The American Treble

So this update is a little late in getting out and I apologize.  Because of my error the first week of March is included in the tally you will see below.  I will do better next time.  It seems as if our very own Highbury's Finest (Kirt) is still in the lead but not by much.  CaptainArsenal is still right behind him as he promised he would be.  So this could go to the wire.  Hopefully I can move up out of my spot in 5th!

Check out the top performing players as of March 10, 2010!  There really should be too many surprises here. 

Brad Friedel - Goalkeeper - 119 pts
Richard Dunne - Defender - 131 pts
Cesc Fabregas - Midfielder - 202 pts
Wayne Rooney - Forward - 199 pts

As usual here is a reminder that everyone can still sign up for the American Treble EPL Fantasy League.  Just follow the link below, create your team and enter the league code in the 'Leagues' section under the fantasy menu.  Even if you already have a team made you can and should still join the American Treble league.  Tell your friends and get them to sign up too!

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/
Code to enter league: 551480-126843

#	Team	Manager	GW	TOT
1	Highbury's Finest	Kirt Kreutzer	27	1586
2	CaptainArsenal	Captain Arsenal	41	1574
3	POOPSHOOTATTACK	Jason Kelley	36	1551
4	yankee 4-4-2	JB JB	51	1536
5	Fergie's Finest	brandon long	34	1499
6	Dial Square FC	Jason Willoughby	25	1416
7	Dream Catchers	Evelyn Garza	38	1407
8	CHODE CHOMPERS	Jason Erickson	32	1312
9	GeorgieBinghamIsHot	Jason Prior	13	1289
10	Rooney's Troops	Wynn Trice	15	1216
11	Bolds F.C.	jose calvo	29	1112

Well we knew he would be coming home the whole time didn't we?  To say Donovan has done well during his time at Everton is an understatement.  His very first game he capped off with an assist against Manchester City.  Flash forward three weeks and he is starting AND winning against Chelsea and United.  Not bad for an American eh?

I have always considered Landon Donovan to be the best American player of his generation.  Some would argue of all time and they have some valid arguments they could make.  No one has ever doubted Landon's ability more so than Landon himself.  Landon has been the face of the US National team for quite some time now.  He has had stints in Europe before but they have not been that successful.  Some say he lacks the drive to work hard in a foreign league when he can be a rockstar and starter here in America.  Others say he wasn't treated fairly during his time in Germany and that is why his spells were unsuccessful.  Well now it appears that he has shut everyone up with his displays for Everton.  He has done well on both sides of the ball by picking the right passes going forward but also tracking back when necessary.  Everyone so far has been pleased with his play and his progress as a player.

So why go back to the MLS is the big question?  We saw with David Beckham what can happen when you get a taste of euphoria that comes along with playing well for a top European club.  Beckham was ready to pack his bags and move to Milan if he could have found a way out his MLS contract.  Instead, he professed his desire to stay in L.A. and just do another loan stint with A.C. Milan this season.  Donovan probably took some notes on Beckham's situation and was looking to make sure that situation didn't happen to him.  When it was first announced that Donovan was going to Everton I wasn't quite sure why he was doing a loan spell.  At the time Everton needed him more than he needed them.  He is on the plane to South Africa no matter what happens between now and then.  He would have plenty of time to get in shape with the MLS season starting (hopefully) in April.  So why do the loan spell?  I think part of it had to do with proving to himself that he could perform at that level.  I also think the loan provided a safety net.  If everything didn't turn out as it has he could come home just as he planned.  Instead everything has gone great and he finds himself wanting to stay.  Could he have negotiated a deal with the MLS to stay on a bit longer?  Of course.  But at that time late last year he didn't quite believe in himself at this high of a playing level.  I hope he does stay in England for a few more weeks.  However, if he doesn't he only has his self doubt to blame.

I have been out of town for much of this week and last.  It is also tax season and working at an accounting firm takes up many hours of my day.  However, I got an e-mail from one of our good friends over at SoccerPro.com and he told us about a special that is running this weekend.  You can buy any 2 Manchester United jerseys for $79.99!  I just placed my order so I am not sure why you are still wasting time reading this.

Check out SoccerPro.com for official details and scoop up a deal.  You know you want the new kits.  Now is your chance to basically buy 1 at regular price and get a second for $10.  The deal applies to long sleeve jerseys as well but it may increase the price a bit.  For example, I just ordered a long sleeve home jersey and short sleeve away jersey and my total was just $89!  The deal ends tonight so get there quick!

http://www.soccerpro.com/Manchester-United-c159/

The FA have recently released a video that they hope will combat against the homophobic banter that is spouted out at various football matches in England and really around the globe.  This has been a hot topic lately ever since the famous rugby player Gareth Thomas (pictured) came out and said that he was gay.  There has been plenty of speculation about certain players over the years.  Here at American Treble we don't tolerate any disparaging remarks against any group of people.  Check out the video and let us know where you stand.  Is this video as effective as the FA would have hoped?

The Women's Professional Soccer league held a dispersal draft for the right of the players that were formerly apart of the Los Angeles Sol.  The Sol ceased operations in late January.  To some surprise the first pick by Saint Louis Athletica was for USA midfielder Shannon Boxx.  The World Player of the year, Marta, was picked third by FC Gold Pride.  Check out the rest of the draft here. 

WPS Dispersal Draft (player rights held by the Los Angeles Sol)

Round 1
1.    Shannon Boxx, M – Saint Louis Athletica *
2.    Karina LeBlanc, GK – Philadelphia Independence
3.    Marta, F – FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
4.    Casey Nogueira, F – Chicago Red Stars
5.    Stephanie Cox, D – Boston Breakers
6.    Nikki Washington, M – Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
7.    Brittany Bock, D – Washington Freedom
8.    Aya Miyama, M – Saint Louis Athletica
Round 2
9.    Manya Makoski, M – Atlanta Beat
10.    Faith Ikidi, D/F – Washington Freedom
11.    Kiersten Dallstream, F – Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
12.    Michelle Enyeart, F – Boston Breakers
13.    Kiki Bosio, F – FC Gold Pride (Bay Area) ^
14.    Tina DiMartino, M – Saint Louis Athletica #
15.    Estelle Johnson, D – Philadelphia Independence
16.    Pavlina Scasna, F – Atlanta Beat
Round 3
17.    Pass – Atlanta Beat
18.    Pass – Philadelphia Independence
19.    Lindsay Browne, F – FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
20.    Pass – Chicago Red Stars
21.    Pass – Boston Breakers
22.    Pass – Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
23.    Pass – Washington Freedom
24.    Catherine Sorenson, M – Saint Louis Athletica

There are some pretty big games coming up tomorrow on Wednesday in the English Premier League.  There are some games happening today but the big games are all taking place on Wednesday.  Two teams are hoping to end the day in the top spot.  One team attempting to stay in 3rd.  There are some teams battling it out for 4th as mentioned in a previous article.  Another tough test awaits for Donovan as well.  So take a look at the games happening in this midweek. 

Arsenal vs. Liverpool
This game will be a treat to watch for the neutral fan.  Arsenal are currently going through a tough time as most would count them out of the title race now that they are adrift of league leaders Chelsea by 9 points.  Two rough weekends saw them lose 3-1 to Manchester United and 2-0 to Didier Drogba.  It is a bit of a crisis over at the Emirates at the moment.  Then you have Liverpool.  The phrase that everyone seems to spout with Liverpool is that they 'have turned the corner'.  Not sure which corner that is but we should see tomorrow how true that is.  Liverpool are currently 4th in the table and if they beat Arsenal tomorrow they will be only 2 points back of the gunners.  There is a lot riding on this game to say the least.

Aston Villa vs. Manchester United
This is a big game for both clubs for different reasons.  You have the leagues best offense coming up against the leagues best defense.  The hottest player in Europe at the moment, Wayne Rooney, will surely be a goal threat all match.  The problem for Villa is that Nani, Valencia, and Berbatov seem like scoring as well.  So it will be interesting to see who starts for United.  Villa currently sit 7th in the table with a game in hand and could jump to 5th with a win over United and other results go their way.  That won't be an easy task but they already beat Untied 1-0 earlier in this campaign at Old Trafford no less.  So Villa, on the back of Richard Dunne, will go into this game with confidence high.  They are capable of keeping a clean sheet.  The tough part will be scoring.  They have by far the lowest goals scored of the top 7 teams with only 31.  The closest team to that total is Liverpool with 43.  As for their opponents tomorrow United have scored a whopping 30 more than Villa have so far this season.

Everton vs. Chelsea
Another big test for Donovan.  How will he cope against the league leaders?  Not sure but he should be fine.  Everton currently sit 9th in the table and will stay there even with a win tomorrow.  Everton manager, David Moyes, will also have one eye on the UEFA Europa League game against Sporting Lisbon next Tuesday as well.  I don't think he will field a weakened team but he may be cognizant of his substituting he does as the match wears on.  Chelsea will have every incentive to thrash Everton knowing that the destiny of the title is in their hands.  Drogba cannot stop scoring as of late and will probably extend his run into this game tomorrow.  If Everton can get on the score sheet then I could see them getting a tie out of this game.  Unfortunately Chelsea just have too much strength and momentum at the moment.  I will say this.  If Donovan can score tomorrow there may be a contest in the very near future.

Here is a link to the 2010 MLS Schedule.  The opening game will be on March 25, 2010 and it will feature new team Philadelphia Union taking on the Seattle Sounders.  So that should be interesting.  This season you have various ways to watch the games via ESPN, FSC, or MLSnet.com.  Check out when your favorite team plays below.  Also you may want to jump ahead and see how your team could be affected by the World Cup.





2010 MLS Schedule

Here are the games that will take place in March.

Away Team	Home Team	Time (ET)	TV
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Philadelphia Union	Seattle Sounders FC	9:30 p.m.	ESPN2/Deportes, ESPN360.com
Friday, March 26, 2010
Colorado Rapids	Chivas USA	10:30 p.m.	DK, MLSnet.com
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Toronto FC	Columbus Crew	4:00 p.m.	DK, MLSnet.com
Houston Dynamo	FC Dallas	4:00 p.m.	Telefutura
Chicago Fire	New York Red Bulls	7:00 p.m.	ESPN/Deportes
D.C. United	Kansas City Wizards	8:30 p.m.	DK, MLSnet.com
Real Salt Lake	San Jose Earthquakes	9:00 p.m.	FSC/FSE
New England Revolution	LA Galaxy	11:00 p.m.	FSC/FSE

Our friends at SoccerPro.com are back with another offer for all of you soccer fanatics.  They have a contest running where they will draw winners to win there Jersey's for Life contest.  Have you been checking out that new Manchester United jersey?  What about a Real Madrid jersey?  Thinking about pulling the trigger on a new England kit?  Now is your chance to have one sent you every year.  You don't have to worry about wearing your old jersey because now you can always have the latest jersey with the Jersey's for Life contest.

Check it out for yourself over on SoccerPro.com's World Cup page!

*See official rules for details at SoccerPro.com

The qualifying draw for the 2012 Euros was held this morning.  There are some interesting groups.  There aren't any groups that that seem too tricky for the top teams.  I imagine that is an intentional part of the draw so that the best teams (biggest money earners) have the best chance to go far in the tournament.  I was surprised to see the draw so early but I guess it is a long process so the time is necessary. 

Check out where your favorite European nation found themselves in the draw.

Group A
Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan

Group B
Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Macedonia, Aremenia, Andorra

Group C
Italy, Serbia, Norther Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands

Group D
France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg

Group E
Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino

Group F
Croatia, Greece, Israel, Lativa, Georgia, Malta




Group G
England, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales, Montenegro

Group H
Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland

Group I
Spain, Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein