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mls cup 2020 final

8/7/2020

MLS Cup 2020 Final

Portland vs. Orlando

Commentary:
From worst to first? Orlando's turnaround from last season has been remarkable. With Nani adding experience and leadership it's a side that is ready for Portland. Portland, with the nuanced touch of Valeri, has impact players that might not be household names but are certainly high quality. Despite the value of Nani, Orlando will fall to Portland in the final. Though, it should be a good game, and it could go either way.

mls cup 2020: prediction

8/5/2020

MLS Cup 2020

Semi-finals:

Philadelphia vs. Portland

Orlando vs. Minnesota

Prediction
MLS Cup 2020 champions: Portland.

EUROPEAN SOCCER LEAGUES 2019/20 BOOK EXCERPT: real madrid

7/18/2020

The following is a book excerpt from European Soccer Leagues 2019/20.

REAL MADRID

Facts About Their City

Madrid, the fabulous capitol of Spain, with a population of around 6.6 million people in the metro area, is one of the most notorious places in all of Europe to visit. Its beautiful views, amazing architecture, exquisite food, and historical significance make it a must-visit city on anyone’s wish list. Charly Wilder of The New York Times laid out a portion of Madrid’s charming allure: “One of the best of the recently opened crop of modern tapas bars, Celso y Manolo knows what to update and what to leave alone. This goes for the stylish interior, with its preserved 1950s-era bar and floor tiles, as well as the menu, featuring reworked classics like grilled organic Cantabrian veal ribs with chimichurri (10 euros) or the chuletón de tomate, a luscious layering of avocado, mango, papaya, olive oil and fresh herbs on a half heirloom tomato (10 euros).”[i]

Onward to one of Madrid’s most spectacular pieces of architecture. Without objection, so ordered. The renowned Santiago Bernabeu Stadium—which hosted the 1982 World Cup final match between Italy and West Germany, among many other memorable games—can hold a little over 81,000 people. Outside of multiple renovations and improvements it’s a cherished relic of soccer stadiums, having first opened its doors back in 1947. Within its walls are the ghostlike, shimmering and magical footsteps from that of Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano, the intoxicating cheers that have evaporated into the atmosphere, along with a flurry of discarded cigarettes from days of yore that have since been swept away with time. For any soccer fan or non-soccer-tourist, it’s a must-see venue as it catches history in motion with each and every game.

Where the Team Is Today—Tactics and Strategies

Expect to see a 4-3-3 from the dazzling group of Real Madrid.

Tactics and strategies: Continue the strong passing combinations, release Gareth Bale into open space, and create more shooting opportunities for Marcelo.

Without a doubt, Madrid is one of the highest regarded passing teams in soccer on the planet. It shouldn’t be a problem to keep this trend going, particularly with Luka Modric—a true passing savant—leading the way.

A nice addendum, if one can be made, would be to get Gareth Bale out into open space more often, similar to how Kaka would run at multiple defenders circa 2007. Bale has the wheels to disrupt things for opponents and this should be explored throughout the 2019-20 campaign.

Would it hurt to get more shots on goal from Marcelo? It seems like he’s content with passing in areas around the box or crossing whereas he could shoot for goal. Should he take a few more shots this would spice things up nicely for Madrid and it would keep defenses off-balance. When Marcelo opts to pass or cross the ball too often, the result is that defenses come to expect this. A few more shots from Marcelo might, in fact, result in outright goals or create rebound opportunities for the forwards. More shots from Marcelo would serve to keep defenses honest and respect his ability to strike the ball, which would create more passing opportunities down the road. This isn’t a do or die situation for Madrid’s success, lord knows it has enough already. Though it’s a subtle point to consider.

Following the loss to Ajax in the 2019 Champions League, and the reinstatement of Zidane as coach, a lot of big changes might be underway. What sort of changes? Fresher legs, and new energy. As for going forward, Madrid will surely make big trades to produce a new look.

[i] Charly Wilder, “36 Hours in Madrid,” The New York Times, published September 21, 2017, accessed February 27, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/21/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-madrid-spain.html

things to do list

7/11/2020

Figure Out Australian Rules Football

It’s hard to watch a sport that I’ve sporadically watched all my life and for all intents and purposes, over 30 years later, I still have no idea what the rules are. It’s safe to assume I speak for millions of people in the Northern Hemisphere.

European Soccer Leagues 2019/20 Book Excerpt: Juventus

6/11/2020

The following is a book excerpt from European Soccer Leagues 2019/20.

JUVENTUS

A Brief Team History

Since 1897, Juventus has entrenched itself as a classic Italian club, one revered around the world. It’s made big moves, leaving in its wake a flurry of championships and a legacy of winning. Up until the present time it’s gathered over 30 Serie A titles, which is a lot. But hold on. Recently, Juve has literally dominated Serie A, it has overwhelmed Serie A, it has soared high above Serie A like a royal hawk from the stable of Emperor Tiberius, peering down on the lowly competition as if it were mice waiting to be eaten for dinner, winning consecutive titles in 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19. Simply put: Yikes. This is insanely good, bordering on ‘Boston Celtics in the Bill Russell era’ good. Is Juventus that good? Or has the competition dwindled away as more elite players have migrated to Spain, Germany and England in recent years, as opposed to the past when the world’s best preferred the rich landscape of Italy? Indeed Serie A is not what is used to be, though, make no mistake, it is still a premiere world-league with players of the highest caliber. Perhaps this is a discussion for another time. For now, Juve definitely has Italy by a firm grip. One it has been relishing, fore sure, because, after all, as they say in Italy (where soccer reigns supreme), goals are worth their weight in gold. Without a doubt, Juve’s recent run of success is astounding. Soon, someday anyway, the grand team from Turin will likely acquire 36 titles and then move onto 54 and 72 and 108. When it comes to Italian clubs, it seems like there’s no stopping Juventus…continued in European Soccer Leagues 2019: Everything You Need to Know About the 2019/20 Season.

For more book information, visit:
Meyer & Meyer Sport

mls returns july 8, 2020

6/10/2020

You heard it here. Major League Soccer returns July 8, 2020. With no fans present, a tournament will take place at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Orlando, Florida.*

* Reunion, Florida, technically, which is just southwest of Orlando.

bundesliga plays with no fans

5/24/2020

The 2019/20 European league continues! Bundesliga teams have been playing in empty stadiums. It's as though top-pranked players are in a pick up game. It's a historical moment in sports.

There will be a 2020 Champions League champion. See book for predictions!

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mls cup 2020 final

mls cup 2020: prediction

EUROPEAN SOCCER LEAGUES 2019/20 BOOK EXCERPT: real madrid

things to do list

European Soccer Leagues 2019/20 Book Excerpt: Juventus

mls returns july 8, 2020

bundesliga plays with no fans

america's last athletic frontier

Air Jordans: A Quick fashion Review

d.b. cooper: still unsolved

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