Pregame coverage on KMOX-AM starts at 6:30pm with game time at 7:30pm on 1120 AM.

“There are no bigger names in St. Louis soccer than Bill McDermott and Ty Keough,” said Steve Moore, Program Director for KMOX-AM. “We’re thrilled to have them both anchoring our coverage of this unprecedented, sold out sporting event, the first of its kind at the new Busch Stadium. St. Louis loves soccer, and KMOX is devoted to serving area listeners with the best local news and coverage, and this milestone match has been the talk of the town.”

McDermott, who is in his 38th year behind the microphone, holds the title of longest-running U.S. soccer broadcaster and will be doing the play-by-play for the game. Keough, a former U.S. soccer player and coach, has played for the St. Louis Steamers, San Diego Sockers, and the U.S. national team. Keough has covered four World Cups in his broadcasting career, and will be handling color commentary for the game.

The Premier League club says it “takes seriously reports of an incident” at its Clayton Wood training ground and “those responsible for any unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with in accordance with the club’s disciplinary procedures.”

Stoke midfielder Brek Shea posted a picture of him holding a pig’s head, which was severed down the middle, by the ears in the changing room.

Shea tweeted “locker room banter gone wild!!! #SAW.”

The British media is reporting that the pig’s head was found in the locker of striker Kenwyne Jones.

Another Stoke striker, Michael Owen, was the subject of a prank last week when he tweeted a picture of his car covered in eggs and flour.”

This is what I will miss once I hang up my boots! Looks like I may be delayed getting to the match. #eggs&flour http://t.co/OoY2WIt5Ts—
michael owen (@themichaelowen) May 12, 2013

With the football season easing to an end with very little of real importance still to play for, there’s a teary-eyed sense of nostalgia in the air.

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to retire. David Beckham following suit as he ends his playing career. Paul Scholes, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher; all bringing their careers to a close. This is an end of an era my friends.

Whilst we can’t overlook that football did in fact exist before 1992, the Premier League and Sky Sports, for those of us like myself born in 1987 or afterwards, as far as coherent memories go, the Premier League is all we’ve ever really know in a live format.

And the aforementioned group of players and managers have basically defined this era for all of us, having played in the vast majority of seasons and been at the focal point of our viewership until now.

While Beckham may have not played in the Premier League for the best part of ten years and Michael Owen has had hamstrings made of twigs, never have they strayed far from our back pages and a bar room debates.

The knowledge that I have never known another man to manage Manchester United in my lifetime was perplexing enough, but to lose this set of players from our screens (punditry doesn’t count) makes you think back as to what these men have brought to the game and how it has changed around them.

They have brought about the era in which football became no longer just a game, not merely a spot, but a business, an industry.

Football is no longer about simply rocking up on a Saturday, lacing up your boots and hoofing a leather sphere around a park for 90 minutes.

It is business. Agents regularly fill up column inches talking up player fees and wages, takeovers from wealthy tycoons are the norm and technology and science play as bigger role in football as any coach.

Anyone who marches down the tunnel in full kit is now deemed worthy of the title ‘celebrity’ as opposed to just the playboys of the 70s and 80s, with the word ‘role-model’ being thrown around more than is strictly necessary for a bunch of guys who are mere men like the rest of us, just possessing an athletic ability.

Whether this selection of players have contributed to all of this or not, the loss of them brings about the end of an era.

Like when dinosaurs ruled the land, the world of the Premier League will be divided up (the Fergussic? No?) and English football has now lost so many of its iconic figures.

While the likes of Robbie Fowler, Ian Wright and David Ginola are long gone, this group of Manchester United and Liverpool groomed stars almost brings to an end this world that I, among many others, have inhabited for the duration of our sporting memories.

Judging by the anarchy coming out of Stoke, I know I can’t be the only one who has these apocalyptic visions as the end is nigh.

Ryan Giggs may still just about be hanging on, and Arsene Wenger can only continue for so much longer without delivering success. And maybe one day we will wistfully be looking back on a world of Rooneys and Bales.

But the retirement of this bunch of icons brings to an end the first era of the Premier League. And things will never, ever be the same again.

As well as the comments section, you can also discuss this matter on Twitter @SmParker8. Thanks for reading. 

I had the great HONOR of meeting Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United a few years ago at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. Their – then – sponsor Aon knowing how much I love football (soccer), in collaboration with my hubby made sure I (and the boys) were one of about 10 fans that got to hang out with the team for a few hours. Who knew how memorable that meeting would be. Today on the retirement of Sir Alex, and Scholes, it is with a mix of sadness, and joy that I reflect on some of the greatest moments in sports.

I am so grateful for the memories. Growing up in poverty, football was one of the few pleasures I had, and Manchester United, under the leadership of one of the greatest managers sports has ever seen, and one of the best midfielders to ever play the game delivered quality on a weekly basis.

A team that had Cantona, Beckham, Giggs, RVP, Rooney, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, and Scholes could only have been coached by Sir Alex.

Take a bow, Sir Alex, and Paul Scholes – simply two of the best.

These pictures are a few of my favorite from a day with Manchester United in Boston. Paul Scholes never made this trip as he does not like to travel or leave his family.

Rio Ferdinand slammed in an 87th-minute volley to seal United’s 2-1 victory, before Ferguson joined his players in lifting the Premier League trophy for a 13th and final time.

“It’s fantastic,” said Ferguson, whose haul of 38 trophies at United makes him Britain’s most successful football manager. “What a send-off. I was bubbling there for a bit. The atmosphere was unbelievable.”

[related_links /]

Ferguson’s replacement at United, David Moyes, was also feted by fans in his last home match as manager of Everton, with his side beating West Ham 2-0 thanks to a double from Kevin Mirallas to guarantee a sixth-place finish.

Tottenham climbed provisionally to fourth — two points above Arsenal — courtesy of Emmanuel Adebayor’s late winner in a 2-1 victory at Stoke, while Newcastle and Norwich secured their Premier League survival with victories over Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion, respectively.

Sunderland could still go down after conceding an equalizer to draw 1-1 at home to Southampton, leaving Paolo Di Canio’s team four points in front of third-from-bottom Wigan ahead of the newly crowned FA Cup winners’ visit to Arsenal on Tuesday in their game in hand. Realistically, the three teams still battling against the drop are Sunderland, Aston Villa and Wigan.

If you think about it, those last-minute goals, the comebacks, even the defeats, are all part of this great football club of ours

Daniel Sturridge scored a hat trick as Liverpool came from behind to defeat Fulham 3-1 in the day’s other match.

Ferguson’s last home match as United manager was always going to steal the script, however, and the game was given even more prestige as it was the final appearance by Paul Scholes at Old Trafford before the midfielder headed back into retirement.

Ferguson, who dropped Wayne Rooney from the starting lineup and later confirmed the club had rejected the striker’s transfer request, started Scholes in central midfield and brought him off after 66 minutes to a standing ovation.

“He is unbelievable, one of the greatest players this club has had or ever will have,” Ferguson said of Scholes, who signed professional terms with United in 1993.

Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

With the game approaching what is widely known in British football as “Fergie Time” — coined due to the amount of injury-time goals scored by United in Ferguson’s tenure — a corner from Robin van Persie crept through to Ferdinand, who volleyed home high into the net.

Ferguson jumped out of his seat and punched the air in delight, before making his way to the centre circle after full time to deliver an emotional, five-minute speech in the rain.

“If you think about it, those last-minute goals, the comebacks, even the defeats, are all part of this great football club of ours,” Ferguson said. “It’s been an unbelievable experience for all of us.”

Javier Hernandez put United in front in the 39th before Michu equalized for Swansea 10 minutes later. The match was effectively meaningless as United had already wrapped up its 13th Premier League title and is now 13 points ahead of second-place Manchester City, which plays its game in hand at Reading on Tuesday.

The race for the final two Champions League qualification berths behind City and United is still on, though, with Spurs piling the pressure on Arsenal thanks to a come-from-behind victory over a Stoke side that played almost the entire second half with 10 men after Charlie Adam’s sending-off for two yellow cards.

Steven Nzonzi gave Stoke the lead before Clint Dempsey equalized in the 20th and then set up Adebayor for the winner in the 82nd.

“This puts more pressure on Arsenal but they are able to cope with it,” Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas said. “We hope Wigan have their day [on Tuesday].”

Hatem Ben Arfa and Yoan Gouffran scored for Newcastle as it came from behind to beat QPR 2-1, while goals by Robert Snodgrass, Grant Holt and Jonny Howson — along with an own goal by Gareth McAuley — helped Norwich to a 4-0 win over West Brom.

In the League Championship, Watford will play Crystal Palace or Brighton in the promotion playoff final on May 27 at Wembley after a thrilling 3-1 win over Leicester for a 3-2 aggregate win.

Manuel Almunia saved Anthony Knockaert’s penalty in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time and Knockaert’s shot off the rebound, allowing Troy Deeney to score the decisive goal for Watford about 30 seconds later.

Everton Vs West Ham Total Goal Even

Man Utd on 1×2

AC Milan Vs Roma Total Goal Odd

]]> http://thebottomcorner.com/2013/05/11/arsenal-player-of-the-season-results/ Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:42 +0000 The Bottom Corner http://thebottomcorner.com/2013/05/11/arsenal-player-of-the-season-results/ http://rhammerton1.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/a-hard-act-to-follow/ Sat, 11 May 2013 23:36:05 +0000 rhammerton1 http://rhammerton1.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/a-hard-act-to-follow/ http://itsfergietime.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/201415-a-season-of-new-managers/ Sat, 11 May 2013 22:33:23 +0000 joshg4251 http://itsfergietime.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/201415-a-season-of-new-managers/ http://metronews.ca/sports/668606/uniteds-scholes-retires-for-2nd-and-final-time/ Sat, 11 May 2013 22:08:24 +0000 mecloader http://metronews.ca/sports/668606/uniteds-scholes-retires-for-2nd-and-final-time/ LONDON – Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is retiring for a second and final time, ending a career that saw him regarded as one of the most technically gifted players of his generation.

The 38-year-old former England international initially quit in 2011 but was persuaded to return for United in January 2012.

“I am finally hanging up my boots for good,” Scholes said on Saturday.

A first appearance since January is expected on Sunday in a Premier League match against Swansea, which will also be manager Alex Fergsuon’s final match at Old Trafford before retiring.

Scholes will be collecting a Premier League winners’ medal for the 11th time after Sunday’s game.

“Playing football is all I have ever wanted to do,” he said. “And to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United, under the greatest manager of all time, has been an honour.”

Scholes has spent his entire career at United, making 716 appearances and scoring the last of his 155 goals in September against Wigan.

Starting out as a deep-lying forward, Scholes eventually dropped back into central midfield where his touch, technique and vision could be more effectively utilized. He never lost his eye for goal, though, and turned his late runs into the penalty box into an art form.

Scholes had a particularly fierce shot and was always dangerous from outside the box.

“Paul is a truly unbelievable player,” Ferguson said. “He has always been fully committed to this club and it has been a real privilege to work with him for so many years.

“Paul will play at Old Trafford on Sunday against Swansea and will collect an unbelievable but well-deserved 11th Premier League medal.”

United defender Rio Ferdinand said on Twitter that Scholes was “1 of the best I played alongside also the most naturally gifted player too.”

The only part of Scholes’ armoury that let him down was his tackling, which was often late and clumsy. He missed the dramatic win over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final through suspension but started in 2008 when United beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow to claim its third European Cup.

Scholes was 29 when he retired from England duty.

In one of the biggest FA Cup final upsets, a team playing non-league football 35 years ago and assembled for barely $30 million beat big-spending Manchester City 1-0 on Saturday.

Winning English football’s showpiece match was not only a reward for Wigan owner Dave Whelan’s investment in the small northern club, but completed his unfinished business from the 1960 final.

After breaking a leg playing for Blackburn at the old Wembley, Whelan’s career ended at the age of 23 and he started amassing the wealth that enabled him to ultimately finance Wigan.

“The dream has come true,” Whelan said. “I’m repaid for 1960 when I broke my leg and we lost the match.”

The game was drifting into extra time — and City defender Pablo Zabaleta had just been sent off — when substitute Ben Watson planted a header from Shaun Maloney’s corner into the net in the 90th minute.

Watson had only just returned to action after recovering from a leg-break.

“It’s been a long six months for myself and it’s been a dream — coming on in an FA Cup final and scoring the winner,” Watson said.

But there was no champagne for the Wigan players after the match.

Now the history-makers will try to avoid the dubious distinction of being the first FA Cup winners to be relegated in the same season.

Wigan is in the drop zone with just two rounds remaining, three points from safety.

“We’ve got two massive games now to stay in the league and if we perform like that we’ll be all right,” Watson said. “We crack on again tomorrow.”

Wigan is the second history-maker this season at Wembley, with Swansea winning its first major trophy in the League Cup final in February.

“Today it was David and Goliath,” Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said. “It was following a dream … we saw the underdogs play with incredible bravery, incredible belief and they defied the odds again. That’s the FA Cup.”

But the result throws into doubt the future of both managers.

Martinez, already widely admired in management thanks to his team’s impressive performances, will be in demand even more — especially with Everton looking to replace Manchester United-bound David Moyes.

Martinez sidestepped questions on his future, focusing instead on the feat achieved by a team heading into the Europa League next season.

“Wigan Athletic is an incredible story,” Martinez said. “Paul (Jewell) started everything, getting the team promoted to the Premier League. Now it’s eight seasons and now we need to make sure the ninth season is round the corner, because we need to use European football in our favour.

“I mean, it doesn’t matter who the manager is, there’s a bigger picture than that.”

At City, Roberto Mancini’s future in the dugout is also looking uncertain with Spanish media reporting that Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini has been approached to replace the Italian.

City fans made their feeling clear toward the club’s Abu Dhabi hierarchy, chanting in support of Mancini from the start and bellowing abuse about Pellegrini.

But there has been silence from City about Mancini’s future.

As Mancini was questioned at Wembley about the apparent Pellegrini approach, City’s media chief interjected to say “reportedly” but wouldn’t deny the report when pushed to do so.

“I don’t know why the club didn’t stop this,” Mancini said in a pointed about on the City hierarchy.

“If it’s true we will see in the next two weeks … if it’s true, I’m stupid because I didn’t understand anything about this,” he added.

City is ending the season without a major trophy despite having the most expensively assembled squad in England, with more than $1 billion invested by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan since 2008.

The FA Cup enabled City to end its 35-year trophy drought two years ago, but despite going on to win the Premier League last season, the club has appeared to go backwards in this campaign.

The Premier League trophy was conceded to Manchester United with four games to go, while City exited the Champions League in the group stage for the second successive season.

And on Saturday, City was outshone by Wigan.

Belying their lowly position in the Premier League, the Wigan players started with confidence, looking assured on the ball.

The finishing lacked venom, though, until the end — even though the team created chances from the start.

Arouna Kone burst forward after nine minutes and sent the ball forward to Callum McManaman, who miscued his shot and missed the target.

The closest City came in the first half was Joel Robles sliding out to block Carlos Tevez’s shot.

McManaman, who caused City defender Gael Clichy trouble throughout down the right flank, worked his way into the penalty area again before halftime, forced Joe Hart off his line and found the space to shoot, but was denied by Zabaleta’s block.

In a second half lacking clear-cut chances, Joel blocked a header from City substitute Jack Rodwell, and Maloney hit the top of the crossbar.

Wigan’s breakthrough came after Zabaleta became just the third player to get sent off in an FA Cup final, when he was shown a second yellow card for bringing down McManaman.

From midfield, Lampard has 203 goals during 12 years with Chelsea — surpassing the record held by Bobby Tambling, the club’s striker from 1959 to 1970.

“It means everything, it’s amazing,” said Lampard, who was out of contract at the end of the season. “The support I’ve had from teammates, you saw that at the end and I’m thankful to every one of them because they’re the ones that put it on a plate for me sometimes.

“And the fans, they’ve been with me for a long time and were probably frustrated alongside me not getting there so I’m just delighted.”

In the only English Premier League game on Saturday, Christian Benteke put Villa ahead in the first half but, with both sides reduced to 10 men, Lampard started Chelsea’s comeback in the 61st minute.

The England international curled the ball from inside the area past goalkeeper Brad Guzan to equalize, and then scored the winner from close range in the 88th.

“Bobby Tambling is a great man, he’s not been well … I was pleased to level it but I didn’t want to overcook that celebration out of respect for him,” Lampard said. “But to then go and break it, I was delighted.”

Chelsea’s Ramires was sent off before halftime and Benteke was also dismissed in the 58th for receiving a second yellow card.

Chelsea is third in the Premier League with one match remaining, while Villa is five points above the relegation zone.

Villa went in front when Benteke beat Gary Cahill to goalkeeper Brad Guzan’s clearance and then peeled off at speed to take Yacouba Sylla’s return pass, gliding past Cahill and slipped his shot past goalkeeper Petr Cech at the near post in the 14th minute.

Lampard came close to scoring in the 30th, striking a low free kick that squirmed out of Guzan’s hands and rolled gently against a post. Chelsea was starting to find its feet in the game just before a series of refereeing decisions took centre stage.

The first two appeared to be lenient, with Benteke booked rather than sent off for an elbow on Cesar Azpilicueta and Terry also shown a yellow card despite appearing to be the last man when he felled Sylla.

Referee Lee Mason did show a red card just before the interval though, the struggling Ramires earning a second booking for a high challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez reshuffled his lineup at halftime, sending on David Luiz to anchor the midfield and taking off the ineffective Victor Moses.

Villa’s extra man lasted only until Benteke was dismissed, again for a second yellow and again for high feet.

Within two minutes the score was level and Lampard was celebrating his long-awaited record-equaling goal. Eden Hazard rolled him the ball from the right flank, he shepherded it into a more central position and then fired home a curling left-footed shot. He was duly mobbed by teammates as he ran to the away support to take in the moment.

The frenetic pace continued, with Chelsea players believing they had gone ahead not long afterward. Former Villa defender Cahill took the ball on the chest before prodding goalward at the back post. Guzan was beaten but Sylla managed to trap it on the line. Ba and Ashley Westwood both moved in, with the latter convincing officials he’d cleared the danger before the ball had crossed the line.

Terry departed on a stretcher after suffering an injury that could jeopardize his hopes of playing in the Europa League final on Wednesday against Benfica.

The winner — Lampard’s record-breaker — came from a fine Chelsea move, with Hazard playing a one-two down the left channel before cutting the ball across goal for the midfielder. As so often in his Chelsea career, Lampard was in the right place at the right time and he tapped home with ease. The celebrations which followed were lengthy, with all of Chelsea’s players involved.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for him to score the number of goals he has,” Benitez said. “Hopefully he can score more in the next two games.”

It will take an upset for Wigan to claim the title, and although they held Tottenham Hotspur to a draw and beat West Bromwich Albion recently, they have not been on the best of form.  Surprisingly, City have also been on below average form, only winning two times out of their last five matches. But whether City can win the come out of their recent slump in form, the match is sure to be exciting, so look out for my full time review, right here on Football Every Day!