Did you know that more Americans are watching top international soccer matches than ever before? Yes, it WAS rhetorical and also not surprising to football fanatics like us, but it’s good for those less passionate or informed Americans to know – so spread the word! Besides that remarkable data, today’s Daily Kick Around is chock-full of soccer news for your mid-week fix. Headlines include Fabrice Muamba’s return to Reebok Stadium, a new head coach named for England and so much more. Get over your Wednesday hump and read on for the exciting soccer news of the day.
English Premier League
A warm welcome back to Fabrice Muamba, who will attend his first Premier League event since his cardiac arrest occurred March 17. The Bolton midfielder has made a remarkably quick recovery but is uncertain about his football career at this time. We’ve missed you!
EPL Results
Everton fans were hoping for a win last night, but a single point is still satisfying considering Liverpool lost to Fulham on the same night. Everton is currently in seventh place, only three points above their Merseyside rivals with only two weeks left in the season. Everton may well finish above the 18-time champions for the first time. Dig it out to the end Toffees!
Today’s EPL Fixtures
Chelsea v New Castle United
Bolton v Tottenham
The Football Association made a surprising announcement today. They named West Brom manager Gary Hodgeson as the new manager for England on a four-year contract. Most people predicted Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp would get the job, but the FA insisted Hodgeson was their first choice.
This year, more US television viewers tuned in to the highest level of football than last year. Both Champions League semi-final matches and Monday’s Manchester Derby averaged over a million viewers, up 29% from 2011. American’s have been a bit slow to embrace the sport with the same passion as the rest of the world, but this is a good sign in the right direction.
Serie A
Last night’s win over Palermo puts Napoli firmly into the third place position in the Italian league and gives them the final Champions League berth. Their 2-0 victory broke a four-way tie and gives them the opportunity to return to Europe’s top competition next season after a stellar performance this year.
Getafe 1 – 1 Santander
Granada 2 – 1 Espanyol
Gijon 2 – 3 Villareal
Atletico v Sociedad
Barcelona v Malaga
Mallorca v Vallecana
Zaragoza v Levante
Sevilla v Betis
A Bilbao v Real Madrid
Valencia v Osasuna
