Bayern's New Manager, Barcelona lastest exploits & the MLS Superdraft in Review

I found this picture to be too true...

Bayern Munich get themselves a new manager by swooping in out of the dark to grab the most sought after coach on the planet. FC Barcelona go two of three rounds with tough Spanish opponents Malaga, with the Barcelona just edging out winners in the first two bouts. US Soccer celebrates a wonderful day as it adds a new team and the MLS Superdraft is today at, 12 PM EST; revealing a very promising future for both the MLS clubs and US National soccer. Keep reading as another week passes in the wonderful world of Football. 

Pep Guardiola and his new colors

2013 is shaping up to be an interesting year as the former Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola made headlines by signing on as the new Bayern Munich coach. A shocking headline no doubt as many believed, including the man himself, that his future would place him in England. The 14 trophies earned with FC Barcelona and the stress associated with the job forced the Spaniard into a prolonged vacation in New York City, yet it seems as if the Big Apple has breathed life anew into Pep. Gaurdiola will now enter the confines of the prestigious Bundesliga, a league that I have said on numerous occasions to be best competitive league in the world. Now unfurrow your brows and dispense with the dubious looks, England is the most exciting, Spain is the most attractive, but it is in fact Germany that has the closest and most interesting title races. Luckily for Pep, it would seem that he would walk onto a team that is virtually guaranteed a Bungesliga title unless the extreme amount of money funneled into this all-star team fails. The god-like coach, that has mountains of expectations, will be joined by footballing giants such as; Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Sebastian Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery, essentially Pep is joining another Barcelona [peep this team’s ability]. I would like to wish Pep good luck in his new position and another congratulation on getting a title in Germany, suffice to say that we will be meeting him in the Champions League final 2014.

The Captain, Carlos Puyol after scoring in the 30th Minute

Speaking of Barcelona, my boys entered a three round contest with Malaga CF that sits on the southern coast of Spain and currently sits 5^th on the table. The first round contest took place this past Sunday in the breathtakingly beautiful beach city at the La Rosealeda stadium. The round 19 La Liga contest was a thrilling one as the usual faces for Barcelona took to the hostile environment of La Rosealeda produced a surprising test for the soon-to-be champions; check out this atmosphere! The Malaga side is full of exciting players from the young Isco, who dazzles his way through the best of defenders, to the brick wall of defenders that constitute the back four like Weligton and Martin Demichelis. This Malaga side would prove difficult for the Blaugranas to break down as they have only conceded 11 goals, the fewest in La Liga. However the best defense and an array of attacking talent could not match the as Messi opened the scoring in the 27^th minute. Then Messi turned provider with a beautifully looped ball over the top to his good friend Cesc Fabregas in the 50^th minute. Messi then showed his distributive prowess again, after a lovely quick exchange with Thiago Alacantara, the future Xavi rifled a shot past poor Willy to give Barcelona a 3 goal lead in the 86^th minute. However, Victor Valdes’ celebrations were cut short only minutes later when young and dangerous Diego Buonanotte curled in a freekick for just outside the area in the 89^th minute, making the final score in round 1 3-1 Barcelona [Full Game Highlights]. Round 2 proved to be less flashy and high-powered contest as both Tito Villanova and Manuel Pelegrini gave a few of their starters rest in the wednesday night fixture taking place in Barcelona’s Nou Camp. The game started with the presenting of Messi’s newest Ballon d‘Or to the Barcelona faithful who filled the 99,000-seat stadium to witness the four golden balls. Both teams struggled to find the fluid form they had in the pervious fixture resulting in the 2-2 draw in the first of two legs in the Copa Del Rey. [Full Game Highlights] Round 3 will be taking place next week in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey which will prove to be an incredible game, hope you watch! 

In other news from around the world of football, Indianapolis is the newest footballing city in the United States as Indiana will be the home of a new USL franchise. The stadium they are building looks nice enough in a state that produced DeMarcus Beasley and with rise in popularity and success of the Hoosiers soccer team, it is no surprise that Indiana is getting its own team. Great news out of New York as the New York Cosmos propose a massive stadium in Belmont Park. The team expects to bring massive growth to the immediate area with the renovation and construction of hotels, restaurants and the erecting of a 25,000 seat stadium to house the historic US soccer club. Full details are as follows. 

Andrew Farrell at the MLS Combine

Keeping with the United States the MLS Superdraft starts today at 12 pm on ESPN with the first pick of the draft going to the New England Revolution. The MLS combine has produced some thrilling spectacles, showing off the surprisingly impressive talent that is coming out of the college ranks. Andrew Farrell looks to be the first selected in the draft by the Revs and this comes at no surprise as the Louisville man has dazzled the MLS scouts with his defensive ability and superb passing out of the back. Mark my words, this guy WILL be on the US National team soon, CHECK HIM OUT. The second pick is also of little surprise to me as Carlos Alvarez produced one of the best midfeild performances in the college season and post season for my hometown team of UCONN! Alvarez life story is a very interesting tale, WATCH IT! Dillon Powers is the next player to watch out for in the future as his incredible vision and passing ability in the midfield forced his comparison throughout the college season to the Irish Xavi. A nickname based in the 22 assists he earned in his college career, all of which were very, very pretty; CHECK OUT HIS STORY. These three represent a very strong class of players emerging from the college ranks into the professional sphere of the MLS, we all hope that these players live up to their expectations, which should not be too hard, they just need to play the game.