Bundesliga,On the Rise or Decline?

            I’ve read a few articles stating the German Bundesliga is on the decline due to the overpowering success of Bayern Munchen.  Along with the trophies and championships, Bayern has a lot more money than the other teams in the league.  Adding to the theory of many is the sudden slump of the runner up in the last two years Borussia Dortmund.  Dortmund is currently in 15^th place just outside the relegation zone.

            The last two years Bayern has made blockbuster transfers for Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski who were two shining stars for the Black and Yellows.  Is Bayern buying their Bundesliga victories by cutting down their opponents by paying more than others can?   It could be true, but I still think Bundesliga is a strong league.

            Many reporters and football analyst believe the most competitive league is the English Premier League.  I agree with that assumption but if you look at European football such as Champions League, the German clubs usually advance pretty far.  This is most evident during the 2013 campaign in Wembley when Bayern and Dortmund went head to head in the finals.  That final was the German’s making their case to be the best in the world.  At that point Spain was the dominant force with the national team winning everything and Barcelona and Real Madrid being the two big shots in club football.

            If you look at the table in the Bundesliga, you’ll usually see the same teams at the top.  You’ll see Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Schalke.  This season so far Wolfsburg, Borussia M’gladbach and Hannover 96 are at the top of the table along with Bayern Munich.  The Bundesliga in my opinion is getting more talent and though Bayern have ran the table lately the Champions League and Europa League spots have been a fight.  Teams like Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen are a player or two away from the top of the table.  In my opinion German football is getting bigger and better.  

The FCB Long Island Experience

            When I joined the FC Bayern Long Island Fan Club I didn’t know what to expect.  I’ve been a Bayern fan for some time now and always wanted a close by group to follow and watch the games with.  I saw the opportunity on Facebook and contacted Sebastian who has become a good friend.  We meet up at Plattdeutsche Park in Franklin Square in the morning to watch Bayern Munich play. 

            As I walked into Plattdeutsche I felt a huge German influence.  From the Steins to the Biergarten in the back, all things German were standing out.  I truly felt that this was a perfect place to watch my team play on the big screens.  We were greeted by some management and employees and felt part of something bigger than just a couple of guys watching a game.  The great hospitality made us feel wanted and appreciated at the bar.

            With all of us dressed to support the Sterne Des Sudens(stars of the south) Bayern Munich,  we felt like our own squad or team.  I believe the fact we all come from different ways of life made for a good combination.  We cheered when Bayern scored and we sighed when a shot was missed.  The fan club had full attention on Bayern.

            This group will do big things and grow to be a family of Bayern Supporters.  With some help from Plattdeutche as our official location, I’m sure people will be interested in joining. 

            If this article/entry is intriguing to you, join us on weekends when Bayern Munich play or contact us on facebook: FCBLongIslandNY or Twitter: @FCBLongIslandny.  We’ll make you part of our team on Long Island

Die Mannschaft Champions Of The World

            For the first time since 1990, the German National team has raised the World Cup trophy.  A mixture of seasoned veterans, along with the young future meshed together to become the “German Machine”.  The road started long before July 13, 2014.  Ridicule and criticism of the way the Germans play was shown even by their fellow countrymen.  The old Germany were sideline press and cross in for the header.  The new style is possession based, with a lot of flare and pinpoint accuracy. 

            In the year 2006, the German national team was favorites to win on their home soil.  The Qualifying was quick and easy as usual.  The group stage and round of 16 and 8 were completed and then came July 4^th against the Italians.  A game I’ll never forget.  My Brother and I watched our team, Germany alongside our friends and relatives who were rooting for the Azzurri. A true stalemate of a game took an extra half hour to be decided.  In the 119^th minute a botched clearance of an Italian corner led to Fabio Grosso scoring a goal in the corner of the net.  To add insult to injury a minute later, Del Piero scored a goal of his own to leave myself and the other Germany fans in disbelief.

            Fast forward 4 years to the tournament in South Africa, where yet again the German side was a favorite to win the cup.  As in 2006, the German squad blew through qualifying and did well in the group stage.  Then came the shock again when in the later part of the semifinal match with Spain, the German luck ran out again.  Carlos Puyol scored in the 73^rd minute ending the hopes for a World Cup final victory.

            In all honesty, I didn’t think 2014 would be the year for Germany.  With big named players like Mario Gomez, Holger Badstuber, and Marco Reus falling to injury, the roster seemed to be unfit.  Sami Khedira had a long term injury and Mats Hummels was injured a lot this year.  The big players were still coming together for Germany, but would all the shake ups lead to failure?

            The “Group of Death” is the group in a tournament that looks the strongest.  The World Cup 2014 “Group of Death” consisted of Germany, Portugal, Ghana, and the United States.  The first task was Portugal.  In this tournament Ronaldo and the boys would lose 4-0 to Germany.  The “Black Stars” of Ghana were next.  Trailing 2-1 later in the game German Coach Joachim Low had to make a bold decision and bring on the veterans Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger.  A few minutes after entry to the game, Klose’s presence would be felt.  A Toni Kroos corner would be headed by Benedikt Howedes and then slide kicked into the net by Klose.  That goal would tie Klose with Ronaldo at 15 goals in a World Cup Tournament. 

            The final game in the group stage was the game I had been waiting for between the United States and Germany.  I was honestly rooting for a draw because both teams would advance with a draw.  I ended up happy with the result.  Thomas Muller would score the only goal to make the game 1-0.  But the US would get through as well.

            Following the group stage Germany would play Algeria.   Algeria would give the Germans a great challenge.  Extra time would be required and Schurrle and Ozil would have to score and give the Germans the win.  Following the extra time thriller with Algeria, the German squad would face France in the Quarterfinal.  The game was a stalemate which saw only 1 goal from either team as Hummels headed in a shot that was sent in by Kroos.  The feeling of “this is our year” began to sink in after the victory over “Le Bleu”.

            The next team for Germany on their journey to the finals was Brazil.  The semifinal game was the game everyone wanted to see.  The only downfall was the absence of Neymar who was injured, and Thiago Silva, who was out due to yellow card accumulation.  The absence of the two would prove to be a big blow for the Brazilians. 

            In the 11^th minute Thomas Muller scored off of a corner kick from Toni Kroos.   The Muller goal I believe was a miscue by match captain David Luiz.  Twelve minutes after the first goal Germany pressured again into Brazil’s box.  This time history would be made as Miroslav Klose would score World Cup goal #16.  Toni Kroos made an additional 2 goals in as many minutes.  Brazil would score only 1 goal in a 7-1 blowout defeat.

            The final chapter of World Cup 2014 was ready to happen.  On one side of the field Germany and on the other side Argentina.  Messi and Argentina was the only thing standing between Germany and raising the trophy. The game was an absolute classic.   Many close shots and many great saves from Argentine Romero and German Neuer.   The seesaw battle wasn’t decided in 90 minutes so extra time was played.  Until this point the only ball that hit the net was a shot from Higuain after he was in an offsides position.

            The first 15 minutes of extra time had the same result of the 90.  No goals from either team.  The second extra time seemed like it would just be a chess match to set up penalty kicks.  In the 113^th minute Andre Schurrle ran the ball up the left sideline and crossed in a gem to Mario Gotze who had been substituted in a few minutes prior.  Gotze guided the ball with his chest, laid out and connected with the ball before it hit the ground.  Romero seemed to be in good position but had no chance of blocking Gotze’s shot.  The ball hit the back of the net and the Germans were up 1-0.  The score would stay the same and Captain Phillip Lahm was finally able to raise the trophy for his country.  A 24 year journey for Deutschland was finally over.  Germany is the Champions of the World 2014.

-Justin Zydor   

The Kingdom Of Klose

            On the biggest stage in the sport of soccer there is one man who leads the pack in goals.  Germany’s 36 year old striker Miroslav Klose went ahead of Brazil’s Ronaldo when he scored Germany’s second goal against the host nation Brazil.  Klose, who plays his club soccer for Italian outfit Lazio, has a total of 16 goals in the tournament.  Along with the goal record he is also one of three players to ever score a goal in 4 World Cups along with Pele and Uwe Seeler.

            The striker born in Poland has had over 140 caps with his country and over 70 goals.  Miroslav is known for his close range shots and overpowering headers.  When you think of all of Germany’s records and feats, Klose has to be involved in all of the conversation.  What amazes me is his goal scoring ability and his longevity. 

            I never thought Klose would start another World Cup game.  I thought he’d just be the player who comes on late in the game to eat some time.  When he was substituted in for the Ghana game I felt the magic of previous World Cups and knew he’d get the last word.  That late equalizer also tied him with Ronaldo and game the Germans a boost of energy that they took to the round of 16 and 8. 

            The final four teams were all perennial powerhouses.  The first match of the final four placed the host nation Brazil against Germany.  When the starting eleven was posted, I was surprised to see the name Miroslav Klose at the top.  I also felt it was a great idea because Thiago Silva was out due to yellow card accumulation.  After Thomas Muller scored the first goal and rattled the Brazilian defense, I knew there would be chances for Klose and the rest of the German attack to dig in.

            As Germany pushed forward the defense of Brazil began to open up.  A few passes through to Kroos and then came Klose.  His first attempt was blocked by Brazilian Keeper Cesar but the rebound deflected back towards Klose and he drove it home.  The goal was an absolute dagger to the heart of Brazilian fans.  After a celebratory knee slide and fist pump the Germans could now say that their striker was atop the all-time list. 

            Being an American that is a Germany fan, I often get flack about who I cheer for.  When I was younger is was players like Klinsmann, Bierhoff, and Oliver Kahn, that I’d root for.  That era was followed by Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings, and Miroslav Klose.  Along with Klose came Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger.  And ever since then being a Germany fan has been great.  The Germans are a persistent team that has updated with the times.  The old school style was come from the sides of the pitch and cross the ball in for headers, and now the passing game of the new generation is of one of a sharpshooter.  

-Justin Zydor

2013/14 German Cup

   This Saturday in Berlin, the German Cup will be contested.  The Bundesliga's first and second place teams will face off in what should be a great match.  There's a lot of storylines in this rivalry including Lewandowski's last game with Dortmund, another game with Mario Gotze against his old team, and Pep Guardiola's future at the club.
   Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga title back in March but have been in and out of form as of late.  The Reds of Bavaria were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid and haven't been playing their normal dominant football against the Bundesliga teams.  Some of the Bayern board members believe their problem is the possession game that Pep preaches.  Pep Guardiola believes if the players give full belief to the method, they will be dominant.
   On the other hand you have Borussia Dortmund.  Dortmund's 2013/14 season can be summed up by all the injuries they have sustained.  Dortmund's Mats Hummels has had lots of trouble staying healthy.  His partner in the back Neven Subotic has been out a while as well with injury problems of his own.  This Saturday the injury report shows that Marco Reus is probable to play but goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller is doubtful.  Health has been an ongoing seesaw battle for the Black and Yellows of Dortmund.
  The German Cup marks Robert Lewandowski's final game as a member of Borussia Dortmund.  Lewandowski will be heading south to Bayern Munich next season.  The Dortmund hero and top goal scorer has had to deal with heckling from the Dortmund fans including car vandalism.  He will be giving it his all when he takes to the pitch, wanting to leave his future club with a sour taste in their mouths.
  Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller have been unhappy with their playing time this year and rumors have said Gotze has thought about leaving the Bundesliga champions at the end of the season.  When a team is loaded with talent like Bayern Munich, there will be players who feel they haven't received a fair share of time on the pitch.  Muller has seen a lot of time as a substitute this year.  I believe the big story for Bayern will be whether Manzukic dominates in the box.  Mario Mandzukic's strength has been a positive for Bayern and I don't think Saturday's game will be any different.  Bayern's going to most likely be without Schweinsteiger who took a knock at the end of the season finale.
   Now we'll move on to the news on the pitch.  The last handful of games have been back and forth between these two teams.  At the end of last season Bayern defeated Dortmund for the UEFA Champions League title.  At the beginning of the season Dortmund defeated Bayern for the German Super Cup. The two teams split during the Bundesliga season, each winning the away leg.
  In my opinion I only know that Bayern will lead this game in possession.  With all the talent being placed on the field in Berlin, anything can happen.  Both teams will be supported by their fans that travel all over to see them.  This game will come down to Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola's chess match.  Will the possession game dominate for Bayern Munich or will the fast paced counter attack of Borussia Dortmund lead them to the German Cup victory.

Monday Night NASL Matchup

                   

  This past Monday the NASL showcased two of their top teams in a battle.  The Minnesota United Loons who are near the top of the standings and the 2013 defending champion New York Cosmos.  The Cosmos played host in James Shuart Stadium located on the Hofstra University Campus.  The weather was great even though the wind was a little heavy at times. 

  Minnesota United traveled to New York unbeaten and looked to be in the driver’s seat for this game.  While the Cosmos were on a losing streak which was new to the Long Island based team.  The New York Cosmos knew they needed this game to stay on pace with the top teams in the NASL and played like it.  The team had to play without Sebastian Guenzatti who was Red Carded during the game against the Railhawks.

  The Cosmos started the first half with the possession advantage and really had the Loons on their heels for most of the half.  A few chances were had by the Cosmos, but the end result wasn’t there.  A huge game from Minnesota United Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel kept the Loons in the game until halftime. 

  At the beginning of the second half with the 5Points supporters cheering and chanting loud, the Cosmos really started forcing their way to the Minnesota box.  In the 58^th minute Mads Stokkelien had an open goal but ended up heading the ball about a foot wide.  Veteran Marco Senna would make up for his teammates miss in the 60^th minute with a shot from just outside the 18.  Van Oekel looked to have been out of place when Senna’s shot looked to be going wide.  At the last second the ball turned in and went just inside the post.

  Jim Maurer had a great game for the Cosmos making some saves that helped the Cosmos to victory.  Knowing the Loons are known for their late game heroics, the key save to me was in the 87^th minute when Maurer made the save to relieve the pressure Minnesota had put on the Cosmos. The defense in my opinion played a lot better than they have in recent games.  The midfielders showed great ideas with their passing game and all in all the Cosmos played keep away.   

  Hopefully this victory will give the Cosmos that winning feeling again.  I think the strikers need to make some better decisions when they get to the box.  The boys in green and white left it all out on the field Monday which you hope they always do.  The Cosmos are in third place with 9 points.  They only trail Minnesota United and Ft Lauderdale Strikers who both have 12 points.  If the players and coaches of the Cosmos put in the work, and the fans show their colors and stay dedicated, we’ll win the league again.  Hopefully this rough patch is over and our team will become superior again in the NASL.

Europe's Big 4 League Standings

Bundesliga
1-Bayern Munich-87 points (Champions)
2-Borussia Dortmund-68 points
3-Schalke 04 -61 points
4- Bayer Leverkusen- 58 points
Relegation Danger
16-Hamburg -27 points
17-Nurnburg- 26 points
18- Eintracht Braunschweig- 25 points
Promotion
FC Koln

Serie A
1-Juventus-96 points (Champions)
2-AS Roma-85 points
3-Napoli-72 points
Relegation Danger
18-Bologna-29 points
19-Catania-26 points
20-Livorno-25 points
Promotion
Palermo

La Liga
1-Atletico Madrid-88 points
2-Barcelona-85 points
3-Real Madrid-83 points(game back)
4-Athletic Bilbao-68 points
Relegation Danger
18-Osasuna-35 points
19-Real Valladolid-35 points
20-Real Betis-22 points
Promotion
Deportivo La Coruna

Barclay Premier League
1-Liverpool-81 points
2-Manchester City-80 points (Game Back)
3-Chelsea-79 points
4-Arsenal-76 points
Relegation Danger
18-Norwich City-33 points
19-Fulham-31 points
20-Cardiff City-30 points
Promotion
Leicester City

Soccer Saturday 4/19/14

     Saturday is for soccer and I took full advantage of that term today.  Whether it was fussball from Germany,  calcio from Italy, football from England, or soccer from the United States.  My day started off with coffee and the laptop for Bayern Munich versus Eintracht Braunsweig.  This was a game reporters thought would be a runaway score for Bayern even with their second team in.  Braunsweig hung around in the first half and played a good fifteen minutes of the second until the German Champions struck.  First a goal from Claudio Pizarro off of a great assist by Mario Gotze in the 74th minute.  Mario Mandzukic would be added to the score sheet in the 85th minute with a goal of his own which gave Bayern Munich the victory 2-0 over bottom of the table side Eintracht Braunsweig.
      Following Bundesliga action,  I decided to enjoy some English Premier League action.  Chelsea hosted the "Black Cats" of Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.  Jose Mourinho has an amazing streak of 78 unbeaten games for Chelsea as their manager when home in the Premier League.  On the other hand Sunderland were feeding off of a 2-2 draw early in the week with title contender Manchester City.
     Goals  started early in this match with Samuel Eto'o scoring for the Blues in the 11th minute.  In the 17th minute Connor Wickham of Sunderland would equalize.  Both sides had plenty of chances but the big chance came late in the game.  In the 80th minute American striker Jozy Altidore was fouled in the box for Sunderland.  Former Chelsea player Fabio Borini would step up to the spot and deliver the crushing blow to Chelsea and Sunderland earned themselves 3 points.  The Mourinho Era of home dominance was put to rest on this day but with a team that talented they will bounce back.
     My wild soccer journey would lead me to Italia for some Serie A calcio.  Parma hosted Inter and this game was all Inter.  By the end of the first half Parma was down to 10 men.  Gabriel Paletta received his second yellow card in the 45th minute and was sent off.  The second half opened and so did the Inter scoring.  In the 47th minute Rolando tallied a goal for the "Nerazzuri" (the Black and Blues).  Later in the game Fredy Guarin would come on and make his presence felt.  A slashing shot from Guarin in the 88th minute was the icing on the cake for the Milano based outfit.
     As we ventured into the early afternoon the Loons from Minnesota United were going up to Ottawa to take on the Fury.  This game might have been the game of the day in the NASL.  United struck first with a goal from Ibarra.  In the 50th minute Fury striker Vini Dantas would make history scoring Ottawa's first goal in the history of the club which tied the game at 1-1.  This game looked to be destined for a 1-1 draw but Chris Ramirez had something to say about that in the 96th minute.  As it said on the Minnesota United Twitter "loon's never say die" Ramirez came on and knocked the ball into the back of the net just before the final whistle.
    The Indy Eleven had another home game today when they took on the Tampa Bay Rowdies.  A packed crowd settled in for a tight game with many chances for both sides.  The Rowdies Shriver opened up the scoring with a goal that had to be hard to swallow for the Indy Eleven.  One of Indy's players were down injured in the box when Shriver sent the shot through the goalkeeper's legs.  Indy player Norales in the 82nd minute would draw the game even with a nice flick into the goal.  The game would end a draw and the Indy based side have 2 points after opening their first season in the NASL with a pair of 1-1 draws.
   Finally 9 o'clock Eastern time came and my team was going on.  The New York Cosmos took the trip up to Canada to face FC Edmonton with first place on the line after a win from Minnesota.  This wasn't the most attractive offensive game but both teams defensively were on point.  Both teams tried to make it impossible for the other to score a goal.
     In the 37th minute Mads Stokkelein would set up Sebastian Guenzatti with a goal which gave the Cosmos a 1-0 lead.  From that moment on a seesaw battle would ensue with no other goals being scored for either side.  With the win the Cosmos are 2-0 with 6 points and the lead in the NASL.
    As if today wasn't enough, tomorrow looks to be another action packed day of soccer.  Three important games in the English Premier League starting with table topper Liverpool traveling to Norwich City to try and keep the dream of an EPL title alive.  The second game places Hull City and Arsenal head to head as Arsenal tries to lock down the final Champions League spot.  Finally Everton host Manchester United at Goodison Park.  The Toffees look to sneak into the final Champions League spot but it will take a lot of work from Roberto Martinez's players.  Manchester United look to finish the season on a high note.  This was a great weekend for soccer.  All different games with different outcomes.

The Supporter First Experience 4/17/14

        This past Sunday morning was an experience like no other.  My local NASL soccer team the New York Cosmos had their opening game of the season and I was joining a group of supporters and going to the game.  Although this sounds like a regular day of spectating, trust me the feeling was completely different than any game I had ever been to before.  The game started at 5 pm at Shuart Stadium on the Hofstra University Campus,  but my journey begins a few hours prior to the opening whistle.
       I left my house excited and unsure how the day would go.  Of course I love soccer and going to the games,  but I wasn't participating with your average fans.  The ladies and gentlemen of the Cross Island Crew,  Borough Boys, and La Banda Del Cosmos are die hard fans that chant, cheer, and sing the full 90 minutes.  This is a tall order for a new guy to become part of a club so electrifying.  I arrived in the parking lot and saw a sea of green shirts.  Fans all over the area were making their way towards the stadium and front gates.  However the supporter group better known as the 5 points readied themselves down the block with great food, drinks, and the beginning of the chants we'd come to hear in the stadium.  Most of the crew hadn't met me yet as it was my first game,  but a lot of the members came up to me introduced themselves and made me feel like part of the family.
      A few minutes after I arrived cheers began as a school bus with banners hanging from the sides pulled into the lot.  The doors open and the first sound you hear is the drums of La Banda Del Cosmos.  The true feel of the event had begun and this was the point where I knew the experience was going to be different.  As game time got very close,  all the members started to make their way down the street and towards the gates to the stadium.  The Five Points had arrived and everyone knew it.  The jubilant chants echoed underneath the bleachers as we made our way to our section which had been covered with banners and signs.
     As the players took the field the TIFO banners were extended across the support group while confetti was thrown,  smoke was engulfing the stands and our loud group of supporters began the great Cosmos' chants.  It wasn't just our job to watch the game.  We are the men and women pumping up our team.  They work the full 90 minutes on the pitch, therefore we work the 90 minutes in the stands jumping, screaming, and waving the flags.  Watching a few of the people holding onto those banners with the wind howling was amazing.  Even with those winds the Five Points didn't skip a beat.
    Of course the Cosmos winning made the journey even better.  I left that stadium after the game proud to be a part of the Cross Island Crew.  My scarf,  Cosmos shirt, and Crew family is all I

needed during that game.  If you love soccer and want to be a part of something great,  join a Supporter Group.  If your in New York join the Five Points.  The Borough Boys,  La Banda Del Cosmos, and of course Cross Island Crew are my new friends and we want you to experience the magic.  Let's Go Cosmos!!!!
 

April 3,2014- April fools, breaking rules, Champions League, and not so Friendly

           We start off the week with a look back at UEFA Champions League matches.  Paris St Germain went out and put on a show against the "Chosen One" and the "Blues" of Chelsea.  Although an injury occurred to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the French capitol side made the most of the first leg.  The final score 3-1 which showed how deep the PSG roster is.  Chelsea will have some work to do next week when the second leg is played at Stamford Bridge.
           Wednesday also had German side Borussia Dortmund take the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid.  With the handful of injuries and the dominance of Real as of late,  the "Black and Yellows" had no chance.  Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Isco would score to make the final 3-0.  A huge advantage for Madrid to take to the Signal Iduna Park in Borussia.
          A La Liga based showdown on Tuesday took place at the Camp Nou between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.  The scoring opened in the 55th minute when Diego Costa scored for Atleti.  Costa wouldn't make it the full 90 minutes.  He picked up an injury which could be costly on the return leg in Madrid.  For the Barcelona side,  their goal came in the 70th minute from the Brazilian Neymar.  An injury will make a difference for Barcelona as well as defensive center back Gerard Pique fractured a bone and will be unable to be part of the second leg as well.  This match would end 1-1.
        The final Champions League game on Tuesday took place on a grand stage in Manchester at Old Trafford.  A game that many said Bayern would stomp on Manchester United and though possession showed 75% to 25% in favor of Bayern,  the game was very close.  The first goal was scored by Manchester United's Center back Nemanja Vidic off of a corner kick.  Vidic's redirection header came in the 58th minute.  A little less than 10 minutes later midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger would answer with a great goal for Bayern.  The game would be a draw 1-1 with a return match to Munich where Bayern will be without Schweinsteiger, Martinez, and injured midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
        In the newspapers from Europe as well,  is the ban from the transfer market for the defending La Liga champs Barcelona.  Barcelona have repeatedly breached transfer regulations.  The club violated rules on international transfers, as well as registering foreign players.  The sanction if kept will keep Barca out of the summer and winter transfer periods.  Barcelona's administration will appeal the decision.
       The quirky holiday of April Fools day has always been one of pranks and jokes.  The NASL defending champions New York Cosmos decided to take a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings in Westbury, New York.  Competitive eater Kobayashi dressed up as an employee of the Buffalo Wild Wings staff.  The staff found out that the big eater of the Cosmos was Peri Marosevic who was up for the challenge.  Kobayashi walked over to the table and began eating "normal" while Marosevic was power eating.  About a minute or two in Kobayashi went into competition mode and some of the looks from Marosevic were priceless.  At the end after defeating Marosevic 58-18,  Kobayashi would take off the staff uniform and reveal the last name on the back of his Cosmos jersey.  Peri was a great sport and was in awe with the quickness of the former Hot Dog eating champ.
       The final topic took place in Arizona pinning the United States against their rivals Mexico.  Bayern Munich II player and 18 year old Julian Green would be making his debut after his one time international switch from Germany to the US.  The first half America was head and shoulders better than Mexico.  An early goal from Michael Bradley off of a United States corner made it look like a route was coming.  Followed by a great set up header from Bradley to Wondolowski for the outer foot goal.  At halftime the US looked to be in control against El Tri.
      Early in the second half,  veteran Rafael Marquez would bring the deficit back to one with a header off of a corner kick.  Then came the goal that tied the game for Mexico by Alan Pulido.  I believe the refereeing crew missed a few calls including disallowing the goal by Eddie Johnson for offsides.  The other missed call was the foul on first time American player Julian Green just outside the box.  A final score of 2-2 will definitely give US coach Jurgen Klinsmann lots to think about before the clash in Brazil 10 weeks from now against Ghana.  The United States need to put together a 90 minute team if they want to compete with "perennial powerhouses" of the World Cup.
     -Justin Zydor

2014 Round Of 8 Champions League

        Wednesday March 19 two games would decide the final two teams to the round of 8.  At the beginning of the day Borussia Dortmund led Zenit St. Petersburg 4-2 on aggregate.  Manchester United trailed 2-0 to Greek Champions Olympiakos.  Dortmund was in the drivers seat with a 2 goal lead going into the Signal Iduna Park.
         Zenit opened the game with a long knuckled shot from Hulk which Roman Weidenfeller was unable to coral.  About 15 minutes later Sebastian Kehl would answer with a goal of his own for Dortmund.  At this point the game score was 1-1 but aggregate was 5-3.  In the second half at around the 73rd minute Jose Rondon would strike for Zenit, trying to keep their hopes alive.  At that point of the game I believe it was too late even though the aggregate ended at 5-4.  The Black and Yellows of Dortmund earned their spot in the last 8 and Zenit were eliminated.
        The second game on Wednesday was Manchester United and Olympiakos.  United had a different look in their eyes while walking out to the crowd at Old Trafford.  David Moyes and the boys had an uphill battle being down 2-0 before the whistle even blew.  Plenty of chances were squandered by both teams early.  Manchester United were at a pace that their Greek opponents couldn't keep up with.  At the 24th minute Ryan Giggs sent in a beautiful pass to Robin Van Persie which was defended all wrong.  The only defense for Olympiakos was a penalty in the box.  The referee pointed to the spot and RVP took complete advantage.  Just before halftime Robin Van Persie would be heard again with a great setup by Giggs and Rooney.  Van Persie's second was the easiest of them all.  At half time the aggregate read 2-2.
     The final half was an all out fight.  Both teams with questionable fouls.  On tired legs Olympiakos had begun to show some holes.  While it seemed DeGea of Manchester United got better and better in goal.  The 50th minute would prove to be the big mistake by Olympiakos.  A possible goal saving foul outside the box setup Rooney and Van Persie from about 20 yards out.  Rooney stepped over and RVP buzzed a rope with bend through the wall and into the back of the net.  United were able to score the 3 goals they needed to advance and the round was officially over.
      On Friday the drawing for the Round of 8 in Champions League will take place.  Lets take a look at the 8 squads who will be represented.  The teams will be representing four countries.  From England you have Chelsea who defeated Galatasaray and Manchester United who defeated Olympiakos.  From Spain you have 3 teams.  Atletico Madrid who defeated A.C. Milan.  Real Madrid who blew passed Schalke 04 and Barcelona who defeated Manchester City.  France has one representative in the defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain.  PSG defeated Bayer Leverkusen.  The last two teams represent Germany and were both in the 2013 Champions League final.  Borussia Dortmund defeated Zenit St. Petersburg and Bayern Munich defeated Arsenal in a great clash between the Gunners and Bavarian champions.
       Many questions have to be asked with these great squads advancing.  Is Bayern still the favorite and will they repeat?  Will Real Madrid continue to score at will against any side?  Can Manchester United who was written off be a legit contender in this tournament?  The 3 big time players right now in this tournament have to be Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
        Obviously it won't happen but i'd love to see Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Dortmund vs Bayern , Manchester United vs Chelsea, and Paris St Germain vs Atletico Madrid. Any way you look at it there will be plenty of action.  Is there a diamond in the rough that hasn't shown through yet?  Who do you want to see drawn in the round of 8? Let us know here or at our twitter @OTPSoccerblog.  Or on our Facebook On The Pitch Soccer Blog.

The Rise and Fall of the Arsenal FC

          Tomorrow Arsenal play their neighbors Tottenham in the North London Derby.  As of late the Gunners have been up and down.  At the start of the season Arsenal jumped out to a commanding lead in the Barclays Premier League.  Players like Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey were on fire scoring most of the teams goals.  The addition of German Midfielder Mesut Ozil opened up plenty of opportunities for his teammates.  For the first time in a while Arsenal's higher ups decided to open their purse and make the team better instead of letting their top players get away like Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri.
          Looking at the what seemed to be a dominant roster, I noticed the striker position was a weakness.  In England with all the tournaments whether it be the FA Cup, Capital One Cup, or the BPL,  lots of minutes have to be covered.  I felt relying on Nicholaus Bendtner and Yaya Sanogo didn't quite add up to back Giroud.  Even the best goal scores would tire out with the demanding schedule.
          When the winter transfer window opened I thought for sure Arsene Wenger would bring in a talented Striker to the Emirates.  Two deals that were on the table that fell through was acquiring Lazio's German Striker Miroslav Klose and Schalke's Julian Draxler.  Maybe the numbers didn't add up or the other teams didn't want to part ways with their players.  This definitely hurt the Gunners squad.
           Another weakness was the Centerback position.  Per Mertesacker while being a solid defender would have to endure the rough schedule and i believe his fatigue has slowed him down as of late.  Laurant Koscielny is a great defender and if Arsenal would have went out and picked up another Centerback to rotate with Mertesacker and Vermaelen the defense would stay fresh.
           The biggest downfall of the Arsenal Gunners has been health. Ar the start of the season Podolski and Oxelade-Chaimberlain went down early.  Then a big knock on their goal scorer Aaron Ramsey who to this day is still out.  More recent injuries occurred during an England friendly where Jack Wilshere fractured a bone and during a Champions League battle with Bayern Munich,  Mesut Ozil pulled his quad.  Placing him on the long list of injuries for a few weeks.
            If Arsenal win tomorrow they can keep pace with the other top of the table teams.  That in itself is a positive outlook for a team with such bad luck this season.  It is time for the secondary players like Lukas Podolski and Matthieu Flamini to rise to the occasion and keep the London based club in the race. Only time will tell when the game begins from White Hart Lane.

New York City FC and the Supporters 3/14/14

          Last night on Facebook I found a group of people with the same passion as mine.  Being a resident of  New York,  people think we have an MLS team.  Yes the Red Bulls are called the New York Red Bulls, but their location is in Harrison, New Jersey.  The North American Soccer League brought back the fan favorite New York Cosmos which is definitely appreciated. As you all know they won the league last season.  Living on Long Island our Cosmos are great but we want a team in the big league.  We want Major League Soccer to have a team in New York.
         We then received the announcement that made a dream begin to come true.  The merger of Manchester City FC in England and the New York Yankees put their funds together to start the expansion team New York City Football Club which will debut in the 2015 MLS season.  On May 22,2013, New York City FC signed Claudio Reyna as the DFO.  Reyna a New Yorker and former Captain of the United States Men's National Team was a great choice.  We feel he's one of our own and understands what we have missed in New York.
        On December 11,2013 our Head Coach was named.  The selection was former Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis.  In 2009, Kreis Led Real Salt Lake to its first MLS championship.  I believe with the right formula of players Coach Kreis will be the answer to positive results for City.  Then comes the question,  who will be the players chosen for the 2015 season?
        Looking at some of the rumor sites,  a few veteran names come to mind.  A strong defender from Barcelona Carlos Puyol gave his team the notice that he wouldn't be returning next season.  Sticking with the defensive side of the pitch another name which doesn't seem too popular with the NYCFC fans is John Terry.  Although a solid defender, Terry has baggage off the pitch that turns people away from him.  Along with top players,  we want class as well.  Midfielder Frank Lampard is nearing the end of his career at Stamford Bridge and has been linked with a move to the MLS.  Could Lamps be the answer to the squad representing the city?
          Myself and a few other of the NYCFC Supporters believe Garreth Barry is the strong answer because of his affiliation with Manchester City FC.  Barry is still young enough to put in some positive years in the 5 boroughs.  In my opinion the Manchester City FC coaches should loan New York City FC some of their younger upstarts to get them playing time.  Only time will tell what direction the City squad will go.
          The excitement is unbearable when it comes to the supporters wanting their football.  Get the scarves ready.  Put together the lyrics to the chants and songs.  Band together like a family and lets carry the boys into 2015 and our ultimate goal of raising the MLS trophy.  Let's go City!!!! Let's go City!!!!

The week of November 18-24

      This week in November had a lot of action.  The International Friendlies to the World Cup playoffs.  From Der Klassiker in Germany to the Merseyside derby in England.  During this week of greatness two headliners of football would face off on the pitch in their country's final chances at the World Cup.
      At the start of the week the International break left us with some delicious tie ups.  To start with the friendlies in Europe Germany and England competed.  In my opinion, lots of action but also lots of missed chances for both squads.  Germany by far had the upper hand but couldn't capitalize on more of the chances.  Until a corner kick set piece came along.  After the first cross was deflected a second was sent in where the big man and captain Per Mertesacker rose above the rest to send a header passed English Goalkeeper Joe Hart.  That one goal would be the only score in the game as Germany defeated England 1-0.
     Another fixture in the week of friendlies was Japan taking on Belgium.  On paper you would think Belgium would take control and win the match.  Japan came through with a 3-2 victory.  The other interesting match up placed Austria against the United States.  The U.S. has been on a roll as of late as Jurgen Klinsmann's guy are believing in the German coach's system.  Austria is another qualifier with young talent like Marko Arnautovic and David Alaba that come Cup time can turn some heads in Brasil.  This games final would be 1-0 in favor of Austria after Marc Janko scored off of a David Alaba gem of a pass.  Both teams showed some brilliance though the U.S. lacked a finisher.
    Although Tuesday hosted many friendlies,  there were also two games in particular that held some meaning.  The first game placed Ukraine against France in their second leg with The Ukraine leading 2-0 on aggregate.  Les Bleu's would take advantage of the home field and score 3 goals.  Two goals from Mamadou Sakho and one from Karim Benzema.  This victory keeps France's World Cup hopes alive.
    The "Main Stage" battle was the second leg between Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal versus Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden.  Portugal came into the battle with a one goal aggregate.  In the forty ninth minute Ronaldo struck again for a 2-0 aggregate.  The sixty seventh minute had a different tune when Zlatan decided to add a goal of his own.  But Ibrahimovic wasn't done.  Around the seventy first minute Ibra struck again which made it look like the Swedes were going to the World Cup.  But the Portuguese goalscorer would have something to say about that.  Ronaldo would score two goals before the end of the game which meant Sweden were out and Portugal were in.
    This past weekend there were two games that intrigued me.  Starting with the Merseyside derby Liverpool and Everton.  Everton hosted the event and early in the game the hosts were silenced by a goal from Phillippe Coutinho. Three minutes after that Belgian Kevin Mirallas had an answer to tie the score at 1-1.  In the 18th minute Luis Suarez would add a goal for the reds to make it 2-1.  Going into halftime the Reds were in the driver's seat and looked to be taking the derby win.  In the 71st minute Romelu Lukaku made the score all square at 2-2.  But the Chelsea striker on loan at Everton still had a taste for goal as he'd score another in the 81st minute which looked to lock the game at 3-2 for the royal blues.  In the 88th minute Daniel Sturridge would take the stage and score the equalizer.  The final score at Goodison Park 3-3.
    The final game took place at the Signal Iduna Park and placed first place Bayern Munich against Borrussia Dortmund.  This game now known as the Der Klassiker or the German Classico held more water than usual.  As if the two teams didn't have enough heat between each other.  A former Dortmund fan favorite was now playing for the enemy.  Though Mario Gotze didn't start, the crowd were waiting for him.
    The first half was really just the two teams feeling each other out.  A few chances for both teams but no answers.  After halftime Manuel Neuer goalkeeper for Bayern was welcomed by the Dortmund fans with garbage being thrown onto the field.  The time had come early in the second half for Mario Gotze to take the field where he was a hero a year before.  The crowd in Dortmund was already loud cheering for their team but the volume when Gotze came on was deafening.  Every touch Gotze had made the fans scream louder.       Then came the 65th minute where a deflection came back to Gotze and he kicked the ball into the back of the net.  The crowd had loads of emotion while the Bayern players surrounded the goalscorer.  Gotze showed his old team respect by not celebrating the goal but it did make the game 1-0 Bayern and Dortmund wouldn't catch up.  Arjen Robben would add to the Bayern lead with a cheeky flick over Weidenfeller. Followed by another Bayern goal scored by Thomas Muller.  This loss put Dortmund 7 points behind Bayern and also let Bayer Leverkusen pull ahead of them.  Great football week and Champions League coming this week.
-Justin

An Update in Football 10/13/13

          This is a rough weekend for club football fans.  The International break is in full force with the number of qualifiers for Brazil increasing.  The three most recent being Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany.  A lot of reporters and followers of German football were surprised how long it took for the team to qualify. The German's rank near the top of the world rankings.
           On the other side of the Atlantic the United States soccer team sit atop the CONCACAF standings.  The surprise in this division this qualification period is the lack of talent shown by the Mexican squad.  Usually a top qualifier for World Cup, the Mexicans sit in the fourth place spot on the outside looking in.  With one remaining qualifier to go, it will be interesting to see what Mexico's future will tell.
          Prior to the International break there has been plenty of football action.  The club football standings in lots of the countries are heating up.  Champions League is back as well.  We'll see if the defending European champs Bayern Munich can defend their title with all of the other European club powerhouses.
         To me one of the most intriguing leagues in Europe is the Barclay's Premier League.  Three of the four top teams from last year have new managers.  Manchester United for the first time in a long time does not have Sir Alex Ferguson to guide them to victory.  The Red Devils have acquired David Moyes former manager of the Everton Football Club.  So far it's been a rocky road for the new manager as he is still getting comfortable with his surroundings.  Moyes has so far dealt with an unhappy Wayne Rooney at the beginning of the season and an underachieving Marouane Fellaini.  David Moyes acquired Fellaini from his former team Everton where the Belgian was a positive scoring force.  With the talent on the squad of Manchester United, I see no reason they will finish less than fourth in the standings.
         Another new face to the Barclay's Premier League is Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini.  Pellegrini came to Manchester City after leaving La Liga side Malaga.  In my opinion the new boss will bring more to the table for City then former manager Roberto Mancini.  For City I believe they need to look for a new Goalkeeper.  Joe Hart has been very shaky as of late and costs the team some decisions.  Manchester City is loaded on the Offensive side of the ball with Aguero, Silva, Dzeko, and Toure returning.
         The final managerial change happened in London.  The "Blues" of Chelsea brought back "The Special One" Jose Mourinho.  Mourinho's unorthodox decisions and comments can push other teams away from his signing but his managerial record and achievements are what make him a great acquisition.  During his first stint with the London based team Mourinho took Chelsea to the top of the league and deep into the European Championship as well.  Chelsea brought in good talent as well for this years campaign.  The Blues acquired Andre Schurrle, Willian, Samual Et'o, Kevin DeBruyne, and a few other youngsters.  The negative part of Chelsea is the hole in their eleven in the Striker spot.  In my opinion Demba Ba and Fernando Torres have been disappointments.  Mourinho brought in a striker from a former club of his Samual Et'o who played under Jose at Inter.  Another surprise is the lack of playing time Juan Mata has had this year even though he set the pace for Chelsea last season.
         Before I end this blog entry I will give my top ten transfers of the summer period in Europe.  These are not in order just a list.
1. Edinson Cavani signing with Paris Saint Germain
2.Radamal Falcao signing with Monacco
3.Neymar signing with Barcelona
4.Mario Gotze signing with Bayern Munich
5.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signing with Borussia Dortmund
6.Kevin Prince Boatang signing with Schalke 04
7.Mesut Ozil signing with Arsenal
8.Andre Schurrle signing with Chelsea
9.Mario Gomez signing with Fiorentina (even though at this time he is injured)
10.Fernandinho signing with Tottenham

-Justin

Round of 8 in UEFA Champions League

               A few hours after the eight teams were picked for the Champions League we can see matches that will keep us on the edge of our seats.  We have lucked out so far this year with some of the tight fixtures whether it was AC Milan versus Barcelona or Arsenal verses Bayern Munich.  These two second legs of the round of 16 were intriguing.  Milan held a 2-0 lead in aggregate against Barcelona going into the second meeting at Camp Nou.  Lionel Messi showed the world why he is the best player in the sport today and possible of all time striking for two goals.  This was followed up by goals from David Villa and Jordi Alba that pushed Barcelona to the next round over Milan.
              Bayern Munich in the first leg traveled to London and beat Arsenal 3-1.  The return fixture took place in Munich at the Allianz Arena.  Arsene Wenger and the Gunners struck early in the game with an Olivier Giroud goal in the third minute.  The game went back and forth with Bayern not capitalizing on their chances.  In the eighty fifth minute Laurent Koscielny would make it 2-0 and Arsenal could see a little light at the end of the tunnel but time wouldnt be on their side.  Though the aggregate score read 3-3,  Bayern move on to the next round due to away goals.
            Taking a look at the fixtures picked today all the games look to be close.  La Liga team Malaga will tie up with the Bundesliga Champs Borussia Dortmund.  Malaga have yet to give up a home goal in the Champions League this year.  Dortmund on the other hand have their young guns Robert Lawandowski, Marco Reus, and Mario Gotze playing well.  Sure to be a high energy clash in both of their meetings.
             The next match places Real Madrid against Galatasaray.  Madrid loaded with talent from Cristiano Ronaldo to Mesut Ozil to one of the top goalies in the game Iker Casillas will try and slow down the high pressure offense of the Turkish squad Galatasaray.  With two great transfers Galatasaray score early and often.  Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder have been solid for their team but the goal scorer is Burak Yilmaz.  I expect alot of goals from these two teams.
             The third match consists of probably the top team in the world Barcelona verse French giants Paris Saint Germain.  You can't say enough about Barcelona,  raw talent in all eleven positions on the pitch.  Messi,  Iniesta, and Pique just to name a few will carry this squad.  On the other side you have PSG who made lots of moves in the off season including the signings of Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, and most recently acquired David Beckham who in his thirties still has juice in the tank to provide for his squad.  I expect another action filled high scoring game.
            The final fixture is near and dear to myself and my co blogger Victor.  The match between Bayern Munich and Juventus.  Juventus the Serie A champs with Pirlo and Gigi Buffon play solid defense,  and have a passing game that not many teams can duplicate.  They also have Marchisio and Matri up front and Chiellini and Bonucci in the back defending.  Juventus score early and then put up a defensive wall the takes the hopes away from their opponents.  Victor will have his black and white scarf on cheering them on.
            Juventus' opponents are my favorite team Bayern Munich lead by skipper Phillip Lahm and Goalie Manuel Neuer.  Bayern have set all kinds of records in the Bundesliga this year and have played solid in the Champions League as well.  Up front look for strikers Mario Mandzukic and Mario Gomez to score goals along with Thomas Muller a player who has been unstoppable.  The defense has new comer Dante and young Left Back David Alaba trying to cover their lines.  I can't wait to see Bayern's offense clash with Juve's defense.
             This years Champions League is getting interesting and we'll be following the action here at On The Pitch Soccer Blog right up to the last whistle in Wembley London for the Championship.
                                                                  -Written by Justin Zydor
           

The Rivalry

             When you think soccer rivalries,  what teams come to mind?  There are many rivalries in the world of soccer that range from club to international.  In the past, an international meeting between Argentina and Uruguay was as heated as they come.  Both teams fought tooth and nail for victory and would stop at no expense to get it.  Another international rivalry happens in my country when the United States take on Mexico.  When these two teams step on the pitch you never know what can happen.  There could be good soccer played or the violent side of the sport can come out.  It always seems the clashes between the US and Mexico have important meaning whether its qualifying for the World Cup or just a "friendly fixture".

             In club soccer there are many rivalries.  One of my favorites take place in Italy at the San Siro.  The Milan derby is a great rivalry that pins Inter verse Milan.  The red and black verse the blue and black.  Both of these teams play in the same stadium and the fans are from the same backyards.  Some of the greatest players in the world have been involved making this pairing of  rivals historic.  This rivalry is for bragging rights whether the two teams are at the top or the bottom of the standings in the Serie A.

            Another more recent rivalry pins the "Bavarian Giants" Bayern Munchen against the defending champions Borussia Dortmund.  Bayern have always been the most decorated team in Germany but with the impact of the group in Dortmund a rivalry has been born.  Whether its a Bundesliga game, German Cup game, or any other game these two table toppers in the Bundesliga put on a show not duplicated by many.

            The next rivalry we will speak of is Manchester City and Manchester United.  Arguably the most competitive league in the world the English Premier League have talent from top to bottom.  Among the top of the table are the two Manchester teams.  The Red Devils of United have been the elite for years.  Sir Alex Ferguson and the boys make the UEFA Champions League every year by finishing in the top 4 of the EPL(English Premier League).  In present day the two top names are Rooney and Van Persie.  For the "Light Blues" or Manchester City, it wasn't as easy to reach the top.  For years City lived in the shadow of "ManU".  With the birth of wealth and great transfers the City side of Manchester climbed the tables to the top.  Last year they capitalized on a Premier League Title by triumphing over Manchester United.

          The Final Rivalry may be the top rivalry in the world better known as "El Clasico".  In Spain's La Liga there are two teams to talk about and they are Real Madrid and Barcelona.  The storied rivalry known throughout the world is like watching a piece of artwork come to life.  The white kits of Madrid and Barca's blue and red mesh like paint to a canvas to tell the story of the match.  As if the rivalry wasn't strong enough,  these two teams also have two of the top players in soccer today.  Lionel Messi an Argentine that was taught the soccer trade in Barcelona like most of their talent and Cristiano Ronaldo a Portuguese winger with athletic attributes like no other.  Both venues also setup a great atmosphere.  In Barcelona there is the Camp Nou and in Madrid they have the Santiago Bernabeu.  

         I think the rivalry is the gem in all sports.  Two teams that just don't get along and the fiery chants of their fans can create echoes in stadiums heard round the world.  These rivalries could be from multiple clashes between two teams or a local foe like a derby between two neighboring teams.  I hope we can see more rivalries made in soccer to further enhance the competitive drive.

Bayern Over Bremen

   So today at the Allianz Arena Bayern Munchen made little work of Werder Bremen.  The Bavarians are on top of the Bundesliga standings with a giant lead over Borussia Dortmund.  In my opinion Bayern is in the top 5 of club teams in the world.  They are 3 and 4 deep at every position with superstars.