Kick From The Spot

It's November!  Arsenal fire manager Emery due to a poor start.  But what's the plan?  Is there a plan?  Arsenal are down.  Worst start in decades.  Emery had only been at the club for one full season.  And it's November! Emery had the pedigree for this exact moment.  Arsenal are not competing for the top of the Premier League.  Arsenal are not in Champions League.  Emery, with his multiple Europa League titles at Sevilla, is a proven winner at the current level Arsenal find themselves at.  The big trophies are not to be had, but there are other trophies worth winning.  And this guy is/was the right tool for this moment in time for the club. It's culture that must be fired.  Emery didn't stand a chance within a stagnant culture.  He wanted to win, not debate who's cute, who's friends, and all the fun-time-happy-footballing that must accompany the millions of Euros or Pounds, or Kroenke Dollars.  He w...

On 19 November 2019, Mauricio  Pochettino  was  sacked  by Daniel Levy and Tottenham Hotspurs, with his side 14th in the Premier League table he was replaced only 12 hours later by none other than "the Special One"Jose Mourinho. In a shock dismissing and even more shocking appointing this move seemed on surface a radical one made of fear at missing out of European games. Mourinho who in 2015 said, he could never manage Tottenham, is known for his pragmatic "park the bus" style. A kind of soccer that Tottenham fans have not seen over the last 5 1/2 years. From the outside, this union looks like it could be over before it starts. Mourinho has spent more money in transfers (1 billion pounds overall) than any other manager in history. In contrast, of the "Big 6" Tottenham have spent the least on transfers in the last 5 years. How can this possibly work? Granted Mourinho's last managerial post was in many regards a failure at Manchester United. In the 3 ...

There has always been a huge flaw in VAR, just lurking under the surface waiting to show itself.  As of yet, this chasm hasn't been found in the natural course of play.  On Sunday, the referee could have covered it up for the league and VAR opponents. What would happen if a clear error was made on a penalty call, but as time passed waiting for an opportunity to stop play to review, the opposing team scores!  WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?  We were sure to find out this weekend in the biggest match thus far of the year, as Sterling of City was denied a clear goal scoring opportunity by a Liverpool hand ball.  This clear penalty hand ball in the box was missed by the referee.  No big deal, at the first stop of play, everything would be corrected.  But immediately before the match found a dead ball moment, Liverpool rushed down and scored on an unlikely swift power strike. So what now?    - Penalty!  And the latter goal is disallowed....

Emery left Ozil off the starting lineup over the weekend.  As listeners to this show know I have been calling for Ozil to be subbed, left out, and generally reigned in as an Arsenal staple.  There was something strange about this benching.  It came with a qualifier, he was sick.  Ill.  Unavailable. I jumped out of my seat to see Arsenal was going to try a midfield without the lethargic, turnover prone German.  My theory that Emery was confidently testing and experimenting with his squad.  A long term approach to his coaching position.  Refreshing in modern football I thought.  And required after a 22 year coaching stint by Arsene Wenger.  Emery is taking his time to get his feet settled.  Kicking the tires in real time. The rough English media already had a conspiritorial narrative ready for Emery: Ozil left the team and facility on Saturday because he was pissed he was left out of the lineup . He responded: " Maybe in English...

First, this is awkward, but it must be addressed. Hector , it was several years ago I spotted you from across the pitch. It was preseason. Your youthful enthusiasm and talent lit up the pitch. Stretching runs forward from a wide position with an unexpected pace were finished off with precision crosses that peppered the opponent's 18 yard box. Your boyish charm and wide-eyed innocence were a delight. "He's going to start!" I exclaimed before a serious ball had been kicked for Arsenal. Since that time you have become a staple in the starting 11. Your boyish charm has been replaced by a mature metal of vigor and intensity. You've grown facial hair, presented the world with your version of a man bun, and even inked a full sleeve. Alas Hector, we've grown apart. You have amassed 1.5 million followers on Twitter. No longer are you the prospect I spotted on the side of the pitch, but a full blown soccer star. I must let you go, and share you with the wo...

For those of you with messy or busted brackets from the Group Stage of the World Cup 2018 Russia edition, here is a fresh Round of 16 Bracket that is fresh and easy to write on. Complete with match times. You can listen to the Kick from the Spot Podcast World Cup Round of 16 Preview HERE .

Check out the accompanying podcast here. FIFA decides based on their metrics and rankings of nations the number of berths from each continental zone. This is how 2018 will look. UEFA Europe - 14 CAF Africa- 5 AFC Asia - 4.5 CONMEBOL South America - 4.5 CONCACAF North, Central and Caribbean - 3.5 OFC - Oceana - .5 The fifth team from Asia (Australia) entered a playoff against the fourth placed team from CONCACAF (Honduras). The top team from Oceana (New Zealand) entered a playoff against the fifth place team from CONMEBOL (Peru). 32 teams entered into the 2018 World Cup. A draw determined the make-up of 8 groups of 4 nations. The draw was weighted or seeded by creating 4 pots of 8 nations starting with the host country and then from top to bottom based on FIFA rankings. Then from there a nation was selected out of each pot for a group. This artificially separated the nations at the top and bottom from eachother. Even though everything is by the numbers, FIFA ch...

On March 27th in North Carolina at 7:30 EST on Fox Sports 1 the United State Men's National team will host South American rival Paraguay in a friendly match.  This match comes under a dark cloud still looming over United States soccer as World Cup 2018 will come and go without US participation.  It will take time for American Outlaws to cleanse the pallet of qualification failure, and the chaotic leadership the organization felt in the past year, but this friendly may be just what the doctor ordered. The 22 man roster for the friendly was recently announced.  US Soccer is putting their youth front and center.  Of the 22 men called up, they represent 12 different leagues and 10 countries.  Only one third of the players are signed and playing in Major League Soccer.  5 of the players are currently signed and playing in the top leagues of Europe.  Despite the youth, this is a formidable and exciting roster presented for the mostly meaningless friendly. ...

If you follow English Football you’ve probably heard someone say something about “the magic of the FA Cup”.  Over the years this magic seems to have faded. With the money and subsequent superstar talent now in the Premier League and the popularity and level of competition and talent in the Champions League, cup competitions have taken a back seat.  My faith has been restored and I’m here to tell you that the magic is real. Don’t believe me?  Just ask Wigan Athletic and Rochdale AFC supporters.  They certainly believe. Let’s start with Wigan Athletic.  For half a decade the club has been on a downward roller-coaster-like spiral that has found them currently fighting at the top of the English League 1.  They actually won the FA Cup and were relegated from the Premier League in the same season in 2013.  Well, they’re making some noise this year. The bandwagon is loaded up, and I’m driving!   Their FA Cup campaign this season saw them beat Premier L...

Jordan Morris will most likely miss the entirety of 2018. The injury is yet to be confirmed, but it appears he tore his ACL in a Sounders CONCACAF Champions League match on Sunday. Usain Bolt to play soccer professionally? Yes, the 8 time Olympic Gold medalist will announce Tuesday morning the beginning of his new career.  In January he announced his plan to train with Dortmund in the Bundesliga starting in March.  His ultimate goal is to play for his favorite club Manchester United. Russians are the new soccer hooligans! One police officer died trying to quell a clash of soccer fans before the Athletic Bilboa vs Spartak Moscow Europa league match.  The Basque people - my people - Well through a meretricious relationship only - They are the last revolutionary group in Europe.  Not a group of people to back down from a fight. The scene outside of "The Cathedral" ... the home stadium for Athletic Club ... saw police in riot gear swinging batons and flares being...

There’s a reason the Champions League returns for the group stage close to Valentines Day. What better way to celebrate love than with the best club teams in the world playing the most beautiful game in the world. I know what a lot of you are probably thinking, “This guy is crazy, the World Cup is the best thing in the beautiful game!” I agree, the World Cup rules! However, I give the edge to the Champions League. It happens every year and the quality of matches is greater. For those of you not familiar, I’ll describe it in the simplest of terms. The Champions League is a tournament involving the best professional club teams from all over Europe and beyond. Depending on how much you follow European football and who you support, you might not be very familiar with the UCL. Stop what you’re doing and check it out right now! This is a time when we get to see matches like FC Barcelona ( Spanish League ) versus Chelsea ( English Premiere League ), Real Madrid (Spanish League) versus PSG...

On the whole the Premiere League got stronger after the January transfer window bringing in far more players than they lost. Tottenham ditched two serial killers.  Everton revamped their line-up.  Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger swapped wives. Arsenal : In :  Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Dortmund Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Man U Out :  Francis Coquelin to Valencia Olivier Giroud to Chelsea Alexis Sanchez to Man U Theo Walcott to Everton Brighton & Hove Albion : In :  Leonardo Ulloa on loan from Leicester City Burnley : In :  Aaron Lennon from Everton Georges-Kevin Nkoudou on loan from Tottrenham Out :  Dan Agyei on loan to Blackpool Chelsea : In :  Ross Barkley from Everton Olivier Giroud from Arsenal Emerson Palmieri from Roma Out :  Michy Batshuayi on loan to Dortmund Everton : In :  Cenk Tosun from Besiktas Eliaquim Mangala on loan from Man City Theo Walcott from Arsenal ...

For the last time! Neymar and Ronaldo reports are all fake news! Don't buy into the click bait. PSG spent a ton acquiring Neymar, and despite media fake news reports that he is unhappy, he has been performing well for PSG. Most likely all this fake news revolves around Ronaldo seeking a new contract at the end of the season.  I don't think Real Madrid are keen to tie up their coffers for another contract with Ronaldo. Don't pay any attention to these reports now, because this is all you will read and hear about during the summer after the seasons are put to bed. You can't make this stuff up. In an already active January transfer window, it looks like Chelsea will have something to do with Aubameyang to Arsenal:  - Giroud to Chelsea for 15million transfer fee  - Aubameyang to Arsenal for 55million transfer fee  - Batshuayi to Dortmund on loan from Chelsea Dortmund forcing the complicated deal as they only will sign off on Aubameyang only if ...

"Ok I was gone for a minute but I'm back now." US Men's National Team and entire program has me hyped again to talk about SOCCER! The inspiration of the Kick from the Spot came over three years ago. Steady progress has been replaced by fits and starts. Recently I found a willing partner on the pitch, and the combination should be positive. Today the USMNT successfully earned a point in Mexico City in World Cup Qualifying. This result loosened the non qualification noose that the Klinsmann regime craned the club into. With the emergence of Christian Pulisic as a legitimate American star, the USMNT has gain a potency and charisma lacking in recent years. The point in Mexico City returns the USMNT back to the paved road of World Cup Qualification. The U20 US team put forth a strong effort in the recent U20 World Cup. The team made it as far as any US U20 squad in World Cup competition. All of these results and promise tastes a bit like penny leaves on the ba...

For those who are new fans to the sport of soccer, you may find it slightly confusing to keep up with all the national leagues, associations and matches. At Kick from the Spot we are here for you.  In the United States CONCACAF is an important acronym to know and understand.  Here are the basics you should know about CONCACAF. What CONCACAF Stands For? CONCACAF is the abbreviation for “The Confederation of North, Central America And Caribbean Association Football.” The association consists of North American members, Central American members, Caribbean members as well as the independent nations of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It was created in 1961 and merged the NAFC and CCCF. Today it is considered the third most successful confederation of FIFA. FIFA is the “Federation Internationale de Football Association”. FIFA is responsible for organizing, promoting and regulating soccer's major tournaments. There are six confederations that create FIFA, one of which is CO...

In the past few years I have found a new love in my life.  This love is powerful and consuming as it has determined my weekly schedule and wiped out life-long sporting relationships.  I have fallen in love with soccer.  As a boy and young adult I consistently took a passing interest in soccer.  I appreciated the game and the skill of the players.  This interest was less than acquaintanceship, more like a friendly face that looks familiar with no concrete reason or attachment.  I wonder why it took me so long to embrace the sport.   Now that I have broken through the invisible barrier that kept me from soccer for all those years, let's take a closer look at why there is resistance to soccer in America and the natural obstacles that stand in its way. Americans have a tendency to dismiss sports that are foreign.  We are proud of our national sports.  Too often we come up with excuses that diminish foreign sports instead of pronouncing the real...