A Hero's Welcome, Ronaldo packs the Bernebau

a joyous occasion at the Bernebau!

Giuseppe Rossi, super sub, scores twice in Confedarations Cup 2009

once a villain now a hero

Giuseppe Rossi, came of the bench to score twice agaisnt his native country (Rossi was born New Jersey), in Confedarations Cup 2009 group play. The defeat is a heartbreak for the American soccer team, which lead at halftime, but a red card to Ricardo Clark prove to be a vital part of the game. The two Rossi's, Villareal Striker Giuseppe Rossi and Roma's Daniele De Rossi, the later if US soccer fans recall violently elbowed Brian McBride in the 2006 World Cup Match, played exteremly well, with De Rossi scoring the leading goal.

In earlier game, Brazil edge Egypt with a last gasp penaly shot by the newly signed Real Madrid playmaker, Kaka, 4-3.

***

Did Rossi earn a starting spot with two marvelous goals? Sound off below!

Barca, Masche, Transfer Drama, oh my!

Yes I did it! Barca! Barca! Barca!

Argentinian little man, Javier Mascherano, Liverpool midfielder, crosser extraordinaire, may be joining the other little wizard soon. Terra is reporting that the Masche is inching closer to signing with the treble winning, Man U pounding, Chelsea dream crushers, Barcelona FC.

Will Liverpool fans be up and arms, as they are in Milan, for the departure of one of their better midfielders? A Yaya Toure departure might just be in the cards afterall, since Mascherano, now team captain of the Argentina National Team, plays a similiar position.

Brazil's playmaker Kaka to leave AC Milan for Real Madrid

In an effort to stay relevant in football, Real Madrid is poised to sign AC Milan and Braizilian playmaker extraordinaire Kaka for a hefty sum of £56 Million. If the reports turn out true, Real Madrid is restarting their bid to European domination by buying these Galaticos, players who are considered to the elite of football players of the world. Our only question at Latinogamer, who is next to go to los blancos?

Terra.com is reporting that the deal is done...

MEGATON News: Palermo back on, says Maradona

Ten years after failing to convert three penalty shots during a 1999 Copa America match versus Chile, Palermo "está entre los seleccionables" (translation: El Loco in the AFA pool of players). Martin Palermo achieved cult status among Boca Junior's "12th column" after scoring twice against Real Madrid during the now defunct, replaced by FIFA Club World Cup, Intercontinental Cup final in 2000. Maradona has confirmed that Palermo is on an impressive list of Argentine players if he would return to form after his eight month injury layoff.



via Terra

I have embed the video, since Terra had not....ciao!

Messi fullfills his dream; Maradona in tears...

Not only has Messi, arguably one of the best players of the world, joined his Olympic teamates in Peking. Today he was announced as the cover athlete for Konami's highest selling sports title, PES 2009. Instead of shelling out for the best player of each region, as EA does for their FIFA series, signing the Messi is the way to go.

Maradona is in tears, he was never a cover boy athlete...
Press realase

PES 2009 gets Messi

Argentinean forward announced as the pan-European face of PES 2009

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that Argentinean forward Lionel Messi is to be the face of its forthcoming PES 2009 title for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PlayStation®2, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), Wii and mobile phones across Europe.

Messi is one of the most exciting and paciest forwards in the modern game, and is an ever-present in both the Argentinean national side and for his club side, FC Barcelona. Having played for Argentinean sides since he was five, Messi moved to Barcelona when he was just 13,13 working his way through the CatalanFC Barcelona side’s youth and reserve teams, before making his full debut in October 2004 as the youngest player ever to play in the Spanish top flight. He made his debut for Argentina against Hungary in 2005, and has been a permanent member of the squad ever since.

As part of the new agreement, Lionel Messi will grace the box of all versions of PES 2009 when it is released later this year, and will also feature in promotional materials for the game. PES 2009 is the latest installment of the award-winning Pro Evolution Soccer Series, and will boast a wealth of extensive new additions to enhance the series’ reputation as the most realistic football game available. The new game enjoys a stunning graphical update wherein its players look and identically to their real-life counterparts, while new moves, innovative control elements and key online enhancements will further the realism of the new game.

“Most modern players are aware of the realism and skill of the PES series,” commented Messi on the deal. “It is a game that truly mirrors the pace and control of real football, and as a die-hard fan of the series, I am delighted to be working with Konami on the latest version.”

“Lionel Messi is an incredibly exciting player, and one who enjoys a world-wide reputation for skill, pace and all-round ability,” commented Jon Murphy, PES European Team Leader for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “As such, he is the ideal player to front PES 2009, and his enthusiasm for the new game is certain to shine as we work closely together in the promotion of what will be the most advanced PES title to date.”

Konami will be announcing further enhancements and player contributions to PES 2009 in the coming weeks.

PES 2009 will be released for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PlayStation 2, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and mobile phones in Autumn, and for Wii in Spring 2009. For more information, please contact…

All copyrights or trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used under license.
© 2008 Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.

Memo Ochoa FIFA 09 Cover athlete....again

My aunt, the aguilas fan she is, asked, "Do you think he is sexier in a suit or in a jersey?"



gah!

I guess she has not seen Beckham's bulge...

Eriksson address Mexican Press and Fans; World Cup or bust, presents his assistants

Sven Goran Eriksson presented his group of assistant coach and medical staff in a conference addressing the media and ultimately the fans of the Mexican National Team. The Swede and former England coach has his first match on August 20th against Honduras, a team known for upsetting Brazil in Copa America 2001, believes Mexico is the better team. Eriksson explains, "I think that qualifying for the World Cup is an obligation for Mexico, without doubt," but with only three days for prep, "It's not ideal, but it's reality, we have to do it that way and that's the end of it."

There was no answer in regards to using Mexican nationalized foreigners for the national team, the Swede is not even sure what format they will take field with, or with what style, until he has spoken to the players.

"I feel that Mexico have a strong team and we won't have trouble adapting." There may be Big Trouble in Mexico City if the Mexican National team continues to play poorly. Only time will tell if the European direction via Eriksson will influence the Mexican players.

Ciao Deco, FC Barca parts way, Stamford Bridge bound

Frenemies? John Terry and Deco jostling for the ball...

Can Deco fill the playmaking void that Chelsea suffered after the Arjen Robben departure? Can Ballack and Deco co-exist in the same midfield? What type of stucture will the Chelsea coach, Scolari, implement at the Stamford Bridge?


The Premeirship is only getting better and better with all these fabolous new signings...

Suprise Suprise, Germany up 2 nil

Ten minutes left until half time whistle is blown, Portugal has been outplayed. With a clinical counter and cross, Germany opened the scored card. Shortly thereafter, a subperb freekick cross was headed by German forward Klose.

Did the Madrid and Chelsea hoopla distract the two most important figures of Portuguese futbol? Was Portugal doomed to begin with, using two proven but much older defenders? Did Deco's sudden leave cause some inner turmoil between players?

Not sure what the distraction was, but German maestro, Ballack, has been able to free himself even being man-marked by shutdown player Pepe. Who knew Germans loved to counter, and why is Portugal letting them do so freely.



***Nuno Gomes knocks in a Ronaldo shot. We have a thriller on our hands.

Clockwork Orange are baaaaack; defeat reigning World Champs

The Dutch, or the Netherlands, lead by national team coach Marco Van Basten, who won the same Euro tourney twenty years ago, defeats Italy with a strong 3 nil showing. Having players coming off championship season at Real Madrid are now destined to show their mark in Euro 2008 as Italy was favored to win the tourney. Lead by Van Nistelroy, Snjeider, and Robben, the Orange Clockwork are back, and they started with an Italian rape...

Sexiest Goalkeeper, Oswaldo Sanchez arrested in Chicago

Chingado! Mexican Futbol Goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, who lead Torreon Santos to a Mexican Championship this season, after the victory over a weak Peruvian team on Sunday, was arrested. Mexican players decided to throw an impromptu fiesta. (Should of been a siesta) Early reports are indicating Oswaldo Sanchez became unruly after police officers responded to loud disturbances in an unamed Chicago hotel.

No word has been released by FMF, or the Chicago Police authorities regarding the arrest.

Martin Palermo, the reason why Hat Tricks are rare in Futbol

The last one is a beauty....

Maradona, Hand of God Review

With Cannes Movie festival closed, there are two top Spanish speaking films that may hit the market soon. One is a documentary of Maradona on the field exploits and the other a biopic of Che Guevara played by Benicio De Toro.

Maradona is a controversial figure, politics, drugs, and doping, have lead Maradona to be an outsider of FIFA, footbals governing body.
The movie, Maradona, Hand of God portrays Maradona as a man of rises and falls through his life. The portrayal of these two films are the ones that legends are made of, but is that what really happen?

Torreon Santos en La Final; Video

I love the technology of youtube; relive the excitment of Santos glorious come from behind victory. Both games ended as ties, but Santos advances with superior league record. Down by 2 with 15 minutes left to play, Santos scores two to chance at the Mexican title.

The Penalty that never was whistled; Toluca VS San Luis

Sad the way the game ended with bitter feelings; but soccer is an emotional sport. One referee mistake, a player that over reacts, and a silly tie breaker rule creates an emotional atmosphere.

The Soccer Minute on the Sports Anomaly

If you are into the beautiful game, love soccer players' sexy bodies or want to know more rules of the game, do no listen to the Soccer Minute. If you do want to be entertain by a trio with the most energy to boast with hilirarity that ensues on each podcast, listen to the Sports Anomaly. There is a new segment I start to pen, the Soccer Minute, to include quizes, quirky facts that will test the boundries of Sports Anomaly's wonderious trio.

Enjoy

Memo Ochoa linked to a Nou Camp transfer

Club America's goalkeeping phenom, Guillermo Ochoa, has been rumored to be a transfer pickup for the the prestigous Catalan Club. With backup goalkeeper Jorguera out for six months, Barca officials are scrambling for a top tier keeper to guide them through the Copa de Rey matches. Jorguera's previous starts this season have been for the Copa de Rey matches or when the primary keeper was rested. The rumor was first confirmed by Fox Sports Espanol announcer, Jorge Ramos, during the Interliga match between Morelia and America. Memo's performance, highlighted by a stopped penalty, showed that he is ready in match fitness for his probable transfer to La Liga del las estrellas. Ochoa played a consistent game, and lead America to an Interliga win with numerous stops on a cold Houston night.

Memo Ochoa has openly welcomed a transfer out of Mexico to any of the premier European Leagues. The number of Mexicans players in Europe has grown in an incredible rate since 2005, with La Liga having the highest number footballers. The only obstacles are, transfer price, and the number of non-European players allowed on the field. Will Barcelona and America come to terms with the price, and will Frank Rijkaard chance to sacrifice a non-European player for a keeper during the Copa de Rey matches.

Will Ochoa be joining his two compatriots, Rafael Marquez and Giovanni Dos Santos, at one of the prestigous clubs in Spain?
If it happens, it will be more than just a transfer.

FIFA Player of the Year, why Kaka should not win

Poo Poo had a wonderful 6 months but since august and not playing Copa America, has shown that Poo Poo success has waned the last 6 months. If AC Milan wins the Club World Cup in Japan and Pu Pu performs well, yes the award should go to him.

Totti may think that Messi should be player of the year, but the young striker did not win any trophies this year. Barca floundered at the end of season, having oppurtunities to clinch the La Liga and losing emberessingly in the Kings Cup. Messi performed well all year around, but giving an award without any brass in the trophy room seems ridonkolous...(Messi may have renacted two of Maradona’s famous goals but the comparision only happens because they are both Argentinian. Ronaldo has taken 6, 7 players during his time with Barca, and was never compared to the Diego.)


My vote, would either go to Riquelme or Van Nistelrooy, both lead their team to trophies. Riquelme came back from international retirement (to show how much he is worth of course) and led Argentina to a second place finish in Copa America. Each Copa America game for Argentina, Riquelme played beautifully and was the main playmaker up until the final. Goes back to Boca Juniors, singlehandedly destroys Gremio in the Copa Libetadores Final, cementing himself as a demigod to Boca fans.

Van Nistelrooy, being shoo shoo away from Man U for their younger strikers and being kicked off the Dutch team and then reconcile with Van Basten, scoring two important goals during Euro 08 qualifying matches. Lead Real Madrid in scoring to secure La Liga (saving Beckham's legacy in Real) wins the Spanish scoring title even netting seven games in a row, (Ruud has won the scoring titles from Dutch Eredivisie, Premiership and La Liga.)


I do not consider the hand of god goals to be cheating, since the ref does not see, and there are other underhanded techniques used on the field. If FIFA and UEFA want to include instant replay, then the goals should be anulled, but the two federations are very opposed to instant replay. The whole Zidane-Matterazzi incident serves a great example of cheating. What Zidane did was wrong and rightfully deserved the red card, but what Matterazzi did and is known for baiting players is considered cheating but he has never ever been punished for any of it. The attitude has not change, just a couple of weeks ago, Tevez fell victim to the same “cheating” tactics in the Argentina-Colombia match, but no one makes a big deal out of it.

FIFA 08 Review

FIFA has arrived, I have to give apologies to a series that I have ignore for its weak gameplay, and shameless licensing tactics. Having played FIFA 08 for two weeks now, my attitude has change for the better. The series that brought soccer to sportgamers, EA's football King has returned. Over thirteen years of multiplatform releases, FIFA 08 scores first and has the features to win the cup this year. The FIFA franchise has always been a cash cow for EA, what other videogame sport can handle three versions in a year every four years? EA dominated the soccer field in the 2d era, but always seem to behind a Beckham curve with Konami's Pro Evo/W11 3d dominance. FIFA's changes from previous installments create a simulated type of experience that makes FIFA 08 a go to player.

The most notable difference is the use of tactics, ie wall passing, through balls, and timed crosses helps FIFA 08 become more of a simulation sports game ala Fight Night than Konami's PES/W11 series. By slowing down the gameplay, FIFA 08 feels more authentic, plays like a real soccer game, takes tactics, smart passes, patience, all qualities found when playing soccer in real life, to succeed. One can learn how to play soccer by playing FIFA 08 on a game console.


Scoring has become harder, takes time, your passes accurate and well timed. Playing as countering team, one touch passes accurate through balls and crosses help your scoring chances as in real soccer. FIFA has removed the Maradona like gameplay of taking more than 6 players at once.

The be a pro feature is playable unlike other sports games. An immersive gameplay mechanic, be a pro, has bright spots but will need better AI. Favorite online feature, is the ability to save replays. Check out this awesome Eto GOOOAL.

FIFA 08 does need improvements in various areas. South american teams and tourneys need to be added, as well as, authentic chants, ref, and fans. The FIFA series can now start to delve into deeper tactics, by adding different through runs, such as; j runs, cut runs, and check in runs. With the slower gameplay, Pro Evo veterans will have a longer learning curve, but it is worth every second.

The beautiful game has arrived to your home game consoles, a must buy for any footie fan.

9.5/10