Beyond The Pitch

Anto and Nico are back with a special Inside MLS episode that focuses solely on the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with Josh Hakala, the creator and operator of TheCup.us, which is the only website that gives full coverage of the tournament in its 99th edition, from the earliest qualifying games to the championship game itself. We discuss the challenges for domestic cup competitions worldwide where continental tournaments have seemed to have relegated our national cup competitions, and by doing so have begun to eliminate the real David versus Goliath fairy tale runs and a huge link to the history of the sport itself. The same applies to the US Open Cup and we take a look at the vast history and some of the historic teams that range far back into the past century just as Major League Baseball was finding its roots, along with the evolution of the tournament, the current format and some of the changes that have occurred in recent years to make this competition as good as it could be given the lack of major network coverage in the United States. We also examine some of the great and quirky stories including Hristo Stoichkov playing in the tournament and Carlos Valderrama playing at a middle school, how the US Open Cup is the last remaining sports institution in America where amateur sides have a chance to face up against professional clubs as well as capture what is offered on the TheCup.us as the tournament is under way with a newly compressed schedule to address concerns by Major League Soccer clubs who have indicated a great willingness to place more focus on the CONCACAF Champions League. Also captured in this episode is how the smaller teams deal with the operations and logistics to even compete in the early qualifying stages and how the task of keeping the history and statistics on these matches is an often hilarious and daunting opportunity all in itself. This is a cup competition with a deep and rich history including teams like Bethlehem Steel, Maccabi Los Angeles, Fall River Marksmen, Greek American AA, Philadelphia Ukrainians and Stix, Baer and Fuller - a history that loses its resonance if the US Open Cup loses its appeal as one of the oldest soccer tournaments in the Western Hemisphere.

Phil and Anto are joined by Gareth Roberts of Well Red Magazine get together for a very frank chat on the issues facing Liverpool in the wake of a very loud sacking of Kenny Dalglish that deals with the dynamic of Fenway Sports Group through the eyes of how they managed the Red Sox, the evolving supporter perception having cut the Dalglish figure loose and how the transition to this new structure in a very different world of football provides an extremely complex study in transition and success in the modern game. We account for the history of Liverpool itself, how supporters view their managers, how the domestic cups are no longer as important as they once were and how this summer might just be the most important off-season in recent club history. This includes the structure of the football operations itself, how the manager and sporting director combination will be even more vital now that the transfers brought in last season proved to be very unproductive. We also gauge the new manager search and how mixed communications seems to be wearing on the patience on the supporters and why a serious understanding of the culture at Liverpool must be accounted for in order to make this next transition successful, including how the next round of transfers could be a make or break alternative given the financial considerations set into place. We also discuss how the process of the manager search seems to add a further sense of impatience amongst some of the supporters as the rumors do suggest managers of very different styles and seem to lack a consistent thread. Then we close on the matter of moneyball with Fenway Sports Group and how this word continues to confuse perceptions about not only how the Red Sox did their business but also how many of these principles have not yet been fully embraced by evaluating many of the player transfers since the purchase of the football club, and how the successes found by clubs like Newcastle United, Swansea and Everton will surely have an impact on how future sporting directors approach the marketplace in the coming closed season. A very frank chat with a writer who covers Liverpool in detail and has a deep understanding of the club.

Phil and Anto are joined by former Tottenham, Manchester United, Coventry and Wimbledon player Terry Gibson to take a look at the Champions League final for some of the key factors leading into this match, areas of concern and what might just be some of the key battles. We evaluate the balance between some exceptional forwards on both teams and an important missing pieces in the combined defences where two world class goalkeepers will have to come up huge to alter this contest. We examine the situation for Roberto Di Matteo to determine if he is deserving of continuing on with Chelsea and how recent failures for both football clubs domestically might just be big issues leading into this contest, including a prediction shared amongst all in attendance that Bayern Munich is the favorite to win the trophy. Then we turn to the matter of the England national team where we examine the selection and uncover a key failure of some young players who could not assert themselves and force their way into the final team sheet and if there is a number of underlying factors beyond injuries where the Premier League is not at this point preparing a new generation to take the mantle from some established hands. The conversation evolves into a rather interesting chat into elite player development in England, how the system needs overhaul and how the right number of coaching hours are not reaching the young players at the right age. This includes a look at a hot topic in England at the moment where the Premier League has announced an Elite Player Performance Plan that looks to reshape wide-scale changes to the academy set up and whether it will create a scenario under which the richest clubs will sift through the talent for nuggets and force smaller clubs down the pyramid to do the cost-benefit analysis of not investing in youth development. Then we turn to the close of the Premier League season and the challenges this summer for Manchester United and how Newcastle United has put to rest the talking point that there is no value in the market as Terry is a former player scout who also believes that value is always there if clubs want to work that extra mile to uncover its talent at the right price.

Anto is joined by Times football correspondent Oliver Kay to take a look at the two biggest storylines of the past week which is the situation with Kenny Dalglish and the England national team call-ups by Roy Hodgson in advance of the European Championships less than three weeks away. We start at Anfield where Dalglish has been sacked by Fenway Sports Group to ask several key questions about the worrying signs that were there all along for the Liverpool legend and how the second half results this term did suggest that even an FA Cup Final win would not be enough for the American ownership group, but more importantly how appointing Kenny in the first place did appear to subdue some of the doubts since the takeover yet now may stand to open the same wounds in his absence. There are deep issues to solve at Liverpool and we evaluate the structure more than the names at this point to establish whether FSG will look to rekindle a more continental approach that was abandoned under Dalglish and Damien Comolli or whether a single figure with a subordinate staff will be assembled to reset the table at Anfield. Then we turn to the matter of Roy Hodgson and the England National Team where even more questions have been raised in light of some questionable decisions that may just be more reflective of the time line and a youth crop that has yet to prove itself ready for international duty this season. In clear focus is the tactical and personnel influences, the decision to select John Terry over Rio Ferdinand because of football decisions, the strange and enduring case of Michael Carrick - which has been since revealed by Hodgson to be the player who has indicated a temporary international retirement at least - and how players such as Micah Richards seem to elude the squad as they did under Fabio Capello. We examine how the short fused timeline is impacting this team given the milestone under which Hodgson was appointed to start with and whether England has taken on an almost Chelsea Football Club-like feel where the springtime appointment of a new manager reflects the complexity of the relationship between the players and management under the England setup.

Phil and Anto are joined by former Manchester City midfielder Nicky Summerbee to reflect on the times and trials of the football club having now reached the Premier League summit after a remarkable stoppage time comeback against Queens Park Rangers. We go through the emotions and the events of the match and how this club may have just reached the a key milestone in its history moving past contender and into new territory with the club having found its validation through a signature gut check moment. We break down the key events and where the turning points were and who might just be some of the key figures responsible for executing the plan along the way. This includes how the Carlos Tevez saga was handled by the club, the emergence of Vincent Kompany as the leader of the squad from the backline and how Roberto Mancini found a way to blend a huge number of high profile players who had to learn how to be teammates as much as establish an identity. We evaluate how this was built with huge resources, but constructed with a lot of planning and strategy and attracting players to a project and how these important events will help Manchester City target even bigger things in the future. We also discuss the role of Roberto Mancini who will be largely vindicated by this victory and legitimized by this achievement and Nicky helps us understand how Brian Kidd and Roberto Mancini were smart to adopt some of the ideas and lessons observed across the street from their biggest rivals as the football club looks for even bigger and better things in the future.

Anto is joined once again with solicitor Daniel Geey of Field Fisher Waterhouse of London who serves as an associate in the Competition and EU Regulatory Law Group to take a look at some new financial regulations that are facing The Football League that are loosely based on the break even requirements of UEFA Financial Fair Play, but also has some elements of a North American soft salary cap in its application. This includes how these rules will be applied, the transitionary period where losses will be allowed until these clubs can get across the threshold and what some of the key issues may be while implementing these important steps. We take a look at the rules themselves, the process for implementation and seriously take a look at the League One and League Two standards which will need to operate in concert with The Championship. In order to meet the objectives of Financial Fair Play, Championship clubs have agreed to work towards the introduction of new regulations to be developed and approved by the beginning of the 2012-13 season, League One clubs have agreed to implement the Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) - which limits spending on player wages to a proportion of total turnover - from 2011/12 and League Two clubs, having successfully operated the SCMP at a 60 percent threshold since 2003, will reduce it to 55 percent next season, effectively introducing a single-entity cap system to European football. We examine the dynamics of clubs moving between divisions and how there are still some issues that still need further definition given that the Premier League will rely on the strict UEFA regulatory framework while also providing huge motivation for ambitious clubs who might want to still take extra risks to obtain the windfall of EPL TV money and the parachute payments which would vastly exceed the regulatory penalties. Then we turn to the matter of clubs landing into this regulated environment from the Premier League and what some of the operational and financial obstacles will be in theoretical application. Daniel always breaks down these regulations and the framework in very practical terms and helps break down the complexity with expert ease.

Phil and Anto are joined by Kay Murray of Real Madrid TV to take a look back at a season of remarkable performances and some amazing records by Real Madrid while achieving 100 points in La Liga. All of the discussion will involve Jose Mourinho in his second year with a football club and how his teams generally do approach that second campaign with a very different quality as the siege mentality takes hold and the unit becomes tighter. We also consider how Cristiano Ronaldo has evolved as a player under Mourinho which has been mostly apparent in the away goal tally and how he has brought his teammates more into the action in tandem with the system. We also evaluate where the Champions League went wrong in terms of the timing of El Clasico sandwiched between two semi-final matches with Bayern Munich and how much focus Mourinho placed on La Liga and finally beating Barcelona in the league was the highest priority. We also examine the start of the campaign which began in preseason in Los Angeles and how it seemed apparent that Mourinho was gambling that his athletes as a unit would ultimately surpass their biggest rivals given that time, energy, focus and power was on their side. We also gauge some of the changes Mourinho has brought to the football club along with the growth of Mezut Ozil and how the defense might take on a slightly different shape in the years ahead with Raphael Varane who seems to be emerging as a true continental centerback to keep an eye on in the coming year. We close on the matter of Iker Casillas who led this team as captain and last line of defence, turning in one of the finest years for a goalkeeper worldwide and measuring his influence as a season with very little room for error forced him to be even more perfect than in years past. This is pure Real Madrid from Kay Murray who has seen the club perform all across Europe and within La Liga in a historic performance including a moment of Real Madrid history for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Anto and Nico are joined by John Molinaro of Sportsnet in Canada for an important look at the Canadian teams in Major League Soccer including the evolving fortunes for Toronto FC and Montreal Impact who seem to be moving in very different directions. The story begins with the failures that continue to endure for Aron Winter with an in-depth look at the problems for a team managed by MLSE amid a process with few answers on accountability over the six years. The club has already dropped 24 points in May and looks to be in further trouble as Toronto historically does struggle on the road so the question is a matter of where the tipping point is on the manager. Then we turn to Montreal Impact with a first year team and a first year manager in Jesse Marsch who has indicated that the the club was built collectively and how a solid spine has seriously turned their fortunes quick at this early stage. We also consider the arrival of Marco Di Vaio this summer and what it means for Montreal in the shorter term and how he should adapt to familiar faces such as Matteo Ferrari and Bernardo Corradi once he arrives in MLS. We also evaluate in brief strokes what Vancouver has done to its backline in terms of improving on their first season performance before moving to several talking points including a serious checkpoint for Los Angeles Galaxy at Montreal, Chicago and Kansas City, Real Salt Lake and Seattle and the opening of a brand new stadium in Houston at BBVA Compass Stadium while entertaining one of its past stars in Dwayne De Rosario after having survived seven straight road matches having earned a must-needed point a match.

Phil and Doron Salomon of Stretford-End.com are back for another episode of the Manchester United show to take a fresh look at the season after Manchester City all but sealed their first Premier League title away at Newcastle with only one last hope with a final match in store. We take another glance at the roster to consider what Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill will address including the midfield and even an additional striker or even some relief at either left or right back given some of the revelations late in the season when the matches were the biggest. We answer a bunch of listener questions including what kind of players United will target in the offseason, whether club finances will continue to disrupt and/or influence transfer strategy as it has in the past several years since the Glazers have sought to replicate the Cristiano Ronaldo example of buying players at a moderate level only to move them on years later based entirely on resale value. Doron also gives another stellar update on the Academy and Reserves prospects including the run out to the season for each sector and who stands to either go out on loan next season as well as maybe be an outsider for time with the first team down the road. We also place a final analysis on the Paul Pogba issue to uncover where the real accountability lies and whether the club and the player and his representative share equal blame based on mismatched expectations. Loads here on Manchester United both on and off the pitch, including what the club will need to deal with in the coming months and years to meet the constant huge expectations for the club.

Anto is joined by Guardian and Observer football correspondent Daniel Taylor to take a look at the Premier League fallout in Manchester where roles did seem to go reverse in the last few weeks as United let matches get away and City were able to close them. Then we move to the matter of Manchester United to revisit the gaffe Wayne Rooney seemed to make roughly a year ago about the ambition at Old Trafford in the face of a players arm race and whether this concern came home to roost in the end. On the other hand, it could also be argued that Sir Alex Ferguson may have pulled off one of his best managerial years yet in facing up to that challenge and we examine the goal difference through the prism of a missing Nemanja Vidic all season who surely came up greatly missing in that stretch of four matches and four points gained that surely handed the title to Manchester City pending one last match against Queens Park Rangers and an old nemesis in Mark Hughes. Then we evaluate the constant high profile striker sagas at City and what may happen this summer with Eden Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli as the club does seem to be forever linked to Robin Van Persie and has clear designs on Napoli hitman Edinson Cavani, at least as admirers from afar. This also includes a look at manager Roberto Mancini who has had to steer this ship all season and how his tactical moves and impressions do seem forever shrouded more on perception than the job he continues to turn in. In the end we close on the matter of Blackburn Rovers being relegated and whether old demons will curse Manchester City in the end or whether this really is the start of a new era on the blue side of Manchester.

Anto is joined by Italian football commentator Owen Neilson to have a look at a new champion in Serie A as Juventus took the spoils in the aftermath of a huge crash by AC Milan against Inter in the derby, effectively ending the Rossoneri challenge this season and leaving loads of questions above the head of Max Allegri. We break down the Juventus triumph and where it was won and where Milan fell short both in the league and in the Champions League where Allegri has failed to deliver this season against top opponents. In many ways this was a study in contrast between two managers where one rode the wave of new energy and purpose and ideas, and the other seemed to run out of these very factors including injuries and tactical stagnation. Then we turn to the matter of third place in Italy and whether Udinese has the inside track on Champions League football with a last match to be played in Catania. We also evaluate some of the key managers this season including Guidolin, Conte, Donadoni, Di Carlo, Pioli and Montella who have all turned in great performances. We also look at the issues in the mid table area of the table where the competition has been so very unpredictable due to economic and reasons which may include further point deductions. Then we turn to the matter of Serie B where the race is on for promotion and the competition is just as fierce with Pescara trying to replicate a new age version of Zemanlandia with a group of young players destined for great things in the future. We close on the matter of Sampdoria who has closed the gap and looks as if it could claim a promotion playoff spot and might complete a late surge to return to Serie A after a heartbreaking relegation a year ago.

Phil and Anto are joined once again by former Wimbledon, Newcastle and England international defender Warren Barton for another episode that begins with Newcastle on the verge of closing on a miracle as they hold the keys to the Premier League title by virtue of visit of Manchester City and a suddenly failing Arsenal squad without Mikel Arteta. We gauge the situation at hand for Roberto Mancini in terms of what will be waiting for them at Sports Direct Park for the home finale and all the history that will be on display and new territory for City players never in this position before. We take yet another look at the magical pieces at work for Newcastle and how the relegation really did serve the club well as a means of cleaning house and establishing a new culture in the club where some very smart transfers and acquisitions could work for Alan Pardew, perhaps a perfect storm of coaching, performance and some tremendous scouting. Then we turn to the matter of the Roy Hodgson appointment for England and come to the conclusion that this was perhaps the correct choice all along given the situation at hand and the level of experience that Hodgson brings in both his club and national team dossier. We examine the variables to evaluate the selection and why Hodgson seems more poised for success given where England finds itself in short order before the European Championship kicks off the summer, in mere weeks. Then we turn to the matter of another alert for Arsenal who seems to struggle without Mikel Arteta, having not won any of the seven matches without him in the lineup, and faced with the prospect of not having him in the lineup for the remainder of the season. Then we turn to a bit of history in Serie A which seems to be on the horizon for Juventus who stand undefeated in both the domestic campaign and also the Coppa Italia and are three matches away from achieving something that has not been duplicated since the early days of football. Juventus stands alone in this regard and we begin to consider where the club is and what threat they will present football in the coming seasons as they are not poised to return to Champions League football. Then we look beyond the FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Chelsea, as the Blues are huge favorites to win, but what the ramifications might be for two managers who seriously will be under increased scrutiny for very different reasons.

Anto and Matteo return for another Milan Insider episode in the wake of a surprise result from US Lecce that now puts the Rossoneri within a point with just two more matches at stake just in time for the second Derby della Madonnina that takes on even more significance this Sunday. We start with a distinctive homage to Antonio Conte of Juventus who are feeling the pressure at the end and take a look at the return of Antonio Cassano of late, a new energy suddenly returning at the right time with Gennaro Gattuso in the midfield and Kevin Prince Boateng providing more attacking muscle. But really the shortfalls this season for Milan have been largely self-inflicted and we detail where many of the problems developed and where the mistakes were made in advance of the Barcelona fixtures in the Champions League knockout rounds with Thiago Silva rendered unavailable due to a mistake by Max Allegri in the Coppa Italia. We take some listener questions which surround on player moves, potential transfers, changes inside the club, what players have expiring contracts and who might just be released. We also talk some finances and how UEFA Financial Fair Play will have an effect on transfer strategy and have a massive say in how Silvio Berlusconi and the board with approach the most important part of the strategy going forward in the next three years as the measuring checkpoints will be reached. We discuss the Riccardo Montolivo and Bakaye Traoré transfer moves that are highlighted of late, the rumor of a deal reached for Manolo Gabbiadini and how the business of AC Milan does seem to be changing this off-season with evolving roles, strategic direction and even if rumors of a new manager will land on an emerging candidate of late who has been in discussion with the club at a very high level. We also have a serious discussion into how the more mature Milanisti are growing restless with the direction of the club and how some of the established values are now being called into question as manifest by how Allegri and some of the players approach their public roles including how complaints have been escalated in the press. All of these issues and many more are addressed in this episode including how Milan will need to address its creativity problems in midfield, whether Robinho would be moved back to Santos, even if Zlatan is at risk of being transferred this off-season and how the club has circled the wagons and appears ready to commit to Pato and rehabilitation in the end.

Phil and Doron Salomon of Stretford-End.com are back for another episode of the Manchester United show to take stock of what happened in the recent Manchester Derby starting with the weakness in the starting teamsheet and right through the match itself including the cautiousness by Sir Alex Ferguson, the failure to defend a simple set piece near halftime and how the match played out in the second half when there was not much of an attacking threat. Much of this centers on some holes in the middle of the park for United and how investment has been lacking in the last three to four years and how injuries and youth might have had a bigger hand on what is really available to Ferguson, perhaps most reflected in the fact that United have only recorded four points in its last four matches which speaks to a weakened squad when comparing it to Manchester City at a key point in the season. We take questions from Facebook and Twitter including what changes might have to be made this summer, whether the club has the resources to raise the bar and address some of the needs the club with have to address. We examine the affect of Glazernomics and what supporters can do to register their disapproval with the financial direction of the club, but ultimately it is an individual decision that supporters will need to consider. Of particular note is the creative influence needed in central midfield and a clear need to find muscle in a deeper role to protect the backline in big matches when more athletically gifted sides clash with United in the future. Doron provides another update on the Reserve and Academy players, where there has been success this season, and what we believe the club will seriously need to prioritize in each area of the pitch, where the highest need exists and needs immediate attention. Lots of great questions this week, keep them coming and the very best get to the air!

Phil and Anto are joined by Times football correspondent Oliver Kay in the aftermath of a tactical Manchester Derby with many new questions revealed on Manchester United, starting with the team selection and over to the tactics and simply down to the level of athleticism on display at Etihad stadium. Much of what happened in the match was beyond statistical analysis, but borne from a difference in mindset part driven by economics and also by approach as it was clear that Sir Alex had gone about trying to mix it up in the middle of the park but was ultimately done in by both his approach and the constant vulnerability in the central midfield and how Yaya Toure clearly was the man of the match as it seemed man against boys with aging superstars Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in tandem with Ji-Sung Park could not match the sheer power of the Ivorian midfielder. We examine the many facets of this match, the growing impact of Yaya Toure on the Premier League and how Sir Alex and the Glazer ownership group will face even more questions in the coming weeks and months should Manchester City win this title because by all indications a lack of investment since the Ronaldo sale came home to roost. Obviously we gauge the starting players and the tactical choices and the ramifications where Manchester City is staring down a massive fixture at Newcastle United in its last home match of the season and then relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers with former manager Mark Hughes perhaps as the deciding fixture. Then we turn to the matter of England announcing its new manager in Roy Hodgson and what this might suggest in the bigger picture, and whether the FA might have painted themselves into a corner having let Fabio Capello walk away and if this selection of Hodgson might just be a more pragmatic and sane choice given the alternatives available at this moment in time. We break down the clear needs for this England team and if revised expectations for this European finals in Poland/Ukraine internally set the stage for Roy Hodgson. But even more importantly, if it is fair for England to target Brazil 2014 in the bigger picture when tournament football requires consistency and a firm implementation with players who no longer spend much time with their national teams.