King Of Pop To Reside At Craven Cottage

Today it was announced by Fulham chairman Muhamed Al Fayed that a statue of Michael Jackson will be unveiled outside Craven Cottage on April 3. Fayed was a longtime friend of the pop star before his death two years ago.

From ESPN Soccernet: 

[Al Fayed told Fulham's official website: "Michael Jackson was truly a legend, a term used too often in this modern world saturated in the hyperbole surrounding celebrity.

"He was my friend, a man with whom I shared many happy memories and who died a tragic and untimely death. He left behind a legacy of music so vast it takes one's breath away; from a precocious talent to an ingenuity and ground breaking modernity that shall never be repeated.

"It shall often be imitated, but it will never be replicated, Michael Jackson was, and shall always remain, one of a kind.

"I hope that many fans of his will visit the statue at the Cottage from far and wide, and that Fulham fans will appreciate seeing the finest performer in the world, in and amongst them, the finest fans in the world."]

This media move comes at a time when the club is languishing in the middle of the English Premier League table en route to an average season. No doubt it will serve as a ploy to gain more favorable coverage.

In 1999, MJ visited the club (his only visit) to take in a match. Here's the video from that day.



Interesting decision to erect this kind of statue outside a soccer stadium which has nothing to do with the sport. So, will Fulham fans become sick of this thing once the initial media spotlight has faded? And will more kids now flock to matches at Craven Cottage? (Joking).

Watching Soccer In Class FAIL

I know I have been guilty of doing this before: watching a soccer match online in the middle of a boring lecture. Since I live in the United States, most if not all matches are started during mid-afternoon during the week, which is prime time for my most mundane of classes.

Well, check out this German student who makes that boring lecture a little more interesting. Thank God I have never done this before.

Arshavin Goal Beats Barca

Here's the game-winning goal from today's Arsenal-Barcelona Champions League match. What a brilliant one-time finish by Russian international Andrei Arshavin, whose goal gives the London club a goal advantage heading back to Spain.

Not Your Average YouTube Video

Skills videos are everywhere on YouTube. Most are just those wannabe stars doing a couple neat tricks and flicks in a backyard or something. Nothing too spectacular if you know what I mean.

This is not one of those videos. First of all, the scene is completely different. This dude is on a LEDGE that makes it look like he is teetering close to falling to his death. Not sure if he really is though but that is besides the point.

But then...THEN HE CLIMBS A POLE. A MOTHERF***IN POLE. And juggles.

The point is that this dude can ball, and rightfully so after watching the video. Don't believe me? View it below.



Special thanks to Pat Crawford for the vid.

Update + Crazy Goal

Sorry about the lack of posting Xtra Time readers. The end of the semester is upon us at Michigan State and final exams are right around the corner. But not to worry, because over Christmas break I will be updating this thing on a daily basis and finally having the time to write more instead of just posting links.

Until that happens, here is a stunning goal from Independiente's Facundo Parra. Parra volleys home their vital third goal and equalizer in the 2010 Copa Sudamericana Final while lying on the pitch. This was his second goal in the game against Brazil's Goias. Independiente eventually won the game and the cup on penalty kicks.

'Ave it!

World Cup Bids On The Line

Here's ESPNSoccernet's Press Pass crew breaking down the pros and cons of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids. The United States is exclusively seeking the honor of hosting the 2022 World Cup. FIFA will reach a decision on Thursday for both tournaments.

Serie B Spectacular

My friend Robin sent me this goal from this weekend's action in the Italian Serie B, and what a beauty it is!

In the Siena vs. Novara match, Novara's Argentinean forward combo of Emmanuel Gigliotti and Pablo Gonzalez hooked up for an incredible effort that saw Gigliotti grab an equalizer in injury time. The game ended 1-1, and Novara will get credit for one of the best team goals of 2010.