US Men's Soccer: Why Believe that We Will Win?

By Ryan Bowman (@_ryanbowman_)

Sitting here typing this piece, I am at a loss of words with how to describe what I saw on Tuesday night. Disappointing? Obviously, but surprising? Sadly, no.

For the first time in my lifetime, I will not be watching the U.S. Men’s National Team play in the World Cup. This was an outcome brewing ever since the USMNT lost its first two games of the qualifying stage under former manager Jurgen Klinsmann back in the fall of 2016.

I, along with countless other soccer aficionados in the states, was ready for the national team to take a hard look in the mirror and make some serious changes. Klinsmann was fired in November of 2016 and, while that took care of one immediate problem, US soccer's issues turned out to be much deeper than a simple coaching change could fix. The problems are spread out within the entire organization, ranging from the youth development program, the players themselves, and ending with Sunil Gulati.
Taylor Twellman nailed it on the head on SportsCenter immediately following the game, commenting that ESPN, "probably won't be talking about this in a few days."

If this debacle had happened in Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, or any other country we claim we're trying to compete with, this would be the number one sports story for weeks. Coaching, management, the Federation, players, player development, youth academies, and reporters would all be under fire. It would be inane to completely demolish the entire Federation and rebuild, but it would be incredibly naïve to say that nothing needs to be done.

With No USMNT, Who Should You Root for in the 2018 World Cup?

Great guys, now what excuse do we have to drink at 7 am this summer?

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

I'm 30, and I know that's not actually old in the grand scheme of things, but once you start typing that "3" instead of a "2" every time you enter your age, you start to feel a little bit old.

Then something happens for the first time in your lifetime, and you feel like a young whippersnapper again.

For me, that happened last night, when the US Men's National Soccer Team didn't qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Now, let's put all the misery behind us. We already know that the US only needed a draw against lowly Trinidad & Tobago (the worst team in the damn group, who was playing for nothing) to punch a ticket to Russia, and that the USA is wasting a valuable summer of world-class competition for wunderkind Christian Pulisic.

And, of course, the US is one of the largest and richest countries on Earth, yet we still suck at this footy ball game, blah, blah blah. I don't want to talk about any of that because, frankly, it's depressing.

What I do want to talk about is who I, and you, should be cheering for in this summer's World Cup, because if you think I'm going to spend an entire summer not waking up at 7 am to day-drink while watching a game I barely understand, you are sadly mistaken.

The Weight of a Nation: How Argentina's Burden Grew Too Heavy for Lionel Messi

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

He was the first to walk the requisite 51 yards to the spot for his country. Chile’s Arturo Vidal had just had his shot blocked by Sergio Romero, sending the Argentinian contingent into a frenzy.

Camera phones by the thousands were raised forward by adoring fans ready to witness history. Bulbs flashed, lighting up the stadium as bright as the New York City skyline, and almost as quickly as they vanished, the ball sailed off the pitch and into the stands. Messi tugged at his jersey like a man wanting to rid himself of his skin.

He knew what it meant, and everyone else did too.

USA vs Argentina: A Pivotal Moment for US Soccer

For the first time since their friendly on March 26th, 2011, The United States and Argentina will lock horns with a berth in the Copa America Centenario final at stake.

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

Face it, we’ve been spoiled these past few weeks.

An NBA finals that looked all but over at 3-1 was turned on its head. We witnessed a player get suspended for a low blow after being the recipient of a LeBron James tea-bag, the league MVP threw his mouthpiece at a fan, his wife tweeted that the NBA was rigged in pushing the series to a 7th game for more money, and the Cavs completing history by becoming the first NBA team to ever come back from that series deficit to win the title.

The 2016 Euro Cup hasn’t been too shabby either, supplying an amazing amount of drama, with over 31% of the tournaments goals coming after the 88th minute of play. In addition, we’ve seen flares light up the pitch and explode in a collector's face, Russian and English fans duke it out in the streets of Marseille, with Heineken bottles as their weapons of choice, and the smallest country in the tournament (Iceland) stun Hungary and Portugal with draws.

But under the radar, something else has been just as exciting and worthy of our attention -- the Copa America Centenario.

To many American fans, the Copa America is a foreign entity.

Your Euro Cup '16 Primer

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

Two-time defending Euro champion Spain looks to become the first nation to ever three-peat, France hopes to cash in on home-soil advantage, and much more in our mega in-depth Euro Cup preview.

Your Champions League Final Primer

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial) and Alejandro Vargas (@callmejandro)

It took nine long months to get here, but finally, we’ve arrived -- the final.

These are two sides many pundits didn’t think would get to this point, but nonetheless, have persevered through injuries and overcome superior talent. Only a mere 7.2 miles, or 20 minutes down the M-30, separates the Santiago Bernabeu and Vicente Calderon. This season's final will be the seventh time the Champions League has seen a final pairing replayed, but it is the fourth time this has happened within three years of the initial match.

Hostilities will be high (Here's to hoping my family doesn’t kill each other) and the stakes even higher.

Who will claim club soccer’s ultimate prize, Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid?

We examine below….

Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid / May 28th at 2:45 PM on Fox / Milan, Italy

Overview

For the second time in three years, the UEFA Champions League final will be a distinctly local affair as Real Madrid take on city rivals Atlético Madrid in Milan. Two years ago the teams met in Lisbon, marking the first final involving clubs from the same city in European Cup history. 

Your English Premier League Postseason Awards

  By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

We already broke down the 2016 La Liga season, so we move north to examine the English Premier League. In one of the most exciting EPL seasons of all-time, an unlikely champions rose, and a juggernaut fell.


Check out some of the other highlights of the season below.

Your La Liga Postseason Awards

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

It was a heck of a ride, but La Liga is out for the summer, so here are our end of the season award winners.

Player of the year: Luis Suárez (Barcelona)

No, you’re not drunk.

It's true, someone other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is actually the La Liga player of the year.

Barcelona Narrowly Avoids Historic Collapse to Capture La Liga

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

Like so many others before, Matchday 38 ended in familiar fashion.

The Big-3 of Spain trouncing the opposition with a combined aggregate of 7-0. Only this time, the results meant a whole lot more.

Barcelona are champions of Spain once again, their 24th title overall. 

For the sixth time in eight years, the Liga trophy will make its way to the cava soaked party in Plaza Catalunya. Luis Suarez again netted a hat-trick, his 6th of the season, more than any other player in Europe’s Top-5 leagues. He finishes the league year with 40 goals, the most scored ever in La Liga by a man not named Messi or Ronaldo.

In retrospect, it seemed so easy, but the end of this season was a different story. A victory would guarantee Barcelona a title that most had thought was already secure six weeks ago. But, with the slightest slip, a Real Madrid team many had left for dead after the first month of the season, would win the title.

Your Champions League Semifinal Primer

Can Ronaldo carry Real Madrid to a Champions League title?

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial) and Alejandro Vargas (@callmejandro)

The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals saw two huge upsets as Barcelona and PSG crashed out of the tournament, setting the stage for a fascinating, yet unpredictable round. The draw kept apart the two teams from Madrid, and denied Pep Guardiola the opportunity to face his club for next season, Manchester City, at least until a potential final.  

Who will be able to fight off their nerves and progress to the final in Milan? Alejandro and myself examine… 

Atletico Madrid vs. Bayern Munich / 1st leg April 27th 2:45 PM in Madrid/ 2nd leg May 3rd 2:45PM in Munich.

Overview

League standing: Bayern Munich 1st, ahead by 7 points. Atletico Madrid 2nd, even on points with 1st.

Diego Simeone's Atlético have reached the last four for the second time in three years, while Bayern are appearing at this stage for the fifth season in a row. This is Atlético's fifth European Cup semifinal appearance, and their record is a respectable 2-2. The Spanish side have not lost at home in a European Cup semifinal and are unbeaten in their last five home matches against German clubs. Bayern have won only two of their last 12 trips to Spain, and have not won any of their last seven knockout games away from home.

Did you know?

Simeone and Guardiola were regular opponents as players, playing in ten club matches when Simeone was with Atlético and Sevilla FC, and Guardiola was at Barcelona. Simeone recorded three wins to Guardiola's four, although the Argentinian did come out on top in the 1996 Copa del Rey final, with Atlético winning 1-0 after extra time.

Probable Starting XI

Atlético Madrid: GK Jan Oblak RB Juanfran CB Jose Gimenez CB Stefan Savic M Saul M Gabi LW Yannick Carrasco RW Koke F Antoine Griezmann F Fernando Torres

Bayern Munich: GK Manuel Neuer RB Philipp Lahm CB Medhi Benatia CB Javi Martinez LB David Alaba M Arturo Vidal M Thiago M Douglas Costa M Mario Gotze F Thomas Muller F Robert Lewandowski

The La Liga Title Race is Officially On

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

It took only seven months to get here, but we did it -- We finally have a title race.

On behalf of soccer fans everywhere, thank you.

1st place and 2nd place are separated by 6 points or more in all of Europe’s Top-5 leagues, except one: Spain's La Liga.

Your Champions League Quarterfinals Primer

Antoine Griezmann and Atletico will look to replicate their 14’ UCL triumph over Barcelona.

 By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial) and Alejandro Vargas (@callmejandro)

We have finally reached the meat and potatoes portion of the Champions League, where true contenders reveal themselves. This round sees familiar heavyweights crossing paths, while relative newcomers look to pull off titanic upsets. Without further ado let's take a look at the matchups. 

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid / 1st leg April 5th 2:45 PM/ 2nd leg April 13th 2:45 PM

Overview

These sides' only previous European tie came at the same stage of the 2013/14 competition, when Atlético became the only team to prevent Barça from reaching the semi-finals in the past eight seasons, and one of only three clubs to have eliminated them in a Champions League quarterfinal, along with Paris Saint-Germain in 1994/95 and Juventus in 2002/03. Barcelona have absolutely dominated this matchup of late, with Atletico’s Diego Simeone now a putrid W1, D5, L9 against his club's Catalan rivals.

Players to watch

An Odd Clasico

Could this be Cristiano Ronaldo's final Clasico?

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

Sitting here, just a mere three days from one of the world’s biggest games, and something feels off.

That burning sensation of anticipation at the depths of my core? Gone.

Getting my jersey ironed and ready? Too lazy.  (Ed. Note- You iron your jersey? That's commitment)

Prepping my sangria and spirits list? Ok, well that’s still alive and well.

Arsene Wenger: Arsenal's Teflon Don

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

In today’s world of 24-hour news coverage and overnight “experts,” born deep in the doldrums of social media, the coaching profession has become one of the most scrutinized on planet earth.

The days of patient understanding and requisite team-building once afforded to all, is now just for a chosen few who take shelter in the land of the “elite."

But what, exactly, gets one into this exclusive club?

I’d care to guess that most people’s first choice would be championships. Others may say longevity, consistency or stability, but the true holy grail lies in the possession of all of the above.

Sir Alex Ferguson had it.

Bill Belichick and Gregg Popovich have it.

Then there’s those that had it all, but now only have some.

Is It Time for Real Madrid to Sell Cristiano Ronaldo?

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

Fresh off another comprehensive defeat at the hands of cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo begrudgingly stepped into the mixed zone, armed with some razor sharp commentsfor the unsuspecting reporters.

"It annoys me that they say that Cristiano has dropped his level, and that is why Madrid have dropped their level," Ronaldo said, with third-person usage that would make Floyd Mayweather Jr. proud. "If they were all at my level, we would be first."

Ronaldo later clarified that he had been referring to the side's injury issues this season, and that in singling out Mateo Kovacic, Jese and Lucas Vazquez, he was merely referring to the absence of key players from several games this season.

"I don't know if it is for bad preparation at the start of the season, but we are having many injuries and that is hurting us," Ronaldo said. "I don't want to knock anyone, no teammate, but when the best are missing... I like to play with [Gareth] Bale, [Karim] Benzema and Marcelo. I don't want to say that Jese, Lucas [Vazquez] or [Mateo] Kovacic are not good players -- they are very good -- but ... to win a competition, you need to have your best players."

Making excuses, or refreshing honesty?

That’s for you to decide.

What is not up for debate, is that any sliver of hope for a Real Madrid title suffered a slow and arduous death Saturday.

Your Champions League Round of 16 Primer

Can anyone unseat reigning champion Barcelona?

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial) and Alejandro Vargas (@callmejandro)

Ed. Note- For this very special Champions League preview, our resident soccer guru Justin is enlisting the help of his buddy Jandro. The two of them will take you through each first round pairing of Europe's most prestigious club tournament, breaking down matchups, players to watch, and giving predictions.

Enjoy!

Paris St. Germain vs. Chelsea 

1st leg: 2/16 2:45 PM. 2nd leg: 3/9 2:45 PM

Overview

A season ago, this may have been the headliner for many in this stage of the competition, but Chelsea have had a disastrous league campaign that resulted in the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

Still, not all hope is lost. You may recall what happened the last time this was the case -- Chelsea won the Champions League, with an interim manager, nonetheless. The blues are coming off a 5-1 win over Newcastle with renewed confidence, and an unbeaten run of 12 games under interim boss Guus Hiddink. Diego Costa has regained his scoring boots and Pedro has come back to life with a brace over the weekend.

Title Races Taking Shape Across European Soccer

Leicester City continues to roll the competition.

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

What began as a fairy tale has slowly morphed into reality.

Exceptional performances have now become routine, as Leicester strolled through the Etihad against Manchester City and turned it on it’s head. From start to finish it was the Foxes' game to lose, as they sent a clear message of intent to those who still doubt they have the quality to become champions.

It took only three minutes for Leicester to get on the board, as poor marking allowed defender Robert Huth to sweep in on Mahrez's free kick, before heading it home past the unsuspecting Joe Hart.

It was then deja vu for the hosts, as Leicester struck again three minutes into the second half on a breathtaking goal by Riyad Mahrez. It was the play maker's 14th goal in a hugely impressive season, that will no doubt attract the interest of big clubs come summer time.

The 3-1 win puts Leicester 5 points clear at the top through 25 games played. It’s a stark contrast to the 5,000-1 odds bookmakers gave Claudio Ranieri’s men of becoming champions at the beginning of the season.

For perspective, this is pretty much the equivalent of the Philadelphia 76ers winning the NBA title (ok, maybe not that crazy, but you get the point).

The real question is when, exactly, will those at the top of the Premier League start to take them seriously?

Dominoes Beginning to Fall in European Soccer

Could Pep Guardiola (right) bring Lionel Messi to Manchester City with him? The two were unstoppable together at Barcelona, and Messi may be ready for a new challenge in a new league.

 By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

Ed. Note- Manager changes and upstart clubs in some of Europe's biggest leagues have sent shock waves throughout the soccer world in recent days. So, naturally, our chief soccer guru Justin Sherman has to weigh in. Here's how he sees things shaking out in England, Spain and Italy.

Guardiola makes it official, but will Messi follow?

Manchester City let the most well known secret out of the bag Monday morning, as it became official that Pep Guardiola will be their new manager. The Spaniard will take over in July, supplanting the successful, yet less accomplished, Manuel Pellegrini. The timing of it all is a bit odd, considering both City and Guardiola's current club, Bayern Munich, are still in the Champions League, and could potentially face each other in the later rounds.

Talk about awkward, and what a conflict of interest, whether real or perceived, this would create for Guardiola.

But, for two reasons, this had to happen now.

Remember Us? Don't Count Juventus Out

By Justin Sherman (@JShermOfficial)

Just over three months ago it looked all but certain that Juventus’ reign as champions of Italy would finally be coming to end. Sitting in 14th place after a defeat to Sassuolo, there were more questions than answers, but you know what they say? Heart of a champion.

Back from the brink of death, Juve came into Sunday night's game riding a 10-game winning streak. Roma, on the other hand, came in sputtering, recently sacking manager Rudi Garcia in an attempt to revive their title hopes. After all, it was this same Roma side that defeated Juventus on the opening day of the season, proclaiming themselves as the new sheriffs in town. Instead, they just tripped over their own heels, catching a case of “draw-itis” that saw them drop precious points, opening the door for their competitors.

This game presented an opportunity for a statement from the Giallorossi -- We’re down, but not out.

After Munich, Where Will Star Manager Pep Guardiola Land?

By Justin Sherman (@JShermanOfficial)

After months of speculation regarding Pep Guardiola’s future, following his reluctance to sign a contract extension with German powerhouse Bayern Munich, the inevitable was announced a few weeks back -- Guardiola is gone.

Despite two-and-a-half extremely successful years in Bavaria, that included back-to-back Bundesliga titles and one German cup, the Spaniard has decided to end a marriage that seemed destined to be short lived from the start.

Who knows, maybe things would have been different with a Champions League triumph or two. After all, Guardiola’s appointment was completely centered around conquering Europe, since Bayern had been facing little opposition on the domestic front lately. However, he failed to add to the two Champions League trophies he won while in charge of Barcelona, having reached the semifinals for the past two seasons, before losing in embarrassing fashion.

There have also been disagreements with the Bayern medical staff, which led to a parting of the ways with the highly regarded team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt last season, along with three other members of staff. Despite this, Guardiola will finish the season with Bayern, again leading the Bundesliga table, and again entering the Champions League as a prohibitive favorite.

Guardiola has made his intentions for next season clear: It's a job in the English Premier League, or nothing.

He will go into next summer as quite possibly the most sought after coaching free agent in history, and so let's break down his potential landing spots.