Beyond The Pitch

Making his third appearance on the show is former Manchester United starlet Bojan Djordjic who is currently wrapping up his season at IF Brommapojkarna in the Swedish Allsvenskan to weigh in on a number of topics related to the transition at Manchester United, Sir Alex, Adnan Januzaj, how youth is served and not served and what he expects at Old Trafford now that David Moyes has been handed the reigns. There is nobody quite like Bojan who always walks the talk and answers each question candidly including what he expects to happen in the Sweden-Portugal qualification match up in November for the World Cup, his thoughts on whether David Moyes will be given the time to lead Manchester United forward, his thoughts on the possibility of playing next season in India and what he expects from a very difficult matchup against Halmstad with a relegation playoff match at stake should the team not secure a point. We examine the role of coaching at the top level, what he learned from Sir Alex as a manager and leader of men at Manchester United and what he has taken from every step of a eclectic career where Bojan has shown himself to be quite a survivor and serving as a wonderful reminder that football is really secondary to the experience of being a top individual with no regrets when a playing career nears a close. Always one of our favorite people as he tells it like he sees it, Bojan has had a colorful career which has taken him to places such as Manchester United, Red Star Belgrade, AIK, Royal Antwerp and now a second tour at his boyhood club IF Brommapojkarna.

Once the Champions League group stage reaches its halfway point usually a number of shorelines and narratives become very clear as a number of favorites either fail to take advantage of their opportunities and fall short of expectations or we begin to see new contenders emerge amongst those perennial powers in Europe who will always lay claim to that biggest prize. Joining once again to look at the all important trends and figures shaping the first half of this phase is ESPN and One World Sports commentator Janusz Michallik who help us gauge the emerging trends, the key players at this juncture while always maintaining a barometer on which clubs reveal great balance and ideas in their approach at the elite level. Of particular note in this episode is the emergence of PSG as every bit a favorite as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the unique factors shaping the group stage for AC Milan and Juventus, the resurrection of Kaka on the European stage and a rapidly growing sense that Zlatan Ibrahimovic stands to take control of this competition every bit as much as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and even Franck Ribery. We also examine the evolving fortunes of Manchester City and Chelsea at a key juncture and the ramifications of a late winner by Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates tossing the Group of Death into even further chaos with Jurgen Klopp and Rafa Benitez now holding an edge due to the two home matches they hold as advantage. We also evaluate the two Spanish giants who each have holes to fill in their team sheets, but come down on the fact that both Bayern Munich and PSG might just have the most complete and balanced teams in this competition at this very early stage.

For Frank Klopas and Chicago Fire it has been a season of attrition, overcoming adversity and making that key trade which sprung striker and MVP-candidate Mike Magee from Los Angeles in a deal that seems to have transformed the Eastern Conference as much as a team that was in need of a leading man and goalscorer. The team now finds itself on the brink of the playoffs for a second year running, however this version of the Fire seem more prepared and balanced to deal with the mentality that comes with elimination matches even though the team won more regular season matches a season ago. Here to examine those talking points among several other is the head coach of the Fire, Frank Klopas, who weighs in on the Magee trade, what it meant to the club and why this edition of the team seems more mentally prepared for the playoffs than it did a season ago. It will be a huge ask for Chicago to win away at New York as the Red Bulls seek to claim a first MLS trophy in the Supporters Shield and the task will get no easier with Jeff Larentowicz out due to a suspension for yellow card accumulation and that leaves an important question in central midfield where Tim Cahill will certainly figure to loom large. However, there are options there to be utilized and then there are options to consider for Frank Klopas himself this off-season as he examines his options and reputation here in Major League Soccer as both a manager and technical director. We discuss his little known winning percentage successes in MLS and what he would most likely prefer to do if the decisions in Chicago were left to him.

At a point this early in a Premier League season it is very rare that a series of fixtures could factor so importantly that conclusions can already be delivered, but it is becoming increasingly clear that David Moyes has showing the wear already of a manager carrying the weight of a legendary predecessor and that two immediate relegation candidates have stepped forward as they did a year ago in the names of Reading and QPR. Phil and Anto are back to examine the situation at Manchester United, evaluate the effectiveness and transition of Marouane Fellaini and his upside, the lack of playing time for key young offensive players such as Chicharito and Shinji Kagawa when United clearly could use the spark, and then we look at the horrific situations at Selhurst Park and the Stadium of Light where the off-season plans can be described as chaotic in principle and may have settled the fate for each club long before one ball was kicked in the Premier League. We also give Arsenal early praise for reaching the summit, but bigger questions lurk for the Gunners and now a midweek stumble for Arsene Wenger puts two key fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United back into play as key early indicators as to whether Arsenal has turned the page or will be doomed to repeat past failures against big opponents. Phil thinks the title race is wide open, Anto agrees in principle but still thinks that Manchester City are the class who should now begin to emerge. Meanwhile, Fergie has released his autobiography and it adds yet one more layer of unneeded distraction, most notably for Wayne Rooney.

Brazil continues to receive the kind of attention it could really do without just eight months removed before thousands of visitors are due to arrive for the 2014 World Cup, which now seems destined to become another security challenge to cities that will also be host to the 2016 Olympic Games as demonstrations against these mega sports projects have resumed in recent days as a series of revelations about over-billing and multi-billion dollar financial scandals continue to serve as a backdrop to ongoing social concerns. What began this summer during the 2013 Confederations Cup in retrospect now feels like the start of larger social unrest and several complicated political turns, as peaceful demonstrations often evolve into violent confrontation as masked youths, known as the Black Blocs, are sowing the seeds of anarchy. There is also a feeling of powerlessness due to cases of corruption and embezzlement, lack of transparency, and financial accountability while indicted leaders and politicians often stay in power despite being cited for wide-spread corruption and collusion in the growing scandals which are now being uncovered. Joining us to examine these trends, the trajectory and complex ramifications is investigative journalist Christopher Gaffney of Hunting White Elephants to explore the seeds of the dissent, the politics and the efforts to repress the ongoing protests, beginning with an analysis of how the stadium infrastructure industry and international sport have formed a very powerful alliance with potentially disastrous consequences. Clearly the the Confederations Cups was a wake up point not just for Brazilians, but began to unleash further examination into other regions of the emerging world which has taken on future mega-events with their own questions of corruption, transparency and even human rights abuses. This is part one of a multi-part series dedicated to the growing tensions and conflicts between what international sport should aim to reflect and what exists in stark reality.

There are shadows and expectations and then there are always the questions of how the Ferguson to Moyes transition has gone and then there is time to analyze many of the talking points which have merit and then there are some fundamental concerns about where Manchester United is headed, what has been learned about Moyes himself and what can be reasonably expected in a first year following a once-in-a-lifetime legend. At the core of this episode, Phil and Doron begin with the results of a Southampton match which continues to reveal both the potential and the sure cracks in the approach this season, albeit this week arrived with great news that Adnan Januzaj signed his deal and continues to be a source of energy and creativity that has been in short supply at the early stages. It is against this landscape where we take your questions once again and they simply do not disappoint as the topics range from more young players on loan, a more complete review of the Ravel Morrison saga, whether the tactics are something with which to be concerned, the performance in the Champions League and how those results look in review, and a very basic question as to whether Wayne Rooney is the problem or the solution given the make up of this squad and its goals and objectives in a very important season. We also explore whether benchmarks for David Moyes in his first season are indeed appropriate and, if so, what those targets should be at the end of 2013-14. We also examine the younger players on the defensive depth chart, whether the Glazers may become distracted by the even greater failure of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers season and whether more younger players such as Jesse Lingard could make their appearances deeper into this campaign. A great deal to cover in an episode fully supported by an overwhelming level of listener questions.

During this international break there was much talk of grass roots football and player development as a number of countries were taking stock as their chances of reaching Brazil 2014 were being determined and - some cases - denied as emerging nations took their victory laps in as the first qualification cycle drew to a close. However, lost in much of that discussion is what grass roots should stand for and what should nations use as a best practice and what are the roles and responsibilities that parents, partners, federations and sponsors should share and into that vacuum steps yet one more country in the AFC where the grass roots message could ignite another sleeping giant in Indonesia. Joining us for a look at what has begun to unfold at the ground level is grass roots and development guru Tom Byer for his sixth visit on the show and here is where we begin to identify how just a little bit of real investment at the youth level could transform this football nation into the Jewel of Southeast Asia, where there is a real passion to improve and a serious hunger in the streets to deliver its young players to the world stage. We examine a whole host of topics including the monetization of grass roots in the West, why Japan continues to shape the discussion by simply sharing what it has acquired in its ascent and why Indonesia is ready to excel if only the politics could align to see it through. This is real grass roots, this is a country that can produce massive energy and emotion every time its national teams participate and compete and now T3 Indonesia is born at what seems to be a very important moment in Indonesian football history.

It began with questions and controversy from the rubble of San Pedro Sula, but the United States once again reigns supreme in the region with yet another last-gasp performance for the ages as Panama were whisked out of the playoff match with New Zealand and a most heated rivalry was given strange comfort under duress. In the end it will be Mexico to take on the Kiwis for a knock-down-drag-out two-legged battle for Brazil, but this is also time to consider where the US finds itself tonight and where the challenges will be in the very near future as a World Cup draw is the next big milestone awaiting Jurgen Klinsmann and his national team. Joining Anto and Nico to discuss the CONCACAF qualification story and its explosive conclusion is Jeff Carlisle from ESPN FC to help us break down what are the key points going forward, separating what has been movement forward from Klinsmann against the spin and even identifying a couple of players who may have something to offer come the World Cup Finals next summer. We examine areas of the team that need further development going forward, the Dempsey and Donovan dynamics within the team, questions now for Jozy Altidore at Sunderland who have made quick work of their coach and whether this player pool can meet the very aspirations that Jurgen Klinsmann once set in the early days of his tenure. We close on the matter of MLS as teams in both conferences are in a pitched battle for seedings and qualification, which in turn leads us to consider whether it could be a three-peat not just for Los Angeles, but the exacta of a Galaxy and Dynamo collision for third time consecutively, and if San Jose Earthquakes might just be the team that nobody wants to face given its remarkable improvement since making the coaching change in June.

Once again the international break in Italy offered no refuge from scandal, outrage or controversy as interpretations and protests over territorial discrimination engulfed the talking points and so far have begun to unite ultra groups and club presidents across the country for somewhat different - albeit - reasons and motives. Joining us to discuss this issue and more from Milan is Italian football commentator Owen Nielson where much of the fire and fracas has been stored in recent days while the Azzurri could barely take back to the national attention and Roma basked in its own success of seven straight wins and new life for Francesco Totti, fueling a potential revival in time for Brazil 2014. We also explore the feel good story at Verona at the break, whether AS Roma can continue this rich vein of form once the international players return and Serie A resumes, questions about Juventus who have clear ambitions in the Champions League where the results have been incomplete by their standards and then over to the disaster developing at AC Milan where the failures of last season were factually worse, but the chase for top three looks even more helpless than ever. Loads here on the battle between ultras, club presidents and the FIGC, times of extreme crisis at AC Milan and talk of a Roma resurgence that has legs in a hugely successful transfer campaign this past summer. We also take our first look at Serie B in the new season with a surprise team at the top and new signs of life at Palermo after an early bad step with first year manager Gennaro Gattuso who never did seem the right choice for an explosive Zamparini just waiting to reload with yet a new manager.

Back in the saddle for yet another supershow with Phil and Anto talking about the many bizarre developments that have emerged during an all important international break, which include, among others, a Premier League with no clear favorite, Jack Wilshere touching off a naturalization storm, the failure of young British players to assert themselves at a critical juncture and then always complex politics surrounding UEFA, FIFA and its leaders. We examine the state of the Premier League itself having swapped one star player in Gareth Bale for another in Mezut Ozil, the unexpected leaders at the top of the table in Arsenal and Liverpool and whether this success can be sustained and then there is always the case of the English FA being held accountable yet again for a crop of English player which is not considered near the top of international standard and how academies and grass roots failures continue to spell trouble in England. We also consider the impact of some failures by UEFA to police its members who have attempted financial doping, the ongoing tragedy that is going on with Asian workers in Qatar and how the politics and message discipline has been smart to factor the move to a Winter World Cup as a temporary distraction, knowing that this was never going to be the case given how television does its business. Some very interesting observations in youth development from the United States are featured from firsthand experience and we examine not only the failure to enforce Financial Fair Play but also hand out two strunz awards from a Juventus-Milan match where two defenders once again call attention to themselves for all the wrong reasons.

In the wake of a very important match between the Earthquakes and Rapids midweek in concert with a number of surprising results, finding themselves ready to pounce is the 2012 Supporters Shield winner San Jose who have reclaimed some of that late-match magic to compete for one of the wildcard slots in the Western Conference with two matches left in the regular season. Helping us dissect these matters and the complex playoff picture is Kelly Gray who is a former player for the Quakes and now provides color commentary for the club on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area. We also examine the midseason move to Mark Watson after a slow start, how league-wide perceptions may have to change about San Jose given its high number of CONCACAF international players and a remarkable level of quality depth that can now compete with any team in Major League Soccer. Ahead is a huge match with Los Angeles Galaxy which will likely determine the final outcome for San Jose, while its interim manager has quietly assembled a 10-5-2 in league play, meaning that the team under his guidance is assured a winning record again in 2013. We also look at both the Eastern and Western Conferences for an early tip of two familiar post-season performers in Los Angeles and Houston Dynamo, and close on the matter of Brian Ching who is set to retire at the end of the season for some thoughts on the player who made the move from San Jose to Texas along with Kelly and what he intends to do with his testimonial in Houston.

Phil and Anto are joined by the author of Head Games, Chris Nowinski, who is also the Co-Founder and President of the Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the sports concussion disaster that began to rise to a critical mass as the National Football League became embroiled in a class action suit on behalf of its former players and serious clinical study. Chris co-founded this organization with Dr. Cantu, and partnered SLI with Boston University School of Medicine to found the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. As of 2010, the CSTE has studied the brains of over 50 athletes post-mortem, and redefined our understanding of CTE, including the discovery that CTE can lead to a disease that mimics Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. New information has now revealed that the research put before the NFL and the NHL may now be facing the world game due to studies revealing long term issues with repetitive head trauma and lower frequency contact from factors as simple as heading a ball. We take a look at some of the ethical and moral ramifications and discuss what does The Beautiful Game do to address the long term safety of its own young people and the professionals who play this sport. This interview was issued in March 2011 and very little has changed in the two years since, definitely worth another listen from the vault.

On the heels of yet another round of Champions League group stage fixtures and some trends emerging from domestic league play bracketing these fixtures, a number of new favorites are stepping into view and some truly dark horse contenders have now put in their claim to distinguish themselves from a crowded pack of the top 32 teams all vying for supremacy. Joining Anto for his second appearance to help us clear up the indicators and trends is Ian Joy of BeIN Sport who offers his opinions on a fast rising Arsenal with Mezut Ozil leading a resurgence, trouble for the entire class of Italian clubs all seeking a revival in the knockout rounds, Bayern Munich running riot in terms of energy and chances created if not clear efficiency and perhaps two major players in PSG and Atletico Madrid taking control of their groups and clear destinies in every competition in which they play in 2013-14. We calculate the real winners and losers in terms of trends and indicators, raise some questions about some early favorites who suddenly seem to lack quality credentials and even point out two or three clubs with clear warning signs that more trouble could lie in the months ahead. We spend particular emphasis on a Juventus club not hitting on all cylinders, a somewhat confused Chelsea with shifting personnel priorities and whether the worst is yet to still come for AC Milan as the failures are becoming more and more tangled with borderline performances that have left supporters and admirers less than inspired. In section two, we take a special look at a MLS product who has begun to make his name in the Russian Premier League by way of Randers FC in Denmark and Real Salt Lake, and that would Armenia and Spartak Moscow striker Yura Movsisyan who is turning heads once again and seems destined for yet another big move if the goals keep coming like they did in 2012-13.

Sunderland legend and current broadcaster Micky Gray joins Phil for a deeper look into the fiasco that turned out to be the brief and tumultuous tenure for Paolo Di Canio at the Stadium of Light, complete with up close accounts of his managerial style, the problems that the early failures have left behind and what exactly Sunderland may have to do next to get out of this tremendous hole at the bottom of the Premier League table. The team continues to struggle mightily for goals, sits on only one point after seven matches and looks set to be cut adrift if a change in fortune does not manifest itself quickly as the opponents get no easier in coming weeks. Caretaker manager Kevin Ball admits Sunderland need to learn from their defensive mistakes, but the problems appear to be more pervasive than just one phase of the game and Micky helps us break down where the problems are, identify a couple of candidates who could take this process of safety to heart, and gives us a sense of what Sunderland provides a new manager in terms of the resources at his disposal. In a previous stint as caretaker manager in 2006, Kevin Ball secured a goalless draw against United at Old Trafford – a result which denied them the title but also confirmed relegation in the process. The question tonight is whether a repeat performance seems to be in the cards after 14 new players arrived this off-season to much fanfare and excitement, a crest in attitude and expectation that seems to feel almost from another season or another time.

With less than a month left in the MLS regular season suddenly emerging at the precisely the right moment is a New York Red Bulls team that finds itself in first overall with 52 points, heading into the a key weekend of clashes as several teams look set to chase playoffs berths and seedings that will largely seal their fate in 2013. Helping us take a deeper look at this question and the Eastern Conference, in particular, is MSG commentator and voice of the New York Red Bulls Steve Cangialosi for his second appearance on the show, to examine the importance of what Tim Cahill did in Seattle and how the emotional and competitive nature of this New York squad continues to get shaped by its first year head coach Mike Petke and how the pieces do appear to be coming together rather quickly and precisely at the right time. Now we begin to look for even deeper trends too as Thierry Henry and Jamison Olave are now just beginning to round into playoff form and we begin to ask the serious questions which, quite frankly, did not seem possible a month ago. Can New York take its first significant step toward MLS silverware in a Supporters Shield or even an MLS Cup and have they finally eclipsed Kansas City in the Eastern Conference as the favorite with just three matches left to go in the regular season. These questions seem more and more appropriate, even after the sordid history of the franchise, but these seem far different times and this evolution could not come at a better time as New England is set to come to its own terms over a playoff berth this weekend in New Jersey.