CBC Sports Online's soccer expert, John Molinaro, takes you inside the world of soccer and offers his insights about the action on the pitch and in the front office.
Looking ahead to 2007
Comments (10)
Tuesday, January 2, 2007 | 11:42 AM ET
What can soccer fans look forward to in 2007?
Here’s some predictions:
Olympique Lyon will win a sixth consecutive French league title. Right now, Lyon tops the standings with a comfortable 15-point lead over Lens. Lyon only lost one game through the first half of the season, and it’s hard to see them throwing away their lead.
Barcelona will repeat as Champions League winners. Barcelona just squeaked into the round of 16 - they had to beat Bremen at home in the last game of the first round to qualify - but the Spaniards are a dangerous side teeming with world class players. And they're anxious to prove that last year’s win in Paris over Arsenal was no fluke.
Toronto FC will make the MLS playoffs. It hasn't even rounded out its player roster and the stadium is still being built, but Toronto FC, under the leadership of charismatic coach Mo Johnston, and with the support of soccer-hungry fans in Canada, will qualify for the playoffs in its first season.
Juventus will return to Serie A. Juventus was sent down to Serie B for its involvement in Italy’s match-fixing scandal last year, but the Turin-based club is well on its way to making a return to Italy’s top league. The bianconeri have wiped out their point-penalty and currently sit third in Serie B and look a sure bet to win promotion at the end of the season.
David Beckham will remain in Europe. The buzz about Becks coming to America and signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS won’t lead to anything. The Englishman will remain in Europe (but not necessarily with Real Madrid in Spain) where he will be able to play against the best players in the world.
Manchester United will win the Premiership. The Red Devils have been in a dogfight all season with Chelsea, the two-time defending champions, but expect United to bring the title back to Manchester. United has played its best soccer in years under Sir Alex Ferguson this year, while Chelsea’s defence has looked suspect.
Celtic will win the Scottish league title. Yawn. Celtic and Rangers have won every league title since 1986 and that won’t change this year - Celtic currently sits in first place with a 16-point lead over Aberdeen.
The Canadian women’s team will win the World Cup in September. Four years ago, Canada reached the semifinals. This time around, look for Canada, led by Christine Sinclair, to go one step further and build on the momentum by winning it all.
What about you, dear readers? What do you see happening over the next 12 months?
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About the Author
John F. Molinaro is a reporter for CBC Sport Online whose chief love is international soccer. John served as senior editor of Sports Online's Euro 2004 website, which helped him win a CBC.ca Award of Excellence, and was the driving force behind our coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He holds an honours BA in sociology from York University and a print journalism diploma from Sheridan College, and is also the author of The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time (Stewart House, 2002).
Recent Posts
- Getting behind the Montreal Impact
- Tuesday, September 23, 2008
- Del Piero's wonder-goal was a stunner
- Thursday, September 18, 2008
- World Cup disaster: Canada simply isn't good enough
- Thursday, September 11, 2008
- John Carver confident he'll be back for another season
- Thursday, August 7, 2008
- FIFA should challenge IOC over Olympic call-ups
- Thursday, July 31, 2008
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Comments (10)
john
Edmonton
madrid will win everything this. and ronaldo will be the hero. you heard it first here ladies and gentlemen. i garantee it. (champs. league, La Liga, and King's Cup)
Posted January 2, 2007 05:01 PM
Nacho
Halifax
Boca Juniors will win the Copa Libertadores now that Lavolpe is not head coach, that is for sure. Also the USA will probably surpise at the Copa America in Venezuela since it will bing a strong team after their world cup showing.
Posted January 3, 2007 12:19 AM
Quecas
Winnipeg
WHAT ABOUT U20 WORLD CUP TO BE HELD IN CANADA? Look for exiting games between the world's youngest superstars playing in our back yard. I expect to see the Canadian team do extremely well inthis tournament.
Posted January 3, 2007 01:40 PM
tony
i can see inter milan crashing and burning, leading to roma winning the serie a this year. i also see ac milan making some high-profile transfer this january as well as in the summer.
Posted January 3, 2007 07:05 PM
MM
Melbourne
John from Edmonton...well said!! Madrid will win La liga, the Champions League AND the King's Cup in style! Despite the barrage of criticism about the team and its players..they'll show what they are REAL-y about! Hala madrid!
Posted January 3, 2007 11:36 PM
Josh Tataren
toronto
Canada women's winning the WC? Are you nuts? They won't even get past the quarters if they go up against Germany, China or the US!
Our U20 players will make the 2nd rd of this yrs U20 as well which will be nice.
Posted January 4, 2007 12:45 AM
Abdoulaye
Winnipeg
I think it's preposterous to suggest Madrid'll win everything this year. They're not even at the top of La Liga at the moment and there are still quality teams in the Champions League. They'll only start winning things when their leaders realize signing "galaticos" won't do you any good.
Posted January 6, 2007 06:38 PM
wrongo
Victoria
Well, wrong on one prediction (so far)
Posted January 16, 2007 04:04 PM
maddie
manitoba
i believe that the Canadian women's team will do an awesome job this year, and come in top three, they are already training and if you guys would follow them then maybe you would know that they had a great year last year and will have an even better one this year
Posted February 23, 2007 04:50 PM
TFC 4 ever
toronto
Well, 4 out 8 so far. So not bad
TFC may still qualify for the playoffs, Juve to Serie A was a given. Bombed on the Becks and Barcelona predictions. The Canadian WNT winning the world cup? I dont think so.
I think we'll see some interesting transfers over the summer though
Posted May 31, 2007 10:12 AM