When Lewandowski scored 10 times!

Robert Lewandowski has gotten worldwide acclaim for his five-goal haul Tuesday.

Long-time followers of the Pole know he scored double that on one occasion, as the video above shows!

Bundesliga tops Premier League once again!

It has been confirmed yet again that the Bundesliga is better than the Premier League in giving fans value for their euros (or pounds or dollars).

The GoEuro Football Price Index says that the average price of top-flight football in Germany is about 23 quid compared to over 53 for a boring Premier League match where you can eat the terrible local cuisine. 

The story also notes how 1,000 Britons each week go to Union Berlin games. This highlights the idiocy of the English fans, who could easily support Europa League candidate Hertha instead.

Also notable is Argentina ranking fifth and Brazil at 10th on the list with no sign of our MLS, which likely was not considered.

"It was crazy"

We would like to congratulate all football fans who were treated to a magical moment Tuesday night. Robert Lewandowski's magical five-goal haul in nine minutes has brought joy to the usually scandal-ridden footballing world.

As our loyal followers know, this blog usually spends time lamenting the lack of a superstar club in Berlin, as this brilliant expose highlights the situation in the German capital.  And our heroes from Hertha BSC were victorious on this night with an easy 2-0 win over 1. FC Koln.

But the Polish superstar Lewandowski simply was a joy to behold, performing a footballing feat that defies the laws of athletics. It was something usually produced by superstars like the NFL's Aaron Rodgers, tennis' Roger Federer and cricket's Sachin Tendulkar - all legends in their respective fields.

Lewandowski does not rate at that level but give him time. With Bayern trailing 1-0 at the half, he unleashed a master class that he could only say "was crazy." That doesn't even begin to describe it. It was out of this world, heavenly and quietly reaffirming that football can be a force for good rather than evil.

Folks, the football world and sports in general is very commercial in nature and even this blog has been forced to turn to Google ads - so watch for them. In a world where money reigns supreme, it was nice to see the joy of the game personified by one Mr. Lewandowski, who proved yet again why we all exist - because of football and the beautiful game that it is. Danke, Herr Lewandowski, danke.

'People in America don't understand'

Credit U.S. No. 1 goalkeeper Brad Guzan for explaining just what top-level European football is all about in his latest column for club side Aston Villa.   The shot-stopper is preparing for a double-dose of derbies with a Premier League matchup with West Bromwich Albion before a "Second City" clash with Birmingham City in the Carling Cup.

Guzan knows that Villa Park will be rocking. But do American fans know what that means?

Said Guzan: "People in America don't understand how passionate and how big rivalries are in this country when it comes to football matches."
"In the US you could go and watch a match between two big rivals in baseball or American football and you could sit in the same bar or pub and have a pint."
"There's no division in terms of home and away supporters in America. Everyone's scattered around the stadium and sits where they want. It's more passionate here."

Guzan is right. American MLS fans don't have that passion. Credit the Premier League for being the best in the world when it comes to that and we can't wait to watch more exciting Aston Villa football to see this. The larger point is what U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann says in declaring that the public here isn't educated enough about the game. 

Let's face it, Americans: we don't understand football.

WILLKOMMEN!

As most of our loyal readers know, one of the favorites of this blog is the beloved Bundesliga, home of the official club of the IMOTGP blog, annual relegation fodder - Hertha BSC.

Well now that the Bundesliga is on the FOX networks, American fans are finally getting a taste of what our league is all about - and it's not just FC Bayern (yawn). The fandom for other clubs is growing and we would like to welcome several new fans who have joined forces with league clubs.

First off, we welcome Jeff M - the newest fan of VfL Wolfsburg. His team kicked off their Champions League campaign with a "highly deserved win" over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday. We wish Jeff all the best except this weekend when they play Hertha, of course!

Next is Will R, who made the commendable and rather unusual choice of rooting on 1. FC Koln. Your faithful blogger saw his first Bundesliga game at the RheinEnergie stadium (a Hertha win over the Goats). Who is Koln's rival in mid-week next week? Why, Hertha of course.

We also extend a warm welcome to John H, who has cast his lot with Bayer Leverkusen. John is a bit distraught over the loss of Korean ace Heung-min Son to the rival Barclays Premier League, but his focus is on a Wednesday Champions League tilt with BATE Borisov.

From all of us at the IMOTGP blog, a hearty Willkommen to the world's most exciting football league. And we extend an offer that the next time we are all together in Germany, the beer is on this blog as we celebrate Bundesliga football! Viel Spaß!

Messi's career almost in jeopardy!

Why do you make me play here?

In a pulsating, amazing contest, Argentina rallied for a 2-2 draw with Mexico at Arlington, Texas on Tuesday. Lionel Messi scored an amazing equaliser for the Albiceleste.

The game - in Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones' monstrosity of a stadium - didn't go forward without some major issues. The collective hearts of billions of football lovers were aghast when this insane moment happened on Jerry's turf.

While it was almost good news for Real Madrid supporters, the organizers of the game should be ashamed of themselves. The biggest culprit is owner Jerry Jones, whose ramblings on his Twitter account are an embarrassment to the sports world. 

They say nobody can stop Lionel Messi but Jerry Jones nearly did.

Wanna Get Away and Watch Football?

Your football flight is waiting!

It is being reported that an astounding 800,000 fans from overseas are flocking to watch Premier League matches. The most popular destination unsurprisingly is Manchester United, where this correspondent experienced the thrill of the English game a year ago.  One fan in South Africa paid 1,300 pounds to watch United.


Visiting Manchester for football has its drawbacks. First off, if you choose to watch United, you may be watching a collection of high-priced flops. This was determined this week there at some self-important convention attended by a bunch of suits.

One positive to visiting Manchester is that you can use this urinal to relieve yourself.  Also you can relive England's past football failures.

Of course, fans in the United States find that the cheapest option to watch football in a foreign country is this club. That's where you can watch one of America's brightest stars do things like this. 

So football fans, where is your next trip to watch a match going to be? Do you think England is the best destination to watch a match? Give us your thoughts before and The Phantom will respond!
 

Another English legend wants in on MLS, which wants to play England

The Manchester Evening News is reporting that the great Wayne Rooney will come to MLS once his contract with the world's most popular sports franchise is over. MLS commissioner Don Garber is in England to promote the MLS at some convention for guys who wear suits.

Garber predictably made a lot of noise at this convention, most of it hot air, of course since he was trying to hype up MLS and compare it to actual soccer leagues that function without notable fiascos like the Frank Lampard one under his watch. 

Now Garber believes that a competition between English clubs and MLS clubs would be entertaining. Never mind that such a contest would serve no purpose or that there have been no discussions with the Premier League about it or that this would serve no purpose for the Premier League. Don Garber said it, so maybe it will happen!

That about sums up the sad state of affairs with U.S. soccer, which was humbled 4-1 by Brazil on Tuesday in a game presented by Liberty Mutual, who are welcome to sponsor the IMOTGP blog anytime.

Another blow for the United States!

As the United States gets ready to face five-time champion Brazil, presented by Liberty Mutual, there is cause for concern for fans of the Stars and Stripes. And that's not just in football, as anyone who attended a humiliating rugby loss to Australia over the weekend can attest.

But we digress and since this blog's focus is football, it's long been a dream of the U.S. fan to see a player compete for a top-notch club like Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester United - the favourite club of the fictional character this blog is named after.

Well those dreams were dashed by the departure from Barca of U.S. stud Ben Lederman. Credit to eagle-eyed IMOTGP reader Adam Belgeri for pointing out this story. Lederman has been profiled numerous times and U.S. fans were excited about his relationship with Barcelona and by extension, the great Lionel Messi.

Instead, thanks to Barca's cheating ways, Lederman will no longer be part of La Masia. His father is crushed, his fans are crushed and this blogger is devastated. The sad truth is that if Lederman returns permanently to the United States, he may only be able to look forward to a MLS career steeped in mediocrity in which 37-year-old has-beens dominate the league and other past-their-prime stars lounge and watch tennis. It's a sad set of events.

A solution to American football's Goodell problem

The blog has been on vacation in sunny Florida so we haven't been able to give you your dose of real football news. We apologize.

In the States, American football takes center stage and the news that Super Bowl champion and notorious cheater Tom Brady has been absolved of illegally deflating footballs is the major talking point as opposed to the woes of the domestic MLS.

Much of the blame for the Brady saga has been placed on embattled commissioner Roger Goodell. Now Goodell plans to sic more of the league's high-powered lawyers on sacking Brady for playing with his balls.

There are numerous calls for Goodell to resign, though that won't happen. It's clear he has lost the respect of the American football public but there's a way for him to get it back that doesn't involve lawyers and people in suits.

Opening night on September 10th the Patriots and Brady will take the field to play the Steelers.  Tradition dictates Goodell will be there and the fans will boo him mercilessly. Goodell isn't planning to show up but we propose that Goodell should be there and fight back.

The commish failed to sack Brady with a four-game ban. It's time to sack him in a language the Brazilian-marrying pretty boy will understand - on the field! Roger Goodell should put on some pads and a helmet, get on the field and sack Brady during pregame warmups. Goodell was a high school star on the gridiron and it's well known that Brady isn't very tough.

So do you want to get some respect Roger? Get on the field and sack Brady like a real man would. That'll show the world who is boss and who is going to suspend you anyway? Yourself? If you do, some judge will overturn it anyway!