Arsenal's Champions League Adventures Continue

((HT: UEFA/Champions League))

First, Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey got a red card in the scoreless draw with Beskitas that means he sits out the second leg at the Emirates...

Not that Demba Ba almost didn't make that whole point moot off the kick-off...


But, just after the match was completed, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims he was the target of a foreign object- "a bottle or something"- and the team reported the incident to UEFA.

UEFA's disciplinary department will now review the match report before deciding whether to take action as Wenger was not hit by the "bottle or something..."

Under-20 Tourney Gets Ugly Between Northern Ireland And Mexico

((HT: Youtube/BBC Sport Ireland))

The Milk Cup is a tournament played in Ireland on a yearly basis and this year's tourney will only be remembered for this brawl that broke out between the two nations in the box.

Especially, after what the Mexico national player does at the end of the scrum


Northern Ireland won 2-1, but four players were sent off after the two fights and the match was called four minutes early by the lead official because of all the stuff going on.

Northern Ireland manager Stephen Craigan told the BBC:

"It was not nice. There were young kids here from around the world. They were here to watch a football match; they do not expect to see that. Mexico did it last year - they had a man sent off for punching. They have a history of it. I have to be careful what I say, but I would like to think Mexico will not be back at the Milk Cup."

The Mexico squad has since apologized...

Roma Launches Golazo From Their Own End

((HT: Fox Soccer))

The International Challenge Cup is underway in and around the United States.

It brings Roma, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool, and a few others together in a meaningless trophy tournament that has a very big beer sponsor attached to give it some kind of legitimacy.

Today, Roma was flailing against Manchester United when Miralem Pjanic decided to launch from the Nebraska side of the boundary- and this happened...


Roma lost 3-2 after the Pjanic goal gave Roma some confidence, but the Van Gaal Effect is well underway.

This Goal Was Scored Pretty Quickly

((HT: Liga MX/Fox Sports))

In a second division game, Zacatecas Gustavo Ramirez launched barely 7 seconds in and...


Told you it was fast...
Fast enough to be the fastest goal in Mexican football history...

FIFA's Next Problem: Concussions

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

As we all know, Germany needed extra time to beat Argentina in the final in Rio on Sunday.

But short of the political irresponsibility that the governing body is ignoring in picking their home nations, the new issue that the folks are not talking about when they need to discuss it is the concussions problem.

14 minutes after being taken off the pitch and being examined by his own physios, German defender Christoph Kramer collapsed on the turf and had to be stretchered off in the final against Argentina.

Kramer joined Mascherano, Zabaleta, and Pereira in playing after getting concussed- and there are those trumpeting the idea that this kind of machismo has to stop...

And quick...

Here's the discussion in "Last Call" that includes Taylor Twellman- whose career was cut short by multiple concussions.

Brazil Dismantled At Home By Germany, Scolari Apologizes

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Five goals in 29 minutes... and, really, after the first goal Brazil's weaknesses were exposed. The absence of Neymar and Thiago Silva not being around on offense and the back line being caught repeatedly in transition and not being able to match Germany's offensive prowess created an awful result for Brazil.

A 7-1 loss that could have been worse if Ozil hadn't pulled up in the 90th minute.
Here's Ian and Macca


And analysis from Mike, Alexi, Gilberto, and Michael


The 7-1 loss equals their worst-ever defeat- 6-0 to Uruguay back in 1920.
And the HQ wouldn't be surprised is Scolari was asked to retire when all this is done.

But the best personification of the day came from Deadspin where Good Ol' JR called the goals- it's a must watch

And Scolari apologized in his post-match- from the London Telegraph newspaper article by Jeremy Wilson:

"Who is responsible when the team plays?" Scolari said. "I am. It's me. Who decided the tactics, I did. So the person responsible is me. If I were to think of my life as a player, as a coach, as a teacher, this was the worst day of my life. I'll be remembered probably because I lost 7-1, the worst defeat Brazil have ever had."

Here's One Way To React To A Red Card

((HT: Pro Soccer Talk/Mendola/TV4 Sports))

The HQ would love to know where the foul was in this play that got Norkopping striker Alhaji Kamara tossed with a second yellow and a red card dismissal.

But it was obvious that Kamara wanted no part of any of it...

Here's the after...

Brazil And Germany Through To The Semis

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

It was a day for chalk in the quarter-finals in Brazil...

Germany seemed like old Germany- suffocating on defense and relentless on offense in their 1-0 win over a confused France squad.
Mats Hummels' 13th-minute header was the difference


In the nightcap, host Brazil ended the run of Colombia with an early strike and a jaw dropping, top-spin free kick from David Silva


Two larger questions for the Selecao in the semis are around the lack of a Thiago Silva and the injury Neymar sustained late in the second half on a questionable challenge where one of the world's best took a high-speed knee to the middle of his back.

Julio Cesar also had a knee-to-knee contact in the box that led to his yellow card and subsequent PK goal by James, but his status seems more stable at present.

Eric Wynalda Does Not Like How US Soccer Was Set Up, Either...

((HT: Dan Patrick Show/Audience Network/NBCSN))

Landon Donovan was asked about what he thought when it came to Team USA's efforts in Brazil. He admitted that he thought the team wasn't set up to succeed.

The HQ would agree noticing that there was no substitute for Jozy Altidore up front (No Johnson or some such striker) and the team, offensively, seem to rope-a-dope their way through the Germany and Belgium matches waiting for a transitional opportunity to score.

Eric Wynalda appeared on the "Dan Patrick Show" and was not pleased either- bringing up points that we hadn't even considered- and even dropped an s-bomb early in the interview since he was so apoplectic about it.

It was noticed by Dan, who gave him a warning...


So there... we hadn't even thought about the whole "Michael Bradley-being out of position" thing, but we did notice that he was not around offensively as much as the entire country would have liked...

If Nick Saban Was In Jurgen Klinsmann's Cleats...

((HT: Fox Sports/Mike Romano via Vimeo))

This is what happens when Nick Saban is answering questions as the head coach of the USMNT after Group play...

And Mike, pretty much, nailed it...


No other questions, coach, thanks...

Suarez "Lost His Balance" Uruguay And Chile Lost Their Games

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Luis Suarez wrote his appeal to FIFA for his four-month, nine-match ban. It said in part:

"After the impact ... I lost my balance, making my body unstable and falling on top of my opponent," Suarez wrote in his submission to the panel which met Wednesday, one day after Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 in a decisive group-stage match.

"At that moment I hit my face against the player leaving a small bruise on my cheek and a strong pain in my teeth."

Well okay, then...
FIFA has seven days to hear the appeal from the Uruguayan Football Federation.

Without Suarez, the lack of offense showed in a 2-0 loss where James Rodriguez scored both goals- and, for the record, it's pronounced "Hah-mez..." and he's scored in six straight matches for Colombia...

And James' golazo sent Colombia on their way


And Colombia get Brazil in the next round as they survived their match with Chile- and it took PK's to get there.
The post became Julio Cesar's bet friend in extra time and the shootout...

And American audiences got to hear Ian and Macca call a great one...

FIFA Says Suarez Banned, Uruguay Fed Plans Appeal

((HT: FIFA/ESPN))

Of course, they do...

For the record, here's FIFA's statement:

"The player Luis Suarez is to be suspended for nine official matches. The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming [round of 16] FIFA World Cup fixture between Colombia and Uruguay.

"The remaining match suspensions shall be served in Uruguay's next FIFA World Cup matches, as long as the team qualifies, and/or in the representative team's subsequent official matches.

"The player is banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity -- administrative, sports or any other -- for a period of four months. A stadium ban is pronounced against Luis Suarez, who is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban."

It would mean that in addition to his time in Rio, you can possibly adding missing nine Premier League games, Champions League and Capital One Cup matches before the end of October. This, of course, is if Suarez even gets to stay at Liverpool. The first time he bit another player he was booted from his Dutch side.

Uruguay FA President Wilmar Valdez is appealing and he has three days to get his defense together.

ESPN dispatched Wright Thompson to Montevideo for reaction. Max Bretos tracked him down

Group of Death Recap: USMNT Can Thank Ronaldo Later (Plus Free Swinging In Ghana)

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

As it turns out, the Germany 4-0 blowout of Portugal was the decider that sent Germany and the United States on and sent Portugal and the Ghanaians home.

This is one of those times that a 1-0 loss is a win as the US moves on to play, probably, Holland


And here's how Ronaldo put the Portuguese in front of Ghana for good...


But, the incident that will make everyone remember that particular match comes from something worse than a cup-check
((HT: Jack Conness' Vine))

Just How Hard Should FIFA Come Down On Suarez...??/

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Luis Suarez says things like what happened today in the Uruguay-Italy match "happen..."

Sure they do...

"These are just things that happen out on the pitch," Suarez said. "It was just the two of us inside the area and he bumped into me with his shoulder, and that's how my eye got like this as well. There are things that happen on the pitch and you should not make such a big deal out of them."

The bitten in this case, Chiellini, thinks nothing will happen and he told Sky Sports Italia just as much:

"It's a disgrace. The referee decided this game. If either team should have gone through, then it was us.

"Giving a red card to Marchisio and no red to Suarez decided the game. There was a different treatment for both sides and that decided the game and decided who went through.

"When we had 11 men, they weren't a threat at all and we were in perfect control, but then in the end, [the red card] was decisive.

"But then Suarez gets away with whatever he wants because FIFA want the top players involved. He bit me, and the sign is there. Now [FIFA] have got to have the courage to take action."

The guys at ESPN discuss


Thoughts are coming down on Suarez that include everything from a lifetime ban (not just internationally) to expelling Uruguay from the knockout stage and giving their slot to the next man up in their Group.

What say you, faithful reader...??/

Ivory Coast Was In, Then They Weren't...

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

If the Ivory Coast won with the firepower they had- Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, Bony, and Drogba... then it would have been a great offensive show for the knockout round. If only the head coach had gotten his starting line-up right (or just kept it constant). Drogba came in as Super Sub in the 2 previous games, but was started in Game 3.

This kill shot didn't work. But a comeback over Greece almost got them in with the draw...

Yeah, that didn't go well either in stoppage time...
It has to be seen to believed...


So, Greece advances to the knockout stages for the first time with the 2-1 win...

Bully for them...

Uruguay's Advancement Overshadowed By Another Biting...???

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

This is Group of Champions and it appears that Luis Suarez is a chump- again...

Costa Rica and Uruguay advance to the knockout stages leaving Italy and England behind. But the larger issue is the apparent taking a chunk out of Chiellini's shoulder by striker Luis Suarez.

80th minute- a minute before Godin's goal against 10-man Forza- Suarez is in the box and jostling..


This is the third incident like this with Suarez. He received a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in 2013.
((HT: BPL))


Luis Suarez apologized at the time:

“I am deeply sorry for my inexcusable behaviour earlier today during our match against Chelsea.

“I have issued an apology and have tried to contact Branislav Ivanović to speak to him personally. I apologise also to my manager, playing colleagues and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for letting them down.”

In November 2010, Suárez, playing for Ajax Amsterdam, was suspended for seven games for biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal during a Dutch league game.
((HT: Football))


Suárez never played for Ajax again after the first biting incident; the club sold him to Liverpool during that winter’s January transfer window.

And the next question is: Does Suarez get suspended and do Uruguay keep him around for international play after...??/

And what does Liverpool do now...??? Pull the contract on the table...???

Mexico Advances Over Croatia: Herrera Smash...

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Mexico has had to do it the hard way for this trip to Brazil. It all started with having to qualify against New Zealand in a home-and-home just to even get in the door.

And the surprise of the tournament- outside of Costa Rica (or CONCACAF in general)- has been El Tri.

They took care of business earlier today- beating Croatia to move to the Knockout stages


But the sight of the day was current head coach Miguel Herrera and his reaction on the sidelines as his team's fate was incrementally sealed...
((HT: Goooooal's Vine))


And here...


But just think if the two calls in the second half that were not called for Mexico led to a loss...

All hell would have broken loose and the stadium would not be standing.

Of Course... FIFA Dropped The Mexico Gay Slur Case

FIFA's disciplinary panel has decided that they won't take any action against the Mexico football federation after the "investigation" of fans using a chant against the rival team's goalkeeper in previous matches this tournament in Brazil.

The chant, which (once again) the HQ will not print, is used in Mexican leagues as a tradition- calling the keeper (loosely translated) a male whore when he executes a goal kick...

FIFA says the chant "is not considered insulting in this specific context"- whatever in the blue hell that actually means.

The president of the Mexican federation, Hector Gonzalez, was interviewed by ESPN FC's John Sutcliffe who (along with national coach Miguel Herrera) didn't think the chant was all that bad in the first place when the issue first came up...
((HT: ESPN))


The HQ would like to congratulate FIFA in reinforcing who they actually are to the rest of us..

Yeah, Okay... We'll Talk About It, Too...

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

The HQ had the feeling Twitter broke twice in, about, a half an hour Sunday when Clint Dempsey scored and then CR7 assisted in game-tying goal with ten seconds left in the USA-Portugal match for a salvaged 2-2 draw.

Let's relive that hell all over again, shall we...??? With analysis...


So, there's all the talk now of colluding with Germany Thursday so both advance (yeah, that NEVER has happened in the past) and Portugal can go home- which would be the biggest irony of it all.

The back line was a complete breakdown in the last possession and NBCSports analyzes with a Molly Ringwold reference
((HT: Dan Patrick Show/Audience Network))


Yeah, it feels like a loss- and with a country that has increased expectations- it should be...

Now, go and park that bus against Germany!!!

Momma, There Goes That Man Again... Messi For The Win

((HT: ESPN/FIFA/gfutbol32's Vine))

Iran held with the Argentinians for 90-plus minutes, for what would have been their greatest moment ever in the national sport, but it took (naturally) another moment from one of the best in the world for the three points.

See just how ridiculous the game-winner was


And on their way to the knockout stage they go...

Here's the long version