Odds & Ends: The Reign in Spain…
- Congratulations to Spain. They looked a little “off” for most of the tournament and they certainly got a few breaks in the final against Italy, but the mark of the great team often is that they can still win when they are not at their best and they certainly did that. They are the best team I’ve ever seen- whether they are the best ever is a matter for others to debate, specifically those that saw the 1970 Brazil side play.
- If it hasn’t been already, Michael Bradley to A.S. Roma should be announced today. With apologies to Alexi Lalas and the traitor Giuseppe Rossi, this is the biggest American-related story in Serie A- ever. Roma has been after him for at least a year and in the fickle world of professional football for the club to still be after him says something about how much value they place on him. What they were willing to give up to get him also speaks volumes.
- 17 year old Diego Fagundez snatched a point for the New England Revolution on Saturday when he scored a header in injury time against Seattle(?). I don’t want to go all crazy about this, but the fact is that it seems that every time this kid gets into a match he makes things happen… That being said, I think Jay Heaps is right to ease him into more playing time despite what heaps has had to say about Fagundez’s work in training- that it warrants some starting appearances.
- Just when I think the idiots in charge of Scottish football can’t possibly make things worse, they do. Their latest scheme- I believe we call it “extortion” in the U.S.A. is to suggest that the Rangers Newco be allowed to join the SFL’s First Division rather than being forced to apply for admission to the Third Division as any other new club would be required to do. If the First Division clubs refuse? The SPL will create an SPL2 and invite applicants to join it. In short, do what we want or we’ll undermine your league. All of this while the SFA is trying to force a merger between the SPL and SFL…I guess this would be one way to do it. Asses.
- Alejandro Bedoya joined the Newco for training today. How long he will remain probably has everything to do with the outcome of the previous bullet point.
I read something today that sort of stunned me, and makes me think this Spanish run might be another 4 years. Mata 24, Fabregas 25, Silva 26. It’s the never ending midfield of terror for the rest of teh world.
Also, I miss the Droppies.
I was actually talking with a work colleague about that yesterday- that this is still a very young team overall and it’s hard not to make them favorites for 2014. I think Brazil will be hard to beat at home, but…H
Hmm…I bet I could come up with some yearly awards here and a clever name for them- let me give it some thought.