Stadium Profile: St. James' Park

Official Name: Sports Direct Arena (renamed from St. James' Park in 2011)
Year Built: 1892
Capacity: 52,387
Home team: Newcastle United of the English Premier League
Location: St. James' Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Earliest football match: 1880
First Newcastle United match: 1892
Pitch size: 105 meters (344 feet) by 68 meters (223 feet)

Milan brings down Barca

Amazing how the world is stunned when Barcelona loses.  But this was no fluke.  With 2 second half goals, Milan earned a 2-0 win over the Catalans during the first leg of their round of 16 match up. 

Unlike other teams who sit and wait for Barcelona to make their way to the 18 yard box, Milan brought the pressure to Barcelona to keep them at the center of the field.  A great physical and tactical effort by Milan was on display as Iniesta and Messi were shut out of the game.  Messi, playing on the wing, never got into a good attacking rhythm.  Iniesta was double, triple teamed even and was not able to create the chances we are accustomed to seeing.  Barca ended with 66% possession, but only 2 attempts on goal.  Yes they were being properly defended but  Barca showed no urgency going forward until they received some goals which is dissapointing to see from this side.

FIFA approves goal line technology

The days of goal-line controversies could be coming to an end after football's governing body, FIFA approved the use of goal-line technology ahead of the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil.

FIFA made the decision today, clearing the way for goal-line technology to be used in the 2013 Confederations Cup and then the World Cup.

As many as four different companies are expected to make bids for the contract to design and implement the technology, which will be expected to be able to identify when a ball has gone completely over the goal line.

In a news presser, FIFA president Sepp Blatter cited Frank Lampard’s controversial non goal in the 2010 World Cup as the catalyst for FIFA to act on a subject that has been controversial for years.

A statement on the FIFA website reads: “The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests.”

So will these technologies be beneficial? The debate will surely continue to rage on and there will be arguments for either side. But perhaps a fairer game will attract more to the sport and deem it legitimate. Suitors are to approach FIFA with ideas on what they think best for GLT, however it is widely expected that either Hawk-Eye or GoalRef technologies will be used as they were the ones utilized during the Club World Cup in Japan in December.

@PrimeStrikeAcad

De Gea: A keeper from zero to hero

David De Gea, 22-year-old Spanish footballer, starting keeper for Manchester United, and subject of much scrutiny stitches together a sparkling performance in Madrid.

The waxing and waning success of De Gea's young career was once again highlighted in yesterday's 1-1 draw with Real Madrid. De Gea put together a world class match against one of the best teams in the world, giving up just one goal off of an un-stoppable header by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid Vs. Manchester United round 1

Manchester United got a pivotal 1-1 draw away at Real Madrid today in the first leg of their Champions League match-up.

The two teams will play again in Manchester two weeks from now to decide who moves on to the quarterfinals.

Danny Welbeck opened the scoring in the 20th minute on a headed goal off a corner kick.
Ten minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo got a free header in the box and smashed it home to tie it 1-1.
After that, Real Madrid had all the possession in the world but couldn't find the cutting edge in the box.

It was an enthralling match all the way until the end. It looked like Real Madrid would come close to taking a late lead when Ronaldo cut inside on to his left foot inside the 18 but passing instead of shooting, finding Mesut Ozil who hung on to the ball for too long, like someone trying to score the perfect goal in FIFA. When his pass inside met Sami Khedira, he shot straight at David de Gea leaving it all tied at 1-1.

Tuesday, 5 March.

Get that date in your diaries, if it's not already scribed in. That's the return date at Old Trafford where Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho says "It's still 50/50". And if it is anything like the first 45 minutes especially of tonight's game we are set for some knockout gold.

Early Development of a Soccer player in the US vs. Mexico

Mexico has been outplaying the US at the national youth levels.  Since June 2011 Mexico has won the U-17 World Cup, Pan-American Games, Toulon Espoirs tournament, Northern Ireland Milk Cup, finished 3^rd at the 2011 U-20 World Cup and obtained an Olympic Gold medal to top it off.  How has Mexico, a country has with fewer people and resources, out shone us at every turn lately and over the years?

pressure on players in big clubs

the amount of pressure put on a star player for playing a quality team that is losing is great. Within the past few months Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his interest in no longer playing for Real Madrid. In some cases he has been caught on camera crying about it. Most people would say that it is the management and how they are treating him. Truth is i believe they cater to his every need.

UMNT: International Soccer and World Cup Qualifiers!

This week in Soccer there are three televised international games.

We see England host Brazil at 2PM EST Wednesday on Fox Soccer. The England squad are with out Danny Sturridge after a slight hamstring problem picked up over the weekend. 

The US begin their World Cup qualifying run on the road to Honduras after a dissapointing draw against Canada last week. With a better squad and more pressure on the table we hope to see the States live up their expectations and get a win. However, Honduras if given the opportunity will score unlike the last weeks favorable match up Canada. An interesting addition that could get the goals flowing is the return of Jozy Altidore to the squad. That game is set to kick off at 4PM EST on BeIN Sport. 

Major (Feeder) League Soccer

In recent memory, many of the United States' finest players have often packed their bags and set out for Europe to "play with the big boys". Landon Donovan, Michael Beasley, Clint Dempsey, and Brian McBride are just some that come to mind. This poses two questions, is the MLS a feeder league for the larger, more established leagues in Europe? And, is this good or bad for the league as a whole?