Fern Mc Costigan

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

A Salute to MLS 2014 Flamboyant Champions: Los Angeles Galaxy

Tinsel Town has something big to celebrate, after its boys netted another shield to adorn its halls at Stub Hub Center with an all-around style!

Oh boy, if this was an insane final played between two familiar foes, indeed you are right, setting once again another final- well known by both of these squads.

It was the tale of the tape when two gladiators went at it with all they got and with their army’s best, starring with the Revolution and Galaxy- being both squads approaching a much leveled play in this edition of the MLS Final.

Still for the Angelino squads, meant a lot after all one of the greatest players ever produced in American soccer annals, was in his last match of his career.

Very well inspiring his mates to play with heart as the way his career was highlighted with the many squads he performed abroad, home and for his beloved Team USA.

Being Landon Donovan’s last hurrah and farewell from the fields he once called home, his teammates really became inspired since the beginning of the Postseason and determined to win it all.

For their one and only leader and iconic player that raise the levels of soccer in America and the world, that uplifted the Beautiful game into American sports scene.

And for the Galactic as many have nicknamed the City of Angels squad, Manager Bruce Arena once more delivered another title- without the need of Spice Boy David Beckham.

An initial eleven that never let their guards down as well their hopes to deliver to its fan base another shield to their club and never disappointed their fans with a fifth shield.

Something that for the class act, retiring with six titles in his career, two with San Jose Quakes and four with the LA Galaxy, Landon delivered during his time in Major League Soccer.

Outrageous was the road to the final frontier and win an unprecedented shield that culminated a long and fought road in the Western Division postseason.

By dispatching a not so easy Real Salt Lake in both matches and I an very convincing way, the LA boys really prepared themselves to face off an overall favorite in the Seattle Sounders.

Staging a division final and an always sought encounter between Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey- this one considered as another American soccer prodigy; the Angelinos did the ultimate feat in eliminating the Rave Greens at home.

Setting up another final encounter with their longtime foes in the New England Revolution, The Galaxy was all prepared for the ultimate of challenges and hence the results.

bravo once again as well an acknowledgement to this club winning drive to perfection as well branding a class act farewell to their top notch and most celebrated players in American soccer history.

Overall congratulation’s to the Los Angeles Galaxy and its determination, effort and ambitious drive to success once more again.

Crest Credit and Property of LA Galaxy Football Club and Wikipedia 2014

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Major League Soccer 2014

Friday, December 5, 2014

Arsene Wegner’s Arsenal Moving on Up!

A longtime genius at work and elongated boss for the Arsenal squad that has seen its share of accomplishments since the Frenchman came to this squad helm.

Eighteen years and counting, is something that’s a longtime feat for a Premiership Manager- that has seen his share of ups and downs during his tenure at Emirates.

The 2013-2014 campaign saw a new Gunner squad determined to seek its rightful place and prove why they are to be among the EPL Elite.

With a sound and amazing first half performance, many thought that the Londoners were on the verge of netting the Barclays EPL Shield, not won since the 2003-04 campaign.

Unfortunately their fortunes dwindle when the squad started showing sign of fatigue and pressured- as well a lot of its key players in the injured list.

Still for Arsene Wegner time hasn’t passed by in vain and although his contract expires in 2016- 2017 campaign, this chap will seek the best for his squad.

So far this 2014-2015 campaign, seeing a bit of Arsenal’s up and downs and many seeing a bit impossible to catch an unstoppable cross town rival in the Chelsea Blues.

Many of the Arsenal faithful at Emirates Stadium started showing their discontent with the lengthy reigns of this skipper and many banners showing off their opinion and for the Frenchman demission became very evident.

Manager Arsene Wegner didn’t paid much attention and started generating back to back win as well netting results in favor of his chaps.

As the Arsenal skipper has to front not only EPL but Champion’s League and both of England’s internal competitions, that’s not an easy everyday task, but a challenging one.

A man that had the best of the best in his initial eleven in Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van and let go without any reason or why.

After seeing his squad suddenly being in ninth place suddenly the Holloway Boys started an offense that suddenly they are placed on sixth place with 23 points.

Just behind two points for the European competitions as well to be among the top four, that with a win from them and a combined loss from those above them, the Gunners can be at third place next week.

Good show is what Arsene Wegner is performing lately with his boys, after having half of this staring eleven in the DL list and some players not performing as expected in the couple of some internationals.

Monsieur Wegner and his club have netted two important and convincing victories over top rated rivals in West Brom and Southampton that uplifted the Gunners to their current position.

At the end, whatever the followers that adding in the millions for Arsenal, Arsene Wegner is doing a superb job in juggling many controversies and oddities in his club- still the Strasbourg native has performed under pressure and delivering with style.

Champions League is one example of this man passion not lost for the game and his institution and whatever people say of him, he will continue his superb performance’s with his boys, until the last day of 2017.

Crest Credit and Property of Arsenal Gunners Football Club and Wikipedia 2014

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2014

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

The MLS Cup Will be a Déjà Vu showdown Between LA and New England

It’s another version of East versus West, when it comes to soccer pioneers and top rated squads, both of them seeking the ultimate of glories in American Soccer.

With the LA Galaxy and NE Revolution, this 2014 edition, being the league ultimate finalists- prompting another meet once again.

These two squads are making another reenactment and writing history with another showdown between them, labeled as the two of the teams that started it all in Major League Soccer!

The New England Revolution was a squad that in the past felled into an abyss and played a sort of mediocre football, making them the talk of many experts, but not this 2014.

Both squads’ playing a dream of a campaign and what many have called this a reenactment of MLS finals past, this time the Revolution will try to avenge and redeemed itself in winning their first cup ever.

Proving their mettle and longtime winning legacy, the Revs are up in a fighting stance and ready to get into Gillette Stadium Halls, the coveted and elusive MLS Cup.

Still their long fight with the California boys of the LA Galaxy will be a sort feat difficult but not impossible, their unfortunate side will be opening at Stub Hub Center in Carson, in the Golden State.

Very well trying to contain an all-around attack, headed by one of the greatest players surged from American soils and elevated the game in international levels.

To try and stop an inspired and ambitious Landon Donovan, being this his farewell and last match, New England Manager Jay Heaps will have to focus his backfield with a lot of formulas and stop this chap cold in his tracks.

His unfortunate side is that the Galaxy comes from a playoffs series that eliminated the overall favorite to take it all in this edition the Seattle Sounders, inspired a lot.

Something that’s nerve racking for New England Manager Jay Heaps in trying to stop an initial eleven composed of players of the likes of Robbie Keane, Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas, Omar Gonzalez and others.

Indeed, very unstoppable are the prospects of stopping Los Angeles offensive attack- very well penetrate its backfield- still the Revolution can do the same with Lee Nguyen, Charlie Davis, Jermaine Jones and others too.

Showing a record of four MLS Cups won and four lost, the Los Angeles Galaxy has a bit of edge on the opposite side in New England Revolution with four finals lost.

So far I don’t have a favorite o tell you who will win, but the best squad in the field and the skipper with the best of strategies will be the victor at the end; the New England Revolution or Los Angeles Galaxy who will win it all?

Crest Credit and Property of New England Revolution Club and Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS Soccer and Wikipedia 2014

Monday, December 1, 2014

A Marvelous and Magical Run for the Old Trafford Chaps

Louis Van Gaal is one happy man at the helm, by far overcoming all the obstacle’s and challenges thrown at him in this edition of Premiership.

The Manchester United Red Devils are looking somehow like a resilient and determined squad to make an impact in the EPL this 2014.

With a winning streak and things finally working as desired, for Manchester’s initial eleven, it’s why the Dutch skipper is enjoying a lot of happiness with the fruits of his success.

One thing for sure, is that the Red Devils aren’t involved in the nerve racking and exhausting Champion’s League competition.

That will be in the best of advantages for the Red Devils, by focusing in the upcoming league matches with a winning resolution and taking it easy in order to succeed.

Still for Louis Van Gaal the feat is not consumed yet, as many of his so called superstar’s have to prove their mettle in order to continue in this squad after the winter market.

Something that United’s top boss is in dire need of each one of his players to perform, by putting stellar performances in the field, as the one put in the ground today- against a confused poor performing Hull City Tigers.

I mean three wins in a row, is a way to prove that this club is turning around, thanks to their current skipper magic, working wonders and juggling different styles of play in his initial eleven.

Three back to back wins for the Old Trafford chaps, are making many headlines and building in the so called giants of Premiership a sense of nervousness.

So far Wayne Rooney is becoming a vital piece in the Dutchman attack alongside newcomer Argentinian Di Maria that’s delivering with style and excellence in every match.

Also showing off a certain competition in United’s frontal attack, by putting some heat for a struggling Robin Van Persie- who is seeing a resolute Radamel Falcao and newcomer James Wilson putting on the pressure.

After all, the skipper’s message has been caught by the whole of the Red Devils players, that in every match played they need to give up their best, if they want to continue in this squad.

Very well by seeing a sense of competition among his chaps, displaying in the field a very worthy and class filled game with a lot of spectacle.

It certainly looks like the boys from Manchester United are looking and playing in their heydays as well will try a run for the shield if not win it all.

Crest Credit and Property of Manchester United Football Club and Wikipedia 2014