I can hardly wait for tomorrow’s epic clash in one of the world’s major sporting events.
Much of Houston sports media will hardly even blink an eye amazingly at this historic match between historic clubs.
Last year an estimated 150 million people in 230 countries and territories around the world watched the dramatic Manchester United /Chelsea game live.
So where will you watch it tomorrow? Home? Work? Pub or sports bar? Computer?
Manchester United is amazingly going for the “quadruple” having already won the Premier League, Carling Cup and Club World Cup. Is there any stopping them?
Barcelona has dominated La Liga and again will be judged with their ability to play against English sides that tend to be more difficult to break down and less open in their play.
United will come to play football you would have to think with their monster talents. Of course they won’t pull a Chelsea and defend deep right?
MESSI vs. RONALDO
It makes sense that the media is building up this meeting of world football superstars. Both are electrifying and reminders that within the team concept it is individuals that tweak the imagination of the fan. Can Messi find space to operate against United and can Barcelona contain the “shot out of a cannon” runs with and without the ball of Ronaldo.
MANAGERS
What a story here! Alex Ferguson of Manchester United can become only the second manager in football to win the Champions League/European Cup three times. The only other? Bob Paisley of Liverpool.
Oh, and by the way, Ferguson is in his 23rd season as a manager while Pep Guardiola of Barcelona is in his first.
With a win in this final, the 38 year old Guardiola can become only the sixth person to win the Champions League/ European Cup as both a player and coach.
Look at this list:
Miguel Munoz- Real Madrid won it as a player and coach .
Giovanni Trapattoni- as a player with Milan and as a coach with Juventus.
Johan Cruyff-As a player with Ajax and as a coach with Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti- as a player and coach with Milan.
Frank Rijkaard- as a player with Milan and Ajax and as a coach with Barcelona.
QUOTE: “I want my players to be daring and to show the world why we have been so successful and lift the cup.”
Pep Guardiola- Barcelona manager
Give me your thoughts on the Champions League final…….my prediction 2-1 Manchester United.
THUMBS UP to Cy Fair Dynamos Soccer club director Olivier Finidori for making a real push to get his club to watch or tape the champions league.
I love this type of leadership from club coaching directors.
SAN JOSE defender Chris Leitch was suspended for one game for the knee to the head of Brian Ching.
This has become somewhat controversial in the eyes of many but for me it was a “free shot” on a vulnerable striker.
Did he intend to hurt him? I don’t believe so but it was an unecessary moment.
Eric Denton who was clearly caught on tape throwing an elbow at Kei Kamara received no punishment.
Your thoughts on this? Was Leitch over-agressive? I say yes.
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Richmond Arms will be rocking and is a regular Manchester United Pub so all United fans come out!
I’ll watch it on my computer.
I’ll be hosting colleagues in my office with the TV tuned to Rome.
Both SJ players were “overly aggressive”, period, in my view. Also, how did TWO officials manage to miss the Kamara play??? What are they out there for, anyway? I thought the reffing was a little too forgiving but, on the other hand, it did allow play to flow better. I have mixed thoughts on the call foul/ not call foul aspect of game flow. It seems to be a very fine line at times. Thoughts?? I sure could use a pro viewpoint on this. Thanks!
Ever since the current Dynamo players came to Houston there has been contempt for them by SJ players and fans. That was evident on their first game back in SJ. Why does this happen? Coach Kinnear and company had no say in moving to Houston, it was a business transaction. Lucky for us. But why treat the players so badly – if they want to be mad, then be mad at themselves for not building a stadium, or not giving the support the team needed. I am sure that most of the Dynamo players did not want to leave beautiful, weather-perfect California. But they did and have been an asset to Houston ever since. So yes, the knee to Ching’s head was most likely deliberate, made to look accidental. Brian should have grabbed that leg and bit the —- out of him.
Ching has an amazing level of self and emotional control and that make-up makes it difficult for any opponent to get him rattled.
as much as I would have loved to miss work to see this live, I’ll have it on my DVR when I get home! so omw home, i’ll stop by pick up some dinner and some frosty cold beverages and enjoy the Final! I can’t wait to see this! I’m hoping it will be an exciting final!
Crowd Violence 1
Game 0
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I will be catching this game in about 2 and a half hours here at home. I think it’ll be more like the Barça v. Chelski game, as in Barça will attack all game and ManU just defend, ManU will of course try to get an early goal to defend. Well in case of spot kicks I believe van der sar will make valdes look like a bum. Either way I can’t go against Barça so I say 1-0 maybe 2-1 Barça win.
Four days until Tuzos!!!!
Arriba Los Tuzos de Pachuca!
2-1 Barca with Henry scoring the winner.
I’ll be watching it tonight at home and am going to avoid the internet until then.
How did Eric Denton escape punishment? They punished Kamara last year for his incident with Garcia (and NO video evidence.) This was 100% clear what his motive was and it was all over the video… go figure.
I don’t understand why SJ players would have it out for Dynamo players. The SJ guys were not part of the original team that moved and were not part of the controversy. I can understand the fans being somewhat hostile (just like Texans fans when the Titans come to town), but not the players.
If anything, I like the rivalry. It helps the sport to grow and brings back fans because they have a new passion. I did not go to the first Houston/SJ game, didnt care at the time… Now i will never miss a matchup here in Houston or the game on tv when in SJ.
One game for Leitch is bollocks and no penalty at all on Denton is a disgrace.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee is pathetic.