Last updated: 4th May 2008
I was told in no uncertain terms by American football coaches and Baseball coaches that I would amount to absolutely nothing if I stuck to playing soccer. 'You're an idiot for doing it'.
Brad Friedel
Quotes of the week
Brad Friedel told Goals On Sunday that his rivalry with Kasey Keller has spurred them both on to be successful in England.
The American stopper has been one of the Premier Leagues most consistent goalkeepers for the last five seasons with Blackburn.
His rival for the US Number 1 jersey came over to England before him and set the trend for the likes of Friedel and Tim Howard to become successful in the Premier League.
And the former Liverpool player told Goals On Sunday that they had to come to Europe in search of fame, against the odds.
Friedel told Goals On Sunday: "Our rivalry dates back to 1989. Kasey played at Portland and me at UCLA, both on the West coast, and I played in the Olympic team in 92 and he was fortunate to play in 96.
"He was able to get his work permit before me over here and then it took me five years to get it but we've had a friendly rivalry since.
"It has been healthy for both of us, when you have competition it keeps you on your toes.
"When we were coming up there was no professional league in the States, we came over to Europe and you become better when you play in Europe."
Friedel says he came over to ply his trade in Europe despite many coaches warning him against it.
"It's good that the MLS is there now but it is a lower standard. But we were able to come over here and play amongst the best and learn the industry and it helped us immensely.
"When we were growing up you play If you get into university, if you didn't get in then give up and play another sport. That was it.
"Then there was a couple of us that were lucky enough to get into the national team programme and then you could carry on.
"I was told in no uncertain terms by American football coaches and Baseball coaches that I would amount to absolutely nothing if I stuck to playing soccer. You're an idiot for doing it.
"Now I get to go back and say 'hey look, it worked out!'
"Although America has done well on the world scene recently and quite a few players have come over but from 330 something million people in the country there must be only 15 players who have really made in with long-term careers on the world scene so it is difficult.
Friedel has had another outstanding seasons between the posts at Ewood Park and he puts there success down to Mark Hughes's ability to attract goalscorers each year.
"Roque (Santa Cruz) has been absolutely fantastic this year, it seems every season Mark Hughes picks a rabbit out of the hat.
"Last year it was Benni McCarthy, the season before that it was Craig Bellamy, all 20plus goalscorers for us, they do a tremendous job for us scouting the players."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 6th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Liverpool |
| Saturday 13th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 20th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Blackburn |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 14:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Newcastle |
| Wednesday 28th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Bolton |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Blackburn |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Everton |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Blackburn |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 3rd December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Man Utd 5 - 3 Blackburn | |
| Sunday 30th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Sunday 23rd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 1 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 1 - 2 Sunderland | |
| Wednesday 12th November | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Sunderland 1 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Sunday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 2 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 29th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 3 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 1 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 18th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 4th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 27th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 24th September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Blackburn 1 - 0 Everton | |
| Saturday 20th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 1 - 0 Fulham | |
| Saturday 13th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 30th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 4 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 27th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Blackburn 4 - 1 Grimsby | |
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Saturday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 2 - 3 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 9th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Blackburn 1 - 1 NAC | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Tottenham Hotspur | 15 | 15 |
| 17 | Newcastle United | 15 | 15 |
| 18 | Sunderland | 15 | 15 |
| 19 | Blackburn Rovers | 15 | 13 |
| 20 | West Bromwich Albion | 15 | 11 |
Ratings Review is back to consider the winners and losers from the latest round of Premier League fixtures.
Arsenal and Bolton pick up the plaudits as Chris Kamara names his Premier League picks of the weekend.
Blackburn's 2-1 win over Manchester United in 2005. Can you name the mystery starting XI?
Blackburn boss Paul Ince insists he maintains the full support of his playing squad, despite hitting a slump.
Paul Ince was disappointed with Blackburn's defending after Rovers lost 5-3 at Man Utd.
Carlos Tevez produced an inspired display as Man Utd beat Blackburn 5-3 to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals as Paul Scholes returned.
Ahmed Al-Muhammadi is eyeing a move to Blackburn after undergoing a productive trial at the club.
Red Bull Salzburg hot-shot Marc Janko has underlined his desire to join a Premier League club.