GAME OF THE WEEK: EPL MONDAY NIGHT ‘FOOTBALL’ IS GONNA BE NASTY

                                

This upcoming Monday we have a gift of a match-up between two top tier Premiere League sides both in need of a big result. Manchester United and Liverpool renew their rivalry with the first fixture between the two teams this season, and it should be one hell of a match. Monday night games (3PM EST) always provides a special atmosphere on club grounds in England, and this week expect the Kop to be absolutely electric as red hot Liverpool defend Anfield against a very dangerous Man U side.

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Man U:

Man U sit at 6^th in the league table after seven games and desperately need to find some form if they want to compete like they were projected to before the season. Their star studded lineup featuring exciting young talent in Marcus Rashford, Superhuman football skills in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and the worlds most expensive player in Paul Pogba have been inconsistent so far this season and leave room for improvement as we head deeper and deeper into the EPL season. With losses against Man City and Watford and a 1-1 draw against Stoke (who currently hang out in the relegation zone) in the last five matches, Man U will feel like they have something to prove against Liverpool on Monday night…AKA they can’t lose.

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Liverpool:

While Man U are still trying to figure some things out on the pitch, Liverpool looks like they have a lot figured out at the moment. Sitting in 4^th with 16pts and only two points away from 1^st, the Reds have enjoyed four straight wins and are looking to continue the streak against a scary Man U side who have had the edge over Liverpool as of late. In their last ten games, Liverpool has come out with a win only twice.

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Things to watch for:

• A huge part of this game should depend on defensive play. This will be clear as Liverpool’s back four will have to find a way defend against the likes of Ibra and Rashford and a Man U attack that will be constantly fed by Pogba’s disgusting vision and passing. Or…Pogba can always just take it himself, make everyone look like a bitch and bang in a longshot if he so pleases. So to say the least, Liverpool’s defense will have to be on its toes. On the other side, I’d look for Liverpool to pressure Man U’s defense who has been shaky as of late. Coutinho, Firmino, and Mane should cause some problems for Man U alone, but if supported well by Clyne and Milner on the wings and by Henderson anchoring the mid, look for Man U to be forced into a mistake on the defensive side. James Milner has four goals this season from banging in pens alone so I wouldn’t be shocked if Liverpool have opportunities off Man U mistakes/shaky defending.
• Whatever weird Pokemon-ass haircut Pogba will decide to sport (rumor has it he’s getting emojis this time…)
• Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool

 

 

 

Hope Solo Made Some Ridiculous Post-Game Comments After Team USA’s Loss to Sweden Yesterday

USAToday — The perennial problem child was at it again Friday, mouthing off after the Americans made their earliest exit ever from a major tournament and calling Sweden “a bunch of cowards.”

“The best team did not win today. I strongly believe that,” Solo said, according to Sports Illustrated. “I think you saw American heart.”

Before I bash her I’m gonna say I think I sorta get what she thought she was saying here. If she says something like this in a respectable way and gives credit to the team that just beat hers, there’s a way to say a lot of this stuff and not sound like a total bitch. But she didn’t do it right at all, and now we’ve got an international incident on our hands.

If you’re like me and you worked through the US Women’s game yesterday against the Swedes, here’s a quick recap: Dull first half with a 0-0 halftime score, Sweden scores in the 61st, Alex Morgan ties it back up in the 77th, scoreless extra time, Sweden wins 4-3 on PKs. Solo then went after the Swedes essentially for playing a tactical, strategized game. Basically, they had a gameplan and stuck to it so they’re a bunch of pussies. Did I get that right? Cool. Solo criticized Sweden for playing a “combative, physical game. They didn’t want to open play.” Ok? Maybe because the US has extremely talented offensive players and they don’t want to give them extra chances?

You can end a game like this and say you didn’t think your team played their best. That’s fine, that’s lighting a fire under your own squad and there’s no problem with that. But when you go after the team that beat you on one of the biggest stages in the world and they legitimately did nothing wrong, there’s no way you’re going to look good. I mean, the US won the possession battle 64%-36%, only committed 4 fouls to Sweden’s 15, and had 12 corner kick opportunities to Sweden’s 3. For some reason the USWNT refused to change up their game plan, and it cost them an Olympic victory. But saying Sweden is “a bunch of cowards” for finding a good strategy and sticking to it is just absurd.

So what’s next for Hope? As much as this should be the final straw and she should just be let go from this team, I don’t see that being the case. She’s 35 years old and her international career will likely be done soon anyway, so maybe the US will just ride this out till they can get her out of here. Either way, bad look for her here. Bad look.

Weird German Sport Combines Soccer and Ping-Pong and I am ENTHRALLED

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/S8nwxj6fcds&source=uds

I’m a simple man.  Give me a ball and any kind of net and I’m all about it.  Basketball, check.  Soccer, check.  Ping-pong, check.  Pretty much my three favorite sports.  Ball and net.  It’s such a simple formula, which is why I am LIVID I didn’t come up with the sport of “Headis.”

This game is absolutely electric.  As soon as I saw that first guy go full superman on the table and slam it home, I was hooked.

Stop the fight! Could not stop watching.  This play is the equivalent of posterizing a fool in the NBA.  You see it coming, the two step gather, the elevation! Aaaand he’s dead! Superman that hoe! (as the kids say)

Anyways, this is why you have to give the Germans a little respect.  Always putting two and two together to make the things that make sense.  Soccer is cool, ping-pong is cool.  BOOM, Headis is born.  Beer is cool, bratwurst is cool.  BOOM, dinner every night.  Cars are cool, going fast is cool.  BOOM, autobahn in your face.  

PS- LOVE the Headis fans. Just a couple of bros catching today’s match on a casual Saturday afternoon.  NBD