It's difficult to answer that question with any precision. But seems the answer is "a lot more corrupt than we realized". Because German prosecutors think it's corrupt enough that 200 games of European football need to be investigating. Including 12 in the Europa League and at least three in the Champions League. Click to continue reading...

I asked for a Beckham vs Blanco, LA Galaxy vs Chicago Fire MLS Cup 2009. But my request was denied when Real Salt Lake beat Fire on spot kicks in the Eastern Conference Final. Still, as MLS-based attention grabbing events go, an LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake MLS Cup 2009 is up there. I'll definitely [. Click to continue reading...

The Germans become comic book heroes before our very eyes. Looking back at Russian disappointment. (Russian Football Now) Hands were flying in Brazil yesterday too. (See The Cup) The US World Cup uniform leaks. (Football Fashion) The pitch invader from Sweden-Denmark gets a huge fine. (BBC) Take the stadium aerial challenge and waste loads of time at work. Click to continue reading...

This is what an allergy to water would look like, I presume. This is how years of therapy start. (Water Cooler Offside) The mathematics of a statistic. (Uli Hesse) The truthiness behind Lampard's plane injury. (Studs Up) Samuel Eto'o dishes out some expensive watches for his Cameroonian teammates. (The Spoiler) FIFA wages war against Iraq. Click to continue reading...

Major League Soccer announced the league's Best XI yesterday, as voted for by media, players, coaches and GMs. Here's what they came up with: GOALKEEPER (1): Zach Thornton (Chivas USA) DEFENDERS (3): Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew) MIDFIELDERS (5): Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), [. Click to continue reading...

With December fast-approaching, The Season is in the air. Christmas? Absolutely not. It's awards season. The Argentine sensation known as Lionel Messi has already nabbed the Onze d'Or, a precursor to the Ballon d'Or (with a heft more patriotism) which has predicted the BdO three times in the last four years. Click to continue reading...

Easily the greatest penalty shootout celebration in history. (0.20) Fabio Capello is not such a hit in Spain. (La Liga Loca) The dam is breaking in Manchester. (EPL Talk) Raymond Domenech: not so smart. (The Spoiler) Amaral writes a nice, though curious, parting letter. (SoccerLens) Robin van Persie to get mystery placenta juice treatments. Click to continue reading...

It's international break time in world football right now. Dates that FIFA has blocked out on the calendar for international play. Which means no club football (or at least no high level club football). Which means someone somewhere is complaining about the international break. And I say to them: Please stop. Click to continue reading...

Yes, the Philadelphia Union kit is rich in American history; it's blue and gold color scheme reflects the uniform of the early American Revolution, it's collar boldly highlights Benjamin Franklin's "Jungite Aut Perite" (Join or Die) rallying cry, and the crest highlights 13 stars for each of the original colonies, along with the "Don't Tread [. Click to continue reading...

Final score 0-0 aet, RSL takes it on penalties, 5-4. First, just like last year, we have to go with the "AMERICANS: A GEOGRAPHICALLY CHALLENGED PEOPLE award," (given last year under a different name to): MLS. So...yeah. Salt Lake. In the Eastern Conference finals. Why am I getting visions of MLS Commissioner Don [. Click to continue reading...

It's that time again! The time to give the Utterly Unofficial MLS Playoff awards that the teams, players and owners really deserve. Today? The Western Conference Finals, LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo. Final score LA 2-0 Houston aet. First, the "WE'RE NOW COUNTING ON YOU TO KEEP THE MLS CUP FINAL FROM [. Click to continue reading...

Something to read while you support your national team hanging out the window of a moving vehicle. On Friday 13th. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images World Cup playoff previews here African qualifying preview Like ill-informed radio shows about Asian soccer? Then you'll love this... (Podcast Offside) Premier League legends to cherish right now (EPL Talk) A reminder that penalty kicks aren't [. Click to continue reading...

I know this isn't new. I also know that Chris already posted it on Water Cooler Offside. But I don't care. It's Friday, and this video needs to be shared. For those unfamiliar, Rémi Gaillard is a famous/infamous prankster, sort of like a French version of Dom Joly. The key difference between Joly and Rémi is [. Click to continue reading...

I don't think I've ever revealed my Major League Soccer preferences here on The Offside. Truth is, I don't have any allegiance to any particular team. So for the most part I watch as an interested neutral, fascinated by the ever-changing nature of the league and with my one and only hope being that MLS [. Click to continue reading...

Please allow me to bring one of the newer Offside blogs to your attention. It's called Water Cooler Offside, and it's written by Laurie, Chris and myself. I say written, it's really a lot of cutting and pasting. Water Cooler Offside is basically a "behind the scenes of The Offside" blog. It's videos, photos and [. Click to continue reading...