Many are surprised by the play Thierry Henry got away with in the World Cup playoff between France and Ireland.  If you are not aware of the incident, Henry clearly was guilty of an intentional handball in the box at a critical moment in the second half.  France was down a goal at the time of the non-call and the play resulted in a goal for Gallas and an assist from Henry.  France went on to win the aggregate playoff 2-1 because of the missed call.

And Ireland is pretty ticked off by the whole mess.  They are calling for a replay of the game since everyone involved (including Henry) has admitted that the officials blew the call and therefore the game.  To make matters worse you can clearly see two French players offsides before the entire handball fiasco occurred making one wonder, “Was this whole thing fixed?”

Tottenham star and Ireland captain, Robbie Keane, is not afraid to say so.  He believes it was no mistake that FIFA matched up the two squads in the first place while better known squads got easier draws.  And the way Ireland battled the tough former champs it makes it just that much worse that they lost on a technicality.      

Especially since it could of easily been avoided.

Why not have one official up top in a luxury box with the master control room at his fingertips?  I realize soccer is supposed to be continuous and that what makes it authentically different from modern-era sports like American football, but with the technological advancements we have made in the last ten years it could become a saviour to crappy situations like this one.

I realize such a thing would mean that the Hand of God goal in the 1980’s by Maradona would become the Hand of God call by the referee in the control room, but soccer is not alone in this need for video evidence at critical parts of the game.

Did you watch the MLB playoffs?  Wow.

Now there’s a sport that NEEDS instant replay.

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The MLS Cup Final is tomorrow at 8:30 on ESPN (nice coverage for Soccer here in the US) and we still don’t know if Becks is hurt or not.  With Landon Donovan also being named the MVP of the league and RSL chomping at the bit to get this thing on I will still ask the same question.  Do you trust L.A. when the “Sensei of Soccer” is missing one head?  If Becks is out I’m taking RSL.  If he’s in it’s L.A. all the way.  No doubt about it.  He’s not that important, but the togetherness of Beckham and Donovan is.

Thierry Henry is still insisting that the Irish should be rightfully qualified for the World Cup instead of his French squad.  I’m pretty certain that FIFA won’t take what he’s saying to heart since they had officials at the match who saw the handball and did nothing.  However, I really appreciate his honesty and I find it disturbing that the entire nation of France is calling him a cheater and throwing him under the bus.  Listen French-ones.  Most people could only hope to be as honest and forthcoming as Thierry Henry.  You should be applauding him right now.  He already feels bad enough.

Then there’s an old adage that I would love to test this week.  Former ManU player Phil Neville says that he could “never go to Manchester City.”  Really, that’s interesting.  Something about his heart wouldn’t allow it or some crap like that.  Phil baby.  Keep it real.  You know just as well as I do that given the right amount of cash you would run to Manchester City and there’s nothing wrong with that.  However, don’t front with us like we’ll actually believe that you have some sort of code that would prevent you from playing with or managing Man City.  It’s just silly and it makes you look silly.  Stop it already!

PS – Sports is all about the money.  We get it already…and that’s ok.

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The International break is over and it is time to get back to Premier League action. The big game this weekend has to be the lunch time match up between Liverpool and Manchester City.

Liverpool v Man City
This is really a huge game for two teams who have Champions League ambitions. Liverpool have been part of the ‘Big Four” but Manchester City are trying desperately to break into that select group. City are one point ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand, so they know that if they win at Anfield, they could be a massive 7 points ahead of Liverpool. A Liverpool loss would put them 14 points behind league leaders Chelsea, and will end their title ambitions for another season.

Liverpool will have Steven Gerrard, but it looks like Fernando Torres will miss the game due to injury. City are hoping to welcome back Brazilian striker Robinho, who has been out injured since injuring an ankle playing for Brazil in September.

Both teams have problems in defence and I expect this game to be wide open game. By 3pm on Saturday the pressure will be turned up on either Mark Hughes or Rafa Benitez, and I expect Rafa to be celebrating a big win at home.
Verdict: 2-1 Liverpool

Birmingham v Fulham
These are two sides that play better at home than away from home. Some luckily for Birmingham this game is at St. Andrews and not Craven Cottage. Birmingham started playing some good football before the break, while Fulham had that huge win over Liverpool. These are the type of games that Birmingham need to win to stay up, but I don’t think they will.
Prediction: Birmingham 1 Fulham 1

Burnley v Aston Villa
Burnley have made Turf Moor a really difficult place to go and get points, which is one of the reasons why they are where they are in the league. At some point, Aston Villa have to step forward and show whether they are Champions Leagyue contenders or pretenders and this is the week that they show how god they can be with a tough victory away from home.
Verdict: 1-2 Aston Villa

Chelsea v Wolves
This is the lick of the week, Chelsea have been fantastic at Stamford Bridge this season, and even with their injuries they are much too strong for Wolves.
Verdict: 4-0 Chelsea

Hull v West Ham
The win against Stoke helped save Phil Brown’s job in the short-term but eventually Hull need to fire him if they are to stay up. That being said this is the kind of game they could easily win because West Ham are a very hot and cold team. You never know what team will show up from a week to week basis. I am looking for the bad West Ham to travel to Hull and for Phil Brown to get another big win.
Verdict: 2-1 Hull

Sunderland v Arsenal
This is a really tough game for Arsenal who will be without Robin Van Persie and will have one eye on next weekends game against Chelsea. In the past three years, this is the kind of game Arsenal would have lost of drawn, but this team nis maturing and I expect them to get all three pints here.
Verdict: 1-2 Arsenal

Man Utd v Everton
United have had two weeks to stew about the defeat at Chelsea and they know that they need to get three points here against Everton if they are to keep Chelsea without touching distance. Everton have been a real disappointment this season as injuries have really hurt them. Games between these two sides are always close, and I expect United to edge this one in the end.
Verdict: 2-1 Man United

Bolton v Blackburn
If you are a fan of Brazil, this is not the game for you. This one will not be pretty, but it will be very competitive with no quarter asked, and no quarter given. This will be a game of few chances, which indicates draw to me.
Verdict: Bolton 1 Blackburn 1

Tottenham v Wigan
Similar to West Ham, Wigan and Spurs are too teams that have been very up and down lately. The advantage Tottenham has in this game is that they are at home, and their forwards are better than Wigan’s defenders. That translates into three points for the home team
Verdict: 2-1 Spurs

Stoke v Portsmouth
This is a big relegation six-pointer. Stoke were really unlucky to lose at Hull before the break, while Portsmouth have been playing better than their record indicate. I expect this to be a really tense affair, but Stoke are home, in front of some very passionate fans, and at the end of the day, that will be the difference between one point and three points.
Verdict: 2-1 Stoke

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The Sin: Lust is one sin that I have had difficulty linking to one’s soccer ability. After all, some of the greatest players in recent world history (including both Ronaldos and Mr. Rooney) and from the past (George Best, Eusebio) were lusty lads. Now, Rocky Balboa’s trainer believed the physical act of love could drain an athlete of energy, and thus jeopardize his chances of victory. Yet, other players believe they have to hump before halftime or they will lose.

The Sinners: I define “lust” as “a self-destructive appetite for sex”. Lusty people (aka “nymphos”) have very little self control, and they usually cave whenever they are seduced. Lust leads to disastrous consequences too, as it causes one to sacrifice long-term happiness for short-term sexual contact. So, which of our Nats lounges around lusting for the ladies? Based on a few interviews I have seen, it appears to me that Special K, Mr. Kljestan, is reputed to be a “playa”.

The Saints:  When it comes to lust, I am not sold it is a sin that sucks for one’s soccer skills. I can see both sides of the debate. Mick could have been right, after all he also told Rocky not to fight Clubber Lang the 1st time. A night of sexual healing could leave one hurting the next day on the pitch. Plus, relationships (especially those involving fluid exchange) are complicated and could be distracting.

But, for some people not getting ”it” on routinely can be complicated and distracting. I also think some stars mount sexual conquest campaigns in order to breed confidence on the pitch. So, I say go with whatever works for you. Whatever floats your (motor) boat. I know I would opt for nookie, and I imagine that no US MNT player has lived a completely chaste life. At least not by choice. So, I suppose Skeletor will be taking an orgy of sinners with him to S. Africa no matter what.

I have just one question? 

Can I come too?

And yes, pun intended. Arrrrr!  

The Sermon: Why does my sexy tiger noise above sound more like something a pirate would say? Jeez, all this talk about sin apparently has me losing my mind and my soul. Anyways, let’s place our focus back on lust. All major world religions (unless you count those pesky pagans) agree that lust is a sin. According to Matthew 5:28, Jesus once taught that “whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

Now, I think a lusty look is a pretty minor sin, so the fact Jesus equates it with adultery makes me exclaim ”Jesus Christ! I’m going to be roasting over the coals of hellfire for all eternity!” Seriously? I think JC is being a little harsh. I mean lust is bad and all. But, it doesn’t seem to hurt one’s soccer skills. So, I say to the US Nats, if you must commit one of the Seven Deadly Sins, enjoy some good old fashioned fornication. 

If you are willing to give it your best (money) shot come 2010, stay away from all sins except lust. If you all must blow off some steam, do not become embroiled in a thunderstorm of serious sins. No, instead form into one collective hurricane of boners and leave not one woman in South Africa unsatisfied. Wow. That was so tasteless. Yet another sin! Damn! Well, thank God this is my final sermon as my series on the Seven Deadly Sins and their relation to US Soccer is coming to an end.

I hope these posts have left you lusting for more. OK, that was a truly terrible pun. In fact, it was a sin. It was going to happen inevitably though. You see, sin is (and always will be) all around us because humans are by their nature sinful beings. People are “living in sin” in higher numbers now too than perhaps ever before, and I’m not just talking about those folks who are cohabitating prior to marriage. We all need to combat our sinful natures. I must apologize for my own sins often. Heck, I may end up in Hell due to this series, and I’m sorry about that. 

Most of all though, I apologize for my biggest sin during this series: Exposing you to this second photo of Rosie O’Donnell. It’s from a movie called Exit to Eden. If that is what Eve looked like in the Garden of Eden, I am glad she at least had the courtesy to hasten our exit by presenting us with that delicious red apple (free will). I’ll take free will (and the inevitable sin it leads to) over lounging around in some garden with Rosie in that get-up.

That image sure doesn’t make you hard, but like gazing upon Medusa, it could perhaps turn you to stone. I apologize for showing it to you.  I believe I had to do it though. The purpose of this entire series was to explain to you what sin looked like and how you could avoid it, right? Well, now you know. After all, Rosie is – as they say - ”ugly as sin.”

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Two things to talk about this morning that affect my entire sports weekend.  First, let me say that I am very glad that my wife (who is going on a mission trip to a far-off land for about a week) is not flying through France or Ireland to get there because right now someone is probably screaming their head off in the streets of Ireland.  Let me say this…you FIFA people need replay and you need it now.  Everyone who works for FIFA who saw the handball by Henry should be disciplined immediately for not doing anything about it at the match and before the teams left the field.  Moreover, if this doesn’t make you want to have instant reply I don’t know what will.  BTW- For those of you who wonder why Soccer doesn’t take off in the U.S. here’s reason #47454556:  They don’t use instant replay and with a blatant missed call (and the precedent to back it up) FIFA will not order the replay of a match.  American sports (with the exception of Baseball which has slipped anyways) are used to calls being righted by instant replay so that championships and things are not decided like this.  FIFA should be ashamed of themselves.

Now, an esteemed colleague here at SoccerTicketsOnline posited that David Beckham may be hurt because he has a boot on his foot.  Is it for a serious injury or precautionary David Wilson asked.  Listen, if David Beckham is hurt then half of my “Sensei of Soccer” is not there.  If this happens then RSL wins the cup.  If, as I suspect, Beckham is wearing a boot for precautionary purposes then the Galaxy take it.  There’s nothing more we can do than wait.

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The LA Galaxy have pulled out of a post-season tour of Germany that would have seen them play friendlies against Kaiserslautern and Schalke. The Galaxy cancelled the tour due to “a lack of communication and performance” by the promoter IMC Group.

The club said in a statement:

“Unfortunately, IMC Group Inc has not performed their obligations of the agreement thus far, nor do we have faith that they will be able to do so in the future.”

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Now that we have the official list of thd 32 nations taking part in next summers World Cup Finals, all eyes are on the draw December 4th and how teams will be seeded for that draw.

There will be eight groups of four teams, so FIFA needs to split the 32 countries into 4 categories. According to FIFA’s regulations:

“The FIFA Organising Committee forms groups for the final competition by seeding and drawing lots whilst taking sports and geographic factors into consideration, as far as possible. The decisions of the FIFA Organising Committee on the group formation and the duration of the final competition are final.”

What is known is that South Arfica will be seeded in position A1 in the draw, leaving space for seven other seeds. A decision on who those will be will not be made until the committee meets on December 2.

Ives Galarcep of Soccer by Ives has looked at the FIFA regulations and believes that the four categories will be:

POT 1-Brazil, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Italy, Germany, South Africa
POT 2- Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, Greece, Slovakia, Serbia, Switzerland
POT 3- USA, Mexico, Honduras, South Korea, North Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand
POT 4- Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria

That seeding structure could throw together a potential “Group of Death” of Brazil, Holland, Honduras and the Ivory Coast. It could also potentially throw up a group of South Africa, Switzerland, USA and Uruguay. I would fancy the U.S.’s chances of progressing in that group.

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The FAI (Ireland’s ruling Soccer organization) has demanded a reply of their match in which they lost to France yesterday.  All of this comes over more bad calls/non-calls by officials and has even been brought to light by a French player who was involved in the incident.

I want to make clear that I am writing with the question…should this match be replayed?  Not, is Ireland or France right or wrong…

France had their winning goal set up by a blatant handling of the ball by Thierry Henry.  What’s more hilarious about this situation is that Henry admits that he handled the ball (making him liable for a penalty and thus shutting the play down.)  What’s even more hilarious is the fact that a referee observer (whoever that is) and FIFA officials saw the handball plain-as-day and nothing is happening until now.

First, let’s just say that FIFA needs to get their act together.  If this were NASCAR the race would have been stopped and ever NASCAR official in a 100-mile radius would have been called in to consult on how to fix this.  FIFA did nothing.

Now, they have to deal with the FAI calling for a “do-over” which has happened before AND they have to deal with the offending player (humbly) admitting that he committed a penalty.  What is FIFA to do?

If they allow the match to be replayed they are confirming what people like Sir Alex Ferguson of ManU have been saying…that officials in Soccer today suck.  If they don’t replay the game there will probably be a riot in Ireland (not like that’s new or anything, but who wants  a riot, really?)  If they replay the game they are holding up the World Cup (which doesn’t start til next year, but even holding up qualifying is holding up the whole event.)  If they don’t replay it then everyone on the planet will think they’re in bed with the French (and who doesn’t want to be in bed with the French?)

So, what is FIFA to do?  Replay the match.  Reprimand the official who missed the call and all of the FIFA officials who saw it and did nothing.  Give Thierry Henry a special commendation for Honesty in Sport, and give Ireland their due with some better officials.  It’s not that I don’t like France, I just hate bad officiating and especially when this much is on the line.

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The Sin: Gluttony is one of the most digusting sins, and Maradona exemplifies it in the pic at left. By the time this shot was taken, the man who was the best player in the world (maybe ever) had indulged himself to excess on food, wine and drugs. He failed to abide by Proverbs 23:21, which states that “[f]or the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Gluttony wages an ugly war vs. the virtue of moderation.

The Sinners: When it comes to the US Nats, the most famous glutton ever is likely Clint Mathis, who ate and drank his way out of the player pool. But, even still today, some players are certainly guilty of ignoring their natural limits and overdoing it so far as food and drink are concerned. Look @ Onyewu, whose ever-increasing size has rendered him a step slower. I’m also going to throw DMB’s name out, as his lack of fitness limits him to sub duty. 

The Saints: In order to succeed @ the 2010 World Cup, the US Nats must exhibit mature temperance, instead of impulsive gluttony. They must put down their forks when full and avoid all-you-can-eat buffets and extravagant four-course dinners. Which players can ensure the whole squad keeps a healthy balance. Tim Howard, for one, who is widely reputed to be a teetotaler. I will also add Mr. Hejduk to Santa’s nice list, as he has stayed fit as he nears 40.

The Sermon: Gluttony is the sin I abhor most because someone who overindulges not only inflicts a self-injury, but they also deprive another more needy person of much needed sustenance. For example, look at Rosie O’Donnell there. Her figure isn’t Rubenesque, it’s Hindenburgesque. Obese ogres like Ms. O’Donnell obsess over their food and drink, and they lack the self-control to suppress their sweet tooths. The US MNT must be fit, not fat, to succeed in 2010.

In addition, the players also need to be certain to avoid being one specific type of glutton: a glutton for punishment. They need to make the most of their opportunity for glory and resist the temptation to over-indulge. Most of all, they must erase that image of Rosie from their memory. I know I am trying to do the same thing already, but it feels like it has been seared into my brain for all perpetuity. I was just trying to make a point about excess, and now I know…

You can’t “have your cake and eat it too”. Well, unless you are Rosie. In fact, she is the only person in the world who is speaking in literal terms when she indicates she is “so hungry she could eat a horse”. If you take just one thing away from this post, remember this:

Never, ever ask Ms. O’Donnell to “eat your heart out”. Words to live by, no?

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Now that we know the teams that will be making it to South Africa for the World Cup finals, i think its time we all took the bold step of picking our favorites to win the tournament. I know many of you might say that the right time to do this will be after the group stage draw that will happen in about two weeks time on the 4th of December.

However, if you are as confident as ai am about the teams you support, then you will have no problem letting the cat out of the bag. Last night, French die hard football fans must have been having an experience they would love to forget ASAP! Experiencing your team almost not qualifying for the biggest football tournament on the planet is a very bad feeling to say the least.

The ‘gods’ must have been with them as they managed to qualify but only by the skin of their teeth. This is a story i am sure won’t be ending  anytime soon.  France’s controversial 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland has sent them through on 2-1 aggregate win after ‘Les Bleus’ won the first match in Ireland 1-0 thanks to a Nicholas Anelka strike.

However you may want to look at it, France derserves to be in the finals  because of the level of competiteveness that they provide. Lets just hope that they put their house in order before June the 11th. That said , there was another match of equal magnitude taking place in Khartoum on Wednesday night.

Africa’s sixth and final representative was decided when bitter arch rivals Algeria and Egypt locked horns in the Sudanese capital before a 35,000 strong crowd. These two nations were both looking to make it a third appearance at the finals but Algeria proved to be the better side in the tension filled Khartoum stadium.

A 39th minute goal form Yahia Cracker was enough to hand Algeria the final ticket to represent the continent in next year’s finals. This match was a re-make of their 1989, qualifier which turned violent after Egypt secured a spot in Italia 90 thanks to a lone goal from Hossam Hassan in Cairo.

The first fixture in Constatine ended in a barren draw and Algeria had to only draw in Egypt to make it through. Things did not go their way and they found themselves eliminated in the most painful of ways. Fast forward twenty years later and the tables have turned.

The Pharaohs were humbled by an Algerian side that is scarcely known in the football world. Now Algeria will join the other five African nations: Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa for the chance make Africa’s dream of wining the Cup a reality.

P.S. My favorites to win the World Cup are Ivory Coast and Brazil. I hope you will follow suite and reveal your favorites!

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