weekend, Chelsea, of North London and Manchester United, of Manchester faced off at Old Trafford, United's stadium. The match was highly anticipated as the two squads are set to challenge for the Premier League title. It turned out to be a fantastic match full of twists and turns, but many will remember it for missed chances more than anything. Fernando Torres, the Chelsea man brought over from Liverpool for nearly $70 million was brilliant at times and scoring a goal, but made potentially the blunder of his career. As he received a pass from Ramires, he went around the goalkeeper and had the net to himself only to blast it into the stands. At a pivotal moment in the game, he crumbled. "Fernandon't Scorres", as he has mockingly come to be called, will only encourage his haters with an attempt like this. Besides this, the man of the match surely went to Nani, the United player who had a gem of a goal. Smalling, Nani, and Rooney scored in the first half for the Red Devils, while Torres snagged a consolation goal in the second half before his unbelievable miss. Watch Torres' miss and highlights after the jump.

A Small Introduction

I figure the first thing I should get out of the way is to profess my love for the team that I love, the Liverpool Reds. When I first started following soccer, I was instantly enamored with the team from Merseyside (name for the region in which Liverpool resides). For whatever reason, this seemed like the only team I could see myself following, and it stuck. While I will keep you up to date with all sorts of news throughout the EPL, I figure its only fair to let you know of my bias towards the Reds. As this season progresses, I can only hope that our newest star signing, Luis Suarez, can lead Liverpool to glory and its 19th league title. So with that said, Go Reds and let's hope for a fantastic 2011-2012 EPL campaign.

 You must admit, the man looks natural in Red.

Welcome To My World

As a kid, I was enthralled by the world of European soccer. I hoped to play in front of thousands and be watched by millions on TV.  Of course, as my physical talents lagged way behind my ambitions, I learned the closest I was going to get to my dream was being one of those watchers. Now I hope to take a more proactive role in the game by blogging about it. As a self proclaimed "footy" lover, as the British call it, I aim to keep you up to date on the goings on across the pond, in the world of English Premier league soccer.