Sorry, I love this picture so much I had to show it again
The Yanks apologize for the lack of activity and the unavailability of our site yesterday. However, this is not a time to worry, but rather a chance for us to thank you and to celebrate.
With all of the traffic we have been receiving from you, our loyal followers, we actually got shut down yesterday. Not just slowed down, or temporarily taken off line to let the server catch up, but rather had our account deactivated and suspended until we contacted the host.
While this may cause a problem for us in the near-term as we are transferring to a new hosting company, I think this is awesome and shows how much we have grown in one short year. Don’t worry, we are in the process of changing, so please bear with us over the next couple of days.
So from all the Yanks to you, thank you, and please crash our next hosting company’s server as well!
Here at YanksCallitSoccer(.com), we like Twitter as much as the next guy . . . well, unless that ‘next guy’ is Peterborough defender Gabriel Zakuani. Ol’ Gabby loves social media so much that he named his new baby boy ‘Trendy Zakuani.’ That’s right, Trendy. And no, I am not shitting you.
Zakuani Sr. remarked, “People have asked if his name is because of ‘trending topics’ on Twitter. Maybe it was in the back of my mind.” However, it also pays homage to the baby’s mum Shanice Petrie’s job in fashion, sharing, “The official reason was she wanted something to reflect that. But it was me who came up with Trendy.” Well, at least we know what the official reason is now. Glad we got that all cleared up.
I really wished @Gabs50Zakuani had sought the device of other great footballers of the past who fell victim to the fads of the day like Eric Cantona’s daughter “Erica 8-Track Cantona” or Zinedine Zidane’s son “MP3 Zidane.” But alas, he did not. Hopefully, Trendy can change his name in five years when no one remembers that ‘trendy’ was ever ‘trending’ worldwide.
By: Adam W. Van Dyk
Since the 2-1 loss to Spurs early in October, one can make a fairly decent argument that Arsenal is playing some of the best football in the EPL. Since the start of the season, one can make a very convincing argument that Robin Van Persie has been the best striker in the EPL. The Gunners are 4-0-0 in the EPL since the loss to Tottenham while scoring 13 goals in those four matches (eight of those by RVP), including five against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (hat trick by RVP) in what, in my opinion, was the best match of the season. It should also be mentioned they lead Group D in the Champions League after four matches.
The Gunners could not have had a worse start to the EPL season. They lost four of the first seven and found themselves looking up at most of the Premier League from near the bottom of the table. But there is a reason Arsene Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world and he has managed to steady the ship, with a lot of help from his Dutch captain. The Gunners still have work to do and currently sit seventh in the table, level on points with sixth place Liverpool and three points off fifth placed Chelsea and Tottenham, but the task is no longer insurmountable.
Given the exodus of Nasri and Fabregas, the injury to playmaker Aaron Ramsey (due to return around the new year) and Thomas Vermaelen, and the influx of new faces, all added at the 11th hour, the stumbling out of the gate makes sense. Although it was shocking to see a team with the illustrious history of Arsenal struggle to beat mediocre teams and get stomped by upper-echelon teams early in the campaign, there were reasons for the early results. I, for one, figured the struggles would continue into close to the New Year and although I predicted RVP would have a great season of goal scoring, I had no idea he would go on a run of form as he has of late.
The game against Chelsea was the turning point. The Gunners had two wins in their two previous games against middle-tier teams, but the away tilt against the Blues figured to be a litmus test for the rest of the season. I figured they would either lose by two or more goals and the best-case scenario was taking a point. What I witnessed was the type of free flowing, attacking football that had become a hallmark of the great Arsenal teams. Yes, the defense on both sides was porous, but it made for one of the best games I have watched in quite a while. Santos was dangerous, Walcott scored a wonder goal, and RVP was his talismanic self. Chelsea’s Juan Mata scored a cracker to tie the game at 3 in the 80th minute and it seemed as though Arsenal would have to settle for a point, but it would be a disappointment given the way they had played. Instead, the football gods punished John Terry for being an all-round bad human being (I know, I know – innocent until proven guilty) and he inexplicably stumbled, leaving nothing between RVP and the goal but headgear-wearing Petr Cech. I’m sure you saw the goal or saw the replay, but I’ll recap it anyway: oozing fundamentals and class, RVP waited for Cech to commit and then dribbled around him to tap in the winning goal (if only his countryman Arjen Robben could have done the same in the World Cup Final against Spain’s Iker Casillas, a play that still haunts my dreams). RVP added another in the stoppage time to complete the hat trick for good measure and Arsenal had a season-changing 5-3 victory at one of the more difficult venues in the EPL against a quality opponent.
Wenger rested RVP in the midweek Champions League game at the Emirates against Marseille for the first 60 minutes, which was probably a mistake, but they still took points. Any thought of further hangover from the Chelsea triumph was put to bed with an RVP goal in the 22nd minute and a 3-0 trouncing of West Brom last Saturday.
RVP is currently a man possessed. It’s too bad the international break comes at a time when Arsenal are really starting to string some quality games together, but I believe they are still in good shape. Arsene Wenger will not let the lads rest on their laurels, they are hungry for more at this point. RVP does not appear to be a man who will be affected by a break from his teammates at Arsenal (it certainly helps he gets to play with his awesome Dutch teammates as they prep for a run at Euro 2012 glory with friendlies against Switzerland and Germany). I look for Arsenal and RVP to continue their fine run of form on the 19th against Norwich. Until then, Hup Holland, Hup!
In honor of Sir Alex Feguson’s quarter-century at the helm of Manchester United, we found this classic photo from 1997. The caption on the original photo read “Ferguson cleans up the streets of Manchester with a couple of old friends from his Wimbledon Common days, April 1997,” but I think you can come up with a better one in the comment section below. As always, the best caption will receive three wishes from a magical genie or respect – the choice is yours!
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Last Week’s Winner: Ryan
What’d you say? Bieber is gonna be a dad?
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Again Eastern European leagues are making headline news for a pitch invader. Similar to what happened in Romania, this invader made a slow entrance to the field with the stewards left watching. However, the stewards in this instance did not have a choice, since the offending person was floating in on a parachute.
During halftime of the Czech Republic match between Slavia Praha and Viktoria Plzen, this invader looked to be the start of a very promising show. Much to the dismay of those in the audience there were no fireworks, no strobe lights, and no Shakira. The parachutist floated safely onto the pitch and into the arms of the waiting security.
I love how he celebrated his triumph all the way off the pitch. At least he wasn’t targeting a player with a two-footed lunge.
If you are like me, you are sitting at work and really struggling to get any energy up on this Monday morning. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy a relaxing reprieve.
This is a video clip of the Fast Show’s sketch about a “soccer” fan. Us Yanks that follow soccer know that this is exactly how we are thought of. And I don’t blame those who do, since I have seen this act play out right before my eyes. While it is a shame that this type of fan exists for all sports in all countries around the world, this particular commentary is classic.
So, please enjoy because this is your “Monday Morning Wake-Up Call.”
It’s Match Day, and this is your opportunity to brag, lament, celebrate, trash-talk, second-guess, moan, excuse, crow, rejoice, cry, wail, gloat, and just generally sound-off. How did your club do? Who impressed you? Which club looked the weakest? Any early campaign predictions? So, we want to hear what you have to say about this weekend’s matches (results below) — use the comment section below as your forum to SOUND-OFF!
The Yanks have had quite a week. Our entire staff has been under duress in one way or another, hence the lack of activity. However, at least we all have better luck then Torres, and unlike what the majority think about Torres, the Yanks will make a nice comeback.
Even in celebration Torres can’t catch a break. Watch closely as Mata smashes Torres’ face. Kudos to Torres for staying on his feet. I was almost certain his chin was made of glass.
Even though Halloween night is over there are reports surfacing all over the internet of a star studded Halloween party that took place at Wayne Rooney’s home. Once I caught wind of this I immediately got in touch with some of the Yanks’ top inside sources over in England. What they came back and told me was very interesting. The talent that showed up was quite impressive (it’s Rooney after all), but what really intrigue me was the costumes these super stars showed up in. Some very original and others seemed like they didn’t even try.
I have made two list: Most Creative and Lazy Arse
Most Creative:
- Robin Van Persie- dressed up like a prostitute and wearing multiple hats. He said he was a hat trick.
- Luis Suarez- dressed up like a pirate with one leg. He kept falling down when anyone touched him.
- John Terry- showed up as Kramer from Seinfeld and got into a little row when he made some racist remarks. He said he was just in character.
- Ryan Giggs- dressed up like Father Time.
- Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez- dress in a little green pea costume
Lazy Arse:
- Fabricio Coloccini- showed up dressed like Michael Bolton. The same costume he has worn for the past 10 Halloweens.
- Gareth Bale- didn’t dress up but was seen in a brown sweater, eating a banana, and trying to explain that he was not in a monkey costume.
- Michael Owen- dressed in his Manchester United kit and tried to convince everyone that he is still on the team.
- Nicklas Bendtner- showed up in boxing gloves and saying he was Ivan Drago.
- Calos Tevez- he was asked to come but refused to show up.
Sounds like a great party. Wish I could have been there!
Normally here at Tuesday Morning Caption Contest, we simply ask our readers to submit their best clever captions for the Premier League photo-of-the-week; however, today we need your help. Create the best caption in the comment section below to let us know what you think happened next. Did Juan Mata “Look Right” before crossing the street on his first tour around London? This photo was taken and placed on his Facebook page, but since we don’t “like” him, we are not sure if he survived the trip across the street. The best caption will be used as the new slogan for pedestrian safety and will of course earn you our respect.
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Last Week’s Winner: James Eastup -”why always me? that cant take my tops off.”
Two Week’s Ago Winner: MIK – ” There! Past the second star on the right, go on until morning, and Wenger will find Neverland, where his players will be teenagers forever!”
In a match between Steaua Bucharest and Petrolul Ploiesti the ugly scene that took place that has made headline news. I’m not talking about CNN, or MSNBC, or BBC, but local news right here in Southern California.
Steaua defender George Galamaz was the unsuspecting victim of this attack with the punch resulting in a serious enough injury to require a trip to the hospital. After the melee settled down and play resumed, a flare was then thrown on the pitch striking the Steaua goalkeeper causing another delay in the match, another Steaua player being sent to the hospital, and the match to be abandoned.
This nightmare of behavior has sparked reports that Steaua will be awarded a 3-0 victory and that Petrolul Ploiesti will play the remainder of the season in an empty stadium.
I think that there should be some serious ramifications brought down on the stadium security as well. Look at how slow the “invader” is actually running. Right at the beginning he jogs right past security as they halfheartedly try to grab him. Shame on them.
We know this shot is against Everton, but we couldn't pass up showing this face
By guest writer – Joe Juliano
The first league meeting between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers since 1996 was one that saw Rangers come out on top, through a tenth minute clumsy foul in the box by David Luiz. His foul in the box while, soft was stupid of him to do. The game was in its early stages and Heidar Helguson was not even in a good shooting position when the foul was committed. But this should not allow Chris Foy, and his crew’s judgments to go unnoticed. The way in which Foy went about officiating should not be overlooked, purely because of the numerous cards given during the match.
There is a fair point to be made that Chelsea’s physicality against some QPR players was harsh at times; although Rangers themselves did not back down to a stronger Chelsea team. Where Foy went wrong was trying to man manage the match. He almost seemed like he wanted to make sure they knew he was there every minute, as if they forgot. It is hard to argue against some of the yellow cards Foy pulled out against Chelsea, but as a referee you must treat both sides with the same, and this he did not do. There were multiple fouls warranting yellow cards committed by QPR that were not given out. The most notable being Shaun Derry’s foul on Frank Lampard, which the entire referee crew missed, and Lampard was subsequently given a yellow for taking matters into his own hands.
Much credit is due to the way Andre Villas Boas has coached the team. To see a side with a two-man disadvantage control a major portion of the pitch as they did is a beautiful thing. It seems as if Chelsea have hope against any opponent they will face based on this performance against a decent Rangers side. Overall it was an exciting affair, one fraught with drama and anticipation, which created for a great return of QPR to the west London scene.
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