Martin O'Neill - Jonesy702 photo

SPORTS NOTES EXTRA - WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH (Martin) O'NEILL?

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

As the dust settles and before paralysis sets in news is leaking out that O'Neill and the teams American owner Randy Lerner had a disagreement - Freddie Ljungberg announced he that was joining MLS Franchise Chicago Fire Soccer Club - FIFA TOP 10

Monday August 16, 2010

OUTTA HERE

With Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill quitting just a few days before the start of the Premiere League season it raises the question what's the deal with Martin O'Neill? The squad took the news well as they opened up their season yesterday with a 3-0 win over West Ham.

As the dust settles and before paralysis sets in news is leaking out that O'Neill and the teams American owner Randy Lerner had a disagreement being O'Neill was requesting some of the money from the proposed sale of James Milner to Manchester City and Ashley Young for an unknown destination to purchase players. Some players welcomed the departure of their manager for selfish reasons that they will possibly get more playing time when a new manager takes charge. Keeper Brad Friedel was somewhat shocked at the immediacy of the situation but then took it all in stride as in the show must go on.

The club improved during O'Neill's tenure. In his first season the side finished in 11th place. That was followed by three successive 6th place finishes with 2 point incremental improvements in points each season from 60-62-64.

O'Neill did a credible job but there is something very strange about this surprising turn of events and more will come out in the wash. Stay tuned...

Freddie Ljungberg - Magazine Café photo

MLS CHANGES with FREDDIE LJUNGBERG

After receiving a press release that former Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg was thanking most everyone involved with his stay at the Seattle Sounders brought about another WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

Research was in order and the result was the Ljungberg who was a big signing for the Sounders three seasons ago wanted a bigger contract that the Sounders denied. Ljungberg then moved on to the Chicago Fire while in his absence the Sounders improved their record and his replacement excelled.

The following is Ljungberg's press release from July 30 via Business Wire:

Freddie Ljungberg Announces He is Joining MLS Franchise Chicago Fire Soccer Club

Freddie Ljungberg is releasing the following statement about his move from the Seattle Sounders FC to the Chicago Fire Soccer Club: "There has been a lot of speculation, but no more…I want to start off by saying how proud I am to have been part of the most successful new franchise in MLS history, the Seattle Sounders FC. I didn't know exactly what to expect when I first came to Seattle but I have to say that how the city and the fans have embraced me has gone beyond my wildest dreams and for that I am forever grateful. I also want to thank my teammates who are absolutely great on and off the pitch. I have made some very close friends who I know I will be in contact with forever.

"I also want to add, as a huge hockey fan, congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the Stanley Cup. I look forward to introducing myself a bit better at the press conference next week in Chicago." "I have been thinking long and hard about the next step in my career and I am extremely happy to announce that I will be the newest member of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club and I will join the team this Sunday in Los Angeles.

"I had a very long and exciting meeting with Andrew Hauptman and Frank Klopas; the vision they shared with me about taking Chicago to the next step and becoming a power house in the MLS was extremely appealing to me. I am very much looking forward to working together with my teammates and becoming an active part of the community which has such a strong, successful sports tradition.

"I also want to add, as a huge hockey fan, congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the Stanley Cup."

FIFA TOP 10 - USA fall five places - Spain Remain on Top

National teams take a break - Whether up or down the ranking – are due to points won in previous years dropping in value

Only two international matches have been taken into account for the new edition of the FIFA World Ranking, which is hardly surprising for the period immediately after the FIFA World Cup. Consequently, virtually all of the moves of note – whether up or down the ranking – are due to points won in previous years dropping in value. The USA (18th, down 5) are the biggest victims this month as their four victories at the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009, which were valuable in terms of points, have now been devalued.

Meanwhile, Ukraine (24th, up 1) and Mexico (25th, down 1) trade places. Colombia (36th) and Bolivia (50th) may have only gained a few points, but that is still enough to see them both climb three places. The only teams to jump more than three places are El Salvador (86th, up 4), Namibia (115th, up 4) and New Caledonia (154th, up 8).

National teams will return to action on the day that this edition of the world ranking is published, as more than 50 friendly matches will take place on 11 August (22 involving teams that played in the 2010 World Cup, including seven head-to-heads), which means that there will be more movement in the September ranking. Three amendments have also been made to the confederation weightings used to determine the FIFA World Ranking.

These weightings are based on results at the last three World Cups. Following the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, matches over the next four years involving teams from South America, North, Central America and the Caribbean, and Africa will receive a slightly higher weighting: Europe 1.00, South America 1.00 (+0.02), North, Central America and the Caribbean 0.88 (+0.02), Africa 0.86 (+0.01), Asia and Oceania (both 0.85).

Summary

* Leader Spain (unchanged)

* Moves into top ten none

* Moves out of top ten none

* Matches played in total 2

* Most matches played Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana , Trinidad und Tobago , Zimbabwe (1 match each)

* Biggest move by points El Salvador, New Caledonia (both up 17 points)

* Biggest move by ranks New Caledonia (up 8)

* Biggest drop by points Netherlands Antilles (down 41 points)

* Biggest drop by ranks Netherlands Antilles (down 5)

* Newly ranked teams none

* Teams that are no longer ranked none

* Inactive teams (not ranked) São Tomé e Príncipe

FIFA TOP 10 for August, 2010

Rank -- Team -- Points

1. Spain - 1883

2. Netherlands - 1659

3. Brazil - 1524

4. Germany - 1464

5. Argentina - 1288

6. Uruguay - 1152

7. England - 1125

8. Portugal - 1062

9. Egypt - 1053

10. Chile - 988

The next edition of the FIFA World Ranking will be published on September 15, 2010.

FIFA