Hello and welcome back to The SoccerNation Report. Here we go.
The Lead Story- Owen to United? A shock move has happened between maligned striker Michael Owen and Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson has already confirmed the player as a United player. He said the following :"Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question. Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish." This move is a huge one for Michael Owen and his career. The free agent is now at yet another crossroads in his career. Owen's first crossroad was when he left Liverpool as a mere lad with a ton of potential to play for Real Madrid and then the subsequent return to England at Newcastle. Since being at Newcastle, Owen has been the captain most of the time and has also been oft-injured. One must only think about the talent he was (and really still is) when he is not injured. When not injured, Owen is one of the best scorers in the world, no joke. This is a great move for a player that has been on the outs of the England National Team and is also looking to recapture the form he used to have before his move to Real Madrid. Owen will be the number 3 striker and should see a lot of time with United because of the vast amount of matches that they play year-in and year-out. As a big fan, I really wish this player the best of luck and I think that Owen will rediscover form. He won't ever be the same guy that we all saw running around in a Liverpool kit, but he will find a goalscoring form again.
City Make Play for Terry, Again- Manchester City have made another move for John Terry. Chelsea have once again turned down the offer for their center-back captain. One can not blame Man. City for this chase, but it just seems too far-fetched at this juncture. Terry is a great defender and an even better captain and it would be great for City to bring in someone of his capability. But the fact that he is a great captain means that he not move to City for any regardless of the large sum of money that they can offer. Then again, money does do a ton of talking.
Chamakh for Adebayor- Arsene Wenger, manager of Arsenal, could be set to trade the services of Emmanuel Adebayor for those of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. Chamakh is said to be a back-up plan. But why not go after Gomis of St. Etienne? I admit that I don't know much about the player, but Gomis seems to be a better option. He's a bigger forward that has pace and scores goals. Not to mention, he plays better with better players around him. Your decision Arsene.
Games of the Day- CONCACAF Gold Cup
Canada v. Jamaica- 8:00 eastern
Key Matchup: Paul Stalteri vs. Ricardo Fuller, Marlon King
El Salvador v. Costa Rica- 10:00 eastern
Key Matchup: Eliseo Quintanilla vs. Walter Centeno
Well, I've gotta run. It's been Keeper and I'm out.
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Owen to United? DC United maybe.
fgavidia
Nutley , NJ
Total Comments (360)
No, this is serious. Michael Owen to United may actually happen. I think this is absolutely crazy. Then again, maybe Fergie sees something the rest of us are missing. I really don't know what to make of this move, but my intial reaction is what the hell is Fergie thinking.
The Las Vegas Genius
Las Vegas , NV
Total Comments (2953)
Wow.
Just wow.
One positive about this move is it isn't costing United a penny in transfer money. I understand the salary is performance-based meaning when Owen has his annual season-ending injury, United won't be stuck with a ridiculous wage like Newcastle. The more I think about it, the more I think this move could end up being like the Teddy Sheringham move. I'm very interested to see how this works out.
The Las Vegas Genius
Las Vegas , NV
Total Comments (2953)
El Salvador-Costa Rica won't be Quintanilla vs. Centeno since Quintanilla is not on the Gold Cup squad. On the other hand, ES will have everyone else, while Costa Rica is doing without 3 of 4 defensive starters and their most successful attacking player (Ruiz). Given a strongly pro ES crowd at the Home Depot Center and the fact that the Ticos looked like they were still on vacation during last week's friendly against Venezuela, this could be closer that usual.
Can ES break a 4 game losing streak against CR over the past year? This might be their best chance yet.
Another interesting thing to watch for is whether Kenton will persist in playing Gonzalo Segares as a center back. I've never been convinced about Segares in that position and I know that the Fire stopped playing him there a couple of season's ago.
viajero
Washington , DC
Total Comments (109)
I second that "wow"! That was really unexpected....how do you replace Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevezito with Owen??? Makes no sense but if they're not gonna get stuck with a huge contract when he goes down, it just might make sense.
fgavidia
Nutley , NJ
Total Comments (360)
In the Costa Rican press. Quintanilla begged off at the last minute so as to try to nail down a starting spot on his new club in Cyprus.
viajero
Washington , DC
Total Comments (109)
Cyprus has been a destination for some second tier Costa Rican and Honduran players, who did well there. As for Quintanilla doing better than Cyprus? I know he was something of a disappointment here in Costa Rica with Alajuela up through last year - to the point where they actually let him go early. With Alajuela he got a reputation of doing well against the minnows, but choking in all the big games.
viajero
Washington , DC
Total Comments (109)
I guess I called it. Kenton obviously still hasn't found a formula that works when most of his defensive starters are not available. Herrera just doesn't have the defensive skills to be a makeshift right back, as was clearly apparent on both Salvadorean goals. And Segares was a mess in central defense, as well as directly responsible for giving the ball away on the winning goal.
At least the sub at left back, Sounders new signing Leo Gonzalez, had a decent game. He seems fully recovered from a serious injury he suffered earlier this year.
Of course it helped that ES executed the perfect game plan and that the Ticos finishing was atrocious.
CR has also gotten into this really bad habit of being upset in the first game of the Gold Cup (its happened in 3 out of the last 4 now). In the past they've always pulled through, but they are going to have to find a solution to their defensive problems to get by Canada and Jamaica -both of whom have strong fast strikers.
viajero
Washington , DC
Total Comments (109)
For Central American players going abroad, the priority seems to be as follows:
1. One of the top 5 European Leagues
2. Second tier European Leagues (Benelux countries, Scandanavia etc...)
3. MLS or Mexico
4. China, Israel or Cyprus (or some other 3rd Tier European league)
As for Costa Rica, they did do well in tournaments earlier this decade such as the 2001 and 2005 Copa Americas and the 2002 World Cup (which I count because they played well and were only eliminated on goal average by the eventual world champions and thrid place finisher). But they have historically almost always underperformed in the Gold Cups, often losing to teams whom they usually beat rather easily in other competitions. Their record against Canada is a prefect example as CR has lost something like 2 of the last 3 to them in the Gold Cup, but are undefeated against Canada in all other competitions for something like 20+ years, including several rather easy victories playing in Canada. Pretty much the same holds for T&T. Thus, I don't think it's as simple as saying the Ticos only win at home.
If I had to guess, the explanation for the Ticos Gold Cup problems is probably more due to often sending understrength and unprepared squads. The Gold Cup almost always falls during the off-season and the Ticos have tended to treat it almost as a preseason tournament; usually pulling together the players only a week or so before the tournament starts and often straight from their vacations. The current squad is actually stronger than in most recent Gold Cups, only missing 4 regular starters. But once again, the players were called in straight from vacation and hadn't even started preseason with their clubs.
viajero
Washington , DC
Total Comments (109)
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