The Six-Second Rule

My six-second rule concerns eating food that I have dropped on the ground. Barcelona's standards are so, so much higher apparently.

If you play for them, you have six seconds to regain the ball if you lose it. I don't know what happens if you fail. Probably Pique gives you a wedgie. And you have to live with the knowledge that you made Leo Messi sad.

US Ladies defeat Canadian Ladies 3-0

Megan Rapinoe, Kelley O'Hara, and Abby Wambach like playing soccer

On September 22nd, the US women's team beat Canada 3-0 in a friendly in Portland. This is the second of a pair of matches against Canada; we tied the first 1-1. Abby Wambadass put in two goals in the second half, with Alex Morgan adding a third during stoppage time. You can read full coverage here.

It was an exciting, fast-paced game. Canada should have probably stuck with their first-half goalie, LeBlanc, who I thought was pretty great.

Fun fact: We're playing a 4-5-1 these days. Rapinoe on the new lineup: “I feel really good. This new system is fun and the players are interacting more on the field. It’s exciting."

The team's got six weeks off now before training starts for Olympic Qualifiers (which are in Vancouver in January).

Michael Bradley is O.K.

Apparently this is Michael Bradley...WITH HAIR

USSoccer.com has an interview up with Michael Bradley on life with his new team, Chievo Verona (Serie A! woohoo!). He started in a recent 1-0 victory against Napoli.

A few interview highlights:

ussoccer.com: What was your role in the game against Napoli?

MB: “We played 4-3-1-2. I played as one of the three defensive midfielders [Editor's note: this sounds like a lineup the US NT should try?], and I was tilted to the right. Tactically, the way the game went it meant I was dealing a lot with the attacking guys on Napoli that are out on their left side. As a team we were organized and disciplined and very committed to doing that for 90 minutes. It was definitely not our sharpest night with the ball, but we were very hard to play against. To win a game like that was good for us.”

ussoccer.com: Seen any Michael Bradley jerseys yet?

MB: “Other than the one on my back, not yet (laughs).”

You can read the full interview here.

Suggested follow-up questions:

- Michael Bradley, is there beef between you and Klinsmann or what? Or is this a Dempsey-type situation?

- When are you coming back?

- Exactly how bad are we defensively without you, Michael Bradley?

5-0

Well barca decided to win again. 5-0 to atletico Madrid. And it was a very pretty game:) Pique only played about half an hour, Puyol didn't play and iniesta and Alexis are still hurt :( But that was all okay because we have messi (: So the first goal was Xavi making a goregous pass tO Villa who controlled well and put it in... Villa has scored four in four!! He scores again! The second was a own goal that messi forced.. So really it was him. The third fourth and fifth were messi :) Ever single one of them was a ridiculOus goal. I personally liked the first and second. He is a small monster. All in all it was a great game with messi killing everyone and xavi and thiago were fantastic(:

[Updated by BFG]

Here's the embedded highlights:

Thoughts: Leo Messi is (as usual) playing on a whole other level, and I like the little dance he does after his third goal (#5 for Barca). I feel bad for the other team - this video has lots of shots on the looks on their faces after Barca scores. - BFG

You BAD!

Tehehehehhehe. Real Madrid lost today. Which means:
a. The world is good & fair place.
b. They're behind Barca on the table... though Valencia is leading...

Highlights of their loss: (for some reason I can't embed it) http://youtu.be/XUwpsrYqJa0
it's funny because it was against Llevante who they beat last year.... 8 -0
Only one can will by 8 Madrid.

Here is how the table stands:

Valencia: 9
Real Betis:9
Barca: 7
Sevilla: 7
Real: 6
Malaga: 6
Others....

Barca plays Valencia Wednesday so hopefully their lead will be short lived. Given that Barca scored 15 goals in 3 games, I'm feeling good.

8 - 0

So today Barca played poor Osuana who hasn't lost a game by such a wide margin since 1948 and whose coach said to the press afterwards that a t halftime he told his team, "focus on Wednesday, this is over." Barca won by 8. They beat Almeria by 8 last year but it was away. This was the biggest victory at the Camp Nou for 15 years. Yay! Here's how it went down.

Pep and his crazy lineups recently. Notice that Dani Alves, our beloved right back, played right wing up at the top while poor Maschy was still sitting at the back wondering if he'll ever play midfield again (I personally doubt it). Here was the lineup (3-4-3):

Valdes

Maschy Puyol (El capitan returns!!) Abidal

Xavi Busquets Thiago Cesc

Alves Messi Villa

Eventually, Adriano went in for Abi, Afellay went in for Xavi, and Maxwell went in for Puyi.

So the goal, oh the goals.

Goal One: Busquets to Alves who headed it across and watched Messi put it in (;

assist: Alves goal: Messi

Goal Two: One-two between Messi and Cesc (beautiful goal)

Assist: Messi goal: Cesc

Goal Three: Abi played Villa through. Villa touched aground goalie and hit it in

Assist: Abidal goal: Villa

Goal Four: Own Goal, Villa should have probably scored it instead... unlucky for defender

Goal Five: Xavi to Cesc who does a great little turn and passed it to Messi who just kicks it lightly in. Cesc is momentarily stunned that at Barca his team mates actually score when he gives them open nets (did I mention Arsenal lost today and scored 2 own goals)?

Assist: Cesc goal: Messi

Goal Six: Messi chips it high to Xavi who scores with a great chip (also super pretty)

Assist: Messi Goal: Xavi

Goal Seven: Cesc goes through the defense (lucky rebound) and unselfishly gives it off to Villa who scores (I've noticed that Cesc is almost too unselfish...)

Assist: Cesc Goal: Villa

Goal Eight: This was all Messi. He just does stuff.

Assist: Cesc Goal: Messi

So. Messi got a hat trick && two assists. Cesc got a goal & 3 assists. And everyone else decided to chip in. Ohh and Villa with the actually scoring goals!!! Things look promising for Barca right now. When they are at there best (& when Messi is at his best) they won't get beaten. Here are some player ratings as well: http://www.totalbarca.com/2011/matches/the-ratings-fc-barcelona-8-0-ca-osasuna/#more-88884

And here are the highlights-

And added bonus. Really great video. Seriously watchh it. Its's mind boggling

Don't sugar coat it, Cesc

"I want to be in a club that is able to win the big titles year after year and I don't see that kind of future for Arsenal...I respect that Arsenal don't have the same financial opportunities as the others, but it was part of my decision to leave that I find it hard to see Arsenal winning the Premier League or Champions League in the near future."

- Cesc Fabregas quoted in The Guardian

Victor Valdes, You in Danger!

From the Barca - Real Sociedad game yesterday:

Who is this man, Brek Shea?

Take that Brek Shea!

Klinsmann's called him up for the last three games. He plays for FC Dallas (but the Premier League may come calling), is seven feet tall, and seems to enjoy experimenting with his hair.

Now Brek Shea will try to impress you:

Pretty cool, but maybe that's only going to work against Kansas City. What else can you do, BrekShea?

Good one, Brek Shea.

Some photos from the FCB - Man U friendly

July 3oth

2-1 Man U. (Nani and Owen for Man U, Thiago for Barca)

Here's a match highlights video too!

Barca by the second half was playing with I believe only two of their starters. The Argentines were MIA; Pique, Puyol, and Xavi were all out as well. (I wish I had a shot of those guys on the sidelines watching the game. Pep I guess wanted them in some kind of 'uniform' so they all had matching khaki shorts and big white Keds and matching collared t-shirts.)

On the Man U side, Rooney only played the first half and Park and Rio Ferdinand not at all. Still totally worth the drive though.

Match highlights: US MNT v Belgium

Dempsey's back!!! He missed the Mexico and Costa Rica friendlies (was getting settled in for the season at Fulham - there's no problem between him and Klinsmann).

This was a classic "Thank God for Tim Howard" game. Our defense was...accommodating. But on the upside, we're taking more shots. None went in (save for a header by Edu that got disallowed for some mysterious reason) but this is a good development.

Brek Shea and Agudelo are still a little rough around the edges but really exciting. They're so aggressive, something we've been a little low on. And they're both young; I think Shea is twenty and Agudelo is eighteen. By 2014 they could be awesome, especially with Dempsey and Donovan holding down the center.

Lineup on the US side:

1-Tim Howard;

2-Steve Cherundolo, 4-Clarence Goodson, 5-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), 3-Timmy Chandler;

6-Maurice Edu, 10- Jose Torres (15-Jeff Larentowicz, 76), 8-Clint Dempsey;

7-Robbie Rogers (14-Kyle Beckerman, 46), 9-Jozy Altidore (18-Juan Agudelo, 46), 11-Brek Shea

US Men's Team Loses 0-1 to Costa Rica

Hi! I'm Edgar Castillo!

But the guys seem to like their new coach. From the NYT:

After Friday night’s 1-0 loss, the United States is 0-1-1 under Klinsmann. Yet in the earliest stages of his tenure, victories are secondary.

“We’re buying into his system and his ideas,” defender Carlos Bocanegra, the team captain, said. “We’re going in with an open mind and that’s the most important thing.”

Klinsmann seeks to combine a more energetic pace with a greater emphasis on possession and creativity. Those elements almost put the United States ahead early.

Some relatively new faces in the 4-3-4 lineup:

Tim Howard;
Timmy Chandler, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), Edgar Castillo
Maurice Edu, Landon Donovan, Jose Torres;
Robbie Rogers (Sacha Kljestan, 66), Jozy Altidore (Juan Agudelo, 63), Brek Shea

Next game is tomorrow against Belgium.

infinita tristeza

I am so lonely, alone, if you do not pay attention to me I will die

Messers

Saying Messi isn't playing well is a crime against humanity.

Cesc

Just keeping you updated, Barca seems to have made between a 32 - 39 million euro offer. No one seems to know where within there it fell. Either way I think they (Arsenal) might actually accept which I never thought would happen this summer...

So Barca could be getting Cesc... soon. Also apparently if they do keep him, Arsenal might revoke his captain ship :( Poor Cesc. And Valdes called the whole thing a soap opera the other day and slammed Arsenal sorta. He was like he obviously wants to come and he has for years, I don't know why his team can't accept that. Maybe arsenal want to drag out the drama. BAM!

I'm sure Arsenal won't mind.

Also we resigned Thiago with a 90 million buy out clause till 2015, he's basically a younger potentially better (depending on who you ask) version of Cesc so who knows what will happen.

And last thing, Alexis Sanchex whose deal was "80% done last week" is now looking less likely. His club sorta backed out because Man City offered more (how like them) but Barca wouldn't offer any more and now they're like oh well actually he does really wanna play for you so maybe that is good enough..

And the truth comes out..

So there's this guy named Fernando Gago who until today I believed to be evil (he plays for Madrid). Today, however, he admitted the truth. Now I like him.

Gago (Real Madrid): "Barcelona are the best team in history. Far better than Real Madrid. It was impossible to beat them this year." [espn]

Oh, it gets so so so much better:

Fernando Gago (Real Madrid): "Our fans kept on thinking it was possible to beat Barcelona. They just couldn't admit it wasn't." [espn]

Ahahahahahhaha, yeah, that's right... it might have something to do with him being Argentine. Maybe Messi, Maschy, & Milito wouldn't pass to him until he saluted the campiones. (:

Happy Birthday Messi (:

Oh how quickly they grow up.

Today is Messi's 24th birthday (:

So I think we should take this chance to look at the hoard of awards and trophies he's gathered at this point.

He's won: 5 Spanish leagues, 1 Spanish Cup, 4 Spanish Super Cups, 3 Champions Leagues, 1 Fifa Club World Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Olympic Gold Medal, 1 Fifa World Player *which became the Baloon d'Or, 2 Baloon d'Or, 4 World Soccer Player of the Year, 1 Golden Foot, 1 League Highest Scorer, and about ten more titles that just seem repetitive as they all just proclaim him the best.

He's won every single trophy at club level and broken about 5 different records this year alone.

Every year there is another, "Messi never has"... he never had scored on an English team. Did that. Never scored on a Mourinho led team. Did that. Never scored in England. Did that.

The expectations surrounding him are impossibly high and yet he doesn't fall under them, he just pushs them higher. In short, he's a very very tiny, soccer god.

Happy Birthday Messi (:

Transfers...

I didn't want to right about Sanchez.. but Barca had basically signed him at this point so woohoo alexis <3

But here's a good article about all transfers...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/734709-fc-barcelona-transfer-rumours-who-are-pep-guardiola-and-bara-really-chasing

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/733447-barcelona-transfer-rumours-8-potential-signings-that-could-guarantee-another-eu

Cesc

Interview:

"I'm very happy, I'm an Arsenal player now, and that's it. Wenger knows what I want and he's the boss, he decides."
"It's frustrating not to win trophies. Barcelona are a great club, the best in the world, and playing there is a guarantee to win."

"I won't step forward and say I want to join Barça. After 8 years at Arsenal, I won't harm the club. That's not my way of being."

"Since I'm 11, I'm saying that playing at Barça is my dream. I don't have to repeat it at every press conference"

"At this point, who can I fool about what's my dream… If it will happen or not, I don't know, that's not in my hands."

So Cesc is polite && really wants to come to Barca.

David Villa (:

Villlla (:

That's an interview with him ^

He talks about lots of great things like Messi, Pep, and Barca (joining Barca) and his season, and Madrid (:/), and how he looks like Trotski.

I'm glad that he's happy with how he played this season because everyone keeps saying he didn't live up to the hype (he scored 28 goals in 42 appearances last season and 23 in 50 this season). But come on, he's the bomb. He had to adjust to Barca and he deserves some time to do that.

Anyway, Pep thought he did a good job and if Pep thinks your doing well, you're doing great.

Messsi (:

http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2011/6/12/2215949/defense-barcelonas-neglected-component#storyjump

Read me ^

Barca B!

So I thought I should let you know how amazing Barca's B team is (:

So Barca B was in the 3rd devision when Pep Guardiola (:D) took it over in 2007, they were first in the devision and they were promoted to the second devision.. and Pep became head coach.. and Pedro got to start playing on the first team (: Anyway, they finished the league this year in 3rd place in the second devision which should mean they play in the playoffs and have like a very very good chance of promotion to the primera devision- the one that Barca plays in. Of course that can't happen because a club can't have two teams in one league. But how awesome is that? Barca's reserve team is good enough to play in their league.

Also, just for your knowledge these are sorta their key players.

Well Fontas has already been promoted to the first team, though he didn't play much, so supposedly he's good.

Soriano is a beast that scored a ridiculous number of goals. He's going to leave this year, which is probably for the best since he would have a hard time breaking into the first team with Pedro, Messi, & Villa there.

Thiago I've metioned but he's the guy whose always being called Xavi's replacement (not yet of course). He has great sight and he can score too, so we like him. He could be gone this year :( Hope not.

Dos Santos, Sergio Roberto, Batra, and Oriol romeu are also pretty good.

I think Mino is good too, but not sure.

Anyway, we rule.

PepPepPep

It's all Pep's fault. Nough Said.

There were rumors that he'd be Quatar's coach too, but now that they probably don't get to keep it & i doubt they'll actually qualify. SO HAHAHA.

Unless they do. He better not leave us :(

SISTERFRIEND

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ALL OF US TO YOU WE WISH YOU VERY HAPPY THINGS SO WE CAN HAVE SOME TOOO!!! (i don't know if i got the words right)

Transfers - Rossi!

Giuseppe Rossi! So we apparently really want him/he really wants to come. He's sorta a traitor. He was born in NJ but he decided to play for the Italian national team, so I'm not sure how I feel about him...

He's pretty good though.. but he's also pretty expensive. He's really important at Villarreal (he was the main reason they got 3rd). He's worth like 28 mill but they want 30. And Barca only has 45 mill to spend so gahh.

So they could do a + player thing but villarreal doesn't seem interested.

I don't really know if I want him so much at this point.. but he is good...

Mer

Remember this guy? Well I just learned that he's actually really good. Doesn't that make you sorta sad? See, really good:

Speaking of goalies...

Victor Valdés played a major role in Barcelona’s amazing season. His “save rate” in Liga matches was 82.2%, enough to earn him his third consecutive Zamora title for the league’s best goalkeeper. In comparison, Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas finished the season with a save rate of 70.6%, and Pepe Reina at Liverpool with 68.4%.

Read more: http://www.totalbarca.com/#ixzz1OjcyWbba

Also, for the record, Victor Valdes doesn't do this:

The world isn't fair.

Hahahhahahaha

The commentary after the first goal is spectacular.

Transfers? - Cesc (:

There are a butt load of transfer rumors out there right now and so there is like a 99% chance I'm going to forget someone but lets hope not. We'll start with the big three: Cesc, Rossi, and Alexis Sanchez. I'm gonna do one post for each..

Cesc. There's a little too much to say I think. It's a lot less public then last year when Barca was basically texting him and he was basically blatantly telling Wegner he wanted to leave. It's a lot quieter now but it's still happening. Wegner keeps changing his asking price and Barca keeps changing how much they're willing to pay (so say the rumors). The number I keep hearing is 50 mill. Which is all of Barca's transfer fund.. Arsenal really wants to keep Cesc, & even more so now that Nasri could leave. I've heard that Barca wants to offer 35 mill + a player or two. I've heard that the players would be Affelay, Bojan, or Thaigo. This seems super unlikely though.

In Bojan's case, I don't think it will happen because he wants to stay.

"Everything that has come out in the press is false," he told Diario AS. "Nothing is true and I am very relaxed about things. Both the club and I know that they have confidence in me and I am very happy to form part of FC Barcelona. I am not thinking of leaving or of forming part of any deals to make transfers any cheaper," insisted Bojan.

He likes Barca & he's good. While he may be becoming increasingly unnecessary- if they get Rossi or Sanchez there won't really be a place for him... if he wants to stay it's unlikely Barca will make him leave. Also, he's only 20 & Barca doesn't like to sell their young, talented, home grown players.

With Affelay it's more that he's too promising & that's too cruel. He's only been at Barca since January and he really likes it. He's just learning Spanish now and he's all chummy with everyone. They can't make him leave :( Also he's already gotten so much better, if he does say so himself.

"I think that the conditions are there to do even better next season. The past six months have already been quite good, though. I feel very well and the future is looking very bright. I have been at the club for only a few months, but I already feel like a much better player than before I arrived here."

No, they won't send him away.

Lastly, Thiago. He's just plain too good to sell.

He's sorta like a morphed together Xavi&Iniesta. Barca won't let him go anywhere because he's a home grown talent that can take over when Xavi is gone. The funny thing is he's actually probably the main reason Barca doesn't need Cesc.

The only way I can see Barca letting any of them go is on loan or with a buy back option.. but Arsene Wegner doesn't dig that idea. He's really expensive to but as a bench warmer... he's really good but Barca has the best midfield in the world and they really want him more as a next generation of that midfield. The thing is though, he so clearly wants to come that it sort of makes sense for Barca to wait until 2014 when his contract ends with Arsenal, and then sign him. It's when they want him anyway. I hope he comes soon because him & Pique will be funny (: but.. I don't know.

So things in the Cesc department are slowly evolving. Of course everyone loves him and wants him at Barca (including himself) but Arsene Wegner eats puppy dog tail so...

Next up, Rossi.

Xavi & Pique

One more thing...

I <3 Xavi & Pique. They are my favorites, after Messi. Of course.

Pique -

First off. He wrote a book? What? Who does that? It's called Return Journey and it's about getting to play in Barca's first team.. or the whole journey to getting where he is. About Man U, and Sir Alex and Pep too. As far as I can tell it's only in Catalan at the moment though :(

Also, he's just generally awesome. Really. I like him. First, he's just funny and wonderful.

Second, him and Puyi are in love. Third, him and Cesc are in love, Fourth, him and Shakira are REALLY in love. And fifth, he's actually really good, which I never really noticed. But no. He's like,super good. <--- And all that great stuff was before this year which has apparently been his best year ever. So he bleeds a lot.. we all have flaws. Article guy is right, the world would be a worse place without Pique.

Xavi-

First off, him & Puyi are nominated for the Golden Foot, which is- The Golden Foot award is an international career award only for at least 29-year-old football players, who stand out for their sport results (both as single players and with their team), for their personality and for the esteem of the public and football experts.... (over 29 as you can see, so no messi (: ) Vote for them by clicking here!!

Besides that, he's also just so in to Barca (: He loves everyone. This interview is amazing and you should read it, but you probably wont. But basicly he says this is the best team he's ever played for, he's never been happier, and he has never, you ready, LOVED a team more. He's never been on a team with a better relationship, never had closer friends & teamates. Aw, love. Also he managed to throw in that this team is the best of at least the last 20 years and that Messi is the best player of all time. Not in the world. Of all time. Yup. & he managed to throw in that Real Madrid are trying to destroy soccer. Ah, :)

Also, he's apparently pretty good? Who knew?

Lalala

Spain!

Match Reportt

So Spain played Venezuela today, and won 3-0 (:

First goal was scored by David Villa (:

Second by Pedro (:

Third by some other guy that doesn't matter named Xabi Alonso. But no one cares.

More importantly is the "0" part. Valdes started today, and played until the like 89th minute. What sucks is that it's only his 4th cap for Spain. Which is insane because is in one of the best goalies in the world. Unfortunately, everyone is under the illusion that Iker is good. And he's also the capitan. So gah. What's annoying about the whole thing is that Valdes won the Zamora for the third year in the row- ahead of Casillas every year and people are all like, "omg it's like totally because he's like never tested". So, to recap, the fact that he is the unstoppable goaly for the best team in the world (which also happens to have a pretty good defense which is NOT HIS FAULT) actually counts against him.

Poor Victor :(

Also Valdes made a really amazing save that is of course left out of the highlights.

So here - bake in his glory -

He's amazing. I'm bitter. Growl.

Messi (:

The first five seconds make me scared. I don't know how his little ankles are still in tact.

The rest is just him being a monster. RAWR.

Landon!

Donovan : Lionel Messi, Forward, Striker, Attacking Midfielder. He's five 6 and a half- don't leave out that half- but his play, is larger than life. Barcelona saw his talent and moved his whole family from Argentina to Spain. He made his league debut at 17, and you might say he's done pretty well. He's been named champions player of the year, two-time la liga player of the year, and European footballer of the year, Fifa player of the year, and five time player of the year in his home, Argentina. He plays with instinct- he's creative... he plays kind of like I would play against fifteen year olds. Lionel Messi, call him Leo. You know what, right now, lets just call him the best.

Landon has a crush on Messi :)