via FIFA

In most cases, people can do little about their first names. Ultimately, it is a decision taken at such an early stage in life that any choice over the matter is virtually impossible.

They are often passed down through generations or simply selected for their beauty or sound, but in the case of Edson Buddle, the source of his forename is rather different. He was named after one of the greatest and most famous footballers of all time: Pele, or Edson Arantes do Nascimento to be precise.

The 30-year-old striker, whose Jamaica-born dad Winston was also a professional footballer, told FIFA.com: “That’s right, my father was a big fan of Pele. Of course I never really had a say in it, but I think it’s a great honour if your father names you after such a great person.”

With such an iconic namesake to live up to as well as a footballer father, Buddle’s path to becoming a professional player was almost predestined. “My dad only ever wanted me to play football as a kid,” he revealed. “I doubt he would ever have guessed I’d get so far, but he’s very happy about it.”

More on FIFA.com’s Interview w/ Edson Buddle after the Jump…….

Buddle has managed three goals in ten appearances for USA, though interestingly seven years separate his first full cap in 2003 from his second in 2010. “It was disappointing not to be a part of it for so long, but it’s not the end of the world,” he said.

“It gave me a chance to concentrate on myself. I didn’t do enough to play for the national team during that time, but I’ve worked on my game and now I’m involved again, something I’m very happy about.”

Buddle could not have timed his comeback better, making his return to the fold shortly before the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, which was like “living the American dream” according to the goal-getter.

“It was great,” he said. “Normally I’m just a spectator, but this time I took part. Of course I would have liked to have played more, but I’ll never forget being part of the World Cup squad. It was one of the highlights of my career, without a doubt.”

Klinsmann praise, Brazil quest
With USA set to battle it out with Guatemala, Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica for a place at Brazil 2014, another chance to prove himself at the highest level could well be on the horizon: “It’s a challenge. Any of these teams are capable of beating us. Obviously I’m hoping to be involved again.”

Currently responsible for the Stars and Stripes’ fortunes is former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann. “He’s great, he was one of my role models,” said Buddle. “I used to have a poster of the Germany team which won the 1990 World Cup on my wall. I can learn a lot from him. I listen a lot more now because I know who he is and what he can do.

“[Bob] Bradley and Klinsmann are fairly similar. As coaches they have the same experience, but Jurgen was a fantastic player. He played at the highest level and knows what he’s talking about. Perhaps that’s the biggest difference.”

Unsurprisingly, Buddle turned to Klinsmann for advice when he was considering a move abroad: “He recommended that I go to Germany when we met in LA. He said it would be a challenge for me, and that’s what life is all about.”

After netting nine goals in 31 appearances in just under a year with German second division outfit FC Ingolstadt, Buddle recently returned to former club Los Angeles Galaxy, where he had previously spent three years between 2007 and 2010: “I’m pleased that the chance arose to return to an MLS club which has been so important to my career.”

Back under Klinsi’s gaze, Buddle is again hoping to establish himself in the national side ahead of Brazil 2014. “It would be nice to play at a World Cup again, but really I’m just happy to be part of the process,” he told FIFA.com. “You have to set yourself different goals in life and make sure you achieve them.”

Buddle has already begun setting himself new targets for the future, earning a coaching license and expressing a keen interest in “passing on some of what I’ve learned to the kids”. Having already overcome the challenges of living up to his famous namesake, making his international comeback and proving himself in a European league, few would bet against the American doing just that.

“I am very shocked and saddened to learn this evening that a large number of football supporters have died or been injured following a match in Port Said, Egypt.

My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives this evening.

This is a black day for football. Such a catastrophic situation is unimaginable and should not happen.”

via Guardian

Blatter poured scorn on the disgraced ex-Fifa vice-president Jack Warner’s threat of a “tsunami” of revelations of malpractice involving Blatter at Fifa. Warner claimed he was given World Cup TV rights for one US dollar in return for supporting Blatter’s presidential hopes in 1998 and 2002.

Blatter confirmed that Warner had been given the TV rights from 1986 to 1998 for a dollar – but blamed the late Mexican Fifa vice-president Guillermo Canedo, a TV tycoon, and said it was nothing to do with him.

“From 1986 and until 1998 he was awarded the television rights for one dollar by Mr Canedo,” said Blatter. “Why? Because Mr Canedo wanted to keep the vice-presidency of Fifa and Mr Warner had a majority in Concacaf.”

He added in a separate interview in the German magazine Kicker: “There is no tsunami. Jack Warner is claiming I assigned him the TV rights for Trinidad for one dollar when I was first elected in 1998.

“That’s not true. We had no influence on the assignment of these rights. He acquired them in 1986 from OTI [Organización de Telecomunicaciones Iberoamericanas]. But I do know what I’ve done wrong! I’ve taken Fifa out of the red, which was the situation when I became president in 1998, and into the black.”

via Guardian

Sepp Blatter has claimed Michel Platini is “ready” to succeed him as the head of Fifa – and that the Frenchman will make a good president of the game’s world governing body.

Platini, the Uefa president, has so far refused to confirm whether he will stand when Blatter steps down in 2015, but the current Fifa supremo is convinced that he wants the job.

“Michel Platini is ready. If he wishes. He says ‘I do not know’… but deep down, he wants it,” Blatter said in an interview with France Football. “He will be a good president of course. He will not be the same president as me, because everyone is different, but he will be good president.”

from FIFA.com:

A dozen stadiums throughout the country will play their part in hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. From the Arena Amazonia in Manaus in the far northwest of the country to the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre in the south, all 12 will have a share in hosting the 64 matches that will make up the 20th edition of football’s greatest tournament.

Hit the jump to check a few of my favorite stadiums presented… The BP_TOW team will definitely try and make it to each stadium for at least one game in 2014…..

Of the three biggest clubs in Sao Paulo, the only one which previously did not own a stadium with the necessary size and infrastructure to host games was the city’s best-supported side: Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. The Arena de Sao Paulo has been chosen to host the Opening Match of Brazil 2014 and will also welcome five other encounters, including one semi-final.

Arena de Sao Paulo – Sao Paulo

In 2003, alcohol was banned at Brazilian football matches as part of attempts to tackle violence between rival football fans – Brewer Budweiser is a big Fifa sponsor – and the country’s health minister, Alexandre Padilha, has urged Congress to maintain the ban in the new law. This is a problem.

Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke is visiting Brazil to press for progress on the much-delayed World Cup law.

“Alcoholic drinks are part of the Fifa World Cup, so we’re going to have them. Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that’s something we won’t negotiate,” he said. “The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law.”

via [BBC News]

1 – Spain (1564) / 2 – Netherlands (1365) / 3 – Germany (1345) / 4 – Uruguay (1309) / 5 England (1173)

*US MNT – 33 (721)

Check out the rest of the top 25 after the jump….

6 Brazil 1143
7 Portugal 1100
8 Croatia 1091
9 Italy 1082
10 Argentina 1067
11 Denmark 1032
12 Chile 973
13 Russia 971
14 Greece 964
15 France 915
16 Switzerland 898
17 Sweden 891
18 Côte d’Ivoire 889
19 Bosnia-Herzegovina 869
19 Japan 869
21 Australia 866
21 Mexico 866
23 Republic of Ireland 864
24 Norway 788
25 Slovenia 780

The full list is available at FIFA.com

via FIFA

FIFA.com caught up with Jurgen Klinsmann to discuss his first six months in charge of USA. A legendary former player who dazzled for Germany, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur, the 47-year-old spoke candidly about his hopes to transform American soccer from floor to ceiling.

Calling Southern California home for the past 13 years, the ex-Germany coach talks affectionately of his “special relationship” with the USA and his hopes to overhaul the country’s football. Tactics, individual responsibility, technique, nutrition, fitness, philosophy – it is all on the table for the energetic Klinsmann, who pulls no punches. “No spot is guaranteed” in his team, he warned in the first instalment of this exclusive two-part interview.    

FIFA.com: Jurgen, can you describe your first six months in charge?
Jurgen Klinsmann: This is a transition period. We are moving away from a reactive style of play to a proactive style. We want to play with the big teams; we want to take on the bigger nations and play like they play. This requires a different way of working from the top to the bottom. There is the physical side, the technical side, the fitness side, and the tactical side. We need to improve all areas of the game and this doesn’t happen overnight.

This seems a tough task. How are the players reacting to your new approach?
I think they’re getting the message. They’re taking to the idea of training harder, doing double sessions. I ask a lot of them from a tactical perspective, but also things like nutrition and lifestyle. It’s important to show them that they need to go further all the time, that it is up to them to drive themselves forward.

Check out Part 1 of Jurgen Klinsmann’s Interview with FIFA

Check out Part 2 of Jurgen Klinsmann’s Interview with FIFA