Photo by Rick Osentoski/ISIphotos.com
Wednesday night represents a big night for MLS teams both in league and CONCACAF Champions League play, but prior to that, a pretty intriguing mid-week slate of European matches takes center stage.
In addition to Spanish powers Real Madrid and Barcelona being in action, some Americans Abroad should take to the pitch as well. Michael Bradley is getting his first start with Chievo Verona, while Clint Dempsey's Fulham will try and knock Chelsea out of the Carling Cup in their third-round matchup.
If you will be watching any of Wednesday's afternoon matches, please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the action (TV schedule is after the jump):
WEDNESDAY'S AFTERNOON SOCCER ON TV
2 p.m. – ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes – Racing Santander vs. Real Madrid
2 p.m. – DirecTV – Malaga vs. Athletic Bilbao
2 p.m. – GOLTV – Atletico Madrid vs. Sporting Gijon
2:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer Channel/ESPN3.com – AC Milan vs. Udinese
2:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer.tv – Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Liverpool (Carling Cup)
2:45 p.m. – FoxSoccer.tv – Chelsea vs. Fulham (Carling Cup)
2:45 p.m. – ESPN3.com – Chievo Verona vs. Napoli
3 p.m. – FoxSoccer.tv – St. Etienne vs. Toulouse
4 p.m. – GOLTV – Valencia vs. Barcelona
OKAY, JEEZ!!! WE GET YOUR POINT!!! -______-
Do not forget about the la liga in Spain.
Seems like a great first start for Bradley – going 90 in his first start is not something that happens without the approval of the coach. I can’t help but wonder how much his playing might improve without the extra emotional weight of the nepotism calls (imagined or otherwise). He seems the kind of the player that would be impacted by the extra mental noise (for better or worse). I have high hopes for the move to Chievo.
If I remember correctly, his first cap was under Bruce Arena.
Good call. My wife watches the anthems more than the games and counts the singers to “determine” who will win. I love the recent tendency for more US players to actually sing (or look like it).
Anyone have luck catching the Rangers game?
How did Bedoya look?
It’s like the 5th game of the season and the guy hasn’t played regularly for a club in over a year. Sheesh!
Valencia’s really the only team in La Liga that’s hung with Barca results-wise for the last couple years. Last year I believe it was a draw and a 1-0 Barca victory.
Somehow, though, Valencia keeps choking big against Real.
I agree… I love Edu, but he’s even more inconsistent than Bradley. He’ll follow up a beautiful tackle or great run with some really sloppy play.
I get that you were being sarcastic, it’s just that the point you are trying to make has no basis in reality, and yet you spout it off like fact. You said:
“I’m sick to death of seeing people on this blog heap abuse on him (Bradley).”
When do people heap abuse on Bradley? I read SBI daily, and there is virtually no hatred towards Bradley amongst US fans. It’s a manufactured scenario that you’ve concocted, (because it’s funny, I guess?) that there is a large segment of the US fan base actively rooting against/antagonizing Bradley.
Yes, when Mike Bradley first debuted with the Nats people suspected his call up had something to do with his father being the coach (it did), but in 2011 I don’t think there are any voices saying that Bradley isn’t one of the better players in our pool. He gets no more and no less criticism than any other prominent players on the USMNT.
And Rangers loses…
And Levante, Betis, Malaga, and Sevilla…
Bradley definitely had a healthy number of sketchy moments (that horrific back pass in the first half just about cost his team a goal). But at the end of the day, I suspect he did pretty much what his manager told him to do out there. Nothing wrong with a clean sheet victory against friggin’ Napoli.
I’m sorry, I have to step on the Montana Matt’s side in this conversation. You commence your comments as being (sarcastic), but there does seem to be some bitterness to it that is confirmed in this latest post.
I think it perfectly reasonable to criticize MB’s 100% selection record with his dad as coach without going overboard and saying something stupid like he doesn’t belong on the team.
IMO, MB was given every opportunity to succeed, unquestionably, even when he played poorly. His competitors were frequently put with “B” team players and given a very short leash. That’s my opinion.
None of these things take away from the fact that MB is clearly a talent and clearly deserves to be on the NT and obviously has earned his starting gigs in Germany and Holland and now hopefully Italy.
I’ve seen a lot of posters that have remarked similar things about MB’s NT status. It’s a tad bit unfair to place those folks in with people that are just trying to stir the pot saying MB can’t play (very few on this site have said he flat out cant play).
If results stay the same, RM and Barca are even on points, behind Valencia.
He looks slow and keeps letting people get behind him. I am not a hater just think his lack of minutes is showing. Chievo in a whole doesn’t look too sharp.
Starting, going 90 and winning against Napoli certainly reflects well upon him. Especially in a shutout where he is playing a defensive role. That’s a huge win for Chievo.
Thanks TomG. Bill and I will be here all week. Make sure to tip your waitress
I thought 2nd half was much better from MB. Played conservative defense and gave some bite – but also looked dangerous going foward winning balls and pushing up. Looked dead on his feet though by about 85min.
I was hoping for a much better performance than that… Had high expectations. Would not be surprised to see Bradley on the bench next match, he has looked out of sorts most of the game..i hate seeing the lofted passes to nobody.
Superior in the table, that is, since Napoli didn’t play all their starters.
And Chievo get the win against a superior Napoli side. Bradley didn’t look great, but he did his job defensively and his passing and holdup play should improve as he gets more matches.
La Liga is interesting today…RM ties 0-0 on the road and Barca is down early, 2-1, at the Mestalla.
He is starting in a top 4 league against a Champions League team – good for MB
and what is more MB actually sings the national anthem at USMNT games. As I get older, I appreciate little things like that. My wife is sick of me pointing out that players from other countries almost always sing (or at least move their lips), while ours stand silently. Nothing wrong with that, but good for MB for belting it out!
he’s got Zuniga looks like often, so wherever he goes, MB goes often. Zuniga’s been roaring up that left flank of Napoli’s, so looks like MB playing RB. that’s what I think I see. you?
he’s got Zuniga looks like often, so wherever he goes, MB goes often. Zuniga’s been roaring up that left flank of Napoli’s, so looks like MB playing RB. that’s what I think I see. you?
he’s got Zuniga looks like, so wherever he goes, MB goes. Zuniga’s been roaring up that left flank of Napoli’s, so looks like MB playing RB. that’s what I think I see. you?
I thought they were pretty funny.
Zuniga is making Bradley look pretty silly, but he has done it to a couple others as well. Bradley has also been dumping a lot of balls 20 yards downfield without an open target, but I assume if that was not part of the gameplan he would have been yanked by now. Pretty forgettable performance though.
He’s actually doing just fine so long as they don’t shift him to Right Back.
MB90 not having a great game.
is it really?
Happy Birthday!!! what, 29 again?
Is it me or are they having MB play RCM and RB?
it’s like MB is playing right back, on an island
Napoli pushing forward with numbers now, could open up the counter for Chievo in the 80th
and Zuniga is being left to be defended by MB almost by himself…stupid if you ask me. Who can mark Zuniga by himself? Michallik has brought this up on several accassions already
this is what I have seen. too.
Happy birthday to Ives!
Awful attempted clearance by Napoli. Chievo puts a screamer past the keeper 1-0 Chievo.
thank you! MB is actually my favorite player in the US pool. people forget that he scored both goals when we beat Mexico in the last round of WC qualifying. they forget his great goal against Slovenia (without which we never get out of our group) and they overlook the fact that he was, in my opinion, our best player atthe last world cup. I’m sick to death of seeing people on this blog heap abuse on him. this thread was entirely sarcastic and it was stated as such.
Horrible brainfart by a Napoli defender on that one. Bradley wasn’t involved but he was very nearby – seems to be playing closer to net in this half.
Hamsik’s in – now wer’e playing almost the real Napoli.
Goal!!!!!
Isn’t that a common theme for American ballers: they are ‘tweeners.
Dempsey is not necessarily a forward, but he has more attacking chops than a true midfielder.
Donovan is not a true #10, but somewhat of a winger too.
Etc. etc.
On the Italian-language stream (actually a Naples channel), the commentator just screamed a “Mamma Mia!” as Bradley almost scored on a header. That’s an achievement unto itself.
Hmmm, appears Bradley has a hand in every chance on Goal.
Yeah, Baby!! 🙂
MB90 is back?
Uh oh…here comes Cavani…. good night Chievo.
Yeah, Chievo had one. And he’s definitely gaining some confidence now.
Chievo just subbed out two players and neither was named “Michael”.
agree,yes.please.