Lewis Holtby: The Premier League's Most Underrated Player by Jeff Graceffo

Throughout my years of watching soccer, I often recognized greatness without having to be sold on a player's abilities.  Casually, I'd ask a friend, "hey, who is number...". For instance, I remember watching the U.S.A. face the Netherlands in a 2003 friendly when I noticed a fearless man in orange take on an American defender whose name was Arjen Robben.  I watched the 2003 Gold Cup where I saw a midfielder, who turned out to be Kaka, slice through the defense and lay off a perfect through ball. The same thing happened in 2010 when I saw Gareth Bale race down the left wing in a pre-season friendly in New York.  These players don't require a sales pitch. Their ability speaks for itself.

Tottenham Dazzles at White Hart Lane by Jeff Graceffo

After three games, Tottenham finally displayed an exceptional brand of soccer in Christian Eriksen's debut. In the first three games, Tottenham was unable to score during open play. They only managed to score when taking a penalty kick, but that came to an end in glorious fashion in front of a sold out White Hart Lane. With Christian Eriksen and Gylfi Sigurdsson inserted into the starting line-up, Spurs played with much more fluidity and attacking spirit than they did in their previous matches.

Gareth Bale Scores In His Debut by Jeff Graceffo

After four months of rumors and gossip, Gareth Bale made his Real Madrid debut against Villareal on Saturday. It wasn't the best performance of his career, but he left a sizable impression. He started out of his normal position on the right wing, opposite Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite the new position, he showed flashes of brilliance. Throughout the first twenty minutes, Madrid mostly played the ball down

U.S.A. Defeats Mexico 2-1 in Columbus by Jeff Graceffo

If someone told me that the United States would defeat Mexico despite playing without four starters, and with Mexico desperate for a victory, I would've said that the best we could hope for was a draw. In a shocking result the Americans defeated Mexico 2-0 in front of a raucous crowd in Columbus, Ohio. The win brings the U.S. to the cusp of qualifying for Brazil 2014, while the defeat brought Mexico to the brink of elimination.

Team USA Goes Down 3-1 at Costa Rica by Jeff Graceffo

Costa Rica defeated the United States Men's National Team 3-1 in World Cup qualifying on Friday night in front of a sold out home crowd.  Costa Rica dominated most of the first half and they found themselves with a 2-0 lead early on. The U.S. closed the gap with a Clint Dempsey penalty kick just

Jeff Graceffo - Arsenal Outclasses Tottenham 1-0 at the Emirates by Jeff Graceffo

Although heavily criticized for not spending money during the transfer window, Arsene Wenger's side defeated Tottenham 1-0 in the first North London derby of the season at Emirates Stadium. Due to Tottenham's 100 million pound spending spree, many including myself thought that the balance of power shifted in Tottenham's direction. However, like others, I didn't give enough weight to certain factors that should've played a larger part in my initial assessment.

Jeff Graceffo - Tottenham Acquire Eriksen & Lamela by Jeff Graceffo

With just three days remaining in the transfer window, Tottenham continued their spending spree by acquiring AS Roma's Erik Lamela and Ajax's Christian Eriksen. This brings Tottenham's total outlay to  over 110 million pounds. They have shattered their reputation as a club that spends little, while selling their top players.

Jeff Graceffo - The Gareth Bale Saga Continues by Jeff Graceffo

As we approach the end of the transfer window, the drama between Real Madrid and Tottenham over Gareth Bale has reached epic proportions.  The possible transfer is affecting all of European soccer, especially the English Premier League. Before discussing the implications to the Premier League, let's discuss the state of Tottenham.

Jeff Graceffo - Jozy Altidore Scores His First Goal For Sunderland

After nearly breaking through in his first two games at Sunderland, U.S. forward Jozy Altidore scored his first goal of the season in a Capital Cup game against Milton Keynes Dons this afternoon. The entire country is pulling for Altidore to achieve great things in the Premier League.  He clearly has the ability to break Clint Dempsey's goal scoring record for Americans playing in the league. He will look to add to his goal tally this weekend against Crystal Palace.

By Jeff Graceffo

Jeff Graceffo - Tottenham Defeats Crystal Palace Without Gareth Bale by Jeff Graceffo

On the final day of the opening weekend, Tottenham Hotspurs defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 on a goal by the newly acquired Roberto Soldado. It was Crystal Palace's first home game in the Premiership in eight years and the crowd was electric throughout.  Although Tottenham supporters were forced to hold their breath in the final moments, the game was not as close as the score would have you believe.

Jeff Graceffo - Liverpool Wins the Opening Game in the 2013-14 Campaign by Jeff Graceffo

In what was an exhilarating opening game of the 2013-14 campaign, Liverpool defeated Stoke City 1-0 at Anfield. Liverpool controlled the game from the outset as they dominated much of the possession in the first half. It seems as if the Liverpool manager, Brendon Rogers, is finally seeing his work come to fruition. They are playing a possession based, free flowing style of football that is exciting to watch.  Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a blistering left footed shot into the far corner past Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic. Stoke managed to put some pressure on Liverpool in the final minutes of the first half, but Liverpool should have had a larger lead. They had one goal disallowed for being off-side on a free kick and they also hit the crossbar.

Jeff Graceffo - Manchester United Desperately Searching For a Playmaker

With the Barclays Premier League set to begin on Saturday, Manchester United is actively trying to acquire either Mesut Ozil or Luka Modric from Real Madrid. The off-season was a disaster for United as they failed to acquire any of their major targets and the rumors have been swirling that Wayne Rooney would leave for Chelsea.

Jeff Graceffo - Should Gareth Bale Stay at Tottenham?

Since the end of the 2012-13 campaign there was one question on the minds of soccer fans around the world, and that is what team Gareth Bale would play for in the upcoming season. Although Bale signed a three year contract extension before the beginning of last season, his incredible campaign caused rumors to swirl about a transfer to Real Madrid. The amount of misinformation that has been spread regarding this possible transfer is nauseating. However, Bale is a brand. He is a special player, and there are only a few of them so news of him leaving Tottenham caused mayhem.

Jeff Graceffo - The Return of Landon Donovan

When Landon Donovan comes to mind I immediately think of the Dashboard Confessional song, 'Vindicated'. Donovan's self imposed sabbatical from soccer last November set off a large backlash against the greatest player that America has ever produced. Some of the so-called experts wrote him off and said that his career was done. I completely disagreed with this notion and with Jurgen Klinsmann's decision to keep Donovan off of the World Cup qualifying campaign roster during the March-June window.

Jeff Graceffo - Clint Dempsey Leaves Tottenham for MLS

In a shocking announcement, Tottenham sold Clint Dempsey to the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer. Dempsey is by far the most successful American to play overseas, and it is very surprising to see him return to the U.S. while he still has a few years remaining in his prime.  I have mixed emotions about the move, but in the end it comes down to the dollars.

Jeff Graceffo - The Absurdity of the Transfer Window

After a long hiatus, we return for the beginning of the Barclays Premier League.  However, before offering an opinion on the upcoming season I want to address the current transfer window.  I am one who does not like to waste time, and sadly that is all the transfer window is. It is the male equivalent of celebrity magazines or Keeping Up With the Kardashians. It is an utter waste of time to follow the ludicrous statements that are made by all parties in their efforts to execute a misinformation campaign.

Boxing Day's Hero is Gareth Bale by Jeff Graceffo

The dangerous Gareth Bale proved his value to Tottenham with a second half hat trick to seal the Spurs victory, 4-0 over Aston Villa. Bale is priceless. Tottenham is Champions League team with him and an average Premier League team without him. More to come...

Tottenham Defeats West Ham Amidst Anti-Semitic Abuse From West Ham Supporters

Tottenham defeated West Ham 3-1 at White Hart Lane on Sunday amid Anti-Semitic controversy in the stands. After losing four of their previous five matches, the Spurs were desperate for a victory. They saved their manager, Andre Villas-Boas, from increased criticism and further demands for his firing.  Jermaine Defoe scored twice before Gareth Bale put the game out of reach with the third. West Ham added a late goal by Andy Carroll to make the match seem closer than it was. From the outset the result was never in doubt

The bigger story took place off of the field. Earlier this week, Spurs fans were attacked in Rome by a group of hooligans before the Europa League match between Tottenham and Lazio.  They were attacked with knives, bottles, bricks, etc. It was suggested that anti-semitism was one of the main reasons for the attack as Tottenham is associated with a

Chelsea and Liverpool draw in a dazzler, while Man City defeated Tottenham in a Snoozer

A more in-depth article will come shortly but for now, Chelsea and Liverpool battled to a draw at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City kept pace with their crosstown rivals at the top of the table as they soundly defeated Spurs 2-1.

U.S. Qualifying Preview by Mike Autry

Qualifying resumes with the U.S. in need of maximum points

Letʼs face it, Itʼs starting to get a little tricky at the top of the Group A table with Guatemala, Jamaica, and The U.S. all tied with seven points heading into this pivotal round of World Cup Qualifying. As the U.S. head into their first match in just a little over a month, the Message from Jurgen Klinsmann should and will be clear, Win! The squad, which is made up of mostly foreign based players, will head into tonightʼs match against Antigua & Barbuda with high hopes of attaining maximum points. The only kicker is that this match will not be played in the cushy confines of an American Stadium, but rather at a relatively unknown venue, the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium located in North Sound, Antigua.

The U.S. has and will face tougher venues and crowds than the one we probably see tonight, however, when venturing into the Unknown, you guessed it, you just never quite know. The U.S. will surely be up to the task tonight however and will certainly know that any slip up going forward could have lasting affects in their hopes for yet another World Cup. The U.S. will certainly be boosted by the return of Roma hardman, Michael Bradley, who missed the last round of WCQ. Clint Dempsey is also back in the side after a strong start with his club team, Tottenham Hotspur. Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. will certainly be looking to these two influential figures to spark the attack and provide confidence for the rest of the squad.

It certainly gets a little bit trickier after tonights visit to Antigua & Barbuda as the U.S. will once again come face to face with Guatemala at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City. This Match, which is on Tuesday Oct 16, could prove crucial. The last time these two sides met was at the hostile confines of The Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores in the heart of Guatemala City. The U.S. were fortunate to walk away with a 1-1 draw on that particular night, but you could not deny the quality of the Guatemalan side, We will need to be sharp! I hope all of you enjoy the Upcoming Qualifiers and as always, Come on U.S.!!

Jozy Altidore Leading the Eredivisie in Goals by Jeffrey Graceffo

Jozy Altidore continued his impressive form as he scored his eighth goal of the season as AZ Alkmaar tied 3-3 over the weekend. This is great news for American soccer.  American fans can only dream that he keeps this up and earns a transfer to a top flight English team next year such as Arsenal or Tottenham.

Tottenham Shocks Manchester United 3-2 by Jeff Graceffo

Tottenham defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time since 1989 when the legendary Gary Lineker scored the game winning goal. It is without a doubt the Premiership's game of the year. Tottenham dominated the opening 45 minutes as defender Jan Vertonghen opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. It was a daring run that set the tone for the remainder of the game. Gareth Bale launched a Spurs counter attack and blew past Rio Ferdinand before burying the ball in the far corner to give the Spurs a 2-0 lead.  United appeared shellshocked.  The remainder of the half saw Gareth Bale, Moussa Dembele, and Sandro dominate the midfield.

At the break, Sir Alex Ferguson brought in Wayne Rooney to replace Ryan Giggs and the dimension changed immediately.  United had a greater urge to push forward as Rooney attacked with vigor.  In the 51st, Rooney's cross ended up in the back of the net after a Nani deflection. Although the result appeared to be in question, Tottenham scored in the next minute after a rebound off of a Gareth Bale went right to Clint Dempsey who buried it.  Dempsey's first goal in a Spurs jersey was the game winner. That's a pretty good way to begin a new era.

To cap off an exciting few minutes, Shinji Kagawa brought United to within one.  For the remainder of the game Tottenham shrank into a defensive formation and let United come at them. They hit the post several times, but were fortunate to hang on as United couldn't put another one past Brad Friedel.


Thoughts:
- Great win for Tottenham. Should be a huge confidence booster. It's the type of game that should make a team believe they're going to win every game.
- Although the AVB era got off to a slow start, the team is beginning to find the right chemistry after the purchases of Dembele and Dempsey
- Daniel Levy's looking like a brighter guy
- Gareth Bale is a monster.  The guy can play anywhere on the field for any team in the world.
- Moussa Dembele was a great acquisition.  They removed the Modric headache for a young, hungry guy.
- Brad Friedel is still top class even at age 40
- Tottenham must not ever sink back into a defensive position when having the lead like they did.
- Manchester United needs an overhaul
- They're way too reliant on one player; Rooney

Jeffrey Graceffo - Liverpool Suffers A Bitter Loss To Manchester United 2-1

Manchester United defeated Liverpool 2-1 in a bitterly contested match at Anfield this afternoon.  This game was a reflection of Liverpool's season to this point as they dominated but left the field without a positive result.  The opening forty-five minutes was the finest half of football that I've witnessed this season.  Liverpool was a pleasure to watch.  They ran rings around a helpless Manchester United.  Steven Gerrard appeared as if he were a version of his younger self, while Raheem Sterling terrorized United defenders down the right wing.

Jeff Graceffo - France Defeats Belarus 3-1, Remain Undefeated In World Cup Qualifying

France defeated Belarus 3-1 in Paris. French goals came from Etienne Capoue, Christophe Jallet, and the great Franck Ribery.  After the dismal Euro 2012 campaign, new coach Didier Deschamps seems to have them on the right path.

Jeff Graceffo - Real Madrid Wins A Thriller Over Manchester City

Real Madrid defeated Manchester 3-2 in a Champions League classic on Tuesday at the Bernabeu in Madrid.
- Madrid dominated the first half.  Though the first forty-five minutes were scoreless, it could have been 4-0.
- Joe Hart was incredible in goal. His saves off of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain were sensational.
- Jose Mourinho benched Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil to start the game.  He went with Michael Essien instead.  I can't remember the last time I saw Madrid start a game without Ramos on the field.
- Ronaldo was legit from the opening minute
- Man City seemed overwhelmed but were fortunate to get into halftime tied. Not starting Mario Balotelli was a huge mistake by Roberto Mancini
- Edin Dzeko broke the deadlock on a counterattack after a great through ball from Yaya Toure. Dzeko beat Iker Casillas to the near post...shocking to say the least

Jeffrey Graceffo - Liverpool Settles For A 1-1 Draw

Liverpool was held to a 1-1 draw by Sunderland on Saturday.
- Rahim Sterling is a star in the making.  He is a joy to watch. He was by far the best player on the field for Liverpool.
- Steven Gerrard was his usual self, but it's almost time for him to drop back to center defense.
- Luis Suarez provided a solid contribution with the game tying goal
- Liverpool deserved a W, but leaves with another draw.
- Give Sunderland credit for battling and getting the much earned point

Jeff Graceffo - Tottenham Defeats Reading 3-1

Tottenham defeated Reading 3-1 on Sunday to give Andre Villas-Boas his first victory as manager.  

- Tottenham was dominant from the opening kickoff

- Dembele was awesome. He ran all over the field. He provided his teammates with an option and quickly distributed it upon reception.  He looks like a great purchase.

- Gareth Bale; can't get enough of him. He's a lot of fun to watch. He is fearless. He can run full speed while dribbling and unleash a devastating shot.  His goal wasn't highlight worthy, but it was the game winner.  I like the fact that he switched numbers to 11, the number of fellow Welshman, Ryan Giggs.

- Clint Dempsey made his first appearance in the 80th minute and it was positive

- Jermaine Defoe looked great. It was the best I've seen from him. 

- Sigurdsson's through ball to Aaron Lennon was as good as it gets to set up their first goal

- Reading goalkeeper was atrocious with the ball.  It looked like a FIFA game.  Way too many simple giveaways.

- Tottenham looks like they're back and ready to make a run at the Premiership

Jeff Graceffo - Sir Alex Ferguson Wants Ronaldo Back?

Rumors are swirling that Manchester United Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson wants to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.  After selling Ronaldo for a record sum only a few years ago, Ferguson is desperate to establish his side as the Premiership's best.  The recent rise of Manchester City is a thorn in Ferguson's side.  

- I don't see this happening.

- Why would Madrid sell the second best player in the world? They don't need the money

- Jose Mourinho is his coach, why would you leave?

- The past is the past, don't go back

- Real Madrid is currently on a much different level than Manchester United. It would be a step down.

Jeff Graceffo - Team USA Takes On Jamaica Again

The U.S. Men's National Team will take on Jamaica tomorrow night in a World Cup qualifier.  The Jamaicans defeated the U.S. this past Saturday, and the U.S. is desperate for a victory.  The game takes place on the eleventh anniversary of 9/11 in Columbus, Ohio.  The U.S. should have a large, noisy crowd in their corner. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann stated that the U.S. will not lose.  The heat will be turned up on Klinsmann should the U.S. walk away without a victory.  

Jeff Graceffo - USA Defeated By Jamaica 2-1

Team USA lost to Jamaica 2-1 in Kingston on Friday night.  It was the first time that Jamaica beat the U.S. Everyone should relax.
- This is the first round of CONCACAF qualifying. The U.S. only has to come in first or second in their group of four. The other two teams are Antigua and Guatemala. They will go through
- Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, and Steve Cherundolo were not in action. The U.S. does not have depth.
- Clint Dempsey showed no rust scoring in the first minute of the game.

Jeff Graceffo - Usain Bolt May Play For Manchester United

Usain Bolt, olympic gold medalist, may play for Manchester United in a friendly against Real Madrid.  The current 100 meter champion is the fastest man in the world. It will be quite a spectacle should it take place.

Jeff Graceffo - Michael Owen Signs With Stoke

After passing a physical, English striker Michael Owen will join Stoke F.C.

I don't know how much Owen has left in him, but I'm glad to see him get a chance to play first team football again.  He was on the bench at Manchester United for a long time.

Anytime I hear his name I think back to his goal at the '98 World Cup against Argentina. I pasted a link from YouTube below. It's pretty unreal. His pace was awesome. I didn't realize until now that Beckham passed him the ball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFcTVlLj8Q4

England hasn't had a better team since that tournament.

By Jeff Graceffo

Jeff Graceffo - Arsenal Chairman Admits Reality

Arsenal's chairman admitted that they cannot spend the amount of money that clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City do.

While the previously mentioned clubs are owned by billionaires, Arsenal shouldn't be in the position they're in.  Throughout the 1990's and early 2000's they constantly fought for the Premier League title and qualified for the Champions League. In addition, they spent hundreds of millions of dollars/pounds on Emirates Stadium, they're state of the art facility, which replaced Highbury.  Furthermore, over the past five to seven years they sold off most of their best players at peak value.  These players include Ashley Cole, Thierry Henry, Robin Van Persie, Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, etc. Where is all of their revenue going that they cannot afford to make big purchases?

Jeff Graceffo - Berbatov Rips Alex Ferguson

The war of words between Dimitar Berbatov and Alex Ferguson intensified as Berbatov criticized Ferguson's treatment of him over the past few seasons. After leading the premiership in scoring in 2010, he saw his playing time diminish.

I can't blame Berbatov. He scored a ton of goals in 2010-11 and Ferguson turned to a younger generation of players including Chicarito and Danny Welbeck.  The off season acquisition of Robin Van Persie was icing on the cake.

Jeff Graceffo - Arsenal Defeats Liverpool 2-0

Here are some brief thoughts:

- Liverpool dominated the first fifteen minutes, but from then on Arsenal was in control.
- Liverpool's Raheem Sterling is pure quality. He was fun to watch. He was constantly on the go. He showed creativity, made space for his teammates and provided them with options.
- Luis Suarez was nowhere to be found

Jeff Graceffo - Hat Trick for Robin Van Persie

Robin Van Persie's hat trick secured a 3-2 victory for Manchester United over Southampton.  RVP scored two goals in the final five minutes.  What a great way for him to begin his time at United; four goals in three games. If Arsenal hadn't defeated Liverpool, then it would be the cruelest of days for Arsenal fans.

Jeff Graceffo - Manchester City 3 - QPR 1

Unlike their initial two games, Manchester City left no doubt as to who is the best team in the league. They thoroughly dominated QPR from the opening whistle.  Yaya Toure sent them ahead 1-0 in the first half.  After QPR tied it in the second half it only took a few minutes before City went ahead for good off of a Edin Dzeko header.

Jeff Graceffo - EPL Transfer Window Winners

Tottenham

- The acquisition of Hugo Lloris, Moussa Dembele, and Clint Dempsey make them a winner.  The moves should have been made sooner, but Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy made it happen. Whether AVB is the man to lead them into the Champions League is another question.

Manchester City 

- Winners. Scott Sinclair was a good purchase from Swansea

Manchester United

- Neutral. They picked up RVP, but I'm not sure if that's enough to put them in Manchester City's class. A top defender would've paid dividends.

Jeff Graceffo Tottenham Draws Norwich 1-1

Well, the second half went about as well as the first as Tottenham earned a draw against Norwich City 1-1 at White Hart Lane. The criticism is pouring in over Tottenham's moves throughout the past five months including the sacking of Harry Redknapp and the hiring of Andre Villas-Boas.  Despite overhauling the entire roster, they have looked very mediocre in the first three games of the campaign.

They're playing four in the back with two holding midfielders. Why? Why play so defensive when you have first class attackers.  Things should change when Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele start next week.  The two are familiar with each other after spending years together at Fulham. When Scott Parker returns from injury that will further boost them.

Finally, Emanuel Adebayor needs to start each week. He's head and shoulders above Jermaine Defoe. I'm not thrilled with their lineup selections to this point, but it's early and the team has not had time to gel. AVB has a few weeks before the pressure is heavily applied.

Clint Dempsey Signs With Tottenham Hotspurs Jeff Graceffo

This is a great day for American soccer. Clint Dempsey's holdout worked as he secured a transfer to Tottenham this evening.  Dempsey sat out the first two weeks of the season but got the transfer done before the window closes this weekend.  I can't see him lining up this weekend, but look for him next Saturday to make his debut.  Its been a very busy transfer session for Tottenham as their new manager Andre Villas-Boas thoroughly revamped the team.  In the past few weeks they said goodbye to Matthew Dawson, Rafael van der Vaart, Giovanni Dos Santos, and Luca Modric. Meanwhile, they welcome Clint Dempsey, Moussa Dembele, and Hugo Lloris.

I'm totally psyched for Dempsey to line up with the Spurs. I'm ordering my jersey tonight.  As Alec Baldwin said in Along Came Polly, "Mazel, Mazel, good things"

Champions League Draw - Group D is the Group of Death

Champions League Draw

Group A: FC Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Paris St. Germain, Dinamo Zagreb

Group B: Arsenal, Schalke, Olympiakos, Montpellier

Group C: AC Milan, Zenit St. Petersburg, Anderlecht, Malaga

Group D: Real Madrid, Ajax, Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund - WOW!!!!

Luka Modric Saga Concludes

The seemingly never ending story regarding Luka Modric's acquisition finally concluded with the Croatian Midfielder set for a move to Real Madrid.  Although rumors swirled for more than one year, both sides can finally move on.  It's a good move for Tottenham.  Modric was not happy there. They recevied an enormous amount of money for him as well. They have the funds to shop the market for several players that can

Clint Dempsey Refuses To Play

Clint Dempsey, Fulham's American midfielder, has refused to suit up for the opening weekend of play. He is coming off of the greatest season ever by an American in a European league. However, he has been very clear about his intentions to play for a team that will compete for the Premiership and play in the Champions League.

English Premier League Kick-Off

The English Premier League opens play tomorrow. Fox Soccer Channel will cover games beginning at 10 am, while ESPN will show the Tottenham-Newcastle game live at 12:30. This is a great way to start the year. Enjoy!

USA 1 - Mexico 0: 75-Year Drought Ended

Although this was merely an international friendly, it remains a great night for American soccer as The Yanks defeated Mexico for the first time at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. Admittedly, I expected very little of the U.S. as the Mexicans recently won the Olympic Gold Medal, while the Americans failed to qualify. In addition, the U.S. did not bring their full squad while the Mexicans had the majority of their starting eleven. While the Americans did not present fans with a dazzling display of soccer, they converted one of their few opportunities to gain a hard fought victory.

Biggest Questions Leaving Euro 2012

1. What was Joachim Low thinking?
- Germany hadn't lost a game since the 2010 World Cup Final so he decides to change the starting lineup in the knockout stages. I still can't believe it. They had great chemistry together. Benching Thomas Muller? Mario Gomez?

2. Would an extra day of rest have helped Italy?
- Italy looked tired in the final, I mean before they played with ten men. They simply ran out of gas. Why Prandelli used all three subs by the 55th minute? Why pull an attacking player to bring on Di Natale? Why didn't Balzaretti start?  Prandelli was awesome throughout so he doesn't deserve any criticism, but these questions have gone through my head

3. Has there ever been a worse decision in a penalty shootout?
Why Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't the first player to kick is a mystery.  You have to send your best players out there first. If they score, it puts pressure on the other team. Massive failure, after their coach had a hell of a tournament. Jose Mourinho wouldn't have done that

Euro 2012: 1st Team

It took a long time, but we're back...Here is my list of the players that make up the all tournament team

GK: Iker Casillas - Spain
- He made everything look easy. He reads the game so well that he positions himself in the right place so that his job appears easy.

D: Federico Balzaretti - Italy
- I had no clue who this guy was entering the tournament, but he made a fantastic impression on me.  Great overlapping runs, gets back on defense, etc.

D: Jordi Alba - Spain
- Welcome to the show...It's easy to see why Barcelona just paid a ton of money to acquire him. Incredible tournament run culminating in fantastic performances in the semi-final and final.

The Azzurri KO's The Three Lions In Penalty Kicks As Germany Awaits

Unexpectedly, Italy and England provided the world with a dramatic performance as their quarterfinal showdown resulted in an Italy triumph by way of penalty kicks.  The game was thrilling from the opening whistle as Daniele de Rossi nearly fired the Italians into the lead in the 3^rd minute, but his long-range volley struck the post.  Only minutes later, Glen Johnson forced a quality save from Italian keeper, Gianluigi Buffon.  After this exchange it was clear that the game would be a classic.

Germany 4 - Greece 2: Blitzkrieg in Gdansk

Germany outclassed Greece for a 4-2 victory in their quarterfinal clash this evening in Gdansk.  The Germans were the heavy favorites, and their display warranted it.  The final score makes it appear closer than it was.  The Germans could have put ten past the Greek keeper.  However, the Greeks deserve credit for their effort.  They made it interesting when their brilliant counter attack leveled the game at 1-1 in the second half.  Unfortunately for them, they were just outmatched as the Germans scored three goals in the following twenty minutes.

Germany vs. Greece: Euro 2012 Quarterfinal Preview

It will truly be a David versus Goliath matchup when Germany takes on Greece in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals on Friday.  The Germans have the advantage at every position, and they have the better manager in Joachim Loew.  The Greeks face a very tall order.  Germany won their group games with relative ease, and they have not lost since the 2010 World Cup semi-final.  If the Greeks are to have any chance, they must rekindle the spirit of their Spartan ancestors at Thermopylae.

Portugal 1 - Czech Republic 0: Will The Media Ever Criticize Ronaldo's Attitude?

With the world watching, Cristiano Ronaldo did not disappoint.  In the 78^th minute, he broke the deadlock with a fabulous header to send Portugal into the Euro 2012 semifinals.  In a game that was relatively even in the opening half, Portugal completely dominated the Czech Republic in the second.  However, Ronaldo was the story throughout.

Italy 2 - Ireland 0: Italy Advances

With everything on the line, Italy advanced to the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 by decisively defeating Ireland 2-0.  After two draws, Italy needed a victory in order to advance.  The pressure was on the Italians, and they stepped up in every way.  Although the Irish created a few good scoring opportunities, the Italians had significantly more.

Spain Wins Group C By Defeating Croatia 2-1

The Spanish entered the tournament as the favorites and backed up the hype by winning Group C in convincing fashion.  They defeated Croatia 1-0 today, which eliminated the Croats as the Italians came in second place.  Once again, they showed why they are the defending European and World Cup champions.

Portugal 2 - Netherlands 1: Ronaldo Leads Portugal Into The Quarterfinals

After receiving heavy criticism for his lackluster performances for the Selecção, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals to lead Portugal to a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Kharkiv.  It was a rematch of the notorious ‘Battle of Nuremburg’ that these countries played in during the second round of the 2006 World Cup, in which four red, and sixteen yellow cards were

Group A Complete: Czech Republic and Greece Advance

In a shocking turn of events, the Czech Republic and Greece advanced to the Euro 2012 quarterfinals.  Although they began in dazzling fashion, the Russians failed to advance despite winning their opening game.  The hype they created was just too much to live up to.  Despite their early exit, Poland provided some exciting football, and it is unfortunate that they could not give their fans more to cheer about by advancing. The Czech play the runner-up from Group B, while Greece plays the winner.  The matches will be played on Thursday and Friday.

England 3 - Sweden 2: The Three Lions Roar!

 On a lovely night for football in Kiev, England produced their best performance since Euro 2004 as they defeated Sweden 3-2 in dramatic fashion.  After an incredibly dull match against France, England played with infinitely more positivity.  While they relied on the long-ball during several periods of the match, they also maintained possession through short, quick passes.  They were delightful to watch.

Spain 4 - Ireland 0: Spain Cruises To Victory

The defending champions dazzled in their 4-0 thrashing of Ireland in Gdansk.

I debated, and decided that this game was not worth the time it takes to write a review. It was pure domination.  What is there to say that cannot be summarized?  Here are a few thoughts

Germany 2 - Netherlands 1: Germany Takes Advantage of Dutch Mismanagement

In what was expected to be the most exciting match of the group stage, Germany sent the Netherlands to the brink of elimination after defeating them 2-1.  Although the rivalry runs deep, it did not live up to the billing, as large parts of the game were unimaginative with the Dutch often appearing lifeless.  If one wanted to place blame, then look no further than Dutch manager, Bert van Marwijk.

The U.S. Ties Guatemala 1-1 in World Cup Qualifying

The U.S. Men’s National Team took on a Guatemala side in need of points at Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores. From the opening whistle there seemed to be an eerie calm cast over the stadium as the U.S. entered hoping for maximum points. That calm eventually

Poland 1 - Russia 1: Enemies Collide In Warsaw

Poland and Russia, bitter enemies, battled to a 1-1 tie in Warsaw.  Whenever two heated rivals square off an extra dimension is added to any game.  The struggle between these nations dates back several centuries, and after the Polish home crowd delivered a raucous national anthem there was a feeling that the game would be memorable.  While the

France 1 - England 1: The Three Lions Play Like Lambs

In a game that left much to be desired, the French and English walked away with one point from their Euro 2012 opener as they drew 1-1.  While some expected a thrilling game, it was anything but exciting.  Although fans hoped the English would finally abandon their boring, defensive approach to the game, they were left bitterly disappointed with their style of play.  However, they were able to get a point, which cannot be discredited.

While stretches of the first half were exciting, the majority of the game was largely

Spain 1 – Italy 1: The Return of ‘La Forza Azzurri’

For ninety minutes, two world powers dazzled fans across the globe.  In the opening game of Group C, Italy drew Spain 1-1 as the Spanish began their quest to repeat.  Although the Spanish played as expected, the Italians shocked everyone with their newly adapted style of play. 

Perhaps the most surprising things were the lineup and formation selections by

Germany 1 - Portugal 0: Gomez Fires Germany Ahead

Although their performance left much to desire, the mighty Germans managed to take three points in their Group of Death opener as they defeated Portugal 1-0.  With Jose Mourinho looking on from the stands, one can only wonder how different the Portuguese strategy would be with the ‘Special One’ in command.  From the opening whistle, the Germans attacked.  Foreshadowing later events, they threatened to take the lead in the second minute after a great header by Mario Gomez off of a Jerome Boateng cross. 

Denmark 1 - Netherlands 0: Shocking Result in Kharkov

The Group of Death opened with a bang as Denmark shocked the Netherlands 1-0 in Kharkov.  From the announcement of the starting line-up, fans hoping to see ‘Total Football’ were left disappointed with the selections of Nigel de Jong, and Mark van Bommel.  In addition, the Dutch left Kevin Strootman, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and Rafael van der Vaart on the bench.  It was clear that Van Marwijk chose a less offensive side.

U.S.A. 3 - Antigua & Bermuda 1: The U.S. Opens World Cup Qualifying

In front of a jubilant crowd in Tampa Bay, FL, the U.S. Men’s National Team took on Antigua & Bermuda to kick off their World Cup Qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014. Within the last month the U.S. completed a three match friendly series, which included a

Russia 4 - Czech Republic 1: A Red Storm Rising

By thoroughly defeating the Czech Republic 4-1, Russia made a very loud statement to begin their Euro 2012 campaign.  After the initial whistle, it seemed the opposite was more likely.  The Czech Republic controlled the pace of the game during the initial fifteen minutes.  It appeared that they were the better team and would dominate possession.  However, things change very quickly on the pitch.

Poland 1 - Greece 1: A Tale of Two Halfs

If the opening game is an indicator then Euro 2012 will be a huge success.  Coming out of the gates full of enthusiasm and emotion, co-host Poland ran rings around the Greeks. 

Group Stage Predictions

There wasn't a lot of disagreement here. When we reach the knockout rounds the picks will surely differ.

Top 5 breakout players at Euro 2012

1. Christian Eriksen - Midfield - Denmark

2. Kevin Strootman - Midfield - Netherlands

3. Yann M'Vila - Midfield - France

4. Mario Gotze - Midfield - Germany

5. Robert Lewandowski - Forward - Poland

Italy: Euro 2012 preview

Is there a nation on Earth that is more passionate about soccer than Italy?  Few take as much pride in their soccer as the Italians.  La Forza Azzurri have rewarded its countrymen with four World Cup championships, highest among all European nations.  They produced

France: Euro 2012 preview

Allez Les Bleus! For years, the French National Team was known for underachieving.  When the great Michel Platini came along they finally lifted their first major trophy on home soil at Euro 1984.  In spite of Platini’s talent, they were unable to achieve world dominance.  With the emergence of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, the French ran over Europe like the armies of Napoleon conquering everything in its path.  After defeating a great Brazil team

Spain: Euro 2012 preview

Once again, Spain, La Furia Roja, enters a major tournament as the odds on favorite.  In their minds, the trophy is theirs to lose.  The Spanish have plenty working in their favor and here are the reasons why.

Unlike their competition, with the exception of the Germans who have a large Bayern Munich contingent, ninety percent of Spain’s team play for only two clubs; Barcelona and Real Madrid.  These happen to arguably be the two best teams in the world.  While the animosity between them was often blamed for the poor performance of the national

Germany: Euro 2012 preview

What was once unthinkable is now the norm.  The German National Team, also known as Die Mannschaft, was characterized for decades as a rigid, disciplined, unbreakable force that had an iron will to win.  Their style of play left much to be desired.  They did not play an exciting, entertaining brand of soccer.  They grinded out low scoring victories, often relying on set pieces to break the deadlock.  Although it was not pretty, this style led them to three World Cup and European Championships. However, everything changes.

Netherlands: Euro 2012 preview

Will the nation that brought the world ‘Total Football’ return to its roots at Euro 2012?  Although the Netherlands is a relatively small country, they consistently produce many of the world’s best players.  Their 1970’s teams led by Johan Cruyff are always mentioned as one of the all time greatest teams despite not winning a major trophy.  Unfortunately, some of us never had the chance to watch that team.  However, the Oranje’s greatness continues to the present day.  Throughout the 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s, the Netherlands was known for how beautifully they played the game. It was their 1998 World

England: Euro 2012 preview

Are The Three Lions ready to roar in Poland & Ukraine? If so, they are off to a dubious start.  The controversy that always comes out of the England camp arose once again with Fabio Capello’s surprise resignation as manager at the end of April. West Bromwich’s Roy Hodgson was named manager with only one month to prepare.

It falls on Hodgson to lead England’s charge towards their first major trophy since they lifted the World

Official Launch

Welcome to the launch 'party' for Soccer State of Mind.  We will be releasing previews for the teams at Euro 2012 right up until kick off tomorrow.  We will provide game reviews throughout the tournament.  As the tournament moves on we we will also cover the U.S. National Team's World Cup qualification campaign.  We will provide coverage of MLS and the European leagues once they begin in the fall. Thank you very much for following us.