Fifth Gold Cup Triumph Prove The USMNT and Soccer Staying on its Feet

 Soccer staying on its feet in the USA

The USMNT Fifth Gold Cup win is a reflection of the growing popularity of the beautiful game in a country where the sport usually takes the back seat. It is such an important victory given that next year’s World Cup is just around the corner, a boost for players and fans alike to continue believing in their team and the sport respectively.  There is no doubt that attendance by the thousands and more victories by the USMNT will increase the status of the sport as well as the pool of talent for future generations.

It has been said that in this sport one goal changes everything and last Sunday’s victory is proof of that. Though the only goal of the match came in the 68^th minute, screaming fans at the Soldier Field would be happy take it, a win is a win regardless, and lifting a 5^th Gold Cup is very important for the team, the fans and the country.

The USA could be a dominant force in the future and Jurgen Klinsmann is coming through as the coach who can take this team to the next level. The first trophy being lifted by the Americans and the German manager will enhance the esteem of everyone who supports the USMNT for the World Cup next year in Brazil.  The team is doing very well in the qualifying stages, is adding young faces to the roster, and has won its last 11 matches including the one against Germany. These are indicators that the team is in the right direction and soccer is staying on its feet in the USA since the humble beginnings of the MLS seventeen years ago.

The USMNT victory against Panama was not an easy task. As mentioned the only goal came late in the second half.  Mexico, the bitter rival that sometimes complicates things for the USMNT was dispatched from this tournament by Panama. It was not the most entertaining game but hopefully casual US fans who only watch finals will come out to support their team more often so they don’t miss other action packed games in the process of the tournaments.

Go team USA!!

Mixing Things Up in La Liga!

Mixing things up!

In the world of the beautiful game the summer break is a chance for winners and losers alike to mix things up. This is an exiting time to see new faces as well as a reflection on what has and has not work in the previous season. The transfer window of the summer always surprises us by making the necessary arrangements to move players and coaches in and out of the most elite teams and leagues of the world. The upcoming changes are indeed very interesting and the anticipation to watch some action on the pitch has already been built.

How will Pep Guardiola do in Munich? He was very successful in the course of five years with Barcelona, winning the sextuple, six out six competitions in a single year. There was plenty of hype when the news broke out that [he] Guardiola would be the head coach of Bayern Munich. But given the last season’s ultimate performance by Bayern, it seems that the team don’t need much fixing to do. However, the summer transfer window usually open new chapters for coaches and players and Pep and Thiago, the former Barcelona midfielder will starts theirs next season at Munich.

How about Ancelloti? He was successful with Paris St Germain and has started the 2013  campaign as the boss of Real Madrid. In fact, Ancelloti has been very successful in Serie A and the Premier League as well. It’s likely that he will do just fine in La Liga. Los Blancos have also acquired the services of Isco, a young attacking and skilled midfielder. Also a new face will be Asier Illarramendi,, another young and talented midfielder.

Neyamar has been no doubt a great acquisition for Barca! And now that the 2013/2014 season is underway it will definitely be interesting to see how this mixing up of new players and coaches shows up in La Liga.

The beginning of the season is always exciting! We'll See!

Seleção Brasileira and Neymar

Verde Amarela and Neymar

The performance of Brazil and their rising superstar Neymar was undoubtedly a fabulous treat in the Confederations Cup final as they dismantled la furia española. It was a final that many fans around the world were waiting for, Spain’s tiki taka and their consistency as the reigning power of football in the last few years versus Brazil’s samba and their legacy as the most successful national team in football. The clash of the titans no doubt! But individual stars shine and always show up for big challenges.

This tournament has been a great platform to showcase the new Seleção Brasileira and its growing phenomenon named Neymar. Next summer in the FIFA World Cup 2014, he will be one of the most anticipated players to watch; his quickness, his ability to strike the ball with either right or left foot and his awareness, make him a player of his own kind. There is no doubt that he has been a great acquisition by Barca, and it will very interesting to see how he handles the different pace of important games in La Liga.

The red fury has not been dethrone completely it simply was not their night. Saying ‘if’ doesn’t cut it in football either but there were some moments that were key in favor of the verde amarela. Was it Pedro’s soft kick or was it an amazing save by defender David Ruiz? It doesn’t matter, but had that been a goal, we would have seen a totally different game. But as I mentioned the stars have come to shine at Estádio do Maracanã and Neymar’s brilliance was outstanding last night. Spain however, will regroup and their dominance in world football is not over yet, they still are a generation of tough to beat talented players.

It is great that Brazil is regaining its status in football after being criticized as an overrated team. The host of the next World Cup tournament will show their “jogo bonito” they just need to continue playing as they did against Spain and their fans will be very pleased. Many national teams wished they had so many footballers to choose from as Brazil does but due to their legacy, their fans are very demanding. Last night victory in the Confederation’s final against a team such as Spain was indeed a great gift for those that are tough to please and Neymar was simply brilliant.