So I am in New Jersey this past weekend and sitting at my parents house watching the end of Newcastle at Chelsea and wonder if my eyes deceive me. Salomon Kalou scores an obvious goal where he is about 4 yards offside prior and Chelsea take the full three points at Stamford Bridge.
Now this was not even close nor controversial.
It was blatantly obvious that Kalou was offside and one has to look at referee Mike Cairns and his linesman. Now I am not one to bash referees because I realize the difficulty that they are under in the modern era of soccer. But the basics you have to get right in the high stakes game of the EPL.
I have not been big on using technology but in this case the blown non call it just sours the entire game
Then you get Chelsea coach Avram Grant with this gem after the game.
“I have not seen the television but we created chances. So many chances today that we deserved to win anyway. We created 8-10 good chances.”
So what am I missing here. Avram believes they deserve to win and take a full three points because they CREATED MORE CHANCES? Last I heard you had to score more goals and Chelsea scored one legitimately and deserved only a point.
Newcastle was robbed and it is games like this that make me think a little technology might not be a bad idea.
Did you see this game and what are your thoughts?

Make no mistake, Alex Ferguson the manager of Manchester United wants control. Control as a manager but in the bigger picture control for Manchester United. Ferguson recently spoke out about the modern soccer player and the urge for self promotion.
I have always be in awe of large clubs that somehow create an environment that still makes the club priority first and foremost in the minds of players. Over the years many high profile players have been let go by Ferguson because they did not fit in with this philosphy.
Ferguson also goes on in his article to single out players constantly seeking out celebrity and even criticizes those who push teammates aside after scoring goals to have their own private celebration.
To see the article go to FoxSports.com

Brian Ching will be a spokesperson for the City of Houston in a campaign designed to get exposure for our fair city. Other notables include Beyonce and former President George Bush and wife Barbara.
This is significant for a number of reasons because Dynamo players have become more involved in mainstream ad campaigns and promotion. Yes, soccer has arrived when we see the game and it’s players involved with these types of campaigns.
For those who played professional soccer in the mid-eighties times were much different.
Once done bouncing around from team to team in league to league many of us chose to remain involved in the sport we love. Coaching and running a youth club for me ultimately ultimately led to a career in broadcasting. I am fortunate and grateful to still be involved in the sport so when I see quality players and people like Brian Ching get the opportunity to represent our city and our sport I consider it a victory. A small victory that reminds us that the sport ably represented by those like Ching continues to earn respect slowly but surely.
Dynamo team president Oliver Luck deserves alot of credit for helping to take the sport mainstream by refusing to let anyone think of the Dynamo as less than professional.
Have a safe and happy New Year!
Glenn

American owner Tom Hicks feels as though Liverpool has an inferiority complex when it comes to Manchester United whom recently defeated them. Hicks and George Gillet majority owners of Liverpool have in recent weeks been in the news having a supposedly strained relationship with head coach Rafael Benitez over transfer issues.
The clash of ego’s when it comes to owners and head coaches will always be an issue in the big money world of the top soccer clubs. Just look at Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho at Chelsea for an example.
Lets just let the owners pick the starting eleven……just kidding yet I am sure some do.
As an owner you can do anything you want with your club but the wisest owners hire the right people and let them get the job done while monitoring morale, direction, productivity and results from the top. Is Hicks too involved?
Hicks recently came out saying that the media blew his interaction with Benitez out of proportion. He even went on to say that language was a problem in the issue.
Hicks says that Liverpool is working on coming stateside and also working on strategic partnerships with MLS teams.
Certain MLS teams could certainly do with finding a few more qualified people to run their teams, no I am not going to mention names but it is not hard to figure out.

Maybe the time has finally come for Cesar “Chelito” Delgado to head to Europe. The rumor has sourrounded the talented Argentine for many years but it seems Delgado may be ready to make the move provided the finances are to his liking.
He is expected to fly back to Mexico City tomorrow to talk with Cruz Azul executives about the move.
Now France would be the perfect fit in my opinion for Delgado who could thrive there.
Is the time now for Chelito? I think so.

My column today in the Chronicle(www.houstonchronicle.com) focused on the most impactful games of the year in my mind.
Some of my favorites: U.S. 2 Mexico 1 in the Gold Cup Final
Dynamo 2 NE 1 in the MLS Cup Final
Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 3 (Lionel Messi hat trick)
New York Red Bulls 5 LA Galaxy 4 66,000 fans at Giants Stadium
Dynamo 4-1 over FC Dallas in the playoffs.
So what were your favorite games of the year and why? Of course I can think of lots of important Dynamo games in addition to the ones mentioned above. Interliga competition, Concacaf Champions Cup at Pachuca, and countless games in Europe. Hey what about the Copa America Brazil win over Argentina?
Look forward to hearing your thoughts and wishing you a healthy,safe and prosperous New Year.
Glenn

Aston Villa picked off a 4-4 draw against Chelseas in a drama and goal filled boxing day encounter in England.
Had the chance to catch this on tv today. A late Gareth Barry penalty (cooly taken) got the point for Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Ashley Cole handled a ball on the line leading up to he penalty. Both Cole and Ricardo Carvalho were ejected in this one.
Carvalho for a two footed tackle.
Holiday greetings to all and a reminder that my radio show will not air tonite due to the holiday but will be back next week with a best of interview show featuring an interview with Bruce Arena prior to the World Cup.
Glenn

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
Thanks for the support of soccer in the media and this website.
Glenn

AC Milan goalkeeper Brazilian Dida committed one of his patented goalkeeping errors and it proved costly in the Milan Derby. A shot from Argentine Esteban Cambiasso twisted Dida into a tangled mess and proved to be the game winner.
How the Brazilian proves to be the first choice at Milan in Europe is mind boggling. He is unsteady off his line even at his physical height and I used to think he was an adequate shot stopper.
AC Milan got the dream start off a brilliant free kick from Andrea Pirlo. They had chances orchestrated through FIFA World Player of the year Kaka to get a second but this proved to be their undoing. Julio Cruz then tied things up through sheer power through three Milan defenders.
At this point Inter became the better team leading to the Cambiasso goal.
Did you see this game and what are your thoughts?

This is must see tv before Christmas. First the breakfast show includes AC Milan against Inter Milan in the Milan Derby. AC Milan is considered the away team at the San Siro Stadium and take on league leaders Inter Milan after coming back from Tokyo as the World Club Champions defeating Boca Jrs. 4-2.
Meanwhile in Spain the drama is unfolding where Ronaldinho had a training disagreement with manager Frank Rijkaard and could move to the bench for Mexican talent Giovanni dos Santos. Lionel Messi is also out injured for Barcelona who will be bouyed by the crowd at the Nou Camp. Barca has not lost at home but currently sit four points behind Real Madrid who will get Guti back.
Real Madrid is coached by German Bernd Schuster.
Don’t miss these two games.

Inter Milan vs. AC Milan at 8pm CST on Fox Soccer Channel
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid at 12pm CST on GolTv