First Post

In this blog, I will post just about anything dealing with soccer.  I've played soccer my entire life, just finished my playing career after 4 years at Winthrop University, and now I am a coach for a local soccer club.  I know so much about the game, but I'm always looking to learn more and welcome discussion.

I mostly follow the English Premier League because I think it's the most entertaining brand of football.  The fast paced attack and physical play is fun to watch, and there are a great number of top players from around the world.  I also pay close attention to the Champions League since it is the highest level of competition at the club level.  I love all of the international competitions, though it is tough to follow the World Cup Qualifying with little coverage in the United States.


EPL

All the important spots in the EPL have been booked entering the last week of fixtures this season, except the last Champions League spot going to either Arsenal or Tottenham.  Arsene Wenger's men have a point in hand over the Spurs, but face a tougher match-up traveling to Newcastle for their last match.  I'm not cheering for Tottenham to win over Arsenal, but I would like to see and American player in the Champion's League next season before the World Cup (Clint Dempsey..)

With Wigan recently losing to Arsenal, the relegation race is now over with no way out for QPR, Reading or Wigan.  It will be sad to see Roberto Martinez and Wigan leave the Premiership after barely surviving  for so many years.  It would have also been nice to see Harry Redknapp turn around QPR's season, but that team never looked destined to succeed.

Manchester United have the league trophy in hand, while Man City and Chelsea have the second and third spots respectively.  Oddly enough though, none of these teams will have their same manager next year.  I have confidence in David Moyes taking over the Manchester United job, especially with Sir Alex Ferguson around to help him along the way.  However, the gaffers taking the Chelsea and City jobs need to be prepared for constant scrutiny.  It seems the club owners accept nothing less than perfection, sacking managers constantly to find new ones that can hopefully produce instant results.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

An all German European Champions League final, with two very different yet very strong teams.  Bayern Munchen are loaded with extremely talented players, arguably some of the best players in the world in their positions.  Dortmund has a genius manager who continues to produce year after year even after losing their better players each season.  Bayern have already confirmed a deal signing the young Dortmund star, Mario Gotze, next season.

Even though the Munich side are such a strong team (beating Barcelona with a combined score of 7-0!), the game should still be very entertaining.  Dortmund v Bayern has been a great competitive rivalry over the years and they finally have the stage of competing to be the best team in Europe.  I want to pick Bayern to win based on their talent and results thus far, it's almost too obvious.  It's tough remembering the massive choke performance they gave us in the final last year against Chelsea, though.

Prediction for now: Borussia Dortmund = Champions League winners.