2013 MLS Combine: UW's Dylan Tucker-Gangnes Prepares for Florida Event

Recently spoke with the former Huskies center back about his collegiate career, his work with assistant coach Craig Waibel and his training for the 2013 Major League Soccer Combine.

South American friendlies of note to begin 2013

Three interesting friendlies from the South American continent start off 2013. Click on the links to further explore the friendly matches.

+ International Friendly 15 January 2013 Chile versus Senegal

+ International Friendly 19 January 2013 Chile versus Haiti

+ International Friendly 6 February 2013 Columbia versus Australia

Manchester City exploring options in South America

Manchester City's Txiki Begiristain, keenly aware of the club's South American stars, traveled to the continent to seek out the next wave of prospects.

2013 MLS Combine Approaches

Look for another round of extensive coverage here as the best seniors in the country converge on Florida this January.

Hulk feeling the pressure at Zenit

Zenit St. Petersburg’s management will have breathed a huge sigh of relief on Wednesday evening after the Russian club notched up their first win of this season’s Champions League campaign with a fortunate 1-0 result over Anderlecht.

Zenit were expected to challenge for the trophy this campaign after spending huge money in the summer on Hulk and Alex Witsel, but have been unconvincing so far.

Indeed, Zenit were heading to a certain goalless draw until 18 minutes from time, when Alexander Anyukov earned a penalty off a quick free-kick while the majority of players were still getting together to form a wall. Alexander Kerzhakov stepped up to smash the ball home and were it not for this stroke of luck the game would have gone down as one on the dullest ties in European football history.

Playing on a drenched Petrovsky Stadium surface, both sides looked unable to play progressive football and the game suffered from a distinct lack of goalmouth chances.
Of the 26 goal attempts in the game, only two hit the target – one of which was Kerzhakov’s penalty.
Dribbling in a straight line became impossible and balls skipped off the surface and out of play far too easily. Strikers were unable to turn properly due to the weak surface and even Zenit’s €37m signing Hulk – clearly frustrated – failed to find the target or team-mates throughout the game.

Indeed, Hulk’s performance was one of the worst of the night and many Zenit fans will have been wondering why the club invested so much money in the striker. He offered very little going forward compared to Anderlecht’s Liverpool flop Milan Jovanovic, who looked composed and comfortable despite the greasy conditions.

If Zenit are to do anything this campaign stars like Hulk must step up. The Brazilian could do a lot worse than study Jovanovic’s game on Tuesday and understand composure and team-work, not luck, is the key to Champions League success.

Don’t for get to head over to Betfair for all the latest odds, news, expert opinion as well as all the champions league best prices.

Serbia Unlikely to Face Tough Action

The racial and physical abuse subjected to England’s U21 players and staff at the end of their Euro 2013 qualifying playoff against Serbia on Tuesday has rightly outraged the majority in football, who thought those sort of dark days were long gone.

After Connor Wickham tapped into an empty net to earn England a 1-0 victory and propel them into Israel next summer, the team suffered a barrage of abuse and missiles from the Serbian home crowd, while their players stormed to the celebrating England team to verbally and physically express their grievances.

The outcome: England players were subject to clear physical violence and alleged racial abuse, while their coach, Steve Wigley, was wrestled away from the tunnel and quite visibly kicked by a member of the Serbian playing squad.

The referee, who had been out of touch all night – awarding random free kicks to both sides and failing to pick up on England’s clear timewasting – was powerless to prevent the scenes on Tuesday evening but did wield his minute power in sending Danny Rose off after the final whistle for kicking an object into the very crowd that was allegedly abusing him.

In the next few weeks, we can expect UEFA to come up with a sincere and tough-talking press release about how they are doing their utmost to stamp out these sort of ugly scenes, before tickling the Serbian FA with a spineless fine.

Last year UEFA president Michael Platini warned Serbia they faced expulsion from Euro 2012 if crowd trouble continued after a clash with Italy was abandoned due to idiotic supporters completely out of touch with modern-day football and society.

Yet this warning is unlikely to serve as a precursor for stricter punishments. UEFA imposed a harsher fine (£80,000) on Nicklas Bendtner for exposing some branded advertising during Euro 2012 than any previous fine over racial abuse and they are bound to let Serbia off lightly here.

With the international fixtures out of the way, attention turns to Europe once again. Pay attention to the favourite odds to win Champions League 2012-13 over the next few days to ensure that your bet gets off on the right foot: http://betting.betfair.com/football/champions-league/

Phoenix defeat not in the script

For all the pre-season hype of marquee acquisition Alessandro del Piero taking the A-League by storm, the limelight belonged to a couple of fellow new arrivals who can only dream of enjoying the same distinguished career as the Italian maestro.

Phoenix's debutants, Stein Huysegems and teenager Louis Fenton, found themselves on the score-sheet as the home side secured a deserved victory at Westpac Stadium. Indeed, the score-line probably flattered Sydney FC, who began the game as favourites in the A league betting.

Juventus and Italy icon del Piero looked the class act that he is but could only threaten sporadically and of more concern to manager Ian Crook was the obvious gulf in quality between the World Cup winner and the rest of his team-mates.

Never the quickest over the first five yards, del Piero has always made up for a lack of outright pace in brain cells. The worry here is that no-one else is on his wave-length.

It took him the sum total of nine minutes to tell his team-mates he wanted to ball to feet and there were obvious flashes of frustration.

Any Sydney FC fans betting on soccer hoping the 37-year-old would work a miracle in his first taste of competitive action Down Under was sadly mistaken and it will clearly take time for all parties to work on a more level playing field.

Footballers' footballer del Piero must quickly realise the ball will not always reach him to within a micro-millimetre - and there must also be an understanding from the rest of the Sydney FC that what they have here is a special talent.

Granted, it is one at the back end of an illustrious career but one who can still make a difference.

Cole Tweet could be Final Straw

Ashley Cole's tweet criticising the FA in the wake of the John Terry racism trial is the latest example of a footballer being left red-faced using the social media platform.

When used properly, Twitter can be a great link between fans and their heroes, and provides the football-loving public with the chance to get a glimpse into the real lives of players who are usually difficult to communicate with, and often seen as living in their own bubble.

But it is no place for a bitter attack on the game's governing body - something Cole has apologised "unreservedly" for and blamed on a hasty 'heat of the moment' reaction.

He is not the first player to get himself into trouble using Twitter - or Facebook, for that matter - so how long before managers decide to call time on allowing their players to use it?

Surely, footballers cannot be that detached from reality to think what they tweet will not get publicised in the sport updates.

At Premier League teams at least, there must be some form of media training nowadays that warns players of the pitfalls of using social media in such a way that it could land them in trouble legally and, even worse, threaten their position at a club?

If Cole had said what he tweeted in an interview with a television, radio, or newspaper journalist it would have caused a huge storm but players need to realise that in today's technologically-advanced world, what opinions they offer online for public consumption are no different.

Cole may well escape with a fine but he is unlikely to receive much congratulations if he wins his 100th England cap later this month - especially not from the FA.

Some fans making Premier League predictions will welcome players giving their true opinion on Twitter but, when they start getting unnecessarily abusive, a line has been crossed.

Everton could rue Capital One Cup mistakes

Everton may have made a better-than-expected start in the Premier League but their Capital One Cup defeat at Leeds, a match they were expected to win, will not have gone down well with fans who are desperate to win a trophy.

The Blues, who regularly picked up silverware in the 1980s, have not won anything since the FA Cup back in 1995 and will have looked at this season's League Cup rightly as a trophy they could have added to their honours list.

Boss, David Moyes, has treated the often-disrespected competition seriously in recent years so it was a slight surprise that he opted to make so many changes for the trip to Elland Road.

In the league this season, the Merseysiders have been highly impressive, with a midfield trio of Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar, and Leon Osman particularly eye-catching, but only one of those - Fellaini - started at Leeds, and it was clear they had lost their drive from the middle as a result.

Leeds dominated the first half and Everton were a pale shadow of the side that so expertly saw off Swansea at the weekend, as Moyes' stand-in players struggled to make an impact.

They deservedly fell behind to Aidan White's early opener, and it was only after Rodolph Austin's second goal that the Premier League side woke from their slumber and got back into the game late on, when Sylvain Distin pulled one back.

However, the damage had been done and the fans packed into the away end at Elland Road were to leave disappointed, many aware that probably Everton's best chance of a trophy this season had gone.

There is still the FA Cup to come and their fine start in the league points to a possible top-four challenge from the Merseysiders this season, but with no European football, it is a surprise that Moyes weakened his side considerably for the Leeds trip, as the move dramatically backfired.

It could end up being a memorable campaign for Everton and they will hope that they are not left to reflect on a disappointing night in West Yorkshire, as the moment a trophy slipped through their fingers again.

As another weekend of football dawns, be sure to visit the Betfair website to pick up more tips to bet on Premier League football.

Del Piero making a difference already

Alessandro del Piero has not yet kicked a competitive ball for his new club but already the magic dust is rubbing off on his Sydney FC team-mates.

Those who questioned the wisdom of the A League franchise pushing the boat out to land the 37-year-old need only to speak to the likes of teenage midfielder Terry Antonis and another of Sydney's young guns, Joel Chianese.

He was never the quickest over the first five yards, but del Piero has always been blessed with technique and vision and punters betting on soccer will certainly consider him when it comes to predicting the first goalscorer. He always had that unique ability to find his own space - the kind of quality that only the very best possess.

A World Cup and Champions League winner, he has only spent a few days' training alongside his new team-mates but sources indicate the Juventus icon has taken to this new, and possibly final, phase of his distinguished career like a duck to water.

Australia Under-19s captain Antonis said he had "no words for it" and added he hoped del Piero would have a "massive impact" on the club going forward, with the A-League title and qualification for the AFC champions league a definite aim.

It is to his personal credit that the veteran of six Serie A titles kept himself in shape when it appeared his time in football was at an end.

He has not trained with a professional team since leaving the Old Lady in May but kept fit with his personal trainer and a local team in Turin – another indication that those who reach the top of the game often put in the most work which the public never sees.

That other ingredient is perfection.

Chianese summed it up perfectly when he asserted "if he doesn't do something perfect, you can see that he's not happy with himself and that he wants to get it right. You can see that he's a player who wants perfection out of his game".

England Women set to Shine in Holland

England’s women have continued their superb record of reaching major international tournaments, after they crushed a young Croatia outfit 3-0 to qualify for Euro 2013, appeasing legions of fans who bet online with www.betvictor.com.

Hope Powell’s side, most of whom represented Team GB at the Olympic Games this summer, dominated for large period of the tie at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium and ran out deserved winners in front of an excited crowd.

There is more to come from this England side, however, and, while they topped Group Six to qualify ahead of the Netherlands, winger, Rachel Yankey, admitted that the job has only just begun.

“Now we’ve got to go there, be positive and prove to people that we are good enough to start winning things,” she stated.

Indeed, England do have a certain chip on their shoulder after failing to secure a medal at the Olympics. Although representing Team GB, most of the players came from Powell’s stock and they seemed destined to earn a medal until Canada pulled off a surprise 2-0 win in the quarterfinals.

Yet to win a major international tournament, Powell’s team are determined to get it right next summer; they certainly looked like a drilled outfit on Wednesday evening and will head to Sweden with great confidence from their qualifying exploits.

Without a loss in eight games, England scored more than any other team and conceded just two goals. The great odds at Bet Victor created a number of winners off the back of England’s success.

Sweden will be a difficult place to claim the European Championship, with the hosts, Germany and France, all likely to put up tough opposition.

Yet if England can replicate the performances that have seen them qualify so emphatically for the tournament, then there is no reason why Yankey and co. will not be lifting the Euro trophy in nine months’ time.

Rodgers rubbishes Reina rumours

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has rejected rumours that Pepe Reina, a favourite of the sport betting community, wants to leave the club and has tipped the Spaniard to play a big role in his side’s Premier League and Europa League campaigns.

The 30-year-old has been the undisputed first choice stopper at Anfield since joining from Villarreal in2005, making 250 appearances for the Reds and occasionally skippering the side.

The former Barcelona man is well known as one of the most boisterous characters in the Liverpool dressing room and has often been praised for his ability to motivate his colleagues and generate team spirit within the side.

However, the latest sport updates suggest his performances have dipped over the last few years and he has made a number uncharacteristic errors in big games, as the Merseysiders have regularly failed to live up to their potential.

This has led to speculation he is no longer committed to the Liverpool cause and that he is now looking for a move away from the club in January, with teams from both Italy and Spain thought to be monitoring his situation.

However, Rodgers is unconcerned by the rumours and says the stopper has shown nothing to suggest he is heading for the Anfield exit.

"I've never had a problem with Pepe. He's been brilliant for me. He's a key member of the squad here," insisted Rodgers. "Absolutely first class, he's been. He understands what it is I'm trying to do. He understands the philosophy and he's a really, really good guy.

"Off the field, he's important for the group, he's a big voice in the changing room, and I've had no feelings at all that he's ever wanted to leave. I've never felt anything like that whatsoever,” he added.

Newcastle set for great days out

The city of Newcastle is famed for its vibrant nightlife culture, with clubs, pubs and bars open all hours as thousands flock into the city centre every night. As though Tynesiders were not blessed enough with the fun to have in their own city, they’ve been given three more excuses for a wild time as Newcastle United enter the group stage of the Europa League.

After defying pre-season football betting tips of relegation last summer, the Magpies stormed to a fifth place finish and a return to Europe after six years.

Luckily for Toon fans, the club has avoided desolate fixtures in Azerbaijan or Ukraine, and instead will fly out to three of Europe’s cultural and party capitals. Bordeaux, Bruges and Maritimo (in Madeira) are all booked in to accept thousands of Magpies fans over the coming weeks.

Seeded third in their group, Alan Pardew’s side were lucky to avoid Italian giants Inter and Lazio yet will experience the same hostile reception in southern France. Bordeaux have long been famed for their passion and the atmosphere inside the Stade Chaban-Delmas replicates that of rivals Marseille.

Maritimo’s Madeira home will no doubt attract fans using a football match as the perfect excuse for a few days in the sun, while Club Bruges is just a ferry ride away from Tyneside.

Pardew’s men can therefore expect a vocal following in Europe this season as the club aims to win their first international competition since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. After an impressive Premier League campaign last season, many betting previews believe they are good enough to finally end their trophy drought this season.

For although there may be teams across the groups that have more European experience than Newcastle, the Magpies will still fancy their chances of making the final in Amsterdam this May.

This season’s European adventure is just reward for a magnificent campaign last season and the players will want to make sure they make as much of these continental trips as their fans will.

Coup for Sydney as Del Piero signs up

Sydney may have just provided the A-League with a life-saving shot in the arm after they secured the signature of Italy legends Alessandro Del Piero.

The 37-year-old was a free agent after leaving Juventus in the summer and Sydney officials have worked hard to bring this sensational deal to fruition.

Premier League duo Southampton and Liverpool were linked with a late swoop, but it appears their interest had come too late to persuade Del Piero to move to England.

The deal is reportedly worth $2million, which would make him one of the best paid stars in Australian sport and hopefully fire them to the title and into the AFC champions league.

“This signing is a major coup for Sydney FC and marks a historic day for football in this country,” said Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow. “This is for all Australian football fans”.

“Alessandro Del Piero is a global icon of the game and we are honoured he has chosen Sydney FC, ahead of many other options, as the club where he will begin the next chapter of his illustrious football career.”

The impact for Sydney is obvious; he will add guile skill and invention to their forward line and punters who like betting on soccer will no doubt back him to break all sorts of scoring and assist records. But his arrival is a great boost for the league as a whole.

Since its inception in 2005, the A-league has seen attendances steadily decline and a number of clubs struggle financially, as the warm glow of Australia’s 2006 World Cup campaign slowly fades.

It was never going to compete with Europe when it comes to attracting top stars but players like Del Piero put bums on seats, inspiring a new generation of both fans and players.

Dwight Yorke had a huge impact when he signed for Sydney ahead of that inaugural season, helping them to the league title.

Del Piero could well lead the Sky Blues to similar success, though it is hoped his influence will spread far wider than New South Wales.

Early Chelsea form promises much more

It may be just three games into the new Premier League season - and plenty of players and teams have failed badly after a bright start in the past - but Chelsea finally look the real deal again and appear to have landed a future world star in Eden Hazard.

The Blues made it three wins out of three with a comfortable 2-0 success over Newcastle and the European champions' impressive start bodes well for not only a sustainable top-four challenge this season (bearing in mind last term's disappointing sixth-place finish) but also an all-out assault on the title.

Traditionally, it was only after three games that the table would be published. The usual opening-day shock results were out of the way and, after 270 minutes of football, we were supposed to get a much better sense of who can expect to battle for the big prizes and which clubs will struggle.

And so it's Chelsea who are the early pacesetters this year with Roberto Di Matteo's side making a confident start and building on their stunning Champions League victory over Bayern Munich in May.

Supporters who log-on to watch their live scores online have seen the Blues dispatch Wigan, Reading and the Magpies without too many problems and they already have the look of a side that believes they can compete with the Manchester clubs for the title.

After their under-performance in the league last season, many will be wondering why there has been such a dramatic and swift upturn in Chelsea's fortunes. Winning the European Cup clearly galvanised a squad and, simply, the summer arrivals have added depth and real quality to a side that was in danger of losing ground to their rivals.

Hazard, albeit after just three games, looks a top-drawer player and the way he has settled into life in England's top flight has been quicker than many predicted. The Belgian may have made sport news headlines due to his protracted, Twitter-announced, move from France, but he oozes class and his six assists so far prove he will be the Blues' chief creator this season. Others have clearly fed off his arrival and a rejuvenated Fernando Torres is clearly benefiting with their fledgling partnership an early season eye-catcher.

Other recruits like Oscar, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marko Marin also look good additions and have improved a squad that needed to be taken to the next level if they were to challenge City and co again.

No titles have ever been won in August, of course, and, in some respects, Chelsea remain a work in progress under Di Matteo. But the Blues have laid down an ominious marker for the rest, some of whom are already playing catch up.

Mikel’s Mad Thinking

Chelsea’s midfielder, John Obi Mikel, must be in cloud cuckoo land after claiming that the Blues will regain the Premier League title and defend their Champions League trophy this season.

Speaking ahead of the campaign, which got off to a solid start with a 2-0 away win against Wigan, the 25-year-old Nigeria international is in an overly optimistic mood.

As well as saying that the Stamford Bridge-based outfit could do the Premier League and Champions League double, Mikel believes they can also compete for the FA Cup and League Cup. What planet is he on?

Last season, the Blues finished a massive 25 points behind the winners, Manchester City, and have done nothing between now and then to show they will close that gap.

The side go into the new season as 9/2 outside favourites on Bet Victor to win the Premier League.        

Didier Drogba – who was instrumental in the Blues’ FA Cup and Champions League double last season – has left London for Shanghai Shenhua; it was his big match mentality that allowed the Blues to jinx their way through to picking up the most coveted cup in European football. 

The Ivorian had an ability to score the big goals when it mattered. Chelsea have not, and will no doubt struggle to replace that.

Brazilian, Oscar, will take time to settle into English football, while Eden Hazard looks a top player, but he must up his work-rate off the ball to be an asset worth the £32million that Roman Abromavich forked out.

Frenando Torres needs to step up to the plate, something which he has failed so momentously to do since switching to Chelsea from Liverpool.

But even if Torres and Hazard do improve, there are still other questions that need answering.

Mikel’s comments may be part of a ‘positive’ attitude that the club will want to exude but to defend the Champions League – won so fortuitously – and knock City off their perch would be akin to a miracle.

Fans interested in Chelsea betting will no doubt have an opinion of their own; go online today for the best odds for Premier League gambling.