The Watford Observer is reporting that goalkeeper Richard Lee will sign with League One side Brentford FC pending a physical exam today.
This follows on the heels of Scott Loach's rumored departure to Tottenham and the release of Jonathan North, leaving 16-yar old Jonathan Bond as the Hornet's only keeper.
I predict either summer transfer window dealings or very high scoring games.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
One Down - One to Go?
The St. Louis Athletica will be ceasing operations according to a statement from the club today. The move puts the entire league in jeopardy as they need eight teams to remain FIFA sanctioned.
AC St. Louis has not yet announced their demise, but the death watch is on.
I got to see the Athletica play last year at Hermann Field - my first professional soccer match. The level of play exceeded anything AC St. Louis has put on the field yet. They will be missed.
AC St. Louis has not yet announced their demise, but the death watch is on.
I got to see the Athletica play last year at Hermann Field - my first professional soccer match. The level of play exceeded anything AC St. Louis has put on the field yet. They will be missed.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
USA 23-Man Squad Named for World Cup
DeMerit is in and, despite an unimpressive return from injury last night against the Czech Republic, so is Oguchi Onyewu. The forwards look a little scary: take away Jozy Altidore and the remaining three have just 9 caps and 1 goal between them.
To see the entire line-up, click on the link above.
To see the entire line-up, click on the link above.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
World Cup - Matches to Watch - Group Stage
Here are my picks for the matches to watch in the group stage plus a few of the local pubs that will carry the action. If you are a total die-hard, click on the link above for a complete schedule.
All times are local St. Louis time - except as noted, all fixtures can be seen on ESPN.
Friday, June 11
Uruguay v France - 1:30 pm
Saturday, June 12
Argentina v Nigeria - 9:00 am
USA v England - 1:30 pm - ABC
Monday, June 14
Italy v Paraguay - 1:30 pm
Wednesday, June 16
Spain v Switzerland - 9:00 am
Thursday, June 17
France v Mexico - 1:30 pm
Friday, June 18
Slovenia v USA - 9:00 am
England v Algeria - 1:30 pm ESPN2
Monday, June 21
Chile v Switzerland - 9:00 am
Wednesday, June 23
USA v Algeria - 9:00 am
Slovenia v England - 9:00 am ESPN2
Friday, June 25
Brazil v Portugal - 9:00 am
Switzerland v Honduras - 1:30 pm ESPN2
Chile v Spain - 1:30 pm
VENUES
A quick call to the pubs yielded the following info (be sure to call them yourselves):
TIGIN
333 Washington Ave. (in the Hampton Inn)
241-8666
Open for all the matches - serving food for all the matches
DUBLINERS
1025 Washington Ave.
421-4300
Open for all the 9:00 matches and "the good 6:30 matches - not Algeria v whoever" - serving food by halftime
AMSTERDAM
3175 Morganford Rd.
772-8224
Open for all matches. No food service anytime (can carry in food).
Barristers
15 N. Meramec
726-5007
Open for all 9:00 am matches. Serving food.
All times are local St. Louis time - except as noted, all fixtures can be seen on ESPN.
Friday, June 11
Uruguay v France - 1:30 pm
Saturday, June 12
Argentina v Nigeria - 9:00 am
USA v England - 1:30 pm - ABC
Monday, June 14
Italy v Paraguay - 1:30 pm
Wednesday, June 16
Spain v Switzerland - 9:00 am
Thursday, June 17
France v Mexico - 1:30 pm
Friday, June 18
Slovenia v USA - 9:00 am
England v Algeria - 1:30 pm ESPN2
Monday, June 21
Chile v Switzerland - 9:00 am
Wednesday, June 23
USA v Algeria - 9:00 am
Slovenia v England - 9:00 am ESPN2
Friday, June 25
Brazil v Portugal - 9:00 am
Switzerland v Honduras - 1:30 pm ESPN2
Chile v Spain - 1:30 pm
VENUES
A quick call to the pubs yielded the following info (be sure to call them yourselves):
TIGIN
333 Washington Ave. (in the Hampton Inn)
241-8666
Open for all the matches - serving food for all the matches
DUBLINERS
1025 Washington Ave.
421-4300
Open for all the 9:00 matches and "the good 6:30 matches - not Algeria v whoever" - serving food by halftime
AMSTERDAM
3175 Morganford Rd.
772-8224
Open for all matches. No food service anytime (can carry in food).
Barristers
15 N. Meramec
726-5007
Open for all 9:00 am matches. Serving food.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Rumor Has It: Cleverley to Newcastle United - Rodgers to Man City
A pair of articles in the Watford Observer have linked loanee and driving force last year, Tom Cleverely, to Newcastle United and former gaffer Brendan Rodgers to Manchester City.
The interest by the Toon is nothing new as they have been scouting Cleverley heavily (say that ten times fast) since he came to Watford.
The Rodgers move, if true, would come just a week after another former Watford manager, Aidy Boothroyd, signed on to Coventry City. Rodgers would be taking a coaching role at Premiership squad Man City after two stints as manager in the Championship League.
The interest by the Toon is nothing new as they have been scouting Cleverley heavily (say that ten times fast) since he came to Watford.
The Rodgers move, if true, would come just a week after another former Watford manager, Aidy Boothroyd, signed on to Coventry City. Rodgers would be taking a coaching role at Premiership squad Man City after two stints as manager in the Championship League.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Rumor Has It: AC St. Louis & Athletica In Trouble
According to the article above by Brian Quarstad at Inside Minnesota Soccer (thanks Don for passing this on to me), St. Louis's professional soccer teams may not last the season.
The Athletica lost money last year and were expected to do so this year as well and, as you may well expect, the inaugural year of any club will probably show a loss. But the problem seems to be a distancing of Jeff Cooper from the club according to Quarstad's sources.
It will be a sad, sad day for soccer in St. Louis if these rumors prove to be true. After waiting for 30 years for soccer's return, to not last a year will leave a black mark on the city.
The Athletica lost money last year and were expected to do so this year as well and, as you may well expect, the inaugural year of any club will probably show a loss. But the problem seems to be a distancing of Jeff Cooper from the club according to Quarstad's sources.
It will be a sad, sad day for soccer in St. Louis if these rumors prove to be true. After waiting for 30 years for soccer's return, to not last a year will leave a black mark on the city.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Aidy Off to Coventry City
Former Watford gaffer Aidy Boothroyd has been named Coventry City manager, replacing Chris Coleman who was sacked after leading the club to a disappointing 19th place finish in the Championship this season.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Foster Signs With Birmingham
Goalie Ben Foster, key to Watford's Premiership season as a loanee from Manchester United, has been transferred to Birmingham for an undisclosed amount.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Rumor Has It: Loach May Be Off to Tottenham
£2 million may be too steep a price to keep Scott Loach on the roster. Hotspur has shown interest.
In other news, the £10+ million bond issue gained approval and Watford stands to get £2.2 million from the Premier League as part of their new payment restructuring plan.
In other news, the £10+ million bond issue gained approval and Watford stands to get £2.2 million from the Premier League as part of their new payment restructuring plan.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Last Minute Goal Gives AC St. Louis a Point
Literally.
A Mike Ambersley goal in the 90th minute salvages a point for AC St. Louis, bringing them to 1-1-5 for 4 points on the season.
A Mike Ambersley goal in the 90th minute salvages a point for AC St. Louis, bringing them to 1-1-5 for 4 points on the season.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
AC St. Louis at Portland - Live Video Stream
Kudos to AC St. Louis! Live video stream at the AC St. Louis site. Click on the link above.
Friday, May 14, 2010
DeMerit, Harley, Hoskins To Be Released
The Watford Observer is reporting that three of the squad's highest salary players, including World Cup-bound Green Bay native Jay DeMerit, are to be released.
This follows disappointing season-ticket sales which have fallen 20% over last year and an announcement that the club must 're-evaluate' their plans.
This follows disappointing season-ticket sales which have fallen 20% over last year and an announcement that the club must 're-evaluate' their plans.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
KC Wizards Host Man. United Sunday July 25
It's a 5:00 pm kickoff at Arrowhead. For ticket info and discounts through US Soccer, click the link above.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
South America vs Rest of the World Ticket Info Coming Later This Month
I spoke with the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission yesterday and they indicated there would be a press conference later this month to announce when the tickets would go on sale for the August 7 match pitting All-Stars from around the world against each other.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
DeMerit Named to 30-Man World Cup Roster
Watford captain Jay DeMerit has landed a spot on the 30-man U.S. Men's National Team roster released today.
Missing from the roster was Carlie Davies, recovering from a career-threatening car crash last October.
Coach Bob Bradley must trim the squad down to 23 before the FIFA deadline of June 1.
Missing from the roster was Carlie Davies, recovering from a career-threatening car crash last October.
Coach Bob Bradley must trim the squad down to 23 before the FIFA deadline of June 1.
US World Cup Squad Named Today
The 30-man roster for the Men's National Team will be named today. Live coverage on ESPN will be at 1:00 pm St. Louis time.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Season Recap
A relegation scare and a brush with administration were the 'highlights' of the season.
But for the grace of a lot of things, Watford could easily have been on their way to League One next year. Had an 11th hour rescue failed after the chairman Jimmy Russo bailed on the club and called his loans due, it would have been Watford and not Sheffield Wednesday in the final relegation spot after a ten point deduction.
As it was, they nearly did it on their own, plagued by injury (Jay Demerit nearly losing his vision and Heidar Helguson troubled by injury all season) and waiting until the penultimate match to find safety.
What success they did have was built mostly on the backs of loanees, most notably their top scorers, Tom Cleverley, Henri Lansbury, & Helguson. The ability to retain these players for next season is in question, as is the fate of both Captain DeMerit and Jon Eustace, both out of contract.
Questionable too are the finances as the club has already admitted they will be selling players in the transfer window and, in fact, are looking for a buyer of the club itself.
Finally, there has been a great clamor to let Malky Mackay go as the gaffer. I, for one, would like to see him stay as I think his ability to troll the loan market last year saved us, but however this saga turns out, it will be an interesting season (and off-season) coming up.
But for the grace of a lot of things, Watford could easily have been on their way to League One next year. Had an 11th hour rescue failed after the chairman Jimmy Russo bailed on the club and called his loans due, it would have been Watford and not Sheffield Wednesday in the final relegation spot after a ten point deduction.
As it was, they nearly did it on their own, plagued by injury (Jay Demerit nearly losing his vision and Heidar Helguson troubled by injury all season) and waiting until the penultimate match to find safety.
What success they did have was built mostly on the backs of loanees, most notably their top scorers, Tom Cleverley, Henri Lansbury, & Helguson. The ability to retain these players for next season is in question, as is the fate of both Captain DeMerit and Jon Eustace, both out of contract.
Questionable too are the finances as the club has already admitted they will be selling players in the transfer window and, in fact, are looking for a buyer of the club itself.
Finally, there has been a great clamor to let Malky Mackay go as the gaffer. I, for one, would like to see him stay as I think his ability to troll the loan market last year saved us, but however this saga turns out, it will be an interesting season (and off-season) coming up.
Coventry City (4-0) 14-12-20 54 pts.
In the last match of the season, with nothing on the line for either club, two goal-scoring flurries, each lead by Danny Graham, gave the Hornets a 4-0 win at Ricoh Stadium today.
A foul by Martin Cranie gave Graham a penalty opportunity seventeen minutes into the match. The penalty converted, Watford turned around and scored again a minute later as Henri Lansbury dropped a shot in from 30 yards away.
Graham got his second with twelve minutes left in the match, plunking in a Jon Harley cross from 6 yards out. Marvin Sordell saw his first Watford goal two minutes later, an unassisted right-footer from 12 yards to cap the scoring for the day.
With a spot in the Championship secured, Malky Mackay took the opportunity to start 20-year old midfielder Michael Bryan in his first match.
The win leaves Watford in 16th place in the Championship. Elsewhere, despite fighting back to even the score 2-2, Sheffield Wednesday could not get the winning goal they needed over Crystal Palace and were relegated to League One.
A foul by Martin Cranie gave Graham a penalty opportunity seventeen minutes into the match. The penalty converted, Watford turned around and scored again a minute later as Henri Lansbury dropped a shot in from 30 yards away.
Graham got his second with twelve minutes left in the match, plunking in a Jon Harley cross from 6 yards out. Marvin Sordell saw his first Watford goal two minutes later, an unassisted right-footer from 12 yards to cap the scoring for the day.
With a spot in the Championship secured, Malky Mackay took the opportunity to start 20-year old midfielder Michael Bryan in his first match.
The win leaves Watford in 16th place in the Championship. Elsewhere, despite fighting back to even the score 2-2, Sheffield Wednesday could not get the winning goal they needed over Crystal Palace and were relegated to League One.
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Last Game Tomorrow
OK. I don't know if I just put it down wrong on my calendar last fall or if it moved & I didn't catch it, but the Coventry City match is tomorrow, May 2. Kickoff is 7:00 am St. Louis time.
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