Old Firm- Round One!

And the first round goes to the Light Blues! Rangers go to the East End, and trump on their Cross town rivals 4-2. Kenny Miller, who has made the cross, and come back to the Ibrox side of Glasgow, dealt with some flak, and managed to put in two against his old club.

The Gers went to Parkhead and put the hoops to the sword on their own turf. Rangers haven't won this big at Celtic in over 15 years! We drew first blood in the match with a strike from Daniel Cousin in the 37th minute, but hoops replied within two minutes by the ex -man. city man, Samaras.

After the break, it was all Light Blues. First a goal from Kenny Miller, then a beauty of a goal from another new acquisition for this season, Pedro Mendes, who added the third. Kenny Miller stamped his mark on the Old Firm stage, making sure the back pages of the English Evening News have something to talk about. Nakumura scored a conciliation goal in injury time, but Celtic didn't seem to threaten at all in the second half. What a way to start the SPL season. Sure, the European dreams are dashed, but three wins out of four games, and Rangers are atop the tables with a nice cushion in front of their Old Firm rivals.

As for the rest of Europe, to be quick...

Tottenham managed to stay a float, just barely, by snatching a point from the dream team that shares their town. Chelsea and Tottenham drew over the weekend, 1-1. This match was big for Spurs, and their supporters. Going to Stamford Bridge, Spurs needed to come away with anything! A point will do for now, but Spurs need this match to gain some traction and start their season rolling. They recently moved to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko from Spartak Moscow, pretty much squashing rumors of signing another Russian hotshot, Andrei Arshavin.

Sunderland take a step back as they get trounced by Manchester City, 3-0. Keane had his team looking sharp the first couple of EPL match fixtures, but they seemed to look lost against a Man. City squad who continues to have Owner issues, with an owner who is technically a fugitive from the country of Thai Land. City played with out Petrov and other bigger names on their squad, but Brazilian, Jo, showed some promising play on the pitch.

Because Chelsea and Tottenham drew on Sunday, and Liverpool drew against Aston Villa, 0-0, the top of the tables remain the same. Liverpool and Chelsea are tied a top with 7 points each. Man. City, West Ham, Arsenal, and Middlesbrough are tied for third with 6 points. All in all, the EPL looks exciting so far, with only 3 games into the season.

Jose Mourihno's new Inter Milan side drew against Cassano and Sampadoria this weekend, 1-1. With many more opportunities on both sides that were not put away, the score line doesn't give justice to the excitement of the actual game. Mourihno's new Italian job will prove to be a little more difficult that expected.

Sorry I haven't been able to post as often as I would like to, but two History courses, and three English courses, have me reading over ten different novels and 4 different books written by two of my professors, so not necessarily interesting reads. Either way, I am slightly overwhelmed, and trying to prioritize my duties. Seeing as how I am trying to be moving back to Cal by December, I need to sacrifice some fun for now, to enjoy myself later.

Three Weeks In!

Lovely, to put it simply. Second weekend into the Premiership, and already, the drama begins to stir. Again, my Spurs go down to Sunderland this weekend, and Chelsea sneaks by with a beautifully taken free kick from Deco, and Wigan went down. I adore the English (Barcalay’s) Premier League, but my thoughts will always go straight the Scotland first.
We are three weeks deep into the Scottish Premier League, and my Light Blues were trying to maintain their 100% start to the season. In all honesty, we still should be 100% in the tables, but an injury time goal from DeMarcus Beasley was disallowed, and the ‘Gers take a point from their meeting with Aberdeen over the weekend. For all those who say the Old Firm get all the calls, here is the evidence against your case. We drew first blood against Aberdeen, with a set piece header from David Weir, but they replied back with a tying goal. Again, the American, who has been looking in top form for club, and country, put the ball in the back of the net in injury time, but linesman, Baxter raised the flag.
So Rangers start the season with two wins and a draw. Celtic won over the weekend, and this season, the Light Blues will need to keep a close eye on the happenings of the cross town rivals, hoops. With no more Europe for the rest of the season, Rangers must finish top of the tables, and for sure above hoops, or suffer a major blow to their finances and hopes for competing further in Champions League Dreams.
Maurice Edu obtained his work permit and Walter Smith is looking to start the American along with his national teammate DMB, for the next weekends Old Firm match. This could be a much needed six point separation from our rivals, real quick!

Only an hour wait, but hear my voice on WSD!

Amazing. Love to call in to the World Soccer Daily Sirius Satellite Radio Show, it is just ridiculously hard to find the time to sit and wait on hold to talk on the show live. But when I can, I try to put my two pence into the WSD radio show, be it live and on the phone, or just a daily email. Of course my emails are not always used, but I would say they either respond to me on the show, or they do afterwards, and always seem to appreciate my angle on any given topic.

There is just so much to talk about in the world of football, but most of the time, it tends to be the same stories that make headlines. My goal is to try and find a different angle to view headlining news or, even better, find a story that may seem insignificant, and explain it's importance. That is one thing that I am really trying to do with my internship. Many Americans fail to find significance in following the sport, but there is regularly vital matters that carry tremendous weight in football, that often has global influence and roots. Take for example, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. This is a perfect opportunity for a country who is slightly behind in the times, and full of crime and corruption, to make a statement and start a new beginning. They can step out of the shadows of a third world image, and step into being a recognized government by the rest of the world. It is also an opportunity for the world to come to the aid of this country and help it grow into the present standards of living. Many politicians and football pundits, as well as those in the higher offices of FIFA and other governing bodies of football around the world, have begun to see an opportunity for South Africa and the world to put political pressure on neighboring Zimbabwe and their radical leader Robert Mugawbe.

I digress. I really only began writing this post to tell all friends and family that you could hear my voice on the WSD radio show today. About an hour and fifteen minutes into the show, they go to Rafael in Tempe. I conversed with the boys about Tottenham Hotspurs and how I think that they looked incredibly small for a Premiership side, and were dominated by a much more taller and physical Middlesbrough side. Boro seem to win every header and set piece and should have won 3-1, but one goal was disallowed, for no aparent reason. Dos Santos looked and played well, Madric looked a little lost. the midfield was lost in the tall red forest that were the Boro midfield players. And next week, Spurs play Sunderland in a meeting of a team with many former Tottenham players, all physical and larger then the current roster. Good times.

2nd weekend into the season...

Wow. So there is so much to say and report on, I have no clue where to begin. But had to say a couple things. One is this, Maurice Edu, American national, was signed for a $5 million dollars, not pounds, from the MLS, to Rangers. The deal was made through the MLS, not Toronto like most leagues would have business run. Although, I must say this, I am proud to see so many Americans take to abroad to play. It really will only expand the skill and soccer culture in this nation, and will help to build a strong base for our future national team.

Here is a little ironic fun fact though about Mr. Edu and what he is getting himself into. Maurice is from sunny, southern California, Fontana to be exact. He has been playing most of the summer in the States in fair to hot weather. He has just signed for Rangers and will be moving to Glasgow, Scotland. The Scottish Premiere League plays its season through the winter. Snow flurries are not unusual to a game in the middle of January in Scotland. Sunny and bright, to cold and dreary. Hope he is ready. I would be!

Follow, Follow, We will follow Rangers!

Rangers start off the season with two straight wins

Well Kenny, I know it is hard. Getting our hopes dashed so quickly with European dreams coming to an abrupt end. But at least we are still perfect in the SPL. We handled Hearts well, and our new signing all look to be fitting in nicely. Kyle Lafferty scores a goal, and then, the man who I wear on my back this season (bought his Jersey, yes, I buy a Rangers jersey every season... a small show of support if you ask me), Kris Boyd gets the second to down Hearts in the end 2-0.

I love to watch Kris Boyd, and love his attitude. He seems to be extremely competitive and deadly serious about the game. Much like myself with Adult Amateur Leagues out here in Arizona. But I have a love for the sport that runs deep and I care about football. I like when she is played beautifully, with passion and intensity. I love the epic battles that take place and appreciate the comraderie and respect for the player you mark all game. It is a blessing football is back in season... summer was a tad long this year.

Here is hoping the 'Gers win the SPL. Here's to a great new season ahead full of amazing football to feast upon, and here's hoping you guys sign me to your team come the January transfer window...

Rafael in Tempe

I'm not even a Hammers fan

Wow! And thank God for the EPL! I cant believe this, but I'm being thrilled by a West Ham game! Dean Ashton looks in shape and fit!? His first goal was beautiful, and his second was scappy, but all before we had telve mins. Balls are hitting crossbars, the goals are being sprayed with shots on target and the tackles are going in good and hard.

I'll say it! I'd rather watch a Wigan v. West Ham anyday over MLS! The pace, creativity, intelligence, and thrill I get from watching the EPL is better than any drug. Only know do I really grasp how long summer really was.

Here's to the new season! cheers and see and look forward to the discussion come Monday. ole ole ole ole Deano, Deano!

Raf in Tempe

pedro mendes signing

I should point out first, that I will be now posting all the emails I send into the World Soccer Daily Sirius Satellite Radio Show (WSD). This is just so I can keep track of what I send to them and, if needs be, they could too! I am trying to get an internship with them, down in Redondo Beach, CA. Plus, its a way for you out there to read and keep up with lots of soccer news that I find important.

Hey boys,

It is just me Rafael, out here in Tempe. We are in the middle of our monsoon season, which makes the desert humid and hot, with cloud coverage, lots of lightning, and hardly any rain… depressing really. And how about that Nastia Luekin, smoking hot, even the runner up, Shaun. (sp.?), the small one, has an astounding body, just at miniature side. But I digress.

What I am really writing for is about Rangers. Well, the ‘Gers and our pal’s, Chuck Culpepper’s favorite, Pedro Mendes. According to the Rangers home website, we acquired Mendes for $3million pounds. I think the Portuguese midfielder will help out a great deal. He may be getting on, but Rangers always have trouble with injuries and the SPL isn’t the known for its friendly style of play. I really hope he opens up the midfield some and maybe even brings a more attacking style of football to the Ibrox.

I was wondering if you thought the light blues were going to continue to improve their roster? I believe they sold Carlos Cuellar for $13 million pounds, so we should have some funds to throw at some quality players soon. Hopefully we still have enough time?

Thanks,
Rafael in Tempe

Ps… Kenny, are the Ibrox and Murray Park synonymous?