The Offside

9-1 Is Probably A Good Time For A Refund

chris — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:04:04 +0000

[101gg] Presumably you’ve heard the scoreline already, if only because you can read headlines. That thrashing, the second worst in Premier League history, which will serve to haunt Wigan from now until the end of time. Made all the more insane in that five of the goals came via the boot of Jermain Defoe, a [...]

Jurgen Sierens’ Comedy Goalkeeping: Funnier With or Without Music?

Daryl — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:17:54 +0000

It’s behind you! Poor Jurgen Sierens. The Roeselare keeper stopped a long-range shot from Anderlecht’s Moroccan midfielder Mbark Boussoufa, but then lost the ball. Sierens attempted to locate said spherical object with a 360 degree spin. Which was successful in that he found the ball, but unsuccessful in that he swept into his own net. Anderlecht [...]

Real Salt Lake Beats Beckham’s Galaxy on Penalties to Take the MLS Cup

Laurie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:31:42 +0000

– David vs. Goliath. – Highest-salaried team in MLS vs. lowest. – Most-written-about team vs one of the least. – Western Conference winners vs. the team that just squeaked into the playoffs. – Underdog vs. um… Overdog? And yet the underdogs win it on penalties after dominating large periods of an intense, back-and-forth game. This was supposed to be [...]

Preview: 2009 MLS Cup

Dave Martinez — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:21:44 +0000

This is what MLS has been waiting for; a chance to show off their trophy player and their showcase franchise, on the grandest stage they have to offer. In front of what is expected to be a tremendous audience at QWest Field in Seattle, MLS stars will be shining brightly in one of the [...]

Messi Gets A Boot To The Face

Dave Martinez — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:44:46 +0000

Fernando Amorebieta would make Hulk Hogan get all misty eyed with this performance. But where is the follow up leg drop? (I hope some of you watched wrestling as kids . . . if not? That reference just flew straight over your head) Now somebody get Messi an ice pack!

When Roy Keane Attacks: Five Survival Strategies

Laurie — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:49:52 +0000

First, a confession: I kind of love Ipswich Town manager and former Ireland captain Roy Keane. (Even though he terrifies me.) But I was glad it wasn’t my cell phone going off in the middle of a press conference this week. Because let’s face it: the man is a bit…oh, [...]

How to Get Footy Fans to Stop Smoking: The Prizes Britain SHOULD be Offering

Laurie — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:00:21 +0000

Best quote from this article on the National Health Service’s plan to use footy fans’ love of their sport to get them to quit smoking: [M]ore than half of Liverpool fans say they would give up smoking if their team won the League and FA Cup double – more than for any other [...]

Offside Rewind: All Apologies

Daryl — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:22 +0000

Seven non-Titi related posts you may have missed during the last seven days… Japan sound the horn. For silencing the horn. Tell us who your biggest international rival is. What they’ll all be wearing in Philadelphia next year. Who deserves the golden trashcan? Nothing like an international break to recharge the old batteries New Zealand headed to South Africa thanks to [...]

Daily Dose: November 20th, 2009

Daryl — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:46 +0000

Something to read while you watch the madness at the Maracana… Israel halts construction of Palestinian stadium (BBC.co.uk) This FIFA conspiracy goes deeper than we though (Studs Up) Five football injustices (Shortlist) What happens when you fart in a referee’s face? (Sports Rubbish) A lot of Top 10s for 2010 (Pies) Goal-line referees for World Cup 2010?* (Guardian) Get your C-Ron Caganer [...]

Just How Corrupt is European Football?

Daryl — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:11:38 +0000

It’s difficult to answer that question with any precision. But seems the answer is “a lot more corrupt than we realized”. Because German prosecutors think it’s corrupt enough that 200 games of European football need to be investigating. Including 12 in the Europa League and at least three in the Champions League. Yes, that Champions [...]