Two key matches are on deck today in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Brazil, who defeated Japan 3-0 on Saturday, face Mexico who are still reeling from a 2-1 defeat against Italy in their opening game.
In the second match today, Italy plays Japan. It's an opportunity for the Asian side to show what they're made of after a disappointing performance against Brazil at the weekend.
Two weeks ago was an exciting day for football and could quite well go down as a date in history where another divine footballing marriage was sealed. That was the day when Brazil's most prodigious talent since Ronaldo — Neymar da Silva Santos Junior — completed his long-awaited transfer to Barcelona.
Wingers Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson both played an important role in the perfect qualifying haul for the United States in June. The United States won all four June matches including a spectacular 4-3 victory in Washington against Germany to celebrate the US Soccer Federation Centennial. While much of the clamoring at the start of the month among US supporters was for a return of Landon Donovan, the exiled one-time poster boy of the game in the states, now the discussion revolves around the quality, commitment and consistency demonstrated recently by Jürgen Klinsmann's side.
Almost a decade ago, the world witnessed one of the rising stars in the English game move to Liverpool. His name was Harry Kewell. Fast forward 10 years later, the once sought after and most gifted Australian footballer of his generation recently signed with A-league minnows Melbourne Heart on a reported AU$48,000 a season deal.
We've already seen several key signings by Premier League clubs this summer with many new prospects coming in from La Liga. But in reality, we're also going to probably see several key players leave their Premier League clubs this summer.
Here are the top 10 high-profile players most likely to leave:
The final of the under-21 European Championship kicks off today with two brilliant sides facing each other in the final in Israel.
Spain, who have been a joy to watch this tournament —especially Isco, who has been a revelation —faces an Italy team who will be confident after defeating the Netherlands in the semi-final.
The Atlanta Silverbacks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) are close to completing an incredible feat. They currently sit atop the NASL Spring Season standings with just three matches remaining. A year ago at this time they sat anchored to the bottom of the NASL table, a year after setting a record for the least amount of wins by a second division American side in a twenty-eight game season.
Since its inception, the Premier League has witnessed some phenomenal teams. Some are universally celebrated, but others never garner the attention they truly deserve. Remaining impartial, my breakdown of the top five teams was not decided solely by what the teams won. My fundamental criteria was the manner in which they played and the enjoyment they delivered to football supporters around the world.
The impending departure of Nani from Manchester United evokes more questions than answers. Undoubtedly talented, arguably the most skilful member of the present United squad, Nani is an enigma. His departure from the Premier League is certainly a negative in terms of entertainment, but unfortunately given a player of his calibre, his departure will not grab the headlines other transfers of lesser known players nominally garner.
It is that time of the year again folks. Fans and players alike gather around their club to see which colours and configurations they will be adorning themselves in throughout the coming season. As Real Madrid launch their new kit for the 2013-2014 season, World Soccer Talk is lucky enough to have one brand new shirt to give away in a beautiful presentation box.
As Brazil continues to host the Confederations Cup, Premier League teams will have a number of their scouts in the country searching for new players to sign, while also keeping an eye on their own players. Ten years ago, there were hardly any Brazilians and Spaniards in the Premier League, but nowadays almost every team in the top four has at least a Spaniard in their ranks.
Tahiti, a tiny island in the South Pacific, battle African powerhouse Nigeria today in the third day of matches in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Ranked number 138 in the world, and featuring a team of amateurs, not much is known about the Tahiti side, but it's certainly a Cinderella story.
Here'a promotional video from Tahiti to give you an idea of how this side plays, as well as the field conditions they played on in their island:
Nigeria, meanwhile, have brought over a younger side than normal, so it'll be a good test to see what depth the current Africa Cup Of Nations champions has.
American winger/striker Jemal Johnson has a unique story. Born in New Jersey, he grew up in Macclesfield in Cheshire and spent time with Manchester United before becoming a professional with Blackburn Rovers. A veteran of all four divisions of English professional football, Johnson moved back to the United States and currently plays with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the NASL, US's second division.
Photographs of Everton's home shirt for the 2013-14 season have been leaked on the Internet.
Designed by Nike, the most striking characteristic of Everton's new home shirt is their unusual sleeve design that looks far better on a long-sleeve shirt instead of the short-sleeve shirt. On the short sleeve version, they just look like big white cuffs.
Even though the Champion's League dream didn't come to fruition in the end, and despite whatever Adrian Durham says, I think most Spurs fans would agree that Andre Villas-Boas' first season at the Lane has been a success. Although Gareth Bale was the obvious star of the team, AVB deserves credit beyond simply getting Bale to play at an outstanding level.
