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.