2012 – The Best Year of MLS?

Posted on October 21, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

If you haven’t paid attention, this year, the 2012 Season, is on track to become the “Best Year of MLS” – again! After last season was, at its time, “Best Year of MLS”, we will record another one. With average attendance well over 18,000 so far, it will beat last year’s numbers of 17,870.

Historically speaking, after starting with a bang, in 1996, recording an average attendance of 17,400, MLS experienced a drop in the number of people coming to the stadiums.  The bottom was hit in 2000, with only an average of 13,756. Although they bounced back, their average attendance only reached the level of that first year in 2011. These numbers are the more encouraging as we have more teams now, and more games played. And we haven’t even started the playoffs yet.

Filed under: MLS | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands @ EURO 2012 – the Winner, Adidas

Posted on July 3, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

The full bracket for the EURO 2012 is here: the winner is Adidas, again, as it becomes a good habit (or great planing from their part).

 

The Jersey Kit Brand Winner @ EURO 2012

The Jersey Kit Brand Winner @ EURO 2012

 

Disclaimer: Brand names, logos and trademarks used herein belong to their respective owners.

 

 

Filed under: EURO 2012, Jersey kits | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

EURO 2012, Final, conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on July 2, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Spain 4-0 Italy. The unlucky Italy

 

Italy could not upset the odds again, especially when running out of luck. Having two injuries in the same game and having to play in 10 after exhausting your substitutions, against Spain, and here you have the recipe of a clear loss. They didn’t stand a chance.

 

Spain won its third straight major title and indeed made history. No one has done it previously. Germany and France came close before but failed in the end. With this win they earned a place between the greatest national teams. They also joined Germany, with three wins, as the most successful teams at EURO tournaments.

Filed under: EURO 2012 | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands @ EURO 2012 – the Final Chapter

Posted on June 30, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

The Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands has reached its final chapter: the Big Final. Although it was close to being an All-Adidas affair, as most people predicted Germany, and not Italy, was to reach the final,  it will still be an All German affair: Puma vs. Adidas.

 

Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands @ EURO 2012

Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands @ EURO 2012

 

Adidas has somewhat an upper hand, as they provide the ball and dress the referees too. However, it could be very well the year of the feline!

 

Disclaimer: Brand names, logos and trademarks used herein belong to their respective owners.

Filed under: EURO 2012 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

EURO 2012, Second semifinal, conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 29, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Germany 1-2 Italy

 

Germany was not the Germany we saw the previous games. Was it because of Germany itself, having one of their worst days, or, was it Italy, having one of their best days? It’s hard to say…this is always a dilemma. However, for all the warnings they got, especially from the likes of Portugal and Denmark, Germany didn’t learn anything and didn’t take enough measures.

 

I feel it was more of a psychological roadblock for Germany. Italy had the upper hand, historically, and dominated Germany, even before the start of the game. We are only human…

 

The German players walked on the field with their “soft legs”, and – you could see the difference – they were slower than the Italians, and nothing worked their way. Winning and wasting 14 corners, to none of Italians, it’s so not-Germany.

 

Italy was such a surprise! – even for their own fans. A well-organized side, improved with each game, Italy looks more and more like a Champion.  Spain must be worried.

 

Filed under: EURO 2012 | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

EURO 2012, First semifinal, conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 28, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Portugal 0-0 Spain, 2-4 after penalties. Much Ado About Nothing

 

What a boring game! Considering the quality of the players involved, one would expect a great game, with lots of action and a couple of goals too. Nowadays is more important to win, at any cost, rather than the way you win.

 

This game made me think of what someone told me, about why we, Americans, don’t like Soccer: there is not enough action! Some games, like this one, don’t have enough action indeed.

 

Now, think about it! If MLS was on par with NFL (for example), and this was a game between two MLS teams, you could pay $500, for a family of four, to attend the game (tickets, parking, food, drinks, etc). Seriously, would you pay $500 to watch this game?

Filed under: EURO 2012 | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

EURO 2012, Jersey Kits in Semifinals

Posted on June 28, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

For the last four teams we only got three of the jersey kits brands left in the competition, as Umbro was left out when England was sent home. Here is what are left with:

EURO 2012 - Jersey kits in semi finals

EURO 2012 – Jersey kit brands in semi finals

 

Will it be an all German affair in the final??

 

Disclaimer: Brand names, logos and trademarks used herein belong to their respective owners.

Filed under: EURO 2012 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

EURO 2012, The Semifinals

Posted on June 27, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

We are now down to the last four and, interestingly, we have three Latin teams vs. only one Anglo-Saxon.  This is only the third time when do have three Latin teams in the last four. Here are the  other cases:

 

Three Latin teams in the Last Four @ EURO

Three Latin teams in the Last Four @ EURO

 

Both times we had a Latin Champion (France, both times). The only team that was present in all occasions is Portugal.

 

Is Germany going to change history? Or, is Spain going to make their history?

Filed under: EURO 2012 | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

EURO 2012, Last Quarter final, conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 25, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

ENGLAND 0-0 ITALY, 2-4 after penalties. Goal less but not event less.

EURO 2012 watch England - Italy highlights @ uefa.com

EURO 2012 watch England – Italy highlights @ uefa.com

The only Quarter Final without a clear favorite was an even game, more on paper than on the field. Italy was the better team, throughout the entire game, very confident in passing the ball. But they kept on missing their opportunities and went close to being knocked out on penalties.

 

England, on the back foot, could not hold the ball long enough to be more dangerous.  You can’t play the ‘Chelsea game’, again and again, and expect to be lucky every time! Still, they went very close, and even led in the penalty shoot-out. But it was embarrassing in many moments. Representing EPL, the strongest soccer league in the world,  and being outplayed in such a way! One could only ask: Is this really the best selection of players that England can offer?

 

In the end, after much domination, Italy won. And they deserved to win. It will be an interesting confrontation next with Germany.

Filed under: EURO 2012 | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

EURO 2012, Third Quarter final, conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 24, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Spain 2-0 France, Another Unfulfilled Promise

Spain was no Tiki-taka, but it didn’t need it to beat France. As with most of their games at this tournament, you get the feeling that Spain is not at 100% of their potential, though, they still manage to win. So, it could be that, in the end, Spain may win the tournament without actually being at their best.  We know they can do better, however, they don’t need to be at their best to be better than most of the others. Don’t blame them for that!

 

France started the match way too defensively; somewhat too wary about what Spain could do to them.  It has always been hard to win games by defending. We often forget it! Too many teams don’t understand that you can’t be a champion with so much fear in your legs. Laurent Blanc tried to change things after the break, but it was already too late. Coaching a national team is so much different from coaching a club! Mr. “Le President” might have finally figured it out. Especially with this big ego generation of players, things must have been so much harder. On top of that, add the fact that French people have strong attitudes. To be French is to be a rebel. And you have the recipe of a really difficult job. Who is next? I think José Mourinho would be a great choice. He’s got the skills, no doubt. He also seems to able to keep big ego players in check. What do you think?

Filed under: EURO 2012 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Next Page »