Everyone loves lists this time of year. They're easy and fun. Plus they create debate. Fun times for all. Maybe cake is served.
In lieu of a list, I decided to go through the entire year's worth of posts from 2007 and cook up a year in review that should be enjoyable. Hell, I could easily figure out when 'Halo 3' came up and the decline of posts.
Could have been a college thesis. Oh well.
Don't hold it against me if I omitted an event. It was a busy year. And yes, there was a Women's World Cup or something. Sue me. If you make it to the end, give yourself a gold star, or at least a pat on the back.
Also note, any video of the Premier Leauge is under Scotland Yard embargo. I don't want Interpol or MI6 or Mr. F hunting me down with deadly, albeit it impractical tools of destruction.
Anyways, enough of my yapping.
January
Little did we know what was in store for us...
* David Beckham does Disney -- The beginning of our national nightmare begins to creep ashore, frosted tips and all.
* DC United signs Luciano Edmilio -- Doesn't quite have the zip as that Beckham guy, but wins the league scoring crown and MVP award. Go figure.
* Jack Bauer returns -- Season Six of '24' never happened. Hear me. Never happened.
* Jan. 20, USMNT 3, Denmark 1 -- Welcome to the world Jonathan Bornstein. Goodbye Marcelo Balboa.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM OF JANUARY -- Clint Dempsey sold to Fulham -- Surprisingly, has yet to record a jam with Mike Skinner.
February
Shortest month, still not too shabby.
* FIIIIIIIIGHT -- Then-Sevilla coach Juande Ramos hit by a 'missile' in a derny match with Real Betis, thus canceling the match.
* Moustache Alert!! -- First joke made at Manuel Almunia's porn-tastic upper lip.
You summabitch -- Rich Texan Tom Hicks and George Gillett complete their purchase of Liverpool, little do they know what the hell soccer-ball entails.
* Italian disgrace, part I -- Rioting at the Sicilian derby between Palermo and Catania shuts down Serie A after a policeman is killed. Authorities talk about changing the culture and cracking down, aside for a couple weeks of empty stadia, nothing changes.
* If you ever build it, they might come -- Red Bull New York issues its first of many stadium delays, pushing Red Bull Park back to the year Geddy Lee approved date of 2112, or so we think.
* Gooch, gets loose -- Oguchi Oneywu makes his ill-fated debut with Newcastle United. He doesn't last the Purge, led byBen Linus Sam Allardyce.
* Gooners never say die -- The Colorado Rapids are briefly Colorado Arsenal, for about eight seconds.
* Face your fear -- USMNT gets its draw for the Copa America. Little did we know Bob Bradley and Sunil Gulati would send down the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker to play in Venezuela.
NOTEWORTHY ITEM OF FEBRUARY, USA 2, Mexico 0 -- The Land-o-meter is up, after his breakaway goal seals it. Jimmy Conrad (remember him?) scored the winner on a first half header from a corner. Also worth noting, Oswaldo Sanchez cheap-shots Eddie Johnson and ESPN actually treats the game, a friendly no less, with gravitas. Don't forget, Lando's breakway served as the marketing 101 for the suits in Chicago all year.
SmarchMarch
Shit got real in March.
* Ouch...part I -- David Beckham hurts his leg, crashing into the signage during Real Madrid's game with Getafe.
* FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT -- Inter Milan and Valencia put on the most un-manly fight in sports history, putting the Tonya Harding attack on Nancy Kerrigan to shame in the dying moments of a Champions League Round of 16 game. All that was missing was the Benny Hill music.
* Step 1, 2, 3 ... 400 -- AS Roma's Mancini does about 143 step-overs, to juke the Lyon defense out of their pants.
* Pitch Invasion, English style -- A disgruntled, presumably fresh from the Korova Milk Bar Spurs' fan rushes the field at Stamford Bridge to accost Frank Lampard in an FA Cup replay.
* March 11, West Ham 2, Spurs 3 -- Game of the year, probably in the Premier League. A topsy, turvy affair that features some of the best action and drama. Lost a little luster since West Ham avoided the drop.
* Toy recall -- Jay DeMerit and Benny Feilhaber are recalled into the USMNT squad for a friendly with Guatemala.
* Chillin' like Chilavert -- Sevilla keeper Andres Pallop scores a goal against Shanktar Donetsk to keep the holders alive in the UEFA Cup.
* Big month for keepers, continues -- Paul Robinson scores from just inside the halfway line to beat Watford's Ben Foster in a league game. Adding insult to injury, Robbo is ahead of Foster on the England No. 1 pecking order...until a fateful day in November vs. Croatia.
* Buy me, please -- The USMNT debuts another shirt, this one a light blue number that grows on the public, or at least moi.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM FOR MARCH -- March 25, USA 3, Ecuador 0 -- Lando nets a hat trick in Tampa, Fla., setting the Land-o-meter to unseen heights. Like, Bianca Kajlich on 'Dawson's Creek' heights. Or something to that effect.
* Wee, wee, wee -- For a brief moment in time, David Healy has Northern Ireland atop the Euro 2008 qualification Group F table.
* Mal, mal, mal -- March, 28, USA 0, Guatemala 0 -- Aside from the pairing of the future (Michael Bradley/Feilhaber) this one had 'worst...game...ever' status from the start thanks to the 11-men behind the ball tactics from Guate.
April
Europe built some steam, but mostly a quiet month -- except for a goal for all times.
* Bunny hop, this -- In the latest attempt for MLS to hap into the 'ethnic' (read Hispanic) marketplace, the Chicago Fire ink Cuauhtémoc Blanco to a deal. Actually, it pays off as the petulant Mexican leads the Fire into the playoffs.
* Did these count? -- MLS announced it's 'Game First' initiatives, but most of the clubs seemingly lost the memo midway through the year.
* Perfect day for football -- MLS season XII debuts from frosty Commerce City, Colo. for the debut of 'The Dick' as the Rapids host DC United.
* April 10, Manchester United 7, Roma 1 -- My-a English, issa not so good.
* Columbian waterfall -- America meets the Juan Carlos Toja mullet. Gracias.
* MOMENT FOR HISTORY, April 18, The Golazo -- Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi, GOLAZO. GOLAZO. GOLAZO. (Warning the clip below will self destruct as soon as you click on it.)
* March, 22 Inter wins the Scudetto -- Ahh, point deductions.
* March 28, Everton 2, Manchester United 3 -- The Red Devils erase a 2-0 deficit and essentially claim the EPL crown as their own.
May
A few winners crowned, business as usual.
* May 1, We meet...again -- Liverpool knocks Chelsea out of the Champions League semifinals on penalty kicks as the teams play for the 532rd time in the last four years.
* May 2, AC Milan 3, Manchester United 0 -- Kaka in the rain equals pain.
* May 4, MLS releases its 2007 salaries -- Get out your microscopes.
* May 5, $70 million goal -- Clint Dempsey breaks through the Liverpool defense and keeps Fulham rolling in the Premier League riches another year.
* These hips don't lie -- Mexican club Necaxa moves a Copa Libertadores match to make way for a Shakira concert.
* May 13, Upstairs, downstairs -- Manchester United officially clinches the title and celebrates. Meanwhile, Sheffield United loses to Wigan Athletic by a goal and is relegation because of that single goal. Crap.
* May 14, let down your hair -- The Galaxy sign Portuguese space-case Xavier.
* May 15, here...take it. -- Bob Bradley is officially named USMNT head coach on a permanent basis. He may or may not have cracked a slight smile. It's yet to be confirmed.
* May 23, AC Milan 2, Liverpool 1, Champions League final, Athens -- Pippo!
* May 27, And now to the Kraftwerk concert -- Stuttgart captures the Bundesliga title and dances like little girls.
* May 28, I was much older then, I'm younger than that now -- Wait, strike that. Derby wins the Championship playoffs. The check was cut immediately.
* F-U, fans -- Word comes out that the Premier League wants to crack down on YouTube videos. For Pete's sake...
June
Just when you think it's a nice, easy, slow summer...
* PITCH INVASION -- A pudgy, pale Dane rushes the field in Copenhagen, takes a swipe at a Swedish player and costs Denmark a shot at Euro 2008, effectively.
* June 3, USA 4, China 1 -- Actually a stunningly good performance. So what about their dominant world economy.
* June 7, USA 0, Guatemala 0, Gold Cup Group Stage -- I hearby ban the USMNT from play Guatemala ever again.
* June 9, USA 2, Trinidad & Tobago 0, Gold Cup Group Stage -- Zzzzz.
* June 12, a day that lives in infamy -- One-year anniversary of the beginning of the end a the 2006 World Cup.
* June, 12 USA 4, El Salvador 0, Gold Cup Group Stage -- At least they come out and play.
June 17, Real Madrid wins La Liga -- The Merengues starting XI that day: David Beckham, Posh Spice, Baby Spice, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Rafa Nadal, Will Smith, Oprah, L. Ron Hubbard's Ghost, Raul and Snopp Dogg.
* June 17, USA 2, Panama 1, Gold Cup quarterfinals -- I was at the game. Don't remember anything. Donovan took a penalty, I think.
* June 21, Au revoir -- Thierry Henry bolts Arsenal for Barcelona. He leaves the Gunners a lifetime supply of Gilette razors. Nice guy.
* June 21, USA 2, Canada 1, Gold Cup semifinals -- Blame Canada? Nah. Blame the refs. The hosers got hosed, but the late would-be equalizer is called offside.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM FOR JUNE -- June 24, USA 2, Mexico 1 -- Benny....FEILHABER.
* June 27, blah -- Mexico beats Brasil in the Copa America as the world meetts Nery Castillo and his uno-brow.
* June 29, Make it Stop, Argentina 4, USA 1, Copa America Group Stage -- Well, the US had the lead for about 10 seconds.
July
Started off bad, the U-20 redeemed it, however briefly.
* July 3, Paraguay 3, USA 1, Copa Group Stage -- The Kasey Keller game. Why Fulham later signed him is beyond me.
* July 3, USA 6, Poland 1, U-20 Group Stage -- You know, this Freddy Adu kid, he might be pretty good playing against guys his own age.
* July 4, The Torres has landed -- Liverpool, finally, signs Fernando Torres and his tattoos.
* July 5, Columbia 1, USA 0, Copa Group Stage -- Well, that was quick and painless, sort of like a Columbian necktie. Or not at all.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM OF JULY -- July 6, USA 2, Brasil 1, U-20 World Cup -- Jozy!
* The Eagle has landed -- Beckham lands in Los Angeles. The world goes coocoo bananas for all of a week. Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant both decide to quit the NBA for soccer. Jay Mariotti's head explodes. Other than that, a bunch of jerseys are sold.
* July 14, Austria 2, USA 1, a.e.t. U-20 quarterfinals -- Just like the big boys, the U-20s know how to lay an egg.
* July 15, Brasil 3, Argentina 0, Copa America finals -- And to think, some of Brasil's big guns didn't even play.
* Thanks, I guess -- Bryant Gumbell calls out the sports media for their whining on Beckham.
* July 19, Sierra Mist All-Stars defeat Celtic -- And Michael Ian Black did not attend.
* Ankle watch 2007 begins -- Oh the humanity.
* July 21, the Hollywood Beckhams v. Chelsea -- Relive the horror and the pre-bikini pictures Jennifer Love Hewitt here. I honestly still haven't recovered.
* July 26, Iraq wins the Asian Championships -- Even in celebration, people are killed. Sadly.
August
The European season begins a anew, again.
* What's in a name -- The English Premier League becomes, officially, the Barclay's Premier League. Too tired for a rant on commercialism in sports.
* August, 10 Back in business in Merry Olde -- Obi Martins scores on a bicycle kick, in the sun no less. How quaint.
* August 15, Hollywood magic -- Beckham scores on a freekick in a game against DC United in the Interliga. About seven people see it, but it's pretty damn impressive, albeit it fleeting.
* August 18, Beckham takes Manhattan -- I was at the game. Read all about it. For at least a moment, the stars aligned.
* Brasilian for bust -- FC Dallas uses it's 'Beckham Rule' to sign 2002 World Cup winner Denilson, who promptly doesn't do much of anything.
* Signs of future past -- Germany stops England in a friendly at Wembley. Do you smell the omens?
* Aug, 22 Sweden 1, USA 0 -- If you missed this afternoon affair on FSC, you didn't miss much.
September/October
Sorry for the cop out, losing steam, as I bet you are, too.
* Sept. 9, Brasil 4, USA 2 -- Reaction quite varied after this one, though the US acquitted itself rather nicely.
* Women's World Cup, China -- US keeper Hope Solo rightfully calls out coach Greg Ryan after being dropped before the 3-0 semifinal spanking by Marta and Brasil. The moment of insight and candor gets Solo a spot on the bench, and Ryan eventually fired. Arguably the dumbest coaching move of the year. Lost in the shuffle is the world has caught up quickly to the US Women.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM OF THE FALL, Sept. 19, Jose goodbye -- Jose Mourinho, the Special One, quits Chelsea. Remarkably, the sky doesn't fall.
* Umm...right? -- Landon Donovan is voted Honda US Player of the Year. My vote goes to Michael Bradley.
* Oct. 17, USA 1, Switzerland 0 -- USMNT stops its mini-slide with a late goal by Bradley. Good to get a win after the dismal summer.
* Is it good? -- 'FIFA 08' released. Perhaps its better than I gave it credit for.
November
MLS crowns a champ...England is humiliated. Sounds about right.
* Dy-na-sty -- Sometime in November, on an NFL Sunday, Houston Dynamo beats the New England Revolution...again...in the MLS Cup final in Washington. Houston asserts dynasty status, even though its records from the San Jose days revert back to the revived Earthquakes. The Revs are clearly the Buffalo Bills of MLS.
* Coming/Going -- At the MLS Cup weekend, commish Don Garber outlines expansion plans. Philly and St. Loo are strongly rumored, but nothing concrete even to this day. Yet, Kansas City still has a team.
* Italy riots, Part II -- A cop kills a fan at a highway rest stop. Riots ensue. The Italians talk about cleaning up the game...but don't do anything other than that, talk.
* Nov. 17, USA 1, South Africa 0 -- Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
* Nov. 21, Croatia 3, England 2 -- Scott Carson, you might want to lay low. Find a safe house or something.
December
* The end -- Kaka won player of the year. Some other stuff happened. You should be able to remember it yourself.
To make up for a lack of December, a bonus...
Stories for 2008
** Which happens first: Ronaldinho to Chelsea or Kaka to Real Madrid? (Already growing quite tiresome.)
** Will Jozy Altidore continue to live up to the hype and land at a major European power club come next winter?
** Will MLS ever come to its senses and simply move the Kansas City team to St. Louis and make everybody happy?
** How badly will ESPN butcher its telecasts of Euro 2008?
** Will we get another Greece-like scenario at Austria/Switzerland in June?
** Who the hell is going to win the 2007-08 Champions League? (Barcelona 4 to 1 are the oddsmakers favorites.)
** Will that Beckham fellow play in more game than he has endorsements for the Galaxy this season?
Happy New Year!
___________________
Weekend BPL quick picks.
Saturday
* Birmingham 2, Fulham 0
* Chelsea 1, Newcastle United 0 (FSC, 10 a.m.)
* Sunderland 1, Bolton 1
* Portsmouth 2, Middlesbrough 1
* Tottenham 1, Reading 1
* West Ham 0, Manchester United 2
* Wigan Athletic 1, Aston Villa 1
* Everton 2, Arsenal 1 (FSC, noon)
Sunday
* Derby 1, Blackburn 3
* Manchester City 0, Liverpool 1 (FSC, 11 a.m.)
Last week: 7-2 (one game pending)
Season: 92-94
In lieu of a list, I decided to go through the entire year's worth of posts from 2007 and cook up a year in review that should be enjoyable. Hell, I could easily figure out when 'Halo 3' came up and the decline of posts.
Could have been a college thesis. Oh well.
Don't hold it against me if I omitted an event. It was a busy year. And yes, there was a Women's World Cup or something. Sue me. If you make it to the end, give yourself a gold star, or at least a pat on the back.
Also note, any video of the Premier Leauge is under Scotland Yard embargo. I don't want Interpol or MI6 or Mr. F hunting me down with deadly, albeit it impractical tools of destruction.
Anyways, enough of my yapping.
January
Little did we know what was in store for us...
* David Beckham does Disney -- The beginning of our national nightmare begins to creep ashore, frosted tips and all.
* DC United signs Luciano Edmilio -- Doesn't quite have the zip as that Beckham guy, but wins the league scoring crown and MVP award. Go figure.
* Jack Bauer returns -- Season Six of '24' never happened. Hear me. Never happened.
* Jan. 20, USMNT 3, Denmark 1 -- Welcome to the world Jonathan Bornstein. Goodbye Marcelo Balboa.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM OF JANUARY -- Clint Dempsey sold to Fulham -- Surprisingly, has yet to record a jam with Mike Skinner.
February
Shortest month, still not too shabby.
* FIIIIIIIIGHT -- Then-Sevilla coach Juande Ramos hit by a 'missile' in a derny match with Real Betis, thus canceling the match.
* Moustache Alert!! -- First joke made at Manuel Almunia's porn-tastic upper lip.
You summabitch -- Rich Texan Tom Hicks and George Gillett complete their purchase of Liverpool, little do they know what the hell soccer-ball entails.
* Italian disgrace, part I -- Rioting at the Sicilian derby between Palermo and Catania shuts down Serie A after a policeman is killed. Authorities talk about changing the culture and cracking down, aside for a couple weeks of empty stadia, nothing changes.
* If you ever build it, they might come -- Red Bull New York issues its first of many stadium delays, pushing Red Bull Park back to the year Geddy Lee approved date of 2112, or so we think.
* Gooch, gets loose -- Oguchi Oneywu makes his ill-fated debut with Newcastle United. He doesn't last the Purge, led by
* Gooners never say die -- The Colorado Rapids are briefly Colorado Arsenal, for about eight seconds.
* Face your fear -- USMNT gets its draw for the Copa America. Little did we know Bob Bradley and Sunil Gulati would send down the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker to play in Venezuela.
NOTEWORTHY ITEM OF FEBRUARY, USA 2, Mexico 0 -- The Land-o-meter is up, after his breakaway goal seals it. Jimmy Conrad (remember him?) scored the winner on a first half header from a corner. Also worth noting, Oswaldo Sanchez cheap-shots Eddie Johnson and ESPN actually treats the game, a friendly no less, with gravitas. Don't forget, Lando's breakway served as the marketing 101 for the suits in Chicago all year.
Shit got real in March.
* Ouch...part I -- David Beckham hurts his leg, crashing into the signage during Real Madrid's game with Getafe.
* FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT -- Inter Milan and Valencia put on the most un-manly fight in sports history, putting the Tonya Harding attack on Nancy Kerrigan to shame in the dying moments of a Champions League Round of 16 game. All that was missing was the Benny Hill music.
* Step 1, 2, 3 ... 400 -- AS Roma's Mancini does about 143 step-overs, to juke the Lyon defense out of their pants.
* Pitch Invasion, English style -- A disgruntled, presumably fresh from the Korova Milk Bar Spurs' fan rushes the field at Stamford Bridge to accost Frank Lampard in an FA Cup replay.
* March 11, West Ham 2, Spurs 3 -- Game of the year, probably in the Premier League. A topsy, turvy affair that features some of the best action and drama. Lost a little luster since West Ham avoided the drop.
* Toy recall -- Jay DeMerit and Benny Feilhaber are recalled into the USMNT squad for a friendly with Guatemala.
* Chillin' like Chilavert -- Sevilla keeper Andres Pallop scores a goal against Shanktar Donetsk to keep the holders alive in the UEFA Cup.
* Big month for keepers, continues -- Paul Robinson scores from just inside the halfway line to beat Watford's Ben Foster in a league game. Adding insult to injury, Robbo is ahead of Foster on the England No. 1 pecking order...until a fateful day in November vs. Croatia.
* Buy me, please -- The USMNT debuts another shirt, this one a light blue number that grows on the public, or at least moi.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM FOR MARCH -- March 25, USA 3, Ecuador 0 -- Lando nets a hat trick in Tampa, Fla., setting the Land-o-meter to unseen heights. Like, Bianca Kajlich on 'Dawson's Creek' heights. Or something to that effect.
* Wee, wee, wee -- For a brief moment in time, David Healy has Northern Ireland atop the Euro 2008 qualification Group F table.
* Mal, mal, mal -- March, 28, USA 0, Guatemala 0 -- Aside from the pairing of the future (Michael Bradley/Feilhaber) this one had 'worst...game...ever' status from the start thanks to the 11-men behind the ball tactics from Guate.
April
Europe built some steam, but mostly a quiet month -- except for a goal for all times.
* Bunny hop, this -- In the latest attempt for MLS to hap into the 'ethnic' (read Hispanic) marketplace, the Chicago Fire ink Cuauhtémoc Blanco to a deal. Actually, it pays off as the petulant Mexican leads the Fire into the playoffs.
* Did these count? -- MLS announced it's 'Game First' initiatives, but most of the clubs seemingly lost the memo midway through the year.
* Perfect day for football -- MLS season XII debuts from frosty Commerce City, Colo. for the debut of 'The Dick' as the Rapids host DC United.
* April 10, Manchester United 7, Roma 1 -- My-a English, issa not so good.
* Columbian waterfall -- America meets the Juan Carlos Toja mullet. Gracias.
* MOMENT FOR HISTORY, April 18, The Golazo -- Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi, GOLAZO. GOLAZO. GOLAZO. (Warning the clip below will self destruct as soon as you click on it.)
* March, 22 Inter wins the Scudetto -- Ahh, point deductions.
* March 28, Everton 2, Manchester United 3 -- The Red Devils erase a 2-0 deficit and essentially claim the EPL crown as their own.
May
A few winners crowned, business as usual.
* May 1, We meet...again -- Liverpool knocks Chelsea out of the Champions League semifinals on penalty kicks as the teams play for the 532rd time in the last four years.
* May 2, AC Milan 3, Manchester United 0 -- Kaka in the rain equals pain.
* May 4, MLS releases its 2007 salaries -- Get out your microscopes.
* May 5, $70 million goal -- Clint Dempsey breaks through the Liverpool defense and keeps Fulham rolling in the Premier League riches another year.
* These hips don't lie -- Mexican club Necaxa moves a Copa Libertadores match to make way for a Shakira concert.
* May 13, Upstairs, downstairs -- Manchester United officially clinches the title and celebrates. Meanwhile, Sheffield United loses to Wigan Athletic by a goal and is relegation because of that single goal. Crap.
* May 14, let down your hair -- The Galaxy sign Portuguese space-case Xavier.
* May 15, here...take it. -- Bob Bradley is officially named USMNT head coach on a permanent basis. He may or may not have cracked a slight smile. It's yet to be confirmed.
* May 23, AC Milan 2, Liverpool 1, Champions League final, Athens -- Pippo!
* May 27, And now to the Kraftwerk concert -- Stuttgart captures the Bundesliga title and dances like little girls.
* May 28, I was much older then, I'm younger than that now -- Wait, strike that. Derby wins the Championship playoffs. The check was cut immediately.
* F-U, fans -- Word comes out that the Premier League wants to crack down on YouTube videos. For Pete's sake...
June
Just when you think it's a nice, easy, slow summer...
* PITCH INVASION -- A pudgy, pale Dane rushes the field in Copenhagen, takes a swipe at a Swedish player and costs Denmark a shot at Euro 2008, effectively.
* June 3, USA 4, China 1 -- Actually a stunningly good performance. So what about their dominant world economy.
* June 7, USA 0, Guatemala 0, Gold Cup Group Stage -- I hearby ban the USMNT from play Guatemala ever again.
* June 9, USA 2, Trinidad & Tobago 0, Gold Cup Group Stage -- Zzzzz.
* June 12, a day that lives in infamy -- One-year anniversary of the beginning of the end a the 2006 World Cup.
* June, 12 USA 4, El Salvador 0, Gold Cup Group Stage -- At least they come out and play.
June 17, Real Madrid wins La Liga -- The Merengues starting XI that day: David Beckham, Posh Spice, Baby Spice, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Rafa Nadal, Will Smith, Oprah, L. Ron Hubbard's Ghost, Raul and Snopp Dogg.
* June 17, USA 2, Panama 1, Gold Cup quarterfinals -- I was at the game. Don't remember anything. Donovan took a penalty, I think.
* June 21, Au revoir -- Thierry Henry bolts Arsenal for Barcelona. He leaves the Gunners a lifetime supply of Gilette razors. Nice guy.
* June 21, USA 2, Canada 1, Gold Cup semifinals -- Blame Canada? Nah. Blame the refs. The hosers got hosed, but the late would-be equalizer is called offside.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM FOR JUNE -- June 24, USA 2, Mexico 1 -- Benny....FEILHABER.
* June 27, blah -- Mexico beats Brasil in the Copa America as the world meetts Nery Castillo and his uno-brow.
* June 29, Make it Stop, Argentina 4, USA 1, Copa America Group Stage -- Well, the US had the lead for about 10 seconds.
July
Started off bad, the U-20 redeemed it, however briefly.
* July 3, Paraguay 3, USA 1, Copa Group Stage -- The Kasey Keller game. Why Fulham later signed him is beyond me.
* July 3, USA 6, Poland 1, U-20 Group Stage -- You know, this Freddy Adu kid, he might be pretty good playing against guys his own age.
* July 4, The Torres has landed -- Liverpool, finally, signs Fernando Torres and his tattoos.
* July 5, Columbia 1, USA 0, Copa Group Stage -- Well, that was quick and painless, sort of like a Columbian necktie. Or not at all.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM OF JULY -- July 6, USA 2, Brasil 1, U-20 World Cup -- Jozy!
* The Eagle has landed -- Beckham lands in Los Angeles. The world goes coocoo bananas for all of a week. Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant both decide to quit the NBA for soccer. Jay Mariotti's head explodes. Other than that, a bunch of jerseys are sold.
* July 14, Austria 2, USA 1, a.e.t. U-20 quarterfinals -- Just like the big boys, the U-20s know how to lay an egg.
* July 15, Brasil 3, Argentina 0, Copa America finals -- And to think, some of Brasil's big guns didn't even play.
* Thanks, I guess -- Bryant Gumbell calls out the sports media for their whining on Beckham.
* July 19, Sierra Mist All-Stars defeat Celtic -- And Michael Ian Black did not attend.
* Ankle watch 2007 begins -- Oh the humanity.
* July 21, the Hollywood Beckhams v. Chelsea -- Relive the horror and the pre-bikini pictures Jennifer Love Hewitt here. I honestly still haven't recovered.
* July 26, Iraq wins the Asian Championships -- Even in celebration, people are killed. Sadly.
August
The European season begins a anew, again.
* What's in a name -- The English Premier League becomes, officially, the Barclay's Premier League. Too tired for a rant on commercialism in sports.
* August, 10 Back in business in Merry Olde -- Obi Martins scores on a bicycle kick, in the sun no less. How quaint.
* August 15, Hollywood magic -- Beckham scores on a freekick in a game against DC United in the Interliga. About seven people see it, but it's pretty damn impressive, albeit it fleeting.
* August 18, Beckham takes Manhattan -- I was at the game. Read all about it. For at least a moment, the stars aligned.
* Brasilian for bust -- FC Dallas uses it's 'Beckham Rule' to sign 2002 World Cup winner Denilson, who promptly doesn't do much of anything.
* Signs of future past -- Germany stops England in a friendly at Wembley. Do you smell the omens?
* Aug, 22 Sweden 1, USA 0 -- If you missed this afternoon affair on FSC, you didn't miss much.
September/October
Sorry for the cop out, losing steam, as I bet you are, too.
* Sept. 9, Brasil 4, USA 2 -- Reaction quite varied after this one, though the US acquitted itself rather nicely.
* Women's World Cup, China -- US keeper Hope Solo rightfully calls out coach Greg Ryan after being dropped before the 3-0 semifinal spanking by Marta and Brasil. The moment of insight and candor gets Solo a spot on the bench, and Ryan eventually fired. Arguably the dumbest coaching move of the year. Lost in the shuffle is the world has caught up quickly to the US Women.
* NOTEWORTHY ITEM OF THE FALL, Sept. 19, Jose goodbye -- Jose Mourinho, the Special One, quits Chelsea. Remarkably, the sky doesn't fall.
* Umm...right? -- Landon Donovan is voted Honda US Player of the Year. My vote goes to Michael Bradley.
* Oct. 17, USA 1, Switzerland 0 -- USMNT stops its mini-slide with a late goal by Bradley. Good to get a win after the dismal summer.
* Is it good? -- 'FIFA 08' released. Perhaps its better than I gave it credit for.
November
MLS crowns a champ...England is humiliated. Sounds about right.
* Dy-na-sty -- Sometime in November, on an NFL Sunday, Houston Dynamo beats the New England Revolution...again...in the MLS Cup final in Washington. Houston asserts dynasty status, even though its records from the San Jose days revert back to the revived Earthquakes. The Revs are clearly the Buffalo Bills of MLS.
* Coming/Going -- At the MLS Cup weekend, commish Don Garber outlines expansion plans. Philly and St. Loo are strongly rumored, but nothing concrete even to this day. Yet, Kansas City still has a team.
* Italy riots, Part II -- A cop kills a fan at a highway rest stop. Riots ensue. The Italians talk about cleaning up the game...but don't do anything other than that, talk.
* Nov. 17, USA 1, South Africa 0 -- Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
* Nov. 21, Croatia 3, England 2 -- Scott Carson, you might want to lay low. Find a safe house or something.
December
* The end -- Kaka won player of the year. Some other stuff happened. You should be able to remember it yourself.
To make up for a lack of December, a bonus...
Stories for 2008
** Which happens first: Ronaldinho to Chelsea or Kaka to Real Madrid? (Already growing quite tiresome.)
** Will Jozy Altidore continue to live up to the hype and land at a major European power club come next winter?
** Will MLS ever come to its senses and simply move the Kansas City team to St. Louis and make everybody happy?
** How badly will ESPN butcher its telecasts of Euro 2008?
** Will we get another Greece-like scenario at Austria/Switzerland in June?
** Who the hell is going to win the 2007-08 Champions League? (Barcelona 4 to 1 are the oddsmakers favorites.)
** Will that Beckham fellow play in more game than he has endorsements for the Galaxy this season?
Happy New Year!
Weekend BPL quick picks.
Saturday
* Birmingham 2, Fulham 0
* Chelsea 1, Newcastle United 0 (FSC, 10 a.m.)
* Sunderland 1, Bolton 1
* Portsmouth 2, Middlesbrough 1
* Tottenham 1, Reading 1
* West Ham 0, Manchester United 2
* Wigan Athletic 1, Aston Villa 1
* Everton 2, Arsenal 1 (FSC, noon)
Sunday
* Derby 1, Blackburn 3
* Manchester City 0, Liverpool 1 (FSC, 11 a.m.)
Last week: 7-2 (one game pending)
Season: 92-94
Labels: David Beckham, England, lists, Premier League, Soccer
We've had your blog linked on our's for about 2 months now. I was wondering if you could return the favor.
We Should Be GM's @ http://pabaseball.blogspot.com
I wonder why you mentioned the murder in february in italy and somehow mentioned the other murder in the fall that had NOTHING to do with sports. Conveniently you left out milan winning the champions league. Then you left out Milan winning the club world cup. Milan has become the most successful club team on an international level in HISTORY. You mentioned man u beating roma big. Good. But what about milan giving them a lesson in soccer beating man u at home 3-0? Ferguson even admitted that when milan plays like that, there is NO club team in the world that can beat them. He knows that. Why doesn't this blog know that? You also forgot to mention Totti winning the TOP Scorer award in Europe. You also forgot to mention Inzaghi breaking the European scoring record. You may have an anti Italian bias, but please make it less obvious. Either you are ignorant of the facts, or intentionally left them out. EITHER WAY, you are not qualified to write anything that should be taken seriuosly. Merry Christmas!! and Happy New Year!!
Nothing intentional about Italy. Thanks actually, had it in my notes but it was at the end of the page and I missed it when I typed it in.
Calm down. This blog is catered to the prem and MLS/US Team. Should I start whining about how the french league didn't get mentioned? No. Oh, my god no mention of the Australian league? This blog is such trash!
AC Milan sure is the best team in the world just look at their amazing performances in serie A this season! "when milan plays like that, there is NO club team in the world that can beat them." Yea, I guess it's a good thing they only play like that in 1 out 1,000 games, eh? Nobody cares about the potential of a team if they can never pull it off in an actual match. People care about results and besides beating some poor opposition in the club world cup AC milan looks like trash this season.
Loved the post Cardillo. Keep up the great blog.
What a douche. There's a reason why all things Italian weren't mentioned. Tosser.
Wonderful post Cardillo. As Shane said, keep writing.
Great post Cardillo... love the blog, found out about it on Deadspin.
As for the other Anonymous poster defending Milan: The state of football in Italy is rotten to the core, and much like England in the 80's, those in charge are allowing the violence and corruption to spiral out of control. If YOU want everyone to focus on the feats of Milan, great. But don't chastise someone for pointing out the ugly sides of Italian football. Match fixing, violence, facism, racism... oh yeah, and Milan.
Wow! Arsenal got killed last night! Anybody see it?
The fans must have been furious! 5 – 1, I mean Tottenham played very well but Arsenal fielded barely any first team players, what were they thinking!? The Fans have every right to be annoyed! When you travel to see your team play you expect them to at least try! Whoever did a little football spread betting on Arsenal losing will be laughing all the way to work this morning! Maybe I Should start spread betting and see if I can win a few bets! I want to laugh on the way to work!
Mwahahahhahaha!
Wow you have some great vids, nice to see your blog gets so much traffic!
J
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