What's Next for FIFA?

9:02 AM Unknown 0 Comments

By now, I think we've all heard the news about FIFA, soccer's main governing body. 

Corruption that has been ongoing for decades has finally been brought to light by the United States Department of Justice and the FBI. High-ranking executives in the organization have taken millions of dollars in bribes for multiple reasons, which is absolutely ludicrous. 

For me, the beauty of soccer is the fact that it's such a democratic game - there is no required body type, size, strength, gender, or anything; all you have to do is train both your skills and your mind for the game and you can become a top player. But where is the democracy when countries are being awarded World Cups and sponsors are being awarded contracts all through bribery? That does not provide for a level playing field. The democracy of the game is slowly being destroyed by FIFA, especially by its president, Sepp Blatter, who was re-elected to a fifth term on Friday. 

Now, some of you may be wondering exactly how Blatter was re-elected even after the wire fraud, money laundering, and racketeering charges were brought up against some of his staffmates. Basically, the reasoning is this: Blatter requires that the proceeds of each World Cup tournament are distributed equally to all member nations of FIFA. In other words, the United States will receive the same amount of money as, for example, Mali or Uzbekistan. These smaller African and Asian nations are incredibly happy with this process and don't want it to change, and it just so happens that they make up 100 of the 209 votes in the FIFA presidential election. Therefore, Blatter really only had to 'win over' a minimum of five other nations to go along with the 100 votes he was already guaranteed.

So that's why he won again. But how will FIFA progress?

The beautiful game is walking down a dark alley that needs to be lit up immediately. It is clear that the organization needs to be reformed, but that really can't be done with a leader as corrupt as Blatter in charge. All high-ranking executives of FIFA need to be removed and replaced with men and women that would look to solve things democratically, with no interference of bribery. Not only that, but countries are going to have to be willing to withdraw from FIFA, boycott its events, and stop voting in its elections. With some of the most powerful footballing nations out of the picture, sponsors will be discouraged from participating in the World Cup or European Championship; this disappearance of money is what would certainly let FIFA know that things have to be changed, even if the disappearance of member nations doesn't.

It may take some scare tactics, or some United States meddling, but something must be done immediately about FIFA. The little integrity our game has remaining depends on it. 



Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think in the comments below, and follow both @camtotheyams and @FightingBlog on Twitter!



Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA

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Americans Abroad

2:17 PM Unknown 2 Comments

Results for the United States Men's National Team have not been fantastic in recent months, as Jurgen Klinsmann has been trying experimental lineups with young players and inexperienced international performers. However, through all ups and downs, some of the best American footballers have continued to thrive in their respective domestic leagues outside of the US. About one year after the World Cup, let's take a look at the progress of some of my favorite American exports.


DeAndre Yedlin:

After impressing in Brazil with his unmatched speed and physical prowess, he was rewarded with a move to the BPL with Tottenham. While some experts argue it has been a wasted move, I disagree. Sure, he hasn't gotten much time with the first team, but I'm sure he could have expected that - he's only been in London for a few months, after all. Playing time at this stage is less important than the tutelage he's receiving, which is why I think Yedlin has done very well for himself. He has things that can't be taught in terms of speed and strength, and he has reportedly already made great strides with his technical ability and decision-making. He hasn't played much, but he continues to develop the weak parts of his game.

Rating: B-



Alejandro Bedoya:

There's a reason Bedoya is the name I got on the back of my new USMNT away jersey. This player continues to start regularly for Nantes in Ligue 1, a feat even more impressive when considering that he wasn't even making the 18 about a year ago. While he still finds himself getting replaced around the 70th minute of games from time to time, he is a vital contributor for the mid-table French side, and has even contributed with two goals in the past month. As Clint Dempsey ages, Klinsmann will be looking to Bedoya to fill that attacking midfielder role, and he will certainly be prepared for that duty by 2018 if not much sooner.

Rating: B

                                                     


Timothy Chandler:

Chandler is both an underrated player and a conundrum for me. He has developed into easily one of the top ten right backs in the Bundesliga and even scored a goal for Eintracht Frankfurt this past weekend, yet I don't think I've even seen him play well in a US jersey. I don't want to judge him too much by his international performance, though; he is improving every week and has played the full 90 minutes for Frankfurt each of the past 15 league games. What Chandler lacks going forward compared to Yedlin, he more than makes up for in playing time and defensive ability. The right back battle for the USMNT will certainly be one to look at before 2018, but I have Chandler in the lead right now, based on current form alone.

Rating: B+

                                                    


Fabian Johnson:

I saved the best for last. The Borussia Monchengladbach left midfielder has been absolutely critical in helping his side qualify for next season's Champions League, picking up a handful of goals and assists over the last two months. Even when he's not causing ripples on the stat sheet, he is still making crucial contributions both offensively and defensively; he made multiple key tackles as Monchengladbach grinded out a beautiful 2-0 victory at Bayern Munich. Like Bedoya, Johnson went from barely coming off the bench a year ago to barely ever getting substituted off in 2015. It has been my belief for years that he is the best non-Dempsey player on the USMNT, and it has been amazing watching him turn into a leader for a Champions League-quality club.

Rating: A

                                                   
Quickies:

John Brooks: Starts every game at center back for Hertha Berlin, continuing to do well.
Geoff Cameron: Steadily improving and getting more playing time at right back for Stoke City, and I hope to see him replicate these quality outings for the national team.
Bobby Wood: The young striker has accumulated a few goals and assists recently in the German second division, and is one to look at as another possible Dempsey replacement.
Brad Guzan: Got a clean sheet this weekend, but made some horrible mistakes last weekend. His starting spot for the USMNT and for Aston Villa is in jeopardy.


Thank you all for reading. Please follow @camtotheyams and @FightingBlog for more footballing opinions, and let me know in the comments section what you think of player ratings!

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The State of the Union

1:27 PM Unknown 0 Comments


 What's going on with the U?

The Philadelphia Union continued their poor run of form and lost at PPL Park for the second time in a row.  Jim Curtin’s men met defeat at the hands of Toronto playmaker Sebastian Giovinco, who in the 34th minute scored a sensational dipping free kick from 35 yards out. Union goalkeeper John McCarthy was too slow to react to prevent the goal.  Giovinco, 28, arrived from Juventus in January and is already proving why he deserves to be the highest paid player in Major League Soccer history.  The Italian has been a revelation in Greg Vanney’s side, having notched four goals in his last four games. 

Following the goal, chances were at a premium but the Union came closest to equalizing in first half stoppage time when midfielder Christian Maidana’s well-taken volley hit the crossbar.  Toronto keeper and former Union man Chris Konopka was beaten but was rescued by the frame of goal.

Despite the loss, the Union did a great job of nullifying Toronto’s three-headed dragon in midfield, composed of Giovinco, Benoit Cheyrou, and American international Michael Bradley.  However, Toronto never lost composure and was more than happy to sit back and relinquish possession.

Toronto came close to adding a second goal in the 51st minute, when Giovinco, seeing McCarthy too far off his goal line, attempted an audacious chip from midfield that barely sailed over goal.  The shot was taken at full sprint from just beyond the center circle and would’ve been a real collector’s item had it gone in.  

Toronto steadily tested the Union’s defense, but center back Ethan White did a brilliant job of breaking up play, along with rookie Richie Marquez, who made his senior debut for the Union, replacing the injured Michael Lahoud in the 5th minute.  White especially nullified Toronto forward Jozy Altidore, who had a quiet game.

Late in the match, the Union nearly broke through Toronto’s defense and scored the tying goal. In the 79th minute of play, Venezuelan forward Fernando Aristeguieta scored a beautiful header that was disallowed for being offside.  Aristeguieta was inches offside and the call could’ve gone either way. 

Toronto was unyielding defensively in the final minutes, with veteran Damien Perquis particularly impressive.  It was another tough game for the Union.  Philadelphia has won just one of their ten games this season, and sit ninth in the Eastern Conference.  With the win, Toronto climbed to sixth in the table, drawing level on points with fifth place Chicago Fire.

For Philadelphia, it’s crunch time if they hope to get anything out of this season, as they travel to Vancouver next week to play one of the league’s surprise packages this term.  The Vancouver Whitecaps sit second in the Western Conference and should be a difficult challenge for the Union. 

(Credit to Aaron Gialanella for writing this report. Follow him on Twitter @aar9n.)



 

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