Monthly Archives: November 2009

The Dark Side of the "Franchise"

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Broken Heart

The EPL is taking advantage of the FIFA break to have a meeting on “the future of the game.” And given MLS Don Garber and Robert Kraft´s remarks to the “Brits and media, you´d think a salary cap or end of relegation/promotion was on the European horizon. Yes, I have written a piece on this before. But relax – this addendum-improvement will have no ostrich pictures.

There is an ugly side of American sports leagues. There is a hymn, a ballad, a chant. If you pull back the curtain, the salary caps and the absence of relegation hide an ugly thorn: the relocation, the separation, the split, the divorce. This is an ode to the most tragic of disappearances. I am not an aquarium American drinker, but I am trying to break your heart… Continue reading “The Dark Side of the "Franchise"” »

Berbatov Clause is Coming to Town

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I have one simple question: if the Spurs have truly spent a ton in the transfer market, then why do you not hate them as much as City? Granted, the Carlos Tevez posters were poor taste, but surely someone must hate Tottenham for their exorbitant cash splashery. Are Arsenal fans merely ahead of the curve? Explain yourself!

More importantly, where is all this money coming from? Is Harry Redknapp’s football manager deal really that lucrative? Or perhaps the Spurs board, in close consultation with an honorary member named Madoff, has imported the Pompey-funny-numbers-approach. Is an AIG mega sponsorship deal in the works? Continue reading “Berbatov Clause is Coming to Town” »

Great And…Not Great – George Best

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Torch

Writing a piece on George Best is both a rite of passage and a baptism of fire. On the one hand, the iconic star provides plenty of fodder on and off the field. From his spectacular goals to pop-star status to losing battle with alcoholism, the facts jump off the screen. On the other hand, anybody who is not nobody knows something cooler about George Best than you and will make sure to flaunt it.

But I love this topic, this character, this legend, so please, if you know any cool quotes or facts, pretty please comment. Flaunt to your heart’s content. George Best is a treasure trove for all futfanaticos, a chest unfortunately kept under lock and key in comparison with other greats. Continue reading “Great And…Not Great – George Best” »

Recap: Chelsea v. United – The Thin Man

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Malt3

It was one of those soggy afternoons when bourbon and Coltrane blended into one sweet beat.

I´d been to West London once before and never cared to return. The night of my only visit, I´d gotten lost out of my mind in North Kensington looking for the West London Hospital after a buddy had got shot. By the time I arrived, a sheet covered his face. It was not a land of fond memories. Continue reading “Recap: Chelsea v. United – The Thin Man” »

My KC Wizards – A Word on A-Wards

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Wanted

Alright, I know most of you don’t like MLS and don’t care. But I do. Concision is appreciated by the reader. This will be the briefest of KC Wizards eulogies. And I will try to stay positive and offer a not-too-elaborate plan to right the ship.

Jimmy Conrad won the co-humanitarian of the year award and Chet North won the head athletic trainer of the year award. Also, deposed coach Curt Onalfo won the “manager-most-likely-sacked-for-failure-to-sign-a-competent-target-forward” award. And his acceptance speech brought tears to my eyes. But seriously, another season passes and dust collects on the once proud Wizard’s trophy case. Johnny, the trophy-polisher and official trophy-placer, is nervous about his job. Continue reading “My KC Wizards – A Word on A-Wards” »

Real v. Atletico – Sacred Cows Steak

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Madrid

You missed the Madrid Derby? !! ??? !!! Catch the highlights here. I’ll wait. Don’t worry. I know it’s tough to get excited about any team nicknamed “los colchonerso” (mattress-makers), but Diego Forlan is quite good when managers don’t throw boots at him. And Kun Aguero certainly has his days.

As for Real? The story of the day is the continued absences of Raul and Guti. From the Earth, over half of the stars that we see have been dead for millions of years, but it takes time for their light to reach our view. Finally, the last flicker of the first Galactico era has reached the cold, indifferent eyes of Manuel Pellegrini. And he has had the courage to make a hardy steak stew of the sacred cows. Continue reading “Real v. Atletico – Sacred Cows Steak” »

Stamford Bridge is Pricing Down

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Statue

Does anybody remember back in the day when historical monuments and stadiums were named after locations, architects, and concepts? Sadly, in the 21st century, those days are long gone. At least at Stamford Bridge. Ron Gourlay, the new Chelsea exec, has inspected the club coffers and decided on a get-rich-quick-plan: sell the naming rights.

This alone does not bug me – what gets my girdle is the utter lack of creativity. Continue reading “Stamford Bridge is Pricing Down” »