God Bless the Queen

A hell of a week in England. Liverpool goes to the FA Cup final with a win over Chelsea. Arsenal heading to the Champions League Final. Chelsea take the PREM with a crushing win over Man U. Of course with the good comes the bad - Rooney's injury. Out 6 weeks from the day he was injured would be the day of England's first game in the World Cup. For Englands Group I have always been saying that it will end up Sweden, England, Paraguay, T&T... Any other ideas? Tottenham have now locked up 4th place so the only way Arsenal will have Champions League in their new stadium is if they win the final. I dont see them doing that at all over Barca. Henry will want a good paycheck from his next employers no? Boro also had another amazing win after being down 3-0 goals, two of em being away goals and came back to win with 4 goals in less than an hour. So maybe there is some urgency in the game after all. Barca over Arsenal
West Ham over LFC
England switching to a 4-5-1?

Champions League Me

Good stuff coming up... Barca v Milan, any takers? Ronaldinho's boys up 1-nil (that goal being an away goal) and coming home to Nou Camp. Should be an amazing game but first up is Arsenal at Villarreal. Real need a goal and maybe another squirrel to run on the pitch. Arsenal will of course come out a blazing with new strength after their Spurs tie. New Liverpool era rule - You take your leagues last Champions League spot if you win the cup. So Arsenal, if Spurs dont win, need to win it all or they wont be playing Champions League in their nice new Fly Pirates Stadium. How sweet would it be for the gunners to take what they think the spurs stole.
Thoughts and predictions?
Are we going to see extra time?
Arsenal @ Villarreal on ESPN 2 at 2:30 estern time...

Who do you want to see in the Paris Final?

Urgency...

The game has lost it's pace. What got my attention a few years ago has steadily gone down hill. The English Game is supposed to be fast paced, hectic, and heart-stopping. The complaints at the start of the season included the fight about managers playing for the draw. I don't believe that is the case anymore yet, I still question some teams. One being Chelsea. Chelsea came out at the start of the year with a 1-Nil win over freshly promoted Wigan. They barely escaped in that game with Crespo scoring as the clock reached full time. I saw the same Chelsea on the pitch against Liverpool in the FA Cup Semifinal. "The Special One" should take some blame, he left the pace off the field to begin with - used Robben, Cole, and Duff as his three subs! Of course Chelsea have no chance of a double this year now, but there is always next year at Wembley. Liverpool is thinking other wise, taking two semifinals against Chelsea, one being the FA Cup and the other Champions League, yet in 8 other games it was Chelsea with the victory.

Benitez and Mourinho (4thegame.com)

On the other hand of the spectrum was Tottenham @ Arsenal. It was a hell of a game. Many questions to be asked of both sides. Arsene should have had one of the big three in the game to start, my suggestion Fabregas. Tottenham scored on a play that should be discussed. Two Gunners ran into each other after going for a tackle against Carrick. The Spur saw the players go down and went to the touchline. After what I saw as both players moving to get up, Spurs went towards goal. Then eventually scored and the physio was sent for the injured players, one had already gotten up. So two problems with this situation, one being I hate it when an opposing player goes down to fake an injury to stop play, second being I don't think Tottenham was wrong(Arsenal Disagrees). Of course all this would have been prevented if Henry had started the game and not come on as a sub. A little bonus, if you look below you will see the two goal scorers....

What a Saturday

Posting this after the Battle at 'Bury if you are going to watch the replay of the game don't click HERE for the Game Report. The FA Cup Semifinal of Chelsea v 'Pool is on the way. With a spot for Cardiff on the line, with Chelsea going for the double, and just the plain old contempt each team has for each other it is going to be a match. Boro play West Ham tomorrow, so the question is: Is this the true FA Cup Final? More about a great Saturday tomorrow...

The Last Battle at Highbury...

With only Wigan Athletic being the next home fixture. The Spurs walking into Highbury with the last Champions League spot on the line, it will be a fixture to remember. Of course this North London Derby will be a game to watch. With Henry stating, "We're ready for war," and Ireland Skipper Keane saying its the biggest of his Spurs career, only a classic is waiting for us. Predictions or Post Game thoughts Welcome...

Ballack, Chelsea, USA

With the upcoming contract signing of German Captain Michael Ballack (Sign on the dotted line) to the soon to be English Premiership Champions, who have just agreed to a tour in the USA does any MLS all star team have a chance? OK maybe a better question, Schvenko and Ballack coming to Chelsea, who else should the get their hands on that would be available? Also with "The Special One" saying that there will be three out and three in for Chelsea, who is going to be leaving? Drogba, SWP, and one of those porto defenders maybe?

Getting Under Way

With 12 days to go until the US National team is being named, anyone got suggestions?
Going with the 23 Man Format who do you got?
3 Keepers: Howard, Hahnemann, Keller
7 Defenders: Hejduk, Cherundolo, Bocanegra, Oguchi, Pope, Gibbs, Berhalter
9 Midfielders: Donovan, Convey, Beasley, Lewis, Mastroeni, Reyna, Olsen, Albright
4 Fowards: E. Johnson, B. McBride, Twellman, Wolff

After those last few tune ups Olsen deserves a spot. Should it be Wolff over Rolfe? Albright was getting his head on balls against JAM, or should Dempsey have that slot? Hell, should Cobi be on the team? Did I blow it? Let me know...

US Soccer Player Pool

Welcome

Aight, so welcome to 22 and You. For all those who talk non stop about the world's game. Whether you can't stand the diving thats destorying the beautiful game or you want to talk about the latest move made by Ronaldhino. With more to come stay tuned! And Please, any suggestions on what you would like to hear or any certain topic you would like to discussion let me know!
- The Ref