Getty Images Before we talk about Everton’s amazing start to the 2012-13 Premiership season, let’s talk about the other side of Saturday’s surprising result out of Villa Park.
Everton’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa tells us the Toffies’ opening win over Manchester United was no fluke – which you knew if you watched that match. Belgian international Marouane Fellaini looked terrific again, scoring his second goal in as many matches for the Goodison Park side.
But let’s drool all over David Moyes’ side another day.
For now, let’s talk about Shay Given. And specifically, about what another clunker from Aston Villa’s No. 1 will mean for we Yanks. Because, of course, we should always talk about what these things mean for we Yanks.
Brad Guzan (pictured) is the man in waiting around Villa Park goal. He’s also the presumed second man in U.S. goal, although Nick Rimando tends to get to more matches, somewhat as a matter of logistics.
Guzan, 27, toyed with the idea of moving away from Aston Villa this year. But management convinced him he would have a real chance to start for Villa, and that holding steady was the way to go.
Well here we are. Given looked shaky at best for Ireland at Euro 2012. Against that lesser stable backdrop we arrive at Saturday, when he was completely at fault on Everton’s second goal.
So … ?
Things are not going well for the Birmingham side. There’s noise about American owner Randy Lerner and the need for a little wallet opening and some quick, transfer window hocus pocus.
But the move manager Paul Lambert could make immediately, the one that might boost confidence and won’t cost a dime, is Guzan in goal for Given.
If it happens, the U.S. backstopping becomes that much stronger, because Guzan needs games at a high level. Let’s watch close and see if it’s his time.
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USA Today reports LA Galaxy trade Mike Magee for rights to Robbie Rogers
May 24, 2013, 9:29 PM EDT
In a mind-blowing move, USA Today have reported the LA Galaxy have sent a player to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to Robbie Rogers.
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Internazionale officially announced they have sacked Andrea Stramaccioni and hired the former Napoli boss.
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AP
Tony Fernandes has finally taken some blame for the relegation of QPR instead of shedding it left and right.
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Getty Images
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed Chelsea interm manager Rafa Benitez is set to move to Serie A on a 2-year deal with Napoli.
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USMNT forward Terrence Boyd on ex-club Borussia Dortmund’s UCL charge
May 24, 2013, 3:00 PM EDT
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Boyd left Dortmund last season, so is a USMNT player destined to never play in a Champions League final?
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Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen’s new book reveals past life as gambling addict
May 24, 2013, 2:50 PM EDT
Who knew that Jimmy Nielsen’s burst of white hair wasn’t the craziest thing about Sporting Kansas City’s talented goalkeeper?
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Further MLS attachment to the English Premier League is a good thing … right?
May 24, 2013, 2:45 PM EDT
A blog post in the New Yorker looks at another side to this week’s huge expansion news:
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Both teams are on streaks of success – even if “success” look so radically different in the two camps:
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German invasion of London begins as fans of Munich, Dortmund descend on Wembley
May 24, 2013, 1:56 PM EDT
AP
See the sights around London, as Wembley Stadium welcomes German fans in abundance.
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Champions League final preview: A bitter rivalry with much higher stakes
May 24, 2013, 1:30 PM EDT
Reuters
When Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund tomorrow at 2:45 ET at Wembley, they won’t be playing for the right to be recognized as permanent contenders. They’ve already done that.
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Are AS Monaco the real deal after signing Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez?
May 24, 2013, 1:13 PM EDT
Reuters
Monaco’s Russian oligarch owner is splashing the cash to bring Champions League success, can they do it?
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With MLS expansion done for now, where the league priorities should land
May 24, 2013, 1:00 PM EDT
We have five suggestions as MLS pivots its enhancement efforts away from expansion:
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Minnows Gibraltar officially join UEFA… but why are Spain mad?
May 24, 2013, 12:32 PM EDT
Reuters
Looking behind the incredible story of the tiny rock in the Mediterranean, that can now take on the giants of European soccer
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Champions League Final: Key battles for Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
May 24, 2013, 11:38 AM EDT
Which individual battles will determine which side lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy at Wembley on Saturday?
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Courtesy of MySanAntonio.com
We take a look at which US cities deserve an MLS expansion franchise and how close they are to getting it. Thoughts?

