Manchester Pub NYC

From a US Soccer perspective, the most intriguing EPL match this weekend is Everton at Aston Villa on Sunday at 11:00am.  First, we have the battle of the US goalkeepers, with Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan of Villa facing Tim Howard of Everton.  For the most part, the 3 have looked average at best and terrible at worse: Friedel was on the wrong end of the 6-0 thumping by Newcastle; Howard has made Robert Green-like mistakes and looked tentative in his last 2 games; and seldom used Brad Guzan, looking the best of the bunch despite minimal playing time.

USA Coach Bob Bradley’s open campaign to be the next manager of Villa is the other point of intrigue.  Bradley’s contract with US Soccer Federation expires at the end of the year, and the Federation has been in no rush to extend the term of Bradley’s services.  While Bradley is expected to continue negotiations with the USSF, he also expressed his interest in the Villa manager position on BBC’s Sky Sports news.  The Villa job has become open after Martin O’Neill resigned earlier in the month. Interim manager Kevin Macdonald has led Villa to a 1-0-1 record thus far, and is considered a candidate for the permanent position.  From the US Soccer perspective, Landon Donovan recently weighed in, saying his “gut says probably no” on Bradley receiving an extension with the USSF.

Meanwhile, the most exciting soccer being played stateside has got to be by the New York Red Bulls of MLS, no? The additions of Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez as designated players has boosted the Red Bulls play on the field, and marketing prowess off the field.  Home attendance is up 39.5% from 2009, thanks to a stronger team and the move into Red Bull Arena, and Thierry Henry’s jersey has now overtaken David Beckham’s as the best selling jersey in MLS.  The Red Bulls are home against the San Jose Earthquakes this Saturday at 7:30pm.

Here is our soccer schedule for the weekend.  And since I focused on US Soccer this post, the video on the bottom is one of our all-time favorites.  A real pick-me-up on a down day.

Friday – 8/27/2010

• 2:45pm – Inter Milan vs. Atlético Madrid – Super Cup Final

Saturday – 8/28/2010

• 10:00am – Chelsea vs. Stoke City  – EPL
• 10:00am – Tottenham Hotspur vs. Wigan Athletic – EPL
• 12:30pm – Manchester United vs. West Ham United – EPL
• 7:30pm – New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes – MLS

Sunday – 8/29/2010

• 11:00am – Aston Villa vs. Everton – EPL