Chelsea Battle Imminent – U.S. Steps Back

U.S. Soccer has really done it once again by not signing Klinsmann. Instead, they nominate a temporary coach from the MLS in Bob Bradley. Hardly comparable, although he is a fine MLS coach. But that’s not at all what our national team needs. This article does a pretty good job of summing up why we are just moving backwards. I’ve said it before but at this rate we’ll never catch up to the rest of the world.

Meanwhile there is a baby step forward for the American bound football fanatic. We’ll be having coverage of Euro 2008 on our major networks and that is pretty much unheard of. The problem however will be when they get the likes of Marcelo Balboa and Eric Wynalda to commentate. Sure we’ll have the games, but the guys talking about the match will be worthless.

The club has released a statement that any Arsenal supporter set out to make defamatory remarks about Chelsea players (through the use of bank notes, etc) will be ejected from the ground. That’s a pretty harsh punishment but I suppose the club has its reasons. This game has the potential to get quite nasty but hopefully the fans and players can keep it under control.

There are a couple of interesting points from the arsenal blogs. Goodplaya, like Arsene Wenger, is quite worried about the potential for violence. The statement that Arsenal made about player abuse really only incites the gooner crowd further. Meanwhile The Cannon implies that if the gunner supporters all show up with bank notes, they can’t turn away everyone. True, true. The tension mounts!

Senderos and Djourou are fit so there should be no surprises in defense. Without Henry, Rosicky, Gallas, and Toure this will be a tough match. The champions will be feverishly playing for all three points in order to catch up with United, and that might give us the advantage we need. In short Chelsea have everything to lose, we’ve got it all to win.

I’ll be visiting a local pub for the match at an early 8a.m. There’s nothing like drinking first thing in the morning. Come on Arsenal!