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.