Joe Soriano
O.J. Lewis12/19 Rambling On: Loss of Quality Soccer
December 19th 2010 14:50
Yeah, I haven't written about anything soccer in a while or very much on this website. It's mainly because- as an American- I am focused on basketball, baseball, and football. That's America's Big 3. What I'm writing about is obvious and overstated, but I will try and bring it into different terms. This season, there have only been three undisputed elite soccer teams in the world. Those are Dortmund- who lost to Frankfurt and are spiraling downward, Manchester United- who might not even deserve to be on this list, and Barcelona. Only the last team of those three cannot be questioned at all.
All three teams have dominated, and really I should rephrase that sentence in the last paragraph. Only one of those teams is indisputably elite. I just had to name a top three. Barcelona are mowing through the La Liga in style. Nobody can exactly romp the Champions League, but if anyone can- it's Barcelona. Usually, we find about five teams each year that are very strong. Last year, Chelsea; Inter; Barca; Bayern; and Manchester United were dominant. This year, it's been all about La Blaugrana.
And why not? Puyol and Pique are arguably the best duo in central defense in the world. The guys to pit against them are United's Vidic and Ferdinand. Barcelona easily have the best midfield there is. The combination of Xavi, Iniesta, and Mascherano are every manager's envy. Lionel Messi is the best player in the world, and David Villa is another top class player. Dani Alves is barely the second best defender in the league. Only former Sevilla teammate- and now rival in Real- Sergio Ramos is better.
This is a team that features an underrated goalie in Victor Valdes. He is constantly overshadowed by fellow Spaniard Iker Casillas. Obviously, Valdes isn't as good; but Valdes is great in his own right. Pedro, Milito, Sergio B, and Abidal make up a great supporting cast to the superstars.
I think Cam Newton will be the most overhyped player in the draft. Heck, everybody and their uncles would agree with me on this one. Even though Jake Locker had a poor year, he is still the better pro prospect than Newton. Newton's leadership, accuracy, and character are huge question marks. Those three things are some of the keys to success in the NFL. Locker is a leader and happens to have absolutely no supporting cast in Washington. Andrew Luck is still the best, but don't dump Jake in your Locker.
And why not? Puyol and Pique are arguably the best duo in central defense in the world. The guys to pit against them are United's Vidic and Ferdinand. Barcelona easily have the best midfield there is. The combination of Xavi, Iniesta, and Mascherano are every manager's envy. Lionel Messi is the best player in the world, and David Villa is another top class player. Dani Alves is barely the second best defender in the league. Only former Sevilla teammate- and now rival in Real- Sergio Ramos is better.
This is a team that features an underrated goalie in Victor Valdes. He is constantly overshadowed by fellow Spaniard Iker Casillas. Obviously, Valdes isn't as good; but Valdes is great in his own right. Pedro, Milito, Sergio B, and Abidal make up a great supporting cast to the superstars.
I think Cam Newton will be the most overhyped player in the draft. Heck, everybody and their uncles would agree with me on this one. Even though Jake Locker had a poor year, he is still the better pro prospect than Newton. Newton's leadership, accuracy, and character are huge question marks. Those three things are some of the keys to success in the NFL. Locker is a leader and happens to have absolutely no supporting cast in Washington. Andrew Luck is still the best, but don't dump Jake in your Locker.
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