Ross County F.C. v. Falkirk F.C. (Saturday)
I know it can’t last, but it’s becoming very difficult to keep my “Staggie Fever” in check. The club went undefeated and unscored upon in the preseason (which is what should happen), has played three cup matches (in two different cups) and won all of them, and they won their opening SFL tilt against Cowdenbeath last weekend. This weekend they will face a recently relegated Falkirk side containing both Dr. Kenny Deuchar (formerly of Real Salt Lake) and Pele- no, not that one, the one from Cape Verde. Fun Fact: Falkirk are managed by former Scottish international and Hearts legend Steven “Elvis” Pressley. Pressley shares both a similar name and a penchant for sideburns with the King of Rock and Roll. Fun Fact 2: County midfielder Iain Vigurs made his professional debut at age 15.
New England Revolution v. Houston Dynamo (Saturday)
The Revs have gone seven matches without a loss and will soon be competing in the SuperLiga final. I’m still not sure they’re going to end up in the playoffs at the end of the season roll, but the season may not turn out to be the total loss it appeared to be a few short weeks ago. The club has signed two new players- though still hasn’t signed its first “designated player”!- and the rest of the squad seems to be rounding into shape. Houston, unbelievably, could find themselves in last place in the Western Conference if they lose this match and other results go against them. Fun Fact: When I was at PPL Park two weeks ago Revolution goalie Preston Burpo was walking on the field before the match- no cast, no limp. If you saw the severity of his leg break on May 29th you’ll know how amazing that is.
New York Red Bulls v. L.A. Galaxy (Saturday)
Biggest match in MLS so far this season? Probably. L.A., the top team since day one of the 2010 season, is now facing what may be the single most talented squad in the league’s fifteen year history. The only thing that might give the Galaxy some hope is the fact that Angel, Henry, Marquez, and company haven’t played together enough to form a cohesive unit (though Marquez’s long balls were finding their way to Henry’s feet more often than not last week) yet. Then again, L.A. doesn’t seem to be a team that is getting better. Fun Fact: Dear Bob Bradley’s Replacement: Please invite the Galaxy’s Omar Gonzales and A.J. De la Garza to your training camps on a regular basis. Thank you. Fun Fact 2: New York’s Mike Petke is the only MetroStar on the current Red Bulls roster.
A.S. Saint-Étienne v. F.C. Sochaux-Montbébeliard (Saturday)
Charlie did not dress for Sochaux this week- maybe this week? Probably not. According to his Twitter feed (I can’t believe I just typed that…I feel dirty) it’s going to be a few more weeks. Fear not, however, the USMNT will be represented by Saint-Étienne’s new signing, Carlos Bocanegra, who did make his debut for his new team last week. Bocanegra is one of only four players in the first team that are not French or Senegalese. Both teams need to approve improve their play over last season when they occupied the last two “safe” spots in the league table. Fun Fact: Despite being 10 time Ligue 1 champions, Saint-Étienne have not won the title since 1981. Fun Fact 2: Sochaux have a midfielder named Marvin Martin. You probably remember him from countless movies he made with Bugs Bunny- he wore a green Roman helmet and often used a raygun.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. v. Manchester City F.C. (Saturday)
If you listen to the collective wisdom around the ATD campus these are going to be two of the clubs that are going to be battling for the last two Champions League spots all season long in the Premiership. Personally, I hope that team is Spurs. I like them in general, and frankly, Citeh are just about everything that is wrong with “modern football,” and I’d love to see them fall flat on their gold-plated backsides. Still, I can see myself watching their matches this season just for the possibility that somebody might deliver a Cantona kick to Nigel de Jong. Fun Fact: Goofy-looking, robot-dancing Peter Crouch is engaged to a lingerie model. Knowing this is doing nothing for my self-esteem. Fun Fact 2: If Craig Bellamy doesn’t make Citeh’s 25 man squad I hope my Revs give him a call.
Wigan Athletic F.C. v. Blackpool F.C. (Saturday)
The season is new and the possibilities are infinite for all twenty of the league’s clubs. These two sides should take full advantage of this “glass half full” because chances are they are going to meet again towards the end of the season when they are both trying to cling to Premiership survival. Keep an eye on Blackpool’s Scottish international Charlie Adam- he’s really coming into his own. And, of course, he once played at Ross County! Fun Fact: It’s just my personal opinion, but are there any more likable managers in the Premier League than Wigan’s Roberto Martinez or Blackpool’s Ian Holloway? Fun Fact 2: Wigan’s new signing, midfielder James McArthur made his professional debut for Hamilton Academical as an 18 year old in 2005. The opponent that day? You guessed it, Ross County!
Liverpool F.C. v. Arsenal F.C. (Sunday)
Would you like a little peak into why I am such a pariah in the halls of ATD World Headquarters? Nothing about this match- or either club- interests me in the least. I respect the incredible history of Liverpool and the 2003-2004 undefeated Arsenal team was one of the most amazing sides it has ever been my privilege to watch. In their current states, however, I can’t be bothered with either one. Arsene Wenger is a whiner of the first order and nobody at Liverpool seems to want to be at Liverpool. Fun Fact: Liverpool’s Jack Robinson- who made one appearance last season- is still in high school. Fun Fact 2: Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher has no belly button, which suggests to me that he was hatched, which might explain the egg he laid in South Africa.
Motherwell F.C. v. Hibernian F.C. (Sunday)
Picking which match to preview in the opening weekend of the Scottish Premier League was not hard- in fact, it only had one step! I eliminated the two matches that involved the members of the Old Firm and looked at what was left. Low and behold, I saw this match and I didn’t have to look any further. This was the match-up of the first professional football match I ever saw in person. Both of these clubs did better than expected in the league last year (Hibs were 4th, Motherwell 5th) and both qualified for the Europa League- though Hibs have already made a rather ignominious exit from the competition. Not So Fun Fact: Motherwell fans have seen two of their own die untimely deaths in recent decades- Davie Cooper in 1995 and Phil O’Donnell in 2007. Both have stands named after than at the club’s Fir Park.
Marquez’s long balls were finding their way to Henry’s feet more often than not last week
Heck, with Henry and JPA up front, why even bother using the midfield. RBNY may be on to something.
Fun Fact 2: Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher has no belly button…
I don’t even want to know how you know that.
As an Arsenal fan, I must admit that AW is a top-notch whiner and excuse-factory. Or perhaps excuse-recycling-facility would be more accurate since there’s really only a half-dozen excuses that he repeatedly trots out. I’m conflicted on his impending extension. He’s certainly been great for Arsenal, but 3 years of not addressing the team’s most glaring needs is about all I can take. Everyone knows we need 1 or 2 more central defenders and a GK that doesn’t crap his pants every time the ball enters the 6-yard box. I know he’s all for fiscal restraint, but good God, man, splash some cash and get it done!!