Around The World in 80 Keystrokes

Getting pretty thin here in advance of the coming weekend's internationals.  Saw that Brazil beat Iran 3-nothing earlier today, although I don't believe that actually qualifies as news.

Lost in Translation.  Kiko Macheda was quoted today in famed Italian sports mag Gazzetta dello Sport as calling teammate Wayne Rooney "crass and vulgar."  Elsewhere, Macheda's remark were translated as calling Rooney a "chav."  I'm not sure either of those translations are correct, or furthermore what the latter term even means.  I highly doubt Macheda actually used the term "crass" or "vulgar," as only a true englishman would use such formal language to describe a fun-loving rogue like Rooney, and I refuse to believe that the term "chav" is actually English.  Sounds more like Italian to me.....  I think the actual term that Macheda used was "coatto," but as you'll recall that I am still searching night and day for a suave Italian correspondent who can sit idly by while wearing a sleek black Armani suit, smoke cigarettes in a bored-with-the-world type manner, and sleep with American women while reading Gazzetta dello Sport and translating Italian football interviews for farlieonfootie, I don't have a definitive handle on the story at this juncture.

Great Football Story, Even Better Personal Story.  ESPN the Magazine features a great story this week on the comeback of US Mens' National Team forward Charlie Davies.  Chronicling his remarkable recovery from a life-threatening crash almost a year ago, the story is an uplifting read on the powers of belief and determination.  Nothing funny to add here, but definitely worth your time to read.

photo by mikebrown59	via PhotoRee

The Man United Goal is Becoming a Crowded Place.  Here's another name to add to the list of the many goalkeepers United is supposedly "keeping tabs" on: Gigi Buffon.  Don't know where he's going to fit, as United has already "earmarked" David De Gea of Atletico, Igor Akinfeev of CSKA's Army Men, and Aalesund's Anders Lindegaard among others to replace current starter Edwin Van der Sar, who appears ready to retire at season's end.  Not that any of those rumors will sit well with the present heir apparent, Thomas Kuszczak.

Calling Albert de Salvo to the Witness Stand, Please; We Need a Character Reference on David Berkowitz.  The latest player to stand up in defense of Nigel De Jong is none other than legbreaker Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City, one of the kings of the au courant "stuck in" style of defending.  Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal would have been happy to stand up for De Jong, too, if only Shawcross' shocking tackle that ended his season last year made it hard for Ramsey to stand up for much of anything at all these days.  For good measure, Shawcross also backed  Wolves' Karl Henry in the same interview.  Henry, you'll recall, not only broke Bobby Zamora's leg a few weeks back, he was involved just this past week in this lovely little piece of defending.   Can you imagine the bloodshed that would occur if these three ever played on the same team?

And that's farlieonfootie for October 8.