Showing posts with label CONCACAF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CONCACAF. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Long Wait is Over
It's a beautiful day for soccer fans here in North America, or at least those fans who enjoy watching lower league reserves play the Australian third division. Because that's what they'll get, with CONCACAF's decision to roll out their own 24-team competition echoing UEFA's Champions League, doubtlessly influenced by the financial opportunity that's so common in today's professional soccer world. Starting in August, this competition will replace the current CONCACAF Champion's Cup, which was made up of 8 teams, typically dominated by Mexican clubs.
What does this mean for us footy fans here in North America? Nothing really, unless the matches interfere with the airing of legitimate competitions from around the world. Okay, I know I'm cruising for a bruising from you MLS, Mexican Liga and er, Caribbean soccer fans out there, but do I really need to watch any more sub-par soccer? I already catch a glimpse of Championship and Scottish Premier League on Setanta, not to mention some really shit Bundesliga, Eredivisie and Ligue 1 action.
Call me a snob; I'll readily admit so, but with so many games going on, a normal fan of the sport already seems to have his hands full with domestic leagues, cup competitions, international tournaments and the European Champions League.
It's like sitcoms. Who doesn't like to laugh? But realistically, we've only time to watch one or two good ones here. Sure, some people think Ray Romano is funny and that Joey from Friends deserved his own show, but to actually waste away minutes of your life watching it? You never get that time back, son. You just remember that when you watch Pachuca destroy the LA Galaxy. Then again, you can always reminisce about that awesome free kick Becks took in the dying minutes of a meaningless game.
MLS clubs get a Champions League [Soccer America]
-bl
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
$1.4 Billion Worth Of Paella
In other eye-numbing news:
- It looks like Fox Soccer Channel has picked up the men's and women's CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments. As has been mentioned in this space before, FSC has little choice but to go out and get what it can to fill it's schedule. With the college season wrapping up, it'll just be English and Argentine league games sprinkled with the odd Brazil friendly through May. [My Soccer Blog]
- If you missed last night's Serie A highlights, here's what Roma did to Catania. And if you're wondering, it's Portuguese. [SoccerBlog]
- Run, don't walk, to get your hands on With God, Nothing Is Impossible - The Marvin Andrews Story. The DVD is available for only $28.45, quite the bargain. [The Scotsman]
These are the games of note on TV through Sunday:
Tuesday
CSKA Moscow v. Porto
12:30pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA / ESPN Deportes
This one should decide who joins Arsenal out of Group G in the Champions League.
Celtic v. Manchester United
2:30pm ET, LIVE
ESPN2
If their first meeting was anything to go by, this one should be end-to-end stuff.
Real Madrid v. Lyon
2:30pm ET, LIVE
ESPN Deportes
(SDD: 5pm ET on ESPN Classic / Setanta Sports USA)
Which Real Madrid team shows up: the one that beat Barcelona or the one that lost at Lyon in September?
Wednesday
Inter Milan v. Sporting
2:30pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Premium - Closed-Circuit TV
Winner has the inside track to the knock-out stage.
Chivas Guadalajara v. Cruz Azul
9:30pm ET, LIVE
TeleFutura
Quarterfinal first-leg in the Mexican playoffs. Check your local listings for the other games being played today and tomorrow.
Thursday
Werder Bremen v. Chelsea
1:30am ET, Same Day Delay
ESPN2
I'll put Didier Drogba down for at least two goals in this one.
Saturday
Cruz Azul v. Chivas Guadalajara
6:00pm ET, LIVE
Azteca America
The Azteca Stadium hosts this quarterfinal return-leg. Check your local listings for the other games being played today and tomorrow.
Estudiantes de La Plata v. Racing Club
7:00pm ET, LIVE
TyC Sports USA
Even if they play this one, will there be any Racing fans at the match to see it?
Sunday
Manchester United v. Chelsea
11:00am ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
They really don't get any bigger than this one.
Valencia v. Real Madrid
12:58pm ET, LIVE
World Sport HD
(Delayed: Tuesday 11/28, 9pm ET on GolTV)
Anyone know what's happened to Valencia? If the freefall is going to stop, here against Real is a good place to start.
VfB Stuttgart v. Borussia Moenchengladbach
1:00pm ET, Same Day Delay
GolTV
Kasey Keller is always worth a look, especially against one of the top teams in the Bundesliga.
Boca Juniors v. Colon de Santa Fe
3:00pm ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel / Fox Sports en Espanol
Boca needs all three points to keep their cushion.
Palermo v. Inter Milan
2:30pm ET, LIVE
RAI International - North America
(Same Day Delay: 3pm ET on GolTV)
That's right, second place hosts first place in what could be Sicily's biggest game ever.
As always, check your local listings for dates and times in your area.
-ac
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