It seems fitting that the third game of the Jurgen Klinsmann era is set for Brussels against Belgium at the King Badouin Stadium. It's appropriate since this is the venue formerly known as Heysel, where one of the world's greatest footballing disasters once took place.
Dubbed by US Soccer as the "Tussle in Brussels," it's the first chance for a European audience to see the new-look U.S. attack that has produced one goal in two games. To be fair, the team's best player - Clint Dempsey - has yet to suit up for the U.S. and that will change tonight.
Klinsmann is already upsetting European coaches by his selection process. AZ coach Gertjan Verbeek was not happy that in-form striker Jozy Altidore had to
fly all the way to LA for the match against Costa Rica on Friday.
It's hard to know how excited Belgium will be to play an inferior opponent after a disappointing draw at Azerbaijan that will likely take them out of contention for Euro 2012. It's not like national pride is at stake either since the country could be on the verge of splitting up and is currently under a caretaker government.
It all makes for a rather drab atmosphere for what shapes up to be another loss for the U.S. in the Klinsmann era.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Hertha fined 4,000 euros
The DFB has fined Hertha 4,000 Euros for pitch invasion in the Bundesliga opener against FC Nurnberg. This is a blow to the club's image, although it should be said that most of the Berlin faithful are docile and positive supporters.
The Beautiful Game does not condone running onto the pitch.
The Beautiful Game does not condone running onto the pitch.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Quiet transfer deadline for Hertha
Not much noise was made by Hertha BSC during the transfer window.
Kaka was sent to Champions League participant APOEL in one move.
Former Hamburg man Aenis Ben-Hatira has now joined his hometown team, and the 23-year-old midfielder said "I hope I can take it to the next level."
Midfielder Daniel Beichler has gone out on loan to SV Ried after being at MSV Duisburg.
In addition, new father Rob Friend has been loaned to second-division Eintracht Frankfurt. Friend wasn't seeing much playing time anyway.
What these moves mean is that Hertha's squad is set as the club tries to cement a mid-table position. With five points from four matches, Hertha are on course for a creditable campaign. Right now midfield and central defense are the major problem areas while the strikers and goalkeeper look strong.
The next challenge is at league champion Dortmund, which will be without wunderkind Mario Gotze at the Signal Iduna Park. It's an ideal opportunity for Hertha to maintain their unbeaten away mark in front of the tremendous traveling support.
Kaka was sent to Champions League participant APOEL in one move.
Former Hamburg man Aenis Ben-Hatira has now joined his hometown team, and the 23-year-old midfielder said "I hope I can take it to the next level."
Midfielder Daniel Beichler has gone out on loan to SV Ried after being at MSV Duisburg.
In addition, new father Rob Friend has been loaned to second-division Eintracht Frankfurt. Friend wasn't seeing much playing time anyway.
What these moves mean is that Hertha's squad is set as the club tries to cement a mid-table position. With five points from four matches, Hertha are on course for a creditable campaign. Right now midfield and central defense are the major problem areas while the strikers and goalkeeper look strong.
The next challenge is at league champion Dortmund, which will be without wunderkind Mario Gotze at the Signal Iduna Park. It's an ideal opportunity for Hertha to maintain their unbeaten away mark in front of the tremendous traveling support.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Bundesliga Matchday 4 review
Friday night
Hertha BSC v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-0
Actual result: 1-0
Hertha have five points through four matches and probably deserve two, and neither side deserved much from this drab affair.
Saturday
SC Freiburg v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 3-0
Looks like the Wolves may face a season-long relegation battle along with Freiburg.
Hamburger SV v. 1. FC Koln
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 3-4
The pressure increases on Oenning and now Elia could be on his way to Italy. The northern German side is an abject mess.
1. FC Kaiserslautern v. Bayern München
Prediction: 1-3
Actual result: 0-3
Bayern did what they had to do and Lautern did what we thought they would do.
1. FC Nürnberg v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-2
Actual result: 1-0
Credit Pekhart as the creative influence once again as Hecking's side reaches parity.
1899 Hoffenheim v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 1-2
Bremen may not have been deserving winners but they have nine points through Matchday 4.
Bayer Leverkusen v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-0
German wunderkind Leno was the difference for Leverkusen and could be a star in the making. Dortmund, meanwhile, are shockingly having trouble finding goals.
Sunday
Hannover 96 v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 1-1
Hannover are unbeaten in four, although three of these matches have come at home in a fixture-heavy start for the 96ers.
FC Schalke 04 v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 1-0
The Royal Blues used a high tempo and persistence from Raul to take all three points at home.
Hertha BSC v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-0
Actual result: 1-0
Hertha have five points through four matches and probably deserve two, and neither side deserved much from this drab affair.
Saturday
SC Freiburg v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 3-0
Looks like the Wolves may face a season-long relegation battle along with Freiburg.
Hamburger SV v. 1. FC Koln
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 3-4
The pressure increases on Oenning and now Elia could be on his way to Italy. The northern German side is an abject mess.
1. FC Kaiserslautern v. Bayern München
Prediction: 1-3
Actual result: 0-3
Bayern did what they had to do and Lautern did what we thought they would do.
1. FC Nürnberg v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-2
Actual result: 1-0
Credit Pekhart as the creative influence once again as Hecking's side reaches parity.
1899 Hoffenheim v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 1-2
Bremen may not have been deserving winners but they have nine points through Matchday 4.
Bayer Leverkusen v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-0
German wunderkind Leno was the difference for Leverkusen and could be a star in the making. Dortmund, meanwhile, are shockingly having trouble finding goals.
Sunday
Hannover 96 v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 1-1
Hannover are unbeaten in four, although three of these matches have come at home in a fixture-heavy start for the 96ers.
FC Schalke 04 v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 1-0
The Royal Blues used a high tempo and persistence from Raul to take all three points at home.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Lahm rips into Klinsi, others
Shockwaves have rippled through Germany due to Philipp Lahm's controversial book in which he rips just about everyone - this blog being a notable exception.
He takes shots at former Bayern managers Louis Van Gaal, Felix Magath and notably current United States boss Jürgen Klinsmann's tenure with the Bavarians.
"All the players knew after about eight weeks that it was not going to work out with Klinsmann," he wrote. "The remainder of that campaign was nothing but limiting the damage." It soon became clear that "the Klinsmann experiment had failed."
Lahm rehashes the widely-known claim that Klinsmann knows nothing about football tactics or coaching. Other Klinsmann tactics include yoga and a meditation garden and hokey speeches.
One memorable speech from Klinsmann's Bayern tenure was when he told Ze Roberto "You have to score a goal." Another one came from the 2006 World Cup when he brought in a speaker before Germany's first match to discuss the docile nature of the Costa Rican players in a talk that was plain weird.
Now the United States has certainly been charmed before by charismatic leaders who had no idea what they are doing.
With that in mind, Klinsmann may be the perfect fit for the United States.
He takes shots at former Bayern managers Louis Van Gaal, Felix Magath and notably current United States boss Jürgen Klinsmann's tenure with the Bavarians.
"All the players knew after about eight weeks that it was not going to work out with Klinsmann," he wrote. "The remainder of that campaign was nothing but limiting the damage." It soon became clear that "the Klinsmann experiment had failed."
Lahm rehashes the widely-known claim that Klinsmann knows nothing about football tactics or coaching. Other Klinsmann tactics include yoga and a meditation garden and hokey speeches.
One memorable speech from Klinsmann's Bayern tenure was when he told Ze Roberto "You have to score a goal." Another one came from the 2006 World Cup when he brought in a speaker before Germany's first match to discuss the docile nature of the Costa Rican players in a talk that was plain weird.
Now the United States has certainly been charmed before by charismatic leaders who had no idea what they are doing.
With that in mind, Klinsmann may be the perfect fit for the United States.
Bundesliga Matchday 4 predictions
Friday night
Hertha BSC v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-0
Babbel facing former team in what should be a cracking affair at the Olympic Stadium.
Saturday
SC Freiburg v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-2
The Wolves have had plenty of time to digest an embarrassing performance and Cisse's transfer request can't help the mood at the Badenova.
Hamburger SV v. 1. FC Koln
Prediction: 2-1
TBG have to believe that Hamburg get off the mark against the league's worst side.
1. FC Kaiserslautern v. Bayern München
Prediction: 1-3
Although K-Town won this fixture last season, it's difficult to see a repeat.
1. FC Nürnberg v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-2
This match has draw written all over it.
1899 Hoffenheim v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 3-1
Bremen's kamikaze style may not fit too well in a charged-up Rhein-Neckar.
Bayer Leverkusen v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
Second v. first from last season, and we believe the champions will once again rise to the occasion against a Leverkusen outfit (again) distracted by Michael Ballack.
Sunday
Hannover 96 v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 1-1
Hannover progressed in Europe in thrilling fashion and could be ripe for a letdown.
FC Schalke 04 v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 3-1
Although 'Gladbach look like world beaters, Huntelaar and company look very tough in Gelsenkirchen.
Hertha BSC v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 1-0
Babbel facing former team in what should be a cracking affair at the Olympic Stadium.
Saturday
SC Freiburg v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-2
The Wolves have had plenty of time to digest an embarrassing performance and Cisse's transfer request can't help the mood at the Badenova.
Hamburger SV v. 1. FC Koln
Prediction: 2-1
TBG have to believe that Hamburg get off the mark against the league's worst side.
1. FC Kaiserslautern v. Bayern München
Prediction: 1-3
Although K-Town won this fixture last season, it's difficult to see a repeat.
1. FC Nürnberg v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-2
This match has draw written all over it.
1899 Hoffenheim v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 3-1
Bremen's kamikaze style may not fit too well in a charged-up Rhein-Neckar.
Bayer Leverkusen v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
Second v. first from last season, and we believe the champions will once again rise to the occasion against a Leverkusen outfit (again) distracted by Michael Ballack.
Sunday
Hannover 96 v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 1-1
Hannover progressed in Europe in thrilling fashion and could be ripe for a letdown.
FC Schalke 04 v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 3-1
Although 'Gladbach look like world beaters, Huntelaar and company look very tough in Gelsenkirchen.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Bundesliga Matchday 3 review
Friday night
Mönchengladbach v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 4-1
From 16th-place to top of the table! Getting rid of Michael Bradley and hiring former Hertha coach Favre have done wonders for Gladbach!
Saturday
Werder Bremen v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 5-3
Bremen could not stop Cisse, but they couldn't be stopped themselves, either.
Borussia Dortmund v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 3-0
Actual result: 2-0
Klopp's men had to work for the result after a first-half stalemate in this scrappy affair.
Bayern München v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 5-0
Hamburg vowed they would not lose 6-0 in this fixture like last year. They were right, we suppose.
VfB Stuttgart v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 0-1
Kiessling's first-half strike was the difference in this evenly-matched contest.
FC Augsburg v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-2
Hoffenheim are among a group on six points, and looking very good in the process.
1. FC Koln v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 1-1
The home side were unlucky not to take all three points after a dominant second-half display.
Sunday
FSV Mainz 05 v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 2-4
A stunning second-half turn of events displayed Schalke's class and punctured Mainz's early aura of invincibility.
Hannover 96 v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 1-1
A harsh result for a Hannover side that deserved all three points. Will it sap the energy of the 96ers for their important trip to Spain this week?
Mönchengladbach v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 4-1
From 16th-place to top of the table! Getting rid of Michael Bradley and hiring former Hertha coach Favre have done wonders for Gladbach!
Saturday
Werder Bremen v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 5-3
Bremen could not stop Cisse, but they couldn't be stopped themselves, either.
Borussia Dortmund v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 3-0
Actual result: 2-0
Klopp's men had to work for the result after a first-half stalemate in this scrappy affair.
Bayern München v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 5-0
Hamburg vowed they would not lose 6-0 in this fixture like last year. They were right, we suppose.
VfB Stuttgart v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 2-0
Actual result: 0-1
Kiessling's first-half strike was the difference in this evenly-matched contest.
FC Augsburg v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-2
Hoffenheim are among a group on six points, and looking very good in the process.
1. FC Koln v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 1-1
The home side were unlucky not to take all three points after a dominant second-half display.
Sunday
FSV Mainz 05 v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 2-4
A stunning second-half turn of events displayed Schalke's class and punctured Mainz's early aura of invincibility.
Hannover 96 v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 1-1
A harsh result for a Hannover side that deserved all three points. Will it sap the energy of the 96ers for their important trip to Spain this week?
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