EPL Weekend News.

The Barclay's Premier League has been nothing short of exciting all up and down the table this season.  There aren't just battles for glory and survival at the top and bottom of the board, but there's prizes to be won in the 4th spot still too.

This past weekend saw Manchester United all but lock it's place in history as they defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford taking them 6 points clear with only 2 games left until their 19th league trophy.  They got a little help making things less hairy at the top when Stoke stunned Arsenal with a 3-1 showing.

That's not the only story though, places 15-20 (18,19,20 drop down a league) are only separated by 6 points there are battles to be had to stay in the top flight over the next 2 weeks.

Manchester City managed to hold onto it's 4th position despite it's 2-1 loss to Everton.  The stage was set for a tense run to the Champions League Qualifier spot with Tottenham 7 points back coming into this weekend's fixtures.  However Blackpool fighting for their collective top flight lives tied Tottenham and left them 6 points back of City with 3 matches left.  Manchester City and Tottenham go head to head on Tuesday and an out right win for either team could well lead to the Champions League.

Collection of Updates

It's been a while since I put my soccer thoughts out into the nerdiverse so I'll have to do a few short updates to catch up and vent what's been kicking around in my head.

First off congrats to Machester United for their 2-0 UEFA Champions League Semi-Final leg win on the road.  I can't wait for the return trip to Old Trafford!

Keeping with the UEFA theme Lionel Messi is a stone cold killer anywhere near the net, end of line.  His brace in the Barca game showed just how icy he is.  I rarely show support for my favorite Spanish Club, but today I'm wearing my Barca jersey that I bought in Italy in 1993.

Speaking of scoring a brace...WOOOOOO Clint Dempsey scores two yesterday and sets Fulham's EPL scoring record!  Congrats to one of the hardest working, and one of my personal favorite, American soccer players out there!

One more US cheer for Real Salt Lake and their fans for an incredible run in the Champions League, one goal shy of making it to the FIFA World Club Cup where the winners of every Champions League come to shine.  RSL and their fans did the MLS proud.

Now for the big news of the day... but first a little backstory:   On Friday, April 22, 2011 Seattle Sounders versus The Colorado Rapids, during the 3rd minute of play Brian Mullan lost the ball and thought he was

A Great Day to Be a Fan!

As the clock clicks slowly on, making it's way to Saturday here on the the East Coast, I find myself looking a head to the major offerings presented for my viewing pleasure.  First is the classical derby match up in the FA Cup Semi-Finals of Manchester United versus Manchester City.  This by itself would make my day, as a United fan I love these matches with City.  My day of soccer doesn't end there though, oh no!

Giggs amazes again.

Ryan Giggs #11

Ryan Giggs, born November 29, 1973, is a left footed virtuoso who if you've done the math is still playing top flight soccer at the age of *drum roll* 37!  Yesterday during the return leg of Manchester United's EUFA Champions League quarter final match Ryan Giggs continued to show why he's one of the greatest players of all time.

Start of the USL Season

As the NHL and NBA enter the swans song of their seasons US soccer is just starting to heat up.  The USL Pro League is ready to start and in case you didn't know Rochester has a men's, The Rochester Rhinos, and yes women's professional teams, The Western NY Flash.  The Rhinos have their last full day of practice at Sahlen's Stadium (formerly Marina, formerly Paetec Park) before they're on the road down to Richmond to take on this Kickers this Friday.  It's a long trip away from home for the Rhinos, they don't get back until the first weekend in May, so you've still got some time to try and grab some tickets for the home opener.

If that wasn't enough for you, and it case you hadn't heard, Marta is playing for The Flash.  Who's Marta you ask, well I hope you didn't have to ask but just in case you did.  Marta is the 5 time, and current (2 years in a row) FIFA Woman Player of the Year.  She's a Brazilian forward and her game is a beauty to watch on the field.  I watch the WPS when I can, it doesn't always fire me up for soccer, but watching Marta work her magic lifts my collective footie spirits.  Several of my soccer friends and I WILL be going to watch her in action in Rochester, she's world class and you don't get to see that every day out here in WNY.  For those of you who can't get to Rochester but still want to see Marta and the rest of the professional woman players around the league kick it, Fox Soccer is broadcasting games through out the season starting with the opening game between the Flash and the Boston Breakers this Sunday at 6PM eastern.

My First Musings

Welcome to my blog, it's not much just the rants and raves that I didn't feel like subjecting all of my Facebook friends with any more.  I'm a huge soccer fan and I found, shockingly, that not all my friends felt the same way about the beautiful game so here I am in my own little corner of the Interweb.  Sometimes my updates will be about soccer, local high school, MLS, or EPL.  Other times it may just be a random quirky thought that I feel needs to be put out there into the ethos, so as I don't end up talking to myself.  So I'm going to grab a beer (yes another passion of mine) and finish watching the Manchester United (my favorite team on the planet) vs. Chelsea UEFA quarter-final match.  Pour yourself a beer and join my random musings...