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Monday, May 31, 2010

Soccer90Radio Player of the Day: Gregory van der Wiel

Soccer90Radio Player of the Day:

Gregory van der Wiel
22 Years Old
AFC Ajax
#2
Right Back

Click photos for links.



Sunday, May 30, 2010

2010 FIFA World Cup Prediction - Group C

Click WC logo for group details and flags for team details:Group C - The Teams
England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia

When looking at the teams in this group, many can see that this may be an exciting group to watch during this tournament.

England have put together probably the best team at this tournament. With the likes of Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea F.C.), John Terry (Chelsea F.C.), Glen Johnson (Liverpool F.C.), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool F.C.), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)......
Let's just say, you could take the whole list of 23 players and predict that they are all going to help this team during the tournament, with the exception of 3 goalkeepers as we all know England's terrible luck with finding a strong number 1 keeper.

England should finish first in this group.

The United States have a strong team this year at the World Cup. Landon Donovan (L.A. Galaxy), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes F.C.), Oguchi Onyewu (A.C. Milan), and Clint Dempsey (Fulham F.C.) bring that veteran experience to the selected 23. Jozy Altidore (Villarreal C.F.), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Maurice Edu (Rangers F.C.), and Johnathan Spector (West Ham United) bring in the always important youth mentality to the team.

The U.S. should have a good run and progress to the Round of 16.

Algeria are back in the World Cup tournament after being absent for quite some time. The last tournament Algeria competed in was back in 1986, failing to progress from the group stage and only managing a draw against Northern Ireland.

Some key players to watch for at this are: Rafik Saifi (F.C. Istres), Abdelkadar Ghezzal (A.C Siena), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg), and Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth). They will be looking to try and boost Algeria into one of the 2 progressing positions to the Round of 16, but this is likely to be a dream and a last place finish looks more realistic.

Slovenia come in with a very decent team. It is possible they will be able to challenge for that second spot to progress to the Round of 16. However, the U.S. will be a handful and will give 100% each time they take the field. Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion), Valter Birsa (A.J. Auxerre), and Milivoje Novakovic (1. F.C. Koln) are players to watch.

My prediction for this group will be a nail bitter as we will probably have an exciting finish for that last progressing spot.

England - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
United States - 1 Win, 1 Loss, 1 Draw (Advance on goal difference)
Slovenia - 1 Win, 1 Loss, 1 Draw
Algeria - 0 Wins, 2 Losses, 1 Draw

England and the Untied States progress to the Round of 16.

*U.S. progressing on goal difference.




Saturday, May 29, 2010

Soccer90Radio Player of the Day: Javier Hernández Balcázar

Soccer90Radio Player of the Day:

Javier Hernandez Balcazar
22 Years Old
C.D. Guadalajara (Will join Manchester United July 1st, 2010)
#14
Forward
First Mexican player to join Manchester United.


ChivasGuadalajara.png


Friday, May 28, 2010

2010 FIFA World Cup Prediction - Group B

Click WC logo for group details and flags for team details:
Group B - The Teams
Argentina
Nigeria
Korea Republic
Greece

Looking at this group, you can see that Argentina will finish in first place, possibly drawing with Nigeria. It will be a showdown between the next three teams in this group as each have an equal chance of making that last spot in the Round of 16.

Argentina almost shocked the world by almost failing to qualify for the 2010 tournament. But lately, Maradona's side has shown that they deserve a place in this World Cup tournament and possibly lifting the trophy on July 11th.

The Argentinians have probably the best players in the game on their team this year. Lionel Messi (Barcelona F.C.), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool F.C.), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), and Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) are just a few of the bright talent Argentina possess at this tournament. Not to mention having even more great players coming off the bench such as, Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), and Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid).

After being absent from the 2006 World Cup, Nigeria are back in the biggest tournament in the world. Nigeria have some great young talent on their roster, having a U-20 team who has always been a contender in that age division. With the likes of Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton F.C.) and Victor Obinna (Malaga C.F.), Nigeria can show some strength when contending for that second position in the group.

Korea Republic can also be another contender for that second position to qualify for the Round of 16. With players such as Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United), Ahn Jung-Hwan (Dalian Shide), and Lee Dong-Gook (Jeonbuk Motors), Korea have a side that could challenge Nigeria and Greece.

With fans still on a high from a 2004 Euro Cup win, Greece are looking to take their team far in this tournament in 2010. Greece could use a boost with their economic climate right now. Nigeria and Korea Republic will have their hands full if Greece can show the same drive they had 6 years ago at the Euros.

Theofanis Gekas (Eintracht Frankfurt), Angelos Charisteas (Nuremburg), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), and Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Liverpool F.C.) are players to watch in Greece's starting 11 during this tournament.

My prediction for this group will be looked at as typical from many, but Group B's second position can go either way.

Argentina - 3 Wins, 0 Losses, 0 Draws
Nigeria - 1 Win, 1 Loss, 1 Draw
Greece - 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 2 Draws
Korea Republic - 0 Wins, 2 Losses, 1 Draw


Argentina and Nigeria progress to the Round of 16.

Soccer90Radio Player of the Day: Éder Citadin Martins (Éder)

Soccer90Radio Player of the Day:

Eder Citadin Martins (Eder)
23 Years Old
Empoli F.C.
#7
Striker


Click pictures for stories and bio.


2010 FIFA World Cup Prediction - Group A

Click WC logo for group details and flags for team details:
Group A - The Teams
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France


On paper, this group looks easy to pick 2 teams that will advance, but when you look at the teams involved, it can be difficult to predict the first and second place teams.

South Africa have 2 key players on their roster, Steven Pienaar (Everton FC) and Benni McCarthy (West Ham United). When performing at their best, these two can be a lethal combination up front for South Africa.

Dating back to 2009, South Africa is on a 9 game unbeaten streak where they have beaten the likes of Jamaica and Colombia and have also pulled out a draw against Korea DPR.

Mexico are looking to easily move on from this group, even setting their sites on a first place finish. The Mexican side have some of the best young talent in the game with the likes of Carlos Vela (Arsenal F.C), Giovani dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspur), Jonathan dos Santos (Barcelona F.C.) and Guillermo Ochoa (Club America).

Mexico are a team that should not be taken lightly and will come 100% each time their starting 11 hit the pitch.

Uruguay have some of the best talent in the World Cup tournament this year. With player such as, Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Luis Suarez (AFC Ajax), Edinson Cavani (U.S. Palermo), Walter Gargano (S.S.C. Napoli) and Martin Caceres (Barcelona F.C.) holding the top, middle and back of the starting 11, Uruguay have a team that can fight for those 2 top spots in the group stage and even be a contender in the Round of 16, if they are able to get there.

And finally, France. France have had ups and downs since making the 2006 World Cup finals four years ago. With a dreadful tournament at the 2008 UEFA Euros and barely making it into this years tournament, not very many see France heading far in this 2010 World Cup.

It will be easy for some to say that France will finish top of this group, but if they show the same low tenacity and zero drive they have been showing for the past four years, they could easily be pushed out of the top 2 spots in the group and fail to qualify for the Round of 16.

France have always had great players at each tournament. This year, the likes of Hugo Loris (Lyon), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalon (Lyon), and Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea F.C.) will play key roles in the success of the French at this tournament.

And also, do not expect much from Thierry Henry this year. He should get comfortable on the bench during games.

My prediction for this group may surprise many but I feel this is the direction the group will go.

Mexico - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Uruguay - 2 Wins 0 Losses 1 Draw
France - 1 Win, 2 Losses, 0 Draws
South Africa - 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws


Mexico and Uruguay progressing to the Round of 16.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Soccer90Radio Player of the Day - Romelu Lukaku

Soccer90Radio Player of the Day
Romelu Lukaku
17 Years Old

RSC Anderlecht
#36

Striker


Click for full stories and bio



Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Soccer90Radio Player of The Day: Paulo Henrique (Ganso) "The New Kaka'"

Soccer90Radio Player of The Day:
Paulo Henrique Chagas de Lima (Ganso)
"The New Kaka'"

#11
Santos FC
Attacking Midfielder

Click For full stories

My Pick for an Up and coming Star

Cheers

JC


Monday, May 17, 2010

2010 FIFA World Cup squads - 30-Man Preliminary Squads - Group H

Group H

Spain 30-Man Preliminary Squad

Coach: Spain Vicente del Bosque

No. Pos. Player DoB/Age Caps Club

GK Iker Casillas (c) 20 May 1981 (aged 29) 102 Spain Real Madrid

GK Pepe Reina 31 August 1982 (aged 27) 19 England Liverpool

GK Diego López 3 November 1981 (aged 28) 1 Spain Villarreal

GK David de Gea 7 November 1990 (aged 19) 0 Spain Atlético Madrid

GK Víctor Valdés 14 January 1982 (aged 28) 0 Spain Barcelona

DF Carles Puyol 13 April 1978 (aged 32) 81 Spain Barcelona

DF Sergio Ramos 30 March 1986 (aged 24) 57 Spain Real Madrid

DF Carlos Marchena 31 July 1979 (aged 30) 56 Spain Valencia

DF Joan Capdevila 3 February 1978 (aged 32) 43 Spain Villarreal

DF Raúl Albiol 4 September 1985 (aged 24) 22 Spain Real Madrid

DF Gerard Piqué 2 February 1987 (aged 23) 14 Spain Barcelona

DF Álvaro Arbeloa 17 January 1983 (aged 27) 13 Spain Real Madrid

DF César Azpilicueta 28 August 1989 (aged 20) 0 Spain Osasuna

MF Xavi 25 January 1980 (aged 30) 84 Spain Barcelona

MF Xabi Alonso 25 November 1981 (aged 28) 66 Spain Real Madrid

MF Cesc Fabregas 4 May 1987 (aged 23) 47 England Arsenal

MF Andrés Iniesta 11 May 1984 (aged 26) 40 Spain Barcelona

MF David Silva 8 January 1986 (aged 24) 33 Spain Valencia

MF Santi Cazorla 13 December 1984 (aged 25) 28 Spain Villarreal

MF Marcos Senna 17 July 1976 (aged 33) 27 Spain Villarreal

MF Sergio Busquets 16 July 1988 (aged 21) 11 Spain Barcelona

MF Juan Manuel Mata 28 April 1988 (aged 22) 7 Spain Valencia

MF Jesús Navas 21 November 1985 (aged 24) 3 Spain Sevilla

MF Javi Martínez 2 September 1988 (aged 21) 0 Spain Athletic Bilbao

FW Fernando Torres 20 March 1984 (aged 26) 71 England Liverpool

FW David Villa 3 December 1981 (aged 28) 55 Spain Valencia

FW Dani Güiza 17 August 1980 (aged 29) 20 Turkey Fenerbahçe

FW Fernando Llorente 26 February 1985 (aged 25) 5 Spain Athletic Bilbao

FW Álvaro Negredo 20 August 1985 (aged 24) 4 Spain Sevilla

FW Pedro 28 July 1987 (aged 22) 0 Spain Barcelona

Switzerland - Final squad

Coach: Germany Ottmar Hitzfeld

No. Pos. Player DoB/Age Caps Club
1 GK Diego Benaglio 8 September 1983 (aged 26) 25 Germany Wolfsburg
2 DF Stephan Lichtsteiner 16 January 1984 (aged 26) 26 Italy Lazio
3 DF Reto Ziegler 16 January 1986 (aged 24) 10 Italy Sampdoria
4 DF Philippe Senderos 14 February 1985 (aged 25) 38 England Everton
5 DF Steve von Bergen 10 June 1983 (aged 27) 10 Germany Hertha Berlin
6 MF Benjamin Huggel 7 July 1977 (aged 32) 36 Switzerland Basel
7 MF Tranquillo Barnetta 2 May 1985 (aged 25) 50 Germany Bayer Leverkusen
8 MF Gökhan Inler 27 June 1984 (aged 25) 34 Italy Udinese
9 FW Alexander Frei (c) 15 July 1979 (aged 30) 73 Switzerland Basel
10 FW Blaise Nkufo 25 May 1975 (aged 35) 29 Netherlands FC Twente
11 MF Valon Behrami 19 April 1985 (aged 25) 26 England West Ham United
12 GK Marco Wölfli 22 August 1982 (aged 27) 4 Switzerland Young Boys
13 DF Stéphane Grichting 30 March 1979 (aged 31) 33 France Auxerre
14 MF Marco Padalino 8 December 1983 (aged 26) 7 Italy Sampdoria
15 MF Hakan Yakin 22 February 1977 (aged 33) 80 Switzerland Luzern
16 MF Gelson Fernandes 2 September 1986 (aged 23) 21 France Saint-Étienne
17 DF Christoph Spycher 30 March 1978 (aged 32) 47 Germany Eintracht Frankfurt
18 FW Marco Streller 18 June 1981 (aged 28) 32 Switzerland Basel
19 FW Eren Derdiyok 12 June 1988 (aged 21) 19 Germany Bayer Leverkusen
20 MF Pirmin Schwegler 9 March 1987 (aged 23) 3 Germany Eintracht Frankfurt
21 GK Johnny Leoni 30 June 1984 (aged 25) 0 Switzerland Zürich
22 DF Mario Eggimann 24 January 1981 (aged 29) 8 Germany Hannover 96
23 MF Xherdan Shaqiri 10 October 1991 (aged 18) 1 Switzerland Basel
No. Pos. Player DoB/Age Caps Club

GK Fabio Coltorti December 30, 1980 (1980-12-30) (age 29) 8 Spain Racing Santander (Stand-by player)

DF François Affolter March 13, 1991 (1991-03-13) (age 19) 0 Switzerland Young Boys (Stand-by player)

MF Fabian Lustenberger May 2, 1988 (1988-05-02) (age 22) 0 Germany Hertha BSC (Stand-by player)

MF Valentin Stocker April 12, 1989 (1989-04-12) (age 21) 3 Switzerland Basel (Stand-by player)

FW Albert Bunjaku November 29, 1983 (1983-11-29) (age 26) 1 Germany Nuremberg (Stand-by player)

FW Nassim Ben Khalifa January 13, 1992 (1992-01-13) (age 18) 0 Switzerland Grasshopper (Stand-by player)

Honduras - Final Squad

Coach: Colombia Reinaldo Rueda

No. Pos. Player DoB/Age Caps Club

GK Noel Valladares 3 May 1977 (aged 33) 71 Honduras Olimpia

GK Donis Escober 3 February 1980 (aged 30) 11 Honduras Olimpia

GK Ricardo Canales 30 May 1982 (aged 28) 2 Honduras Motagua

DF Maynor Figueroa 2 May 1983 (aged 27) 66 England Wigan Athletic

DF Sergio Mendoza 23 May 1981 (aged 29) 46 Honduras Motagua

DF Oscar Boniek García 4 September 1984 (aged 25) 42 Honduras Olimpia

DF Víctor Bernárdez 24 May 1982 (aged 28) 40 Belgium Anderlecht

DF Emilio Izaguirre 10 May 1986 (aged 24) 39 Honduras Motagua

DF Osman Chávez 29 July 1984 (aged 25) 26 Honduras Platense

DF Mauricio Sabillón 11 November 1978 (aged 31) 25 People's Republic of China Hangzhou Greentown

DF Johnny Palacios 20 December 1986 (aged 23) 4 Honduras Olimpia

MF Amado Guevara (c) 2 May 1976 (aged 34) 133 Honduras Motagua

MF Danilo Turcios 8 May 1978 (aged 32) 82 Honduras Olimpia

MF Julio César de León 13 September 1979 (aged 30) 74 Italy Torino

MF Wilson Palacios 29 July 1984 (aged 25) 69 England Tottenham Hotspur

MF Edgar Álvarez 9 January 1980 (aged 30) 46 Italy Bari

MF Hendry Thomas 23 February 1985 (aged 25) 39 England Wigan Athletic

MF Ramón Núñez 14 November 1984 (aged 25) 16 Honduras Olimpia

FW Carlos Pavón 19 October 1973 (aged 36) 98 Honduras Real España

FW David Suazo 5 November 1979 (aged 30) 50 Italy Genoa

FW Walter Martínez 29 March 1982 (aged 28) 34 Honduras Marathón

FW Georgie Welcome 9 March 1985 (aged 25) 11 Honduras Motagua

FW Roger Espinoza 25 October 1986 (aged 23) 10 United States Kansas City Wizards

Chile 30-Man Preliminary Squad

Coach: Argentina Marcelo Bielsa

No. Pos. Player DoB/Age Caps Club

GK Claudio Bravo (c) 13 April 1983 (aged 27) 41 Spain Real Sociedad

GK Miguel Pinto 4 July 1983 (aged 26) 13 Chile Universidad de Chile

GK Luis Marín 18 May 1983 (aged 27) 2 Chile Unión Española

DF Pablo Contreras 11 September 1978 (aged 31) 49 Greece PAOK

DF Gonzalo Jara 29 August 1985 (aged 24) 31 England West Bromwich Albion

DF Roberto Cereceda 10 October 1984 (aged 25) 27 Chile Colo-Colo

DF Ismael Fuentes 4 August 1981 (aged 28) 25 Chile Universidad Católica

DF Gary Medel 3 August 1987 (aged 22) 23 Argentina Boca Juniors

DF Waldo Ponce 4 December 1982 (aged 27) 23 Chile Universidad Católica

DF Arturo Vidal 22 May 1987 (aged 23) 21 Germany Bayer Leverkusen

DF Mauricio Isla 12 June 1988 (aged 21) 10 Italy Udinese

MF Jorge Valdivia 19 October 1983 (aged 26) 36 United Arab Emirates Al-Ain

MF Matías Fernández 15 May 1986 (aged 24) 35 Portugal Sporting CP

MF Manuel Iturra 2 June 1984 (aged 26) 32 Chile Universidad de Chile

MF Rodrigo Tello 14 October 1979 (aged 30) 32 Turkey Beşiktaş

MF Marco Estrada May 28, 1983 (aged 27) 20 Chile Universidad de Chile

MF Rodrigo Millar 3 November 1981 (aged 28) 19 Chile Colo-Colo

MF Carlos Carmona 21 February 1987 (aged 23) 18 Italy Reggina

MF Gonzalo Fierro 21 March 1983 (aged 27) 16 Brazil Flamengo

MF José Pedro Fuenzalida 22 February 1985 (aged 25) 11 Chile Colo-Colo

MF Pedro Morales 25 May 1985 (aged 25) 9 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb

MF Charles Aránguiz 17 April 1989 (aged 21) 3 Chile Colo-Colo

MF Jaime Valdés 11 January 1981 (aged 29) 2 Italy Atalanta

FW Humberto Suazo 10 May 1981 (aged 29) 41 Spain Real Zaragoza

FW Mark González 10 July 1984 (aged 25) 38 Russia CSKA Moscow

FW Alexis Sánchez 19 December 1988 (aged 21) 26 Italy Udinese

FW Jean Beausejour 1 June 1984 (aged 26) 23 Mexico América

FW Fabián Orellana 27 January 1986 (aged 24) 13 Spain Xerez

FW Esteban Paredes 1 August 1980 (aged 29) 12 Chile Colo-Colo

FW Héctor Mancilla 12 November 1980 (aged 29) 6 Mexico Toluca