Ronaldo Wins Ballon d'Or

Real Madrid/Portugal Forward Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or award, given each year to the best, most valuable player of the year. It was Ronaldo's second year in a row of winning the award, and his third time overall. He scored 31 goals in 30 appearances last season for Real Madrid, before struggling in the World Cup because of multiple injuries. The other finalists that Ronaldo edged out were Barcelona/Argentina Forward Lionel Messi and FC Bayern/Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. 

Manchester United looking to improve from last year

Manchester United will be looking to improve on last year's poor season, in which they finished 7th in the league tables. They fired manager David Moyes, and hired the superb Louis Van Gaal, who is also the manager for the Netherlands. The Red Devils have plenty of talent, with star strikers Robin Van Persie of the Netherlands and Wayne Rooney of England, but the defense will be a big question mark after the news came out that right back Patrice Evra has left the club to go to the Italian Juventus. This will require defender Phil Jones to step up and play a bigger role in the 1st team. They also have a few solid players in the midfield that could potentially step up and be game changers this season, namely Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Nani, and Luis Antonio Valencia. There is also Javier "Chihcarito" Hernandez of Mexico, who could be entering a breakout year. Known for being just a young, sparky bench player, this could be the season he maintains a consistent level of solid, above-average play and cements his place on the 1st team. He could possibly pass Wayne Rooney as the team's #2 striker, who has had transfer rumors surrounding him for the past 2 years. His transfer fee could bring in enough money to sign a Van Gaal favorite such as Wesley Sneijder or Arjen Robben, players who are on the backend of their careers, but are still great players. 

James Rodriguez signs with Real Madrid

Colombian star James Rodriguez has signed with Real Madrid for a transfer fee somewhere between 101-102 million dollars. Rodriguez led the World Cup with 6 goals, and made it to the quarterfinals before losing 2-1 to the home Brazil. Rodriguez played just as well [and better, in my opinion] than some of the Cup's other biggest stars such as Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. He also outperformed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Xavi Hernandez, who all had underwhelming Cup performances. His arrival to Real Madrid bolsters the midfield and makes up for the loss of German star Mesut Ozil. Real Madrid also signed German midfielder Toni Kroos and Costa Rican goaltender Jesus Navas, both of whom had stellar Cup performances. The addition of this three, when paired with Real Madrid's already existing big three of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, France's Karim Benzema, and Spain's Sergio Ramos, makes this team even better than they were last year, when they won the UEFA Champions League, a tournament of all the best clubs in the world. This makes Real Madrid the most valuable sports franchise in the world, valued at approximately 3.48 billion dollars. 

World Cup Preview

Group A: 

1. Brazil, 9 points 

2. Mexico, 4 points 

3. Cameroon, 2 points 

4. Croatia, 1 point 

Group B: 

1. Spain, 7 points 

2. Chile, 3 points 

3. Australia, 2 points 

4. Netherlands, 2 points 

Group C: 

1. Columbia, 7 points 

2. Ivory Coast, 5 points 

3. Japan, 4 points 

4. Greece, 0 points 

Group D: 

1. Italy, 5 points 

2. England, 5 points

3. Costa Rica, 3 points 

4. Uruguay, 2 points 

Group E: 

1. Ecuador, 5 points 

2. Switzerland 4 points 

3. Honduras, 3 points 

4. France, 2 points 

Group F: 

1. Argentina, 9 points

2. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 4 points 

3. Nigeria, 4 points 

4. Iran, 0 points 

Group G: 

1. Germany, 7 points 

2. Ghana, 7 points 

3. Portugal, 1 point 

4. United States, 1 point 

Group H: 

1. Belgium, 7 points 

2. Algeria, 4 points 

3. South Korea, 2 points 

4. Russia, 2 points 

Round of 16 

Brazil 3-2 Chile 

Columbia 2-0 England 

Ecuador 2-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina 

Germany 4-1 Algeria 

Spain 2-1 Mexico 

Italy 2-2 Ivory Coast (Italy 5-4 on Penalty Kick's) 

Switzerland 2-1 Argentina 

Ghana 2-0 Belgium 

Quarterfinals 

Brazil 3-2 Columbia 

Germany 2-0 Ecuador 

Italy 2-1 Spain 

Ghana 3-0 Switzerland 

Semifinals 

Germany 1-0 Brazil

Ghana 3-2 Italy 

Final 

Ghana 1-0 Germany 

Can Neymar restore World Cup glory to Brasil?

In (American) football, it is said that winning the Super Bowl is easier than consistently being in the hunt for a Super Bowl. Well in (everywhere but America) football, that is especially true. Take for example the 2006 France World Cup team. They made the finals. Then, in 2010, France failed to get out of the group stage. Italy, the 2006 champion and a world-powerhouse, also failed to get out of their group.

It's also well-known that being the host country means almost nothing, as last year's host country, South Africa, was eliminated in the group stages. In case you didn't know, the World Cup is being played in Brazil this year. And in case you didn't know, the new face of Brazil football is Forward Neymar Jr,.

The 2010 World Cup was a bad campaign for the Brazilians. They lost in the Round of 16, their worst World Cup finish in recent memory. Some of the leaders of that squad, Midfielder Kakà and Defender Maicon, were noticeably left off this year's World Cup squad. They also got rid of their coach, Douga.

Kakà wore #10. Neymar wears #10. Kaká was the face of Brazil soccer, now that role has been shifted over to 23-year old Neymar. He'll need to produce quickly on the world's biggest stage, or he'll be demoted to solid rotation-player.

Most top-tier Brazil soccer players never get a chance to be The Guy. Star Ronaldo (not to be confused with Cristiano Ronaldo) was the hero for Brazil in the 2002 World Cup. In the next World Cup, that role was handed over to Ronaldhino. Then to Kaká in the 2010 World Cup. And now, to the young Neymar.

It's not as if he's not used to playing in big games. He signed with FC Barcelona, one of the world's best clubs, last year and helped them earn 2nd place in the highly-competitive La Liga. But he was not the leader of that team, or even the best player. He was simply the magnificent sidekick to Lionel Messi.

Now, he not only is required to be a leader, but he must step up and play like his team's best player. Plus, there is an enormous amount of added pressure when you put on that jersey, and realize that you are representing your country at the biggest sports event in the world. Especially being the best player on a team that expects you to win it all.

Because of all the pressure that is on powerhouse teams such as Brazil, Spain, and Germany, I would not at all be surprised if a dark-horse team such as Belgium, Mexico, or Ghana made a run at the Cup and maybe even win it. It is much like College Basketball, where teams like Kentucky, Kansas, and Duke are expected to be in title-contention every year, and they lose all their stars every year to the NBA.

But teams like Wichita State, Creighton, and Butler keep their stars for all four years and are able to sneak up on inexperienced powerhouse teams. Just like in College Basketball, powerhouses are expected to produce immediately, and if they don't, new, and inexperienced players are brought in. But the Belgiums and Ghanas have the same players for a longer stretch of time, because their fans don't expect so much out of them. 

There is an enormous amount of pressure on Neymar to lead Brazil to World Cup victory, we'll find out soon enough if he can handle it. 

News

NBA 

What's wrong with Indiana?

The Pacers were a seemingly insurmountable 3 games ahead of rival Miami Heat with 12 games to go and they led the tiebreaker as well. Then they lost to the Wizards in Washington, and the Heat easily handled the league-worst Bucks. Alright, I thought at the time, at least we still have a 2-game lead. I then wrote the article that I recently published about the game being on in the NBA between the two archenemies. Then Indiana dropped a third straight game to Cleveland (!), without star (and only All-Star) Kyrie Irving (!!!). Of course Miami responded by defeating the Raptors in Toronto. The Pacers then lost 101-77 to the San Antonio Spurs at home! As if on cue, Miami won again! After another Pacers loss was coupled with a Miami win, the Heat lead Indiana by 1-game going into the season's final week! And with upcoming games against the Thunder, and @ the Heat, the Pacers are in no condition to get back atop the East standings and snatch the #1 seed before the playoffs start. There's no way this Pacers team, especially in its current state, can BEAT THE HEAT in a best-of-seven playoff-series WITHOUT home-court advantage. (Sigh.) Goodbye season, goodbye...

NFL

The Houston Texans signed injury-prone former New York Giants Running Back to a 1-year deal. Brown should be a nice complimentary back to aging-star Arian Foster, who missed a large chunk of last season with a nagging knee-injury. The Giants opted not to re-sign Brown after they signed journeyman Rashad Jennings, who played solid last year for the Raiders when starter Darren McFadden, in a hope to solidify last years mediocre-is-an-overstatement running game along with David Wilson, who struggled with fumble-issues when he was healthy, and missed a lot of the season from a neck injury that team doctors say could come back to him at any given time. 

The Raiders have traded for former Texans Quarterback Matt Schaub and the 49ers have traded for former Jaguars Quarterback Blaine Gabbert. 

The Colts have re-signed Cornerback Vontae Davis, but they lost Running Back Donald Brown to the Chargers and Pro Bowl Safety Antoine Bethea to the 49ers. 

MLB 

Who cares? 

Actually, I actually watched an ENTIRE baseball game the other night. And by entire I mean the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings. 

Soccer 

The World Cup (my favorite sporting event) is coming in June! I can't wait! I'll have you covered with a preview of it when the time comes. 

#belgiumalltheway

Golf 

If you are a golf fan, you are reading the wrong blog. But if you ARE a golf fan and you ARE reading this, Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the prestigious Masters with a back injury. 

College Basketball 

The Uconn Huskies won the men's National Championship Monday. They defeated the Kentucky Wildcats. 

Sophomore Oklahoma State Point Guard Marcus Smart, Freshman Syracuse Point Guard Tyler Ennis, and Freshman Kansas Shooting Guard Andrew Wiggins have all entered the NBA Draft. Fellow freshmen Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid are weighing whether or not to enter the draft. 

2014 World Cup Predictions

 Win= 3 points 

Tie= 1 point 

Loss= 0 points 

pts=points 

Group Stage

Group A:

1. Brazil 7 pts 

2. Mexico 4 pts 

3. Cameroon 3 pts 

4. Croatia 1pt 

This is a relatively weak group with the only serious threat to win the Cup in the group being Brazil. Cameroon or Mexico could sneak up on teams though. Croatia will finish in Group A's cellar.

Group B: 

1. Spain 7pts

2. Chile 5pts 

3. Australia 1pt

4. Netherlands 1pt 

Defending Champion Spain and Defending 2nd place Netherlands are in this group but I'd look for Chile as a dark-horse. Australia will likely not make it out of the group. 

Group C:

1. Columbia 5pts 

2. Japan 4pts 

3. Ivory Coast 4pts 

4. Greece 1pt 

Japan is expected to get out of the group while Columbia is a much better squad than people give them credit for. Ivory Coast and Greece will struggle against the two top-teams. 

Group D: 

1. Italy 6pts 

2. England 5pts

3. Uruguay 2pts 

4. Costa Rica 2pts 

This is a rather strong group with defending 4th place Uruguay and powerhouses Italy and England. Poor Costa Rica stands next to no chance of advancing. 

Group E: 

1. Switzerland 5pts 

2. Ecuador 4pts 

3. Honduras 2pts

4. France 2pts 

This group is one of the best in the cup as Honduras and Switzerland could contend for a cup, and Ecuador is a dark-horse, while France is a proven powerhouse. 

Group F: 

1. Argentina 9pts 

2. Nigeria 4pts 

3. Bosnia-Herzegovina 

4. Iran 1pt

This is a weak group with a lock in Argentina and not much else.

Group G:

1. Ghana 6pts 

2. Germany 5pts 

3. United States 2pts 

4. Portugal 2pts 

This is easily the strongest group with all 4 teams set to be contenders to bring home the cup but only 2 can advance. It will be interesting to see how it all turns out. 

Group H:

1. Belgium 5pts 

2. South Korea 5pts 

3. Algeria 2pts 

4. Russia 1pt 

This is a weak group, however, Belgium is a major dark-horse.

Advancers: Algeria, Belgium 

Round of 16

Brazil 2-1 Chile

Columbia 2-0 England 

Switzerland 2-0 Nigeria 

Ghana 2-2 South Korea (Ghana 4-3 on PK's) 

Spain 0-1 Mexico 

Italy 2-1 Japan 

Argentina 2-3 Ecuador 

Belgium 3-1 Germany 

Quarter finals 

Brazil 2-0 Columbia 

Switzerland 0-1 Ghana

Italy 3-0 Mexico 

Ecuador 0-1 Belgium 

Semifinals 

Brazil 1-1 Ghana (Ghana 4-2 on PK's)

Italy 0 Belgium 1 

Final 

Ghana 1-2 Belgium 

Ronaldo wins Ballon d'Or

 Real Madrid Midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or award, an award given to the years best player. Ronaldo beat out FC Barcelona Midfielder Lionel Messi for the award, and although many say Ronaldo only won the award because Messi was injury-riddled in '13, that was not the case. Ronaldo won the award because he was simply better than Messi. 

Top 10 Soccer Clubs in the World

1. FC Barcelona 

2. Real Madrid 

3. Bayern Munich 

4. Chelsea 

5. Manchester City

6. Manchester United

7. Paris Saint-German

8. Athletico Madrid

9. Dortmund 

10. Inter Milan 

Is there anyone on the same level as Ronaldo and Messi?

In the world of soccer, the 2 best players are hands-down Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Lionel Messi of Barcelona. But is there another player that is relatively near either of those 2? Here are three candidates:

1. Neymar Brazilian Forward of Barcelona

Neymar is young and has the potential to be better than Ronaldo and Messi in a couple of years. Although he is not quite on their level yet come back in a year or 2. 

2. Robin Van Persie Holland Forward of Manchester United 

Van Persie was the English Premier League Most Valuable Player [MVP] with Arsenal and when Manchester United gave up millions of dollars to acquire him, I, like so many others, did not believe he was worth the money and that the MVP year was a fluke. However, I was very wrong. Not only is Van Persie wreaking havoc with his own scoring skills, he is also finding excellent assists to fellow Forward Wayne Rooney who just barely missed the cut on this list. But he needs more than a knack for the goal to be in the same class as Ronaldo or Messi.

3. Xavi Hernandez Spanish Midfielder of Barcelona 

Another Barcelona player, Xavi has been the best at what he does: pass the ball and get everyone involved. A winner of a World Cup and two Euro Championship's with Spain, Xavi has seen his skills drop off slightly this year and last. That is why I must say that Xavi is not in the Ronaldo-Messi class.

Did I leave someone out? Or put someone too high? Post your comments!

Soccer Head-to-Head: Who is the #1 GK?

Iker Cassillas vs. Gianluigi Buffon

This is an analysis that will decide who the best Goaltender in the world is.

Reflexes:

Cassillas has amazing reflexes, but Buffon had the best reflexes of any Goaltender in the world when he was in his prime. But the question is, who's reflexes are better now? Cassillas has a World Cup to his name, but so does Buffon. Cassillas is backed by 4 star defenders in Puyol, Pique, Sergio Ramos, and Capedivilla. Buffon, however, does not have 4 star defenders. This is just SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO close. But, in the end, 

Advantage: Buffon

Field Ability:

Neither player has any known Field Ability.

PK'S:

Cassillas and Buffon are both good at stopping PK's but I've got to give it to Cassillas because of his long stretchability. 

Advantage: Cassillas 

Positioning 

This is very close as positioning is a big part of PK's, however,  Buffon is more experienced and thus earns the win.

Advantage:

Kick:

Buffon is just as good as any other keeper whereas, Cassillas possesses real talent in this aspect. 

Advantage: Cassillas 

It's close but the the overall winner is:

Overall Winner: Tie 

Soccer Head-to-Head

Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo

This is an analysis which will decide who is the best soccer player in the world.

Speed:

Lionel Messi is easily the fastest soccer player in the world. Ronaldo is speedy also but in a foot race he would be eating Messi's dust.

Winner: Messi

Header: 

Cristiano Ronaldo has an outstanding header, one of the best in the world even. Meanwhile, Messi, at Five Foot Eight is much too short and lacks a great header.

Winner: Ronaldo

Keeper Abilities:

Neither player has any known keeper abilities.

Winner: Draw

Power:

Ronaldo has an amazing amount of shot power whereas, it's still a weak point in Messi's game.

Winner: Ronaldo 

Accuracy: 

Both players have such incredible accuracy I don't know how I could pick either player. 

Winner: Draw

Footwork:

Lionel Messi has the best footwork out of anyone in soccer history. Ronaldo isn't too bad, either, but this is Messi's signature skill. 

Winner: Messi

That's the end of the analysis. So, who's the best player? It's hard to tell but I've got to say Ronaldo because of his experience.

Overall Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo

Brazil wins Confed Cup

Futebol: Brasil wins the Confederations Cup

Brasil won the Confederations Cup over Spain with 2 goals from Fred and 1 from star Neymar. 

They were up 2-0 at the half and went on to win 3-0. This clinches them a World Cup spot and makes them the early favorites to win the Cup.

Also, the World Cup will be held in Brasil.

Futebol: Brasils Star

Ronaldo is gone. Ronaldinho is gone. Kàka is injured.  Luis Fabiano is a shell of himself. So how is Brasil one of the top teams in World Cup Qualifying, or, as it's better known, the Confederations Cup? Easy, they keep getting fresh legs. It seems like when I look away as soon as I look back the Brazilians have a new young star. Now it's Neymar who's their new star. And he's looking to not only lead them to a World Cup berth but also a World Cup championship for the first time in a long time. Oh yeah, the Brazilians are ready to face the challenge. If Kàka comes back fully healthy, even the Spanish could be in trouble.

Futebol: USA flies

Team USA is flying through World Cup Qualifying. With a roughly 98 percent chance of making the World Cup. And yet they are missing star Landon Donovan. So how are they managing to sustain such a hot streak? Simple. This has become Midfielder Clint Dempsey's team. He's playing like the great Pele right now and no one can stop him. Can USA really do the unheard of and win the Confederations Cup? We'll have to wait and see.