MLS Soccer Blogs

So, rumor has it online sports betting used to be really sweet; I heard pinnaclesports was an excellent, reputable site until the US cracked down on this alleged integrity issue.  An article I read points to a 1999 study that over $380 billion is illegally wagered on betting.  Now, I am not an advocate of; well, if society does it.. then it must be right.  Because usually, I think people are pretty stupid, especially society.  However, this seems harmless to me because the money can be used in so many ways.  Think of all the tax money and money, in general, the state and the US can collect, insane.  Anyway, it appears sports betting is only allowed in several states where it was legal before a certain law was passed.

Continue reading "Centsports Is Sweet"

 It looks like the two giants of European football are finally getting their shape on their pre-season matches as both teams managed to beat their opponents at the Peace cup tournament. The Italian giants trashed their Asian opponents Seongnam 3-0, with their new star Diego scores one of the goals. Meanwhile, after being held by Al-Itihad in the previous game, Madrid finally takes off in a winning way by defeating LDU Quito 4-2, and just like Juve, the Los Blancos' superstar Cristiano Ronaldo also puts his name on the score sheet.

Continue reading "Juve and Madrid Triumph in Peace Cup"

It looks like the mega swap deal involving two notable strikers Samuel Etoo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is set to take it's ending as latest reports from Italy stated that Eto'o has finally agreed his contract terms with Inter. It is also said that the cameroon striker will be flying to Italy on Monday to complete sign the papers and do his medical in Milan.

Continue reading "Etoo Agreed Terms With Inter"

Continue reading "Club America Shocked Milan"

The eyes of the soccer world were on South Africa Sunday as the upset minded US National Team took on powerhouse Brazil in the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup. The Americans, on life support after the first two games of the tournament, were looking to complete their stunning turn around with a victory over Brazil in the final. The US had taken down the World's #1 team, Spain, on Wednesday and were looking to pull off another huge upset over Brazil who beat host South Africa to reach the final. For 45 minutes the US had the World wondering, could it be?

Continue reading "US Soccer Team come out winners even in defeat"

The United States National Team scored a monumental victory yesterday in the FIFA Confederations Cup, defeating world #1 Spain 2-0 in the tournament's semi-final game. Spain had been on an amazing streak heading into yesterday's game against the U.S. Spain was riding a 35 match unbeaten streak, one short of the all time record, and was also riding a world 15 game winning streak. None of that made a difference yesterday as Spain and its roster of world class footballers fell to the U.S.

Continue reading "Momental victory for US National ..."

The U.S. Men's National Team began play today in the Confederations Cup in South Africa in forgettable fashion. The U.S., playing in what some are calling the "group of death", faced defending world champion Italy today. The Americans put in a performance similar to Jekyll and Hyde with a strong first half followed by a flop of a second half.

Continue reading "U.S. flops in Confederations Cup opener"

Chivas USA, for so long considered LA's 2nd MLS franchise, have the opportunity Wednesday night to step into the limelight alone and establish themselves as the unquestioned top dog in the MLS. The Houston Dynamo, #2 in the West, host the MLS' best team in a primetime match up with huge implications. The game will be a contest between #1 and #2 in almost every aspect of the game. For Houston, it is a chance to keep Chivas close in the standings, but for Chivas it is an opportunity to pull away from the pack and solidify their claim to #1.

Continue reading "Monumental opportunity at hand for Chivas USA"

Caveat emptor, Los Angeles Galaxy, caveat emptor. 

Two years ago, in an effort to inflate the relevancy of Major League Soccer, the Galaxy signed international superstar David Beckham to an outlandish five year, incentive-laden contract worth as much as $250 million.  The sports world was abuzz about Beckham and his Spice Girl wife, Victoria, moving to L.A. to bring the world’s sport stateside, and to give TomKat another option for playdates.

Continue reading "Shhhhh. Just Go, David Beckham"

Recapping the Conference Finals:

East Final: Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire

           I picked the Crew pulling away in a hard fought match

Continue reading "MLS 2008 Conference Finals Recap ..."

First off, recapping the opening round:

Columbus Crew vs. Kansas City Wizards

           I picked Columbus with some difficulty

Continue reading "MLS 2008 Playoffs First Round Recap ..."

Starting at the top:

MLS Cup 2008

I like the Crew to take it all.  Basically this team reminds me a lot of other teams that have had recent MLS success.  Specifically, they are similar to Houston and New England in the middle of their best stretches in that they are solid at every position.  This no superstar/no glaring weakness approach really seems to work in MLS as opposed to the approach of a few superstars combined with some otherwise inferior players (I’m looking at you Galaxy).  I think the big question for the Crew is can someone step it up and be the hero if need be.  Somewhat similar to how New England has been able to rely on Twellman and Houston on DeRo and Ching.  Schelotto is the obvious choice to fill that role and he certainly has experience in such a role from his time in Argentina.  The big question is can he do it in MLS too or are such glory days behind him.  I personally go with his past experiences’ indication and say he will get the job done and Columbus will raise MLS Cup 2008.

Continue reading "Major League Soccer 2008 Playoff Predictions"

So I want to take a quick minute to talk about the rumored loan of David Beckham to AC Milan.  I’m going to look at this deal primarily from the perspective of the league.  I will leave it up to David himself and those close to him to decide what is best for him personally, he has so far outstripped what I will likely ever accomplish that I don’t think it’s my place to be giving him personal advice.  Anyway here we go:

Continue reading "David Beckham Loan to AC Milan"

A big thanks to everyone who participated in the "Inbound Link Contest".  We have a winner!  A big congratulations go out to Marija.  Thank you for all your hard work on this.  While we had a lot of people participate, Marija was able to win with only 4 links!  So it wouldn't have taken a lot to win this contest!  We'll be having another contest soon so stay tuned.

Continue reading "Inbound link contest winner announced!"

To try and motivate our bloggers to get inbound links we're going to have a contest to see which blogger can get the most inbound links to their blog. The contest begins now and ends July 31st, 2008. To be entered in to the contest all you have to do is go out and get as many websites to link to your blog as you can and at the end of the month send us an email listing all those links. All links must be active from August 1st through August 7th when we'll be judging the entries - a winner will be announced on August 7th. All entry emails must be received by Midnight on July 31st, 2008. You can email them to sportsfan@nbabasketballonline.com

Continue reading "Inbound link contest - Win $100!"

Make each blog post as interesting as possible. This may sound like common sense, but always keep it in mind. The more interesting your blog is the more people will read it. Quality is much more important than quantity. No one will read through a hundred blog posts (or even 10) to find one interesting one. But if each post is interesting people will be coming back week after week to read what you have to say.

Continue reading "What tips can you give me on blogging?"

So you want to sell soccer to the world?  I've come up with a plan that may just work.  Show them the Dutch.  After the Netherlands decisive 3-0 win over current world champion Italy, all you need to do is show the non-fan the Dutch.  In that game the Dutch could make anyone a fan.  Toward the end of their dismantlement of the Italians I thought to myself this is what Americans need to see.

Continue reading "If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much"

Growing up in Los Angeles, the only team that anyone ever talked about when it came to the NBA was the Los Angeles Lakers. I remember the whole city being completely obsessed when it came to Lakers basketball. Billboards, commercials, and fast-food promotions further shoved the team into the forefront of everyone’s mind. Popular bands wrote songs about them and select celebrities lined the courtside seats.

Continue reading "Lakers? Clippers?"