Title Run Heats Up in Germany

Anyone watch Bundesliga? Yeah, me neither, but I think that this is a league that deserves more attention than it gets. Bundesliga is the top league in Germany, in case there is any confusion there, and is home to some of the best teams on the European stage. Bayern Munich may be the only Bundesliga team you can name off of the top of your head, but you're in the same boat as many soccer-heads around the world.

wikipedia.org

Germany has always been a dominant force and Bundesliga is hailed among the top leagues on planet earth, but I feel like they are not recognized and as respected as the English Premier League, La Liga or Serie A. "Hey, let's watch some Bundesliga highlights." "Oh yeah! My favorite league! Do you know if Gotze is going to be fit to play on Wednesday?" It's not likely anyone outside of Europe will. For those of you who are among the "I know Bundesliga... well I know about Bayern Munich." people, here are a few things you should know:

Midweek Results in the EPL

Ben Arfa shines for Newcastle
yahoo.com

The Midweek Results Are In...

Liverpool played out what was probably one of the most... interesting games in European football to date. With their second string keeper also facing a red card ban now, the Reds are facing a bit of a keeper crisis. The goal of the week was surely the goal against Bolton from Hatem Ben Arfa, using some brilliant individual skills to annihilate the Bolton defense and help his team secure the win that just might be enough to get them into Champions League football next season. Meanwhile the race to avoid relegation continues. A major upset for Wigan against Manchester United and a good result for Queens Park Rangers means that the two teams are temporarily out of the drop zone, but the final decision will come down to the last match of the season in May.

Sounders FC Reserves 0-2 Portland Timbers

The Seattle Sounders Reserves Fell to a Strong Portland Timbers Side in an Exciting Match in Tukwila, Washington

Seattle Sounders reserves played host to rivals Portland Timbers at Starfire Sports Complex, losing to the visitors in a bitter home defeat. 

This Week in the EPL...

Arteta celebrates his goal
against Manchester  City
thesun.co.uk

Manchester City’s race for the title hit a road bump at Arsenal thanks to a late goal from Mikel Arteta. Hated rivals Manchester United capitalized on their chances at home against Queens Park Rangers and are now sitting high at the top of the table eight points clear of their neighbors. Tottenham lost their third place spot to their North London rivals after Arsenal’s victory and Chelsea and Newcastle continue to close down on the top four, still in the running for Champions League football next season. The relegation battle at the other end of the table also continues. Wolves remain at the bottom as they fell to Stoke and Wigan and Blackburn Rovers occupy the other three red zone spots. QPR and Bolton are safe for now, but only a point and goal difference separate the sides in the 16^th through 19^th place positions.

FC Luzern 1-1 FC Basel - Axpo Super League

The Top Teams in The Axpo Super League Hold Each Other to a Draw in Luzern

FC Basel traveled to Luzern to face off against Murat Yakin’s second place team in the two team’s 28^th fixture of the league in this 2011/2012 season. If Basel went home with the full three points, they would be sitting even higher at the top of the table than at present with a possible twenty point lead depending on the result from Young Boys Berne’s fixture against Lausanne Sport on Monday. At the end of the day, despite a fantastic goal and dominant showing from Basel, the game ended in a draw. 

This Week in the UEFA Champions League...

The Road to Munich Continues...
fcb.ch

Barcelona proved why they are the defending champions as they faced off against Milan in Spain. After a scoreless first leg and a temporarily dangerous 1-1 score line the Spanish side put three past AC Milan and will face off against London side Chelsea in the semi finals. Chelsea had an unconvincing performance against a weakened Benfica side at Stamford Bridge and despite going through 3-1 on aggregate, they will need to step it up if they want to make it to the final in Munich. Real Madrid put a harsh end to the APOEL fairy tale, but the Cyprus side managed two goals against the Spanish giants and could surely go home with their heads held high. Bayern Munich continued to dominate in the competition with a 4-0 aggregate win against Marseille, not letting anyone get in their way of a spot in the final in their home stadium this May.

New Talent Scout from Soccer Boss

So I assumed that with all of the crazy hype about this freakishly talented nineteen-year-old, everyone would know who he is BUT I'm wrong, so here it is: the official Talent Scout by Soccer Boss page for Mario Gotze!

The page includes market value, a summary of his credentials and my analysis of his skill set. Check this youngster out and then tune in to watch him in EURO 2012 this summer. I'm pulling for Germany just because of this wonder kid!

http://soccer-boss-talentscout.blogspot.com/2012/04/mario-gotze.html