What Was Cristiano Ronaldo Thinking?

Thank you all for participating in the CR7 Boys Underwear Competition – it's been a real pleasure to see all of your photos.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) October 22, 2013

To be fair, it has been a few years since Ronaldo played in Manchester so his English is understandably a bit rusty.  That, however, is no excuse for sending out the above tweet to your over 22 million followers.

On Second Thought...Pajtim Kasami with a Worldie

It hadn't been a full 24 hours after my Goal of the Week post before Fulham's Pajtim Kasami struck this thundering volley in a winning effort against Crystal Palace.  Not nearly the full team effort that Wilshere's was, Kasami's finish traveled about 60 yards without touching the ground where it found the side netting.  Wilshere immediately took to twitter to concede the title:

Well there's my 'goal of the month' prize gone!!!! Take a bow! #Player #MNF
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) October 21, 2013

I say not so fast.  While today's goal was truly spectacular, there is also something to be said of the finesse and intricate movement that went into the Wilshere goal.  We should still celebrate nonetheless.  Cheers to yet another world class finish.

Goal of the Week: Jack Wilshere vs. Norwich City

Definitely the best team goal scored in the Barclays Premier League this season, Jack Wilshere's finish against Norwich City was truly sublime.  This is what happens when a team in form strings together a series of pinpoint one-touch passes in dangerous areas on the field.  There is very little the Norwich defenders could have done short of fouling Cazorla, Giroud, or Wilshere.  This goal even prompted Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to claim that it was one of the top 3 goals he has seen in his career with the Gunners.

Here's to this goal and many more like it...

Joga Bonito

The All-NBA Starting XI

Manchester footballers were out in force to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder manage a narrow victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on their European preseason tour last week.  United players Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher, David DeGea, and Adnan Januzaj could be spotted courtside along with their City counterparts Jack Rodwell and Patrick Viera.  Yet another pertinent example of the globalization of sport, it appears that American leagues are looking to bolster their presence in England at the same time that the Barclays Premier League is taking the United States by storm.  In case you missed it, the NFL already held one game at Wembley Stadium this year, with another to follow.

USMNT Preview: A Dress Rehearsal for Those Waiting in the Wings

Perhaps the title is a bit of a hyperbole.  If Jurgen Klinsmann has proven anything, it is that he refuses to take any game lightly.  While I do expect him to rotate the squad a fair amount, I do anticipate that the likes of Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore remain in the starting lineup.  The USMNT have nothing to gain in the Hex at this point, having already locked up a first place finish, but the opponents from Panama are anything but satisfied with their current standing.  Expect a raucous crowd and a quick start from the home side - probably not that unlike the way Costa Rica flew out of the gates in the US National team's last away match.

More Bollocks From the British Media

In case you missed it...

Goal of the Week: International Break Edition

Saturday's aren't the same without the usual dose of English Premier League football, but the international break can still produce moments of brilliance all the same.  With the euphoria that came with securing 1st place in the Hex for the United States, it was easy to forget that Mexico was in a fight for their lives.  A roller coaster match, you had to say that justice was ultimately served when Mexico stole back the lead late in the match.