To accommodate the immensely growing mainstream popularity La Liga is continuing to enjoy, I slotted 30 minutes of today’s show for two full segments of discussion with Phil Schoen. The season starts this weekend, so we actually found it difficult to get everything into that massive time slot.  By the way, such an expansive conversation on one item has never been done for the the English Premier League on any of our shows. Viva La Liga indeed.

Here are the segments below with Phil, who is in his eighth year of La Liga coverage with Gol TV:

PART I:  0825laligapreviewpart1.mp3

PART II: 0825laligapreviewpart2.mp3

Keep an eye on Roy Keane 1 point from 3 games at Ipswich in the Championship. Funny how when Mick McCarthy is doing well Keane isnt and vice versa. Keano won’t go down without a fight. Thats for sure. Should get interesting. He’s already swore 3 players will never play for him again.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/aug/25/the-question-diamond-tactics-jonathan-wilson I still think Ancelloti staggers a 4-2-3-1 to avoid being countered and depending on Anelka and Malouda the diamond can shape a patient 4-2-2-2 or Christmas Tree but this is another JW post that’s definitely worth a look. Tip - read the comments - they’re as interesting as the article this time. 

The UK and USA coverage of Aston Villa’s 3-1 drubbing of Liverpool tonight was mightly impressive.  From Jon Champion’s consistently solid play-by-play to Kevin Keegan’s commentary in-studio to slightly above average HD picture on ESPN2, the experience was thoroughly enjoyable.

That is, for all except 101Soccer co-host and Liverpool supporter Joe Curley.  Let’s just see he and his guard dog, Minnie, were not pleased.

I hate not being able to suppress the excitement I sometime express on the air for the summer portions of Copa Libertadores. I guess its simply irrepressible in my little world. Both semifinals this week with their own personalities: a Brazilian “Civil War” (Gremio-Cruziero) and the next stage in a mission for Juan Sebastian Veron (Nacional-Estudiantes). Click here to hear this morning’s discussion about both with our tournament correspondent, former Sporting Cristal forward Luchi Gonzalez.

Back (completely) from vacation now and right away got interested in the continuity of starting line-ups so far this season after watching last weekend’s action, as those who listened to the show this morning know.

Here below is a more full illustration of that monologue during the “Three Points” segment. I liked this data because it seemed to reflect the personality about each different way every team has started their season. Also, during my interview with Brian Mullan last month, he talked about the saintly patience (or “satanic,” depending on who you ask) of Dominic Kinnear, pictured above, coming into play during the rough Houston start. That is reflected down here as well:

NUMBER OF DIFFERENT STARTERS USED

Houston 13
Salt Lake 13
Kansas City 15
New England 15
San Jose 15
Seattle 15
Toronto 16
Chicago 16
Chivas 16
Colorado 16
Dallas 17
DC United 17
Columbus 18
Los Angeles 19
New York 20

NUMBER OF TOTAL SUBSTITUTIONS MADE

New England 6
Houston 7
Colorado 13
Dallas 13
DC United 13
Seattle 13
Los Angeles 14
New York 14
Toronto 14
Columbus 15
Salt Lake 15
Kansas City 16
San Jose 17
Chicago 17
Chivas 19

If you really look at both categories, you can see how insulated that Dynamo lineup has been. Maybe that brings up some worthy questions about the team’s depth. Speaking of that, also in play within the graphic here is another signal of Chivas’ superior mix of back-end talent. They have subbed fairly freely and survived easily with their need to tinker around that starting lineup ravaged by injury.

And how about a look at last season’s final tally for some additional perspective on this data itself:

NUMBER OF DIFFERENT STARTERS USED

AVERAGE=26

Houston 22
New England 22
San Jose 24
Kansas City 25
Salt Lake 25
Chicago 26
Colorado 26
Dallas 26
Los Angeles 26
New York 27
Columbus 28
DC United 28
Chivas 30
Toronto 33

NUMBER OF TOTAL SUBSTITUTIONS MADE

AVERAGE=84

Los Angeles 64
New England 75
Toronto 75
San Jose 80
Chivas 82
Houston 83
DC United 85
Colorado 87
Dallas 87
New York 87
Columbus 88
Kansas City 90
Chicago 94
Salt Lake 96

PHOTO COURTESY: Associated Press

Since I’m on vacation down in Southern California and not back on show assignments for another two weeks, there will be no MLS “Three Points” to discuss on the air and here on the blog. But here are some quotes from my visit with Chivas defender Carey Talley (pictured above) during my visit to one of the team’s workouts in Carson this week.

The late-morning breeze was so strong off the South Bay of Los Angeles that most of the audio from the recorded conversation got beat up pretty good. Here are some highlights from Talley’s thoughts about this weekend’s big Seattle battle at Home Depot Center and Chivas’ rampant success to start the year:

(Give an insider’s perspective into the attitude in the locker room — is it more toward nothing but positive vibes or is there an aura of caution that it’s too early to get jacked up?):

“I think the attitude’s good in there but we’re trying not to, you know, get too high on this.”

(What specific challenges does a defender prepare for the week of a match against Seattle’s hyped offensive weapons?):

“(Freddy) Montero’s a tricky guy (who) can shoot with both feet. Then Nate Jaqua is just a handful every time he’s around the ball.

“They’ve also got some guys behind the ball that can defend. Their center backs have been pretty good. I’ve been watching them (on television).”

(Does Preki prepare for opposing teams each week more like a master strategist looking to attack weaknesses, or more like a master of patience addressing your guys’ own needs?)

“It’s the same thing (every week). If you throw too many curve balls (every week) at guys it’s going to mess with their heads. I think day in and day out we preach the same things about getting the ball and then moving it quickly. That’s the game plan for us coming into Saturday, to keep the ball moving. When you see us do that … particularly towards the latter part of the game, guys are going to get tired (defensively) and slip up, so maybe we can go through them. I think the more we keep the ball (all season), the better we’ll do because that’s when we’re at our best.”

(Any opinion about Jonathan Bornstein moving up to that left wing spot that the team has had so much trouble amid this success filling in the absence of Ante Jazic? Lots of your fans here seem curious how that switch really might liberate (Bornstein)  into more an offensive force):

“You know, I think that’s probably the best part about this team. We’ve got a lot of guys who can play in a lot of different spots. Whether it’s Sacha Klejstan on the left, or Bornstein, or Ante Jazic, or Gerson Mayen, we’ve got plenty of guys who can play on the (left) side or any side of the field for that matter. What we have a good mix.

“Whether Jonnie moves up or not, that’s obviously a decision that hasn’t been made. I think it’s a good thing (that there has been no decisive starter on the left wing). I think Preki likes it that way. You have to show up at training knowing it can be you or 15 other guys playing for that role. You have to know that if you want to get that spot you’re going have beat out the rest to get it. It brings you up a level (competitively) coming out onto the pitch each day.

“I think (personally) I look at (a possible Bornstein move) as being, well, it hasn’t been broke so there’s no need to fix it.”

(Looking at some research last season, I discovered the team seemed to really thrive in situations where there was a big-time atmosphere in the stadium. Of the 11 matches where there were more than 15,000 fans attending, the team lost just two times. If the notoriously low Chivas home attendance at Home Depot Center was larger each week, do you think this team’s success over the last year and a half would have actually been much greater?)

“You play for your fans, your family, your livelihood, so whether it’s five people or 15,000 you have to bring the same kind of energy. Of course, it’s a little bit different when the energy isn’t there. But ultimately it’s up to us to change that.”

(Is my stat worthwhile at all? Does playing well in front of bigger audiences show a link between the many veterans on your roster and how they are able to be a calming influence on the younger big names?)

“Those are definitely the games that you look forward to and you really just want to stop as you are walking out onto on the field, and suck it all in for a second. And you stop and think, ‘How many times is this going to happen again (in a playing career)?’ I love playing in front of big crowds. If they’re big this weekend (home against Seattle), then great. I welcome that.”

(No team in one city is exactly like another team in a different city. For that matter, no team in one season is going to be exactly the same the next year. Truly, what sticks out in your mind about this team right here compared to all others during your longtime MLS participation through the years?):

“I just think there’s a (different) camaraderie amongst the guys. We stick together. We’ve had some tough times in the past year. In my mind, there’s no team in MLS that experienced what we went through last year and what we’re going through right now. The teams I’ve been on in the past, if there’s two (crucial) injuries, the team almost crumbles. This team there’s (been) nine guys out almost every game, and we’re finding ways to rely on the 18th, 19th, 20th guy on the roster. That’s something you can’t discount. And so I think the camaraderie amongst the guys in the locker room and the respect for each guy out here on the field and what they can do to make us better … it’s a lot better than any team I’ve played on.”

Here below is that shot-making data I was referring to on today’s show during the MLS “Three Points” segment. It is the percentage of shots scored out of shots put on goal attempted. It’s a great indicator not looked at a lot at all really. It illustrates who is putting opportunistic chances away.

But then there are those cases like Landon Donovan (pictured above) and the Galaxy’s that show almost vice-versa — a team utilizing opportunities at an excellent rate yet not getting many of those opportunities to begin with.

At any rate, here are the current numbers early in the year (I’ll be revisiting this stat category quite a bit this season because it truly doesn’t get looked at enough and does say quite a bit about each team and its offensive profoundness):

SHOOTING AND MAKING
Top
1. Los Angeles 66.7 (4 goals in 6 shots on goal)
2. Chivas 54.5 (6-11)
3. Seattle 46.6 (7-15)

Bottom
3t. Houston 25.0 (3-12)
3t. Toronto 25.0 (4-16)
2. Dallas 14.2 (2-14)
1. New York 12.5 (1-8)

The full list
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Chicago 5-12 (41.6)
2. DC United 4-12 (33.3)
3. Kansas City 5-16 (31.2)
4t.Columbus 4-13 (30.7)
4t. New England 4-13 (30.7)
6. Toronto 4-16 (25.0)
7. New York 1-8 (12.5)
———
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. LA Galaxy 4-6 (66.7)
2. Seattle 7-15 (46.6)
3. Chivas 6-11 (54.5)
4. Salt Lake 4-11 (36.3)
5. San Jose 3-9 (33.3)
6. Houston 3-12 (25.0)
7. Dallas 2-14 (14.2)

BONUS MATERIAL
And then later in the segment I was talking about how it is deadly ironic how going into this season’s first “The Battle for Los Angeles” episode on Saturday that Chivas and the Galaxy both have exactly the same winning percentage at home. So they have not only shared The Home Depot Center in Carson the past half-decade, but also have won at the same rate of success real ironically:

Chivas 29 wins, 21 losses, 14 draws (56.2 percent)
Galaxy 28 wins, 20 losses, 16 draws (56.2 percent)

Barring a draw this weekend, either Chivas or the Galaxy by winning can lay claim this weekend to being a better tenant performance-wise at The Home Depot Center during the time both have shared the stadium.

PHOTO COURTESY: Getty Images

Oz Alonso, the Seattle midfielder (pictured above) whose surprising productivity so far was a topic on my show today, still has a lot to aspire to if he truly is going to be among the top-fouled offensive threats in MLS. Just take a look at last year’s star-studded “fouls suffered” leaderboard and their rates per game:

PLAYER, TEAM … FOULED PER GAME (TIMES FOULED/GAMES PLAYED)
1.) Cuauhtémoc Blanco , Chicago … 2.4 (71/30)
2.) Davy Arnaud, Kansas City … 2.3 (54/24)
3.) Robbie Rogers … 1.9 (59/31)
4.) Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake … 1.8 (57/31)
5.) Francisco Mendoza, Chivas USA … 1.6 (48/30)
Alejandro Moreno, Columbus … 1.6 (49/31)

I do like that list there above because it shows a compelling link between offensive productivity and the often-ignored FS statistic, giving yet another way to gauge effective offense beyond goals and assists. Any coincidence also when (look at the list below) considering that eight of the top nine teams on the FS list last year made the playoffs? I’m literally asking. In my opinion, yes, but everyone is entitled to their own as long as they take a good look at the list.

The full look:

FOULS SUFFERED, TEAM
1.) Houston 338*
2.) Columbus 317*
3.) New England 313*
4.) Chivas 296*
5.) Real Salt Lake 285*
6.) New York 282*
7.) Toronto 279
8.) Kansas City 278*
9.) Chicago 272*
10.) Los Angeles 251
11.) Dallas 243
12.) San Jose 241
13.) DC United 240
14.) Colorado 216

*Qualified for MLS Cup playoffs

PHOTO COURTESY: Seattle Sounders

PHOTO CREDIT: Manchester City Football Club

PK’s Premiership/PATRICK KINMARTIN

Sunderland groggily went into Old Trafford manager-less on Saturday and were seconds away from escaping with a draw for the ages against Manchester United.

Nemanja Vidic’s heart-breaking goal in extra time was appropriate for the theme of the Black Cats’ week. which was thrown into sudden disarray 24 hours earlier when Roy Keane abruptly stepped down. Head assistant Rocky Sbragia took the reins temporarily and oversaw the plausible showing against United.

Even so, Sbragia is not anxious about a permanent promotion, not when multiple reports have indicated Naill Quinn has already began deep discussions about the search for the club’s next bench leader.

The Sunderland chairman has never proved to by shy about pursuing the rock-star names of the industry, and no one among the front office staff was more outwardly joyous when Keane initially signed his way into the organization on that memorable afternoon of Aug. 28, 2006.

So already, Quinn’s list of replacements is predictable. Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley, Alan Pardew and even Steve McClaren have been getting plenty of play on the airwaves and in the papers around Tyne and Wear.

Unfortunately, the turn of events will present another ditched opportunity in the league to be more bold and bring aboard the reputable members of the English coaching fraternity in line for their first crack at top flight management. A look at the names that would be an ideal fit at the likes of Sunderland that may warrant the call-up from one of the major franchises in the year to come…

*Pat Rice. There is no telling when a negotiating chairman of the Quinn mold will finally be able to shake Rice out down from that locked branch he holds on Arsene Wenger’s coaching tree at Arsenal. From youth advisor to caretaker manager to vice boss, there is not a role Rice has not mastered over the past 25 years to deserve his portions of all the triumphant riches the franchise has earned.

His reluctance to ever leave (don’t forget, his Gunners playing career spanned 16 seasons until a move to Watford in 1980) makes everyone skeptical that Northern Ireland native’s time to budge will never arrive. Rice’s interest in shepherding young talent, however, and the type of salary he can command despite lacking sheer managerial pedigree, provide reasons.

*Jim Cassell (pictured above). Manchester City’s academy director has been praised for stabilizing the the club’s youth base that continues to furbish alumni like Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton, Micah Richards and Stephen Ireland. Cassell’s work continued to shine last season when the program captured the FA Youth Cup.

His 19 years of official work in local government add to the attraction.

*Owen Croyle. The 42-year-old Scot is yet to experience a losing season since starting his career in his country’s minor league system and now has Burnley brimming within playoff position in the Championship league. The Clarets are also riding the momentum from their elimination of Chelsea and Arsenal in the Carling Cup before a semifinal exit.

Croyle, whose prolific career as a striker included a brief stint with Bolton and 249 goals in 22 seasons, has been heartily endorsed by Alex McLeish and Andy Cole, a three-month Burnley loanee last year.

“I went to Burnley and spoke to Owen and got a great vibe,” Cole said. “He brought the best out of me and made me feel a lot younger than my age.”

Lack of Premiership familiarity and international prowess are Croyle’s drawbacks.

*Roberto Martinez . When Carlos Queiroz left his post as Sir Alex Ferguson’s top aide at Old Trafford to take over the Portugal national team, the notoriously mercurial Martinez was being brandied as the likely replacement. His work at Swansea City has been nothing short of sharp, and the Swans’ persistence toward promotion from the Championship this season may get their Spanish head man a clearer shot at vaulting upward.

Martinez, 35, has a distinct Keane feel because his last playing days were not long ago and yet he successfully has commanded an authoritative vibe that has translated into eye-catching results. Plus, the Tottenham sacking of Juande Ramos seems to have done little to diminish the reputation for resourceful Spanish leadership established by Rafa Benitez at Anfield.

On the same token, Paul Ince carried that Keane aura until he failed to jumpstart things at Blackburn.

*Roberto Di Matteo. In addition to the international flavor Martinez has and proof of a quick rise like Croyle, Di Matteo harbors know-how of a Big Four operation from his six years as a midfielder at Chelsea. Stops at Zurich and Lazio also gave him a bite of that prime time feel.

In less than two seasons at the helm of Milton Keynes Dons, he already has more wins (39) than his current age (38). A genuine Fabio Capello recommendation may be around the corner and his development of United States winger Jemal Johnson into a constant threat shows the ability to transform talent.

Wrapping up the rest of the Prem weekend…

OWED DRINKS: Nicolas Anelka. Bolton fans should be welcomed to rescind any spite that remains from the striker’s bolt last season to Chelsea, where his return to a high scoring stature this year — bolstered by a goal in his return to Reebok Stadium and a 2-0 win over the Wanderers on Saturday — prove his intentions were suitable.

OWES DRINKS: Wenger and the Gunners. A mere goal contributed to a decent outcome at home, a 1-0 win over Wigan. Arsenal fans who have come to expect the league’s most recognizable attack to score frequently have seen the team net just 15 goals in eight league matches at Emirates Stadium so far. At this juncture last season, Arsenal had 20.

GOAL FULFILLED: Ashley Young’s buzzer beater to sink Everton in Aston Villa’s 3-2 win at Goodison. Breaking straight from the kickoff following Joeleon Lescott’s equalizer, Young took Gabriel Agbonlahor’s flick pass on a race-away and proceeded to guide his low shot past Tim Howard in pacy-but-elegant fashion.

LET IT BE: No need for Fulham to come away pleased about the home 1-1 draw against Manchester City at Craven Cottage just because it extended their unbeaten run another week. First off, there is that clear vibe now existing that City’s legitimacy has just about completely wore off. Fulham also held an advantage in every main offensive category and didn’t prevail.

SAY IT IS SO: Sunderland were out-shot 31-3 overall, 8-0 on goal, gave up 10 corner kicks while taking merely one and were on the defensive end of possession for 72 percent of the match against United in the 1-0 loss. Maybe the defending champions are a little more woozy than we are slow to give them credit for.

3-POINT FINISH: The 59,317 spectators in attendance at the Emirates with the Lactics in town was Arsenal’s smallest league turnout since the move from Highbury in 2006. It also was the first time the 60,000 mark was not topped in a league contest there this season. … Michael Owen’s two goals for Newcastle in their 2-2 draw with Stoke City marked the first nicks on the score sheet by any player for the Magpies  in the three matches that he and Obafemi Martins have started together this season. The potentially dazzling forward duo, derailed by injuries on the behalf of both players, has yet to ignite the Magpies to victory, however. Newcastle is 0-0-3 with the two starting togethe. … Dancing in December has become a rite of passage at Tottenham since Martin Jol took over in 2004 and it has continued since his unceremonious exit. With Saturday’s 2-0 win over West Ham, Spurs are now 17-6-5 in league games during this festive month.