Some Soccer News for Nov 24, 2015

This will be my last post of the week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Have an excellent long weekend. I know I will.

dN

An in depth story on the youth academy success of FC Dallas. This one by the always quality Brian Sciaretta of American Soccer Now.

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MLS Cup Playoffs Semifinals
2nd Leg Schedule
Sun Nov 29
Dallas v Portland Timbers (1-3) - 4pm CT on ESPN New York Red Bulls v Columbus Crew (0-2) – 6:30pm CT on FS1 -Final on Sun Dec 6

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Jesse Marsch of New York Red Bulls has been named MLS Coach Of The Year. Well earned.

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Veljko Paunovic has been hired to be the new head coach for Chicago Fire. A very bold move!
-He played for Philadelphia Union for 1 season, 2011, his last year as a player before retiring.
-He just led Serbia to the U20 World Cup championship this summer.

dN

One last MLS note for today - I just got a press release from Sporting Kansas City outlining their preseason plans. YES!

dN

French sports daily L'Equipe briefly reviews Bob Bradley's first league game in charge of Le Havre (HAC.) (In French)
-They called the 0-0 draw a missed opportunity for HAC.
-L'Equipe also has a great photo of Bradley at training.

dN

The Glockenspiel in St Paul is closing its doors. Damn.
-I have some amazing memories watching Germany games in that place, but these two are my fondest:
1. Germany destroys Brazil 7-1 in Semifinals at World Cup 2014 - the place was stunned at first, then exploded like nothing I have ever seen before, and then partied for hours afterward! Pure joy!
2. Germany crushes England 4-1 in Round of 16 at World Cup 2010 - one guy in particular got more and more insane as each goal went in for Germany. At one point he was literally on his knees banging both hands on the seat of his chair as hard as he could, screaming "Ja! Ja! Ja! Ja! Ja! Ja!" Wow.

dN

One of the world's largest and best book stores is in Islamabad Pakistan. Many of the books they sell are printed in English even. By Rod Nordland of the New York Times.

dN

Liga MX Apertura Laguilla:
Quarterfinals 1st Leg
-Wed Nov 25
America v Leon
Tigres v Chiapas
-Thu Nov 26
Veracruz v Pumas
Puebla v Toluca

dN

Frank Beckenbauer has gone on record for the first time saying he has no knowledge of any secret bank account that was supposedly used to acquire the rights to the 2006 World Cup for Germany. From Deutsche Welle.

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Also FIFA has said they are charging Sepp Blatter + Michel Platini with offenses that would ban them from soccer for life if found guilty. From the BBC.

dN

Celtic + Dundee are looking at playing an official league match on USA soil. By the Press Association via the Guardian.
-Official games are a mile and a half better than friendlies, all day long.

dN

UEFA Champions League Matchday 5 today and tomorrow.
-Some more teams will advance, and others will be eliminated. (How's that for analysis?)

dN

Lets finish off today with the Guardian's picks for the Best Goals Of The Week.



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