La Copaaaaaaa...ehhh

Tonight I will take in my first match from this Copa America.

I've spent the last week busy with work, then vacation, away from television and all you crazy bastards on Twitter.

Ok I couldn't completely leave it alone but i was only voyeuristically checking twitter hoping for signings and alas, jack shit happened. Unless you count Liverpool signing some mediocre players to ensure they, as one of their fans stated, secure a 13th place finish.

Apparently I haven't missed much. All but one match ending in draws? If I wanted to see that shit I'd watch any match between Chelsea and Liverpool. Nil nil's don't fill seats. Goals do. Let alone in America where many people can't be bothered by a great match.

I am looking forward to watching Argentina tonight and I am sure this tournament will come to life soon. I predict at least 3 goals in this match and if I'm wrong I'll eat my hat. Or maybe drink it, let me find my beer helmet just in case. But seriously they should thrash Columbia and the pressure is there following an opening round draw. With the talent at their disposal Argentina have no excuses. I expect Messi to deliver.

How absolutely batshit crazy is it that Argentina sit three world class strikers every match?!?!? I believe they will be playing with Lavezzi, Messi, and Tevez. That leaves Kun, Higuain, and Milito on the bench. Mind boggling. I bet they wish the wealth of riches could be spread to other areas of the squad, but the rest aren't exactly chumps. The embarrassment of talent in the striker position is enviable to say the least. Can't one jump ship and come to the USA? Figure out some kind of deal so we can take their talent like how Portugal poach Brazilians that want to play international football.

I expect this to heat up starting tonight! I have more to say but the match starts soon and I would like to eat first. Enjoy some real football tonight.

Mes que un Cule

A guest post from Jaymin @allinthepass

And the miasma Barcelona and its faithful media acolytes have huffed around our humble club returns, right on schedule, flying in the face of the false expectation we may have entertained that this summer would be different. All in order, then. I would have preferred my first ever football blog to be about something else, anything, but I will march to the beat of the zeitgeist, because I fear the noxious smoke will be choking us for the next several weeks, at least.

That is of course provided Barcelona don’t meet our (ahem, and...pretty much the whole football world’s http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/default/marktwerte/basics.html) valuation. And I think we all feel the same way about how likely that is to happen. They pass so well and play so prettily, but their conduct in this affair has been and continues to be disreputable. One has to conclude given the constant tapping up, public exhortations, and I’m pretty sure the stated desire of their head coach, that Barcelona do indeed really, really want Cesc to play for them.

But then why the frankly insulting bid, and more to the point, why the even more preposterous bid in 2010, when he had just had a 20 goal 20 assist season, and was a favorite to land a World Cup winners’ medal? Surely then, if any midfield player in the world merited a 50 million GBP transfer fee, it was the young Fabregas. So 35 GBP felt like they were making a point with us, which they are driving home further with a reduced 27 million GBP after a disappointing campaign for us and from our captain.

They want to embarrass us. They desire to stand above us, like an older executive who has just outmaneuvered a young upstart in a boardroom dispute. To put us, ahem, “in our place.” Only we’re the ones who seem to routinely outmaneuver them. Just from the top of my head mind: : ripping them off with Petit and Overmars, uh, taking Cesc for peanuts in the first place, and then, after they had decried this “theft” and presumably established safeguards against its repeat, snatching Merida/Miquel/Torral/Bellerin etc. The fact that we took Torral and Bellerin in the midst of this current public courting of Fabregas suggests that as an institution we’re as annoyed with them as our fanbase is. And that maybe we want to show them if they can be cheeky, we likewise can cheek it with the best of them.

It’s a fascinating relationship between the two clubs, hardly able to be classified as normal. We aspire to play with the style they reinvented from Cruyff’s Ajax and they now call their own. Outwardly we admire them. We both have a somewhat pariah type perception within our leagues, them for their perceived separatist attitude, us for not being Liverpool or Manchester United. Our fanbases seemed, until recently, very simpatico.

Plainly not replicated at the business level. These are just my random musings after a very busy and productive day, mind. I will explore this subject more deeply in a subsequent post.

Comments, thoughts? Below,or @morningpint & @allinthepass

The Match That Must Be

Finally watched the USA match from the weekend. They looked better, but not great. Jamaica didn't quite come roaring out of the gates and it is hard to judge the performance against some of the opposition in this tournament.

Tonight's matches will provide sterner tests for the Juggernauts of CONCACAF, with Panama and Honduras looking to upset the perennial dominant forces. I don't know that the Gold Cup organizers would like an upset too much considering the revenue they dream about from a USA Mexico final in Los Angeles. They need that final. We need that final. It is the only match in this tournament that anyone really cares about.

The American team has looked like shit. Let's not dress up a turd, it is what it is. We all know the team can play better. We have seen nearly the same squad play much better in the World Cup only a year ago. They will need to step there game up if they are to even get a shot against Mexico. Panama will not lie down. Mexico has easily looked the best team in the tournament. Considering the opposition that may not be saying much, but its more than the Americans have been able to do. Unless we see an utterly convincing display from the Americans today I'd still say Mexico is playing better at the moment, and are probably the better team.

The Americans have dominated Mexico in recent years, but this seems to be a different team. With Chicharito they have an emerging superstar with the ability to get a goal out of nothing, something the USA lack and that could give them the edge. The thing is that the Americans seem to hold a psychological advantage over Mexico, with my friends and I suspecting the pressure mounted on the Mexican players so immense by comparison to the Americans it affects their play. Can you say LeChoke?

I was watching Sportscenter an hour ago and they decided to give the matches tonight a quick minute breakdown. How sweet of them. turn on the Spanish language channels and that's all they are talking about. There is much national pride at stake and they don't fail to let the team know that. Its ok for USA to lose, not many here will really care or remember after a day or two. For Mexico it looms over them for 4 years until their next chance at redemption. Should the two teams get there i believe we will be in for one hell of a match.

We intend to be at the Rose Bowl for the match and I want to see some passion. Not to berate the other teams but the build up and preparation will be something special should we get the match the nation wants.

I want to see 90s Aerostars littering the fairways of Brookside in Pasadena with the smell of carne asada and Tecate in the air. I want to hear a tambarazo playing and the colors of El Tri flying high. I want to party with The American Outlaws and all the other American supporters that give USA soccer a good name. There should be bandanas and beer pong, burgers and brats, Buds and burning weather!



Deeply entrenched in silly season people everywhere can hope for a match that will ignite some passion and cause for real interest to spell us from the doldrums of football summer.

Who remembers this?



All that's left is for the football teams to take care of business tonight to give the fans what they deserve. Don't fuck this up.

The Pint and Verminator Rise From the Ashes

Back from an all too long barren spell that rivals that of our trophy cupboard, I've been motivated by @Chilangooner's new blog. That and the fact I actually felt like writing something.

Arsenal's fans know all too much about the team's late season collapse. Whether it was bad luck, injuries, or bad timing this has happened all to often to be coincidence. The team has blown it, time and time again. Many point to match against Newcastle where Arsenal went four nil up and... nevermind.

Injuries are always a problem of The Arsenal of recent years and the squad suffered quite a few injury blows throughout the season as is customary. The funny thing was that when they blew the season, nearly all of the squad were fit. More so than any other recent season if my memory serves me. So if the injuries weren't the problem, the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the players, and rightly so.

The English media like to say that Arsenal lack that "English Spine" that would give them the toughness they need, lacking since the departure of Tony Adams. One could argue that "The Invincibles" team of 2004 wasn't very English, with only two major contributors, Sol and Cashley. But the idea that The Arsenal need a Scottie Parker and Gary Cahill is a bit far fetched. Yes, they need steel, but who cares if its English?

Vermaelen was easily the standout new performer in 09/10 and brought an intensity and vigor to the team unlike many of late. The Belgian's hard tackling, great pace, and nose for goal led to a meteoric rise of his stock in the eyes of Arsenal fans. His steely demeanor and cold assassin eyes struck fear into the opponents. Many were saying just months into his first season that he was a future captain of The Arsenal.

Injuries struck the best striker, midfielder, defender, and all the GK's throughout the year. I would have argued before the season that the one player that had to be fit in order for Arsenal to succeed was Thomas Vermaelen. The cornerstone of the defense. The senior partner of the CB pairing following the departure of Gallas. His loss was immeasurable. Many think of what could have been were he fit, but no use crying over spilled milk. What is important is to move forward and progress as a team.

So as the journo's speculate as to who is the solution to the problem I say look no further than Thomas Vermaelen. He has that drive, the desire to win. Look into his eyes and tell me this man isn't determined. Belgian steel is as good as English to me, just imagine Fellaini in the midfield... I'm getting carried away. The point is that this team has fight, especially in certain players and they can help lift their teammates to that level. Doesn't matter where they come from should the attitude be right.

People have been speculating about changing his position should some anticipated transfers occur. It looks likely that Clichy has played his last match in the red and white and some want to see the Verminator playing left back. No thank you.

The man is the best CB. Plain and simple. An integral part of the spine of the team and needs to play through the middle. If ANYTHING,and only if the right personnel were brought into the defense, he could thrive as a defensive midfielder as an alternative to Song. Alex has done a job there the past 2 seasons and can continue but it seems Thomas offers some qualities that may not be in Song's repertoire. Vermaelen's ability to shoot from range and make those bursting runs through the middle would make him a viable threat to all opposition. The man's commitment and effort is unquestioned and should the adequate signings come in to bolster the defense I'd like to see it tampered with. That being said I don't see it likely, but it wouldn't surprise me if he experimented with one of the current CB's in that role in pre-season. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

It is time to put up or shut up for this squad and if there is any year for it to happen, this has to be the season. It seems that most understand this and Wenger seems to be active early in the window. Should Nasri be only posturing in contract negotiations when asking for ambitious signings or really asking for a sign of intent, Arsenal fans may be thanking him if it helps move Wenger's hand. Pay the man, keep the best players, make this the year.

Check out Luis' new blog and thanks to The Beautiful Groan for inspiring this post in our conversation earlier on twitter.

In case you have forgotten.

Na na na na na na na na...

The new hot topic of English hype is a certain Samir Nasri.

What everyone wants to know... Is he better than Bale?

Yes. And fuck off.

Undoubtedly that Welshman has announced himself as a major player recently, I loved him in American Psycho and I can't wait to see him with Mark E. Mark in The Fighter.

But seriously though, Gareth "Johnny Chimpo" Bale has announced himself to the football community this season decades after getting his break in Hollywood for his starring role in The Planet of the Apes.


( I would definitely be labeled a racist right now if Gareth Bale was black...)

The point is, there have been a couple footballers to announce themselves on the world stage this year Bale being one and Super Sam being another. The hype around Bale was/is a bit ridiculous,(get the fuck out comparing him to Messi) but he has shown the kind of class that has made the football world take heed.

Nasri wasn't quite a household name prior to this season but his goals against Manchester United in his debut season in the Premier League and his goal that is a candidate for goal of the year against Porto last season showed everyone the potential he had.

Sammy's notoriety this summer came from his shock omission from the French World Cup squad and understandably he was devastated. I, along with all other Arsenal fans, looked at the positives of the situation with the extra rest for one of our best young players along with the motivation to prove all the doubters wrong as extra incentive for him to take it to the next level this season.

Last summer he had been a standout performer in the beginning of preseason but suffered an unfortunate leg break in training from a wayward Diaby strike. This injury stunted the first half of his campaign but began to show the promise and form that most Arsenal fans had hoped for.

In a summer of doubt for Arsenal supporters one reassuring fact was that Nasri could step in and fill the void were Cesc to leave for Barcelona. This season he has been doing that already with Fabregas' dodgy hamstrings limiting his playing time and effectiveness.

The diminutive Frenchman has added as Wenger says "an efficiency" to his game and has come up with the goods in many an important moment. Some forget that in the home loss to West Brom he single-handedly brought us back into the game and just this past week his moments on individual brilliance saved the blushes of an unconvincing team performance.

Big players bring it in big games and we already know he has an eye for the spotlight, with a brace against Manchester United in his first season and goals against Tottenham and Man City among the many this campaign.

He is beginning to make the impact a certain special Bobby did in the Premier League years ago and could be the difference maker this season as to whether Arsenal finally claim some silverware, not to mention the same individual honor Pires earned in that double winning season of 01/02.

French fans must be happy to see the future for their country's football to be back on the up and up. But I would be incensed to see this type of form and think about how this clown couldn't even include Samir in his squad.




Like every talented French wonderkid playmaker Samir was labeled the next Zidane while playing for Marseille, which is always an unfair comparison(just like every Brazilian/Argentinian is the next Pele/Maradonna). Phillippe Auclair believes Nasri is ahead of Zidane at his age and stage of playing career but that means nothing yet.

If Samir can keep grounded and continue to work hard he should join the ranks of the football elite and continue to light up world football for years to come.

For those of us who support the Red and White his progression could be the catalyst we need to take the next step and realize the undoubted potential of the team.

His season so far.

[DISCLAIMER: We here at the 'Pint categorically denounce the song choice for this video.]

So unless you're watching this highlight while doing bikram yoga -- Mute.

Predictably Unpredictable/Sly Bastard

Chelsea are the best team in the premier league.

They lose three matches out of four.

Manchester United are undefeated.

They throw away late leads.

Arsenal can go top.

They give up a 2 goal lead to lose to Spurs.

Man City are shit.

Man City are brilliant.

Man City are shit.

The top 4 are separated by only 4 points. Each of them have been terribly inconsistent and have failed to impress with regularity. All of these Jekyll and Hyde clubs have shown the potential to be something great, and the first to find that consistency may be the one hoisting that trophy come May.

Realistically, I believe it is too much to ask of Man City to do it this year but for the other contenders the Premier League title is up for grabs. I could tell you who I think it would be but everything will change again several times over the next few months and to be honest I have no fucking clue who will come out victorious. We could talk about the faults and strengths of each squad but I don't have the patience to do so.

I will say this. If I am going to get up at 4:30 AM PST to get to a pub and watch a match here in Los Angeles, please do not ruin my weekend with an abject performance and shit result. It doesn't matter what you do afterward, the weekend is tainted and if there are things to be done I can not drink away the sorrow it brings. This weekend brings upon another Saturday lunchtime kick off for my Arsenal and on the back of consecutive losses I want to have a good holiday weekend.

DON'T FUCK UP!


Onto more amusing matters it seems good old JOE SAY had his players take bookings in order to wipe their slates clean for the knockout rounds. I know some of you may say this is cheating and it's wrong and their bans should be extended but those are the fucking rules.

First and foremost Jose could have had them get the cards by kicking players, imagine the outrage. What they have done is take advantage of flaws in the system, and I can't blame them. I would never encourage such a thing but if anyone has the audacity to blatantly abuse the system it's Mourinho. It is quite possible that he did this to make a point as to how the system can be abused.

Be angry at the system, not the man wise enough to turn it to his favor. Anyone who is mad at Suarez for what he did in the World Cup is not a footballer. I watched that match in a mixed crowd and only the other footballer with me understood when I said that it was brilliant. He did the only thing possible to give his team a chance to win. The handball brought about a direct chance on goal and banished Suarez from games to come. Completely within the rules and payed the price for his actions. Label it unfair if you had like but Gyan sinks that pen like he should have everything would have fallen as it was supposed to.

The problems lie within the rules and I didn't have a problem with either tactic. I am no fan of the Special One but one has to respect his tactical nous and ability to get it done. You wont be hearing any complaints coming from Madrid, that's for sure.

To another weekend of crack of dawn... err pre-dawn kickoffs and drama, hopefully a better one this time around.

SOTW: A little redicularity

Love this group. Love this video. or else!