Down By the River......

Thames....
I haven't given this story due credit. After winning only 4 games since the season began last August, Fulham FC (which plays in West London on the River Thames) won 4 of their last 5 to pull themselves out of the bottom 3 teams and ensure another year in the major leagues of soccer, THE Barclays Premier League. This has been heralded by pundits as one of the greatest and least likely comebacks in the history of the league. On top of playing top flight futbol next year, the team is also guaranteed TV royalties in the range of 35-50 million British lbs. Congrats to the Whites and the Americans that helped keep the team alive. Sadly, Captain America, Brian McBride, announce this week that he will not be returning to Craven Cottage next year. After 5 years with Fulham, McBride has proven to be one of the greatest and most proven American soccer players ever (even though he doesn't have the records, goals, and caps ala Landon Donovan or Eric Wynalda - who will reach the heights of McBride and never did reach them, respectively) A true artist in the air and with the header, McBride will be missed as he returns to the states to retire and ride off into the sunset in the MLS. Until next August, the soccer posts are gonna be at a minimum (I can hear your sighs of relief...) I will be enjoying the Euro 2008 tourney with the national teams of Europe - on ESPN 2 and ESPN Classic starting next week. If you're feeling frisky, check out Team USA play Spain in Madrid this Wednesday afternoon on ESPN Classic (I think?). On another side note, I finished 5th out of 13 in our Fantasy Premier League, Pabst United. Congrats to Parks on winning the Title.