WXVU Sports

Patrick Zeng USA Today This was not how it was supposed to be. We were supposed to be on our way to Russia, on our way to our eighth consecutive World Cup, and on our way to cementing ourselves as a rising power in international soccer. Last night was supposed to be a night of relief and joy, but instead it ended in anguish and failure. And a lot of that comes down to the phrase I've been using, "supposed to". Alexi Lalas said it best a month ago when he dropped his now famous "soft, tattooed millionaires" line to describe this iteration of the United States National Team. And after what was seen from the first half performance last night, he couldn't have been more right. The U.S. entered halftime down 2-0 to a team that had one win through all of their Hex qualifying. The performance was gutless, heartless and underlined everything wrong with the current U.S. Soccer setup. I have been a large supporter of US skipper Michael Bradley, but last n...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 UVA There are definitely easier ways to start a season. The University of Virginia has appeared in the collegiate postseason tournament for 34 consecutive years(!!) and has produced talents such as Kyle Martino, Claudio Reyna as well as USMNT coach Bruce Arena. Yet coach Tom Carlin's bunch rode the momentum of last season's maiden trip into the NCAA soccer tournament all the way to Charlottesville for their first match-up of the new season. The Wildcats even struck first against UVA less than ten minutes in. A curling effort from southern California native Lucas Hodges beat UVA's Jeff Caldwell at his far post in the seventh minute to get the ball rolling. Virginia instantly replied just two minutes later through forward Edward Opoku. After some great saves by Nova's Will Steiner and UVA's Caldwell, the sides were deadlocked at one headed into the half. Virginia went ahead in the fifty third minute through Faris Abdi only...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 BBC It's back! On Friday afternoon in London, the curtain will be raised on a new highly anticipated premier league season as Arsenal host Leicester City. So it's time for a full on premier league breakdown as we all buckle up for what should be another incredible season in England's top  division. The Big Boys Gone is the magic of two years ago when Claudio Ranieri's Leicester squad shocked the world(and the odds makers that put them at 5000/1 odds) with their epic run to the title. The big boys have been restored to their places atop the league and they're here to stay. 1. Manchester City 2. Tottenham Hotspur 3.Liverpool 4. Manchester United 5. Chelsea 6. Arsenal The pressure is on in Manchester. With Pep Guardiola spending over $500 million during his first two summers in charge of City, it's time for him to win. And after what many would consider as a disapointing first year in charge, he is primed for a t...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 Sky Sports We've heard for a long time that the transfers market in Europe has spiraled out of control. Money is everywhere in European soccer and it has never been truer than this summer. Barcelona's $260 million buyout close in Neymar's contract was not a calculated number. It was thrown in there because no one thought it would ever be triggered, but yesterday it was. And with that Barcelona was given a taste of their own medicine that no one could believe. And with that one of the most exciting players in the world is chartering a new chapter in his already storied career, on a world record transfer fee that absolutely shattered last year's number of $116 million for Paul Pogba. He already has a champions league title, La Liga title, a Copa del Rey triumph to his name along with a gold medal for his country and 105 goals in 186 appearances for Barca. The move comes as a shock. There was no indication that one of the most pr...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 BleacherReport As of last November the United States Men's National Team seemed lost. Hopelessly adrift in the Hex world cup qualifiers after having their heart strings snapped from a 89th minute winner from Mexican legend Rafa Marquez and the 4-0 dismantling they were dealt at the hands of Costa Rica. That brought Jurgen Klinsmann's competitive record in 2016 to six wins and six losses which was enough to send the German packing. Then USA soccer announced that Bruce was back. Arena's history of success along with his familiarity with USA soccer made him the perfect candidate to help steer the USMNT back on the right path. The Brooklyn born native has three MLS Cups to his name and also led the US to its best ever finish in the World Cup which was a trip to the quarter finals in 2002. In comparison to Klinsmann who often voiced his displeasure with Americans playing domestically, Arena's connections to MLS where a heavy chunk of t...

By Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891 📸: Daily Express For years cries at the Emirates have fallen on deaf years as they call out for a prolific striker. The line being led by Oliver Giroud and Theo Walcott just simply hasn't been good enough for a team that before this past season, had found themselves in the Champions League every season since 1998. Alexis Sanchez added some flair to the attack but even he is more suited as a winger rather than a clear cut #9. But with a splash of the cash, the London based Gunners have their man to fire them back into the Champions League. Enter Alexandre Lacazette. The 26 year old Frenchman has been lighting the French league on fire since his introduction into the Lyon squad in 2010. He has banged in 129 goals in 275 appearances for Lyon and in the 2014-2015 season, Lacazette took home the honor of top scorer with 27 goals. He has long been linked with a move away from France, and this summer it finally came to fruition when Arsenal and ...