The Footie » Jyle Dupuis

Donovan, Beckham To Face Off

Jyle Dupuis — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:32:53 +0000

Just when you thought that the Donovan/Beckham fued was over another one starts up. The two just learned last Friday that they will be playing against each other in the opening round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup games in South Africa this June. Donovan will be playing for team USA with Beckham on the opposing team England.

David Beckham

Beckham has made it very clear that his biggest ambition in life is to win his country a World Cup Title. Something that has only been done once and only back in the 60’s. Many find it strange that England doesn’t have more World Cup wins under their belt but most agree that their best chance of a win will be with Beckham playing forward.Team USA wants this win badly as well though they seem to have a hard time making it past the first round.

So dispite the old fights and rivalries the two LA Galaxy team mates will be playing for real in June as they are both eager to prove themselves on the field for their countries. Not that it’s likely to happen, but what if Donovan happened to put one past Beckham and eliminate England from the World Cup? What would that do for them once the MLS season begins again? Well whatever happens they are both professionals and keep their competitiveness on the field.

Image: Newscom

Post from: The Footie

More FIFA Women World Cup Teams

Jyle Dupuis — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:19:37 +0000

More teams are going to be included into the upcoming 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup games. With the games expanding in the world it makes more sense to add more teams to the World Cup so that that more teams are given the chance to play.

The World Cup is the biggest sporting even in the world, yet the women’s version of the game is more humble. That however is changing as more and more women are taking to the field professionally.

FIFA organizers have said that the current cap of just 16 teams will be bumped to 24. Having more teams in the World Cup is a sign that the popularity of the game played by women is increasing.

Image: TSN.ca

Post from: The Footie

FIFA Considering Extra Referees

Jyle Dupuis — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:30:45 +0000

FIFA officials are now considering adding extra referees or using TV replay to help officiate important games. Currently decisions have to be made on the spot and because of this many infractions slip past the eyes of the refs or are simply miss-called.

The decision to change FIFA’s officiating rules comes after France’s Henry deliberatly touched the ball to send France into the lead against Ireland in an important World Cup Qualifying match.

Personally I don’t see what the big deal is in allowing cameras the chance to replay to officials certain plays that come into question or are challenged by the coaches. If it wasn’t for the help of replays Hockey would be very different. If you aren’t going to allow cameras than you need to have more refs on the field. In a game like soccer this isn’t such a big deal since the field is so big, but in a game like hockey of basketball you want to have fewer refs and more TV replay action.

What do you all feel about FIFA decision to amend the reffing rules?

Image: TSN.ca

Post from: The Footie

Bordeaux Slips Back Into First Place

Jyle Dupuis — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:00:09 +0000

Defending French League Champions, the Bordeaux Girondines make playing soccer look easy. After wining the title last season and wipping the floor with Montreal over the summer the Girondines have been working hard to stay on the top of the France Ligue 1. After slipping there for a while they finally made it back out on top after defeating Nancy in a surprising victory of 3-0.

Yeah their uniforms look like the old sailor suites buy they play like it’s nobody’s business. Hopefully they will be able to keep up their momentum and win another victory for the people of Bordeaux.

Image: TSN.ca

Post from: The Footie

England Gets Boost In 2018 World Cup Bid

Jyle Dupuis — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:31:06 +0000

England just received an enormous boost in bidding momentum after they received the stamp of approval by FIFA vice president Jack Warner and Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. England’s biggest soccer ambassador and perhaps soccer’s most recognized player, David Beckham is enthused by the news as this means England’s dream of hosting the World Cup could become a reality.

World Cup

England has hosted the World Cup before in 1966 and it turned out to be a huge success. Since then the event has traveled the world and will be played in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014. The 2018 and 2022 World Cup Games are still up for grabs as other nations are competing for the same highly coveted spot.

Countries currently competing for the 2018-2022 World Cup Games are Australia, Belgium & The Netherlands, England, Indonesia, Japan, Portugal & Spain, Russia and The United States. Personally I’d like to see 2018 go to England and 2022 to Russia.

Image: TSN.ca

Post from: The Footie

Germany Fights Organized Crime Betting Scam

Jyle Dupuis — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:10:18 +0000

German officials are fighting what they are calling Europes biggest crime betting scandal that could involve up to 200 members of a local organized crime ring. The gang is being accused of fixing games so that they could manipulate wins in their favour. The TSN article talks about specific situations where hotel chefs where pushed into lacing players food with sedatives or other drugs. Players are also coming forward saying that they were bribed or threatened into trowing games as well.

So far there have been 15 arrests made with more expected to follow. Local officials are taking the matter seriously as it could affect Germany’s reputation of not being a safe place to hold world sporting events.

Game fixing in Germany goes way back and isn’t likely to be dissolved overnight. We had the Berlin Summer Olympics of 1936 fixed in favour of German athletes – too bad those plans were thwarted by the United States. We had the Munich Olympics in 1972 where 11 Israelie athletes were also killed by Palastinian terrorists. So at this point Germany really needs to step it up and stop these sports criminals before they get out of hand.

Image: TSN.ca

Post from: The Footie

Amazing Soccer Skills in the Street

Jyle Dupuis — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:44:46 +0000

It’s amazing what these kids can do these days. It’s no wonder why the game is getting crazy and more competitive than ever before. Just watch some of these guys and how they handle to soccer ball. I wonder what it would look like if soccer was played like this. It would be more of a gymnastic sport than anything else.

Post from: The Footie

Cristiano Ronaldo Plays First Game Back

Jyle Dupuis — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:14:30 +0000

Cristiano Ronaldo Played his first game back with Real Madrid today. He came back just in time to play a Champions League match against the FC Zurich club. The game ended in a 1-0 victory in favor for Real Madrid. Ronaldo was put in late in the game after they already had the one point lead.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has been on hiatus for the past two months after suffering a minor ankle injury. The coach only played Ronaldo for 25 minutes in the second half just to get his legs back into the game. No one expected him to operate at his optimal performance but many are hoping that Ronaldo will be back to his old playing self in time to win the Champions League title as well as play for his home country of Portugal in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Image: TSN.ca

Post from: The Footie

Beckham Promises To Be Back

Jyle Dupuis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:17:19 +0000

David Beckham promised fans at the end of his last game in the 2009 MLS season that he will indeed be back next year. His five year contract with the LA Galaxy has just two years remaining and that has some fans worried that he might want out before the contracts over. Beckham’s real commitment has always been with the English National team and he’s played over 100 game on the team.

David Beckham

Being in the MLS has been a challenge for this as he might have to play in the off season just to stay on top of his game. Being sharp is one of the biggest problems professional soccer players face. So playing year round without too many breaks is challenging. Lets just hope that Beckhm doesn’t crash and burn before his career does.

Image: TSN.ca

Post from: The Footie

Real Salt Lake Wins MLS Cup!

Jyle Dupuis — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:12 +0000

It was a remarkable victory for the Real Salt Lake after defeating LA Galaxy 5-4 in penalty kicks. Beckham was clearly in pain during the later part of the game but he trudged through showing his devotion for his team. He later told reporters that he had to be given shots in his ankle to settle the swelling but after just 50 minuites of play time he was back in serious pain again. Donovan did his best to help carry his team but in the end they fell short.

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup over LA Galaxy

Some called it a game of Russian Roulette where both teams were so clearly equally matched and that in the end the win came by the shear luck of the draw. Well after this whole ordeal Beckham was able to set aside his differences with his team and prove that he was devoted to them despite wanting to take off to Real Madrid this past summer. Well LA Galaxy, better luck next year…

Image: TSN.ca

Post from: The Footie