Sam Gagner has record night

Sam Gagner did what only two Edmonton Oilers had done before, and both are legends of the game… Gagner tallied 8 points in an 8-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night, tying Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky’s team record. It was an unbelievable night for Gagner, and one he’s sure to never forget. After nothing in the first period, Gagner started to heat up in the second by assisting Taylor Hall on a beautiful saucer pass, then tallying the first of his four goals five minutes later. After one more assist, Gagner ended up going crazy in the third period with three goals and two assists to cap off an amazing night. For Gagner and the Oilers, it was the perfect game, for the Blackhawks, put this one behind em and come back next game with better defense.

Henry is baaaccck!

In Arseanl’s 3rd round FA Cup match vs Leeds United today, the legendary Thierry Henry netted the game winner after coming on as a 68th minute sub. A mere ten minutes after replacing Marouane Chamakh, Henry took a ball from Alex Song, took one touch to compose himself, and put it down in the corner past Leeds keeper Andy Lonergan. It was reminiscent of Henry’s earlier days at Highbury netting goal after goal for Arsene Wenger ‘s Arsenal squads.  After scoring, the crowd erupted and Henry showed as much emotion as any one man could. Slapping the crest on his jersey, screaming and just showing pure joy over the strike. Henry did stop to hug Wenger, as many stood in applause, most notably David Beckham and Samir Nasri. Anyone who doubted that Henry still has it is looking real foolish right now.

Ronaldo has officially retired from football

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6120565/lack-fitness-led-retirement-18-seasons

Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima has officially retired from professional football after a tremendous that lasted 18 years. Ronaldo started his senior career with Cruzeiro in 1993 and would play for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan and would finish his career in his native Brasil, playing for Corinthians. Ronaldo did everything in his career any player would dream about. Winning two FIFA World Cups with Brasil, three FIFA Player of the Year awards, numerous league titles, scoring titles and countless individual awards, Ronaldo is on everyones list of all-time greats and is arguably the greatest striker to play the game. Ronaldo not only did wonderful things for his club teams, (352 goals in 515 appearances), but he also was a masterful with Brasil. Along with his two World Cup titles, Ronaldo has the record for most all-time World Cup goals with 15 to his tally and has scored 62 goals in 97 caps for the squad.

Ultimately Ronaldo will be remembered for multiple reasons. Not only will he be rememebered for all the great goals he scored, the water like fluidness of his “silks”, but also he’ll be rememebered with the “What if?” factor. Hard to believe with a guy with so much on his resume. Ronaldo suffered three severe knee injuries during the course of his career and still came back every time and competed at a high level. Ronaldo’s mental toughness along with his physically was seemingly unmatched by anyone before, during, or after his prime. Ronaldo was always one of the biggest and fastest players in the world which resulted in countless mismatches. Teams would often send multiple defenders after him and many times he either shook em off and kept going, or he found a teammate in open space to get another goal for his team. It will be strange not seeing El Fenomeno no longer on the pitch, but the memories he’s left us are amazing.

To Ronaldo, Thank you for everything you’ve done for the sport, and personally I thank you for being a great person to look up to. I’m glad I have a hero like you who played the game with passion, respect, honor and integrity.

Darren

Ronaldo

Ronaldo is,was,and always will be my favorite football (Soccer for my fellow Americans) player of all-time. An idol of mine for more than a decade, I admire “R9″ like no other and respect him to the fullest. I’ve worn his #9 and even mimicked some of his “silks” on the pitch. So as I found this video of all of his World Cup record 15 goals, I decided to share it with everyone. Enjoy!

Darren

Carlos Tevez wants out of Manchester City?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=852780&sec=transfers&cc=5901

Manchester City star Carlos Tevez wants out after a little over a year with the club. Up to date, Tevez has scored 33 goals in 50 games with the club, including 10 in 15 games this season. Tevez is one of the world’s best strikers, but controversy is nothing foreign to the Argentinian. First was his bitter ending with Corinthians when he refused to play and forced a transfer (Tevez ended up with West Ham). Then there was a transfer issure when leaving West Ham to Manchester United as FIFA was needed to be brought in to make a ruling. Now Tevez has handed the club a hand written transfer request, citing family reasons and a breakdown in “relationship with certain executives and individuals at the club.” Some speculation is Tevez is eyeing Real Madrid, Barcelona and a couple top teams from Serie A in Italy.

Barcelona and Real Madrid would both be good fits for Tevez. Real Madrid is in need of another striker as Gonzalo Higuain is out with a back injury, Karim Benzema has been very inconsistent, and Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo were once teammates at Manchester United. Barcelona would be a good fit as they have fellow Argentinians Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Milito for Tevez to play with. Whoever lands Tevez (If anyone), will receive a heck of a player, who can burn defenses and reign terror on opposing goalkeepers. I think Tevez gets transferred, but in my opinion it will only be between maybe 5 or 6 teams as he will carry a hefty price tag that many squads won’t be willing to pay.

Darren

Cristiano stars in October for Madrid

In the month of October there was one football player who’s name was brought up seemingly daily, Cristiano Ronaldo, and for good reason. Cristiano did something in October that was truly magnificent. CR7 as he’s commonly referred to, scored an amazing ten goals over four consecutive matches, breaking the Real Madrid record of nine previously held by three former Madrid players. Overall, CR7 tallied 13 goals over nine matches, setting a career high in goals for a month, including a career high four goals against Racing. Next on his sight is breaking Puskas’ record of 13 goals over seven consecutive matches. Is it possible? Definately. CR7 has dominated so far this season in both La Liga play as well as in the Champions League. Arguably the world best player, C. Ronaldo has shown everyone exactly why with beautiful scoring touch, great passing, lethal set piece kicks as well as hustle. There isn’t much the 25 year old winger can’t do and expect another record to fall as CR7 continues his World-Class play.

Darren

Ronaldo:El Fenomeno

In prep for World Cup 2010, I give you a video of the greatest goal scorer in World Cup history, Ronaldo A.K.A El Fenomeno of Brazil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2yLm445VKY&playnext_from=TL&videos=IwFE2ToWtwQ