FC Barcelona to face FC Bayern Munich!!!!

 

First Team of FC Bayern Munich, Photo taken by http://www.fcbayern.de/en/teams/first-team/

First Team of FC Barcelona, Photo taken by http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Ding Ding* let the battle begin!!! Looks like two of my favorite teams will be facing each other in the UEFA semi- finals. Those two teams are FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich. Last week four teams were drawn randomly to face each other in the semi – finals. Juventus and Real Madrid were both selected to face each other and Barcelona and Bayern Munich were selected to face each other. However, this will be a very interesting match up because not only two of my favorite teams are facing each other but the head coaches of Barcelona and Bayern Munich use to be teammates!!! Yes that’s right, Luis Enrique of FC Barcelona and Pep Guardiola of FC Bayern Munich were once teammates back in FC Barcelona in there younger years. And also Pep Guardiola was the former head coach of FC Barcelona. So this will be a match that will catch the attention of everyone around the world. Personally I don’t know whom I would support in this match because I love both teams and it is always hard to pick one team that you would want to really win. All I know is that two of Europe’s biggest team will be competing against each other and it will be the most intense game in the semi finals. My predictions is that the game will go into penalty kicks and that’s when fans of both teams will lose there minds because penalty shoot outs are the most heart racing thing when it comes to soccer. Who do you think will win this match? Who do you support and want to see win? Leave a comment and let me know.

Throw back to Juan Agudelo

Lets talk about a player who had a lot of potential while playing for New York. This player is Juan Agudelo. He played for Red Bulls professionally from 2010 – 2012 season. However, before playing on the professional team side, he started off at Red Bull Academy. Agudelo made a name for himself showing off his skills as he was at the academy. In 2010 he had signed professionally with New York. In a game against DC United which are the Red Bulls rivalry, Juan Agudelo had scored a goal that shocked many people because at the time Juan Agudelo was only a teenager but made a goal that only a few could make. It had set the bar that Juan Agudelo was a really great player for his age. His goal was compared to Red Bulls veteran Thierry Henry who had scored a similar goal back when Henry had played for Arsenal (England).

However, foolishly the Red Bulls had traded Juan Agudelo to Chivas U.S.A. back in 2012. Many say if he would of stayed at New York he would have been a great striker for New York and who knew what he could of brought. So overall, we see that even if you start at an academy or any soccer youth club and work hard you could potentially be as good or not better then Juan Agudelo and play professionally. If anyone is interested in starting a career in soccer and want to start somewhere then they should check out the Brooklyn Bound Soccer Club tryouts. The link will be below this article. Leave a comment on what you think about this article or any others.

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/brooklyn-bound-sc-2015-tryouts-2-tickets-16635547370?aff=es2

Dani Alves to leave Barcelona?

Dani Alves slide tackle during a regular season game

Rumors have been floating around that FC Barcelona’s defender Dani Alves might be leaving the Camp Nou after his contract expires. Dani Alves was first signed with Barcelona back in 2008 from Sevilla. At the time of his first season at Barcelona, Dani Alves was the most expensive defender to be bought. Dani Alves has had much success with Barcelona over the years but that may come to an end. When other teams heard that Dani Alves contract expires this season, they all offered him a contract to play for the team. Dani Alves is Barcelona’s best defender; he has made a name for himself with his great defending and assistance with the goal scoring.

One team that is looking for a defender and that really needs a defender is Manchester United. Manchester has given Alves a contract but has given him till the end of April to respond to the deal. Although Barcelona does not want to lose there best defender they are struggling to meet with an agreement that will satisfy both parties. Dani Alves has not given any word on where he will be next season. It will most certainly be a story to read when Dani Alves decides on what he will do next season.

Bayern Beat Dortmund!!!

 

The rivalry match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund was a match that brought joy to Bayern fans but brought grief to Dortmund fans. Both German teams faced each other April 4^th at Signal –Induna – Park in Dortmund. However, two Bayern Munich players Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze were both former Dortmund players. So as we can tell it must have been very awkward for both players to play against their old team. However, it must have been a very awkward moment for front man Robert Lewandowski who scored the only goal in the match at the 36^th minute. Both teams played a great game and Bayern Munich still stay in first place in the Bundesliga, as Dortmund struggle to climb up the rankings.

New York need to sign a big name player!!

 

Red Bull Arena In Harrison New Jersey

The New York Red Bulls season has kicked off and so far they are in first place of the Eastern Conference. With two wins and one tie game, the Red Bulls are looking fantastic at the start of this season. However, this article will talk about my own opinion and why the Red Bulls need a well-known player to sign. Back in 2010 the Red Bulls had signed two big name players and they were Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez who were both former FC Barcelona players. These two players brought a lot of fans to support Red Bulls and although Rafa Marquez did not make a lot contribution to the team, Thierry Henry certainly did. But both players’ no longer plays for the Red Bulls, Rafa Marquez went on to play in his home land of Mexico and Thierry Henry had retired from soccer (futbol). In my opinion the Red Bulls should of gone to the market and get some big name players to help the Red Bulls win the MLS Cup. Last season they had a great season and made it to the final Eastern conference playoffs. Of course with the help of Thierry Henry and the rest of the players they had a great season. Some believe that a big name player with a lot of experience will help the Red Bulls win the MLS cup. In some case it may be true, but someone with experience can be a great leader for the team just like Thierry Henry. Personally I would like to see Brazilian super star Ronaldinho who also is a former FC Barcelona player, but is currently playing in Mexico. Ronaldinho is a player with a lot of talent and if he were to be part of the Red Bulls he could definitely be a threat in the midfield. He is known for his dribbling skills and being able to make his opponents struggle to get the ball from him. Although Ronaldinho is getting old he still has a lot of talent to bring. Overall, any soccer player who has played in big name teams would be very helpful to the Red Bulls in the seasons. Leave a comment on what you think about a new signing and which big name player you would like to see play at Red Bull Arena.

Barcelona win El Clasico!!!

 

Well once again El Clasico has passed. For those who do not know, El Clasico is an old rivalry between the two best Spanish teams in Europe: Barcelona and Real Madrid. Dating back to possibly the 40’s there has been a fiery feud against both teams. In the earlier years Real Madrid has dominated Barcelona with win after win, however in the most recent years Barcelona has begun to dominate Real Madrid. This is the biggest rivalry in soccer; anyone who knows soccer will know that things between Barcelona and Real Madrid Fans are very intense. In most recent years, two of the best players have also sparked the argument on who is the best team and best player. Those players are Lionel Messi from Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. This past Sunday (March 22, 2015) both teams competed against each other once again at the Camp Nou, which is the home stadium of FC Barcelona. It was an intense game as always, both teams playing very well trying to make as many goals. As the game progressed Barcelona’s own defender Jeremy Mathieu scored the first goal of the night. With Real Madrid down by one goal, Cristiano Ronaldo (Winger) answered back by scoring Real Madrid’s first goal of the night making the first half of the game a 1-1 tie. After the first half both teams had terrific plays and were trying so hard to make another goal, however none were successful until the 85^th minute, when Barcelona striker Luis Suarez managed to find the back of the net to have Barcelona take the lead of the game. With only a few minutes left in the game, Barcelona defense managed to stop Real Madrid offense to win the game. The end result was a 2-1 match. Personally being a Barcelona fan I was thrilled that Barcelona won the game. I interviewed some Iona students who watched the game and sophomore Daniel Falcone’s said he felt “Excited”. Also sophomore Anthony Payero said “Barcelona got lucky that Ronaldo’s shot off the cross bar didn’t go in. Nonetheless, it was a great effort by Luis Enrique’s team and they are looking like an incredible XI in all competitions”.

Pep Guardiola to Manage Manchester City?

F.C. Bayern Munich Head coach Pep Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola head coach of Germany’s top Football (soccer) club F.C. Bayern Munich has been targeted to be a possible candidate to move from the Bundesliga to Barclay Premiere League to manage Manchester City. Manchester City is a football club that is part of Barclays Premiere League in England. Their current head coach Manuel Pellegrini has not been pleasing owner Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Manchester City. As Manchester City are looking to win another championship title. Manuel Pellegrini is from Santiago Chile, and has been managing Manchester City since 2013. However, since his time at Manchester City he has one only one Premier League title and is in some deep water if he does not win another title. Manchester City wants for Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola to come to Manchester to help the team win more titles. Pep Guardiola is a former F.C. Barcelona player and head coach. He played for Barcelona from 1984-2001 and managed the team as a coach from 2007-2008 (Barcelona B Team) and from 2008-2012 Barcelona starting team. After Barcelona, Pep moved to Germany to become F.C. Bayern Munich head coach. He has a contract with Bayern Munich until the summer of 2016. Since Manchester City is struggling to win a title, they want a new coach that has won many titles over his career. However, since Guardiola contract does not end till 2016, it is unlikely that he will leave the Bundesliga this summer. He is looking to stay with Bayern Munich until his contract ends in 2016.

Manchester City Head Coach Manuel Pellegrini

 

 

 

Dane Richards Returns to Red Bull Arena.

Dane Richards With New York Red Bulls

    New York Red Bulls veteran Dane Richards has finally returned to New York. Dane Richards played with the New York Red Bulls back in 2007-2012. He is from Montego Bay, Jamaica, and was drafted by the Red Bulls in 2007. He attended Clemson University. Dane Richards played right midfielder while with the Red Bulls and was one of the fastest players during his time with the Red Bulls. Dane Richards was traded to Canadian team Vancouver Whitecaps in the summer of 2012 and had traveled to many teams such as Vancouver, Burney in England and Bodø/Glimt in the Norwegian First Division. But during the preseason of 2015 Dane Richards had come back to train with New York and was signed again to play for them. Many New York fans such as myself are very excited to see the Jamaican Midfielder make his return with the Red Bulls. Personally I have met Dane Richards before while he was with the Red Bulls and he is a humble person and a great soccer player. For any new Red Bulls fan, they are in for a treat to see one of Red Bulls veterans make a return to Red Bull Arena.

Neymar to transfer to Paris Saint – Germain?

  There are Rumors going around that French club Paris Saint – Germain are looking to sign left striker Neymar Jr. in the summer of 2015. It is unlikely for Barcelona to let go of Neymar before his contract ends in 2018. Neymar is developing into a better player at the Camp Nou since his signing to the club in 2013. And is becoming a threat on the left side of the field for Barcelona while scoring 24 goals so far in the 2014/2015 seasons. Although PSG are building the team to become the most dominant club in Europe, it is unlikely that they will get Neymar to transfer any time soon. However, it won’t be the last time PSG will be targeting the Brazilian superstar, only time will tell when PSG will try to make an offer for Neymar again.