The United States will enter the CONCACAF Gold Cup on the back of a comprehensive 4-0 defeat to World Cup winners Spain on Saturday.The US were given a lesson by the reigning world and European champions in an international friendly at the Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts.
Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas and Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta began on the bench, while Iniesta’s club teammates Xavi Hernandez and Carlos Puyol were absent.
There was still plenty of talent throughout the team, with Barca’s Champions League winners Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and David Villa starting alongside Real Madrid men Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.
But it was two of the less familiar faces who seized their opportunity to impress, with Villarreal’s Santi Cazorla and Sevilla man Alvaro Negredo netting the first three goals between them.
Spain, who dominated from the kick-off, had a goal disallowed in the ninth minute before Negredo hit the crossbar four minutes later.
Manchester City’s David Silva crafted the breakthrough goal on 28 minutes, putting through fellow forward Cazorla for his first international strike since September 2009.
Centre forward Negredo made it 2-0 just four minutes later, picking up a trademark Alonso pass before beating Everton’s Tim Howard in the US goal.
And there was time for a third goal before the break. After waiting 22 months to hit the net again in a Spain shirt, suddenly Cazorla had two, collecting Silva’s cutback to beat Howard at close range.
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres made it 4-0 off Borja Valero’s through ball with 17 minutes remaining in the second half.
In other friendly matches on Saturday, beaten World Cup finalists the Netherlands played out a 0-0 draw away to Brazil.
The hosts finished the match in Goias with 10 men after Chelsea midfielder Ramires recieved a second yellow card 11 minutes from time at the Estadio Serra Dourada.
The Czech Republic also played out a goalless draw in their friendly against Peru in Japan.
After coming off the bench in the 72nd minute with West Ham trailing 1-0 to Stoke on Wednesday night, Mark Noble did more than his fair share to turn defeat into victory and propel the Hammers into the hat for the quarter final draw of the Carling Cup. After a jinking run to the by-line, Noble cut back to allow Manuel Da Costa to slot home to put the Irons into the lead, and an exquisite, cutting through ball allowed Victor Obinna to seal the 3-1 victory deep into extra time. But has the 23 year-old been getting the appreciation and chances he deserves?
Born and raised in east London, Noble is another off the fabled West Ham academy production line, and aged just 17, made his debut for the club in their promotion season from the Championship. After making 13 appearances during the 2004-05 season, Noble was subsequently voted Young Hammer of the Year and came runner-up to Teddy Sheringham in the Hammer of the Year vote.
When the Hammers returned to the big time Noble struggled to force his way into the side, making only 15 league appearances in two seasons, and was loaned out to both Hull City and Ipswich Town respectively. Since then, however, Noble has slotted into the West Ham midfield ably and, under three successive managers in Alan Curbishley, Gianfranco Zola and Avram Grant, has retained his place in the starting eleven, proving himself to be an integral part of the side.
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Since his flurry of awards in his debut season, Noble has continued about his business with an unerring loyalty, passion and commitment to the club, with little reward to show for it, apart from signing a contract extension in April 2009 to keep him at the club until 2013.
People have questioned the former England Under 21 captain’s ability to function at the highest level, including yours truly, but after Wednesday night’s performance, Noble is beginning to prove he can stomach it at the highest level. In Scott Parker, Noble has the perfect foil to allow him to be more adventurous, meaning more offensive play and incisive passing, like we saw against Stoke last night, and less defensive duties. I personally feel the former is where Noble’s strength lies, and although he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge, this does not represent where he is most effective on the pitch.
With the likes of Parker and Radoslav Kovac in the team, Noble is beginning to fulfil the potential he showed as a teenager, and as his performances improve, if West Ham don’t improve on their current league position, the Hammers may find it difficult to hold onto the academy graduate.
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Another weekend, another flurry of debatable decisions for us to digest, epitomised by Clint Hill’s clear yet not given goal in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Bolton. We’ve all been on the receiving end of a controversial decision or two, it’s the nature of the beast but some instances are so blindingly obvious that it’s difficult not to launch into an uncontrollable rage where you try and expel as many expletives as possible in the shortest space of time.
All too often referees seem bereft of any common sense whatsoever, they seem incapable of waving play on, keeping their cards in their pocket or in these examples below, correctly observe the events that unfold before them. It’s impossible to truly know what the impact of these judgments might have had on the outcome of the game, whether they would have inspired a comeback or merely existed as a consolation goal but as we can all appreciate, it’s the ‘what ifs’ in football that hurt the most.
Click on Clive Allen to see the 11 goals that were ridiculously ruled out
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Got a favourite? Let me know on Twitter @theunusedsub
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Borussia Moenchengladbach will remain in the Bundesliga after a come-from-behind 1-1 draw at Bochum in the relegation playoff on Wednesday.Lucien Favre’s side earned a 1-0 win at home on May 19 in the first leg, which proved to be the difference after forward Marco Reus struck a 73rd-minute goal to force a draw in Bochum, and a 2-1 win on aggregate for the Bundesliga side.
It came after Moenchengladbach defender Havard Nordtveit put the ball into his own net midway through the first half to level the tie.
Reus’ goal was worthy of a tie-clincher as he was put through after a fine build-up, smartly placing his left-foot finish into the bottom corner of goalkeeper Andreas Luthe’s net.
Both teams struck the crossbar in a first half that saw Bochum have more of the play, but their inability to take their chances will see them remain in the 2.Bundesliga for consecutive seasons, having been relegated from the top flight in 2009-10.
The new Liverpool owners haven’t been in charge for long but already they are aware of who runs English football – agents and players. John W. Henry and Tom Werner have likened the English game to the ‘wild west’ in terms of the power of players and their agents.
The new owners will have to adapt quickly to player power, but it is worrying for the state the English game finds itself in, that outside of a transfer window John W. Henry and Tom Werner already have a taste for what is wrong with our national game.
Speaking to the Guardian, Henry spoke of the culture shock that he has endured since his arrival.
”It’s a culture shock, there’s no doubt about it. It’s like the wild west,” said Henry, who implied there was more certainty in US sport. “It’s a completely different system here from what we’re used to. If a player has a contract in the US, they fulfil the contract. Over here, it seems players have much more say so.”
NESV’s arrival into English football couldn’t have come at more damaging time for English football. Shortly after their takeover, Wayne Rooney and Manchester United were embroiled in a very public dispute over Rooney’s contract – highlighting the power that player’s now have over their clubs.
In the United States, with the Boston Red Socks, Henry has claimed that players honour their contacts and that clubs have the power over their players. In European football the game is less stable because of the amount of players that are wrangling for new deals or looking elsewhere for clubs.
This will be a huge test for the Americans, especially John W. Henry, who is used to holding the power over players and the contacts they are offered. It would have been a very interesting situation if the Rooney saga has happened on their watch. What would their reaction have been to it, and would Rooney have been offered the deal he got? The next big contract renewal that comes up at Liverpool will be a very interesting situation. Will John W. Henry and Tom Werner be able to accept that players have the power, or will they try to exert control and risk loosing a player because of this. Of course this is completely hypothetical, but understanding the system and how the game now works in England is something they will have to learn.
This is why the appointment of the new chief executive will be crucial for John W. Henry and Tom Werner. Werner and Henry met head hunters on Friday to begin the process of drawing up a short list. The pair said they were looking to overhaul the structure of the football side of the club, beginning with the appointment of the former Tottenham Hotspur director of football Damien Comolli.
Tom Werner has dismissed rumours that potential candidates have already been approached, highlighting that the search would be extensive, and not restricted to English football. Bringing in an American, without the experience of working within European football would be a mistake. The owners have to accept that player power, because of the Bosman ruling is something we all have to accept. Other countries and other sports differ, but they are working within the guides of English football. They need to appoint somebody who has a proven track record of working within the European system.
In their first weeks as owners, NESV have been treated to a shock – and with English football there will be another one around the corner. However, though we may despise what we have become, it will not be changed overnight. If they are genuinely shocked by what they have seen so far, the owners should prepare themselves for something they have never experienced in the upcoming January transfer window.
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Harry Redknapp has stated that he is focussed on the remainder of the season with Tottenham, despite being a leading contender to replace Fabio Capello as England manager.
The Italian coach stepped down from his role as national boss due to a disagreement with the FA over John Terry losing the country’s captaincy, and the Spurs tactician is the bookmakers favourite to lead The Three Lions to Euro 2012.
Despite this, Redknapp has prioritised his role at White Hart Lane over any media speculation regarding his future.
“I don’t know anything about the England job. I’ve not even thought about it,” he told Sky Sports.
“I’ve got a job to do; I’ve got a big game on Saturday with Tottenham. Tottenham is my focus.
“They’ve been fantastic to me, the Tottenham people. The fans last week at the Wigan game, it was incredible the reception they gave me.
“It wouldn’t be right to them to focus on anything else but Tottenham. My only interest is Tottenham Hotspur.
“They (the Football Association ) will make whatever decision they want to make and hopefully it will be the right decision for the country,” he stated adamantly.
Finally, The Daily Mail indicate that Tottenham will demand a £10 million fee should Redknapp leave White Hart Lane.
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Spurs take on Newcastle at White Hart Lane on Saturday, as they look to hold on to their third placed standing in the Premier League table.
The mud is well and truly being flung between FIFA officials following the announcement to suspend two officials last night. Jack Warner has claimed he is set to unleash his own Tsunami exposing corruption within that will undoubtedly open a huge can of worms in the coming days.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that includes United targeting Modric; Ba pricing himself out of a move to Everton, while Ramsey calls on Arsene Wenger to splash the cash.
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Blatter to face media as Warner unleashes his ‘tsunami’ – Guardian
Valcke: email suggesting corruption is genuine – Daily Telegraph
Now is time for Wenger to splash cash, says Ramsey – Independent
United target Modric as Ferguson plans to overhaul his squad – Daily Mail
Ba pricing himself out of move to Everton – Mirror
Barton: Newcastle want to replace me – Guardian
QPR owners condemn ‘insulting’ offer – Guardian
Kop that! Mascherano dedicates Barca’s Euro triumph to Liverpool fans – Daily Mail
Flo wants Blues Guus chase – Sun
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Lille star set for Newcastle switch, says boss – Mirror
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce admits he has been shocked by the rise of midfielder Jordan Henderson as the calls for his selection into the England squad for next month's friendly against France grow.
Henderson, who has figured prominently for the Black Cats and Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 team this term, is thought to be in Fabio Capello's thoughts, but Bruce is not surprised with the interest after a number of stirring displays.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Championship side Coventry City at the end of last season and, when asked if he predicted a dramatic impact, Bruce said:"You would have to say honestly, no.
"But I have to tell you, when I walked through the door, more than any other player, he grabbed me – and he grabbed me within two training sessions. I asked, 'Who's that?'
"To be fair, I had more conversations when I first got the job about Jordan than any other player. He must have done exceedingly well at Coventry, which we know he did.
"We had half the Championship wanting to take him on loan again, so I had heard a little bit about him. I had seen him and been recommended him once by my chief scout saying Sunderland had a hell of a player when he was at Coventry.
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"But he grabbed me straight away in the first couple of training sessions and hasn't looked back. He has done fantastically well."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
If you’re anything like me, the whole debate over the England captaincy this week is one that has left you feeling sick and tired. The fuss made over a role, that in essence, makes very little difference to the on-field performance of the team has been very frustrating. The media frenzy created over, what is overall, a small piece of fabric is quite baffling.
The role of club captain and national captain differ wildly, with a skipper at his domestic side involved heavily in the day-to-day goings on around the set-up. However, such is the infrequency of international matches, that the captain of the country has a very peripheral role.
All of the ramifications of John Terry’s two time axing from the role was one that confused many observers from outside of our isles. Not because of his actions, on both counts, which were not befitting of a man with such responsibility, but instead due to the hype surrounding who should take over reigns. Fabio Capello, representing this feeling, was one of those who could not entirely relate to the sheer perceived magnitude of the decision. The selection of captain in many other national set-ups’ goes to the most experienced player, invariably he with the most caps. The belief is that a player who has vast experience on the international stage, is enough to lead the team in the best possible manner.
At international level, there should not be such a hullabaloo over who is deemed to be the on-field leader, with players included in the international squad, on the most part, being experienced performers at the very top of their game. Of course some players are naturally inspirational, but their having, or not having of the armband should not affect their abilities. Quite often in the England squad, there are four or five club captains and a missing band around their arm will not reduce the qualities, which have allowed them that role with their individual sides.
Another problem is that in the end players are not overly fussed by the job. This is not saying that the captain’s role is completely insignificant, but with the number of candidates suitable for the role, it can be hard to argue against another player, which could lead to rifts within the team.
There are times when a captain should be named, such as major tournaments, to establish a feeling of stability to the side, in the face of a series of immediate challenges. Other than this, the sheer period of time between other international games can see major changes to the make-up of the team. It’s not uncommon to see players pull out of contention with injuries, genuine or in some cases not so genuine, altering the team almost beyond recognition from the last fixture. In these cases the most experienced man should take charge, as it is he who has the know how.
The role of club and national captain are almost incomparable, with the importance and responsibilities varying between each. As for the England team, it should be time that the captaincy took a back seat.
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Juventus midfielder Alessandro Del Piero is eyeing further trophies after signing a one-year contract extension with the club on Thursday.The 36-year-old has been at the club since 1993, winning five Serie A titles to go with his Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League crowns.
Del Piero, a 91-time Italy representative, is also a World Cup winner after the Azzurri claimed the 2006 title in Germany.
He said settling the deal with the club was an easy process, despite talks going on since last autumn.
“It wasn’t difficult to reach an agreement. There wasn’t that much to discuss. What needed to have been done was done,” Del Piero said.
“We chose today to do it and it is a nice day.”
Despite his glittering success at the club, Del Piero said he still had more to achieve with Juventus. “This team and this club should always have the maximum ambition and it is right to always think about winning,” he said.
The veteran said it was a nice surprise to sign at the club’s new stadium with his previous contract due for expiry next month.
Even at 36 years of age, Del Piero said he shared a similar passion for the game as he did when he was first starting at Juventus.
“The sensations are excellent, beautiful, just like they were in 1993,” Del Piero said.
“I’m happy to be here because as I have always said, I wanted to play for another year. The passion and love with which I train and play has helped me a lot and will continue to help me.”
Club president Andrea Agnelli reaffirmed the simplicity of the deal between Juventus and one of their club legends.
“Alessandro told me that he wants to continue to be the captain of Juventus and wishes to win another Scudetto in the new stadium,” Agnelli said.
“These words made me happy. Today’s signature is just a physical action. Del Piero can still give a lot on the pitch and send a message of the club’s values to his teammates.”
“He will also help us a lot next season, which for us will be one of redemption.”
Del Piero’s former youth coach Antonello Cuccureddu said a loan deal was moments away from being organised for Del Piero when former manager Giovanni Trapattoni was in charge.
He remembers watching him while he impressed for Serie B side Padova.
“It’s hard to imagine a career like he has had, but there was that hope back then when you saw what he could do. Innate class, he made the difference,” Cuccureddu said.