Barcelona's Guardiola Has The Cojones

The story has been kicking around for a while now but it's taken on a more definite hue with the ballsy words from new Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola. Not afraid to mince words, he's come out and openly said star players Eto'o, Deco and old rabbit teeth himself, Ronaldinho, are all free to leave the Nou Camp. Blimey. Just don't go to Man.City, Ronaldinho. Eto'o has already ruled out Spurs and Deco looks likely to join Portugal boss Scolari at Chelsea. There were some lazily speculating earlier this year that Ronaldinho would come to the MLS. Remember this is one of the world's best players who has obviously fallen out with the powers that be at Barcelona. Unless someone is willing to stump up a Beckham-like salary for the Brazilian, he will be staying in Europe. Props to Guardiola for not tolerating too many star individuals and trying to build a team. The story also looks to confirm that Thierry Henry will be staying in Spain after all.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7459340.stm

Rapids Drowning in Media Releases! Beat RSL

Is there no limit to the international events going on at DSG Park later this year? First, the US mens' national team will play in a World Cup qualifier in November and now the US Womens' Team will play against Brazil July 13. Both should be great games. Maybe we will even get Barcelona there? Not likely. Even though the Spanish giants have this week pledged to play a series of games in the US as part of a marketing deal with the MLS, the sad fact is that they will need to play in much bigger stadia.
Glad to see the Rapids safely dispatched of Real Salt Lake. Comments on the game would be more than welcome. Looks like we pretty much controlled the game, finishing it off in the second half. Was it good to see Herculez playing a full game (almost)? I presume he was playing because McManus was suspended for a game at least following his sending off against Houston? I very much look forward to your thoughts and comments. Can we not turn some of this dominance (San Jose excepted) into good away form?

Barca Masterclass as Men Beat Boys

It's all too easy to rhapsodize about stylish European teams but the elite of Barcelona strutted their stuff at Celtic Park yesterday in the Champions' League and the little I saw of it was spectacular. Admittedly, they fell behind twice to the Scottish giants but, turning on for the last 2o minutes or so, their class going forward was unmistakeable. Celtic, apart from one pseudo attack towards the end of the game, could barely touch the ball in those last 20 minutes. Eto'o, who had come on for Ronaldhino, Henri and Messi, especially Messi, combined with the likes of veteran Puyol to rip Celtic apart. It was a pleasure to watch as a neutral. Messi truly is a phenomenon. You expect great things every time he touches the ball. The only person I can think of who had such skill and presence in recent years (Kaka, Ronaldo maybe) and on whom such great expectations were set was Zidane. Not bad for a kid who is still a teenager. Barcelona won 3-2, making the Nou Camp trip for Celtic a mighty mountain to climb.