Saturday, August 17, 2013

English Premier League Predictions

As the 2013-14 English Premier League gets set to kickoff in a few minutes, I thought I would compile a quick list of predictions for the season. Here goes...

20. Crystal Palace - Most agree Palace are over their heads in the EPL, so don't look for much chance at avoiding relegation.
19. Norwich City - The Canaries spent heavily in the offseason, especially on Dutch forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel, but I don't see enough to avoid relegation in its third season back in the top league.
18. Hull City - Biggest additions were a couple Tottenham bench players, which aren't going to be enough to keep Hull up in its return.
17. Cardiff City - smart spending for the promoted side should be able to keep Cardiff up.
16. Newcastle United - I came close to moving them into a relegated position, as I just don't see much chance of Newcastle having a good season. A managerial change during the season is inevitable for Alan Pardew.
15. Stoke City - An influx of American talent will make this one of the more popular teams in the US, but Stoke looks like it will once again play a conservative style that won't be very fun to watch.
14. Sunderland - Jozy Altidore joins Sunderland in top form and could spark manager Pablo Di Canio's offense.
13. Aston Villa - Coming off a very disappointing season, the once-mighty Villains will once again rely on young phenom Christian Benteke up front to avoid relegation.
12. West Brom - One of last season's early surprise squads, West Brom lost top goal scorer Romelu Lukaku and struggled at the end of last year.
11. West Ham - Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan lead a solid squad that could finish anywhere from sixth to sixteenth, depending on health and luck.
10. Fulham - A week ago, I was talking about Fulham as a candidate for relegation, but some outstanding transfers make its outlook much more positive. Darren Bent's addition at forward could be a steal.
9. Swansea - Wilfried Bony joins a talented Swansea side that features one of the attackers in the EPL in Michu.
8. Southampton - Rickie Lambert is one of the best young forwards in the world, and he leads a Saints club that should shine this season after a solid summer transfer season.
7. Everton - Roberto Martinez begins his first season as Blues manager with a solid squad that will once again rely on excellent play from left back Leighton Baines, but lack of quality forwards continues to be a big problem.
6. Liverpool - Luis Suarez will sit out the first six matches of the season, which will likely cost Liverpool a strong start, but they will be better than last season because of continued growth from young phenoms Philipp Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.
5. Tottenham Hotspurs - The Spurs are likely to lose Gareth Bale and gave up on Clint Dempsey after one year, but they added Roberto Soldado and Paulinho among a host of transfers, spending most of the money they are about to get whenever the Bale saga ends. Spurs will once again threaten to make the top four until the very end.
4. Arsenal - A surprisingly quiet transfer season, despite a lot of rumors, has the Gunner faithful wondering what this season will bring, but Jack Wilshere should lead this team to another Champions League berth. Arsene Wenger will once again make the moves necessary to be in the top four in the January transfer window, if necessary.
3. Manchester United - David Moyes takes over as manager, but everyone is talking about what is going to happen with unhappy Wayne Rooney. Man U needs Rooney to contend with the top teams, but Robin van Persie will have a 20+ goal scoring season no matter what.
2. Manchester City - Manuel Pellegrini joins as manager, and he takes over maybe the most talented squad on paper in the EPL. They've lost enigmatic Carlos Tevez, but added Alvaro Negredo and Fernandinho, two of the best signings this summer in the league. Sergio Aguero will be one to watch this season, as he could have a big year or be relegated to the bench because of all the talent on this squad.
1. Chelsea - Jose Mourinho returns to lead a talented squad that should be able to get back to the top. Look for Eden Hazard and Juan Mata to benefit most from a more widespread attack.

Player of the Year
5. Jozy Altidore - maybe a little homerism here, but Altidore is in great form and will need to have a productive first year for Sunderland to avoid relegation
4. Jack Wilshere - Arsenal needs a big year from JW to hold on to its perennial Champions League berth
3. Leighton Baines - the best left back in the world once again returns to Everton despite rumors of joining Moyes at Manchester United...after another stellar season, a bigger offer from the Red Devils will likely mean a transfer
2. Robin van Persie - will once again lead the league in goals
1. Eden Hazard - Mourinho will help make a great player even greater

Thursday, August 15, 2013

USMNT Wins Comeback Thriller Over Bosnia and Herzegovina

The United States Men's National Team won it's 12th consecutive match last night, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina by a 4-3 count. Jozy Altidore's second-half hat trick led the way, with Michael Bradley and Tim Howard providing strong leadership and quality play to defeat the world's 13th ranked squad.

The 12-match win streak is the longest in American soccer history and is the longest current win streak in world soccer. Bosnia and Herzegovina is undefeated in World Cup Qualifying and was playing at home, so this was a difficult task.

Watch highlights of last night's match here, courtesy of US Soccer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATJxoShmW64&feature=c4-overview&list=UUk1pcWQ5E19g0Cgp4c1eI1w.

The USA, ranked 19th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, was in dire straits at the half, trailing 2-0. After watching a mostly listless attack from his side, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann made a tactical adjustment, coming out of the locker room with a 4-4-2 by moving Eddie Johnson alongside Altidore up top. He also moved Fabian Johnson to a more attacking midfield spot.

The moves paid off in the second half, as Altidore assisted Eddie Johnson on the first goal and Fabian Johnson provided Altidore with quality service for the tally to tie the score up at 2. Altidore then scored on a beautiful free kick to give the US the lead, and Bradley found Altidore on a world class pass for the fourth and final goal. Bosnia scored early in stoppage time, but it wasn't enough.

This match also provided the American debuts of center back John Anthony Brooks and forward Aron Johannsson. Brooks started and looked solid in the back, while Johannsson came on a sub and threatened to score a couple times late. Both look to be important future pieces for the USMNT.

The Stars and Stripes now get a few weeks off before a very important month of September, with World Cup Qualifiers at Costa Rica (September 6) and home vs Mexico in Columbus (September 10). If the US is able to win both matches, they will be assured a spot in next year's World Cup in Brazil. A win and a draw would likely keep the US atop the Hex with a clear path to Brazil, as well.